|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 6, 2019 7:17:42 GMT 1
Laena sighs slightly. "I only consider you 'mine' when I've marked you as such. I grow my nails a bit, entrusting you to take care of my needs, so I don't have to, and mark you accordingly. And that probably won't happen until marriage. But even then ..." She frowns, and sighs a little again. "The example I was taught when I was young was when you were off on campaign, all worked up. If you believed you had to remain monogamous, you either didn't 'blow off steam' with a camp follower, and fought the following day all frustrated and distracted; or you did, and spent the following day all guilty and distracted. Either way does no good for your survivability. But if you knew it was fine under those circumstances, you'd blow of steam, and fight the following day refreshed and clear-headed. "But then, it's not always fine. Say we inherit Gyldenhaal, and a pretty, unmarried serving girl starts swelling up, staring at you moon-eyed while rubbing her swelling belly? That bitch is getting tossed over the tower's parapet. Ideally when you can see her land. I will *not* be disrespected inside my own home. "The general rule I was taught was 'If I'm an option, and you choose otherwise, it's an insult. If I'm not an option, it's just a man being a man.'. Still, don't bring any consequences home. Moon tea should deal with problems like that. Make it strong enough, and it can deal with such problems even *after* birth." While her voice is quiet, there is fire in it. Balon's voice was resolute, "No. That's not me." The conversation with Ghost about infidelity playing through his mind. "If I marry you, you are the only one I sleep with. Just as I'm the only one for you. I don't deny there are a great number of married knights and lords that find bed-warmers while on campaign. Hell we have surnames for bastards there are so many of them. But that is not me. On the road, at tourneys, during campaigns, *especially* at home, that," Balon gave a nod to her crotch, "is all I need." Balon gave out a short laugh, "Plus I imagine you'd put the fear of the Stranger into any serving girl that gazed too long in my direction." "But anyway, if all it took was what we've done for you to feel compelled to monogamy, wouldn't she-who-will-not-be-named have a prior claim?" Unlike when discussing Ghost, there is a definite bite to her words here. "If you've think what we've done and the... *other* thing was the same then you're mistaken." Balon wanted to keep his explanation short lest he dig himself a hole he couldn't dig out of, "This," he motioned to Laena and himself, "isn't just physical. This isn't just a fun time until something better comes along."
She nods. "I don't think there is such a thing as a 'perfectly rational' person." She frowns momentarily before adding. "At least now Lord Desmond Bridges is dead. However, most of our irrationalities are not so dangerous as yours. And I don't consider the battle lost. I do not believe that you were born screaming your hatred of the Dornish. Your first words almost certainly were not 'Kill all Rhoynar'. Your hatred was *taught*, presumably by Fireball. So, it can be *un-taught*. By someone who considers you worth the effort. So long as you're prepared to put in effort as well. To change. To improve." She holds up a finger. "Not to the point of trusting all Dornish, or liking all Dornish, or anything like that - distrust and dislike on both sides is entirely rational. Just to the point where it does not *drive* your actions. Where *you* are the master of your passions, not the other way around." Balon let out a short snort of amusement at what he perceived as a dig on Desmond. "Fireball didn't teach me to hate the Dornish nor did Lord Gormon. It's hard to pinpoint where it came from but my father hated the Dornish, more than me." He paused to let that sink in. "He was just better at controlling it. His sense of duty was stronger than his hatred of the Dornish." Balon didn't want to stop hating the Dornish but he did want to do a better job of controlling it. In a perfect world after Blackfyre won the crown Dorne's treaty would be torn up and knights like Balon would be revered for the sword and fire he took south of the Red Mountains. But Laena didn't want to hear that. "Remember when I said waking up with you in my arms every morning is the best way to forget about the Dornish? I mean that." http://greatbastards.boards.net/post/8587 - For reference to Donnel hating the Dornish. Laena smiles, immediately distracted by talking about her children. "My daughter Sylvina is now five, and my son Landar is three. I really do need to arrange for you to meet them some time." She frowns. "If I do manage that, unless I say otherwise, you're just a friend. They miss their father, I can tell, though neither can really remember him. I don't want them getting .. excited or confused over something that may not happen. They're too young to process things properly." Balon rolled his eyes. "I know some think I'm a stupid brute incapable of thought but I won't be saying anything along the lines of hey children I'm going to be your new father and get ready for more siblings! Now when you hear the noises from mommy's room just know I'm not hurting her." Balon laughed, "I look forward to meeting them."
Laena blinks slightly. "You're saying that it is common knowledge within your faction that your cause is illegitimate?" She sounds surprised at that. "That you all - or at least most - consciously acknowledge that you are breaking your oaths explicitly for the purposes of self-advancement? And all this talk about chivalry and the importance of knighthood is a willful lie?" While her voice sounds shocked, there's no condemnation or horror in it. "No, I'm not saying that. People will rebel for various reasons. Hatred of Dorne, King Daeron's alleged illegitimacy, his lack of chivalry, personal advancement, and a slew of other reasons. And to each person that rebels they'll believe their reason to be legitimate. However rebels are usually treated harshly as opposed to loyalists. So they'll fight harder." Balon shrugged, "I'm sure there are people on both sides that'll fight simply for self advancement, regardless if they think their cause is just. Don't tell me you of all people are surprised by that.""Do so only when you are ready. When you have something to offer." She warns. "I have a few ideas but I'd like to hear what you'd offer if you were me."
