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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Sept 28, 2022 6:56:46 GMT 1
She gives a wry smile at his audacious question. "If you were so blessed as to have a beautiful Valyrian want to 'fuck your brains out', firstly, she would likely declare the task complete before the foreplay was done. Secondly, were you to deny her, you would risk - a very high risk - of other rumours appearing - such that you 'preferred the company of men', probably due to your incredibly tiny manhood. So, in that incredibly implausible scenario, I suggest you just do as smallfolk women are advised to do should they catch the eye of a lord or knight - just accept the inevitable, take what pleasure you can, then never speak of it to anyone.For a moment Balon didn't react but Laena could see him processing the imagery in his mind. And then he began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh until he was wheezing and trying to catch his breath. The thought of a woman raping him was so incredulous to Balon it'd struck him stupid. "I.. I'm sorry," he sputtered out in-between gasps of air. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye with the back of his hand. "I don't know why but it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Laena could see him visualizing it again only to be overcome with another bout of uncontrollable wheeze-laughing. "You must think I've lost my mind." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Ok... I think I'm ok now." He wiped both of his eyes dry. "It must be the late hour... whew... I just need to not think about it." While not fully recovered Balon tried to give as good as he got, "Fortunately I'm very discreet and would take what pleasure I could find. Of course I'd have to warn her that Moon Tea doesn't work every time. And her legs would wobble for some time after. Hopefully she rides a lot and can just tell her friends she's saddle sore." Balon closed his eyes and did his best not to imagine a woman taking advantage of him. What an impossibility. In a more serious tone, she continues. "With regards to conduct, I would say to not be too excessive. A knight suddenly going so far to look innocent, instead just looks guilty. Do like Ser Daemon does. Or Redtusk. Or any other of the knights your faction has with a reputation for chivalry. Use your tongue with the same discipline you would use your sword. Act in accordance with your oath. No- better, before you act, before you speak: ask yourself: 'would Ser Daemon or my Father do this?'. You fight for the former's legacy, and are the latter's - and carry your own in your hands. If neither would do what you are about to do, or say what you are about to say, then don't do or say it. Especially, do not brag about your good deeds. Simply make sure they are witnessed, and let others spread word for you. If you are asked about them, *then* is the time to talk about your shock over your reputation. Again, speaking too much of your innocence would only confirm your guilt." There were other examples like saving Ser Imry's wife and the heir to Brightwater Keep from his kidnappers but that seemed like a distant memory. He nodded his head in agreement with Laena as she talked of his father and Blackfyre's chivalry. He was torn though. Was the world built by killers or the chivalrous? His mother believed the former while the songs sung would suggest the latter. "I won't stop advocating for Ser Daemon but I'll do what I can to end the rumors of alleged misdeeds. Plus," a small smile formed, "I've been told I use my tongue just as well as my sword." Balon looked down to the sack of gold. "I suppose you'll need me to carry this to your quarters? Pavilion? I'm not sure where you're staying." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Sept 29, 2022 4:53:02 GMT 1
For a moment Balon didn't react but Laena could see him processing the imagery in his mind. And then he began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh until he was wheezing and trying to catch his breath. The thought of a woman raping him was so incredulous to Balon it'd struck him stupid. "I.. I'm sorry," he sputtered out in-between gasps of air. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye with the back of his hand. "I don't know why but it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Laena could see him visualizing it again only to be overcome with another bout of uncontrollable wheeze-laughing. "You must think I've lost my mind." