Geoffrey seems even more confused.
"You four? You're hardly old enough to be on your own already! And you're not runaways..." he says, standing from his chair again.
His demeanor changes completely. His eyes spark to life. His back straightens, and his legs become sturdily grounded. He isn't some crippled old man, in his heart, he is still a knight, and a knight has a duty to perform.
Of all the belongings in Geoffrey's sitting room, one object has gathered no dust despite Geoffrey's inability to keep up with daily chores, and that is a tapestry that hangs over the portraits of Diana and himself, the crest of the knight's garrison, with the embossed words, "Valor     Duty     Courage"
"Start from the beginning... the very beginning... what happened to bring you to my doorstep?" he asks.

((Does the group tell their whole story?))

Ooc: I say hell yes like Chunk in The Goonies.

https://youtu.be/Q5UG7ISJfP0

"Right... I never really told you, did I?" He looks at the other three. "I see no reason not to. Especially when we all came here to ask for his help." He looks at the others, hoping they would agree. He knows it's not right not to tell him everything at this point but in the end he still trusts the others' judgement more than his own. Although, even if they object, he can probably just hint it as he did to Hana. The story wasn't that rich, so if Goeffrey heard anything about Hon from Barna or somebody else, he will probably be able to connect the dots just from hearing the name. Still, Hyre waits for the others to confirm.

Lazlo’s begins to recount their story, asking his friends to jump in and help him when they’re comfortable. 

Geoffrey listens intently, his hand resting on his belt where his sword would have been, probably out of habit.
"And this friend of yours, Kina, is out there now at Hon, to show the Guiston Watch that the Skell have taken another settlement or at least proof that it was them." he says, taking it in.
He then rubs his chin, and something triggers his memory. His brows raise.
"For their sake, I hope that the town HAS been left largely abandoned, as you said. From what you described... I don't believe that their muskets would do them much good if they came face to face with these constructs you described. It sounds very much like the dwarven labours, only more advanced and designed for battle... I DO remember on one occasion when a runaway labour had to be taken down by force. There was no way a musketeer could shatter the life stone, it had to be done up close, or with cold-wrought arrowheads." he states.
"Musket balls bounce off the plates too randomly and take too long to reload."
Geoffrey looks over to Hyre then, giving a small huff.
"Well... that certainly answers some questions." he states. "I thought you were always a bit too studious for you to merely be curious. Your families and home are riding on this. Were I in your place, I'd be desperate for a means to fight back as well..." he says.
"But, not ALL of you are looking to learn the long blade, are you?" he asks, looking to Lazlo and Kallista, who don't appear to be the 'knightly' types.

Kallista shakes her head, "N...no Sir. I've only used a small one so far, and it was magic so really anyone could use it, but I'd like to learn how to use a bow. And maybe a shorter blade if things get too close."

Lazlo nods at what Kallista says "I'm not that strong, but I am quick-  and I'd learn whatever you see fit to teach me, with a blade long or short- or a bow.  Some say I have a talent for music... I can play something for you if you'd like?"  Lazlo pauses- unsure of how to bring up the Pipers without bringing painful memories to the Knight.  "A friend of mine told me that Knights were once accompanied by those who used song to inspire them. If I could do that for my friends ... I would be of some real use to them. I could help them when they need it. But it is I fear, a lost art."

Geoffrey clears his throat and waggles his stump at Kallista.
"Sorry there, young Kallista. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to show you the proper technique to shooting a bow. Part of why I was dismissed from the knight's garrison wasn't because I couldn't use a blade anymore, it was because the garrison was switching over to using rifles, which... well, unless I was resting it on someone else's head, would be a bit of a problem." he says, and then clears his throat.
"I believe your employer would have more to show you in regards to that." he says, pausing for a moment.
"You may not want to mention me to him, however. Artimus Grimbuld and I... haven't spoken for a number of years, though we were once close." he says.
"As for a short blade... mmmm, I think not. If you allow an enemy to get within reach of your wings, you may find yourself unable to fly thanks to a lucky swipe. You would do better with a long blade, but one that demands more finesse than a broad edge, like a saber or an epee. You look quick on your feet."

He addresses Lazlo next.
"Same for you, too. Those hooves would be a liability for a broad edge." he says, then trails off when Lazlo brings up the songs. His expression changes drastically.
"Yes. That is true. Once upon a time." he states, drawing a long sigh.
"Someone open that bottle of wine for me?" he asks. "Let's... enjoy Hana's gift properly."

((Only inviting 'kids' to drink because given the culture, there wouldn't really be drinking restrictions in place, obvs))

Quote from KinaJardine >>

And he's noticed.

The curator looks annoyed and says,
"We'll find the book, just stay there. Have some patience, please." he states, shaking his head.
That got everyone's attention, if only for a brief moment. It's going to be much harder to find his way into the unlisted archives, wherever those are.

