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Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 24, 2019 13:03:48 GMT 1
"A floral white sounds wonderful, thank you." Laena was hardly one to turn down such an offer, though she makes sure that her casual browsing of the room keeps Marsa's hands in her view as she pours their wine. Not that she expects poison, but Mara's skill at deception has Laena's instincts screaming warnings at her.
"It was certainly a pleasant evening. We ate, drank, played cards. Do you play?" She asks casually, as if the thought just occurred to her. She shakes a finger in thought. "You strike me as the kind of lady who doesn't really play that much. Maybe you even need an occasional reminder of the rules? But occasionally, the Seven themselves look down favourably and bless you with incredible fortune. Am I close?"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 24, 2019 17:59:20 GMT 1
Marsa... um.... tittered? "Oh, I do play, but I have absolutely no head for cards." She replied as she handed Laena her glass. "You are right that fortune does smile on me occasionally."
Closing the doors to the sitting room, Malyk plunked down in a comfortable chair with a sigh. "I know it's difficult, Marsa, but could you at least stop levitating for a little while? Your giving me a crick in my neck." He said blandly. "I have some serious things to discuss with you."
The woman wafted over to him and caressed the man's cheek for a moment. "My sweet Malyk; always so serious. You rarely visit the Siren's Call any longer. There isn't a man or woman there that wouldn't throw themselves at your feet for all the kindness you have done them. Although, perhaps you don't need us now that you stole that beautiful young man from the Highgarden brothel."
"I have no romantic feelings for William, or anyone at the moment." He replied evenly. "Have a care, Marsa. You should know me well enough to know what lines you should not cross."
The woman laughed as he kicked off her shoes and reclined on a chaise. "Senschal Malyk. The man who loves almost everyone, but is *in* love with no-one. Still, sex is not love, no matter they get confused. You won't have that amazing little body of yours forever, you should enjoy it while you do. Merchant Sarine is up to ten gold dragons for a single night with you.
He didn't even blink at the colossal sum. "Tell him fifty and I will give him a night his weak heart probably won't survive. The orphanage needs renovation and expanding with the coming war." He replied casually. "Sex is pleasant enough, but I prefer intimacy far more. True intimacy can't be bought and it requires honesty you and your people do not possess." Not a criticism, just a statement of fact. "You provide people fantasy, which is just a prettier word for lies. When I have sex with someone, I need more and better reasons than the simple act of pleasure."
"I think you underestimate the number of people who care about you and would happily climb into your bed."
"I don't, but you underestimate me if you think I will take advantage of that. Most who desire sex are only thinking of themselves. I think of the other person first and the consequences it may bring to them. There are some, like Barce, where laying with him helped him to become a more confident and better person. When he finally finds the soul he is destined to be with, he will be experienced in recognizing that person and on solid ground. In most other cases, what people wish for is not the same as what's best for them."
Marsa shook her head in wonder. "I know you take great pains to never lie, so I believe you when you say you are Aegon's son, but it amazes me it is so, as you are complete polar opposites."
"Really?" He replied, thinking back over the evening and the death of Andrueon. "I'm starting to think I have more in common with Aegon than I would like to admit."
"Well, I know you are happy, but that does not mean you can't be happier. It wouldn't hurt you to be just a little bit selfish occasionally. Perhaps not Barce or William, but one of the many other young men or women that look at you with longing. I know genuine desire when I see it and that is often the start of deeper affection. It is unkind of you not to give some of them a chance."
For the first time in the evening, Malyk seemed a little rattled. While it seemed Marsa wanted the best for him, that did not stop her from weaponizing his own virtue to make her point. Alexia may have her intellect and ruthlessness, Ceryllia may have her marshal skill and loyal men, but Marsa had insight into people and words like blades in velvet sheathes. It perhaps made her one of the most dangerous people in the Tear.
"What do you think Laena? Surely someone as special as Malyk deserves someone special in his life?"
