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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 28, 2019 18:55:28 GMT 1
Laena raises a definite eyebrow at being referred to as Ser Roland's 'friend', having hardly spent an excess of time with the man, but does not verbally contest it, as it's swiftly replaced by a beam of pride over the compliments towards her brother.
However, her face instantly turns wary when he mentions Septon Abelar's presence. "A dangerous man. I will be sure to keep an ear constantly attuned to hearing the cries of an angry mob. Those of us of natural birth can easily be targets, and us ladies both cannot defend ourselves, nor flee very fast in our dresses." She sighs. "Let us hope he has learned something from all the bloodshed he has caused.
"And what of you? Your house and I have had successful dealings in the past. Are there things you wish to accomplish during your time here?"
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 29, 2019 15:37:20 GMT 1
”Men like that seldom change. They think it weakness. Betrayal of the self. But coupled with good fortune they may see the world change for them instead. Sometimes. Sometimes they think burning their corner of it and calling it change will suffice.”
”Well, my father has decreed it time for me and my sister to wed. Not in the valyrian sense, mind.” he adds deftly with a look implying that’s what was on her naughty dragon mind. ”The Tear is too far from Dragonstone and our hair don’t quite have the glister for it. But no, settling down is on the horizon. Preferably before we are all consumed by the fires of war or murdered in our sleep.” the prospect doesn’t actually seem to bother him much.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 30, 2019 0:00:30 GMT 1
She snorts amiably at his joke, and gives a sly smile at the end. "So, do you have a particular lady in mind? Or haven't you decided yet, and just have a list of qualities you are seeking? I'm sure, as heir, you are hardly short of options, though the fathers may be more discreet than usual in suggesting them." She frowns in thought. "That is a thought. How much freedom has your lord father allowed you in this?"
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 30, 2019 0:36:09 GMT 1
”He grants me some autonomy and allows my council on most matters. But in the end he is Lord and I am heir, and securing a good match is both our duty to each other. Although we have yet to differ when the subject has been broached.” Unlike Thaddeus’ sister Elyn, who was to be wed to Lord Abomination of Longtable if all went according to plan. ”Qualities? A quick wit, youth, eternal beauty and a big, plump... dowry. What else?” he enjoyed that one himself with a mischievous snicker. ”But no, my father would much like see me wed to Lord Crane’s daughter Leonella. A good match as far as I can tell, yet rumour has it her Lord Father, in all his wisdom, has joined the Blackfyre cause as of late. Diverting politics can so easily ruin marriage prospects, no matter how lovely they might be.”
”In the end, what House Levalle need is friends and allies in the days to come. But you didn’t hear that from me.” he winks with a sly smirk.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 30, 2019 1:37:16 GMT 1
Laena gives a quirk of a smile at his jest, before answering with a frown of thought. "Lady ... Leona? No, Leonella, right? Quite the beauty, though I doubt the pennypincher will oblige on the dowry front.
"Still, allies are good. Many seek them for the trying times ahead. I can't imagine that's an easy task, though. Those rigid enough in their morality to make firm allies are unlikely to want to associate themselves with your house. While those who are flexible enough to ally with you are similarly flexible enough to stab you in the back while smiling at your front.
"And as for *friends*" She gives an amused smile. "For all the Tear's wealth, that's likely one luxury you will never have in surplus." Her face turns melancholy, voice soft. "Few do, to be fair. Better to stick with allies, perhaps. Their daggers hurt less."
She snorts, and brightens up. "Look at me, being gloomy during what is supposed to be a happy commemoration of those who are now with the Father. Sorry. May you have every success you deserve, and a few you don't, on your quest, Ser."
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 30, 2019 11:52:27 GMT 1
”And you on yours, my lady. No apologise required." His smile seems kind and reassuring, they both know that Laena has lost someone dear to her, that Lady Ashara dances with the Gods now, rivaling even the Maiden. No need to darken the mood further by speaking of such. "But tell me, what does lay in the future of the great Laena Pyre? Does she intend to stay on the road? I might be able to arrange your knighting if it is the Hedge Knight’s life you desire.”
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 30, 2019 18:13:15 GMT 1
Laena gives a brief but full-bodied laugh at the offer, clearly seeing it as a genuinely amusing image. "I admit, I have, not entirely seriously, referred to myself as the first Hedge Lady." A smirk. "Not too loudly, though. It may be just my mind, but it sounds ... less appropriate than I intended.
"But yes, at least for the time being, I intend to keep travelling. So few ladies get the opportunity to do so, I fully intend to make the most of the power my birth brings me. The world is vast and beautiful, and filled with many fun and interesting people - though many more boring ones, to be fair - and I wish to see and experience as much as I can, while I can.
"What of your sister? I imagine she was not gifted the same freedoms as to who she'd spend the rest of her life with as you were. What are you looking for with her match?"
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 2, 2019 10:38:37 GMT 1
"Very good. To travel, to really travel and see the wonders of the world, within the realm and without is something few can and fewer have done. The coin flip of life have gifted my lady with some freedom, but it seems she has the will and strength to seize the full thing. Have you been further North than Whitewalls? I must confess a child-like yearning to see Harrenhal up close."