 Aelar gives an embarrassed grin.  "Yes, sir.  I'm just anxious to get started."  And curses his ill fortune.

Sure. I'd love some help.  What do you have in mind, O' Hungry One?

Kallista's face flushes dark purple again, "I'm... oh dear I didn't mean to... um... yes, thank you Sir."

As the party speaks with Sir Geoffery, Leon remains mostly silent, jumping in once in a while to fill in gaps in the story. He watches Geoffery carefully, as something from the edge of his mind tugged at him. 

Suddenly, it clicked. Once, when he was a child, Leon visited family in Guiston, as his great-uncle Theodore's health was poor. He would sit by Theodore's bedside and listen in wonder at the stories his great-uncle told him, as he once was a skilled and well-traveled warrior. Theodore not only talked about feats of dashing heroism, but about the drudgery and horrors of war, and the shared camaraderie that arises from fighting alongside brothers at arm. He often mentioned a certain knight, Sir Wildmore, a good friend who got in all sorts of trouble with Theodore. This must be him. 

Nervously, Leon steps forward and speaks deferentially to Sir Geoffery. 

"Sir, did you ever meet someone named Theodore Dinoran?" 

Geoffrey looks Leon up and down, a brow raised.
"How do you know that name?" he asks, then pauses, as memories are triggered.
"Wait... yes, yes, I remember... Theo wanted to settle down and raise a family like his brother.... in Hon..." he slows down, taking a closer look at Leon.
"Well, aren't the fates something..." he says. "Spitting image... just shorter hair." he says.
He looks over at the portrait of himself and Diana, his brow worried and tense.
"There's a part of me that wants to tell you all to get out of my home and leave this to the Watch and live as best you can, but as I'm sure you've seen by now, Guiston has changed from the home I knew and defended. A lifetime of service, and the knights have been all but swept away simply because the new council doesn't want to acknowledge the sacrifices of inhuman species... that's not to say that Guiston has completely lost its conscience, but it wouldn't surprise me if the military action in response to Hon falling would be little more than a cold comfort for you all." he says, then returns his gaze to the hopeful faces of the group.
"But the other part of me, the one where this old heart keeps beating, tells me to give you the tools you'll need to do your part to try and recover the lives that were taken away from you... and I know what my wife would have me do. She would see your faces, hear your story... the four of you living under the roof of a good friend I scarcely deserve, putting names in my head I haven't heard spoken aloud in years, and she would tell me that it's more than just coincidence that you're here... then she'd give me a right swat with that tail of hers." he sighs.
After a few more moments, he turns to them.
"You lot don't need to convince me any further. I'll teach you what I can, in exchange, however, I'm going to put your young hands to work. There's some skills none of you should be without." he states.
He gets up then, and looks to Hyre's egg.
"Now then, let me take a look..."

Hyre presents the egg forward. He's a bit unsure about how easily Geoffrey agreed to teach everyone. This whole story seemed a bit far-fetched. There's no way five kids, even if they learn how to use a sword or a bow, will be able to face an army of metallic constructs with cannons held in hand. He knew that they'd ask, but didn't expect Geoffrey to be persuaded so easily. Also, as everyone was talking about various weapons, he tried to picture himself using one. A bow wasn't too bad, but it seems like Geoffrey won't be able to teach him. A long blade might be heavy. Either way, yet another thing he might need to decide on one day. "It happened just now, on the way here," he says, "I suddenly heard a crack and when I looked, I saw the state in which it is now. Does this mean it will hatch soon?" Hyre didn't have much time to earn enough money to support it for long. He probably won't be able to work for a while after it hatches either, he assumes. Neither did he want to rely on Kallista's earnings too much. He didn't want to encourage her to take dangerous jobs like the one she did not long ago. Like everything, he begins to overthink this too.

Leon's relief was palpable. He smiles excitedly. 

"Thank you Sir! I've always wanted to study the art of the long blade. Just like the members of my family who came before me. It is the most elegant weapon, after all." 

He couldn't believe his luck. Sir Geoffery, the storybook knight, was here in front of him and willing to teach him. He couldn't wait to begin learning. 

Aelar does his best to hide his amazement.  He hadn't actually thought Raia'd be able to do much, given the distance.  He'd been thinking more along the lines of advice.  Still...wow!  However, after thinking about it for a bit, he realizes he lacks enough information to make a good decision about what to do.

Wow, Raia.  I had no idea you could do so much from so far away.  You're amazing!  But I think I need to learn more about the library, maybe make myself a regular here, get them thinking of me as just another patron, before I try anything like that.  How long would they be asleep, though?  You said a short while.  Can you be more precise?

Aelar waited patiently for the clerk to return.

