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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 18, 2019 21:53:21 GMT 1
Time: Before the Jousting Final between Ser Aerion and Ser Roland Location: On the way to the Jousting Stands.
Balon was a lot of things. Son, brother, knight, loyal friend, Blackfyre supporter, schemer, fornicator, and murderer. One thing he wasn't was an apologizer but that was exactly what he was going to do today. Of course he had apologized before but always after the threat of punishment (or actual punishment). He had apologized to Titus for dunking his head underwater until he caught a winter chill after his mother had beat him with a wooden ladle. He apologized to Ser Jasper Flowers for his grotesque insults after losing to Ser Daemon in a duel. He even apologized to the first lady he'd laid with after she threatened to tell everyone he was Balon the Brief.
But today was different. He was apologizing because he *wanted* to, even if he wasn't sure what he was apologizing for. Laena was special to him and in his heart he believed he was special to her. Their day in his room had ended wonderfully only to have their picnic end in such a disastrous manner. He'd replayed the scene in his head at least a hundred times trying to discern what had transpired that had elicited such anger from Laena. He had a good idea what but he wanted to make sure.
Following the advice of his late father he let Laena have a cool-off period before trying to approach her. When Balon learned her brother Aerion had made the finals he decided it was a good time to approach her as he gauged her spirits would be high from her brother's accomplishments. He had cleaned himself up proper, combing his hair and trimming his beard. He'd worn the doublet that had the sigil designed by Laena and his longsword she'd help dub Legacy.
It wasn't too hard to locate Laena as she made her way to the stands for the final joust. With her was her chaperone Septon Sourpuss and Balon briefly wondered what would happen should he stand in his way. I'll put that motherfucker on the ground that's what. Brushing aside the thought he hurried his step and came up behind her, winking to the chaperone as he passed by. Staring at her backside he made sure to look up when he cleared his throat, "It's a fine day to gaze upon such beauty." There wasn't the normal playfulness in his voice but he thought it best to start with a compliment.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 18, 2019 23:13:54 GMT 1
Laena was a complex bundle of happy, nervous, and excited on her way to see her brother face Ser Roland in the final. Honestly, she'd written his chances off when he faced Ser Daemon, yet he'd won.
He'd actually beaten The Warrior Reborn.
While defeating Ser Roland was far from a certainty, it was a definite possibility. Her heart swelled with pride at the thought.
So it was that when she heard a slight cough behind her, she turned and saw a man who'd she'd not been thinking of at all suddenly rush to dominate her thoughts.
But the memory that jumps to her mind isn't their last meeting, the picnic. No. Rather, it's the afternoon before. And her face flushes pink in response. "Balon..." She breathes.
Her eyes dance over him, assessing him. She sees his neatly-trimmed beard, clean nails, the coat of arms she'd designed for him, the sword hilt he'd made to represent her.
What face do I make?
Her etiquette lessons had failed to prepare her for this situation, so for a few moments, she simply looks a bit stunned. After those few moments, she collects herself, cooling down the burning in her cheeks, and wearing a neutral face.
Good appearance, good timing, good opening. He's taking this seriously, not as a given.
"Well, yes." She answers a question that nobody was asking. "I grant you some of my time." She imperiously allows. "Let us .." her eyes flick around, alighting briefly on her chaperone. "Let us find a quiet place we can talk without the subject matter hitting the gossip circles before we even reach the jousting grounds." A moment's hesitation, like she would let him lead them off, before she stiffens her shoulders and begins striding away from the thoroughfare, leading him to the edge of the wood, where the shadows would conceal their identities from a distance, they may be observed by her chaperone from far enough away that he won't be able to hear them, and they may rest their backs against the trees for support.
As she turns around to rest her back against a tree, she spares a glance for the mass of activity in the vast tourney field providing a background hum, and glances at the septon to make sure he's staying at an appropriate distance, before her gaze finally rests on Balon.