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 6, 2019 15:20:42 GMT 1
Balon's voice was resolute, "No. That's not me." The conversation with Ghost about infidelity playing through his mind. "If I marry you, you are the only one I sleep with. Just as I'm the only one for you. I don't deny there are a great number of married knights and lords that find bed-warmers while on campaign. Hell we have surnames for bastards there are so many of them. But that is not me. On the road, at tourneys, during campaigns, *especially* at home, that," Balon gave a nod to her crotch, "is all I need." Balon gave out a short laugh, "Plus I imagine you'd put the fear of the Stranger into any serving girl that gazed too long in my direction."She nods acknowledgement of his last point. We'll see how long your romanticism lasts. Nothing drives men to find a new pussy like having a baby come out the old one."If you've think what we've done and the... *other* thing was the same, then you're mistaken." Balon wanted to keep his explanation short lest he dig himself a hole he couldn't dig out of, "This," he motioned to Laena and himself, "isn't just physical. This isn't just a fun time until something better comes along." She had to acknowledge the point. What they had *was* different. Maybe that other woman really did mean as little to him as Trystane meant to her. Maybe Balon really *was* telling the truth when he said she didn't affect his decision-making. She was concerned she was veering into naivete - seeing what she wanted to see, rather than the truth - so she couldn't let go of her suspicions entirely, but it was a soothing thought. "Fireball didn't teach me to hate the Dornish nor did Lord Gormon. It's hard to pinpoint where it came from but my father hated the Dornish, more than me." He paused to let that sink in. "He was just better at controlling it. His sense of duty was stronger than his hatred of the Dornish." Balon didn't want to stop hating the Dornish but he did want to do a better job of controlling it. In a perfect world after Blackfyre won the crown Dorne's treaty would be torn up and knights like Balon would be revered for the sword and fire he took south of the Red Mountains. But Laena didn't want to hear that. "Remember when I said waking up with you in my arms every morning is the best way to forget about the Dornish? I mean that." Laena considers for a few moments before responding. "Using devotion to give yourself control, where your father used duty, *could* work. Clever of you to propose a solution which can only be implemented after marriage." She adds with a smirk. "Still, it would be good if you could at least start making an effort *before* then." Then her face turns serious, and her voice quiets and switches to Valyrian. "All that is, of course, if it's not already too late. I'm not a fool. You'd jump at the chance to join Lord Walgrave's Vulture Hunt, and you're almost certainly among those approached. And I saw your new scar - a nasty wound from the front. With your talent, it would take either a great deal of skill or a lot of luck to land such a blow. And Ser Vorian Dayne disappeared at the same time." She holds up a hand before he can speak. "I'm not asking you to confirm or deny if those things are connected - I'm sure there are plenty of other possible explanations, and plenty of knights on the hunt - I don't want to know. But I hope you're well aware that Lady Allyria Starkwood was born a Dayne. Regardless of the truth, if his disappearance is pinned on you, Lord Ulbert *will* make me choose between you and them. And if you could be hit there," reaching out and tracing down the scar hiding beneath his clothes, you could be hit here." Tracing a line down the middle of his forehead. "No, I'm not saying that. People will rebel for various reasons. Hatred of Dorne, King Daeron's alleged illegitimacy, his lack of chivalry, personal advancement, and a slew of other reasons. And to each person that rebels they'll believe their reason to be legitimate. However rebels are usually treated harshly as opposed to loyalists. So they'll fight harder." Balon shrugged, "I'm sure there are people on both sides that'll fight simply for self advancement, regardless if they think their cause is just. Don't tell me you of all people are surprised by that." She shakes her head. "No. I was surprised that you seemed to be implying it was far more common than I expected, since you named it as the sole reason for the Westerlands to be divided. "And I contest that people would rebel over the rumours of King Daeron's illegitimacy - unless it's proven in some way in the future. It makes a convenient justification to hide more honest ones, but it would take an idiot of the highest order for a *rumour* to be their sole reason to risk everything in rebellion." But would they be a bigger or smaller idiot than someone who rebels purely over sex?"I have a few ideas but I'd like to hear what you'd offer if you were me." Laena sighs. "It's hard to say. I don't really know your house, and I only met Lady Erena briefly. But in general terms, I suggest a dual approach: decide on a trait of yours you feel she doesn't like the most, then work at changing the public perception of that trait. Then, when you talk, credit me for your improvement. You may have left the house, but you're still a Blackbriar, and your actions reflect on that name. If she sees a path which could prevent or reduce the damage you could do at no real cost to herself, she's likely to be tempted at the least. "The second part would be 'lack'. I don't know what House Blackbriar lacks, but you could find a way to provide some, or otherwise strengthen their house - it's too small for any such action to play a significant role in the upcoming conflict - and do so without asking for anything in return, saying you're doing it simply because you're a Blackbriar. If you do this, you create a feeling of obligation within an honourable person like her. Sooner rather than later, she's likely to ask you if there's something you want, attempting to clear the debt. *Then* you ask her. She sees a way to clear the debt which, because of the first part, actually helps her as well, so she's very likely to agree." She shrugs. "I can't guarantee success - as I said, I don't know either the house or the woman well - but as a general plan, I think it could work."
