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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 16, 2018 8:14:01 GMT 1
"Really?" She raises an eyebrow. "So the whole 'Great Bastard' thing means nothing to you?" Her tone is slightly skeptical, but willing to at least hear him out. Balon seemed reluctant but answered truthfully, "My lady, I believe being a Great Bastard is a detriment, not a boon. People will try to use the children of Aegon to their advantage. It's only natural for schemers and the power hungry to want support from one of royal blood. And while that might grant you favors now, it won't last forever." He quickly added, "This isn't even taking into account the Great Bastards who'll rise to prominence by their own accord."
Balon moved on to the morbid part of his theory, " King's Landing is being run by learned men who use logic and reason to make their decisions. Not honor or chivalry." Balon scratched his head as if it was a tell, an unconscious action when he was about to say something unpleasant, "And when they see these prominent bastards and all the others being used in a way that threatens them there will be one cold, heartless, logical, conclusion. The Great Bastards must be eliminated. The most troublesome will be targeted first," Balon didn't say the names but Blackfyre and Bittersteel were atop the list, "for *security* and most lords will tacitly agree. But the purge will spread and it won't just be the Great Bastards. It'll be their children. They'll hunt down everyone with a drop of Targaryen blood to prevent anything like we see now from happening again."
"But that wouldn't matter to me. It's the woman that I'd love, not what's in her veins." Balon sighed, slightly embarrassed at what seemed like a silly notion. "Even if it did paint a huge target on my back.""Oh, I'd never argue alliances were unbreakable. Quite the opposite. It's for that reason that marriages are required to cement alliances. They at least give the alliance a chance of lasting. If an average lord's word was reliable, we'd be able to marry a lot freer." He shrugged his shoulders, "I'm no scholar but I don't recall wives being killed by their husbands if an alliance was broken. Does it add incentive? Of course. Do we over value these marriages a bit? Probably, but if I was a lord I'd do it too so who am I to judge.""I could run off without Lord Ulbert's approval, certainly. Though I'd probably only manage to get a sworn sword that way - no lord or close kin would be interested without an alliance attached. Which works great, up until the point my husband comes down with a terminal case of heroism, and I'm left widowed a second time in a house with no interest in me, and a home house who've likely cut all ties due to my 'unladylike willfulness'. Which, of course, may not happen. We could grow old happily and die together. But the freedom you mention comes with risks, and losing everything once already makes me acutely aware of them. Balon tsk'd in frustration, "Don't sell yourself short. You'd get more than sworn swords and you know it. And by the way did heroism leave you a widow your first time?" It was an obvious rhetorical. "Do you want a malleable fool or noble that takes zero chances in life or a brave knight willing to take a chance to become landed or a lord for you?"He added, "Life is one big risk and you only get to live it once. Take chances." It was meant to be inspirational but Balon didn't know if it'd find purchase. Laena gives a deep sigh. "I'm not quite hypocritical enough to condemn a man for saying something he shouldn't in the heat of the moment." She gives him a sharp look. "But I would have appreciated a discreet message once you'd calmed down, letting me know that as much as you may entertain idle fantasies of strangling my cousin Ashara occasionally, I don't need to worry about you carving up my house. Do you have *any* idea of how much stress that one comment has caused me? I've been running around like a maniac, convinced I have to get my next marriage sworn to before the melee happens, and I lose a lot of my attractiveness to anyone of any import." Balon raised his hands defensively, "But you're right, I should have said something to you at least and I'm sorry." Why am I apologizing, her marriage isn't my concern. Without thinking he mumbled, "Like you could lose your attractiveness." Realizing what he said he coughed and cleared his throat, "Sorry, that was inappropriate of me." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 16, 2018 20:14:58 GMT 1
"Great Bastards mean something to me but not what you think." Do I tell her how I really feel about them? She's had a rough day and me piling on won't help. Balon seemed reluctant but answered truthfully, "My lady, I believe being a Great Bastard is a detriment, not a boon. People will try to use the children of Aegon to their advantage. It's only natural for schemers and the power hungry to want support from one of royal blood. [...]" Laena cocks her head inquisitively as he says that, then when he's finished speaking, there's few moments' silence, before Laena finally speaks. "I'm sorry, but I do have to ask: do you *recognise* the irony in what you just said, given your politics?" Balon moved on to the morbid part of his theory, " King's Landing is being run by learned men who use logic and reason to make their decisions. Not honor or chivalry." Balon scratched his head as if it was a tell, an unconscious action when he was about to say something unpleasant, "And when they see these prominent bastards and all the others being used in a way that threatens them there will be one cold, heartless, logical, conclusion. The Great Bastards must be eliminated. The most troublesome will be targeted first," Balon didn't say the names but Blackfyre and Bittersteel were atop the list, "for *security* and most lords will tacitly agree. But the purge will spread and it won't just be the Great Bastards. It'll be their children. They'll hunt down everyone with a drop of Targaryen blood to prevent anything like we see now from happening again."
