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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 26, 2018 15:06:53 GMT 1
"As such, I hope that you recognise Ser Balon's statement as the compliment it truly is. Thank you for your time, Lord Tyrell." she finishes, as she attempts to leave, subtly guiding Ser Balon with her if he doesn't take the opportunity himself. Once they're both safely ensconced in the crowd, Laena lets loose a sigh of relief. Seemingly even she was nervous over her intercession. "Ser Balon," she gives a small curtsey. "I've heard some tell of your exploits, Sȳz azantys. Not how I expected us to meet, but I'm glad we have." She looks him firmly in the eye as she states proudly "I am Laena Pyre." As she says that, she's reading his face for a reaction to her name, and any insight into his intentions it may shake loose. Post-Bailout Economy - Reading Balon on name reveal - Awareness (Empathy): 5d6k4 17
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 26, 2018 20:07:45 GMT 1
Balon felt rooted in place, unable to say anything after his attempt at levity. He could see the anger building in Lord Leo's eyes. He glanced behind, looking for his father or mother to come to his aid but they were nowhere to be found. Instead he heard a woman's voice. He turned to see a Valyrian beauty in a sleeveless black dress. The honeyed words she spoke to Lord Leo seemed to work as the anger in his eyes dissipated and he waved Balon off. Following the silver-haired woman, he allowed himself to be guided into the crowd and its welcomed anonymity.
Balon let out a breath he'd seemed to have held in for eternity as he regained his composure. Balon cheered up when the woman said she'd heard of him and some of his exploits. His cheer switched to mild surprise when she introduced herself as Laena Pyre. "Of House Starkwood..." he added to her sentence. Laena could tell Balon was surprised, and aware of, who had rescued him.
As if trying to rationalize things in his head he slowly continued, "Considering the enmity between our houses over the generations I'm surprised that you'd risk yourself for me." Whatever mental debate he was having seemed to have concluded and he made direct eye contact with Laena, "I am in your debt my lady.
Awareness/Empathy- Balon seems thankful for the assistance and simultaneously guarded upon learning you're of House Starkwood.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 26, 2018 23:52:08 GMT 1
A small smile flickers on her face when he names her house, and she nods acknowledgement.
Her face is serious as he declares the debt, and she nods in acknowledgement.
"Thank you. It is brave of you to acknowledge such, when you are wise enough to recognise that no such risk is taken without an agenda behind it.
"Fortunately for you, I have no reason to hide my agenda here, for it should benefit us both. Whatever you may think of House Starkwood, understand that Lord Ulbert himself is a wise and prudent man. The kind of man who, on seeing both a falling-down wall, and an approaching storm, will try his utmost to fix the wall before the storm comes, rather than idly sit by, then wonder why he is so wet.
"Starkwood and Blackbriar are not Blackwood and Bracken. There is some resentment, some history of conflict, but no bone-deep hatred, nothing is broken that cannot be fixed. Lord Ulbert wishes peace between the two houses, securing both sets of borders.
"Support this proposal within your house, to the best of your ability, and I will consider any debt paid, regardless of result. What say you?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 27, 2018 6:38:24 GMT 1
"It was very wise for Lord Ulbert to send a gevie ābra as his herald." Ser Balon hadn't missed the Valyrian Laena had spoken to him, "Especially one with your features my lady." Balon nodded his head in reference to her Valyrian traits. "For what man doesn't find difficulty in saying no to a pretty face. But..." Balon held up his index finger, "if Lord Ulbert wants peace why didn't he send his son and heir? Why did he send his cousin?" It seemed like Balon was going to answer his own question but instead stroked his goatee once as he tried to parse his words, "My lady it is true that our houses are not mortal enemies like the Brackens and Blackwoods. And it is also true there could have been some sort of rapprochement in time. But that was before your house was sullied with Dornish blood. It'd be one thing if the Starkwoods were being led by people like you or Ser Aerion. At least then you'd have royal blood and the Reach would respect you. But instead you're left with Symon." It was obvious Balon left the Ser title out, "The Reach hasn't nor will it forget the barbarity of Dorne."
"Plus, why would we shelter with House Starkwood against a storm when we don't even know how you view the storm." It was about as subtle as a warhammer, but Balon was asking Laena if House Starkwood were supporters of Blood or Fire.
