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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 7, 2018 4:53:15 GMT 1
Ashara takes a deep breath, enjoying the rose-scented evening air.
"Indeed. I feel the same way about my good-mother-to-be as well. I do not think she likes me overly much. Not good enough for her son, I suppose."
She smiles.
"I doubt you have to deal with that much. Probably quite the opposite - too many mothers thinking you are the perfect match for their younger sons. I'm not sure which would be worse."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 7, 2018 6:39:35 GMT 1
"I have not yet had the...privilege of dealing with the mothers of suitors as of yet," Lysette says delicately. "I expect my lord father has been approached by some, gotten messages from others, but thus far he's kept his counsel about any such encounters."
She shrugs. "Even now he shelters me, as best he can."
Lysette looks at Ashara sidelong, reluctant to meet her eyes full-on. "May I ask a personal question, lady?"
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 7, 2018 14:10:20 GMT 1
"I was shipped off to Sunspear to be a lady in waiting when I was 10, as part of the King's peace efforts. Other than an aunt I saw a handful of times, I had only myself to rely on. At first, not being sheltered is frightening. Then, as you face and overcome new challenges, it makes you stronger."
Realizing that what she said could be construed as an insult to Lysette's father, she clarifies.
"I believe our parents shelter us out of love and a desire not to see us be hurt." It does not help that Andal custom treats women as if they are as fragile as glass and as weak as a mouse.
"...but you wished to ask me a question, not hear me ramble on about such matters. What did you want to ask?"
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 7, 2018 15:28:07 GMT 1
Lysette's lips quirked into a wry smile. "I grew up in a castle full of knights. I think there's little I don't know of being sheltered."
"But yes. Your...upcoming marriage. I may soon be in a similar position. I just...was hoping for some perspective. Is there anything you regret about it, or would have done differently if you could? I realize you were younger when the promise was made and you probably had no say, but if you had..."
She looked away, unsure where she was going with that suddenly. "I just mean...I'm going to have to choose someone soon, or the choice will be made for me. If you'd had a choice, what would you have done?"
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 7, 2018 16:50:52 GMT 1
"Oh, no, the betrothal is new. It was arranged just this past year while I was in Sunspear. I certainly did not have a voice in the decision though. In truth, I have little interest in marriage. I find most men to be... uninteresting. All they care about is stabbing - other men with one sword and women with the other." She shakes her head disparagingly. "If I had a choice, I would likely remain unwed. That is hardly an option for you, however. It would be a great shame for an honorable house like Starling to disappear. If I were you I would choose a husband that was not eager to run off to war - else you may find yourself a widow and back in the same situation you are now, or worse. It may be unpopular here in the Reach, but the Good King's peace is a benefit to us all. If Blackfyre presses his claim, we will all lose husbands, brothers, and fathers. Do yourself a favor, choose someone that supports Good King Daeron."
OOC: This seems like a good opportunity to roll for Blood score; she doesn't care if people know she supports Blood so adding her Status. Influence Blood - Persuasion(Charm)+Status+Graceful: 5d6k4+4+2 23
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 7, 2018 20:08:01 GMT 1
The lady Starling's eyes lit up at that, and she quickly, enthusiastically nodded.
"Oh no, I agree!" she blurted. "I mean, about...almost everything you said, really." Her cheeks colored a bit and she quickly recovered her poise. "I don't consider myself very political," Lysette admits sheepishly, "But war for the sake of war is a senseless waste. And if I didn't have the future of my House on my shoulders, I'd..."
She trails off, and shrugs. "...but in that regard I've as little choice as you did. All I truly hope for is a husband who will give me healthy children, who will not stain the name of my House...and who will permit me my eccentricities without complaint."
A self-deprecating smile. "I suppose I may as well wish to be crowned Empress as all that."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 7, 2018 20:22:43 GMT 1
"Well, this is certainly not Dorne, where women have a great many more freedoms..."
Ashara puts her hand on the other woman's shoulder, encouragingly.
"...but no one can make you say your vows. What could your father do, disown you? I could be left destitute if I were to do that, but your father needs you. If you stand your ground, I'm sure you could have some say in the matter."
She laughs.
"It would probably be better to make your feelings known ahead of time, though. Waiting until you are in the sept and refusing then would probably not go over well."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 7, 2018 20:36:05 GMT 1
Lysette's eyes widen at the thought.