It could be Marsa wanted Malyk to have love in is life, or it could be she was looking for leverage she currently did not have against the Senechal. It may even be that she wanted both. That was the problem with the truly great liars of the world. You never knew what they wanted until it was usually too late.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 26, 2019 0:15:34 GMT 1
"Firstly, I spent the first eleven years of my life living in constant terror of the man, so trust me, Malyk, when I say that you are *nothing* like our father. You may not be perfect, certainly, but that doesn't make you our father; it makes you *human*.
"Now," turning to Marsa, "to answer your question: yes. Malyk deserves someone special in his life. But I do like your choice of words. Someone *special*. It is not a kindness to indulge the fantasies of those who would share his bed for their sake - they will never make him happy, because that's not their goal. I haven't even met them, and I can tell from your descriptions that they are small, petty, boring people, with small, boring, petty lives and desires. To sample some from that list would simply be a disservice to those he does not pick, while those he does pick will undoubtedly suffer more from the explicit rejection they would inevitably face.
"Malyk is special. He deserves someone *special*. When such a person appears, they will not need their praises sung by a madam, because their own song will be loud enough for someone as in-tune with his surroundings as Malyk to hear all on his own."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 26, 2019 2:53:42 GMT 1
"I'm sorry." replied Marsa with a soft smile. "I did not mean to offend."
Malyk pondered both Marsa's and Laena's words for a long moment. "Marsa, you are dedicated to bringing pleasure to others; and more than a little dedicated to your own pleasure. Unlike many, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. You make people happy, even if that happiness is short-lived or an illusion. While I respect what you do, I am not you.
William is special, and he is beautiful, and he is clever. He will grow into a remarkable young man if he is allowed to. He looks at me with adoration because I took him away from a miserable situation where he was certainly being abused by a brothel that had less appreciation for his abilities than you do for those who work for you. You at least look at those who work for you as people, not commodities to be bought and sold." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "But I don't want to be 'adored'. Even if I returned his feelings, and perhaps I do in some small way, I would never exploit our relationship or his feelings or anyone else's with casual sex that I don't desire or would be harmful to our relationship. More than enough men have taken advantage of him. I won't add my name to that list. I also won't pretend to return someone's feelings on the *chance* those feelings will grow. I do take risks, but with my own life, not the lives of others. Their lives are their own and it is not my place to gamble with something so valuable that does not belong to me."
He sighed and sipped his drink. "I am well aware I am different than everyone else. I don't think like others. My desires are different than others. I don't believe I even see or hear the same as others. I don't *think* I am mad, but I am clearly not 'normal' either. I have come to accept that and accept the way the Seven made me. If the Maiden has someone in store for me, I am sure her will and wisdom will be made clear.
I feel a bit sorry for Aegon. He was the most powerful man in the world and completely impotent in his power. That impotence created a massive hole in his soul that only grew over the years, no matter how much food or women he tried to stuff in to fill the void." He looked at Leana with deep compassion. "Still, while that is a reason, it is not an excuse. His actions were vile by even the most forgiving standard. I am deeply sorry you had such a terrible childhood. I cannot imagine growing up with that kind of fear and misery every day. My childhood may have been filled with hard work and little luxury, but it was a very happy one and I would not change a moment of it. Whatever Lord Levalle's reasons for doing what he did, I cannot fault him for his choice if I am perfectly content with the result."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 27, 2019 19:14:49 GMT 1
Laena casually waves the apology away as unnecessary.
"I think you are feeling the bite of your upbringing." She says to Malyk. "Were it known from birth that you were one of Us, I doubt you would have ever been called 'mad'. That was attached to you as you were different enough from your fellows that they could not understand you, and it is typical of small-minded folk to label what they do not understand in such a way. The eccentric brilliance of the Targaryen blood may, however, express itself in many different ways. By Our standards, you are practically ordinary, for all that you are undoubtedly special."
She frowns at his last words. "Lord Alliser has still not explained the 'why' of it to you? I can understand why he may not wish that to be widely shared, but I would suggest you ask. Even if you do not wish to know now, if there is any possibility you may wish to know in the future, you should ask, simply because if you wait, it may be too late. The Black Tourney proved all too well that tomorrow isn't guaranteed for any of us, and if you wait until you do want to know, it may already be too late."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 28, 2019 4:52:45 GMT 1
The casual dismissal of Laena's childhood trials meant they were either healed or buried. Either way, this was not the time or the place.
