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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 15, 2020 0:33:22 GMT 1
Rhaegor thumbed the rim of his chalice, his pockets full of coins that he previously did not have. While he was not one to wager coins that he had on chance, something about the atmosphere caused a change in his wary wiles, and made his blood boil at the possibility of winning more than he was worth. Logic prevailed, this time, and while his first reaction was to take fate into his own hands, he was very hesitant to attempt anything, especially since there were people who were willing to toss him out if he so much as slipped a card beneath his sleeve.
Deception and distraction were his tools of the trade, and while he only counted the cards as they were dealt, there was always an act to be had in his glance or body posture. He was an expert of getting people to believe in lies, and when it sometimes lands him a profit, then he tries a little harder.
He looked down at the wine in his glass, taking a sip from it before his eyes trailed over the crowds of people. Numerous of them looked unhappy, which nearly caused a smile to curl on Rhaegor's lips. Nothing brought him as much joy as seeing himself succeed and others fail to do so.
But one glance caught his eye, one that stopped the wine in his throat; his sister. He nearly dropped his glass as he saw her, but his fingers tightened before they even began to loosen. She was not a face that he expected to see, despite the rumors about her spending habits and her addiction to the glittering gold, he didn't think that she would have been foolish enough to risk the possibility of losing it all.
He reached over, picking up a piece of fruit and glided towards her, slipping behind her with the hope of not being noticed, whispering into her ear, "So, the dragon attempts to outsmart fate? I thought you would have known better, sister," His voice remained soft as he pulled back, taking a sip from his glass as his eyes gazed at her, assessing her response
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 15, 2020 5:10:00 GMT 1
Laena thumbed the rim of her glass, her first coinpurse empty of coins that she previously did have. After a lucky start, her luck had taken a significant turn for the worse, and she'd taken a break to try and break her unlucky streak. So, instead she was just sitting quietly on her own, enjoying the atmosphere as she ate and drank some refreshments. As Luck - Awareness (Notice) - for RP: 5d6k4 15She didn't see her brother approaching until she sensed someone approaching her from the rear, close - an instinctive warning she knew better than to ignore, given the current curcumstances. The first thing she moved was her glass, moving it away from the figure to ensure they couldn't slip poison in it, leading into a semi-graceful stand, the motion making a knife blow to her vital organs harder than it would be were she to remain sitting. Only then did she turn, her ears revealing his identity a mere moment before her eyes did. His perceptive eyes likely noticed the slight relaxing as she did. "Brother," she greets him with a wry smile. "You're lucky this is good wine, else you might have ended up wearing it before I realised your identity, sneaking up on a lady like that." She takes a demonstrative sip. "Besides, 'fate'?" She says the term mockingly. "That's just a word losers use for 'things I lack the skill and will to change'. Since when did either of us believe in such a thing?" |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 15, 2020 6:24:56 GMT 1
He gives a muffled chuckle from behind the slightest smile, looking around where she was sitting to see if anyone he recognized was watching; or even anyone he didnt. "My deepest apologies, my lady, I would have hated to see a glass of it meet such an unpleasant end," he gave a slight, rehearsed, almost patronizing bow, before reaching over to pluck a grape from a tray, popping it in his mouth before taking a sip of the wine.
He smiles briefly, "Fortunately for me, Im not a loser today," he looks at his sister once more, always analyzing. He was still trying to figure out if she was lying or not, and how the cracks in the facade form. He pats his purse, "Managed to come out on top, and thoroughly enjoyed every game I sat in. Didnt even have to rig any of the games," Rhaegor chuckled once more, the wine he had been drinking and win-high he rode on certainly making it harder to contain them.
"So whether or not fate is real, I beat it," his shoulders shrugged, adjusting the chain on his neck. "And what about you? You manage to win it big yet? Or are you just like the rest of the masses: Senseless?" He raised an eyebrow, taking another sip from his wine.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 15, 2020 7:54:36 GMT 1
"'Come out on top'?" She asks with a wry raised eyebrow. "Until you make it out that door," nodding towards the exit, "the game is still being played. And there is still the risk of a massive reversal of fortune. So, while I've had some good and some bad luck, I will make no claims of beating fate, or fate beating me, until I walk out that door."