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 7, 2019 7:28:49 GMT 1
Laena considers for a few moments before responding. "Using devotion to give yourself control, where your father used duty, *could* work. Clever of you to propose a solution which can only be implemented after marriage." She adds with a smirk. "Still, it would be good if you could at least start making an effort *before* then." Balon returned her smirk with one of his own, "Convenient, isn't it?" He continued in jest, "I promise if I kill a Dornishmen it won't be because of his skin color. That's progress? Right?"Then her face turns serious, and her voice quiets and switches to Valyrian. "All that is, of course, if it's not already too late. I'm not a fool. You'd jump at the chance to join Lord Walgrave's Vulture Hunt, and you're almost certainly among those approached. And I saw your new scar - a nasty wound from the front. With your talent, it would take either a great deal of skill or a lot of luck to land such a blow. And Ser Vorian Dayne disappeared at the same time." She holds up a hand before he can speak. "I'm not asking you to confirm or deny if those things are connected - I'm sure there are plenty of other possible explanations, and plenty of knights on the hunt - I don't want to know. But I hope you're well aware that Lady Allyria Starkwood was born a Dayne. Regardless of the truth, if his disappearance is pinned on you, Lord Ulbert *will* make me choose between you and them. And if you could be hit there," reaching out and tracing down the scar hiding beneath his clothes, you could be hit here." Tracing a line down the middle of his forehead. Balon mentally groaned at his jape when she brought up the "Vulture Hunt". Good timing, idiot. "That? That was a training accident." A lie. Currently there was no proof of Balon's involvement in Vorian's death but all it took was for one freerider or hedge knight to get drunk and blab then it'd all come crashing down. Still Laena was smart and understood plausible deniability so Balon didn't elaborate. He already knew the answer but asked anyway, "Who would you choose if it came to that? The house that all but kicked you out or the person that loves you for who you are." Just because he knew the answer didn't mean he wouldn't make her feel *somewhat* guilty for saying it. Laena sighs. "It's hard to say. I don't really know your house, and I only met Lady Erena briefly. But in general terms, I suggest a dual approach: decide on a trait of yours you feel she doesn't like the most, then work at changing the public perception of that trait. Then, when you talk, credit me for your improvement. You may have left the house, but you're still a Blackbriar, and your actions reflect on that name. If she sees a path which could prevent or reduce the damage you could do at no real cost to herself, she's likely to be tempted at the least. "The second part would be 'lack'. I don't know what House Blackbriar lacks, but you could find a way to provide some, or otherwise strengthen their house - it's too small for any such action to play a significant role in the upcoming conflict - and do so without asking for anything in return, saying you're doing it simply because you're a Blackbriar. If you do this, you create a feeling of obligation within an honorable person like her. Sooner rather than later, she's likely to ask you if there's something you want, attempting to clear the debt. *Then* you ask her. She sees a way to clear the debt which, because of the first part, actually helps her as well, so she's very likely to agree." She shrugs. "I can't guarantee success - as I said, I don't know either the house or the woman well - but as a general plan, I think it could work." Balon listened and nodded along as she spoke. Most of his ideas involved simple murder and poison. He suspected anything short of renouncing the Blackfyre cause would lead to refusal but she was pregnant and Balon was now another step down the line of inheritance. If only she'd die from pregnancy complications. "You gave me some things to think about. I've thought of different ways to bargain with her. To make her feel less suspect of my activity. Then that damn fraudulent letter surfaced about my mother and Lord Gormon's plans." Balon snorted, "As if he gives a shit about some insignificant holding like Gyldnehaal. I wish I could find who set my mother up. You'd like to think that'd go a long way in easing her mind." Balon continued to think aloud, "I wonder if I somehow publicly withdrew any claim to Gyldenhaal she'd accept." Balon whispered, "It's not like after the war I can't simply ask for it as a reward. Hmmm." Balon had lots to think about.
