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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Oct 31, 2019 0:44:42 GMT 1
As Lord Leo's back landed on the field, an inquisitive brow rose from Maester Rhaegor. It wasn't that he thought the boy couldn't beat Lord Tyrell, it was simply the nature of their entire encounter. The boy had a passion, and a confidence that was certainly large for its breeches. But, the lad was a giant compared to most, and his skill in the saddle was certainly outmatching the toughest of riders. Even with his horse unable to compare to the mount Lord Leo rode on, he still managed to take him out of the saddle; so he noted that maybe the confidence fit perfectly in his trousers.
He noted how the young knight left the field, the motto he spoke towards the audience, and who he spoke it to. Typically, his interests in knights was very small. They all sought for glory; glory is an enticing treat to offer anyone, but young knights craved it far more than any other. It is easy to control someone who has a one track mind, as long as they see that the goal is achievable, then they will stop at nothing to continue on that path. Maybe a conversation with the knight was in order. He stood, watching the other patrons slowly make their way out of the thoroughfare, scanning them before turning to leave.
He felt his blood run slightly cold as his eye caught the visage of someone he hadn't seen for some time. The sun practically caused her hair to glow, the white locks of Lady Laena made his eyes to narrow, squinting at her with a moment of disgust. She was different than he remembered, time will do that to even the closest of siblings. But they weren't the closest of siblings, and he had only had faint memories of seeing her in the Red Keep. A trouble maker. Nothing more than an afterthought.
But now it was he who was the afterthought it seemed. She was treated like royalty, and he was one who treated royalty. A man of the chain. If he had accomplished the future he had planned for, not the one he got, their positions would be the one they were in all those years ago. But instead, they were switched.
And that made Rhaegor resent her.
He respected her, that much is true. She had seen tragedy, powered through and now acted as a real Dragon, or so his sources told him. He admired her drive, her conviction, and power that she craved as he did. She was a woman who knew what she was doing, a capable and fierce lady who was able to get even the most respected of men to take back their words, and hold his tongue in her presence.
And while he didn't like her, that didn't mean he couldn't. And even if she didn't impress him, enough to warrant a real connection, doesn't mean he couldn't fake one, and use her for the skills she possessed.
He approached her, the chain causing a metal shake to reach her ears even if she didn't see him make his way towards her. He wore his dark maester robe, black, accenting the paleness of his skin and the white to his hair. His fingernails were coated in a gold lacquer, and his ears had gold rings looping his pinnas, and his wrists sported thick gold bracelets. The way he appeared was certainly a little more defined than other maesters, and definitely included more class. Wealth was meant to be lived in, and a Levalle maester certainly had wealth to spare.
"Lady Laena Pyre," the maester bowed slightly, "It is about time our paths crossed again. It has been too long," he straightened back up, purple eyes staring back into her blue ones. "I am Maester Rhaegor, I serve my Lord Allister Levalle in the Tear." his face wasn't easy to read, it lacked almost emotion entirely, but it was clear that his voice that he hoped she would remember him, and who he was previously.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 31, 2019 20:31:08 GMT 1
When he sees him clearly approaching her, she dons a polite smile, albeit with a slightly puzzled air, as she tries to figure out why this unknown maester is approaching her. The puzzlement deepens as he claims they knew each other, before peaking as he gives his name. She searches through her memory, going further and further back, until her expression clears. "Rhaegor!"
With a beaming smile, she surprises him with a quick, chaste hug. "I thought you were dead!" She holds his shoulders briefly as she pointedly looks down at his chain. "Wasn't far off, though." she notes, amusedly, before letting him go and stepping back to a more appropriate distance, though a pleased smile remains.
"I thought of you from time to time, kept an ear open. I was *sure* that if you were alive, I'd have heard something sooner or later. You were never the type to just quietly fade away. But, nothing, so I'd assumed some jealous relative had quietly disposed of you. Instead, here you are! A maester! A surprising role for one of Us, but you always were smart."