"But that wouldn't matter to me. It's the woman that I'd love, not what's in her veins." Balon sighed, slightly embarrassed at what seemed like a silly notion. "Even if it did paint a huge target on my back."Laena doesn't dismiss his theory out of hand. "Of course, there only *is* that threat for the court to react to because of your faction pushing the claim of my brother, who doesn't even seem to want it. Perhaps for that very same reason. Or perhaps because he has respect for rule of law, and agrees rulers should be determined by primogeniture, rather than popularity. Or the whim of a monster." Her tone is testing, with none of the passion that a partisan would bring, simply seeing how he reacts. Balon tsk'd in frustration, "Don't sell yourself short. You'd get more than sworn swords and you know it. And by the way did heroism leave you a widow your first time?" It was an obvious rhetorical. "Do you want a malleable fool or noble that takes zero chances in life or a brave knight willing to take a chance to become landed or a lord for you?"He added, "Life is one big risk and you only get to live it once. Take chances." It was meant to be inspirational but Balon didn't know if it'd find purchase. "Mmm." She consider a few moments. "Maybe when you have young children yourself, you'll view risk a bit differently." Still, she doesn't seem to dismiss his argument entirely. "My father approached me a few days ago to try and get me to meet with Lady Ashara. I said I'd meet with her if she publicly refuted her story that I shoved her to the ground. I saw her dance at the Green Yard, no one is that nimble on their feet but falls to the ground as if struck by a hammer when all I did was brush against her as I tried to leave. I have yet to hear her make any refutation." Balon raised his hands defensively, "But you're right, I should have said something to you at least and I'm sorry." Why am I apologizing, her marriage isn't my concern. Without thinking he mumbled, "Like you could lose your attractiveness." Realizing what he said he coughed and cleared his throat, "Sorry, that was inappropriate of me." Laena blinked slightly as he said his last line. Oh. Previous things he'd said finally coming together in her mind. Ohhhhhh. By the Seven, I'm blind sometimes. Hmm. "Your first apology is accepted. This tourney is very distracting, with a lot going on. I can well understand things slipping your mind. Your second apology is not, because I don't believe the apology necessary. Neither of us are married, and I'm hardly insulted that you consider me attractive. Though if you like how I look, you should definitely take the chance to try and get an eyeful of Lady Shiera Seastar if you haven't already - I spoke with her a few days ago, she really is as beautiful as rumour says." How to get any man to hate you in five words: 'I've seen Shiera Seastar naked'. She muses idly. |
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 16, 2018 21:44:43 GMT 1
Laena cocks her head inquisitively as he says that, then when he's finished speaking, there's few moments' silence, before Laena finally speaks. "I'm sorry, but I do have to ask: do you *recognise* the irony in what you just said, given your politics?" Laena doesn't dismiss his theory out of hand. "Of course, there only *is* that threat for the court to react to because of your faction pushing the claim of my brother, who doesn't even seem to want it. Perhaps for that very same reason. Or perhaps because he has respect for rule of law, and agrees rulers should be determined by primogeniture, rather than popularity. Or the whim of a monster." Her tone is testing, with none of the passion that a partisan would bring, simply seeing how he reacts. Balon didn't miss the irony or the fact he was a giant hypocrite. What was it mother said, even the grandchildren of Daeron would have to die. "The irony isn't lost on me, my lady. But if you're asking who'd be more likely to exterminate the great bastards I believe it to be King Daeron. In fact I don't think Ser Daemon would ever consider it even if it led to future rebellions." Balon thought back to his youth trying to remember the name of a mythical beast. "Hydra." he furrowed his brow, "Ser Daemon is the greatest among you, possibly the greatest man since Aegon the Conquerer. If it wasn't for him and his magnetism King Daeron would be dealing with a hydra instead of a dragon." As to whether Daemon wanted to press his claim, Balon chose not to answer. "Mmm." She consider a few moments. "Maybe when you have young children yourself, you'll view risk a bit differently." Still, she doesn't seem to dismiss his argument entirely. Laena blinked slightly as he said his last line. Oh. Previous things he'd said finally coming together in her mind. Ohhhhhh. By the Seven, I'm blind sometimes. Hmm. "Your first apology is accepted. This tourney is very distracting, with a lot going on. I can well understand things slipping your mind. Your second apology is not, because I don't believe the apology necessary. Neither of us are married, and I'm hardly insulted that you consider me attractive. Though if you like how I look, you should definitely take the chance to try and get an eyeful of Lady Shiera Seastar if you haven't already - I spoke with her a few days ago, she really is as beautiful as rumour says." How to get any man to hate you in five words: 'I've seen Shiera Seastar naked'. She muses idly. She had the affections of Bloodraven and Bittersteel and Balon was smart enough to stay away from her. Even if I had a chance, which I do not, I'd stay clear. Balon breathed a sigh of relief when she said he didn't have to apologize about her beauty, "I appreciate it my lady. Yes I think you're quite attractive with an intellect to match but to say so, so soon after your loss in unbecoming of me." The voice in his mind kept shouting shut the fuck up! |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 16, 2018 23:24:27 GMT 1