She frowns. "Though I admit to being rather surprised you walked in here. I can't imagine it's the money - you probably find more by idly looking under Levalle's silk cushions than you won here today." She rolls her glass back and forth between her fingers in thought. "Let me guess: Under other circumstances, I might suspect you of simply testing your will and skill against fate. But here? Now? I think rather you're making connections to .. influence local politics, let's say?"
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 15, 2020 17:42:44 GMT 1
He gave another shrug, tilting his head to the side slightly, letting out a sound of agreement from behind his closed lips, "A wise decision, though, I imagine if your prospects looked good, the words you would have used wouldn't have been so blasé," a hand came up, defensively, as he cracked another smile, "But you are correct; nothing is certain when it comes to fortune. You might earn riches beyond your wildest dreams out here."
Rhaegor sighed, "We can certainly say that, though, most of those who are here are doing the exact same. Local politics seems to be a stew that everyone wants to get their hands on, especially with the skirmish in the Riverlands, dragging all the 'men' to go release their primal urges, leaving those with real power to change the courts however we see fit." His eyes narrowed slightly on the 'we', thumb idly spinning his index finger's ring.
"However, none of the connections I made today hold a grain of salt to you, dear sister." He gestured towards her with his wine glass, giving her a curious glance, "Are you here for the same reason, trying to put your own seasoning in the stew, or are you simply seeking more gold for your hoard?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 16, 2020 1:37:00 GMT 1
Laena chuckles. "Ahhh, flattery. You remember my weaknesses well, brother." After a moment's consideration, she mentally shrugs - her opinions on the matter would be public knowledge in a few days anyway, there was no harm in giving him a preview. "Today is actually just about gold - the dragon who chases two knights will catch neither, after all." she smirks at the twist on the old saying. "But I am certainly adding my seasoning. Really, how could I not? Have you *heard* Ser Guyard's recent comments?" She shakes her head sadly. "I can't imagine what could have possessed the man, but it's very clear he's unsuited for the role he seeks." A mischevious look crosses her face, indicating she's about to share something a polite lady her prior words inferred perhaps shouldn't. "Plus, he's *so booooring*!" Another smirk. "Though of course, that won't be part of my official critique of the man."
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 16, 2020 3:35:11 GMT 1
He gave a smile, a genuine one, which caught him slightly off guard as he let out a chuckle, looking down at his chalice for a moment to compose himself, before glancing back up at her, "Truly, his words were shocking, and based off of the young Lady Janna's verbal lashing, he gained no favor in saying them."
Rhaegor placed his finger to his lip, tapping it slowly, "It makes me shudder at the thought of what it would take to dig him out of such a hole, though, the fact that he dug himself that deep begs the question as to why? What possessed him to try such a tactless and aggressive strategy?" He locks eyes with her as his gold coated nail tugged on his lower lip for a moment, "Or I suppose the better question is 'who possessed him?' Though, there are very few people who could fool a man to that degree, I can only imagine he wasn't thinking properly,"
"Must have been thinking with something other than his head," Rhaegor ran his fingers through his hair, slicking it back further as he sighed, "I have yet to present an opinion on the topic; I don't have as much riding on the Regency of Bandallon as others," He checked his rings for a moment, watching the glistening gems shine, "But I can assume you are not going to stake your name for the," He imitated her pitch and mocking tone that she used previously, "Booooring Ser Guyard?" He cracked a smile as he looked at her once more.