Ser Balon is a known supporter if Daemon Blackfyre.
"My lady I do truly apologize and remain in your debt but I can not support this proposal nor bring it to the attention of Lord Jon."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 27, 2018 12:11:56 GMT 1
Leana's eyes sparkle momentarily and she smiles briefly when he responds to her High Valyrian.
She listens calmly to his response, and doesn't react at all to the insult to her cousin. "Firstly, I do not wish to mislead you. I was not 'sent' by Lord Ulbert. He has let his wishes in this regard be known generally. I saw an opportunity to make him indebted to me, which I was hoping to leverage into him being more inclined to accept my choice for re-marriage, when I have one."
She shrugs. "But, you have refused. Let me be clear: I understand your reasons, and take no umbrage at them. Nor do I regret helping you. Were I to know now what I did before, I would still do the same. I hope that, whatever you may think of House Starkwood, we remain positively inclined towards each other as individuals.
"Being a lady, I am naturally unversed in the art of war, but I have heard that the basic principle is to avoid fighting on your own lands. This naturally becomes much harder between neighbours. So, I would suggest that there is value in peace, even should two neighbours happen to fall on opposite sides, so that both sides' forces might seek glory in the grand host of their faction, rather than being forced to fight and die in forgotten petty skirmishes on their border." She holds her hands up in surrender. "But you have refused, and I accept that. And I am speaking outside my area of expertise.
"So, business concluded, shall we turn to pleasure? I would be interested to learn more of a knight I have so many positive rumours about." She flickers a smile. "You've already proven you are more than simply a strong sword and shield arm."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 27, 2018 21:07:30 GMT 1
She listens calmly to his response, and doesn't react at all to the insult to her cousin. "Firstly, I do not wish to mislead you. I was not 'sent' by Lord Ulbert. He has let his wishes in this regard be known generally. I saw an opportunity to make him indebted to me, which I was hoping to leverage into him being more inclined to accept my choice for re-marriage, when I have one." Balon was surprised at Laena's honesty. Either that or she was incredibly good at lying to him. At the mention of the reason for making Ulbert indebted to her Balon was somber, "I'm truly sorry for your loss. How long ago was it?" Balon hoped the sorrow wasn't still fresh. She shrugs. "But, you have refused. Let me be clear: I understand your reasons, and take no umbrage at them. Nor do I regret helping you. Were I to know now what I did before, I would still do the same. I hope that, whatever you may think of House Starkwood, we remain positively inclined towards each other as individuals. "Helping me in my time of need is something I will not forget my lady. You can consider me a friend." "So, business concluded, shall we turn to pleasure? I would be interested to learn more of a knight I have so many positive rumours about." She flickers a smile. "You've already proven you are more than simply a strong sword and shield arm." Balon smiled. It was very hard for him not to talk about himself, for what young knight didn't like to? But Balon was smart enough not to bore Laena. Instead he tried some self-deprication, "Do you really want to hear about jousting and sword play? Or would you like to hear about other times I've put my foot in my mouth. You'd think with all the footwork involved in melee combat I'd be better at knowing where to put my feet."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 27, 2018 23:41:51 GMT 1
At the mention of the reason for making Ulbert indebted to her Balon was somber, "I'm truly sorry for your loss. How long ago was it?" Balon hoped the sorrow wasn't still fresh. "Thank you. It was almost a year ago, now, so I am out of mourning, and have come to ... a peace with it. I can look back with fondness, now. Which I believe is what he would want." Balon smiled. It was very hard for him not to talk about himself, for what young knight didn't like to? But Balon was smart enough not to bore Laena. Instead he tried some self-deprication, "Do you really want to hear about jousting and sword play? Or would you like to hear about other times I've put my foot in my mouth. You'd think with all the footwork involved in melee combat I'd be better at knowing where to put my feet." She snorts a little at that. Still, she makes a dismissing gesture. "You are correct that a discussion on jousting would be beyond me. I love to watch it, but that's as far as it goes. If you can make it humorous, I'd love to hear about your biggest blunder. But there should be balance, so how about you tell me about your greatest triumph as well? I admit I'm less interested in exactly *what* happened in detail, but I'd be fascinated to learn about how you felt, and how you feel it impacted you as a person." She locks eyes with him briefly. "Pride is only a vice when taken to excess." She then pauses, and her eyes flick about briefly. "But don't tell your Septon I said that."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 28, 2018 6:12:42 GMT 1