If she'd known this meeting was coming, she could have done her research, and avoided her mistake, but she hadn't. And what does one's parent's bastardry matter to a child when the children were all bastards themselves, and the mothers all treated as whores? Not enough to stick in a child's memory for over a decade, certainly. What she does remember is admiring her older brother, determined to not let his bastardry hold himself back, to make something of himself. To a young girl, having all her hopes and dreams wrung out of her by her mother, a boy who aspired to be more than society intended for him, who refused to let his circumstances hold him back or beat him down, was more than a brother back then.
He was an inspiration.
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 1, 2019 0:52:18 GMT 1
Rhaegor's face, for the first time in a long while, changes without his permission. He has made it his life work to never let such damning expressions such as shock and bafflement cross his visage, less it was being used as a ploy to cover his own tracks. No, this was a genuine surprise, as he lets out a short laugh as she holds onto his shoulders, eyes staying wide open as the sun reflects over the lavender iris, mouth agape. He explored her tone and expressions closely, and took every detail in.
There was something genuine about the emotions she expressed. The smile she wore was reflected in her eyes, it is almost impossible to cause genuine emotional responses like that artificially. Her tone, too... there was relief in it, a relaxed wonder to it. Either she was feeling these things, and had missed him, or she was just that skilled of a liar, able to fool even himself.
Both were attractive in different ways, and the chained dragon, for the first time in his life, noticed just how beautiful Lady Laena was.
Rhaegor decided playing along would probably be the best course of action, even if it meant he would have to work extra hard to keep his distrust and dislike for his sibling hidden. No matter the truth of her greeting, both were nothing but beneficial, and one was exploitable, however unlikely that it was genuine. He smiled, his eyes closing as he opened his arms wide, puffing his chest out slightly to show the full might of his form, "No, unfortunately, all attempts on my life have gone unsuccessful. Though, knowing our relatives, there is no reason to find myself comfortable. Their jealously and drive have lead to many conflicts in the past, even amongst the closest of siblings." he slid his hands back together, smile still on his face as his eyes softly looked into Laena's, "But I am glad to see that you have survived this near decade long separation as well. Though, where you were unsuccessful in finding me and learning about my escapades, I had better luck where you were concerned."
He allowed his face to soften, voice dropping slightly, "I apologize to hear of your late husband. Though I never met him, I imagine that any partner you took was worth his weight in salt, if not gold. The Seven bless him, and the children he left behind" he gave her a reassuring smile, before straightening back up, "You look well though, and certainly more refined than the last I saw you," his expression changed to one of recollection, finger coming up to his lips as he clicked his tongue, a habit he picked up from Jon Hightower years ago, though he would never associate that connection, "If I remember correctly, you had managed to get one of the horses drunk, causing it to fail quite spectacularly at keeping its rider in his saddle? Or was that some other miscreant that ran round the Red Keep, giving handmaids frights and pages headaches?" he was playful, but did enjoy reminding his sister of her previous life, no matter the context.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 1, 2019 21:57:55 GMT 1
He allowed his face to soften, voice dropping slightly, "I apologize to hear of your late husband. Though I never met him, I imagine that any partner you took was worth his weight in salt, if not gold. The Seven bless him, and the children he left behind" he gave her a reassuring smile, before straightening back up, Her expression turns slightly bittersweet, and she doesn't correct his overestimation of her late husband. That would open up all new avenues of questioning she didn't want him going down, as well as being decidedly unsightly. "Thank you. My children are a true joy." "You look well though, and certainly more refined than the last I saw you," his expression changed to one of recollection, finger coming up to his lips as he clicked his tongue, a habit he picked up from Jon Hightower years ago, though he would never associate that connection, "If I remember correctly, you had managed to get one of the horses drunk, causing it to fail quite spectacularly at keeping its rider in his saddle? Or was that some other miscreant that ran round the Red Keep, giving handmaids frights and pages headaches?" he was playful, but did enjoy reminding his sister of her previous life, no matter the context. Laena flushes slightly, coughs, and shuffles her feet slightly. It had been a long time since her childhood antics had been brought up in the present. "For the record, while I was blamed for that particular incident, I was set up by one of our sisters, who shall remain nameless. For some reason, she believed that I had slipped some alcohol into her drink before we were to present our dance moves to our tutor, causing her to fall flat on her face in front of everyone. Presumably in revenge for her mixing itching powder into my makeup, which was mostly *completely* unprovoked." She waves a dismissive hand, with an amiable smile. "Childhood pranks. They kept life interesting. We may have been bastards - well, most of us, anyway - but we were deeply competitive for what accolades we could achieve despite that." She raises an eyebrow. "Hardly an unknown desire to you, if I recall correctly?" |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 2, 2019 0:43:45 GMT 1
Childhood memories.. Rhaegor looked back on his previous years, many times. There wasn't the same nostalgia most would have on their younger life, no real fond memories to smile back on. Just A dream. A dream he strived towards, filled with lies and deceit whispered to him by the Hightower lord. A dream that consumed his every waking thought, to become someone more than his mother's bastard, a Targaryen with the renown and respect befitting such a title. As a child, he would have stopped at nothing to achieve that goal, and in turn become a powerful name, one as famous as Aegon himself.