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Ok... I think I'm ok now." He wiped both of his eyes dry. "It must be the late hour... whew... I just need to not think about it." While not fully recovered Balon tried to give as good as he got, "Fortunately I'm very discreet and would take what pleasure I could find. Of course I'd have to warn her that Moon Tea doesn't work every time. And her legs would wobble for some time after. Hopefully she rides a lot and can just tell her friends she's saddle sore." Balon closed his eyes and did his best not to imagine a woman taking advantage of him. What an impossibility. Laena gave a small smile, and patted his back as he laughed. Rather than try and get in the last word, she says softly. "You should laugh and smile more often. Like that, not in derision at others, but in good humour. It suits you. Even - especially - in these trying times. I remember back to our first meeting at the Black Tourney, and us laughing together about your antics. I think... I think you finding that part of yourself again, and keeping hold of it, would be good.""Don't brag about my good deeds unless someone else brings it up. Now can I make sure my friends bring it up? As in we're drinking at a tavern and they mention Pennytree and how I was so noble that I impressed Redtusk. Or at Blackbuckle where I countered the Ironhand's ambush and almost destroyed the blackguard's army?" There were other examples like saving Ser Imry's wife and the heir to Brightwater Keep from his kidnappers but that seemed like a distant memory. She gives a small shrug. "Ultimately, you'll have to strike a balance. Just don't be impatient is all I will add."He nodded his head in agreement with Laena as she talked of his father and Blackfyre's chivalry. He was torn though. Was the world built by killers or the chivalrous? His mother believed the former while the songs sung would suggest the latter. "I won't stop advocating for Ser Daemon but I'll do what I can to end the rumors of alleged misdeeds. Plus," a small smile formed, "I've been told I use my tongue just as well as my sword." Laena's cheeks flush, and she looks down, letting the comment pass unremarked. Balon looked down to the sack of gold. "I suppose you'll need me to carry this to your quarters? Pavilion? I'm not sure where you're staying." She casually leans forward and hefts the bag one-handed very briefly. "Your help would be much appreciated. There is no way I will be able to carry that all that way on my own. The short distance through the camp should be fine, but these arms are not made for such heavy labour." |
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Oct 2, 2022 7:50:57 GMT 1
Laena gave a small smile, and patted his back as he laughed. Rather than try and get in the last word, she says softly. "You should laugh and smile more often. Like that, not in derision at others, but in good humour. It suits you. Even - especially - in these trying times. I remember back to our first meeting at the Black Tourney, and us laughing together about your antics. I think... I think you finding that part of yourself again, and keeping hold of it, would be good."Balon patted himself on the chest for emphasis. "The first person is what you see before you. Good natured, caring,... happy. My brothers see it, my cousins see it on occasion. Hell even my sister sees it when she's not trying to get under my skin. A man willing to sacrifice himself to protect and advance his family." He shook his head slightly, "I'd be perfectly happy to lay a blanket out in a field, have you snuggle up against me, and quietly watch the stars until the sun comes up. Everything happening at Appleton be dammed." He made eye contact with Laena, "Does that sound like the blackguard people whisper of behind my back?"He let out a long sigh, "And then there is the second person. Resentful. More angry since returning from the Riverlands. Incensed by a king who insults us by his generous treatment of the Dornish. A man willing to save the village by burning it to the ground." Balon let out a snort as he remembered his thoughts from the melee. "A man willing to destroy his name if it means his enemies lose."Balon looked back to the ground, "The second has greatly diminished the first." After a long pause he looked back up, "But my time with you reminds me it's more enjoyable to be the first.""That sounds potentially rather staged and forced, but it will depend on execution." She gives a small shrug. "Ultimately, you'll have to strike a balance. Just don't be impatient is all I will add."Laena's cheeks flush, and she looks down, letting the comment pass unremarked. Balon nodded in agreement and chose to let the matter lie. He had a hunter's patience at times but was also prone to impulsive actions. As she said, strike a balance. Fortunately for Balon knights and soldiers liked to brag almost as much as fighting and fucking. With luck there'd be plenty of opportunities to stress his more admirable traits in Oldtown. As Laena blushed Balon grinned. She would always have the upper hand in their conversations but reminding her of their shared intimacy was the one thing Balon could hold over her. "Pavillion, this time." She casually leans forward and hefts the bag one-handed very briefly. "Your help would be much appreciated. There is no way I will be able to carry that all that way on my own. The short distance through the camp should be fine, but these arms are not made for such heavy labour." Balon stood and resisted the urge to do a full body stretch. "Very well my lady. If you want to lead the way I'll bring your reward to your pavilion. After all, your arms are for more graceful and elegant affairs, not those of some old plow horse." He chuckled at the stupidity of his half-baked compliment. "Unless you need to go there yourself and have me show up a few minutes later to ensure gossiping hens don't spot us together on the way to your tent." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 3, 2022 0:38:51 GMT 1
