2025-02-10 - It's Showtime: The Joust of Champions!

The Arena of Champions is soars high above the medieval and fantasy buildings of the River Village and Village Fairgrounds. A structure that Ruby has passed a thousand times, but never entered for one reason or another. Once she met Brandon, it became a place she avoided. Not because she wanted to avoid her boyfriend but rather because it became an obvious place for Silvertones fans to see Brandon O'Donnell in the flesh, even if he wasn't singing familiar songs.

Anxiety pricked at Ruby's being as she descended the stairs to the Avalon-themed VIP section in the front, typically reserved for high rollers in the park who paid extra to be closer to the action. Brandon had arranged for Ruby to sit there weeks ago, but she'd only now taken him up on the offer.

She smiled and waved to a Silvertones fan who spotted her, even agreeing to take a selfie before taking her seat in the front.

Below the crowd in the vast bowl of the arena, the pageantry of the event is not yet in full swing. Here and there liveried functionaries move about the spectators as they take their seats, taking orders for food and beverages and otherwise helping as they can.

The performers themselves are not yet to be found, though earlier they’d emerged to mix and mingle ‘in character’ with the milling crowd. Though steadfast in performing his job—posing for photos and answering questions as Sir Tristan—Brandon had made a point to welcome the “fair Princess Ruby” and gift her with the silvered coronet of Avalonian royalty before returning to wherever the performers’ equivalent of a green room is set.

Sir Tristan, in his full regalia, is striking. He looks regal, as a knight should. It's no wonder he was cast as a swoon-worthy hero. Even more so as he places the silver coronet studded with gemstones that sparkle in the sunlight on her flaxen head. She can do little more but grin and internally kick herself for dressing so casually. Roman had suggested renting a costume for this moment, as so many tourists did. Instead, Ruby was just in a pair of light wash jeans that hugged her hips and an Avalon red cropped sweater. Not exactly the attire of a "visiting princess."

In the moment, of course, Brandon had mimed right through it—not trying to call overmuch attention to her, but at the same time playing his role to the literal and figurative hilt. He’d bowed over her hand, pressed it to his lips—and if their eyes met, and he gave her an outrageously knowing wink that nobody else ever got—well, that was their little in-joke that nobody else got to see.

What Ruby herself would see when she found her seat would be that just over half of the Avalonian box was similarly dressed—in their modern clothing as opposed to medieval costume.

Unlike most of the performers, Neville did not come out to mingle with the crowd before the show. This was strategic on the part of the show manager - as the big menacing bad, they felt that showing up for smiles and selfies would detract from the show. Afterwards? Neville was known to stay as long as anyone still was there to be greeted. For someone who had seemed so grumpy at being a part of this production, he seems to have embraced the role with vigor and verve.

He paces backstage, a habit he had picked up from watching other veteran actors do the same. Loosen up the blood flow, build up the energy they had said. It had him tired, is what he felt, but there is likely something to it. He at least found some good from it.

He was ready to make his "grand entrance", arriving "late" of course in a moment to disrupt the proceedings with his bellowing voice. He has been told that it evokes quite a reaction with the younger members of the crowd. Which just makes Neville happy. The only he enjoys more than scaring people during his entrance is hearing the cheers as he is defeated each day. That is the sign of a well played villain.

Natalia is very new to the park and has never seen the arena show and so she's decided to come and check it out for the first time. She's not working, so she's not in her uniform and is instead dressed in a dark green sweater dress with some thermal leggings on and a pair of black boots keeping her warm, her long hair tied in a loose braid for the outdoor show and a jacket around her shoulders. She finds herself a seat in the stands in whatever section she's directed toward and settles there to take in the show.

Brandon's wink never fails to cast a blush on Ruby's cheeks.

Ruby offers the girl next to her a friendly smile. She's flying solo today. "First time seeing the show?" She asks if only to make polite conversation. One of the vendors then comes by with large beers in steins and Ruby waves them over. When enjoying the park like a tourist, act like a tourist.

Neville's loud booming voice steals Ruby's attention, and a broad smile brightens up her face. Supposedly, the show is about to begin!