Now, after being left behind by the world, locked away in Old Town, the memory of his previous life was tainted by hatred, resentment and pain. The child he was didn't exist anymore. His naivete and dream got himself betrayed, used, and in the grand scheme of things, killed. Rhaegor Waters died the day Aegon IV did. To the world, the bastard dragon was no more.
And from the ashes rose a dragon of the shadows.
He gave a warm smile, "Yes, the pranks I witnessed during that time are just as humorous as at their conception. It is hard to imagine, though, that any of us could have grown out of it." he gestured to her, speaking coyly, "Im sure the pranks you pull now are significantly more intricate and impact more than just a slip at a dance proficiency,"
"My desires have taken a back seat in recent years, unfortunately. With service comes responsibility; oaths hold more weight than promises. And I have made it my new life's work to achieve what is best for my lord and the Realm." His expression shifted, hardened as he spoke, his tone following slightly, "A big change is on the horizon. I fear that the factions that arise from both sides are threatening more than just the Throne, but everyone involved." He gestured toward the jousting field, "Ser Robyn Starkwood is quite the fighter, but the circumstances of his knighthood are not unknown, and are startling, to say the least. Attacks on the road are bound to be more common, and certainly more targeted. I do worry for the safety of all, and especially of my siblings." He placed a warm hand on hers, squeezing slightly before pulling away. There was concern in his voice, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at his sister.
"Though in truth, I feel that with the coming change, opportunities will begin to unfold themselves to us all. For Ser Robyn, Ser Aerion, and all the knights who have the skill to prove their might, they will find the glory they seek. And for those of us more skilled with the tongue than the blade, we can sculpt a kingdom that will not fall to revolution, and will last generations." He smiled again, a different one than before. A man who has been biding his time, now seeing the chance at a name he so longed for. His tone changed at the mention of us, emphasizing the word slightly, but their was a passion behind each syllable he spoke since. The drive and desire that had been laying dormant, kept chained away, was free.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 2, 2019 22:24:59 GMT 1
He gave a warm smile, "Yes, the pranks I witnessed during that time are just as humorous as at their conception. It is hard to imagine, though, that any of us could have grown out of it." he gestured to her, speaking coyly, "I'm sure the pranks you pull now are significantly more intricate and impact more than just a slip at a dance proficiency,"
She gives a modest shrug. "If I do, and they are, I'm certainly not the type to brag of my exploits. But both of us have not just grown older, have we? We've lived. Lost pieces of ourselves, and gained others. "There was a question I was asked, years ago now, in Highgarden. Say you have a rowboat, and over the course of some months, you have your workmen swap out one plank at a time for new ones, and use the removed planks to build a new boat, exactly the same as it was. At the end of the process, which boat is the original? If it changed, when did it? "That's how I feel, when I look back on those times. Pieces of me are .. elsewhere, with new pieces in their place. I call myself the same person, but am I?" She shrugs, with a wry smile. "Certainly I was less like to delve into the philosophy of identity moments into a reunion those days." "My desires have taken a back seat in recent years, unfortunately. With service comes responsibility; oaths hold more weight than promises. And I have made it my new life's work to achieve what is best for my lord and the Realm." His expression shifted, hardened as he spoke, his tone following slightly, "A big change is on the horizon. I fear that the factions that arise from both sides are threatening more than just the Throne, but everyone involved." He gestured toward the jousting field, "Ser Robyn Starkwood is quite the fighter, but the circumstances of his knighthood are not unknown, and are startling, to say the least. Attacks on the road are bound to be more common, and certainly more targeted. I do worry for the safety of all, and especially of my siblings." He placed a warm hand on hers, squeezing slightly before pulling away. There was concern in his voice, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at his sister. After he lets her hand go, her brow furrows. She debates playing along, but decides he might appreciate the honest, straightforward approach. "And you were doing so well. But here's the thing, brother: just as you remember me from my childhood, so too do I remember you. You were always the type to step on another's neck to get what you want, without hesitation. It was