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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 23, 2018 4:30:07 GMT 1
At the edge of the Green Yard, Ashara stops to remove her shoes. She wasn't really all that concerned with tradition, so much, but it would not do to damage the turf, and besides the grass felt good underfoot.
As a place to meet it was not very private - a big open square of grass is no place to hide - but it does afford good visibility to make sure that one's conversation is not overheard. Not that she was too concerned about that, surely this would be nothing more than some pleasantries and typical maiden talk of betrothals and marriage.
Lady Lysette wasn't here yet, but if the Starling guard knew of what he spoke, she ought to be here shortly. In the meantime, Ashara walked towards the center of the yard, enjoying the feel of the grass on her bare feet.
This will be a good place to dance.
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 23, 2018 5:53:26 GMT 1
It was after breakfast, and Lysette headed to the Yard for a brisk morning walk to help digestion and get herself properly woken up for the day. It was a great time to think on matters while her body occupied itself with simple exercise.
As such, she nearly walked right past Ashara. The feet were what got her attention. Lysette had peripherally noted the lady crossing the grass and noticed that the poor thing had lost her shoes. Once her attention was gained, it took only a moment to realize who it was.
Lysette stopped in her tracks, eyes wide and blurted, "Ashara!" Immediately her cheeks colored as she remembered herself and amended, "I mean...Lady Starkwood. Lady Ashara. You haven't got your shoes. Do you...need any?"
Shut up, her brain hissed at her urgently. Shut up shut up.
She closed her mouth obediently. A moment later her brain submitted a much more measured and considered script.
"Please accept my apology? I'm always rather lost in my thoughts when I walk here, and you caught me completely off-guard." Lysette smiled ruefully. "It's wonderful to see you again."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 23, 2018 13:00:22 GMT 1
"Lady Lysette... shoes?" She looks down at Lysette's still-shoe'd feet. "Oh, I see. It's the tradition of the Green Yard. Only the unwed and virtuous are allowed here, and we are supposed to be barefoot."
She smiles, and holds up the shoes dangling from her left hand.
"It probably has nothing to do with purity and really is just to keep the grass in good condition. Still, the feel of the grass on my feet is rather pleasant. Oh, and Lady Starkwood is my mother. Really, I don't mind if you call me by name, titles are so... stuffy."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 23, 2018 14:13:10 GMT 1
Lysette nods, cheeks still flaming with embarrassment. Gods above, what was wrong with her? It wasn't like her at all to be so easily flustered.
"I agree. I just didn't want to assume." With a quick glance around to make sure no one was too close to overhear, she continued. "This is actually fortuitous. I'd been hoping to have a chance to talk to you again. Do you have a moment to spare?"
"I'd like to ask if you might be able to help me with something. And...also...I'm concerned. For your safety."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 23, 2018 15:48:50 GMT 1
"This is actually fortuitous. I'd been hoping to have a chance to talk to you again. Do you have a moment to spare?" "I came here because one of the guards at your camp said you like to walk this way in the mornings. My cousin Aerion said you wanted to speak to me, so I went looking for you." "I'd like to ask if you might be able to help me with something. And...also...I'm concerned. For your safety." A look of confusion crosses Ashara's face. "My safety? I don't understand. I know I have enemies who slander me and seek to ruin my reputation, but do you really think someone might try to do something... worse? What reason have you to think that someone would harm me?" |
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 23, 2018 18:03:12 GMT 1
"Oh yes, Ser Aerion..." Lysette nodded absently, then quickly shook her head. "As for your safety, I just...the sentiments about Dorne are getting out of hand."
Part of her wanted to explain how even the honorable Companions had bandied about the notion of inciting that fervor farther. Where would it end? And worse, how fared things outside the shield of a knight's honor, among folk who had far fewer impediments to acting on their worst instincts?
"Maybe I'm just over-concerned. I don't know of a specific threat. It's just a feeling. A cloud hanging over the tourney grounds, even when the sun's bright overhead."
She sighed. This wasn't going at all how she'd pictured it.
"Anyway...the other reason I wanted to see you was to ask if you might be able to help me size up some of the knights at the tourney as possible matches."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 23, 2018 18:17:56 GMT 1
Ashara nods.
"I understand. When I was in Sunspear, there were those who felt bitter towards us 'northerners'. Here there is bitterness towards the Dornish. I appreciate that you are concerned for me, but I have learned to keep a cautious eye. I am more worried for those less prepared, or those whose knightly honor may demand that they accept an unjust and unfair challenge."
Her voice takes on a disdainful tone.
