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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 27, 2018 8:24:21 GMT 1
Time: After Balon's duel with Daemon Blackfyre
After the completion of the duels (including his own) Balon made his way back to his pavilion to clean himself and change. He'd failed in his attempt to speak with Ser Farman and had to go to Laena empty handed. But things had changed quite a bit since they'd last talked. Laena had put out a wild rumor that Balon was very interested to ask her about and Ser Daemon had demanded he apologize to those he'd slandered, most likely including Ashara.
Knowing he was unwelcome in the Starkwood camps Balon had sent a runner with a message for Laena to meet him in the library, a neutral place as any. As he waited he chose a few books to read and arranged a table with two comfortable chairs.
When Laena arrived Balon stood, somewhat gingerly, and bowed. "Lovely to see you again my lady." Despite looking tired Balon's smile was warm and genuine. "Please sit." as he motioned to the chair opposite him, "Would you care for anything to drink?" On the table was a decanter of wine and two cups. Additionally there were three books, one of military history between Dorne and the marches, one of the houses of the Reach, and one of poetry in Valyrian.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 27, 2018 11:36:13 GMT 1
When she arrives, Laena glances over the books arrayed on the table, and permits a small smile. Now this, *this* is the man who impressed me when I spoke to him. Using the location to his advantage - books to emphasise his politics, as well as emphasising our common language, and that he's no uneducated brute. It's not subtle, but it doesn't have to be. It's a statement. Not to mention, he's being polite and considerate. Is he preparing me for bad news, I wonder.
"Thank you." She gives a small gesture of greeting, then takes the offered seat. She considers the offer of a drink for a moment. She dismissed the possibility that Balon may poison her deliberately, but was it possible that someone had poisoned his wine, and she would just be collateral? After a momentary consideration, she rejected it. He was skilled, but were he murdered, plenty others would be inspired by his 'martyrdom' and take his place. He was more dangerous dead than alive. So, the wine was probably safe. "A cup of wine sounds nice, thank you."
When it's poured, she takes the proffered cup, and leans back into her seat, without lowering her head any more than necessary. The increased distance helps reduce the impact of his increased size relative to her. Taking a light sip, she seems to savour the taste, but actually is just focusing on detecting any strange flavours in the wine which may indicate her analysis to be incorrect.
Concealing her lips with the cup, so as to make her expression harder to read, she waits, letting him fill the silence first.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 27, 2018 22:06:56 GMT 1
This might need some editing on my part depending on how things go with the Smallfolk/Merryweather event.
Balon smiled and poured a cup for her. "The vintage is a little sweet... just like me." he laughed. Yes, make her laugh before you tell her you're a failure. Balon poured himself a cup and leaned back into his seat. He took a drink and savored it for a moment, "Hmm, that's good."
Balon cleared his throat, sat upright, and began, "My lady I'll be blunt. I failed you. As you already know the feast didn't go exactly as Lord Tyrell planned and tempers ran high. Perhaps it was because of this or perhaps Ser Farman had more important things to do but I couldn't secure an audience with him. And for that I'm sorry." It was clear to Laena Balon was disappointed in himself, "If you'd like I can continue trying to speak with him but with everything that's transpired today I don't know if I'll succeed."
Good job Balon, let her know you can continue being useless. "If there is anything good that came from my failure it's that I'm still indebted to you."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 27, 2018 23:39:27 GMT 1
Laena's reaction to his joke is concealed by the cup.