She opens her mouth slightly, before closing it firmly and folding her arms across her chest. Letting him speak his piece.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 19, 2019 20:10:46 GMT 1
...she turned and saw a man who'd she'd not been thinking of at all suddenly rush to dominate her thoughts. But the memory that jumps to her mind isn't their last meeting, the picnic. No. Rather, it's the afternoon before. And her face flushes pink in response. "Balon..." She breathes. Her etiquette lessons had failed to prepare her for this situation, so for a few moments, she simply looks a bit stunned. After those few moments, she collects herself, cooling down the burning in her cheeks, and wearing a neutral face. At first Balon wasn't sure what to make of her face turning pink. That doesn't look like anger. Annoyed? Embarrassed? Aroused? Balon was hoping for the latter. She didn't slap, yell, or demand he leave so Balon considered her moment of silence as a positive. While she did her best to keep a neutral expression Balon's was a mix of contrition and caring. "Well, yes." She answers a question that nobody was asking. "I grant you some of my time." She imperiously allows. "Let us .." her eyes flick around, alighting briefly on her chaperone. "Let us find a quiet place we can talk without the subject matter hitting the gossip circles before we even reach the jousting grounds." A moment's hesitation, like she would let him lead them off, before she stiffens her shoulders and begins striding away from the thoroughfare, leading him to the edge of the wood, where the shadows would conceal their identities from a distance, they may be observed by her chaperone from far enough away that he won't be able to hear them, and they may rest their backs against the trees for support. As she turns around to rest her back against a tree, she spares a glance for the mass of activity in the vast tourney field providing a background hum, and glances at the septon to make sure he's staying at an appropriate distance, before her gaze finally rests on Balon. She opens her mouth slightly, before closing it firmly and folding her arms across her chest. Letting him speak his piece. Though he never asked for her permission he knew why she'd answered the way she did. Appearances mattered greatly to Laena, something Balon was well aware of. "Thank you my lady." He looked around for a place to go and was somewhat caught off guard when Laena led they way. Following her Balon looked to where they were going and smiled. She wasn't taking them to the woods for anything risque but Balon wondered how it'd look to people as the two of them left for a quieter destination. As she leaned against the tree Balon noticed her arms were crossed across her chest, a defensive posture if there ever was one. His eyes lingered on her lips as they opened and closed a clear signal she wanted Balon to start the conversation. So he did. "I..." He scratched the back of his neck and restarted, "This may come as a surprise to you but I'm an imperfect man. You know I'm stubborn, passionate, loyal. As unknightly as it may seem you know I've recently found a love for sweets. Custard specifically." He paused for a moment trying to find a way to relay his feelings. "One of my failings is I continue to struggle to understand the fairer sex. Take you for example. A lady that cares deeply for her image yet the second you saw me we rushed off to the woods to be alone. Some might think privacy wasn't the only thing you were after. And yet, ummm." Balon trailed off unsure of where he was taking this. "Pardon me if I stumble a bit. I didn't really prepare for this." Balon looked up to the leaves rustling in the wind before looking back to Laena, "I thought it better to speak from the heart than sound contrived and rehearsed." He pressed on, "I've been trying to understand how I upset you and at the picnic and I realise I mentioned someone I shouldn't have. Someone whose name you didn't want to hear and for that I'm sorry. I'm new to this," he waved a hand to each of them, "but I hope you don't hate me for some of the friends I keep just as I try to judge you solely on you and not the circles you gossip in."Well, this is going terribly, "I don't want you to be mad at me."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 19, 2019 22:42:06 GMT 1
While she manages to keep her carefully neutral expression in place, her cheeks betray a pinkish hue when he mentions his newfound love of custard. Still, she waits for him to finish before responding.
When she does, there's a slight sigh, and a small look of disappointment. "I don't hate you. Even when I snapped at you and stormed off, I didn't hate you. Anger? Yes, definitely. But never hatred. To the best of my knowledge, you've never lied to me, nor betrayed me, merely kept secrets, and secrets are the foundation of any lasting relationship, since the alternatives are 'truth' and 'lies', and it's hard to judge which would be more damaging to a relationship.
"I very, very rarely say this, for it's even less frequently true, but the fault is predominantly mine. Know that the anger I felt towards you was also directed twofold at myself. There were gaps in my knowledge of you, and I deluded myself by painting in those gaps what I *wanted* to see, rather than what truly was. The deception was mine, not yours.
"I saw in you the next Lord Gorman. Not just a man skilled with the blade, and likely a good leader of men - you verified that belief at the Tactician's Tourney - but also a man with the kind of cunning mind that could, with guidance and experience, be a player in The Game.
"*That* was my mistake. And I *hate* being a fool.
"You knew full well how close I was to Lady Ashara. You knew full well what Ser Eoric did. You have a sister, so you could well imagine how you'd feel should she be brutally, senselessly murdered. You could well imagine how you'd feel towards ..." she grasps for an appropriate name "Lady Ysilla should she attend your sister's funeral solely for the purposes of insulting her. And not a little, either, nor accidentally. And then she saunters away, completely unpunished for her actions.
"Imagine that was all true, Balon. Imagine all that happened, then I, in conversation with you, talked about 'my dear friend Lady Ysilla'.
"There would be only two possible reasons: deep malice, or great incompetence. And malice is wildly out of character. So that leaves mind-boggling incompetence. *Sylvina* is probably smart enough to realise mentioning Lady Ysilla is a mistake in that circumstance.