A brazen fanfare from the trumpets to either side of the Royal Box makes plain the hour is upon us: the introductions of the champions! A hush falls over the crowd as a herald in the colors of the Home Nation saunters out to the middle of the Arena floor. He's mic'd up for the event, though wireless, and yet his voice is loud and projected well enough that it carries to many an onlooker who would have no need of the in-house sound system.

The champion of Seraphin is introduced to lusty boos from the crowd, who are all too pleased to shower this dark and haughty fellow with disdain after the way in which he strutted through their number before the show. Next will be the champion of Draugrheim....

...and yet, the Champion does not arrive.

The horns blow the standard for Braugrheim again. Louder this time. And still nothing.

There is the sound of some scuffling coming over the speakers. A deep baritone voice echoes. "What do you mean you do not know where he is? FIND HIM and get him OUT THERE, and find me SOMEONE who can stand in for him until you DO!" A pause, as if someone else were saying something, and then another bellow. "ANYONE, you idiot! We will just stall until his time!"

And then, a few moments later, out stalks Duke Roderick von Raathe to a chorus of boos.

Neville is in his element, arms outraised as if he were hearing cheers and not jeers, a long flowing black cape behind him fluttering with each step. "Thank you, thank you my loyal citizens!" he shouts as he makes his way towards the elaborate chair - not quite a throne - set up in his grand stand. "Now that the best here, of course, we can begin."

He looks around. Still no knight. He clears his throat. "We are HERE!"

A knight comes trotting out, a hand on his head, as if holding the helmet in place. It looks as if the armor was put on hastily and he does not quite know how to walk in it.

This is, of course, a setup for a twist later. When a real knight replaces him to fight, setting up the Black Knight to ride in and reveal herself to be the missing Draugrheim champion.

Neville does his best to sell his fury and irritation with the turn of events.

"Yes," Natalia says to Ruby when asked if it's her first time seeing the show. "I was told that it's not to be missed." When she speaks, her voice holds a soft Russian accent. Her smile is warm as she asks Ruby. "Have you seen it before?" Her attention shifts to the field as the Serafin is announced and the crowd begins to boo. She doesn't join in, but instead merely looks to see who and what they are boing at with curiosity. She leans over toward Ruby and asks, "Is that part of the act? Or did someone not actually show up for work today?"

Ruby shakes her head no. "I've been meaning to," she tells Natalia as her eyes shift back to the arena. The energy is electric between the horns and the horses dressed up in their nation's colors. The girls next question is met with a perplexed look from the blonde. "I... don't know..." If it's a part of the show, hats off to the actor because he was very convincing. So convincing that Ruby shifts in her seat a bit uncomfortably.

"I think he's the bad guy," she guesses. "I'm Ruby, by the way."

Again, the trumpets blow their brazen fanfare; in the wake of their echoes, a lone bard raises his voice from the Arena's scarlet corner, nearest Ruby and Natalia. He sings a clear and plaintive tune, bright and hopeful:

And now the darkest hour contest
From close beside our Home behest
The ally brave, the loyal one
The champion of Avallone--!

And riding then into the sawdust of the Arena at a brisk trot upon a white horse barded all in scarlet and that selfsame white is a tall, fair-faced champion in silvered plate-and-mail, his visor up to purposely reveal his classically handsome features. The bright red of his surcoat is adorned with a Cross of Lorraine all in white, and the same device is painted clear upon his shield.

"Sir Tristan de Morgan, Champion of Avalon" cries the Herald!

Or Brandon O'Donnell, to those who know to look beyond the surface. He will shortly be followed by the King's Champion of the Home Nation.

Neville rocks back and forth in time to Sir Tristan's entrance music, waving a hand vaguely in front of him as if in dismissal. He says nothing, however, to audibly disrupt the knight's entrance. At this point, he is background visuals for those who want to see a vibrant, live show going on, but he does nothing to truly take attention away from the current star.

One thing Neville knows how to do well is share a stage.

Natalia watches the performance and says, "It's very convincing," impressed by the acting going on around them. She also takes in the audience's reaction to the next knight when he arrives. "Is he the good guy, then?" she asks, nodding toward Sir Tristan. "Oh, I'm Natalia. Or just Talia. Nice to meet you, Ruby." She keeps her voice quiet as she murmurs to Ruby, not wanting to disturb the others nearby enjoying the performance.