"Oh no. I believe my father will support my choice, if it's at all acceptable. In fact, I think that's why so many suitors come to me at all. I just meant, I doubt I'll find a man with those qualities."
She looks away at that. "But in my hope of finding someone like that, am I dooming myself to a worse fate?"
Abruptly the lady shakes her head and looks back at Ashara.
"Maybe this has been enough talk of weddings and misgivings. Tell me about yourself, if it please you Lady Ashara? For example, you've been to Dorne? What was that like?"
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 7, 2018 23:45:39 GMT 1
"Oh, I can think of a couple that meet your description. Except for the Empress part. My brother is a bad choice unfortunately, as you are both heirs, but I have cousin. He's a decent sort, and if he does anything to displease you, his sister and I can visit and set him straight. He might even be able to get your Father's approval, he squired for Lord Tyrell... but here I am, pushing yet another man at you. The last thing you wanted, I am sure."
She shakes her head, a bit disappointed in herself.
"Dorne was... hot. At first it was unbearable, though the wind from the sea is amazing. Also, the food is so incredibly spicy. I swear I spent most of the first month in the latrine. I started to adapt though, and make some friends. Eventually I came to enjoy it very much. Women have many more freedoms, there, and are not treated as if they would be broken by a stiff breeze."
She gives a graceful twirl, her gown flaring out.
"I also learned to dance there, which has become one of my favorite activities."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 8, 2018 3:53:05 GMT 1
The expression Ashara's speech paints on Lysette's face is one of stark envy and fierce attentiveness.
"I've read about Dorne. It seems so strange such a different place is so close to us...I mean, relatively speaking. Did you have a chance to read any of their works by any chance? Their histories, are they the same as ours? Their language, their culture... Most of the books my father kept about them were military texts and...one can only read between the lines for so many things in those."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 8, 2018 4:46:38 GMT 1
"Well, from the lessons I received there, many of the events that are celebrated here are vilified there, and of course the reverse as well. Other than that, they do focus more on their own history, Nymeria and the Kings of Dorne and such. The language is the same, though I have heard that there are some who still speak Rhoynish - and of course the accent is different. The clothing too - it is better suited to sun and sand than what we wear."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 8, 2018 5:05:25 GMT 1
"Ah! Rhoynish!" Lysette actually bounced a little on her toes at that. "I've only seen passages in texts before. And some of the Companions learned a few words that I'm relatively sure are...colorful?...but they just get them passed down from older knights from the wars!"
"Do you know any?" she pleaded. "I'd love to actually hear it."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 8, 2018 5:57:32 GMT 1
Ashara shakes her head.
"Not many know more than a few words, so much was lost when the Red Princes outlawed it."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 8, 2018 6:41:27 GMT 1
Lysette is visibly deflated, but only for a moment.
"Pity, but of course you're right. It's a terrible thing to imagine something like an entire language simply vanishing. Uncounted years of story and poetry and song...just gone. And for what? Wounded pride?"
She refocuses on Ashara with an apologetic smile.
"But you mentioned you like to dance. Are there any you particularly enjoy? What sets apart Dornish dances from those of the other Kingdoms?"
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 8, 2018 14:40:05 GMT 1
"I really don't know why. It was a long time ago. It's said that the Orphans who ply the Greenblood still speak it in secret, though, and that it can still be heard from time to time in Planky Town. Can you imagine though, what it must have been like, the warrior-queen Nymeria leading her people as they sailed across the world - Sothoryos, the Summer Isles, and eventually, Dorne. What exciting times those must have been! It's said that the Rhoynar of old used water magics to defend their cities, and to protect them from the fires of Valyria's dragons. Of course, that was before the Doom, magic like that doesn't exist anymore."
She is clearly as deflated by that as Lysette was about the loss of the Rhoynish language.
"About dancing, the Princess and I were taught many styles. The queen is her aunt, so it was deemed she should be trained in the courtly dances of King's Landing as well as of Dorne. Partner dances, ring dances, even solo performance pieces. Dornish dances tend to be. Hm. More flamboyant - extended gestures and broad sweeping movements. More expressive than ours. Some," she adds, blushing slightly, "are rather provocative as well."
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