Bad news, as I suspected. Ah, well. Laena lowers the cup slightly to reveal a sympathetic smile. "It's fine, Ser Balon. I knew it was a tall order when I asked, but I saw no harm to either of us in asking, with the feast providing what seemed at the time a good justification. I see no reason for you to waste more time, however." She waves a dismissive hand. "Your efforts are appreciated, don't blame yourself for my asking the impossible. I'll try to be more reasonable in the future."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 28, 2018 0:01:58 GMT 1
Balon was relieved to see Laena wasn't too broken up about his failure. "Thank you my lady. As silly as it may sound I wanted to help, regardless of being in debt to you." He took another drink before setting the cup on the table. "Pardon my books," he casually waved to the three on the table, "I do enjoy reading about the Reach and keeping my Valyrian sharp with older poetry." Balon had a devilish smile, "But don't let people know I enjoy reading. It'd imply I'm more than some monstrous brute." he said the last part of the sentence sarcastically. I'll try to be more reasonable in the future." "Reasonable, Hmmm?" he gave her a faux stern look. ***Balon speaking in Valyrian until noted differently*** "Is it reason why you accused Lady Meadows of adultery and murder?" Balon chuckled, "When I told you you'd caught foot-in-mouth from me I didn't realize it was real." He leaned forward, more serious, "Would you like to tell me what the hell you were thinking?" There was a look of concern on his face.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 28, 2018 1:06:29 GMT 1
He took another drink before setting the cup on the table. "Pardon my books," he casually waved to the three on the table, "I do enjoy reading about the Reach and keeping my Valyrian sharp with older poetry." Balon had a devilish smile, "But don't let people know I enjoy reading. It'd imply I'm more than some monstrous brute." he said the last part of the sentence sarcastically. A sad look crosses her face momentarily, before she says "Your secret is safe with me." with such solemn formality and gravity that she has to be similarly flippant. Surely? "Reasonable, Hmmm?" he gave her a faux stern look. ***Balon speaking in Valyrian until noted differently*** "Is reason why you accused Lady Meadows of adultery and murder?" Balon chuckled, "When I told you you'd caught foot-in-mouth from me I didn't realize it was real." He leaned forward, more serious, "Would you like to tell me what the hell you were thinking?" There was a look of concern on his face. I was bored, and it sounded entertaining. She doesn't say that, though. When she does, she responds in Valyrian. "When I feel lost and without solid ground, I lash out. Ideally at someone responsible. Failing that, at someone deserving. And few are more deserving than her. Why, have you heard from one of your friends about what vengeance might be heading my way?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 28, 2018 21:15:59 GMT 1
Balon noted the sad look on her face but didn't press the issue. ...she responds in Valyrian. "When I feel lost and without solid ground, I lash out. Ideally at someone responsible. Failing that, at someone deserving. And few are more deserving than her. Why, have you heard from one of your friends about what vengeance might be heading my way?" "Do you truly feel lost?" There was a sadness in his eyes, "Is living under Lord Ulbert's roof that untenable to you?" Was this all related to Lord Byrce and her marriage prospects or was there more to it? "If you need to lash out you can take your frustrations out on me, I can take it." He forced a smile, "Just don't use that warhammer you call a fist." He rubbed his chest where she had play-hit him at the bread and salt ceremony, "I've just now regained feeling in my shield arm."
Balon was honest in response to her question, "I know not of any plans of vengeance but if you need help come to me. I imagine her response will be severe." Balon pursed his lips in thought, "How severe and in what manner I wouldn't know. But why her? Besides shunning other houses of the Reach what makes her so deserving?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 28, 2018 23:16:18 GMT 1
"Yes." She replies bluntly, still in Valyrian. "It's untenable. Ashara loves me, Aerion loves me, my children love me, but none *need* me. Selsa and Roslyn do a much better job raising my children than I do. Were I to die today, they'd all be *sad*, but none of their lives would significantly change for the worse.
"I'm not *necessary*.
"Nothing I do there actually *matters*. To anyone.
"All I do there is get *older*.
"So, yes, when I'm crossing a bridge to a place where I will be *needed*, where I will actually *matter*, and then just as I feel I'm almost there, the bridge gets washed away beneath my feet, and me along with it, you can bet that I feel lost, at least for a while, until I can find my own feet again, and find a new bridge to cross."
She permits him to see a small smile at his jest.
"What makes her so deserving? Adultery and murder." She responds bluntly. "What, did you think I just made that up? The adultery at least I got confirmed as being definitely true by an independent source. The murder is speculation, albeit speculation which perfectly fits the pattern of behaviour, but the rumour lost a lot of the nuance of what I actually said.
