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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 28, 2021 7:02:40 GMT 1
Laena raises an eyebrow. "So, they are *already* in hiding? That's the kind of 'critical, need-to-know information' I was talking about. Finding people in hiding requires different tools than people who you just don't know where they are." She strokes her chin. "However, you said they were hiding from *you*, meaning they'd only be taking precautions against the kind of scrutiny a knight could typically bring to bear, so they shouldn't be hiding as deeply as if Lords Oakheart or Peake were after them." She raises an eyebrow at him again. "Right?"He didn't know that for sure but considering what they planned to do it was a reasonable conclusion to draw. "They don't want to be found by me and by extension anyone I call friend." As to her second question he didn't know, "If I were you I'd assume the worst and treat them as if they were trying to escape the King's Justice, but with a hedge knight's coin and resources. Which as I think about it is both good and bad. On the one hand they don't have the wealth to buy their way to safety, on the other hand I'm guessing life in the hedge has helped them learn about places where people seldom go." Balon held up a finger, "There is a possibility they'd hide among those loyal to the king but that is speculation on my part. They might feel safer on a lord's land that I have no reason to travel to."She thinks further. "They have something you want, but you're not even suggesting I try and steal it. Likely meaning it is something that cannot be stolen. Such as information you want. So, do you actually need all three? Or if I find one, is that enough for you to, ah, 'negotiate' the information you need out of him?"Balon made a mental note that stealth and theft were in her repertoire. "I'd prefer all three but if I had to settle for one it'd be Ser Ondrew." He was the actual *witness* so if he died things would be... smoother? |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 2, 2021 18:49:09 GMT 1
Laena listens to the answers carefully, spends a few moments pondering, considering the angles, fingers dancing, before slowly nodding. "That's all I think I need to know. Think carefully: are you *sure* there's nothing else I could possibly need to know that you're aware of?
"If not, the only thing left is coin to cover my expenses: ordinarily, about five dragons would be enough to loosen lips across a wide enough area. Maybe less, depending on how quickly I find them, but five should definitely cover it. However you've emphasised the need for discretion, so I feel doubling that to ten would be prudent - sadly, you typically have to pay just as much to ensure people *stop* talking as ensure they start. I'm confident, no matter how well they're hiding, that should let me uncover them, but if you can afford it, I would suggest upping that to something like fifteen. That's optional, but you make it sound like 'time' is far more important than 'money' to you in this case, and that gives me the opportunity to spend the latter to save the former, should opportunity arise. It also gives me the ability to cover 'unforseen expenses', should any arise - not that I expect any, but, well, that's why they're 'unforseen'. Obviously, what I don't spend, I can return on delivery." Her voice is clinical, with a faint air of distaste as she discusses 'money', like some haggling fish-merchant. |
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 15, 2021 6:59:21 GMT 1
Laena listens to the answers carefully, spends a few moments pondering, considering the angles, fingers dancing, before slowly nodding. "That's all I think I need to know. Think carefully: are you *sure* there's nothing else I could possibly need to know that you're aware of?Balon exhaled heavily through his nose as he thought about anything else she'd need to be aware of. Need to know is different than like to know. "No. I think we've covered all the important pieces.""If not, the only thing left is coin to cover my expenses: ordinarily, about five dragons would be enough to loosen lips across a wide enough area. Maybe less, depending on how quickly I find them, but five should definitely cover it. However you've emphasized the need for discretion, so I feel doubling that to ten would be prudent - sadly, you typically have to pay just as much to ensure people *stop* talking as ensure they start. I'm confident, no matter how well they're hiding, that should let me uncover them, but if you can afford it, I would suggest upping that to something like fifteen. That's optional, but you make it sound like 'time' is far more important than 'money' to you in this case, and that gives me the opportunity to spend the latter to save the former, should opportunity arise. It also gives me the ability to cover 'unforeseen expenses', should any arise - not that I expect any, but, well, that's why they're 'unforeseen'. Obviously, what I don't spend, I can return on delivery." Her voice is clinical, with a faint air of distaste as she discusses 'money', like some haggling fish-merchant. He let out a rueful chuckle, "I almost spent that much on your dresses." Coin of that amount wasn't much of a concern to Balon. "I'll give you twenty just to be sure. And please, don't bother returning what isn't spent. I'm not the Pennypincher." Balon gave her a long look, not sure of what to say. He wanted to scream that this was all a huge mistake. He wanted to assure her there was nothing for her to worry about. He desired to be with her forever. But as the cold reality set in he knew he was lying to himself. They were separating because of what he did. What he'd continue to do to put Blackfyre on the throne. He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck, "So what happens now?" He truly didn't know. |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 16, 2021 1:17:43 GMT 1
"Now?" For a moment, she seems as lost as he does, before she accepts the truth, and her face hardens. "Now, you either give me the money agreed upon, or have it sent to me later if you don't have it on you. Then, we have our final hug farewell." She steps into him, and gives him one last tight hug, for a good few moments. "I want you to know," she mutters to him. "I regret many things in my life, but I don't regret you." After a few moments more, she releases him and steps away.