"Elyn dreams of the same as all other young maidens. A gallant, handsome knight; Lord Marq or Redtusk to sweep her away. Dreams are good, they fuel ambition - but I fear for a Levalle you have to be a tad more realistic. Like I said, we need allies." The exact nature of Lord Alliser's plans, nor his own inclinations he seems to avoid.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Aug 2, 2019 12:41:08 GMT 1
An almost guilty look crosses her face. "You flatter me more than I deserve, Ser. I have yet to travel much outside the Reach. Part of it is because I am still young, I wish to take my time with the experience, than rush to see the most exciting things, and have little to look forward to."
She frowns in thought. "Harrenhal is hardly far from here. A relatively short trip north-west. If you want to see it, take the opportunity. I imagine your main party would return by taking the Kingsroad south to King's Landing, then the Roseroad west? Surely a man with your resources could ride with a small party north-west, see Harrenhal, then ride a boat down to King's Landing fast enough to catch up with the slower main party? You are a knight and heir, you may have responsibilities that I don't, but you too have freedoms, so long as they don't conflict with that.
"You could even advance your house's interests. I'm sure Lord Manfred Lothston will be here, and, by reputation, he's not one to be dissuaded by your house's reputation. Try and introduce yourself to him here, and persuade both him and your father that it would be a good idea for you to ride to Harrenhal with him, before you catch up with your main party at King's Landing." She shrugs. "Gain the opportunity to make a good impression on a powerful potential ally *and* satisfy a long-standing urge." She considers a moment. "He's unwed, as far as I know. And Harrenhal is notoriously expensive to maintain." She notes pointedly, before shrugging. "A thought, is all. Make what use of it you will.
"'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst' is the lesson drilled into young ladies regarding marriage." A small grin. "Of course, that applies more to some than others. Still, some - like Lady Alys - end up very fortunate. Lady Ellyn may, from the sounds of it, end up resenting her sister quite a bit, depending on what you end up deciding on."
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 4, 2019 15:58:27 GMT 1
"Not a bad thought... Or perhaps a very bad thought given the Castle's curse and reputation of it's Lords. I might not return! But ah, pots shouldn't call kettles black, I suppose. " Laena can tell that even if he responds in jest, the lordling takes the idea in serious consideration. He looks genuinely tempted at the idea of visiting the great shadow across The God's Eye. "Alas, unwed and in need of funds the Lord of Harrenhal might be, but his lands and spears stand far too many leagues away from The Mander. He might not mind a bride of royal blood, although?" He looks at her suggestively, but then breaks out in a laughter. "A thought, is all."
He nods along with her possible analysis of his sisters and their marriages. She's not wrong, yet sacrifices has to be made for the better of the House. He shrugs, "My sister is a clever woman. Alyn is fortunate in such that she wed a knight and son of House Redwyne, yet Ellyn might wed a Lord. Her children might be lords. Proximity to power is the second best thing to actual power, one might say."
"Then again, she might have her will. My lady is no stranger to the resourcefulness of women, I'm sure."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Aug 5, 2019 1:21:03 GMT 1
She gives an indulgent smile, and shakes her head. "He may not *mind* a bride of royal blood, but he would much prefer one which came with some kind of alliance, I'm sure. And, while my existing children would have no true claim, it would hardly be the first time those without a true claim had tried - and sometimes even succeeded - in winning a lordship for themselves. By reputation, Lord Lothston is likely cunning and ruthless enough to want to protect his children's legacy, and only one of us would survive that. Probably him." She smirks without rancour. "So no. I will not play a starring role in this generation's curse."
She smiles at the compliment. "I am indeed no stranger to the resourcefulness of women." Her face turns serious. "But I am also no stranger to being utterly in the power of unscrupulous men, with all my cunning and weapons as like using sparks to hold back the tide." Her expression turns amused. "Certainly, if I were to place a child of the Spongeholder so close to power, I would make very, *very* certain she did not hold a grudge over said placement."
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 8, 2019 21:04:54 GMT 1
"Wise words, as always." he concedes with a gracious bow of his head. Ellyn understood, or would understand when the time was right. "But what of you, my lady? If not the Lord of Harrenha, is there anyone else who has caught the dragon's eye?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Aug 9, 2019 7:48:48 GMT 1
She gives a melancholy smile. "One or two men have expressed an interest. We will see what, if anything, becomes of them.
"Now, then." In what is transparently an avoidance of the subject. "While it has been delightful to meet with you again, and I hope to do more in the future, I think this song is nearing its end, and you undoubtedly have more ladies you wish to meet this eve."
[Don't mind if you want to continue, but I think we've covered everything we intended to with this scene, so I'm happy for your response to be a closing statement and /scene]
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 10, 2019 12:27:39 GMT 1
"Alas, 'tis a labour that never ends." he takes her hand and gently kisses it in what must be a well-rehearsed, but so to the point of it seeming effortless, and well executed manner. "I wish you fortune and the favour of The Gods, Lady Laena. Until next time."
Just before he leaves, surely to go flatter some other maiden, he turns and says with a smile, "Oh, and do put in a good word for me with your lady friends. If it pleases you."
A small bow and he's gone.
/scene
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