"Pride is only a vice when taken to excess." She then pauses, and her eyes flick about briefly. "But don't tell your Septon I said that." Balon chuckled, "Don't worry, you're words are safe with me. Hard to repeat them with a foot in the mouth." Balon smiled, mocking himself with Laena so soon after the untended insult to Lord Tyrell had greatly reduced his anxiety. She snorts a little at that. Still, she makes a dismissing gesture. "You are correct that a discussion on jousting would be beyond me. I love to watch it, but that's as far as it goes. If you can make it humorous, I'd love to hear about your biggest blunder. But there should be balance, so how about you tell me about your greatest triumph as well? I admit I'm less interested in exactly *what* happened in detail, but I'd be fascinated to learn about how you felt, and how you feel it impacted you as a person." "My greatest triumph would be the second tourney I won. Not because I was the victor but because of the idea I had before entering it." Balon took a drink of his wine before beginning the story. "I enter tournaments for two reasons, coin in my pocket and fame. One is easier to come by than the other. When I won my first tournament I received polite applause but not much else. I had the talent but I lacked the love of the smallfolk. How was I going to earn their adulation?" Balon asked rhetorically, "And then it dawned on me, I needed a simple moniker for the smallfolk to remember. Something they could chant. Something visible. The realm has Fireball, Redtusk, Bittersteel, Bloodraven, Breakspear, and Longthorn." Balon brought his hand up to his chest, "Now it has Black Horn." The young knight grinned at the simplicity of the nickname. "I had a new helmet crafted with two long black horns. When I entered the next tournament I was easy to identify. I thought myself foolish for giving myself a nickname but it worked. As I advanced more and more cheered for me. They chanted Black - Horn! Black - Horn!" Balon rubbed his arms and sheepishly smiled, "It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it. When I made the final tilt I didn't even care if I won. Hearing all the people scream for me. Whew, that was the best feeling. And their cheering carried me, helped me unhorse my opponent and claim victory." "My biggest blunder..." Balon looked up, tapping his lips, deep in thought as he tried to recall his worst moment in the joust. "You'll think I'm a liar but I don't have one. Sure I've lost my share of tilts but never in an embarrassing fashion." Laena could see a light go on in Balon's head as he recalled something. "Though I do have a rather bawdy tale of when I was a page for Lord Gormon Peake." Balon started grinning ear to ear and his face turned a little red. "I had been a page for several years but practiced almost exclusively with the squires. One squire in particular felt it his duty to harass me every chance he got. He felt being the elder gave him the right to boss me around. One night the pages and squires were drinking in the hall after we'd cleaned it and the squire harassing me had passed out upright in a chair." Balon began using his hands to show what he did, "So I pulled a chair up to his and stood on it before dropping my breeches. The plan was to shout his name and have him spring to his feet only to have his face come squarely in contact with my buttocks." Balon started laughing, "Except I lost my balance, fell, and my breeches got caught on the back of the chair. I landed hard on my back, my legs in the air, and my breeches around my ankles. As if that wasn't bad enough three ladies in waiting decided that was the perfect time to come into the hall, only to see my nether regions hanging in the evening air. I'd never been so embarrassed."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 28, 2018 13:26:35 GMT 1
"My greatest triumph would be the second tourney I won. [..] Whew, that was the best feeling. And their cheering carried me, helped me unhorse my opponent and claim victory." Laena has a faint smile on her face, as she listens attentively to his words. When finished, she nods. "There is power in symbols. I certainly respect those who are given appellations for heroic acts, but respect is also owed for those who refuse to wait for one to be given, and seize it themselves, with their own will and power." Her smile flickers into a grin briefly, "and are able to keep it, of course." her grin turns positively wicked. "Though it is perhaps for the best that you are not yet married. Were you such, a man wearing horns has a rather different connotation." "My biggest blunder..." [...] As if that wasn't bad enough three ladies in waiting decided that was the perfect time to come into the hall, only to see my nether regions hanging in the evening air. I'd never been so embarrassed." As the tale goes on, Laena is clearly having trouble suppressing giggling, her face steadily turning redder, eventually resorting to trying to muffle the escaping sounds with her hands. After a few moments to recover, she's able to speak. "Oh. Oh, my." patting her chest with her hand. "That is a *very* unladylike tale for me to be laughing at." she slaps his chest "and you are a wicked, wicked man for making me do so." her smile robbing the rebuke of any sting. Her face turns curious. "What is Lord Gormon like, as a person? He has such a formidable reputation - a skilled knight, even at his age, clever, charming, and a talented leader of men, both on and off the field. It's hard in many ways to actually see him as a person behind all that."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 28, 2018 23:07:26 GMT 1