Backstage is, predictably, in a tizzy. One of their Champions has gone awry, and now there's been a scuttle to sub in an understudy. The thing is, though, Benedict isn't missing! He's being dragged up by a couple of backstage workers.

"I think your arm's broken!" says one of them, who looks awfully pale as he stares at Ben.

To which Benedict says: "What? No, I'm fine," and manages to get his gauntlet on. He's not quite dressed, but he'll be out there in time for the switch!

Sir Tristan's entrance is met with loud cheers from their section. Ruby lifts her beer to him when their eyes connect briefly, then takes a sip. Upon spotting Neville dismissively waving off the music, she laughs. "Oh, he's a great character," she giggles. But her eyes then sweet back to the red knight.

"Yeah, he's the good guy," she tells Natalia. "And I think that guy is the bad guy," she says, pointing at Neville. "And I think his knight is... maybe morally grey." Who knew, really? She adjusts her silver crown on her head.

The final introductions go much as expected-- the champion of the host kingdom, the top-billed heroes of the show? His introduction comes to thunderous applause. The king and queen in the opposite box wave nobly and gracefully to all and sundry. The herald announces the first competition, the 'Tilting at Rings,' to great acclaim from the crowd.

Sir Tristan's name is called first, and so he canters his mount over toward the Avalonian end of the stand-- and coincidentally the open end of the lists opposite the rings themselves. Lifting his lance in salute to the Princess and the rest of her royal box, he flashes his most charming smile before lowering the visor of his helm and guiding his steed in a tight circle with an expert's handling of the reins.

Then a light touch of his heels to the white charger's flanks, and it springs forward--!

The white knight's lance lowers, is held steady--

What now? Down the middle? Sir Tristan's lance successfully takes one-- no, two! What! Three? A fourth is missed-- just-- but then the fifth? Five? Four of five rings!

Off to the side of the 'action', Bennie is dressed in his full Chester the Jester attire. A multicolored suit that matches perfectly with the theme of the arena even if on it's own it is quite blinding. A hat on his head with separate 'cone' shaped extensions each with their own small brass bell that jangles as he walks.

He isn't walking though. No he's standing, leaning if we're specific, against the barrier that divides the stands from the jousting ring. He has an apple in his hand, taking a bite as Neville makes his entrance, "Loyal citizens? I didn't vote for you!" Calling out in his Chester the Jester voice, full of wit yet good humor, he joins the crowd in their boos.

Atop his shoulder, dressed in similar attire, Oz the ferret sits in HIS own costume. "The best? More like the best of the worst what say ye, fair spectators!?"

Sir Tristant makes his appearance. Bennie knows the drill. Oz too. Time to be hypemen! Or...hypeman and hypeferret? It works!

"OUR CHAMPION!" Chester bellows out and Oz bounds from his shoulder to the divider as the ferret runs one way and Chester runs the other way, building the applause of the crowd as they do. At one point Chester looks to tumble, but instead it's a quick flip before he continues to run.

As Chester and Oz each come to a stop across the field from each other now, they can properly mock Neville from either side. Which they do. Chester dances while moving his hands in a mocking fashion and making a face. Oz, on his opposite side, stands on his hind legs and dances a bit while flailing his paws.

Another hand gesture from Neville, a hand up and then waving down to dismiss the Jester, as if unworthy of his time.

But he watches Sir Tristan loop the loops, and he jumps up from his chair. "Why is that Sir Tristan so accursed good?" He bellows. A small man seated next to the Neville looks up at him.

"Because he practices?"

Neville sneers at the smaller man and dumps his chalice on him. But fortunately, it is only water. "Imbecile."

Then he flounces dramatically back into the large chair, throwing up the sides of his cape as he does so.

Natalia nods with interest as she and Ruby discuss what's going on in front of them. There's a little smile on her lips as she watches the performers come out, one by one. Chester the Jester gets a little laugh when he proclaims that he did not in fact vote for the Duke. She applauds along with the crowd, starting to get a little more into the show now that she's following what's going on, cheering when they do, though she doesn't boo when they do, instead choosing only to play along with the more positive reinforcements.