"It's like pulling the legs off of spiders. Dealing with feelings of powerlessness by seriously impacting the life of something else. Screaming 'I exist' into the uncaring void." She shrugs. "Maybe, with your life, you've never had to deal with feelings of powerlessness haunting you, in which case, I don't think I can help you understand."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 29, 2018 2:35:31 GMT 1
"What makes her so deserving? Adultery and murder." She responds bluntly. "What, did you think I just made that up? The adultery at least I got confirmed as being definitely true by an independent source. The murder is speculation, albeit speculation which perfectly fits the pattern of behaviour, but the rumour lost a lot of the nuance of what I actually said. "It's like pulling the legs off of spiders. Dealing with feelings of powerlessness by seriously impacting the life of something else. Screaming 'I exist' into the uncaring void." She shrugs. "Maybe, with your life, you've never had to deal with feelings of powerlessness haunting you, in which case, I don't think I can help you understand." Balon sat quietly and listened, "Some rumors have more grains of truth than others my lady." I would know... "According to the rumor mill I've bedded half the women here. But if your source can confirm the adultery then who am I to say anything about rumor mongering." Balon shrugged at the powerless comment, "Everyone has experienced powerlessness in some way. I was denied entry to the parade and completely incapable of changing that. Regardless of what I tried to do I was denied asking for the favor of the woman I wanted. Not as life altering as your predicament but it mattered to me. My goal for this tournament was to find a wife. How much power do I have in that decision now?" In reality Balon was to blame for his lack of options but he was blind to that. "Yes." She replies bluntly, still in Valyrian. "It's untenable. Ashara loves me, Aerion loves me, my children love me, but none *need* me. Selsa and Roslyn do a much better job raising my children than I do. Were I to die today, they'd all be *sad*, but none of their lives would significantly change for the worse. "I'm not *necessary*. "Nothing I do there actually *matters*. To anyone. Balon found it annoying when Laena demeaned herself though he did his best to hide it. "People need you my lady whether you realize it or not. Your brother needs you. Your children need you," I need you. "And their lives would be lessened by you absence. Just because they'd learn to live with it doesn't mean you're unnecessary.""You matter to me." he added quietly, "More than you realize."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 29, 2018 4:27:23 GMT 1
Laena's ears prick up when Balon mentions he couldn't ask for the favour of the woman he wanted. "Lady Denyse was not your first choice, then? Who was, out of curiosity?" "You matter to me." he added quietly, "More than you realize." Laena blinks at that, and there's a few moments' pregnant pause. She thought he liked her, but she hadn't expected him to say it so bluntly. And she wasn't sure how to respond. "Thank you." She finally managed, in lieu of anything clever. She felt the weight of a man's life in her hands, that heady brew that she was in a position to, if she had but the wit and will, influence a man's life. Improve it, if she wished. Destroy it if she wished, too, though she'd have a hard time competing with him in this particular case. Maybe, just maybe, she could change this man's currently-projected descent into a stable orbit. A Ser Robb Reyne, rather than a Ser Otho Bracken. But to do so, she'd need to get beneath his skin. She taps her fingers against the cup briefly before speaking again. "I'd like to ask you a strange question. It has, I imagine, many different answers. I want the first one that comes to your mind, no matter how it may sound. Just one, mind. No contorting the language to an endless sentence. Just one answer. "Who, or what, are you?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 29, 2018 5:07:14 GMT 1
Laena blinks at that, and there's a few moments' pregnant pause. She thought he liked her, but she hadn't expected him to say it so bluntly. And she wasn't sure how to respond. "Thank you." She finally managed, in lieu of anything clever. Balon began to internally panic at Laena's long pause. Why did you say that you moron. What did you think she was going to do, jump into your arms and profess her love? Stupid, stupid, stupid. When she thanked him he didn't know how to respond and simply nodded. She taps her fingers against the cup briefly before speaking again. "I'd like to ask you a strange question. It has, I imagine, many different answers. I want the first one that comes to your mind, no matter how it may sound. Just one, mind. No contorting the language to an endless sentence. Just one answer. "Who, or what, are you?" There were a dozen things that simultaneously popped into Balon's head, some flattering, some very much not. He settled on what he thought was the most true of him. "Determined."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 29, 2018 5:38:54 GMT 1
"Hmm." She files that detail away thoughtfully. "Determined. Synonyms include single-minded, purposeful, and unwavering. And you say that your purpose at this tourney was to find a wife.