"I often feel like there are two people within this body." Balon patted himself on the chest for emphasis. "The first person is what you see before you. Good natured, caring,... happy. My brothers see it, my cousins see it on occasion. Hell even my sister sees it when she's not trying to get under my skin. A man willing to sacrifice himself to protect and advance his family." He shook his head slightly, "I'd be perfectly happy to lay a blanket out in a field, have you snuggle up against me, and quietly watch the stars until the sun comes up. Everything happening at Appleton be dammed." He made eye contact with Laena, "Does that sound like the blackguard people whisper of behind my back?"He let out a long sigh, "And then there is the second person. Resentful. More angry since returning from the Riverlands. Incensed by a king who insults us by his generous treatment of the Dornish. A man willing to save the village by burning it to the ground." Balon let out a snort as he remembered his thoughts from the melee. "A man willing to destroy his name if it means his enemies lose."Balon looked back to the ground, "The second has greatly diminished the first." After a long pause he looked back up, "But my time with you reminds me it's more enjoyable to be the first." Laena replies softly, looking past him into the middle distance. "Two Balons inside you. The one who grows is the one you feed. Remember that." Her eyes snap back to his, then she looks down. "I'm Sorry." Not a casual apology, but probably a broad and ambiguous one. Balon stood and resisted the urge to do a full body stretch. "Very well my lady. If you want to lead the way I'll bring your reward to your pavilion. After all, your arms are for more graceful and elegant affairs, not those of some old plow horse." He chuckled at the stupidity of his half-baked compliment. "Unless you need to go there yourself and have me show up a few minutes later to ensure gossiping hens don't spot us together on the way to your tent."Laena shakes her head. She had considered that before she asked. "People are aware there's *some* relationship between us ever since I hugged you at your father's funeral. If anyone seeks to stir gossip, I will simply say that you were paying me the winnings of a private wager between us. If any ask you, say the same. But obviously keep quiet as to the exact nature of the wager. But I doubt they will. People's eyes and minds are on other matters tonight." |
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Oct 16, 2022 8:12:19 GMT 1
Laena replies softly, looking past him into the middle distance. "Two Balons inside you. The one who grows is the one you feed. Remember that." Her eyes snap back to his, then she looks down. "I'm Sorry." Not a casual apology, but probably a broad and ambiguous one. Laena shakes her head. She had considered that before she asked. "People are aware there's *some* relationship between us ever since I hugged you at your father's funeral. If anyone seeks to stir gossip, I will simply say that you were paying me the winnings of a private wager between us. If any ask you, say the same. But obviously keep quiet as to the exact nature of the wager. But I doubt they will. People's eyes and minds are on other matters tonight."Whether the apology was about their defunct relationship or in the general sense Balon didn't know but quietly said, "Thank you." As always her counsel was sage but Balon didn't know if he'd make the right decisions moving forward. He wanted to feed his good side but even when he was doing something for the "benefit" of his family it seemed he went about it the wrong way and the darker Balon grew. He wanted to be an honorable knight and lead men in battle but it was too easy for him to discard chivalry when it was time to seek favoritism from men like Walgrave and Bittersteel. As he contemplated the right way to do things a voice came from the darker corner of his mind. The world is built by killers. Get used to being one if you want to make a difference. Balon shuddered ever so slightly. The time for him to make a choice was coming and once made there was no turning back. Who would he be? Balon the Black or the Brave. Feared or respected. Famous or infamous. Balon stood up giving one last look at the stars. As much as he enjoyed his time with Laena it needed to come to an end. There was a death sentence to be carried out and he didn't want to miss it come morning. He held out a hand for her to take to help her up off the bench before retrieving the reward. "The road is a dangerous place for a lady. Especially one with coin. If people learn of our wager and that the winnings took a large satchel to deliver you may be a target." As always he'd come up with an idea to help out in that regard though he'd save that surprise for later. "After you, my lady." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 18, 2022 2:17:09 GMT 1
Laena accepts the hand up. "That is true. I have to hope fear and respect for my various siblings will deter most opportunists." Her smile indicates maybe something more. Maybe.