The hype jester and ferret are an instant favorite of Ruby's! She is so taken by Oz, doing his little tricks in his little costume, that she might have missed the fanfare. Luckily, her attention is redirected just as Brandon gracefully addresses the King and Queen, and then turns her attention to her. Her heart thuds in her chest.

Ruby cheers loudly with each ring he manages to loop. She nearly jumps out of her seat when he gets four out of five! Was that good?! It seemed good!

The champions of Seraphin and the home nation itself proceed with aplomb and skill, and if not quite the level of success evidenced by Sir Tristan, at least acquit themselves well. Well, except the rickety 'champion' of Draugrheim, that is. But it's the champion of Avalon who takes the first prize, a garland of flowers. It is presented to him by the princess of the home kingdom, 'daughter' of the king and queen, and he accepts it with bowed head before sending his mount on a circuit of the Arena.

The victory lap, such as it is, is short enough-- other events remain before the climactic Joust of Champions-- but Sir Tristan at least makes the most of it, riding past Duke Roderick with a bright grin as if to say yes, the good guys are always this good, and then pausing before Avalon's royal box. This time, he lifts his visor and addresses his princess directly.

"This rightly belongs to you, Your Highness," Brandon calls to Ruby, and lifts the wound crown of flowers up towards where she sits just behind the rail, beside Natalia.

What!? The Duke dares to ignore them!? Chester and Oz both pull back in horrified offense. In mature response to such an insult, Oz decides to turn things around. Literally. He turns so his fuzzy tail is facing the Duke and proceeds to shake his hind legs in a 'neener neener' fashion.

Meanwhile, Chester instead sizes the Duke up. Before standing upright, turning his head with a mock disgusted expression and raising his hand to first wave up and then down. In a clear copy of Neville's previous gesture. As The Duke flounces away, Chester likewise turns and flounces in a direction while throwing up the sides of his imaginary but very effective cape.

Neville curls up his lips, wrinkling his nose, and bobs his head back and forth.

"Rightly belongs to you your highness" he parrots, but in an elaborately high pitched voice.

Then he rolls his eyes, and turns to the man he so recently dumped his water on. "I am thirsty, where is my drink!" The man scurries off, and Neville goes back to scowling over the proceedings, placing an elbow on the arm of his chair and resting his chin on his fist.

Oz and Chester get a laugh from Ruby. The taunting from the weasel is hilarious.

Meanwhile, Sir Tristan on horseback looks like something straight out of the Chronicles of Narnia. Regal, handsome, and making a b-line for her. She looks at Natalia. "Do you mind holding this for a moment?" She asks, asking her to hold the comically large beer she'd bought. At least she was halfway done. It wouldn't spill. It's handed to Natalia if she is willing, otherwise it's set on the ground carefully.

She stands and reaches over the barrier to accept the garland of flowers. There was much she'd like to say, but she stays silent other than a thank you. Her eyes then roll at the mocking from the villainous character. The garland is draped over her lap.

"He's my boyfriend," she explains to Natalia, feeling a little flustered by all the attention.

Natalia takes the comically large beer without any complaints, giving Ruby an agreeable smile. "Of course." She jut holds it in her lap while she watches what is going on. And when she realizes that it's Tristan coming to give Ruby the flowers, her smile turns soft and fond. "Oh, that's so sweet," she says with genuine appreciation for the gesture. Only when the flowers have been settled does she offer Ruby her beer back. "Your knight is quite handsome," she laughs.

Neville gets a chuckle for his mocking and the jester and his little furry friend get her applause. The mocking from Oz gets a little laugh. "Too funny."

The events that follow the tilting at rings provide a broad survey of the knights' skills-- the javelin throw, archery from horseback, and even melon smashing-- and the results are split more or less evenly.

For his part, Sir Tristan fares poorly at the archery and rather misses the mark with the melon, leading to derisive hoots from the quarters of the park asked to cheer for Seraphin and Draugrheim, but he acquits himself well in the javelin throw, a more natural movement to judge by the way the pointed projectile hurtles through the air as it leaves his hand.

Prizes are awarded, taunts are taunted, cheers are cheered and songs are sung. But hark! As the crowd begin to grow restless, the Herald returns to the field!

