"Since we've successfully completed this task here, let us take our repast and then we shall attend the Bouts this afternoon," Alaric announced to his brothers as their measurements had been taken in the men's dressing room.
"The Bouts?" Calvin sounded surprised but excited, while Derbie looked wild-eyed. 
The Bouts were mini battles put on almost like a play performance, only injuries could occur if the fighters were exhausted or incautious. These matches were often used as duels, pugilists battling for dollars and reputations. And the audience was free to bet on the matches but not interfere with them. It was a brutal, savage event but oddly satisfying in its own way. 
And although it was rare for women to be involved, it wasn't forbidden. A fact that Alaric never considered while dining with his brothers and then escorting them to their seats to watch. But as he found the three seats that matched the tickets he purchased, Alaric was violently reminded that women could attend or participate as he found the Ladies Ram I the seats a row in front of their own. And because Derbie had Debuted at the same time as the triplets, it would be ruse to ignore them.
"Good afternoon, Ladies Ram," Alaric followed social protocol, offering a polite bow, "you know my brother Derbie, but please let me also introduce my brother Calvin." 
"Aayina Ram," the eldest sister offered her hand to Calvin politely, "and these are my sisters Bahni, Chanda, and Deepa." Although identical, the triplets appeared to seek individuality in the jewellery they chose; earrings, necklace or bracelets. Aayina seemed to prefer rings, and Alaric tried not to watch the large tourmaline stone on her hand, the sunset orange expressing her Family but also suiting her brown skin and dark eyes.
"Great minds think alike, my brother Alaric also decided to show me the Bouts now that I am an adult," Derbie had the same easy charm their mother had, talking to the triplets since he was familiar with them. 
"You do realize that the whole saying is that great minds think alike but fools rarely differ," Aayina didn't look offended despite her words, "so that is either a painful truth about both your brother and I, or an unintended insult." 
"I lack the ego to claim status as a great mind," Alaric spoke before his younger siblings could seize the opportunity, "even if you would accept it, but I am certainly no fool." He hadn't intended to imply a heavy ego for Lady Aayina but somehow, he had while also suggesting she could be a fool too. Quite the diplomatic turn for a future Count. 
"We can likely verify for ourselves that you're no great mind," Lady Aayina Ram smiled but it didn't feel friendly to Alaric, "but claiming not to be a fool is already proven to be a lie." 
"Aayina," Deepa tried to whisper to calm her sister, but Alaric heard it as well, "try not to chase away all potential Suitors for us as well." 
"Ladies," Alaric spoke to the Ladies Ram, "please take your seats and be at ease, we are here to enjoy a good show not become a spectacle ourselves." With the Ladies sat down, Alaric finally signalled for his brothers to sit. He might be foolish, but he wasn't intentionally rude. 
Today's Bouts were a semi-historical recreation of Achilles and Hector's great battle, and the fighters were both stupendous; it should have been quite the memorable show. And yet Alaric spent the entirety of it trying to prepare a clever farewell so he could redeem himself for his earlier gaffe with Lady Aayina Ram. She sat in front on him, far enough away that any contact would be obviously deliberate, but still close enough that he could hear her discussing the mock battle before them. Although they all knew who won between these two historical characters, the Bouts left the conclusion up to the skill and determination of the fighters. Lady Aayina Ram was astutely analyzing the endurance and skill of Hector's fighter, but Alaric couldn't help interrupting her.
"You're wrong," he sat forward and spoke loud enough to be heard, "Hector's the more technical fighter but like the long ago man he's too cautious. Achilles will find a weak point and strike and it'll be over." 
"Are you aware of the irony, Achilles will find the weak point?" Lady Aayina quickly recovered from his interjection. "And if you're so confident in Achilles, what are you willing to risk on it?" 
"You're betting?" he as all too familiar with gambling thanks to Blair and her bad habits. 
"It's only betting if you plan to lose, this I would consider my social duty. You've interrupted our conversation and given your opinion where it wasn't wanted nor requested; the least your bad judgement can do is buy us a round of drinks." Although Lady Aayina's words were critical, Alaric could see a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. 
"And when Hector follows in the footsteps of hi온라인카지노게임, we'll all toast with a fine red," Alaric was used to his multitude of siblings, a little attitude was almost nice compared to the façade of civility. 
"That you pay for," Lady Aayina insisted, and Alaric smiled as one of the triplets hissed at her. 
The Lady's confidence and analysis in Hector were brilliant, but like Alaric had predicted he wasted an opportunity by being cautious and Achilles laid him out. Unlike the myth, this battle ended with no deaths and thunderous applause. 
"Have no fear Lady Aayina," Alaric had already been unintentionally rude, now he was being impulsively familiar, "I'll pick a sweet wine to help balance the bitterness of that loss, and I'll pay for it too. That look on your face is entirely worth it." 
Before she could reply, or Alaric could abscond, they all heard a booming, "Briggs!"
Alaric turned to face the loud voiced Borka Polumenta, one of Danilo's older brothers and a long Family friend thanks to Calvin's bond with Danilo. "Lord Borka, well met," he gripped the man's hand, unsurprised to see Danilo already at Calvin's side.  
"You're keeping quite the lovely company these days Lord Alaric," Borka smiled as he shamelessly maneuvered for an introduction to the Ladies Ram.
"Lady Aayina Ram, may I please introduce Lord Borka Polumenta," Alaric played the role Borka was hinting at, introducing the eldest siblings to each other. 
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lord Borka Polumenta," Lady Aayina sounded pleasant and friendly, and Alaric felt his nose itch at the sudden change. "These are my sisters, Bahni, Chanda, and Deepa Ram." 
Alaric wasn't the only one to notice that as Borka politely took each sister's hand, he froze in place with Deepa's in his giant hand. It was as if Alaric could see the moment that they all ceased to exist to the pair as they stared at each other. It broke only when Danilo gave a fake cough before introducing himself. "I'm Danilo Polumenta, I hope you all enjoyed the Bout." 
And despite having bet on the losing fighter, Aayina Ram looked triumphant, "losing a battle doesn't mean one can't still win the war." 
If Alaric wasn't mistaken there'd be a Letter of Intent from Viscount Polumenta's House to Viscount Ram's House on the first day. Somehow Aayina had already managed to find a Suitor for one of her three younger siblings, while Alaric still had no hopes for any of his. He'd felt so confident a moment ago but could now only swallow his disappointment as he made polite farewells and took his brothers home.