one of the things I admired most about you. I watched as you played the egos of others like a maestro to get what you want. I have to admit, I was willing to consider that you were telling the truth when you started talking about 'oaths' and 'what is best for your lord' - people change, as I have said. But that you would care for a girl you haven't met in a decade, simply because we share the same tainted blood? That *reeks* of a part of you that hasn't changed at all." She folds her arms. "So, this can go two ways: you can use that glib tongue of yours, feign insult that I would distrust you, and insist that you were being entirely genuine. In which case, I'll apologise, and we'll keep this merry dance going indefinitely. Or you- or we can *both* drop the shit," the profanity slips easily off her tongue, "acknowledge that we both use those around us for our own interests, disguising it as altruism or duty where we can, and actually see if we can't have some kind of genuine sibling relationship, the same way porcupines mate. "Very, very carefully." "Though in truth, I feel that with the coming change, opportunities will begin to unfold themselves to us all. For Ser Robyn, Ser Aerion, and all the knights who have the skill to prove their might, they will find the glory they seek. And for those of us more skilled with the tongue than the blade, we can sculpt a kingdom that will not fall to revolution, and will last generations." He smiled again, a different one than before. A man who has been biding his time, now seeing the chance at a name he so longed for. His tone changed at the mention of us, emphasizing the word slightly, but their was a passion behind each syllable he spoke since. The drive and desire that had been laying dormant, kept chained away, was free. Laena seems unmoved. "Do you have a solution to the Dragon Problem, then? Or, more specifically, the 'No Dragon Problem'. Because without that, with each generation, the majesty of the Targaryen bloodline will fade, the justification for our exceptionalism seeming less and less just in their eyes. Already, it is showing - if King Daeron had dragons still, likely far fewer would be willing to speak out so openly against him, let alone risk acting. And, without a solution, it will only get worse." |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 3, 2019 1:07:49 GMT 1
After he lets her hand go, her brow furrows. She debates playing along, but decides he might appreciate the honest, straightforward approach. "And you were doing so well. But here's the thing, brother: just as you remember me from my childhood, so too do I remember you. You were always the type to step on another's neck to get what you want, without hesitation. It was one of the things I admired most about you. I watched as you played the egos of others like a maestro to get what you want. I have to admit, I was willing to consider that you were telling the truth when you started talking about 'oaths' and 'what is best for your lord' - people change, as I have said. But that you would care for a girl you haven't met in a decade, simply because we share the same tainted blood? That *reeks* of a part of you that hasn't changed at all." She folds her arms. "So, this can go two ways: you can use that glib tongue of yours, feign insult that I would distrust you, and insist that you were being entirely genuine. In which case, I'll apologise, and we'll keep this merry dance going indefinitely. Or you- or we can *both* drop the shit," the profanity slips easily off her tongue, "acknowledge that we both use those around us for our own interests, disguising it as altruism or duty where we can, and actually see if we can't have some kind of genuine sibling relationship, the same way porcupines mate. "Very, very carefully." Rhaegor's concern on his face slowly shifted away as she spoke, his lips pursing for just a moment, letting out a deep sigh, his head tilting to the side to crack his neck, the popping of a few vertebra clacking out as he adjusted his shoulders, chain clinking together as he did. There always was the opportunity to keep up this game, and show pain at the accusation she made, despite its truth, and establish a relationship built on lies. But he wanted the most beneficial relationship with his sister: a real one. Not to mention he was getting tired of this act. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything less." His face became a blank slate, not showing much in the way of emotion, "I was concerned that you became soft, and that time had only left your tongue and whit dull. I am extremely pleased that you get to the point of an encounter." he waves his hand, gesturing at the other guests dismissively, "The only thing they seem to want to talk about is the inconsequential. Exhausting, and does nothing but waste both of our times." Rhaegor rubbed his temple briefly, words falling out of his mouth quickly, "You proposed the boat question; about how much of us is really the same, and when do we lose ourselves. I am under the opinion that even the smallest change in a ship can qualify it as a different boat. But that is the nature of boats, and humans: we change." He straightened up, hands returning to behind his back, "A maester I had in the Citadel told me a phrase that I have lived by since being cast out by Hightower after our father died: sometimes you have to kill who you are in order to become who you were supposed to be." A wry smile crossed his face briefly, "And you were right, I was willing to step on anyone's neck to get what I want, and I did."