"Hear ye, hear ye, O lords and ladies of the Spellbound Isles! For now comes the final challenge, the Joust of Champions, wherein the knight who wins the day shall proclaim his lady fair the Queen of Love and Beauty, to reign supreme over all the Isles until the End of Days!" Then he adds behind a cupped hand, sotto voce but amplified by his wireless mic, "Or the park closes at eleven."

"It really is," Ruby says, admiring the arrangement of roses in an assortment of colors from a deep red that looks almost black to bright crimson. Natalia's compliment adds to the color on Ruby's cheeks. He really is handsome.

The following events continue to explain the story of the visiting nations between events. Ruby learns there are other "visiting princesses," and each is presented with favors as their coordinating knight wins. But if she were being honest and knew Brandon, Ruby's flowers seemed to be just a little grander than the rest. Sneaky.

The announcement that the Queen of Love and Beauty would rule until eleven is met with good-natured laughs from the crowd. Ruby reclaims her beer, knowing that if Brandon wins, she might need a bit more liquid courage for whatever theatrics were to follow.

"Are you visiting?" she asks Natalia. She didn't notice her there with anyone else.

For all the failures of the quasi-bumbling knight flying Draugrheim's flag, they do at least square up for the Joust without falling off their horse. It seems a near thing, though.

Until a dense cloud of darkness begins to roll in from one end of the Arena, engulfing Draugrheim's Champion. The backstage fog machines are really putting in the work, as the knight is consumed entirely. And then, from within the roiling mass of vapor, sounds a chilling snarl, the voice decrepit and vile.

It says nothing, but as the gleaming glow of the Black Knight's eyes pierce the cloud, he bursts forth on his unholy steed, his armor gleaming with dread. A few more unearthly are unleashed as the Black Knight in all his undead glory drives his steed forward towards the line for the joust, his lance held at the ready.

From the Draugrheim section, a small but dedicated group of fans starts howling back at him, and the Black Knight lifts his lance in companionable fury, earning an even louder call-back.

"YES!"

Neville leaps up from his chair, throwing his arms up above his head, knocking the man who was scurrying forward with a goblet of water on a silver tray back, and covering him yet again with a spray of water.

Neville points down at Brandon on the field and snarls out with such vigorous vitriol that those near by can see the saliva frothing and flung from his mouth.

"NOW we will see just how good you really are!" And then he places his fists on his hips and leans back, pointing his face to the heavens as he unleashes a full on round of supervillainous laughter.

"Your copying needs work, Duke! Let me know if you want lessons!" Chester calls out at Neville where he sits now.

Then, the darkness arrives at the arena. Turning dramatically, Chester calls out, "Sir Fuzzington the Adorable! To me!" Oz is on it and already running to meet Bennie halfway. Leaping and soaring the rest of the way, Oz lands on Bennie's shoulder as Chester finds a barrier to bravely provide support for. With his back. Out of view of the knight.

The cheers and fantastic laughter from The Duke have Chester giving him a mock glare before he then turns to offer a helpful yell from behind the barrier, "Send him cowering back into the shadows, Sir Tristan!"

Natalia settles back in once her beer-watching duties are over and applauds as the joust is announced. "I love horses. This is the part I've been looking forward to the most," she murmurs quietly to Ruby. "Oh.. my.. what's that?" she asks as the cloud of arkness rolls in, her eyes widening a little in surprise. And when the knight bursts forth, she says, "That was.. dramatic!" It seems to be a compliment.

It's then that she remembers that Ruby had asked her a question, "Oh, no. I just started working at the park. I work with the bats over on Starlight Island." There's a little shiver that runs down her spine at that current running through the audience.

And then-- a light! From on high, as if piercing the clouds as day turns to dusk, three shafts of light bright as the sun converge upon the helm and silvered mail-and-plate of Sir Tristan. The White Knight of Avalon is lit up as if with daylight to shine forth in marked, glorious contrast to the rolling thunder that is the Black Knight against whom he's been set.

Lifting his lance in salute, scarlet pennons rippling in the wind, Sir Tristan lowers his visor and again, touches heels lightly to the sides of his white charger.

The great steed springs forward, swiftly gathering speed as it thunders down the lists to the thrumming beat of its rapidly descending hooves....

"They're stunning, right?" Ruby smiles over at Natalia.