Geoffrey appraises the state the egg is in, and then nods.
"Soon, within the next days or so, the outermost stone will crumble away and leave you with a regular egg that you'll need to keep warm. It will probably suffice to simply keep it in a well-protected pouch and simply have it close to your body." he states.
After some thought, he looks to Kallista.
"You may even want to meet her employer and ask if he has any supplies that might help you. After all.... he's the one that taught me everything I know about falconry." he remarks.

He turns to address Leon then.
"It's more than the discipline of a single weapon, young Leon. A knight is more than a suit of armour and proficiency with a blade. It's not about what you fight WITH, it's what you fight FOR. That said, however, I'll teach you what I can to protect yourselves. I came to understand one thing in particular from the way Hyre has been studying here for the past days, you four are driven... while others your age may have given up and simply accepted a life on the streets, you all have fought, you've pushed through the worst of tragedies, survived the wilds, and found your way here. You came to this town in nothing more than your pajamas, for goodness' sake. It would be more irresponsible of me to not provide you the knowledge to take care of yourselves than it would be to turn you away." he says.

((On a day training with Geoffrey, you can potentially offer proficiency with simple and martial weapons, as well as increase any TWO physical ability scores you choose, OR have him teach you survival and history and potentially raise any TWO mental ability scores))

He looks then to Lazlo.
"I believe that I know what you're here for, as well... Hana likely told you about my Diana, didn't she..." he says, drawing a long breath. "She told you that she was a piper... a practice that's been abandoned..." he walks over to a small end table that has an emblem of the followers of Draco on it. It looks like it's been undisturbed for quite some time, left however the last person to touch it did. He pauses for a moment, before pulling open the drawer and retrieves some sheet music. Handling the parchment carefully, he places it in front of Lazlo.
"Let's hear what you can do. If I know you're serious... we'll see."

((If Lazlo dares play under the pressure and passes a DC 16 (With proficiency bonuses) he will gain all the remaining needed class points for Bard, AND give advantage to skill-building and stat-building rolls if he's playing while the group is training. If he fails, however, depending on how much he fails, he won't get any points and Geoffrey may think Lazlo isn't serious about learning the art))

Ooc: aaah! The pressure. The dice roller doesn’t work on my phone so I’ll have to wait until later this afternoon to post. Oh! And I am most definitely using my inspiration for this roll if you’ll allow it.

Hyre takes back the egg and puts it in the pouch and close to his body. He didn't know he was doing what's needed all this time. If only he could be this lucky with poeple...

Hyre looks over at Kallista. "How about that? Tomorrow's a tour at your workplace? No, wait, I'm supposed to work the morning with Hana... I'll have to ask her if I can work in the evening instead."

Hyre thinks about things while the others are talking. While Geoffrey goes to bring the sheet, he asks the others: "It seems every new person we meet already knows all the others. And in such a huge place such as Guiston. It's like everyone are connected somehow. Or maybe the only nice people who are willing to help others already know each other." He then stops and looks at Lazlo to see if he'll try to play. He's hoping for him that if he tries, it'll be better than the serenade he heard the other day.

As Leon listens to Sir Geoffery, a sudden tinge of anger arises within him. He points to the tapestry of the knight's garrison embossed with the words, "Valor, Duty, and Courage."

"When Hon fell, it's people carted away like cattle, where were the valorous knights of Guiston? Is it not their duty to defend the weak and downtrodden? Isn't that what they are fighting for? Or did they merely lack the courage to do so?"

Immediately after he says those words, he regrets them. Leon bows his head and sighs. 

"Forgive me, Sir. You know I didn't mean that. We lost everything when Hon was destroyed. I was powerless to do anything about it, except save my own skin. I won't let that happen again."

He holds his wooden practice sword as he says, "I know what I'm fighting for." 

((You sure can, Lazlo))

Geoffrey chuckles a bit.
"Guiston isn't that big, but especially in the Warren, we're a fairly close knit community. The smiths know the shops and taverns they sell their pots and pans to, the taverns know the workers who come in after their shifts, the workers know which Watchmen are honest, the Watchmen know the smiths who maintain their armour... we ARE connected... even when remembering that can be painful." he says. "Besides, it's not like you all are living in the Horseshoe but working in the Nest. Grimbuld's shop is less than an hour's walk from here, and the Horseshoe is even closer.... which... is embarrassing when I say it out loud that I haven't shown my face there in so long." Geoffrey sighs.

At Leon's outburst, Geoffrey turns to him.
"Boy, the knights have been disbanded for years. What's left of the order are all old and forgotten aside from a select few, but what it stood for still rings true." he states firmly.
"You certainly have the Dinoran hot headedness." he says, remembering the old days. "The key is in channeling that fire in the right way, not letting it go wild. I should tell you the story of how I had to bail Theo out of trouble after he decked our drunken squadron captain during a night out."