"The Dragons have posed an... understandably more complex problem. But who is to say that one wont pop up somewhere? And, if one does, I can only imagine the infighting that is undoubtedly bound on the horizon between our family, and who deserves it more than the other." He shrugs, "If a dragon is not found, our house needn't be doomed because of it. They represented power and might. They were feared, and the Targaryen line by proxy. But I know there is more than one way to skin a man, and causing fear on a mass scale is possible, despite the lack of wings and claws," |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 3, 2019 18:35:09 GMT 1
"A maester I had in the Citadel told me a phrase that I have lived by since being cast out by Hightower after our father died: sometimes you have to kill who you are in order to become who you were supposed to be." "And is this 'who you are supposed to be'?" Laena gestures towards his body, particularly the chains about his neck. While not dismissive of who he is, there is a clear expectation that the answer is 'no'. That he should be more. "The Dragons have posed an... understandably more complex problem. But who is to say that one won't pop up somewhere? And, if one does, I can only imagine the infighting that is undoubtedly bound on the horizon between our family, and who deserves it more than the other." He shrugs, "If a dragon is not found, our house needn't be doomed because of it. They represented power and might. They were feared, and the Targaryen line by proxy. But I know there is more than one way to skin a man, and causing fear on a mass scale is possible, despite the lack of wings and claws," Laena raises an eyebrow. "Oh? The only solution I could come up with would be to form - and use - a group of assassins on par with the Faceless Men. But I always saw that as an ultimately self-defeating method. It may create fear like the dragons did, but dragons were an ... for lack of a better term, an 'honest' threat. However unlikely, a knight *could* defeat a dragon in combat. Assassins are ... distasteful, and their use is likely to cause more problems than they solve, long term." |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 3, 2019 19:59:13 GMT 1
"And is this 'who you are supposed to be'?" Laena gestures towards his body, particularly the chains about his neck. While not dismissive of who he is, there is a clear expectation that the answer is 'no'. That he should be more. Rhaegor gave his sister a quizzical look of confusion, looking himself up and down with a coy smile on his face. His eyes looked back up to meet hers as he let out a amused scoff, "Please, sister, have more faith in me than this. Do not take these chains on my shoulders as anything more than decoration; there is safety in the dismissed. There are not many who are hesitant to respect the honor and opinion of a man of the chain. People listen when a maester speaks, and trusts his wisdom. There are few who could argue with history, and the Citadel is all our history." He holds the chain in his hand, raising it off of his chest to let it sit in his palm, "This is not a weight that holds me back, keeps me beneath my destiny. It is a badge of new beginnings, a perfection of an art not many could comprehend. I wear it for protection, as armor against suspicion and a cloak against recognition." He let it fall, clattering down and swaying slowly for a moment. Relaxing slightly, he opened his hands wide in front of his chest, "I am where I need to be for now. But do not take any situation as permanent; as we both know, statuses can change in the closing of an eye," Laena raises an eyebrow. "Oh? The only solution I could come up with would be to form - and use - a group of assassins on par with the Faceless Men. But I always saw that as an ultimately self-defeating method. It may create fear like the dragons did, but dragons were an ... for lack of a better term, an 'honest' threat. However unlikely, a knight *could* defeat a dragon in combat. Assassins are ... distasteful, and their use is likely to cause more problems than they solve, long term." He nods slightly, "Definitely a useful concept, and would certainly cause both fear and distrust, as you suggest. But a few that come to mind are to release a wide spread disease, or catastrophic occurrence, that threatens more than just a few houses. Let it run its course, and eventually help support the rebuild and regrowth, and save them from the immanent fear that lies outside of anyone's supposed control. If we can be their savior, someone they need and love for it, then we can save them from the fear that we organize, and we control." Rhaegor shrugs, "I think we are going to see many different attempts to solve these problems in the near future. I imagine our siblings are going to cause quite a ruckus," |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 4, 2019 21:10:44 GMT 1