"Yet that is precisely what you did.
"As I said, I don't hate you. I don't for one moment believe you did it out of malice. You did it because you lack the common sense and political cunning of a *child*.
"This isn't a matter of me being of 'the fairer sex' - *anyone* would be angered by what you did, though those who fear you may hide their reaction. Imagine if you spoke to Bittersteel about your 'dear friend Bloodraven', and you'll get pretty much the same kind of response, if he believed you were serious.
"You have the talent to be a great knight, Ser Balon, if you can avoid the infamy of becoming known as a blackguard. But it is now clear to me that you will struggle to even be a mediocre lord, should you attain such a position."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 20, 2019 7:45:51 GMT 1
"I don't hate you. Even when I snapped at you and stormed off, I didn't hate you. Anger? Yes, definitely. But never hatred. To the best of my knowledge, you've never lied to me, nor betrayed me, merely kept secrets, and secrets are the foundation of any lasting relationship, since the alternatives are 'truth' and 'lies', and it's hard to judge which would be more damaging to a relationship. Balon was taken aback by her last comment. He'd always preferred the truth and had specifically asked Laena to be honest with him. "Do you really believe secrets are the foundation of a lasting relationship? I pity you if you think deceit is preferable to truth. We may keeps secrets from each other now but that's not the same as a marriage." Balon shook his head in disbelief, "Honestly I don't know if that's you or your mother talking."
"I saw in you the next Lord Gorman. Not just a man skilled with the blade, and likely a good leader of men - you verified that belief at the Tactician's Tourney - but also a man with the kind of cunning mind that could, with guidance and experience, be a player in The Game. "*That* was my mistake. And I *hate* being a fool. "You knew full well how close I was to Lady Ashara. You knew full well what Ser Eoric did. You have a sister, so you could well imagine how you'd feel should she be brutally, senselessly murdered. You could well imagine how you'd feel towards ..." she grasps for an appropriate name "Lady Ysilla should she attend your sister's funeral solely for the purposes of insulting her. And not a little, either, nor accidentally. And then she saunters away, completely unpunished for her actions. "Imagine that was all true, Balon. Imagine all that happened, then I, in conversation with you, talked about 'my dear friend Lady Ysilla'. "There would be only two possible reasons: deep malice, or great incompetence. And malice is wildly out of character. So that leaves mind-boggling incompetence. *Sylvina* is probably smart enough to realize mentioning Lady Ysilla is a mistake in that circumstance. "Yet that is precisely what you did. "As I said, I don't hate you. I don't for one moment believe you did it out of malice. You did it because you lack the common sense and political cunning of a *child*. "This isn't a matter of me being of 'the fairer sex' - *anyone* would be angered by what you did, though those who fear you may hide their reaction. Imagine if you spoke to Bittersteel about your 'dear friend Bloodraven', and you'll get pretty much the same kind of response, if he believed you were serious. "You have the talent to be a great knight, Ser Balon, if you can avoid the infamy of becoming known as a blackguard. But it is now clear to me that you will struggle to even be a mediocre lord, should you attain such a position." Balon was quiet as she spoke, absorbing his admonishment. Laena's last barb about his ability to be a lord was particularly painful as he'd believed her when she said he could be the next Lord Gormon. For the first time he felt something towards Laena that he didn't think was possible; anger. When she finished he couldn't decide what to say. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about... Stop pretending Ashara was anything other than a vicious cunt. And then he remembered his conversation with Titus and what she'd said to him while he recovered at Highgarden. He took a step forward, looming over her and rested a hand against the tree trunk near her head. His voice was calm and quiet, "Is this the same kind of mind game you used on my brother while he laid in bed like a cripple? Hmmm? Attack his character and sensibilities until he grew angry enough to get up and grab you not realizing your words had motivated him to get off his self-pitying ass? Is that what you're trying to do to me now? Make me angry so I'll use that as motivation to become a better player in the game and prove you wrong?" It was possible Balon had grossly misread the situation but there was no going back. Balon's expression softened, "I asked you for help when it came to intrigue and politics and what did you tell me? No. It was better for me to learn on my own than use you as a crutch and that's what I'm doing but I'm going to stumble along the way. We know I'm going to put my foot in my mouth every once in awhile but if you haven't noticed I'm still here. For someone who doesn't have the political cunning of a child I'm doing incredibly well for myself."I'm using disposition ratings as a metric for how many "like" me. Balon took his hand away from the tree and brushed the side of her cheek, "I'm sorry I mentioned him. Truly. And I'm sorry for what happened to Lady Ashara. We had our arguments but I didn't wish her to die to an assassins's blade. But tell me true, do you really think I'm doomed to mediocrity because of a flub or is this a flimsy pretense your using to bury your feelings for me."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 20, 2019 13:54:04 GMT 1