"The truth slipped out during a rather heated discussion over Abelar. Perhaps a small good that was born from that tragedy, I am not yet sure. He gave reasons, chief among them protection of my Mother. Lord Levalle has many considered reasons for what he does, and I do not believe he has ever lied to me, although deception from omission is quite common with him. Even if the reasons he gave me are true that does not mean they are the only reasons on even the foremost ones."
"Protecting your Mother *is* a noble goal." said Marsa smoothly. "Especially if it was Lady Delana."
Malyk's gaze turned to her, unreadable. "That's a rather interesting, and somewhat dangerous conjecture, especially considering your position." It was clear he was not about to confirm or deny any candidate
The woman laughed lightly and shrugged. "It is only what some others are saying. It is not an unreasonable theory. I know love and I know Lord Levalle loves Lady Delana to distraction, despite his frequent visits here. It is not much of a stretch to think he would keep you close and look after you if you are his wife's son."
"Unusual to put such a son to work scrubbing pots in Levalle kitchens."
"I don't think so." She smiled. "Lord Levalle does not strike me as spiteful, which might be a reason for some, but they would likely simply get rid of you if that was the case. No, more of a better way of concealing you. Few would think a scullery boy the blood of the dragon."
"Given the number of woman forced to lay with Aegon, I would be willing to wager there are quite a few scullery boys, stable boys and servants that are blood of the dragon. If you think that you will trick me into revealing who my Mother was, you should know better Marsa."
"Oh? So you *do* know who your Mother was." grinned Marsa as she sipped her drink. "Well, if it was Lady Delana, then I don't see how you owe any loyalty to a mother that ignored her son his entire life, living under the same roof no less. If it wasn't then you owe even less loyalty to some noblewoman who has been absent all these years."
"There is no guarantee my mother was noble."
"Of course she was." Another musical laugh. "If she was a commoner there would be no need for such secrecy, would there?"
Malyk made no replay. Any answer he might give would only give ammunition to this skillful woman.
"Well, it is up to you, of course." she shrugged. "I know how loyal you are to Lord Levalle, but I think it's wrong for him to keep your birthright from you. You should be legitimized." She glanced at Leana. "Surely at least in that we can agree, can we not *Lady* Laena?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 30, 2019 3:16:38 GMT 1
Laena nods. "He should be. His honesty is renowned, and he claimed the legacy publicly. To delay excessively will only promote speculation and rumour as to the reason, likely tarring whoever Lord Levalle wishes to protect, likely as well as several innocents. Or several *other* innocents, if you prefer.
"I do disagree on him owing his mother any loyalty, though. There are far worse things a mother can do than ignore their child, and he himself has said that he had a happy childhood. And he came through it handsome, talented, and famous, even before the reveal of his legacy. If my children grow up so well, I will be a proud mother indeed. I will not say that his mother definitely played an invisible part in gently smoothing the way for that success, but I will not discount the possibility.
"Regardless, whatever story takes hold of the popular consciousness first is typically the one that sticks. Better if that story is one of your crafting, putting your mother in the best light possible, rather than waiting for rumour to plant a more lurid and scandalous tale that will be hard to weed out."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 30, 2019 18:54:26 GMT 1
Looking back and forth between the two woman, Malyk was obviously uncomfortable. He had been on solid ground believing that silence was the best way to protect his Mother, but Laena had called that into question, and her argument was compelling. He trusted in the Seven to guide him, but the Seven worked through people to make their will known.
At that moment, a young man entered and whispered in Marsa's ear. Their hostess smiled at her guests. "Will you excuse me for a moment. Help yourself to more refreshment if you wish."
After she was gone the Senechal puffed his cheeks out with an exhale of relief. The Mother had been kind to him by giving him a respite from Marsa's insidious attacks. "This is the first time I have had a secret of my own to defend against her." He sighed. "It is far easier to keep the secrets of others than ones of your own. I stand by what I said at the tourney and my reasons for it, but if I am completely honest with myself, I was slightly selfish as well. I had no secrets of my own before that night and seized the first opportunity to divest myself of it. I think that my words had their intended result but I may have made my own situation worse and worse for Lady... the Lady. By telling the partial truth the full truth almost demands to be revealed. I knew this of course, but did it anyway. Once the truth has a crack, it is almost inevitable it will spill out."