"And now, I walk out of your life." Her lip quivers slightly, before firming. Picking up her things and finalising her disguise, she turns around, opens the door, and stops on the threshold. Pointedly without looking back, so she could not see his reaction, she says, soft voice barely audible over the noise of the rest of the brothel, now the door is open. "I hope what you got in exchange is worth it." Heartfelt, rather than bitter. Closing the door behind her before she could hear a revealing response, she slips out the private exit of the brothel, and makes a cautious route back, only looking back to see if she was being followed.
Only to see if she was being followed.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 19, 2021 7:46:49 GMT 1
"Now?" For a moment, she seems as lost as he does, before she accepts the truth, and her face hardens. "Now, you either give me the money agreed upon, or have it sent to me later if you don't have it on you. Then, we have our final hug farewell." She steps into him, and gives him one last tight hug, for a good few moments. "I want you to know," she mutters to him. "I regret many things in my life, but I don't regret you." After a few moments more, she releases him and steps away. Balon had plenty of coin but none of it on him at the moment. As she hugged him he rested his chin on the top of her head and closed his eyes. His dreams of glory with her at his side had gone from prophetic to a cruel jape. The children of his dreams would never exist and the Laena he saw on the dais, truly happy, would never come to be. Like Laena there were many things he regretted but she wasn't one of them. " Kesā va moriot sagon ñuha kasta dāria." he said quietly. "And now, I walk out of your life." Her lip quivers slightly, before firming. Picking up her things and finalizing her disguise, she turns around, opens the door, and stops on the threshold. Pointedly without looking back, so she could not see his reaction, she says, soft voice barely audible over the noise of the rest of the brothel, now the door is open. "I hope what you got in exchange is worth it." Heartfelt, rather than bitter. Closing the door behind her before she could hear a revealing response, she slips out the private exit of the brothel, and makes a cautious route back, only looking back to see if she was being followed. Balon remained stoic despite the inner turmoil he was feeling. When she spoke her last heartfelt words he wanted to shout 'Wait' but it stuck in his throat. He felt like confessing but he knew he couldn't. In fact he'd never tell another soul. Bittersteel knew. Lord Gormon apparently too. Fireball assumed correctly. That was already enough. For now he remained silent as she left the room and his life. Unsure how to proceed he stood there, alone with his thoughts and his black deeds. In time Balon left too, a fake smile to the hostess as he paid and left. When he returned to the tavern his mind was in a fog and though he didn't feel like it, he went through the normal daily routine with his squire. Training of various weapons, horsemanship, tactics. It was all a blur. By day's end he released his squire for the evening, giving him some coin to enjoy himself. "We'll be leaving sooner than expected. Have fun, get drunk, fuck a whore, whatever you desire. Things will only get tougher from here on out." Balon wandered through the town with no place in particular to go. He drowned out the surrounding noise and stayed within his mind, a mix of despair, guilt, and sadness. But one emotion started to rise and drown out the others. Anger. A fury built inside of him. Rage that couldn't be sated. Instead of blaming himself for the situation he was in he blamed everyone else. Bloodraven, the Blackwoods, the Dornish, loyalists. It was all their fault and now they would pay. With Laena out of his life there was little to hold him back. If people thought Balon was dangerous now, they'd soon find out what they were truly facing without love to keep him grounded. [/scene] |
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