Balon was taken aback by her last comment. He'd always preferred the truth and had specifically asked Laena to be honest with him. "Do you really believe secrets are the foundation of a lasting relationship? I pity you if you think deceit is preferable to truth. We may keeps secrets from each other now but that's not the same as a marriage." Balon shook his head in disbelief, "Honestly I don't know if that's you or your mother talking."She'd opened her mouth to respond confidently, then Balon throws in that last line about her mother, and she just freezes, suddenly unsure. Balon was quiet as she spoke, absorbing his admonishment. Laena's last barb about his ability to be a lord was particularly painful as he'd believed her when she said he could be the next Lord Gormon. For the first time he felt something towards Laena that he didn't think was possible; anger. When she finished he couldn't decide what to say. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about... Stop pretending Ashara was anything other than a vicious cunt. And then he remembered his conversation with Titus and what she'd said to him while he recovered at Highgarden. He took a step forward, looming over her and rested a hand against the tree trunk near her head. His voice was calm and quiet, "Is this the same kind of mind game you used on my brother while he laid in bed like a cripple? Hmmm? Attack his character and sensibilities until he grew angry enough to get up and grab you not realizing your words had motivated him to get off his self-pitying ass? Is that what you're trying to do to me now? Make me angry so I'll use that as motivation to become a better player in the game and prove you wrong?" It was possible Balon had grossly misread the situation but there was no going back. Rather than fear, as he loomed over her in a dominant position, she flashed back to the last time he was in such a position, and her cheeks flush pink again. She responds softly, still off-balance from his last barb. "That was not my intent. My anger was real. My answer was blunt and honest. But if you want and are able to prove me wrong, by which I mean prove me right originally, I would be .. impressed." Balon's expression softened, "I asked you for help when it came to intrigue and politics and what did you tell me? No. It was better for me to learn on my own than use you as a crutch and that's what I'm doing but I'm going to stumble along the way. We know I'm going to put my foot in my mouth every once in awhile but if you haven't noticed I'm still here. For someone who doesn't have the political cunning of a child I'm doing incredibly well for myself."Balon took his hand away from the tree and brushed the side of her cheek, "I'm sorry I mentioned him. Truly. And I'm sorry for what happened to Lady Ashara. We had our arguments but I didn't wish her to die to an assassins's blade. But tell me true, do you really think I'm doomed to mediocrity because of a flub or is this a flimsy pretense you're using to bury your feelings for me."She licks her lips nervously for a few moments before answering. "You missed another obvious possibility: maybe I just said it because you hurt me, so I tried to hurt you back, as I'm a vindictive bitch even to those close to me." From her tone, even she's not sure if that's true. "I was taught how to read a man. How to seduce a man. How to read political currents. How to suppress my feelings. I was never taught how to *handle* feelings for a man. Are you right? Is ... is this *fear*?" She's frowning. "Am .. Am I *running away*?" She seems to be asking herself, rather than him, but no answers are forthcoming. It's clear, even to Balon, that his barb about her mother cut deep, leaving the usually-confident and assured young woman confused and unsure.
Not much in the way of answers in this post, so if your response is short, that's fine, but I thought I'd give you the chance to take advantage of my uncertain state, since you hit one of my weak spots pretty well.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 22, 2019 7:07:07 GMT 1
When Balon had mentioned Laena's mother he didn't do it out of spite or pettiness, nor was he trying to mentally knock her off-balance. He said it because that's what he believed. To hear her say secrets were a strong foundation troubled him deeply but when he thought back to their conversations at the inn he refused to believe the words were hers. That was her mother's voice even if it came from Laena's lips. The truth was he didn't enjoy keeping secrets from her but they needed to be kept not just for his sake but for hers. Rather than fear, as he loomed over her in a dominant position, she flashed back to the last time he was in such a position, and her cheeks flush pink again. She responds softly, still off-balance from his last barb. "That was not my intent. My anger was real. My answer was blunt and honest. But if you want and are able to prove me wrong, by which I mean prove me right originally, I would be .. impressed." She licks her lips nervously for a few moments before answering. "You missed another obvious possibility: maybe I just said it because you hurt me, so I tried to hurt you back, as I'm a vindictive bitch even to those close to me." From her tone, even she's not sure if that's true. "I was taught how to read a man. How to seduce a man. How to read political currents. How to suppress my feelings. I was never taught how to *handle* feelings for a man. Are you right? Is ... is this *fear*?" She's frowning. "Am .. Am I *running away*?" She seems to be asking herself, rather than him, but no answers are forthcoming. It's clear, even to Balon, that his barb about her mother cut deep, leaving the usually-confident and assured young woman confused and unsure. Seeing her cheeks