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Post by Alliser on Sept 27, 2018 5:45:11 GMT 1
Alliser was waiting in the baths. It would be his second one today, but when the opportunity to cleanse himself in a proper bathhouse presented itself to him, he was hardly one to complain. He had lathered up already, and the water had been freshly pulled from the great caldrons that sat over the perpetual fire. He sank down deeply, suds forming a thin layer on top of the water as be ducked his graying hair beneath the water. Pulling his head back above he stretches again in the large tub, then settles down to wait for his son-in-law to join him.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 2, 2018 4:06:39 GMT 1
Parmen arrived smelling of horses and sweat. A hot bath would be most welcome.
Quickly stripping down he entered the tub, the heat relaxing muscles that had been tense so long that he had forgotten about them. He submerged himself fully below the water, only to emerge second later, shaking the water from his hair like a hound entering a hall during a rainstorm.
Claiming a seat he regarded the older man sitting across from him. "Good day, my lord. You summoned me?"
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Post by Alliser on Oct 2, 2018 17:43:34 GMT 1
"yes I did. I was speaking with Ser Donnell and he made some glowing comments about your intelligence and attentiveness. I wanted to commend you on making such a favorable impression."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 3, 2018 2:50:32 GMT 1
"Ser Donnel is generous with his praise," Parmen says modestly. "The overall battle plans as well as the leadership were his. His competence and charisma earned him the respect of the men. I believe that he would make a good ally if his friendship can be earned."
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Post by Alliser on Oct 11, 2018 3:06:25 GMT 1
"Indeed I believe you have a good judge of the man." A knock at the door signals a fresh bucket of warm water was being delivered, "Come in!" Alliser announces to the servants. "I have spoken with him a couple times over the tournament." He gestures airily, "So you served along side him, and made a good impression. Can you tell me why you think you made such an impression?"
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 15, 2018 1:25:21 GMT 1
"We talked abut tactics and role of inspiration and leadership. Apparently I said something that resonated."
"Ser Donnel also has two sons that our knights about my age. I would not be surprised if through force of habit the old warrior automatically takes a mentors role with younger knights."
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Post by Alliser on Oct 17, 2018 4:49:54 GMT 1
Alliser smiles, "It is good to know what your strengths are. Some say words are wind, but they are fools. Words can make a Lord or destroy him. The fact that you are able to resonate with people is good, but just like swinging a sword words need to have practice as well if you wish to be more then a middling Lord."
"So that is your first lesson. Like all universal truths it is rather boring as it is so simple," he relaxes back into the bath, "I feel that you have some concerns about leading your house. It is a good thing you are concerned, it shows a certain amount of self awareness of your flaws. To be unaware of your weaknesses is to invite someone to manipulate you into a compromising position."
(do you want to continue this thread or /scene and move onto the next day.)
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 19, 2018 20:16:20 GMT 1
Well if anyone can advise on manipulation it is Lord Alliser...
"Only a fool or a madman would have no worries when they are responsible for the lives of others. And only a coward would let that fear stop them from doing their duty. I have my character flaws but those are not mine."
As the heat of the bath removed tensions from his muscles a vision of Lady Jayne in the bath presented itself, naked and smiling at him. Parmen blinked rapidly to clear his mind and when that didn't work instead sought to distract himself with an image of Alys. Only in his mind's eye his wife had her own face and body but red hair...
{OOC: Let's continue the scene for a couple more rounds if we have the time.}
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Post by Alliser on Oct 19, 2018 20:41:14 GMT 1
The older Lord smiles and nods, "indeed, courage runs strong in the Redwyne blood. That is why I'm so glad you have married my daughter. I know you would never let anything happen to her." He reaches over to a small table next to his bath, plopping a grape into his mouth.
"But just as it is important to know your weaknesses, it's also important to know your strengths. You are skilled with a blade. Indeed I've seen you spar and have to say that you have a knack for movement in fighting that exceeds even very skilled fighters. So keeping a sword art your hip would be a wise idea, should you ever find yourself needing to negotiate. Preferably a superior sword, but simple in design. A weapon made for war, to remind schemers of that fact." He smiles, "but don't wear it to a place where you are expected to be disarmed, such as before the King. Instead have one of your retainers bring it with you, so you are not the one who starts off the negotiations with the concession of removing your own strength."
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Post by Alliser on Oct 19, 2018 20:45:01 GMT 1
"now tell me what you would do should a great Lord who is not your liege tell you to disarm before seeking audience?" He inquires.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 22, 2018 3:38:38 GMT 1
Parmen furrowed his brow in concentration.
A knights sword is the symbol of his honor and strength. I would not willingly hand it over and a great lord such as Lord Tyrell knows this and does not ask it of those who seek an audience.
There are exceptions of course. It is considered bad luck to keep your sword at a wedding feast, for example, although if that is due to superstition or the desire to avoid drunken fools with steel in their hands during the bedding ceremony is anyones guess.
Picturing both Alys and Lady Jayne together in the tub seemed easier then trying to remove the temptation entirely. It was a pleasant surprise when his imagination provided a vision of Lady Aliscent to join them. The tub was growing crowded.
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Post by Alliser on Oct 22, 2018 4:07:52 GMT 1
Alliser nods, "good instincts," he then closes his eyes and sinks lower into the tub, "now what you think of the dornish?"
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 22, 2018 4:10:33 GMT 1
"By writ of our king they are our fellow countrymen now, seven help us. In truth they seem much like the rest of us, although I hear that the Roynar have horns and a tail." In Parmen's imagination Aliscent stuck her tongue out at him for his bad paraphrasing of her words. It gave her a mischievous look that was quite becoming, especially while she was wet and naked.
"Did my lord have a particular Dornishman in mind?
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Post by Alliser on Oct 22, 2018 4:18:58 GMT 1
He chuckles slightly, "again good instincts. To claim they are all the same is to blind yourself to the fact that they are different. And that is dangerous, both on the battle field and in court, for out will lead to them surprising you. So let's say Lord Yornwood, what do you think motivates him?"
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 27, 2018 3:26:35 GMT 1
"I've never met the man or any of his kin save Aliscent, so what I say is guesswork. But at a guess power and prestige to manage the coming storm."
"Lord Yornwood was one of the principal Lords of Dorne. Now he is just one of dozens of mighty Lords in the Seven Kingdoms. He has access to the King's court and has grown in strength and reputation but the lessons that he and his House have learned for how to survive and thrive were made for a very different world. He needs to learn how to move in a new environment and he needs to avoid decisions that will endanger him and his kin." Did I just describe Yornwood or myself? Maybe both?
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