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 7, 2019 22:21:19 GMT 1
Balon returned her smirk with one of his own, "Convenient, isn't it?" He continued in jest, "I promise if I kill a Dornishmen it won't be because of his skin color. That's progress? Right?"Laena sighs slightly. "The fact that I suspect it may be is rather concerning. Still, time will tell." Balon mentally groaned at his jape when she brought up the "Vulture Hunt". Good timing, idiot. "That? That was a training accident." A lie. Currently there was no proof of Balon's involvement in Vorian's death but all it took was for one freerider or hedge knight to get drunk and blab then it'd all come crashing down. Still Laena was smart and understood plausible deniability so Balon didn't elaborate. Laena nods accepting the answer. "Then I trust that you can provide the exact date it happened, the time of day, the location, your training partner, what movements you were doing which lead to the accident, and any bystanders who witnessed it, along with who treated you, if anyone. And, more importantly, that all the other people you name also will give the same information if asked - before you have the opportunity to confer with them." She holds up a hand. "Not to me. I don't care. But there's a chance someone might in the future. And if one or other of you 'misremember' things, then that would look bad for you." He already knew the answer but asked anyway, "Who would you choose if it came to that? The house that all but kicked you out or the person that loves you for who you are." Just because he knew the answer didn't mean he wouldn't make her feel *somewhat* guilty for saying it. "It wouldn't be the man who got caught messing with literally the one house in all of Dorne which would provoke such a reaction. Either he's careless, ignorant, or he just cares more about killing Dornish than he does about holding onto me, whatever his words may say." Her voice is quiet but firm, and without a trace of guilt. Balon listened and nodded along as she spoke. Most of his ideas involved simple murder and poison. He suspected anything short of renouncing the Blackfyre cause would lead to refusal but she was pregnant and Balon was now another step down the line of inheritance. If only she'd die from pregnancy complications. "You gave me some things to think about. I've thought of different ways to bargain with her. To make her feel less suspect of my activity. Then that damn fraudulent letter surfaced about my mother and Lord Gormon's plans." Balon snorted, "As if he gives a shit about some insignificant holding like Gyldnehaal. I wish I could find who set my mother up. You'd like to think that'd go a long way in easing her mind." Balon continued to think aloud, "I wonder if I somehow publicly withdrew any claim to Gyldenhaal she'd accept." Balon whispered, "It's not like after the war I can't simply ask for it as a reward. Hmmm." Balon had lots to think about. Laena shakes her head. "That letter was just a spark. If there wasn't such bad blood between your mother and Lady Erena, she'd have just ignored it. But because their relationship was so antagonistic to start with, that spark landed in wildfire. Disproving the letter at this point is worthless - the idea is firmly embedded in her mind, letter or no. "Also, I disapprove of renouncing your claim. Wars are dangerous things, and childhood is dangerous as well. There is a non-negligible chance that over the course of the war, if you do that, Ser Titus will inherit. And even in victory, they won't take land from a loyal revolutionary. You would have to make do with *maybe* getting Starkwood land, which, I can tell you, is a dozen generations at least from being anything interesting. Frankly, if you were to renounce your claim and pursue me, were I Erena, I would suspect a deal between brothers where you 'bought' Ser Titus's assistance with Gyldenhaal, while you pursue a claim on Starkwood through me. That would likely make me more nervous, not less. She strokes her chin. "How is your relationship with Ser Titus nowadays? If he has a better relationship with Erena than you, perhaps he could help?" Having long forgotten what words she said to him to get him out of bed, she's unaware of any lingering animosity from his brother.
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 10, 2019 7:14:37 GMT 1
Laena sighs slightly. "... Still, time will tell." "Indeed it will." was the best Balon could say. How much does my hatred of the Rhoynar guide my actions? It was an honest question Balon would have to answer some day. Right now all of the people he'd killed had been Dornish but more importantly they'd been supporters of King Daeron and wasn't removing his loyalist base more important than them being Dornish? Was it just a coincidence? Ser Walton Wyl, Lord Desmond Bridges and his uncle Ser Dagos, Ser Vorian Dayne. Who was next? What if they were Dornish too? Laena nods accepting the answer. "Then I trust that you can provide the exact date it happened, the time of day, the location, your training partner, what movements you were doing which lead to the accident, and any bystanders who witnessed it, along with who treated you, if anyone. And, more importantly, that all the other people you name also will give the same information if asked - before you have the opportunity to confer with them." She holds up a hand. "Not to me. I don't care. But there's a chance someone might in the future. And if one or other of you 'misremember' things, then that would look bad for you." Balon nodded but remained silent, the less they spoke of it the better. He'd made sure his story was well rehearsed but there were people he had to worry about, his brothers chief among them. Would they speak against me knowing what the punishment would be? Titus and him had had their differences but at the end of the day Balon believed they havd each other's back. Vortimer though... he had too much of father in him. It'd take time for Gormon to undo that idealism and replace it with pragmatism. Mother would help too, she always knew how to phrase things even if it was blunt and harsh. But between now and that time Balon had to be vigilant. "It wouldn't be the man who got caught messing with literally the one house in all of Dorne which would provoke such a reaction. Either he's careless, ignorant, or he just cares more about killing Dornish than he does about holding onto me, whatever his words may say." Her voice is quiet but firm, and without a trace of guilt. It's none of those. It's coincidence. It's duty to family and lifting my sister up even if it means I sink further down. That's what he wanted to say but didn't. He couldn't. Laena shakes her head. "That letter was just a spark. If there wasn't such bad blood between your mother and Lady Erena, she'd have just ignored it. But because their relationship was so antagonistic to start with, that spark landed in wildfire. Disproving the letter at this point is worthless - the idea is firmly embedded in her mind, letter or no. "Also, I disapprove of renouncing your claim. Wars are dangerous things, and childhood is dangerous as well. There is a non-negligible chance that over the course of the war, if you do that, Ser Titus will inherit. And even in victory, they won't take land from a loyal revolutionary. You would have to make do with *maybe* getting Starkwood land, which, I can tell you, is a dozen generations at least from being anything interesting. Frankly, if you were to renounce your claim and pursue me, were I Erena, I would suspect a deal between brothers where you 'bought' Ser Titus's assistance with Gyldenhaal, while you pursue a claim on Starkwood through me. That would likely make me more nervous, not less. She strokes her chin. "How is your relationship with Ser Titus nowadays? If he has a better relationship with Erena than you, perhaps he could help?" Having long forgotten what words she said to him to get him out of bed, she's unaware of any lingering animosity from his brother. Balon harrumphed, "Prove the letter a forgery but it doesn't matter because she believes it to be true in some form regardless. Or ignore it and she believes our plan was exposed and we've moved on to the next scheme. Wonderful choices.""Titus is many things but a schemer is not one of them. However with him publicly supporting Ser Daemon I could see why she'd be suspicious of us." He rubbed his head in frustration, "Lordship doesn't even interest him. Gah!" Was there anything he could do to change Lady Erena's mind? He couldn't think of anything. Murder her came an answer from the darkest part of his mind. "Titus and I get along well enough. Like all siblings we disagree here and there but things have been better since Highgarden. I could ask him though I don't know what he could say that hasn't already been said." He thought for a moment, "We could go straight to Lord Jon and invoke the memory of our father but that'd only get us so far. Lady Erena would quickly undo any decision she felt Lord Jon made in *haste*."