He wiped his face with a hand. "Fencing with Marsa can be trying at the best of times and I doubt she is alone in her desire to know the truth. I also doubt they will cease their efforts just to make me more comfortable. I believe, in part, she wants the best for me, or what she views as the best for me, but it cannot be denied that having a personal connection with a Great Bastard is more valuable than simply having a personal connection with the Seneschal of House Levalle. Perhaps coming here was a mistake for me. It is easier to defend against strangers than friends even if they are as skilled as Marsa.
Honestly, I don't have a choice. The Seven may want the truth to be known or they would not have had it slip out from one as cagey as Lord Levalle after so many years; but I cannot be disloyal to the man and the House that raised me and protected me all my life or betray the one that bore me after being so grievously harmed by our Father. If I am destined to be a Great Bastard, so be it, but I cannot seek it at the expense of those I care for."
It was pretty obvious at this point Malyk's Mother was Lady Delana, as there was no other noblewoman in all of Westeros he would have the same caring and connection to, but he would clearly die before her name passed his lips. Lord Levalle would have to reveal the truth or Lady Delana would have to give Malyk permission to do so; which he would never ask. For a young man of his integrity and dedication, there were simply no other options.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 1, 2019 0:10:45 GMT 1
Laena happily goes to the bar and tops up her glass when the offer is made, as she listens to Malyk.
When he is done, she takes a few moments, sipping lightly, as she considers a thought. "It's interesting, to me. How all this came to be. You say that the Seven wish it to be known, because how else would it come to pass that a man as cunning as Lord Levalle would let the truth slip?" She shrugs. "A perfectly valid conclusion. But for me, before I consider a divine motive, I first eliminate all human ones.
"What if - and this is just a theory, mind - Lord Levalle let the information slip on purpose? But he did it in a deniable way. A very *human* way. No-one, not even those close to him, could condemn him for making such a slip in the heat of the moment. While, were he to break the news obviously deliberately, he could well be condemned for harming the reputation of your mother for the sake of getting a Great Bastard of his own." She hesitates a moment. "If that even *is* his motive. I won't pretend that I am in any way your lord's equal, particularly when I'm half-drunk. Perhaps he saw the Lady Johanna Meadows affair brewing, and predicted how much damage the revelations would do her when they were exposed in an uncontrolled manner? Deciding that definitely taking a controlled hit at a time of your choosing is better than probably taking an unexpected strike at the worst possible moment?"
She shrugs again, and takes another sip. "In which case, with Lord Levalle unable to act without damaging his reputation further, and you unwilling to act for your own advancement in a way which would harm your mother, you'd need a third actor to break the impasse, one without such loyalties, but ... a known factor. Reliable, in their way. Someone to force Lord Levalle's hand, providing him the cover he needs." A small smile, and another sip. "All speculation, of course, with not a shred of evidence to back it up. But when I do finally sit down to discuss business with your Lord, I wonder what the subject matter will be."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 4, 2019 20:42:21 GMT 1
"That certainly sounds like one of my Lord's schemes; convoluted on the surface but a relatively simple goal at it's core." He sighed. "It's also reasonable to assume you are the most likely candidate for that 'third party'." He shook his head. "If that is the case, I'm sorry Laena. I have no desire to see you manipulated in such a way and certainly not for my benefit."
He finished his drink and rose to stand by the hearth. Perhaps the drink or the conversation, he seemed melancholy. "I don't like seeing people tricked or manipulated. I'm sure Alexia thinks I manipulated the pirate into getting himself killed. I didn't. I simply presented him with a choice and enforced the consequences of that choice. While I will not deny I am glad he is gone, I make no claim that I desired him dead or guided him to that goal.