"If I may ask, when did you take your first step at this tourney to accomplish this goal? And what was it?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 29, 2018 6:37:47 GMT 1
"If I may ask, when did you take your first step at this tourney to accomplish this goal? And what was it?" Balon looked to the ceiling and thought back to the beginning of the tournament. It seemed like a lifetime ago. "That's... a long winded answer." He took a drink before continuing, "On the ride to Highgarden I talked to my father about wanting to secure a bride. You were one of the first I thought of. So technically that was my first step." Balon left out the part where he thought being related to the Starkwoods was a drawback, "I asked for my father's advice and he said something along the lines of 'beauty fades over time, but love and loyalty will prove eternal. A pretty face is what you see, but love you'll have to discover.' So discover I did." He smiled thinking back to his first encounter with Laena, "We met by accident but I thoroughly enjoyed our talk. Your intellect matched your beauty." Balon made sure to make eye contact to show sincerity, "And that's not me just saying that because I want to take a gander underneath your frock." Balon reddened when he realized what he'd said, "I mean... that's not what I meant. I'm not just looking for a good tumble. I mean I'd want to, I just," Balon took a calming breath, "Never mind. Let's just move on. I talked to women to see if I thought something could be there. Some were exciting." He motioned to Laena. "Some were boring." he thought of Lysette. "Some were prim and proper and would be a dutiful wife. And some were attractive more for their inheritance than their personal qualities.""After that I asked Septon Abelar and my father to... " Balon looked for a way to phrase it, "make inquiries but that was a disaster. That's what I get for asking the fire and brimstone septon to speak on my behalf." Balon realized he'd started to ramble and tried to wrap things up, "I used the Green Yard dance to narrow my search. I didn't know you weren't going to be there or we would've had this conversation then." He added, "Of course I didn't know what was going on between you and Lord Bryce."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 29, 2018 8:28:21 GMT 1
"On the ride to Highgarden I talked to my father about wanting to secure a bride. You were one of the first I thought of. So technically that was my first step." She frowns a little at that, and slightly shakes her head. Not what she was after. Words to family and mere thoughts weren't important. "I asked for my father's advice and he said something along the lines of 'beauty fades over time, but love and loyalty will prove eternal.'
A sickeningly naive sentiment she'd expect from the man. If loyalty were eternal, spouses wouldn't cheat so often. And love fades to indifference terrifyingly quickly and easily, unless measures are taken by both participants to keep it alive. He smiled thinking back to his first encounter with Laena, "We met by accident but I thoroughly enjoyed our talk. Your intellect matched your beauty." Balon made sure to make eye contact to show sincerity, "And that's not me just saying that because I want to take a gander underneath your frock." Balon reddened when he realized what he'd said, "I mean... that's not what I meant. I'm not just looking for a good tumble. I mean I'd want to, I just," Balon took a calming breath, "Never mind. Let's just move on. I talked to women to see if I thought something could be there. Some were exciting." He motioned to Laena. "Some were boring." he thought of Lysette. "Some were prim and proper and would be a dutiful wife. And some were attractive more for their inheritance than their personal qualities."Something about his words made her feel a strange discomfort. Not his little slip, nor his reaction to it - that was, if anything, encouraging, that he didn't have his psychological barriers up to her. She tried to figure out what it was. Unfamiliarity. She'd been lightly flirted with, certainly. But pretty much as soon as she was of an age for things to be serious, she'd pursued Ser Vernan, and married him. No-one obviously said anything serious after that, and she'd only recently come out of mourning. This was the first time - actually the *first* time - she'd been seriously pursued. Every time before, she'd been the hunter. Though, were she not a Great Bastard, this would be normal. Being normal is fucking weird. She concluded. "After that I asked Septon Abelar and my father to... " Balon looked for a way to phrase it, "make inquiries but that was a disaster. That's what I get for asking the fire and brimstone septon to speak on my behalf." Balon realized he'd started to ramble and tried to wrap things up, "I used the Green Yard dance to narrow my search. I didn't know you weren't going to be there or we would've had this conversation then." He added, "Of course I didn't know what was going on between you and Lord Bryce." She doesn't correct him that she was actually present at the dance. That would be a distraction, and not an important one. Having let him finish before she responds, she takes a sip to try and organise her thoughts. "Firstly," she begins with a grin. "When you talk of ladies being more attractive for their inheritance than their personal qualities, you're talking about Lady Daena Roxton, aren't you? A man like you would find the opportunity to own Widowmaker more enticing than owning the land that would come with it, wouldn't you?" She frowns. "Out of curiosity, why didn't you ask your mother for help with the inquiries? She can be difficult to get on with, no insult intended, but her birth house would open doors, and, no insult to your father, even with our brief meeting, I could tell she was considerably more politically astute than her husband. Approaching a lord through his wife can work, depending on the lord, and good mothers will move the heavens for their children, given the opportunity. "Okay, now to the main point. You've mentioned a few things you've done to help narrow down who you *want* as a wife. But what have you *done* to make lords more inclined to consider you a suitable match for their relatives? House Blackbriar is, no insult intended, not much more significant than House Starkwood, and you're not in the line of inheritance. Meaning you can't rely on your House to sell you, it depends almost entirely on your personal deeds."