Ruby leans forward as the Black Knight enters the arena with clouds of billowing smoke. Her sage green eyes glance up toward the sky, diming like a cloud has eclipsed the sun. The Duke's laughter is bone-chilling, and Ruby shifts in her seat rather uncomfortably. "Just a bit," she agrees.

"No kidding!" Ruby beams, "I work in the Marine Center primarily with the manatees." But she's only half invested in the conversation while the show continues.

The sudden beam of light causes her eyes to squint. Brandon looks like an angel being heralded from the heavens to battle evil forces. It's very dramatic. As Sir Tristan lowers his visor, Ruby unconsciously grips the arms of her chair. She knew that even though this was pretend, the actors still took their hits. "This is the part I've been dreading," she admits.

The great hooves of the beast the Black Knight rides stamp against the dirt of the Arena floor, and it lets out a snort as its rider urges it forward into a gallop. As the beast moves, the Black Knight himself lets out a ghastly snarl, his heavy, spiked lance dropping forward.

Backed by that murky cloud of darkness, only the white light from the opposite end of the Arena seems to pierce the cloying fog, breaking it into particles that float away on the wind. But still the black pennants fly for Draugrheim.

They face each other down across the jousting field, one a Champion of darkness, the other a Champion of light, their meeting promising to be a spectacular clash...

For the big fight scene, Chester and Sir Fuzzington both stay out of the way and quiet. Giving the two knights the focus and undivided attention of the audience. Plus, it was never not cool to watch this part of the show. Peeking around the barrier, Oz stays close to Bennie as the pair keep an eye on the battle. C'mon, Sir Tristan!

The great thing about villainous laughter aimed heavenward is that it can just go on forever.

Or at least, as long as Neville's lungs hold out.

Neville's laughter continues, until he hears the cheers from the crowd. Then he whips his gaze down to the jousting lines and gasps.

"NO! That's not possible!"

He flings himself forward, hands pushing down against that same man with the water chalice as he moves forward to stand at the front of the balcony, hands moving to rest on its edge with such intensity that his knuckles turn white.

"Failure!" He screams, pointing at the fallen Black Knight. "You are a disgrace to the very title of KNIGHT!"

Ruby watches the scene through her fingers, her heart thumping and her breath holding. She can feel the audience around her on the edge of their seats, watching as if, in slow motion, the great collide. It isn't until the Black Knight hits the ground that she draws breath, air rushing her lungs. But then she's leaping out of her seat and cheering.

The Black Knight's eyes are but a dim glow in his helmet now, his defeat absolute.

Attendants of Draugrheim rush out to pull him from the jousting field, and it's only those paying the very utmost attention that will see the subtle nod of respect given to Sir Tristan before he is dragged away.

As The White Knight is victorious, Chester jumps up from behind the barrier. "HUZZAH! VICTORY FOR OUR CHAMPION!"

Sir Fuzzington also leaps up with excitement. As Chester starts doing celebratory cartwheels and flips, Sir Fuzzington joins him, launching through the air and bouncing off Chester in coordinated precision as the two encourage the cheers of the audience.

Natalia watches as the knights clash, gasping as the black knight is unhorsed and falls to the ground. "Oh.. is it bad that I feel kind of bad for him?" she asks no one in particular. Even though she does applaud and cheer the winning house.

The white charger completes its sprint and then again with a flick of the reins and a subtle use of his heels, Sir Tristan wheels about to approach the box where the nefarious Lord Roderick stews in throttled anger.

Tilting his head back, the White Knight lifts his visor, revealing that handsome face again as he kindly directs the dark lord, "'Ware thy speech, m'lord. Yon Black Knight who bore thy colors hath greater skill and honor in his tiniest finger than thou hast in all thy glory!"

Then he turns toward where Chester sits, and calls out, "Good Chester, 'tis now thee must needs instruct the good Lord Roderick in the arts of courtly behavior. What say thee?"

And with that, the expectant laughter and acclaim of the crowd at his back, Sir Tristan canters down the side of the lists to finally draw rein beside the royal box, where the "princess" of the host nation grants him an extravagant laurel crown. Accepting this, the white knight proceeds toward the stand granted the contingent of Avalon....