"I know you want me to do this on my own but do you have any desire to talk to her? You managed to talk to my sister without incident and if you can handle her Lady Erena would be a treat."
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 10, 2019 18:28:45 GMT 1
"Sometimes what is said matters less than who says it." She smirks. "Just imagine your reaction were Queen Mariah to say to you 'You are a good knight', compared with how you'd react were Ser Daemon to say it."
She considers his request for a few moments before shaking her head. "Were we pressed for time, I may decide to step in, but you don't improve by having someone else take the difficult tasks from you. Remember: I want you to become the next Lord Gorman. Do you think he'd have difficulty maneuvering his aunt as he wished? Do you think he'd need to delegate the task to Lady Eleana? Yes, it's difficult - I freely admit that. That's actually part of why I'm so reluctant to step in, moreso than I would be were it easy. This is a real test, a challenge. With something you really want on the other side, to provide motivation. You've proven you can use these well," pointing to his biceps, not quite touching, "this is to test your other abilities," flicking her fingers towards his forehead, eyes and mouth, "which, like your muscles, can only improve through use and challenge.
"The joy you find in victory is proportional to the frustration and difficulty of the task." And no man ever valued that which he achieved with ease.
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 13, 2019 8:02:55 GMT 1
"Sometimes what is said matters less than who says it." She smirks. "Just imagine your reaction were Queen Mariah to say to you 'You are a good knight', compared with how you'd react were Ser Daemon to say it." "If that isn't the truth..." Balon applied her words to his own recent actions. Who would a tribunal believe? Me or some sellsword when it came to the murder of Desmond and Dagos. Better yet if Lord Gormon said I got this scar training at Starpike instead of Vorian who'd question him? Who'd believe some freerider over him? Who'd be willing to take that risk. Hearing Mariah's name mentioned caused Balon to laugh, "I think I'd ask if she'd been in the sun too long." She considers his request for a few moments before shaking her head. "Were we pressed for time, I may decide to step in, but you don't improve by having someone else take the difficult tasks from you. Remember: I want you to become the next Lord Gorman. Do you think he'd have difficulty maneuvering his aunt as he wished? Do you think he'd need to delegate the task to Lady Eleana? Yes, it's difficult - I freely admit that. That's actually part of why I'm so reluctant to step in, moreso than I would be were it easy. This is a real test, a challenge. With something you really want on the other side, to provide motivation. You've proven you can use these well," pointing to his biceps, not quite touching, "this is to test your other abilities," flicking her fingers towards his forehead, eyes and mouth, "which, like your muscles, can only improve through use and challenge. "The joy you find in victory is proportional to the frustration and difficulty of the task." And no man ever valued that which he achieved with ease. "While I appreciate what you're trying to do another part of me..." Balon had held onto a piece of knowledge for some time, always reluctant to bring it up but it'd festered long enough, "thinks you might not really care one way or the other. After Lady Ashara and I rescued Lady Lyanna (Levalle) she told me you were only toying with me to keep Ser Symon safe and that you have no real interest in me." It felt both good and bad to get that off his chest. "So you'll have to understand my fear when you don't offer any real assistance when it comes to a marriage between us.""I'll also admit there is a child-like need for immediate gratification. I want you now. Not later. We aren't pressed for time but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see that belly full with child a year from now. A bedding ceremony long before the tides of war separate us. No more sneaking around. I dunno." He shrugged in frustration.
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 16, 2019 18:25:35 GMT 1
Laena gives a bittersweet smile, and responds softly. "Ahhh. Ashara always saw me as a better person than I truly am." She shakes her head. "You're not the most subtle of people, and if we're discovered, you'll get bought a few free rounds of drinks by your friends, while I'll become a pariah, only approached by men chasing a bit of dragon tail for a night. Understand that I'd have to genuinely *love* someone to risk that for them. And that is a very, very small list. And I don't like Ser Symon anywhere near enough for him to be on it. I don't hate him, we just have nothing in common except family. Were you threatening Ser Aerion, that would be a much more credible suspicion. But you're not. And the fact that I have not just continued, but escalated things after Ashara's left, proves it wasn't about her, either.