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 17, 2020 0:55:08 GMT 1
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 17, 2020 3:11:07 GMT 1
Rhaegor placed his finger to his lip, tapping it slowly, "It makes me shudder at the thought of what it would take to dig him out of such a hole, though, the fact that he dug himself that deep begs the question as to why? What possessed him to try such a tactless and aggressive strategy?" He locks eyes with her as his gold coated nail tugged on his lower lip for a moment, "Or I suppose the better question is 'who possessed him?' Though, there are very few people who could fool a man to that degree, I can only imagine he wasn't thinking properly," ALWHI: Awareness (Empathy) For Rp: 6d6k4 17As he says how few people could fool a man to that degree, Rhaegor catches a flash of something crossing Laena's face. Pride. Quick and subtle enough that if he weren't looking so carefully from so close, he'd certainly miss it, but unmistakable to his eyes. "'Shuddering' is the appropriate reaction, for he may yet win, solely by the vast weight of one particular lord. With so many good knights off to the Riverlands, it is likely that Ser Rennifer will be unbeatable, unless fate, or the Seven, should find a way to intervene." Rhaegor ran his fingers through his hair, slicking it back further as he sighed, "I have yet to present an opinion on the topic; I don't have as much riding on the Regency of Bandallon as others," He checked his rings for a moment, watching the glistening gems shine, "But I can assume you are not going to stake your name for the," He imitated her pitch and mocking tone that she used previously, "Booooring Ser Guyard?" He cracked a smile as he looked at her once more. She shakes her head. "No. I intend to be quite public with my critique of the man, though rather more restrained than Lady Janna's. If you have no personal feelings on the matter, has your lord given you any guidance on the house's official stance?" |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 17, 2020 16:45:28 GMT 1
Taking note of her slight change in reaction, his shoulders relaxed as he put the pieces together, and while it wasnt a confirmation on his first hypothesis, it was certainly a very large clue. He took a sip, "Im surprised that one of our siblings hasnt heeded the call. I would have thought that Ser Aemon was going to take the challenge, lest his new bride would have done it herself." He let out a giggle, "Though, you are certainly right, Lord Eldon's thrown gauntlet has greatly skewed the votes."
Rhaegor rolled his eyes mentally, resulting in the slight flutter of his eyelids and deep inhale at the mention of the house's official stance, "Lord Levalle has been quite a busy man and has yet to really pin down who he believes will be the best fit," He drank again, "He has been slowly weaning off his involvement in the the stew of local politics for a while, and has given the house's official stance over to me to decide."
His lips parted with a sigh, "Though, as I have stated, I have no personal feelings, so that means that the house doesnt either. This decision can be completely based on who provides the biggest opportunity," He cracked another smile as he raised his chalice to her, "And, sweet sister, I feel as though you have a proposition for me."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 17, 2020 18:00:40 GMT 1
He took a sip, "Im surprised that one of our siblings hasnt heeded the call. I would have thought that Ser Aemon was going to take the challenge, lest his new bride would have done it herself." He let out a giggle, "Though, you are certainly right, Lord Eldon's thrown gauntlet has greatly skewed the votes." "It's still early days, one might yet. Probably not Ser Aemon, though. He's not going to take foolish risks like that, especially now he has so much to lose." His lips parted with a sigh, "Though, as I have stated, I have no personal feelings, so that means that the house doesnt either. This decision can be completely based on who provides the biggest opportunity," He cracked another smile as he raised his chalice to her, "And, sweet sister, I feel as though you have a proposition for me." Laena gives a thoughtful nod. "Perhaps. But let us return to that in a moment. There is another regency in contention, albeit more in the background at the moment. One which I very much doubt you are so ambivalent over. While I have my suspicions as to your preferences in that matter, I would hear them in your own words, in case I am wrong in my guess." |
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 17, 2020 19:45:53 GMT 1
"Hm?" Rhaegor feigns confusion for a moment as he racks his brain trying to formulate the perfect response. He wasnt entirely sure himself if he was going to share the truth or some stretch of it, or a complete lie, because he liked to think of the Hightowers as little as possible. It wasnt that he didnt plot the demise of all of them in slow, agonizing ways; he did. But it was not something you share, especially in Oldtown.
"It is certainly too early to predict how that foot will fall. There seem to be candidates springing up from the ground like pervasive weeds, yet to be pulled out from the stem. I know who my lord is siding for," He gave a smile, and a shake of the head as he looked into her eyes, "But that investment is not something I see playing out, unless someone has dirt on their weed." He leaned forward, whispering softly, "And fortunately I have dirt on a very large weed,"
He pulled back, raising his cup again to her, "But of course, sweet sister, I have yet to steak my name out for anyone on the matter you speak." Rhaegor lifted the cup back to his lips, "I want to see everyone else's hand before I show mine, makes losing an unlikely situation,"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 18, 2020 6:01:25 GMT 1
"Mmmm." Her mouth quirks up in a small smile. "Very safe, very prudent, brother, dear. But tell me," she leans forward and whispers in his ear. "Does that idea make you happy? Does having dirt on a weed bring you joy? Or would you rather that weed, and all the others currently popping up, be left with nothing but shit?