flush pink again confirmed what he'd suspected it meant. "You *could* be vindicitve," he purposefully left out 'bitch', "but I think it's something else. Love; or pretty damn close." He tried to think of his childhood to explain why he felt that way. "When I was young I had a tendency to get in trouble. I'd get lectured by my lord uncle, yelled at by the knight I was sparring with, fuck even Lord Gormon had me beat every now and then. And even though I got angry I didn't let it get to me because I didn't love them. But when I got disciplined by my father or mother it hurt here." Balon took Laena's hand and guided it to his heart. "And do you know why it hurt so much? Because it was from a loved one. No one wants to be hurt, doubly so by someone that matters a great deal to them. "When you love someone you want them to make you happy. Make you laugh. Feel warm and secure in their arms. That's why it cuts so deep when they wound you and make you sad. It's the one emotion you don't want them to cause.""Your mother taught you important lessons," referring to her list of skills, "but she forgot the most important lesson of all." He moved her hand from his heart to hers, pressing his hand on top of hers, "Letting someone in. You're right to be fearful. It's fucking scary to expose your vulnerabilities to another. But I promise, it's worth it."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 22, 2019 19:31:42 GMT 1
Once he'd mentioned 'love' Laena's eyes grow wide and skittish, like a fawn in the middle of a clearing having just seen a hunter, arrow pulled back and ready, aimed right at her. Her eyes dart around, and she licks her lips, trying to spot a flaw in his logic. But he'd greatly angered her, and yet not for one moment had she considered revenge. Nor was she holding that anger against him.
Try as she might to find fault, his logic seemed sound.
How did it come to this?
"You, ah, I mean I, well, it's..." She chuckles awkwardly and looks down. "All those elocution lessons, and suddenly I don't know what to say."
Without looking up, she continues to fidget. "You may be right. I suspect you're right. Both about my ... my feelings, and my difficulties thereof.
"But I'm also right that it's not exactly the sign of a functional relationship that I worry if you're going to kill one or more of my kin any time you're in a tourney with them." Her last conversation with Trystane coming immediately to mind.
"And .. your reputation is such that I will undoubtedly be asked if I have lost my mind should I let my .. my feelings be widely known. And even aside from that, last I heard, there is still that rift in your family meaning you cannot m- make an honest woman of me. Not that I'd expect you to become close, but having a family that at odds makes us Targaryens feel you're trying to compete with us. Next thing we know, you Blackbrairs will be lamenting the 'good old days' when you could solve 90% of your problems with dragonfire." She chuckles slightly at her weak joke.
"And I seem to recall that, even though I - as a well-spoken Great Bastard - would then support you and your cause, and in terms of status, I stand significantly above you, even your own *mother* was against this."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 22, 2019 21:38:50 GMT 1
Once he'd mentioned 'love' Laena's eyes grow wide and skittish... "You, ah, I mean I, well, it's..." She chuckles awkwardly and looks down. "All those elocution lessons, and suddenly I don't know what to say." Without looking up, she continues to fidget. "You may be right. I suspect you're right. Both about my ... my feelings, and my difficulties thereof. Balon gently put his index finger under her chin and lifted it up, forcing Laena to make eye contact. What she saw was love, compassion, and kindness. Things she suspected very few people were ever allowed to be seen from Balon. He spoke quietly and in a soothing tone, "I want you to do me a favor. Close your eyes and picture what I'm going to describe. When I ask you to answer I don't want you to think about what others might think. Not our siblings, our kin, or the lords and ladies of the Reach. Just say what Laena Pyre, exposed and vulnerable, would say.""Imagine being so stressed that you could weep but instead of crying from sorrow I told a joke that only you and I understood and you cried from laughing so hard. Is that something you want?""Imagine you're straddling me, sweat glistening on your body, head tilted back, eyes rolled into the back of your head from the waves of pleasure. All you can do is repeatedly moan 'put a baby in me'. Do you want that?" He knew Laena's thoughts on bastards but was referring more to being in the position to have children. "Now imagine we're married and you're full with child," Balon thought back to some of the more scary descriptions Donnel gave of Shiera, "You're standing by our bed. Naked with swollen ankles, engorged breasts, always hungry and irritated and then you see me prop myself up on an elbow. And instead of a look of annoyance or wanting you see a face full of pride. Pride in being married to you. Pride is bringing our child into the world. Is having a child with me something you want? Not out of wifely duty but because *you* wish it so?"Balon ignored the questions about the Starkwoods and his relationship, or lack thereof, with Lady Erena. Those were things to worry about later. For now he wanted to see if Laena really loved him and all it'd required was a little push for her to realize it.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 22, 2019 23:21:30 GMT 1
Laena complies with the request to close her eyes, and bites back the automatic retort that she does not *do* 'vulnerable'. The lie would be a little too blatant given current circumstances.