"Don't misunderstand." She adds as an incidental side-note. "If Ser Symon dies, I'll find out who did it, and bury them out of obligation. But that's all it will be - obligation. I can't let anyone get away with insulting me."
She softens her voice even more. "You can believe me or not, but I'm not in the habit of crawling into the beds of men I have no interest in. And if I was only toying with you, it would be self-defeating to, unasked and unexpected, give you a rich - and true - source of rumours to slander me with when my toying is exposed."
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 21, 2019 7:22:32 GMT 1
Balon felt better hearing Laena reassure him but the doubt he'd felt ever since Ashara uttered those words didn't completely go away. She did have a point about their interactions though. They had come a long way since their flirtations in Highgarden's library and would she really do all of this out of boredom? After they'd spent the afternoon together it was no longer a one time ordeal easily blamed on drunkenness either. Moreover there was a promise by her of more to come before the tournament at Whitewalls ended. Balon smiled, "I'm not doing this," he waved to himself and her, "for drinks from friends and I don't think you're doing it simply because I'm willing."
Balon frowned in confusion, "Why would Ser Symon's death be insulting to you? You're kin but you're not even part of House Starkwood anymore. That's like saying if Lady Tanda dies I need to go on a manhunt with revenge in my heart simply because she is my cousin." Plus it'd be much easier if he was out of the way...
Balon laughed, "I don't see you as the kind of woman that engages in carnal pleasure out of sheer boredom. I mean how empty on the inside would one have to be to do that? Even *I* don't do that." He chuckled at the absurdity of such a concept. She was the only one for him and she could see he felt he was the only one for her.
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 21, 2019 13:42:21 GMT 1
Balon smiled, "I'm not doing this," he waved to himself and her, "for drinks from friends and I don't think you're doing it simply because I'm willing." Laena smiles and shakes her head. "No, although it does make it easier that you are." She hesitates slightly before continuing. "I think you can begin to understand how your words and actions are slowly helping to remove my mother's poisonous claws from where they're lodged deep in my heart." Balon frowned in confusion, "Why would Ser Symon's death be insulting to you? You're kin but you're not even part of House Starkwood anymore. That's like saying if Lady Tanda dies I need to go on a manhunt with revenge in my heart simply because she is my cousin." Plus it'd be much easier if he was out of the way...Laena considers how to phrase things for a few moments before answering. "I've left the *house*, but I cannot abandon my *blood*. I have ties to two houses, but only one really remembers I exist. There's good reason why, when tragedy befell me, it was the Starkwoods rather than the Targaryens who I turned to. And, from the perspective of the two houses, I am, bluntly speaking, an insignificant Targaryen, but I am *the* most prominent Starkwood. Lord Ulbert is just a quiet lord who capably looks after his land and people - I have a hard time imagining anyone having strong feelings about him either way. I have a fairly hard time imagining anyone unrelated to him remembering he exists. When - If, rather - anyone thinks of House Starkwood, they think of me, even if I've left. So, any attack on them is an attack on my support. Just like, should he find the time, I'm sure Lord Gorman would look into the matter should your mother be killed. "When you are important enough, some people's only relevance is as an accessory to you." she concludes, seemingly oblivious to how arrogant her words are. Balon laughed, "I don't see you as the kind of woman that engages in carnal pleasure out of sheer boredom. I mean how empty on the inside would one have to be to do that? Even *I* don't do that." He chuckled at the absurdity of such a concept. She was the only one for him and she could see he felt he was the only one for her. "I'm glad." She responds with a smile. "Many people are all too willing to believe all kinds of claims about us bastards. The curse is real, but it is defeatable with Will and prayer." She doesn't react to the unwitting insult, too pleased that his suspicions are focused away from dangerous areas.