"Many who make knightly vows to the Seven have no compunctions against violating those vows when it comes to giving in to wicked desires. Maybe even most. If you really want to know what a man is like, find a way to observe him when he thinks there are no ladies present to impress. Even better if there are no lords or superiors who might reign in their excesses."
A sly look crosses her face.
"Of course, those will be at places and times when it would be improper for a young noblewoman to be present, so it may be difficult. Not, however, impossible."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 23, 2018 19:18:19 GMT 1
"That's exactly the problem," Lysette agrees. "I can't ask myself. If I start asking about one knight or another, words grow wings and suddenly everyone will think I'm interested. The same is true of anyone known to be working for me, a servant or something. Not to mention that anytime I talk to a knight, suddenly he's flowery and...charming." She rolls her eyes at that. "Or what passes for it. And I know I'll never see otherwise until the deed is done."
"But...you're betrothed already, so I thought you might be more able to just talk to men without them immediately thinking they have to put on their best faces."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 23, 2018 22:18:03 GMT 1
Ashara sighs.
"Unfortunately my Dornish heritage tends to change the behavior of men, too - they either despise me for my mother's birthplace, or hope - or worse expect - that the stories of Dornish promiscuity are true."
She rolls her eyes, subconsciously mirroring Lysette.
"As if I would want to have anything to do with a man that only sees me for what's between my legs. No, if you want to truly know a man, talking to him is not the way. Nor is talking to others about him - too much potential for personal bias to shape what you are told. You must see and hear for yourself, and then trust in your own judgement."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 23, 2018 22:40:55 GMT 1
Lysette spread her hands. "I see the wisdom of what you say, but I'd be afraid of being spotted if I tried to hide. It'd be very embarrassing."
She glanced at Ashara curiously. "Is that something you do? Hide around and spy on men? What do you see?"
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 23, 2018 23:40:19 GMT 1
"It's not really something I do, but it is something I would do, if I were in your position. To me, the knowledge gleaned would be worth the risk of embarrassment. I'm not talking about peeking on them in the baths or anything. You want to know about their personalities, not their bodies."
She thinks for a moment.
"It might be tricky, but we could possibly dress you up as a man to go on the hunt. You wouldn't need to participate, just stay in the background and try not to draw too much attention to yourself. Or maybe you could hide in the galleries of the great hall during the celebration tonight."
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 24, 2018 0:22:50 GMT 1
A sudden gleam catches in Lysette's eyes at that thought.
"Do you think you could make me look like an old man?" she asks keenly. "It might be easier. They're often of slighter figure and shorter. And...could it be done quickly? Today?"
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 24, 2018 14:19:41 GMT 1
Ashara looks a bit surprised, and pauses in thought.
"An old man? Sorry, I'm no mummer - I've no clue how to give you convincing age lines or wrinkles. Flour in your hair to whiten it, perhaps... but it would probably fall out or leave marks on your clothes. The opposite is usually easier - a young boy, barely old enough to be squiring or even still a page. Or a servant of some sort. Noble born rarely look closely at servants, they are treated more like furniture than people. Of course, you would need to find some way to be useful. No offense, but I doubt you could do the duties of a porter. Are you good with animals, or a fast runner?"
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Post by Lysette Starling on Jul 26, 2018 22:12:37 GMT 1
Lysette laughs. "It's no offense to be told I wouldn't make a good servant," she replies lightly. "But no, I wouldn't consider myself especially fast, or...well my horse likes me well enough."
She shrugs, a little disappointed. "I was thinking an older man, maybe with some coverings over his face...I can speak like an older man rather well. I used to tease our maester that way. Really though, how would any of this work?"
With a hand, Lysette indicated the curves of her hips and bust. "I'm not going to pass for a boy or man just by draping myself in different clothes."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jul 27, 2018 1:31:13 GMT 1
"Well, with enough padding you might be able to pass as a rather overweight youth... but that would probably stand out too much. an old man with his face covered... no, hiding your face makes people think you are trying to hide your identity, which invites all the wrong sort of attention. Maybe if you everyone else around was looking at some sort of distraction and you were hiding in a dark corner trying not to be seen, perhaps, but that would never work out in the forest in full daylight."
She shakes her head.
"No, I'm starting to think the hunt won't work at all. You'd only be able to tag along with one hunting party anyway, so you would only get to see a few of your suitors. If we could observe the feast after the hunt thought, that would be ideal. Trying to dress as a man to get in would have all the same problems, but we could probably sneak into the balcony over the great hall without too much difficulty. If we are careful we should be able to see and hear a good deal without anyone seeing or hearing us."
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