"What if I were to tell you there were another way? A fifth option? A compromise candidate, not of *that* house. Someone officially neutral, with significant political savvy. Someone who could reasonably be endorsed by any weed no longer seeing a path to sunlight, should that weed feel the right influence. A gamble, yes. More likely than not to end in failure. But the rewards on success?" She smiles. "Not only would the regent of a major house owe us his position, but said regent *would not be of 'that house'*."
She draws back. "Tell me, brother: does *that* idea make you happy? Does it make your heart sing? Enough to make the big gamble with me?"
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Post by Maester Rhaegor on Jun 18, 2020 16:50:48 GMT 1
"Mmmm." Her mouth quirks up in a small smile. "Very safe, very prudent, brother, dear. But tell me," she leans forward and whispers in his ear. "Does that idea make you happy? Does having dirt on a weed bring you joy? Or would you rather that weed, and all the others currently popping up, be left with nothing but shit?"What if I were to tell you there were another way? A fifth option? A compromise candidate, not of *that* house. Someone officially neutral, with significant political savvy. Someone who could reasonably be endorsed by any weed no longer seeing a path to sunlight, should that weed feel the right influence. A gamble, yes. More likely than not to end in failure. But the rewards on success?" She smiles. "Not only would the regent of a major house owe us his position, but said regent *would not be of 'that house'*." She draws back. "Tell me, brother: does *that* idea make you happy? Does it make your heart sing? Enough to make the big gamble with me?" : 4d6 16 Rhaegor didn't drink from the cup at his lips as his sister spoke. How could he when she was suggesting a scheme of this caliber? He would have choked on the wine as it went down his throat and made quite a fool of himself; but Rhaegor was not a man to be made a fool of. His face remained unchanged, though, nothing could stop his eyes from revealing the truth as his sister pulled back. He stared at her for almost a moment too long, long enough to feel the creeping sensation of doubt and regret to rear its ugly head in his sister's mind, before a smile curled the corner of his mouth, "Oh sister," he chuckled, "What you have proposed is a very large gamble, and I wager that no one here is playing for as high of stakes as what you are offering," He looked around and gestured to the tables, "They are here in search of fortune, but fortune pales in comparison to the power you are gambling for. A regent who has no house affiliation?" He clicked his tongue, shaking his head and turning back to his sister, "That's bold, unheard of, and certainly something that gets my heart singing," A flash of excitement washes over his face, "It seems you remember my weaknesses well sister; I am a slave to power. And while I want to hear more of the specifics of this: the who, most importantly, how could I ever turn you down?" He winked as he took a drink, swirling the wine around his teeth to soak in the flavor. |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 18, 2020 18:38:50 GMT 1
Laena breathes a little sigh of relief when her brother smiles at her. While he could be playing her, she deemed the risks minimal, and the gain potentially quite significant. "The who is simple: Lord Lothor Mullendore. A lord with extensive experience of that court, a generally good reputation, and the good judgement to turn down a position in the Tower of the Hand because it was our father who offered it. Meaning a man who actually has some principles, beyond the naked pursuit of power." She quirks a smile. "So, he has some novelty value there.
"This means that there is an argument to be made that one could push for him 'for the good of the realm', so while the other 4 candidates will not be best pleased at our opposition to them, we are unlikely to be seen negatively by the general populace, even should we fail.
"That is not to say there are no risks. Indeed, to stand a chance, signficant risks will likely need to be taken. Which is where I would like to return to our prior subject." She lowers her voice. "Hightower vassals would get a say in the matter of the regency, including House Blackbar's regent. Lady Falyse is not a fool, and is likely as aware of the threat of Ser Rennifer as we are. So, if someone," she raises a querying eyebrow, "had the skills to cripple or worse the blackguard for his duel, someone else could approach the good Lady, to 'sell' that service, in exchange for her publicly supporting our choice of Hightower regent once we succeed, getting the man recognised as a challenger." She shrugs. "It may not work. She may decide the price is not worth the reward. But if so, we've lost nothing save the opportunity, and can retreat and re-plan."
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