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 23, 2019 19:52:37 GMT 1
Laena smiles and shakes her head. "No, although it does make it easier that you are." She hesitates slightly before continuing. "I think you can begin to understand how your words and actions are slowly helping to remove my mother's poisonous claws from where they're lodged deep in my heart." It almost looked like Balon blushed at the kind words, "Mending your heart is a good start. Getting your eyes to see yourself as I do is the next. After that..." Balon gave her his best seductive look and whispered, "We'll decide what body part of yours I can work on next."Laena considers how to phrase things for a few moments before answering. "I've left the *house*, but I cannot abandon my *blood*. I have ties to two houses, but only one really remembers I exist. There's good reason why, when tragedy befell me, it was the Starkwoods rather than the Targaryens who I turned to. And, from the perspective of the two houses, I am, bluntly speaking, an insignificant Targaryen, but I am *the* most prominent Starkwood. Lord Ulbert is just a quiet lord who capably looks after his land and people - I have a hard time imagining anyone having strong feelings about him either way. I have a fairly hard time imagining anyone unrelated to him remembering he exists. When - If, rather - anyone thinks of House Starkwood, they think of me, even if I've left. So, any attack on them is an attack on my support. Just like, should he find the time, I'm sure Lord Gorman would look into the matter should your mother be killed. "When you are important enough, some people's only relevance is as an accessory to you." she concludes, seemingly oblivious to how arrogant her words are. Balon let out a little laugh, "Blood is a funny thing." He looked to the sky as he tried to remember something. "I used to train with a commoner who'd say you can pick your nose but you can't pick your family. It was crude but it made sense then and I think it applies to you now. You helping them baffles me. By your own words they've essentially cast you out and you'd still defend them? I care for my uncle but I wouldn't come to his defense. Allowing Lady Erena to force my family out means he doesn't deserve my help." Balon's thought seemed scattered as he tried to explain himself, "No offense my lady but you turned to House Starkwood because you *knew* you'd be the big fish in the little pond. I'm sure having Lady Ashara there helped with your grieving but you've outgrown them. No one associates you with House Starkwood. They think of you as a Great Bastard, not Lord Ulbert's kin. If anyone moves against House Starkwood it'd be unrelated to you." Balon asked a question to try and prove his point, "Did anyone at Highgarden approach you about House Starkwood? Ever?""I'm glad." She responds with a smile. "Many people are all too willing to believe all kinds of claims about us bastards. The curse is real, but it is defeatable with Will and prayer." She doesn't react to the unwitting insult, too pleased that his suspicions are focused away from dangerous areas. Balon gave her a wink and spoke quietly in Valyrian, "There are lots of rumors about bastards but I never thought they applied to you. Well that is until the other day. I think by the end of the afternoon you squished when you walked." He body shook as he suppressed a laugh. Balon looked around the picnic and switched back to common, "By the way I don't see any custard. It's become a recent favorite of mine."
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 23, 2019 21:16:18 GMT 1
It almost looked like Balon blushed at the kind words, "Mending your heart is a good start. Getting your eyes to see yourself as I do is the next. After that..." Balon gave her his best seductive look and whispered, "We'll decide what body part of yours I can work on next."Laena flushes, and looks down, but doesn't respond. Balon let out a little laugh, "Blood is a funny thing." He looked to the sky as he tried to remember something. "I used to train with a commoner who'd say you can pick your nose but you can't pick your family. It was crude but it made sense then and I think it applies to you now. You helping them baffles me. By your own words they've essentially cast you out and you'd still defend them? I care for my uncle but I wouldn't come to his defense. Allowing Lady Erena to force my family out means he doesn't deserve my help." Balon's thought seemed scattered as he tried to explain himself, "No offense my lady but you turned to House Starkwood because you *knew* you'd be the big fish in the little pond. I'm sure having Lady Ashara there helped with your grieving but you've outgrown them. No one associates you with House Starkwood. They think of you as a Great Bastard, not Lord Ulbert's kin. If anyone moves against House Starkwood it'd be unrelated to you." Balon asked a question to try and prove his point, "Did anyone at Highgarden approach you about House Starkwood? Ever?"It takes but a moment for Laena to come up with a pointed example. "Your father." She responds bluntly. "He too wished for better Starkwood-Blackbriar relations, and approached me regarding that purpose. "And it's not about 'deserve'. Deserve has got nothing to do with it." She sighs slightly, and looks up at the sky for a few moments, searching for the words. "Power is mercurial. It must be safeguarded. It is for exactly this reason that we have to respond to any verbal insult with challenge - To allow any insult is to make fuzzy exactly what is and is not allowed, which all but guarantees that over time greater and greater insults will be permitted. Only by putting a hard line at the outskirts of your reputation can you safeguard your heartland. "So too it is with this. Were I to accept my cousin's murder, I am permitting a direct path to be forged through my grandfather, my uncles, to my brother and my children. Only by making clear that *no* kin of mine are fair game can the kin I truly care about be protected. "It's different for you. ...Your position is different than mine. No-one expects you to protect your uncle. Rather, it weakens him when he doesn't act to protect you. Even despite the divide, you are still a Blackbriar." Balon gave her a wink and spoke quietly in Valyrian, "There are lots of rumors about bastards but I never thought they applied to you. Well that is until the other day. I think by the end of the afternoon you squished when you walked." He body shook as he suppressed a laugh. Balon looked around the picnic and switched back to common, "By the way I don't see any custard. It's become a recent favorite of mine."Laena sniffs, not quite hiding her amusement. "I thought you may have had a bit too much custard recently. Too much of a sweet thing can be bad for your health." She reaches into her picnic basket, and without warning tosses an apple at his forehead - underarm, so it won't hurt too much if he's not paying attention enough to catch it. "Eat an apple. They're good for you."