Ok, she had been a skeptic of the arena shows. She had thought it would feel like the Renaissance Fair, and it totally was, if the Ren Faire had a multi million dollar budget, special effects, and actual magic. Not to mention, a ferret in a costume. What more could someone possibly want? Sure she was a little tipsy. She'd reached the bottom of that comically big cup. But this was amazing. Five stars.

Ruby is scared as hell as Sir Tristan makes his way back toward the Avalon seats. Her heart is pounding like a herd of wild horses in her chest. But she's also grinning like a damn fool because how couldn't she be? Was this real? Was she in a fanfiction? She might be. Someone pinch her.

Neville gives a vicious shake of his head. "Maybe today, Sir Tristan, maybe today!"

He backs away from the edge with a scowl, whirling about and sending the tails of his coat spinning in an enormous flourish.

Natalia smiles at the dramatic whirl of Neville's coat. Even though he might be the bad guy, she enjoys his performance as much as the very dramatic Black Knight. But then Brandon is approaching the stands and she smiles as she watches Ruby grinning and it's definitely contagious. She smiles warmly for her and scoots just a little bit away, both to not be in the way, but also so that she can watch what comes next.

Pausing at last before the stands given over to the "royal" contingent of Avalon, Sir Tristan is grinning like a fool while he waits atop his saddle for the squires to catch up-- which they finally do, and he hands them down his shield and his lance before accepting their help down from the saddle.

Then the gateway is lifted and a simple yet sturdy wooden stair unfolded for him to climb up toward the box, which he does, even in that heavy armor. Finally attaining a level height with the box, he presses a hidden latch and walks into the shaded area where Ruby sits with Natalia and other festive attendees arrayed in the guise of Avalon's finest.

Now he goes down to a knee in a courtly bow-- she's seen this before-- and lifts the laurel crown up to Ruby with shining eyes.

"Your Grace," 'Sir Tristan' breathes. "Wilt thou accept this wreath, and be my Queen of Love and Beauty?"

(Regular attendees will note that he's changed the words' formula slightly. The 'my' is all Brandon.)

As the White Knight approaches, Chester and Sir Fuzzington stop their motions and stand upright to look in his direction. A nod is given at the instructions from the Knight. "Indeed! An excellent suggestion, Sir Tristan!"

Looking in that direction up in the stands, Sir Fuzzington jumps to stand full height on Chester's shoulder as they face him. "The three golden rules thou must obey to have good manners in the Arena of Champions! Firstly, say ye 'please' and 'thank you'." There's a look to Sir Fuzzington as the two have a silent discussion, each nodding at the end.

Chester again faces towards the stands, "Second! Be kind to thine fellow souls regardless of rank! Thirdly..." There's a decided nod as this is the most important of rules. "Do not throw ye a royal tantrum when thou dost not get thine way!"

It's honestly a little overwhelming, but it's also the sweetest thing. Whether this is in the script or not, she is completely taken by it all. Brandon was no stranger to a grand gesture, but this was beyond. If there was an arena full of other people, Ruby had forgotten about them.

It is so tempting to reach out and kiss him. She wants to. But she doesn't. "Of course," she says, kissing his cheek sweetly, then bows her head so he can place the laurel crown.

Having sufficiently angered the crowd with his antics, Neville waits backstage slowly removing the long cape, waiting to congratulate his fellow performers on another good show.

And, perhaps some time later, drift out to see whatever fans may be lingering to see the villains.

Bad guys need love, too.

The lady's kiss planted sweetly on his cheek, the first matter for Sir Tristan is rising to place the laurel crown on the fair blonde head of the Princess of Avalon. He does so gently and with all proper courtliness and respect.

But then there's the second order of business. With both hands, he lifts his helm from off his head and tosses it down to a waiting squire. Shaking out his sweat-darkened sandy hair, he turns back toward Ruby, the Princess of Avalon and now (until 11PM, at least) the Queen of Love and Beauty.

It shouldn't surprise anyone when he takes a step forward, pulls the blonde into his arms and leans down to give her a thorough, glorious kiss-- and it doesn't. But the people around them don't need surprise to cheer and applaud at the sight. It's a storybook ending for a scene played out of an archetypal tale, and people love it.