It is strange that Lord Levalle and I almost always agree on goals and almost never agree on method. It seems like nobles would build a cottage by starting with the roof. I have no idea what kind of noble I would make, but I doubt I will like it very much and I am pretty sure the other nobles will hate it. Even the most devout, dutiful and honorable nobles only seem to do what is right when it is in their best interests or it costs them nothing. Even when they supposedly 'do what is right' it brings little justice.
Lord Tyrell hangs a few hundred men to show what a 'strong' and 'just' leader he is. Neither is true, of course, and he could hang all of Higharden and it wouldn't make it so. Lord Marq manipulates everyone around him with such masterful skill one wonders how he can possibly keep track of such a myriad of schemes. Perhaps he doesn't. Perhaps that's what makes it interesting and exciting for him. Lady Johanna, Lady Maegelle, Lady Helicent, even you to a degree, manipulate with such intensity of purpose that the only two options left are winning or dying.
I don't know what your answer will be if Lord Levalle asks this of you. I don't want to know. I only ask you do what you think is right, not right for me, right for him, or even right for you. I've spent my life tying to make the lives of those around me better; and yes that means my life too. That path almost always requires compromise. It is where no-one usually gets what they want, but nearly everyone gets what they need. From what I have seen, the root of all misery comes from selfishness; the black tourney was no different. I'm not good at being selfish and I don't think that is a lesson I want to learn, given where that path usually leads. You were brought up in that world and I frequently rely on those who are experts in their field." He smiled softly. "I would get nothing done if I only relied on my own knowledge. If this choice is asked of you, do what you think is best and I will rely on your judgement."
Despite their short relationship, Malyk had decided to place enormous trust in Laena, fully considered, freely given, and unreserved. It was perhaps not as surprising as it seemed. He was a man of great faith in the Seven and faith in those he served and served with him. That trust came with no expectations or obligations other than whatever actions she took be her best. In retrospect, all Malyk ever asked of anyone was that they do their best.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 8, 2019 18:09:45 GMT 1
Laena considers his words and her answer for a good few moments, sipping carefully, before finally answering. "You probably don't want to hear me ask this, but how do you determine what is 'right'? Whether you look at the Seven Pointed Star, or the demands of society, what is 'right' for me as a woman seems to revolve entirely around getting married and having children. Bonus points if they're my husband's." She adds dryly. "I tried that. It didn't take. "Now I live in this 'grey zone', where my blood largely allows me to make my own rules, so long as I stay shy of outright scandal, and even that line is pushed further than it would be for others. I remind those who have transgressed grievously that none are above the Seven, and I bring no harm to those who have not brought it upon themselves by their own actions. "I have no idea if that qualifies as 'right' or 'just'. "A knight saves the miller's daughter from the rapacious interest of a bandit, and the act is hailed as 'right and just'. That same knight is then complicit in helping his lord whore out his niece to the king in exchange for high office. This, too, is hailed as 'right and just'. "The only definition of those words I have heard that matches my experiences is 'The course of action which serves the interests of the most powerful interested in the matter'. But I don't think that is what you mean. Nor is that a definition many would admit to, even as they cleave tightly to it. "So I consider common considerations of 'good' and 'bad' all but meaningless. 'Morality' is but a shapeless void we imagine pattens in when we stare at it too long. It has no meaning save what we choose to impose. "Until we face our Final Judgement, and finally discover if the random patterns we saw in the shapeless void were pleasing to the Father." It's pretty clear that alcohol has loosened her tongue somewhat, revealing more of her true thoughts than she ordinarily would, pessimism cut through with bitter melancholy.
"So don't ask me to do what is 'right'. I don't even know what the word means."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 9, 2019 10:53:09 GMT 1
"Good and bad are often matters of perspective, I agree. However, I think most people know good and evil intuitively. It is their selfishness that conflates what is good with what is good for them. They look at the world as if through a keyhole, and they know in their hearts when they do a evil thing, even when they staunchly justify or ignore that moral sense. Of course the world is not perfect, and neither are we. I judge the world, perhaps not as good and evil for the most part, but as help and harm. What is the greatest benefit that can be obtained in any given situation for the least amount of suffering?