On a cruel whim after accepting his invitation to go first, she makes sure to sway her hips a little more than usual. Not enough to incite, particularly as her dress was fairly modest in the skirts, but just enough to subtly tease, and get him thinking of her again. Even if she no longer wished for him to act on it, she had to admit - at least to herself - that she liked the attention.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Oct 24, 2022 5:44:55 GMT 1
Laena accepts the hand up. "That is true. I have to hope fear and respect for my various siblings will deter most opportunists." Her smile indicates maybe something more. Maybe. On a cruel whim after accepting his invitation to go first, she makes sure to sway her hips a little more than usual. Not enough to incite, particularly as her dress was fairly modest in the skirts, but just enough to subtly tease, and get him thinking of her again. Even if she no longer wished for him to act on it, she had to admit - at least to herself - that she liked the attention. Balon caught her smile and couldn't help but smile as well. As infuriating as she could be, Laena frequently found a way to melt the ice around his heart. Balon couldn't help but stare as Laena led the way. His eyes drifted downward and he fell into a trance as her hips swayed from side to side. Memories flashed of times before where there was a lot more swaying and much less clothing. He had no idea how long he'd been staring and wasn't paying attention when he stumbled forward as a root caught his foot. A quick shake of the head dispensed the lewd imagery in his mind and he forced his eyes upward. He was silent for most of the walk and when they reached her pavilion he stopped outside. He gave her a small nod and asked quietly, "Do I need to ask for permission to come in, my lady? Where would you like me to put your spoils?" |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 27, 2022 4:27:17 GMT 1
"If I were to let you in.." I might not let you leave before morning. "..it might set tongues wagging more than necessary. I can carry the bag this short a distance. Thank you for your assistance, Ser. You are an able beast of burden." The last is said with a familiar teasing smile, which slowly fades. "Be safe, Balon." She says softly, deliberately dropping his title, as she moves her face close to his. He might think she was approaching to give him a kiss goodnight, but instead, both her hands heft the bag of coin from his grasp, and she shuffles backwards into her pavillion, a smirk - and perhaps even a wink? - leaving Balon in little doubt the teasing was intentional. Still, at the last moment before she turned away, Balon would gain the distinct impression that her expression as she looked at him was not flirtatious, but worried.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 13, 2022 8:24:47 GMT 1
"Yes, wagging tongues. We wouldn't want that now would we." He said dryly. Balon let out a snort as she called him a beast of burden then tensed up as she drew near. What's she doing? He thought as her face came close to his. He couldn't help but smile as she took the bag and backed away. "Stop pretending you'd stop me if I followed you in." Of course he knew she'd stop him, she'd have to. This wasn't one of their secret rendezvous of old but a public interaction with too many witnesses.
He stood there for a moment after she disappeared into her tent. He raised his hand as if he was reaching out to her and opened his mouth to speak but stopped. Not here. Not today. He turned and quickly walked away. There would be other times for them to talk. He'd seen to that. How happy she'd be at his little surprise would be determined at a later date.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 15, 2022 2:40:07 GMT 1
Humming happily - living for so long with so little gold to hand had worn on her - Laena pops the bag of gold onto her table, and opens it up, to count it all.
However, even at a glance, she could tell there was not a hundred gold pieces there.
There was, however, a note.
This had better be a damned good note, Balon. She thinks, as she opens it up and reads it, written in High Valyrian.
While she didn't expect such things of Balon, she did a cursory check for hidden messages, before putting the note down and considering it.
After a few moments, she smiles. Clever boy. A simple, but effective scheme. It is natural to want your debtors to stay alive, as otherwise you'll never get your money. By keeping my money 'for my safety', he ensures I now have a vested interest in protecting him from any schemes against him I dig up. Or, at the very least, he gets advanced warning from my appearing and demanding payment when I learn a plot is nigh. And his precious pride is protected, as on the surface, he is protecting me. She taps her fingers in thought, and her smile slowly fades. He must really feel like his enemies' shadows are closing in. She idly practices sleight of hand with a coin as she considers that, before sighing, and splitting the gold into a dozen caches hidden amongst various possessions, before burning the note and scattering the ashes.
/scene
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