<span style="color: #FFBF40"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">House of Delecroix</span><br/><span style="font-size: 130%; line-height: 116%;">Castle Devona</span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o793/Galvin_Fugazi/16aaa03c-d70c-49d0-833d-aa82d7697d9f_zpsf037c19c.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF40"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Sir Abel M. Delecroix</span></span></div></span><br/><br/>Sir Abel wished he could say he was surprised by Sir Damian's words, but unfortunately he could not. He had expected them, but he was happy nonetheless that Damian was satisfied. He was not happy, however, with the way Damian looked at Iris. There was something a bit cold in those eyes when he regarded her. Abel had a feeling that Damian viewed her more as a farm animal to breed than a real person.<br/><br/>He was distracted from his thoughts as Damian began to speak once more, this time on Abel's rather poor performance.<span style="color: #FFBF40"> "I fear she'll mock me regardless,"</span>Abel said with mock dismay,<span style="color: #FFBF40">"I don't mind so much though--it might be a bit unconventional, but I rather like Martine's brutish behavior. It doesn't suit a lady at all, but it suits Martine just fine."</span>Abel was clearly teasing Martine and her cheeks seemed to color a pretty shade of pink that he rather liked. He wondered what other ways he could make her blush like that.<br/><br/>He brought his thoughts back to the tournament, trying to keep his mind pure. In truth he had been rather disappointed in himself as well, but had accepted it as his own fault for not practicing enough. He wasn't much of a tournament man anyhow. Abel couldn't help but give a chuckle at Martine's abuse towards her father. He was quite enjoying the chuckles and wheezes Damian let out every time Martine caught him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF40">"But in all seriousness, I do hope I do better tomorrow as well. Wasn't expecting to try and joust with a heavy bloke like that---such is life I suppose,"</span>he said as he took another sip of ale. He was rather tired but being near Martine kept him awake and energized, at least for the moment.