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Post by Father on Aug 21, 2019 16:00:47 GMT 1
It should be clear to any casual observer that Lord Marq is here for the people, not for skewering wild boar, one of those who catches his interest is Ser Aerion, surely the Great Bastard could spare a moment. Lord Durwell has a knack for the art of making it very difficult to find it in oneself to decline.
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Aug 21, 2019 20:18:03 GMT 1
The young dragon had an interest in speaking with the Lord Marq after hearing Laena praise the man's intelligence. He might be a good man to make friends with, though he has heard enough to know that everything is not all as it seems with him.
"Lord Marq, may the light of the Seven shine upon you. Please, join me as we travel. I would like to know more of the man who has so quickly earned my sister's respect."
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Post by Father on Aug 21, 2019 23:39:56 GMT 1
"I had the impression that everyone already knows everything I care to share about myself, ser, but maybe I am wrong in that?" Whether he's just glib or actually thinks that is so is impossible to tell. "A Great Bastard is much more interesting than any lord, myself included I'm afraid"
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Aug 22, 2019 0:18:24 GMT 1
"If that were true, I would have half as many hands being offered to me as you deny at each tourney! But I'm happy to appease your curiosity. What would you like to know?"
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Post by Father on Aug 22, 2019 1:53:56 GMT 1
"With my curiosity, ser? Everything! Marq smiles for a moment before continuing. "But perhaps we might start with your highest ambitions? Most Great Bastards I know tends to set themselves very high goals, most of them tends to reach them."
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Aug 22, 2019 15:35:22 GMT 1
“You certainly like to cut to the heart of things, don't you. I admit it's refreshing to not bandy about meaningless small talk. It's no question you and Laena would get along famously."
"As for myself, I might disappoint you with my ambitions, or lack thereof. I do not aspire to scheme and plot my way to the top. As you say, most of my siblings view the world as their playground and attempt to influence it as much as they can. Some sew chaos or conflict, others manipulate the unsuspecting, but I am more and more realizing that I would rather see the Realm prosper over my own personal gain."
"Of course I would like to be made a Lord, have a family and all that, and I have always dreamed as a child of wielding a Valyrian sword, but the first is likely to come from a political marriage and the second is all but unobtainable."
"No, my current ambition is to find a way to inspire lords and ladies to act better. To BE better. But am at a loss for where to begin."
"And what of the mysterious Lord Marq? Few claim to know what motivates yourself."
Something about the man makes it easy to speak openly, as Aerion's finds himself doing. He has no reasons to withhold anything, and it doesn't hurt to have people think Aerion is not dangerous.
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Post by Father on Aug 22, 2019 16:35:42 GMT 1
"And how is that ambition any lesser than the others, it so happens that to make it so that there is more and better tasting pie for everyone is a far greater challenge than to simple punch your fellow man in the face and eat his slice while the maester stops the bleeding of his nose" Marq seems to approve. "Me? I'm selfish, I just want happiness"
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Aug 22, 2019 17:01:50 GMT 1
"And what is it that brings you happiness?"
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Post by Father on Aug 23, 2019 11:08:49 GMT 1
"Being surrounded by interesting people in a friendly atmosphere would be high on that list" Marq responds without much of a thought. "Matching my wits against others in games where I must work hard to win, and loose enough times to make victory taste sweet...my most prized possession is the collection of Stags from bets won with Lord Mullendore, something we started as squires, all sorts of bets, could I get a kiss from that serving girl all the squires were infatuated with, could he fool the cooks into making lemoncake, always a stag, for pride and bragging rights are worth more than gold." He smiles at the memory. "One should never lose the playfulness of youth, that is how you get old, ser. Although I must admit I play games that are not of such a childish nature and enjoy those, too. Who doesn't like to see the wicked pay for their sins?"
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Sept 4, 2019 20:38:59 GMT 1
Not willing to argue with that, Aerion nods and adds, "A feast earned tastes far better than the food handed out freely." He fails to add what he thought his sister would likely retort with. But stolen gold can buy all the same.
"I fear many young men may soon not have the option of losing that playfulness, for it will be taken from them on the fields of war." he says sincerely, and having a thought cross his mind at Lord Marq's mention of the sins of men.
"I wonder if you would be able to help me, Ser, answer a question whose answer seemingly lies outside my reach."
Having been surrounded by such interesting people as Lord Marq had mentioned, he'd no doubt have had to have learned how to quickly tell the make of a man. His instincts have probably been instrumental in navigating the rough waters of politics as fluidly as he has. Plus it sounds as if Lord Marq likes a challenge.
"I would ask how one would characterize a 'Good' man vs. an 'Evil' one?"
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Post by Father on Sept 5, 2019 15:32:50 GMT 1
"I know not if the world has ever known a truly good man, but evil men are not hard to think of." Marq ponders. "I think at the heart of it, a good man is willing to sacrifice and suffer for the well being of a man he does not even know, while an evil man will inflict suffering upon others without even finding it regrettable, the worst for no other reason than that they find it enjoyable"
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Sept 17, 2019 0:42:07 GMT 1
"And by your judgement, who would you say qualifies as good men, such that can be? Who holds themselves to the true higher standard of knighthood, instead of abusing their station to advance themselves?"
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Post by Father on Sept 17, 2019 14:40:07 GMT 1
"Ser Donnel Blackbriar and Lord Karl Willum, evidently." Marq replies at once. "Others who waded into that mess might very well qualify, though some could be suspected of being motivated by the rewards of heroism."
"There are some fine specimens on the Kingsguard, and both Breakspear and Blackfyre have it in them, perhaps even King Daeron had he been given spurs, but it is much easier to be gallant and self-less when you are never faced with any hard choices when someone other than you must suffer no matter how you decide"
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Sept 18, 2019 4:29:35 GMT 1
"Ser Donnel indeed!" Aerion remembered the man fondly. Though they did not know each other long, he felt a kinship with the old man. A common understanding that vows were more than mere words spoken in haste. They were what made the man. Aerion did not believe anyone should be 'given' their spurs. They were earned, and that's why King Daeron hadn't be made a knight; He wouldn't - or couldn't - earn them. This turn of phrase irked the young knight whenever he heard it, but he let it slide as there were far more important things to worry about.
"I shall tell you why I ask, and it may better direct your answers." he started, suddenly realizing that he hadn't thought any of this out and was more walking himself through it...
What is the context of this meeting? Are we at/around The grand Hunt/Wedding? Have we found out results of other Events, specifically A Most Turbulent Septon Event Faith Militant Vote?
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Post by Father on Sept 18, 2019 17:19:10 GMT 1
Lord Durwell makes a gesture that seems very much to encourage Aerion to elaborate.
During the Peake Hunt.
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