She listens carefully and silently to the scenarios he outlines. She opens her mouth to answer, hesitates, closes it again, frowns, and opens her eyes before finally answering. "You're asking me if I want to love and be loved. If I want a loving and patient husband who'll help give me strong sons and cunning daughters."
Her eyes flicker about a bit, analysing the situation from every angle she can think of. "Yes." She ultimately answers simply, like there was no real alternative. "But that answer's near-meaningless. Were you to ask pretty much any lady, save the most ambitious and those who particularly hate you, the same question, they'd likely give the same answer. We ladies are trained from a very early age to not hope for a happy, loving marriage - we will marry who our lord dictates. It's only a very, very lucky few - female heirs, and me and my sisters predominantly - to whom that dream has any real chance of being anything but that. But most of us have that dream, locked away in our hearts.
"The only difference between me and those other ladies is that I do at least accept that most of what you say is quite possible." A small smile. "Except that part about the joke. I think you'll struggle to be that funny."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 23, 2019 7:08:22 GMT 1
She listens carefully and silently to the scenarios he outlines. She opens her mouth to answer, hesitates, closes it again, frowns, and opens her eyes before finally answering. "You're asking me if I want to love and be loved. If I want a loving and patient husband who'll help give me strong sons and cunning daughters." Balon smiled but shook his head 'no'. "I'm not asking you if you want to be love and be loved. Every lady fantasizes about that. I'm asking if you love me and want to be loved by me." His smile grew wider as he said the last part. "It's an important distinction."
Her eyes flicker about a bit, analyzing the situation from every angle she can think of. "Yes." She ultimately answers simply, like there was no real alternative. "But that answer's near-meaningless. Were you to ask pretty much any lady, save the most ambitious and those who particularly hate you, the same question, they'd likely give the same answer. We ladies are trained from a very early age to not hope for a happy, loving marriage - we will marry who our lord dictates. It's only a very, very lucky few - female heirs, and me and my sisters predominantly - to whom that dream has any real chance of being anything but that. But most of us have that dream, locked away in our hearts. "Uh uh uh." He lightly scolded, "I'm not asking about other women and their dreams. I'm asking you Laena Pyre." He gently stroked her cheek again, "You; an eloquent, well spoken courtier stumbling over her words when faced with a truth you didn't even know you'd locked deep down inside of you. Your cheeks betraying your feelings by flushing pink. What else of yours flushes pink when you're close to me?" Balon's eyes flicked down. "What did you tell me when you woke up next to me at the Golden Rose? You were sated... warm.. comfortable... and *happy*. You said you were happy like you didn't remember being before. Do you think that's happenstance?"
"More importantly have you learned it's ok to be happy, with me?"A small smile. "Except that part about the joke. I think you'll struggle to be that funny." Balon laughed, "My lady if I can slay a dragon.," He paused for dramatic effect, "I think I can master the art of humor." "Speaking of dragon slaying I distinctly remember a deal we'd made." Balon became more serious, "I'm sorry I angered you." He took her hands and kissed them, "But I think you're still looking forward to our night together. What better way to make up?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 23, 2019 18:48:33 GMT 1
Laena closes her eyes again, and, after a moment's consideration, decides to test the answer a different way. She mentally substitutes in Ser Sebaston Rowan in Balon's place - a capable and chivalrous knight from a prestigious family. A stress-relieving joke would be pleasant, regardless of source or circumstance. So, he 'passes' there. But having a child with him? He's not a *bad* choice for a father, she supposes, but the idea doesn't particularly excite her - Rowan stock just doesn't seem so consistently strong as Blackbriar stock. Finally what would his pride in her mean to her? Not much. She can't imagine him seeing her as doing more than her duty. He'd feel pride as a reflection of his potency, rather than anything really to do with her. Again, she's just not excited over the idea. She's *been* married to a generic, well-meaning, interchangeable knight. And it was awful. For all his flaws, Balon is ... different enough that he *does* excite her in those scenarios. She opens her eyes, and takes a long, unsteady breath before answering softly. "Ignoring the rest of the world. In isolation. Just the two of us? ...Yes. I .. love you, and want to be loved by you." Her mouth snaps shut like a part of her wants to bite those words back into her mouth already. "Speaking of dragon slaying I distinctly remember a deal we'd made." Balon became more serious, "I'm sorry I angered you." He took her hands and kissed them, "But I think you're still looking forward to our night together. What better way to make up?" Laena gives a tolerant smile, and shakes her head. "I am not simply going to fall into bed with you every time you flutter your eyelashes at me and say 'please'." She softly speaks, so the Septon definitely can't overhear. "This .. relationship we have has *serious* issues, whatever our personal feelings may be, and we are *not* going to solve them through sex!" She finishes with a hiss. "We need to sit down and have a calm, rational discussion, as chivalrous knight and virtuous lady." * "Ohyes! Ohyes! Yes! Fill up your whore, you filthy blackguard! Yes!" She feels Balon releasing deep inside of her core, and finally, finally, doesn't hold back her instincts, dragging her nails painfully down his back. The addition of pain to his expression of ecstasy atop her is enough to tip her over the edge to her own release. They both collapse onto his bed in his room, and he rolls off her to avoid crushing her with his bulk. As they both take a few moments to catch their breath, her eyes pass over her discarded disguise she used to get here, scattered carelessly between the door and the bed; and she takes a look towards the covered window and the night sky outside, and sends a quick prayer to whichever of the Seven may be listening that the servants of her camp heed her orders that she is sick and grumpy this night, and is not to be disturbed under any circumstances.