Take the recent actions of Abelar as an example. Most would agree that Lord Eldon's death would be a boon and a relief to many. Had Abelar hired an assassin to slit his throat or poison him, that would be called an evil act, but the amount of good it would have brought the world, the amount of future suffering it would have avoided would be incalculable. Instead he sacrifices hundreds of lives and his actions lead to the death of many, impacting the lives of their families, friends and community. Instead of great good, incalculable loss and pain; while Lord Eldon still lives to continue his depredations. His actions will also stream out in greater and greater circles, harming both the nobility and the church. Every action we take is like a stone in a pond that ripples out through the world touching many lives.
Abelar believed he was right, and in a way he was. Eldon is vile and he should be removed; should have been removed long ago by his peers. However, to right this wrong, Abelar chose to sacrifice lives. Lives that were not his to sacrifice. Lives that did not bear the responsibility to address the situation. Lives that had faith in his words and believed they could not lose because they were doing the Seven's will. Had he truly wished Eldon dead and believed it was necessary and good, there are many things he could have done that would accomplished his goal without risking grievous harm and suffering to thousands of lives. However he did not, could not have given their lives even a moments thought or he would not have done what he did. He had no right to sacrifice even one life except his own, never mind hundreds, to his ambition, however worthy his goal.
Lord Gorman is another that cares nothing for the harm he does. I don't know if Blackfyre would make a good King or not, but I doubt Gorman cares one way or another. He seeks to satisfy his ambitions just like Abelar. Thousands will die as a result. Tens of thousands will suffer. Perhaps hundreds of thousands will be harmed in some way or another unto generations yet unborn or may never be. The Father himself could appear before me and tell me Blackfyre should be King and I would still be against the war. I cannot imagine what good could come of such a war that would be worth the price paid. If Lord Gorman truly believed that Blackyre should be King he could think of another way even if that meant sacrificing his own life, but this war will not be about who should be King, it will be about Gorman's and other's power. Dead men have no power.
Of course none think of that price because they all believe they won't be the one to pay that price, and for the most part that will be true. The price will be paid by boys who will never reach manhood, young men cut down in the prime of their lives, mothers losing their children, wives losing their husbands. Women forced into working in this brothel and others to support their families. Orphans seeking refuge where they can, assuming they don't die on the street.
There will be others there waiting to prey on their suffering. Men and women just like Gorman who put their ambitions ahead of the lives of anyone and everyone around them. Perhaps they will be as powerful as Lord Eldon seeking to become more powerful or simply revel in their power. Perhaps they will be like Andrueon who simply prey on the weak and climb over them to gain advantage. Perhaps they will be just another one of the small and petty people who believe in order to win someone else must lose. All of them will be given opportunities they might not otherwise have because of Lord Gorman's ambition and greed.
I may not always know what is right, but I'm very good at seeing what is wrong. Sometimes doing what is right amounts to fixing what is wrong. Whether something is working correctly may often be a matter of perspective, but even a child can recognize when something is broken.
I face these questions every day, and there is never a perfect answer. I am surrounded by murderers, rapists, thieves, assassins, pirates and whores. Every day I must ask myself what is the greatest good for the least harm. I cannot predict the future. I must rely on my experience, knowledge, and yes.. sometimes intuition and faith to make those choices. In many ways Marsa is infinitely more dangerous and ruthless than her predecessor, but the good she does in the city far outweighs the harm she does, and is night and day compared to the man she replaced. Alexia is the lesser of many evils, but if all your choices are bad the least harmful is the 'good' option. I doubt the Commander even cares about 'right' or 'wrong' any longer. Lives to her don't matter any more, perhaps not even her own, except for the lives of her men which she values the way Lady Rhonda values her art collection. Still, she does far more good in the city than she does harm, and the harm she does do is usually to those who are causing much greater harm themselves.
So when I ask you to do what is right in this situation, I ask you to choose whether legitimizing me would do more good than harm. I can't answer that question. I have no knowledge or frame of reference to even begin to make that choice. I won't stop being who I am. I will use whatever power I have, large or small, to protect those who deserve it and hold responsible those who deserve it. I will continue to do what I think is best.