"Though it is perhaps for the best that you are not yet married. Were you such, a man wearing horns has a rather different connotation." Balon feigned ignorance, "I couldn't possibly know what you mean." "That is a *very* unladylike tale for me to be laughing at." she slaps his chest "and you are a wicked, wicked man for making me do so." her smile robbing the rebuke of any sting. "A thousand apologies my lady. Don't tell my septon but I feel it's best to do a lot of sinning all at once. Easier on the knees to spend one day in the sept praying for forgiveness as opposed to everyday." Balon held his chest, pretending to be injured, "By the Seven it feels like you just hit me with a warhammer?" Chuckling, Balon continued listening to Laena. Her face turns curious. "What is Lord Gormon like, as a person? He has such a formidable reputation - a skilled knight, even at his age, clever, charming, and a talented leader of men, both on and off the field. It's hard in many ways to actually see him as a person behind all that." "I believe him to be one of the best men in all the Seven Kingdoms. He is what a young knight should aspire to be in virtually every way. Due to his status and influence a great many people come to him seeking his boon, most undeserving, and I think that wears on him a bit. But if you are lucky enough to be considered a friend..." Laena could see Balon held Gormon in high regard, "I don't think there is anything he wouldn't do for you." Balon laughed, "Plus he uses the most foul language." The young knight shook his head at the absurdity of it, "But in a weird way it makes him personable, more human."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 29, 2018 0:07:53 GMT 1
Balon feigned ignorance, "I couldn't possibly know what you mean." Laena gives a knowing smile. "And from what I know of you, I doubt you'll ever need to." "A thousand apologies my lady. Don't tell my septon but I feel it's best to do a lot of sinning all at once. Easier on the knees to spend one day in the sept praying for forgiveness as opposed to everyday." Balon held his chest, pretending to be injured, "By the Seven it feels like you just hit me with a warhammer?" She smiles. "Your secret is as safe with me as mine is with you." She frowns and cocks her head slightly. "Though I must confess, you surprise me. I would have thought a Blackbriar child would have been dragged to the sept daily growing up until it was a habit." She gives a small smile, and in a slightly teasing voice asks "Was Lord Gormon a bit of a bad influence on you in that regard?"
"And don't complain. Show your 'war wound' to the right sort of lady, and I'm sure you'd have no trouble-" she cuts herself off. "My apologies. It seems I have found your presence comfortably relaxing, and my sense of propriety momentarily departed. Let us move on." She blushes faintly, and looks aside, embarrassed.
"I believe him to be one of the best men in all the Seven Kingdoms. He is what a young knight should aspire to be in virtually every way. Due to his status and influence a great many people come to him seeking his boon, most undeserving, and I think that wears on him a bit. But if you are lucky enough to be considered a friend..." Laena could see Balon held Gormon in high regard, "I don't think there is anything he wouldn't do for you." Balon laughed, "Plus he uses the most foul language." The young knight shook his head at the absurdity of it, "But in a weird way it makes him personable, more human." "Are you, yet? His friend, I mean? Or is that honour still in your future?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 29, 2018 7:17:39 GMT 1
"Was Lord Gormon a bad influence on me?" Balon repeated the question, missing the fact Laena was teasing, "No, not really. I consider myself pious but not a zealot. I may like to jest about my sinful ways but I think I live a fairly honorable life. Lord Gormon may not be as religious as members of House Blackbriar but few people are." Balon was quiet for a moment before adding offhandedly, "Honestly I'd say the only negative trait I picked up from Lord Gormon was foul language but he gave me the sense to know when not to use it." Laena could tell that particular lesson had to literally be beaten into Balon. "As to whether we are friends? His friends call him Gormy and I have not been granted that privilege yet. One day soon I hope. I think he respects me, sees talent. But it hasn't moved past that." It was obvious Gormon's friendship was something Balon desired.