Just an OOC note for any readers that the transition here was agreed upon via message.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 24, 2019 6:32:11 GMT 1
She opens her eyes, and takes a long, unsteady breath before answering softly. "Ignoring the rest of the world. In isolation. Just the two of us? ...Yes. I .. love you, and want to be loved by you." Her mouth snaps shut like a part of her wants to bite those words back into her mouth already. Balon was smitten with Laena but when she said I love you it felt like his heart was going to burst from his chest. For that fleeting moment, Laena was the only woman in the world as far as Balon was concerned. Laena gives a tolerant smile, and shakes her head. "I am not simply going to fall into bed with you every time you flutter your eyelashes at me and say 'please'." She softly speaks, so the Septon definitely can't overhear. "This .. relationship we have has *serious* issues, whatever our personal feelings may be, and we are *not* going to solve them through sex!" She finishes with a hiss. "We need to sit down and have a calm, rational discussion, as chivalrous knight and virtuous lady." Balon nodded, "As you wish my lady."
*** "Ohyes! Ohyes! Yes! Fill up your whore, you filthy blackguard! Yes!" She feels Balon releasing deep inside of her core, and finally, finally, doesn't hold back her instincts, dragging her nails painfully down his back. The addition of pain to his expression of ecstasy atop her is enough to tip her over the edge to her own release. They both collapse onto his bed in his room, and he rolls off her to avoid crushing her with his bulk. As they both take a few moments to catch their breath, her eyes pass over her discarded disguise she used to get here, scattered carelessly between the door and the bed; and she takes a look towards the covered window and the night sky outside, and sends a quick prayer to whichever of the Seven may be listening that the servants of her camp heed her orders that she is sick and grumpy this night, and is not to be disturbed under any circumstances. Balon clenched his teeth together in a mix of pain and pleasure as Laena drug her fingernails down his back. He'd tried to get her to do it before to no avail and now that she had he wanted her to do it every time. He hadn't expected the dirty talk but it had definitely elevated his enjoyment. I think next time I'll ask her to pretend she wants to get pregnant. As they laid down Balon sucked air in through his teeth as his clawed back came in contact with the sheets. The Seven only know what the inn keepers must think when I keep asking for new linens. Ignoring the pain Balon recapped Laena's visit as they caught their breath. When he'd opened the door he barely had time to recognize her before she was on him like a predator pouncing on its prey. He'd stripped her of her disguise and clothing as she untied his breeches stopping just long enough to tell him they needed to talk. He knew what it was going to be about but that was for later and in the mean time they engaged in an epic love making session that shaked the pillars of the heavens. At least that's what Balon would tell himself. And now they were here, naked and spent. Rolling onto his side he stared at Laena's body, soaking in the details and realizing he was getting closer to making her his forever. He'd lost track of time when he heard a polite clearing of the throat and he looked up to Laena's face. I could die tomorrow happy. Based on her expression the time had come to talk. "You said we needed to have a serious talk. Issues that needed sorting." He rested a hand on her stomach, her skin warm to the touch. "I can only assume your greatest concern is what we name our first child. How do you feel about the name Stannis?" After a chuckle he settled down and became serious knowing they had important things to discuss.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 24, 2019 19:22:41 GMT 1
"There is a bare minimum that needs- that *you* need to accomplish.