Relaxing slightly, he opened his hands wide in front of his chest, "I am where I need to be for now. But do not take any situation as permanent; as we both know, statuses can change in the closing of an eye," Laena nods. "So, then. Regarding that, you approached me. Maybe you did that simply to lay the groundwork for a later request, or maybe you wished for me to do something for you now." She folds her arms. "If so, let us cut to the heart of it: 'What is it', and 'Why should I'? He nods slightly, "Definitely a useful concept, and would certainly cause both fear and distrust, as you suggest. But a few that come to mind are to release a wide spread disease, or catastrophic occurrence, that threatens more than just a few houses."Laena opens her eyes wide as he says that. "You can *do* that? There is knowledge in the citadel to unleash and leash plagues at will?" While there is definitely a hint of doubt in her voice, there is also a fair degree of awe, should it be true. For that would mean that quite likely it is the maesters and the Citadel most like to replace the Targaryens, in fact, if not in name. |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 24, 2019 18:01:35 GMT 1
Laena nods. "So, then. Regarding that, you approached me. Maybe you did that simply to lay the groundwork for a later request, or maybe you wished for me to do something for you now." She folds her arms. "If so, let us cut to the heart of it: 'What is it', and 'Why should I'? Maester Rhaegor lets the question sit for a second, his eyes scanning his sister intensely. There wasn't any real emotion on his face, but Rhaegor was a cacophony of feelings inside of him, all ringing and screaming to be expressed. These conflicted influences made it difficult for him to pinpoint exactly what it was he wanted from her; part of him wanted her dead, or at least out of the limelight, as he did for all his siblings, another saw her as a useful tool, something to utilize to get others to trust him and spread his influence further. The only part that was giving him the most trouble was a smaller one, one that he had forgotten about: trust. He wanted to trust his sister, he wanted to be honest with someone who understood him, and not the mask he put on. To be naked before her in intent, which might as well be the same as in body. His mind slipped into thinking about what she would look like, just as naked before him. Rhaegor smiled slightly, turning away from the thought and her as he looks skyward, eyes following a hawk that soared above, "I have a lot of irons in the fire, as I can only assume you do as well. The regency of Hightower is a concern, and certainly one that everyone of every faction is laying stakes in. Your cousin has peeked my intrest, and might be a big player if he plays his cards right..." He lets out a slight sigh, "I also have a project I am working on for my lord, but that has taken a back seat for the moment. And to be honest, your assistance in any of those endeavors, or any I come across, is definitely something I wouldn't turn down." He turns back to her, "As to 'why' I suppose you will have to find out for yourself, as the time comes. Rather than boast about what I am capable of, which serves no purpose but satisfy my own ego, or any other strategy that will ultimately prove insulting or untrustworthy, I offer a blank contract." He pauses, letting that settle before looking into her eyes, intense but sincere, "Building a relationship is all I currently am searching for at the moment. I shouldn't have to prove my worth to you, but I do understand a need for trust, and we currently lack that. Any way to get that is something i'll make room for in the fire," Laena opens her eyes wide as he says that. "You can *do* that? There is knowledge in the citadel to unleash and leash plagues at will?" While there is definitely a hint of doubt in her voice, there is also a fair degree of awe, should it be true. He smiled wider at this, before letting out a soft chuckle. "There are tomes, most of them from Maesters who lost their chain for their research, that discuss the possibility. None of it has ever been put into practice, of course, but who is to say that it would be impossible to pull off? Most say that the dragons aren't going to return, but if I have my way, that impossibility will become possible." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 27, 2019 23:32:47 GMT 1
Something that she would want from him occurs to her, but there's time for that, and she doesn't want to rush in to things.