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 26, 2019 5:39:33 GMT 1
It takes but a moment for Laena to come up with a pointed example. "Your father." She responds bluntly. "He too wished for better Starkwood-Blackbriar relations, and approached me regarding that purpose. "And it's not about 'deserve'. Deserve has got nothing to do with it." She sighs slightly, and looks up at the sky for a few moments, searching for the words. "Power is mercurial. It must be safeguarded. It is for exactly this reason that we have to respond to any verbal insult with challenge - To allow any insult is to make fuzzy exactly what is and is not allowed, which all but guarantees that over time greater and greater insults will be permitted. Only by putting a hard line at the outskirts of your reputation can you safeguard your heartland. "So too it is with this. Were I to accept my cousin's murder, I am permitting a direct path to be forged through my grandfather, my uncles, to my brother and my children. Only by making clear that *no* kin of mine are fair game can the kin I truly care about be protected. "It's different for you. ...Your position is different than mine. No-one expects you to protect your uncle. Rather, it weakens him when he doesn't act to protect you. Even despite the divide, you are still a Blackbriar." ...She reaches into her picnic basket, and without warning tosses an apple at his forehead - underarm, so it won't hurt too much if he's not paying attention enough to catch it. "Eat an apple. They're good for you." My father was naive. From Balon's point of view Donnel supporting Lord Jon was akin to caring for a limb with gangrene; nothing good would come of it. Better to accept the loss and sever the limb before the whole body was lost. House Blackbriar was the body and Jon was the gangrene. He, along with his wife's stupid ideas had to be excised before the body could heal and become stronger. If need be Balon would be the cleaver. "My father was many things, politically astute was not one of them. Did he seek you out specifically or were you just one of several Starkwoods he met with?" The memories of Donnel attempting to "banish" him to the Starlings and demanding he apologize to Ashara roared to the front of his mind. "What did he propose that he believed you were the best agent to carry it out?" Laena had touched a sore spot with Balon. She didn't need to read minds to know there would be no peace between Blackbriar and Starkwood as long as he drew breath. "Challenging insults is a double edged sword. If you answer the insult and win people will respect your house. I wasn't at Summerhall but I heard about the duels. Ser Mikel prevailed against Ser Jonothor but looked incompetent in doing so. Some Dornish cunt lost to my friend Ser Eoric. Ser Symon murdered another knight." Balon let out a bitter snort, "He's closer to being a blackguard than I am. It seems your house didn't do the best job of defending Lady Ashara's honor. So now what happens the next time someone says something? What if Starkwoods come out worse? It'll only increase the chances of insult." Do nothing and encourage bolder insults. Lose the challenge and incur more insults. Win like Ser Symon did and incur insults. The margin for a "correct" victory was narrow. Balon caught the apple and took a bite, "Hmmm, sweet, juicy, and good for you." Was he talking about the apple or Laena? "I've been told as long as you maintain a high level of physical activity sweets are fine."
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on May 26, 2019 8:30:29 GMT 1
"Challenging insults is a double edged sword. If you answer the insult and win people will respect your house. I wasn't at Summerhall but I heard about the duels. Ser Mikel prevailed against Ser Jonothor but looked incompetent in doing so. Some Dornish cunt lost to my friend Ser Eoric."
As soon as those words are out of his mouth, all the joy and affection leeches from Laena's face in a matter of moments. "Of course you'd see nothing wrong with throwing how close and alike you are to that *monster* in my face." She growls. "To you, he's a *hero* for going to my sister's funeral and saying the things he did. I'm an idiot for thinking you'd do any different if you were actually there." She vigorously shakes her head. "This whole thing is stupid. Everyone around me was warning me, but I ignored them, thinking I knew better. But I was just doing what I warn others about so often - letting my emotions dictate my actions. Blinding me to the truth." She stands, and looks down at him coldly. "So, thank you for ripping the blinders from my eyes. I was deluding myself. You're not the next generation's Lord Gorman. "You're just another Ser Eoric." She turns to leave, then turns her head over her shoulder for one last shot. "Oh, and for the record: that 'Dornish cunt' was my *brother*." Before storming off, abandoning the picnic gear behind her.
[Unless you chase after me to try and argue with me while I'm raging, that's /scene from my end.]
|
|
|
Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 31, 2019 6:50:54 GMT 1
I think it's better for Balon to sit there dumbfounded rather than chase after you. Balon was completely unprepared for Laena's drastic change in attitude. He sat there, his mouth open as if he was going to speak but shock prevented anything from coming out. As she turned to leave his mind screamed to chase after and stop her but memories of his parents arguing flooded his mind. How many times had Shiera stormed off and Donnel chased after her in an attempt to calm her down only to make things worse? Balon didn't know the inner workings of Laena's mind but he'd seen enough to know she was capable of great anger. Stopping her from leaving and trying to explain wouldn't help the situation. It pained him to do so but he'd wait until she'd calmed down then approach her to explain himself (if she'd even let him).
With Laena gone Balon stared at the remnants of the picnic, processing what she'd said. Me, another Ser Eoric? Balon was upset that anyone would compare him to that foul mouthed runt. I'm not short and ugly. He knew Laena was referring to their shared hatred of the Dornish but all he could think of was the physical comparison.
Thank the Seven I didn't mention I consider Jonothor a friend too. If she didn't like Balon being friends with someone he'd known for the majority of his life she'd really hate him for liking Jonothor. This is really going to be awkward when I try to get him to join my melee team. Balon had been thinking of his next move and he knew someone like Ser Jonothor would help if allowed. Her parting shot repeated in his mind, my brother, my brother, my brother. "Fucking hell." Balon cleaned up the picnic and put everything back into the basket. While he folded the blanket he remembered their company and turned back to see Septon Sourpuss had left with Laena. I guess I'll hold onto this for now.
He didn't want things to be over with Laena but he wasn't sure she felt the same way. -Letting my emotions dictate my actions.- echoed in his mind as he went back to the inn.
[/scene]
|
|