Most importantly, I will continue to believe that every soul put here by the Seven has value be they King or stableboy. I can't help everyone. I can't even help most people on any given day, but helping even one person is a victory. That is the core of my life. One small, almost insignificant victory at a time. Each slave freed a small win. Each person given an opportunity to be better they might not have had a small win. Each family relieved of some suffering a small win. Each townsfolk who walks down the street without fear a small win. I have done some terrible things in my life. Sometimes terrible things must be done; but when I stand before the Father, be that sooner or later, I will look him in the eye and not regret a single note of my song because the music will live on even if no-one remembers who sang the melody."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 10, 2019 20:24:51 GMT 1
Laena frowns in thought and idly swirls her drink as Malyk speaks. Honest, unambitious, altruistic. He'll make a *terrible* noble. But it will be fascinating to see how others react to him. Being a Great Bastard puts a lens to you, making your actions larger. How will nobility react to such a rarity? Some will be inspired, others angry as he exposes their petty nature without even trying. Probably won't be good for his long-term health, but perhaps he'd consider that a good trade.
Ultimately, she shrugs, and takes another sip. "It may not even be relevant. But if it is, I'll try my best to act according to your wishes."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 11, 2019 8:26:56 GMT 1
"I cannot ask for more, of you or anyone."
It was a few moments later that Marsa returned, on her arm a young man. This man was different than the others who littered her manse. Attractive, perhaps, in an undefinable way. He had dark hair and dusty skin denoting at least some Dornish or Essos blood. He was fit, but seemed delicate and fragile in some ways; like a glass sculpture, although his erect stance and graceful movements implied a durability that only time could remove. Most notable was his eyes, because they were not there, replaced by amber stones. His gaze, if it could be called that, was both fascinating and a little unnerving. His arm around Marsa's was, in part, so he might be led, though he obviously was very familiar with rooms and objects around him.
"Look who I found!"
"Erryk!" Malyk lit up like the sun coming from behind a dark cloud. He strode to the man and hugged him so tightly and warmly one might expect him to shatter into pieces. The young man returned that hug with equal deep affection.
"I have missed you."
"I have missed you too." Malyk replied, squeezing the boy harder. "I am sorry I haven't been by to see you sooner."
"You can *see* me any time you want." He chuckled. "I know his Lordship keeps you busy running his House and fixing his mistakes. I was just worried. I've heard a lot about the tourney and little of it was good. I'm just glad you are back safe for us."
"Safe in the Tear being relative." smiled the Senechal.
Marsa glided to the bar to refill her drink. "You two boys catch up. I can entertain Laena for a while."
Malyk glanced at Marsa. He knew he was being maneuvered. Clearly Marsa had an agenda. She always did. Perhaps she expected Erryk to learn 'the secret', although that was unlikely. Even if Erryk tried to pry it out of him, which he would never do, he wouldn't tell anyone, even Marsa, and Malyk would never tell him, for his safety if nothing else. If she wanted a quiet word with Laena, more power to her. If anyone could handle Marsa, Laena could. With an acknowledgement, the boys retired to another room.
Marsa sighed "You are right, Laena, about most people being small and petty. As much as I want Malyk to be happy, I doubt he would be happy with anyone but Erryk. He found his special someone years ago and unknowingly compares anyone he meets to him. They say love is blind, and that is almost always true. In this case the love is so blinding it blinds them to each other. Malyk would reorganize the world for Erryk if it was needed. It wouldn't surprise me if he managed to do it, either. Certainly he reorganized a small part of it." She moved to recline upon the lounge. "I wouldn't be sitting here today were it not for Erryk and Malyk's love for him."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 11, 2019 14:37:11 GMT 1
"How convenient that Malyk's One True Love just happens to work for you." Laena notes dryly. "Still, this sounds like an interesting story, and one that Malyk wouldn't volunteer, modest soul that he is. How about you tell me about Erryk and Malyk's love and its role in getting you here?" Carefully choosing her words so as to not reveal she already knew at least most of the story from Alexia without outright lying. She wanted to see what the other woman would do with the rope she was handing her.
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