"Enough about me. What about you? My secret plan to make you let your guard down with bawdy tales has clearly worked." He grinned when she blushed. "Now is where you tell me about what you want in life. Your hopes. Your dreams. What makes you happy?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 29, 2018 13:08:22 GMT 1
"Well played, Ser" she murmurs before answering.
She wrinkles her nose. "I hate, above pretty much all else, being boring. But the answer to what makes me happy is annoyingly predictable, and therefore boring." she sighs. "My children make me happy." a small smile. "They drive me crazy as often as not, but there is happiness even there. But it's more than their presence. This is the time in which their personalities are shaped, more than any other. I find great joy in envisioning shaping them into great people. I want Sylvina to be more than just a mobile womb for her husband, and to be a real asset to both her future husband and her future house. And I want Landar to be a great knight. Or," she frowns, "if necessary, at least a great maester." a small smile, "He has the curiosity for it, at least." She shakes herself, snorts, and smiles self-consciously at Balon. "You've unleashed a demon, now, I'm afraid. By unwittingly asking a mother about her children, you risk being trapped by propriety for *hours* as I regale with stories about them seemingly without ever pausing for breath.
"Still, to save you from that, I will exercise truly heroic levels of self-control, and move on to your other question: what do I want." She seems to consider this a moment before answering, in a soft voice. "A home. It may not have been much, but House Pyre was home for me, for a time. Right now, I don't feel like I have one, I'm just waiting in a 'between homes' state, since as soon as I wed, I'll be leaving again. But a home is more than a place to live. I want to be used." her face turns bright pink as she realises what she just said. "I don't mean ... I mean, I *do* want many more kids, but I didn't mean," she cuts her flustered babbling off to take a breath, before continuing more calmly. "I have skills, beyond bringing forth the next generation. Power is a man's burden, but I feel it shouldn't be a burden he has to carry alone. A good wife can invisibly help him carry the load, without undermining him." She looks at him, passion burning briefly in her eyes. "I want to be *useful*". She pauses a moment, before adding, "And to have more children." she flushes faintly.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 29, 2018 21:05:40 GMT 1
"Lady Laena, there are many words I'd use to describe you. Boring is not one of them." he said warmly. "And if children make you happy there is nothing wrong with saying so." When Laena mentioned how her kids drove her crazy sometimes Balon thought back to something his mother once said, "My mother Shiera once told me, I love being with my kids. I love being without my kids. I'm sure I drove her crazy on occasion." Balon grinned, "I'm sure I still do."
Balon stifled a laugh when she said she liked being 'used', "My lady I'm sorry to inform you it seems you've contracted my foot in mouth disease. Your proximity to me has caused you to come down with this affliction." In a very mockingly sad tone Balon added, "I'm afraid there's no cure." before letting out a loud laugh.
"So let me get this straight," Balon counts off with his fingers, "You're comely. You want many more kids. You want to help your husband share the burden of leadership without undermining him." Balon shook his head in faux disappointment, "How are you ever going to find a husband with that attitude."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jun 29, 2018 23:59:02 GMT 1
"Given how I still feel protective of my younger brother, even now he's a full knight, I think you're right. Those we look out for may exasperate us in *different* ways as they age, but family is never easy." "Better I catch the affliction now, than an hour ago. Else I may have ended up flustered, and relying on *you* to save *me*." She grins at him. "I shudder to think how that scenario would have ended up." Laena hesitates a moment, like she's about to argue the point, but the moment passes, and she smiles instead. "You are kind, Ser, to list only my virtues. May all men I meet here only see such."
[OOC: I may be wrong, but I kind of feel like this conversation is nearing its close, unless you want to open a new topic of conversation, which is cool, if so. But if not, mechanically, I suspect I'd trounce you in an intrigue (given it is my focus), but I'd be happy to raise my disposition towards you by +1 if you accept a Charm full success (raise your disposition towards me by +2, +1D to next intrigue). Seem fair? It's negotiable if it doesn't.]
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