"Firstly, my brother, Aerion. I could declare for the Iron Throne tomorrow, and in public, he'd support me even then. In private, he'd call me a lunatic and try and convince me to take it back, but he will always, always support me. However, what that means is that I will always listen to him, for I know with absolute certainty that he will be speaking with what he sees as my best interests in mind. If you want to make sure I don't falter, you need to make sure he sees your best side." She idly strokes a hand down his chest. "Like I do." She frowns. "Though not exactly like I do." She hurriedly clarifies. "But, you know, enough that he doesn't want to have me committed for my sanity when he learns about us. ... Make sure he at least vaguely likes you before you mention anything about wanting to have sex with me.
"Secondly, you need a way to deal with your aunt. Marrying for love is very, very rarely allowed for people in your position. On top of that, as far as I am aware, at the moment, she would deny you marrying anyone out of antipathy. I have to admit, I do not have a solid plan to help you there.
"I'd very much like to not be disowned by the Starkwoods. But hopefully, so long as you don't do anything more to outrage them, while they *may* not turn up to the wedding, I hope at least they will not disown me, without any further action required. So long as my brother's there to give me away, you're there to accept me, and there's a Septon there to make it official, I guess I don't actually *need* anything more than that." She's doing a rather poor job of hiding her melancholy over the thought of such an empty wedding.
"Because of your reputation, I am going to lose a *lot* of friends when this becomes public knowledge." She muses quietly, wallowing in her melancholy.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 24, 2019 21:55:59 GMT 1
Balon addressed her last comment first, "Laena my love, if your friends abandon you because of us then they were never really your friends to begin with." He brought his hand up and cupped her cheek, gently running his thumb over her lips before leaning in for a kiss. "Even Ashara told me if I made you happy she'd be happy." A bold statement considering the enmity between the two. "And this is coming from a woman who if I was on fire she wouldn't piss on me to put out the flames.""Firstly, my brother, Aerion... "You'll be happy to know I met with Aerion after our joust." Balon summarized the meeting between the two and how Laena's name had come up. The Aerion & Balon thread is slowly plodding along but barring a catastrophic turn it should end well. For now I'll keep it vague. "I sparred with him at Highgarden too and he seemed like a good man." Balon chuckled at the memory of Aerion, Balon, Daeron, and Addam watching the royal procession arriving at Highgarden. "He was *very* protective of you when your name came up while we were watching the Princes arrive for the Black Tourney." Balon suddenly remembered what he said to Aerion after he'd lost their previous jousting match, "Ummmm." Balon scratched his whiskers on his chin, "At a smaller tournament before Whitewalls I had a joust with your brother and he beat me fairly easily. I miiight have said in order to even the score between us I wasssss going to fuck you until your cunny exploded." He braced for an impact of some kind. "I didn't know that statement was going to turn out to be so accurate." The childish part of his mind asked if he has some sort of magical power. If I think it, it will come true. Balon put his theory to the test. Laena will get pregnant from tonight. Balon inadvertently smiled. And now we wait..."I will make it my goal for your brother to like me. I want him to see me how you do." Balon smirked, "Well, mostly." He scooted a little closer to her so his member was pressed against her. "What will you tell him about us if he asks you?""Secondly, you need a way to deal with your aunt. Marrying for love is very, very rarely allowed for people in your position. On top of that, as far as I am aware, at the moment, she would deny you marrying anyone out of antipathy. "I want my aunt to grant me her blessing and therefore Lord Jon's. My hope is with her second child on the way she'll feel less compelled to spite me. Convincing her is my goal however..." Balon swallowed. He hated keeping secrets but didn't know if Laena wanted to hear what else he thought. "all options are on the table." His inflection implied he was willing to do whatever it took to get a Blackbriar blessing to the wedding. "I'd very much like to not be disowned by the Starkwoods. But hopefully, so long as you don't do anything more to outrage them, while they *may* not turn up to the wedding, I hope at least they will not disown me, without any further action required. So long as my brother's there to give me away, you're there to accept me, and there's a Septon there to make it official, I guess I don't actually *need* anything more than that." She's doing a rather poor job of hiding her melancholy over the thought of such an empty wedding. "With the passing of Ashara," Balon intertwined his fingers with Laena's, "Your brother and mother are your only links to House Starkwood." Balon quickly added, "I don't include your children as a connection to them." Balon brought her fingers up to his mouth and kissed the tips of each one. "When the war comes I won't spare them and a smart strategist would look to eliminate as many of them as possible before the outbreak of hostilities. And not just to decrease the numbers of enemies on the battlefield but because when this is all over and we've won I still plan to petition the absorption of the Starkwood into Blackbriar lands. Any Starkwoods left can take the wall or the headsman's axe." There was a determination set in his eyes. "They made the mistake of thinking you unnecessary. I did not. Will not. If that means they don't show up for our wedding who cares. It will be full of people. Oakhearts, Peakes, Florents, Tyrells, and a vast array of others."
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