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Nov 29, 2018 20:55:25 GMT 1
She frowns a little at that, and slightly shakes her head. Not what she was after. Words to family and mere thoughts weren't important. First a sad expression, now a frown and shaking of the head. Balon thought. You're doing great shit for brains. Added the voice in his head. Having let him finish before she responds, she takes a sip to try and organise her thoughts. "Firstly," she begins with a grin. "When you talk of ladies being more attractive for their inheritance than their personal qualities, you're talking about Lady Daena Roxton, aren't you? A man like you would find the opportunity to own Widowmaker more enticing than owning the land that would come with it, wouldn't you?" Balon felt like her question was a trap. Lady Daena was one of the more beautiful woman in the Reach with a chest you'd name mountains after. In addition to being comely her future husband was set to rule the Ringfort and inherit a Valyrian weapon. Naturally Balon had put her to the top of his list. But his actions in addition to Abelar's "inquiries" had most likely quashed any real attempt at gaining her hand. But if there was one thing Balon had learned over the years it was to never speak highly of a woman in the presence of another. Especially when you're equally interested in her. His answer was honest but cautious, "The idea of owning a Valyrian weapon and passing it down to my son is very enticing, that's true. And I know a lot of knights who'd literally kill for the chance to own one. But a sword doesn't win a war. A sword doesn't feed your family. And a sword doesn't guarantee strong healthy children." Balon paused deciding how much a valyrian weapon meant to him. The risque part of his mind wanted to make a point and Balon wasn't quick enough to stop it, "But a sword won't straddle my face. It won't give me children. It doesn't warm my bed at night. No, I think it's the woman that matters most. Land and fancy things can be gained later." It needed to because that's the only way Balon was going to get any at the moment. She frowns. "Out of curiosity, why didn't you ask your mother for help with the inquiries? She can be difficult to get on with, no insult intended, but her birth house would open doors, and, no insult to your father, even with our brief meeting, I could tell she was considerably more politically astute than her husband. Approaching a lord through his wife can work, depending on the lord, and good mothers will move the heavens for their children, given the opportunity. "My mother would love to see me marry Lady Tanda Peake but we both live in a place called reality. I mean who doesn't love Valyrian beauty but it's not happening. If it did I'd believe Lord Gormon had lost all of his senses." Balon had talked to his mother about options and her answer had been practical and frank, "She has made me aware of what would be a good match and I'm sure if I went to her and asked she'd help." Balon sighed, "I love my mother very much but she can be... prickly at times and she is not at my beck and call. I don't see her wasting time on a hunt she deems futile.""Okay, now to the main point. You've mentioned a few things you've done to help narrow down who you *want* as a wife. But what have you *done* to make lords more inclined to consider you a suitable match for their relatives? House Blackbriar is, no insult intended, not much more significant than House Starkwood, and you're not in the line of inheritance. Meaning you can't rely on your House to sell you, it depends almost entirely on your personal deeds." "What have I done?" he asked rhetorically, "I've made myself noticed, for better or worse. My actions have closed some doors but opened others." Balon thought over what he'd done, "The boring thing to do would be a chivalrous knight all prim and proper and do my best to advance far into the joust. But that's what a thousand knights tried. I asked for Lady Denyse's (Cordwayner) favor to show that I'd stand for a lady when no one else would." He left out his challenging of Ser Walton even if it had impressed men like Lord Walgrave and Lord Middlebury, "And though it was by sheer luck I helped rescue Ser Aladore Florent. Now I have an open invitation to serve at Brightwater Keep, a place where one could advance higher than if he remained at Gyldenhaal."
It hasn't been resolved yet but I'm going to include the smallfolk riot. "When the Merryweather camps were attacked I rushed to help. Not because I care for Lord Merryweather but his brother and good-sister don't deserve death. Ser Owen's children don't need to be ripped apart like Prince Maelor at Bitterbridge." Balon tried to use one of Laena's phrases, "I act. And people will take notice."
"Most importantly I'm sitting here now, talking to you."
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