"Trust is built by small things, building up to big things. So, I propose a simple - yet hopefully interesting - trade. You would not approach me blind, relying on information over a decade old to guide your steps. You looked into me first.
"I would know what you found. All of it.
"In exchange, I offer this: you may ask me of *one* of the rumours you have heard of me, and I will tell you if it is true or false.
"Interested?" A raised eyebrow and a small smile join the question. A dangerous game. She does not undervalue how risky truth can be, but that very risk excites her and compels her to make the offer.
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 28, 2019 7:37:49 GMT 1
He smiles, raising an eyebrow along with hers as he lets out a curt chuckle. This was what he lived for, the opportunity to get real answers, and not whispers in the dark. "A very promising offer, and certainly one that you shouldn't take lightly." His lips pursed, as his tongue clicked lightly behind his teeth.
This is a dangerous game. Give up what he knows? And all of it? That goes against everything he has built up for himself, and everything that he should strive for, and she knew that.
But trust is built on this, is it not? Putting oneself out there, relying that the other wont use it against you. She is putting herself out on a limb, and he is as well.
Better to start somewhere than refuse to start at all.
"I haven't heard much truth be told, you cover your tracks well. That isn't to say that I haven't heard anything, but the opportunity to get confirmation on one assumption in exchange for the showing of my entire hand is a *bold* wager, and certainly a costly one on my part." He lets loose a sigh laced in a playful nature, "Though, I have heard that it is the costly that gets your attention, especially things that shine, if I recall." He shrugs, adjusting his bracelets, "But there is nothing wrong with such a thing; all dragons love gold, hm?
"And gold speaks; sometimes a lot louder than words ever can. When words fall short, gold can fill in the blanks, and can certainly fill in the empty space of a lonely travelers' bed."
He pauses to look at her quizzically, "Though, from what I hear, you have been filling other's beds, be it with whores, or, in some cases, yourself."
He waves a dismissive hand, "Of course, that is just gambler talk, and many talk a big game, despite their propensity to bluffing." His eyes scanned as he watched her reactions, he hadn't said anything too serious, and he was being honest when he said he hadn't heard much. But he wouldn't give specifics, not immediately. Telling everything you know was still against his code, but he was enjoying the game, especially when he was playing alongside someone as keen of mind and as tenacious as Laena
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Nov 28, 2019 16:20:46 GMT 1
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 28, 2019 20:24:47 GMT 1
Laena's face is carefully controlled as he speaks - the deliberate prepared schooling obvious to Rhaegor. However, when he mentions filling other people's bed with whores, a clear sparkle of amusement at a memory can be read flashing across her face.
"And? Is that the rumour you wish to have me confirm? Whether I have been loyal to my long-dead husband? Or maybe you wish confirmed that I value valuable things?" From her tone, she doesn't consider that one likely. "For they seem to be the only specific rumours you have mentioned."
While cagey, and clearly not spending her coin until she's got all she can from it, Rhaegor can see that she sees a worthy move being made should he confirm his choice.
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