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In retrospect, Sona was fortunate that Valor spotted her in the stands early on. She wasn’t quite sure how else she might’ve gotten Quinn’s attention without actually walking down into the tournament grounds proper, and she was pretty sure that wasn’t allowed. Valor had landed on the railing in front of her with one of his rare tiny chirrups, cocking his head back and forth at Sona as he ignored the surprised exclamations from the other nearby nobles. Sona offered him a smile and reached out to smooth a hand over his back. He repaid her in kind with a little nibble to the end of her braid, and disappeared again in a ruckus.
Sure enough, only a moment later, Quinn was hopping up onto the guardrail, using her impressive upper body strength to pull herself up enough to brace her arms on the railing so she could give Sona one of those broad, crooked grins she seemed to reserve for just her. “Sona, hi! I would’ve come over earlier if I’d known you were here; I didn’t think you came to tourneys.”
Sona offered her a wry smile as she signed out her answer, reminding herself to slow it down for Quinn’s benefit; she was still learning. Quinn’s bright, sharp eyes tracked the motions intently.
“You came to watch me?” Quinn confirmed, eyes flicking up to Sona’s face again. Sona smiled, nodding even as she signed yes. Quinn waggled her brows good-naturedly. “Checking to make sure I’m not about to embarrass the entire Buvelle family, eh?” Sona didn’t even deign that with a response, simply giving her the most deadpan look she could muster. Quinn snorted, almost derisive if not for the pleased grin that crinkled the corners of her eyes. “You’re super sweet but I literally can’t even recommend sticking around for my stuff. I’m a ranger-knight, not a, like... Garen-kinda-knight. I’m only in the boring events towards the end. I’m pretty sure ol’ Jay-Four’s competing early, though; he should be pretty fun to watch. Guy’s a beast.”
Sona raised a brow and signed out a question, amusement in her eyes.
“No, he hates when we call him that,” Quinn admitted with a laugh.
Another question. Quinn squinted at her hands, pursing her lips briefly. “Okay, I missed part of that, I think.” Sona politely repeated herself, slowing down a little more. Quinn’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think I know that one. Am I doing... something?” Sona finger-spelled it out. Quinn lit up with recognition. “Oh, jousting!... That’s the sign for jousting?” Sona cracked a smile and repeated the word. Quinn snorted. “Okay, well, no, absolutely not I am not jousting. Have you seen Garen in the joust? He could literally pick me up and use me as his lance if I tried to square up to him.”
Sona covered her mouth with one hand in effort to disguise the giggles she couldn’t bite back. Quinn looked rather pleased with herself.
A near-deafening shout of “Ser Quinn!” made them both jump in place. Quinn pressed her lips tight together, eyes wide in feigned alarm as she flicked her gaze to the side.
“Whuh-oh, I’m in trouble. Not really supposed to be over here right now,” she admitted in a stage whisper. Her grin reappeared despite herself, a delighted glint in her eyes. “I’ll drop back by after the hunt if you’re still around. We can hang out or something. Wish me luck?”
Sona smiled and ducked down to press a quick peck to Quinn’s cheek, startling an adorable flush into her face.
“Uh,” Quinn said, eloquent as ever.
A sliver of mischief slipped into Sona’s smile at the flushed, bewildered expression Quinn gave her. Good luck, Ser Quinn, she signed, chuckling softly.
“That’s not funny,” Quinn complained, very nearly sulking. “You’re not funny.”
She still gave a quick, shy sign of thanks against her pouting lips before dropping back to the ground and heading off to her station, glancing curiously back over her shoulder at Sona as she left.