|
Post by Lysette Starling on Oct 30, 2018 1:21:30 GMT 1
Lysette smiles and tucks into the spin, and manages to pull it off. She's not truly clumsy; she simply lacks the effortless grace that comes so naturally to Ashara. Her hair splays out in a wide semicircle, flashing in the sunlight. For that moment she forgets to be nervous and is just enjoying herself. She's still giggling to herself when Ashara reels her back in to resume the dance.
"I'd forgotten about that part," Lysette admits, beaming happily and reaching up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. "As for who I'll dance with, well Ser Aemon of course. It wouldn't do to pass over the knight who bore my favor. Aside from that, I hadn't given it much thought."
|
|
|
Post by Ashara Starkwood on Oct 30, 2018 2:25:29 GMT 1
"I don't know if Ser Quentin would dare show up - it's frowned upon we betrothed participating, and I doubt his mother would let him do anything that could ever be frowned upon. Even if we were, I don't know as I would dance with him. He's rather boring."
She smiles.
"Given your... position... I would suggest using the opportunity to get to know potential suitors. Ser Aemon wearing your favor is one thing, but what do you really know of him? He could be worse than Ser Quentin. You are lucky to have choices - if I were to dishonor my family I could be cast out. I don't think my father would, but he could. If your father picks a groom and you refuse... what can he do?"
|
|
|
Post by Lysette Starling on Oct 30, 2018 4:09:55 GMT 1
With a nod and shrug, Lysette looks away briefly. "Not much, but please understand I have no wish to put him in that position. It falls to me to see the House goes on, and I will not shirk that duty."
"You're right I don't know much about Aemon. I've let myself be distracted when I should have been trying to learn more. He seems to be a fine enough knight."
|
|
|
Post by Ashara Starkwood on Oct 30, 2018 5:04:26 GMT 1
Ashara smiles.
"My point was simply that you are lucky enough to have some choice in the matter - and from what you have said your father recognizes it and seeks your input. I doubt you would ever have to force the point."
Unlike myself.
"Also, you are young yet, there is no reason to rush the matter, is there?
|
|
|
Post by Lysette Starling on Nov 6, 2018 6:05:35 GMT 1
"I know I'm lucky," Lysette sighed. "Everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am. I'm not ungrateful about it. I just feel so paralyzed sometimes. Freedom is a fine thing, but when you're choosing between..." knives to stab yourself with? Is that really how I feel about this?
She falls silent, leaving the words unsaid, then says, "I'm young, but there's some cause not to delay too much longer. I don't think I have to choose here at this tourney, but I need to at least begin to decide. Otherwise events will go on without me, and all this vaunted freedom will mean nothing."
"Everything's going to change, and I can't know how, and...I've been happy how things are," Lysette finished. "I could almost understand the Targaryen way now. Had I a brother to wed...someone I knew and had been around for as long as I had...so I knew that nothing would really change..." She shook her head. "Even then I don't think I could, but I understand the temptation at least."
"And yes, I know that's not why they have that practice."
"Ashara, have you ever seen snow?"
|
|
|
Post by Ashara Starkwood on Nov 6, 2018 18:29:26 GMT 1
The sudden change in topic takes Ashara a bit by surprise. What an odd question for one summer child to ask another. It's not like they lived anywhere near the North.
"Snow? No, I've never been any farther north than Starkwood. I did see a beach in Dorne with sand as white and glistening as snow, though - or at least, I was told it is, I wouldn't know if that was true or not."
She sighs.
"I suppose being 'lucky' is a relative thing. I wouldn't want to be in your position either - at worst if i refuse to marry I hurt my house a little; if you do it would mean the end of it."
She chuckles at Lysette wishing she had a brother.
"If you had a brother, you would be in the same position I am - married off to a stranger like a cow sold at market. I suppose if you didn't want to bring anyone new to Kingsbridge you could wed one of the Companions... but you would be fooling yourself if you thought that meant nothing would change."
She smiles.
"Change isn't always bad, and sometimes change we fear turns out to be good. I was terrified about going to Sunspear, but I'm really glad it happened, now."
Her smile turns to a frown.
"Not that it makes me actually want to get married. Especially not to Ser Portrait."
|
|