Balon didn't miss the irony or the fact he was a giant hypocrite. What was it mother said, even the grandchildren of Daeron would have to die. "The irony isn't lost on me, my lady. But if you're asking who'd be more likely to exterminate the great bastards I believe it to be King Daeron. In fact I don't think Ser Daemon would ever consider it even if it led to future rebellions." Balon thought back to his youth trying to remember the name of a mythical beast. "Hydra." he furrowed his brow, "Ser Daemon is the greatest among you, possibly the greatest man since Aegon the Conquerer. If it wasn't for him and his magnetism King Daeron would be dealing with a hydra instead of a dragon." As to whether Daemon wanted to press his claim, Balon chose not to answer. "Ser Daemon likely wouldn't, I agree, but if you contend that no-one leading your movement would correct that little oversight, then ... well, one day, you'll receive a rude awakening. "While you may be right that there is a list of potential targets, I think you overstate things to say that *all* Great Bastards will be on it. However much he may wish to recover the power he lost when my father died, even Lord Gorman, for all his power and cunning, couldn't sell me as queen - that's not me putting myself down, that's just using some common sense - so I'm reasonably confident I'm safe. After all, even you contend the list is made from a position of cool logic. "If there were no Ser Daemon, Lord Gorman would likely simply find an inferior substitute, and focus more effort and attention on de-legitimising the King, and less on directing attention towards his substitute. I really don't think it would make that big of a difference, although that route will certainly be harder." "I saw her when the royal procession arrived. She is quite stunning from a distance and from a distance is the most I can hope for." She had the affections of Bloodraven and Bittersteel and Balon was smart enough to stay away from her. Even if I had a chance, which I do not, I'd stay clear. Balon breathed a sigh of relief when she said he didn't have to apologize about her beauty, "I appreciate it my lady. Yes I think you're quite attractive with an intellect to match but to say so, so soon after your loss in unbecoming of me." The voice in his mind kept shouting shut the fuck up! She nods sadly. "Probably, but ... today has been a day of loss, anger, and feeling dispirited. I ..." she searches for the words "I appreciate the reminder that, as much as I have lost today, I have not lost everything. So, thank you." |
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 19, 2018 7:36:44 GMT 1
"Ser Daemon likely wouldn't, I agree, but if you contend that no-one leading your movement would correct that little oversight, then ... well, one day, you'll receive a rude awakening." "While you may be right that there is a list of potential targets, I think you overstate things to say that *all* Great Bastards will be on it. However much he may wish to recover the power he lost when my father died, even Lord Gorman, for all his power and cunning, couldn't sell me as queen - that's not me putting myself down, that's just using some common sense - so I'm reasonably confident I'm safe. After all, even you contend the list is made from a position of cool logic. "If there were no Ser Daemon, Lord Gorman would likely simply find an inferior substitute, and focus more effort and attention on de-legitimising the King, and less on directing attention towards his substitute. I really don't think it would make that big of a difference, although that route will certainly be harder." To Laena's second point he didn't press too hard, "It's certainly possible he couldn't sell you as a queen but he doesn't need to try. That doesn't mean there isn't some scenario where you're married to one of your half-brothers, Ser Aemon Flowers perhaps, where you and you children become targets. As long as there are Great Bastards, there are threats. Even remote ones." Balon had only know Laena for a short time but despite her attempts at humility she seemed quite capable. It took her less than a week to secure Ser Bryce's hand. No easy feat if the stories of his state of mind are true. "But let us put to rest this delightful talk of you and your kin's murder. There has been enough real tragedy in your life for today."She nods sadly. "Probably, but ... today has been a day of loss, anger, and feeling dispirited. I ..." she searches for the words "I appreciate the reminder that, as much as I have lost today, I have not lost everything. So, thank you." Balon smiled, "Loss teaches us to appreciate the things we have. Brothers, sisters, children." Balon left parents off the list on purpose, "Go to your camp, hug your brother and children and on the morrow I hope to bring you news." He bowed slightly to Laena, "I wish you better spirits." As he walked away he stopped and turned back to her, "Remember, even the foulest dirt can produce a beautiful flower." As to what he was referring to was anybody's guess. [/scene?] I can disappoint you with my failure in a different thread. |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 19, 2018 19:06:20 GMT 1
"Remember, even the foulest dirt can produce a beautiful flower." As to what he was referring to was anybody's guess. Was this another attempt at a compliment? Was he actually interested? Or was he simply trying to cheer her up? "Thank you." She curtseys. "Until the morrow, then." [Yeah, /scene] |
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