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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 29, 2018 17:30:43 GMT 1
Audience roll - Armond Caswell: 6d6k5+6 23Maybe this one won't be poisoned. Laena thinks idly as she waits. Being a lord, Lord Armond was undoubtedly busy, so she didn't want to waste his time by being late, but Laena would sooner not turn up at all than turn up precisely on time, so she was early, enjoying the scenic surrounds of one of the courtyards while sitting on a bench. Sooo .. about the time I chose Lord Bryce over you to carry my favour? No hard feelings, right? Laena sighs. There were just *so* many ways this conversation could go wrong. But still, she'd done the analysis. Because he already has two sons, not many lords would have interest in marrying the widower. But she cared less about that than she did about the man himself, and he was reportedly pretty good at being a lord. Which both gave her a good starting position, and room for her to improve him. Assuming both that he lived up to his reputation and that he was actually interested in her. That he agreed to meet with her was a good sign, at least. When he arrives, Laena stands, and greets him with a curtsey. "Lord Armond. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." She waits to see how he greets her before deciding on her approach.
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Post by Father on Dec 1, 2018 12:05:14 GMT 1
"Only a fool would not be intrigued by the attentions of one with the blood of the dragon" He replies, courteous and curious, though he does not turn on any charm he might have or seemed cowed by her heritage or looks.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 1, 2018 14:04:41 GMT 1
"This tourney has been quite enlightening. The possibility of rebellion has gone from a possibility to a near-certainty, and as the probability rises, so too has the veneer of civilized behaviour we wear fallen. Last night's feast was a perfect example of that, perfectly showing how all it takes is one bad week to reduce a tense but relatively ordinary situation to base savagery. That's how far the rest of the Kingdom is from where we are now. Just one bad week."
She sighs. "Given the way the Reach seems to be leaning, and Bitterbridge's loyalties and location, I can only imagine the pressure you must be under, so I won't waste your time if there is a quick way to an answer.
"At the joust, you asked for my favour. If you would be willing, I would like to know your motivation for doing so. Since Lady Erena provided you both an 'heir and spare', as the saying goes, I think few would blame you if you decided more children would be more of a burden than a benefit, and so you asked me simply because it's better to ride with a favour than without, and I was an appropriate lady to ask."
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Post by Father on Dec 1, 2018 22:17:58 GMT 1
"My lady left out the parts about being a beautiful daughter of a king" with a little more practice, he might perhaps have delivered that line well. "And did my lady not try to make eye contact? I must admit that thoughts of remarrying have not been high on my mind"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 2, 2018 16:52:45 GMT 1
Laena felt a pang of grief for Bryce - he certainly would have said the words smoother. Still, she doesn't show anything other than an appreciative smile at the compliment. She casts her mind back to the giving of favours. She certainly hadn't *deliberately* caught Lord Armond's eye, but she was certainly not complaining if he thought otherwise. "Well," she begins. "if perhaps you would consider it should the right woman be available, maybe we could sit and talk a while, about anything *except* politics? Worst case, we both get a brief respite from the seemingly constant tumult this tourney has brought. If you're anything like me, perhaps you telling me a little about your children would be a good way to start? "But of course, you are a Lord, in a difficult situation, so if you feel you cannot take the time to yourself, I do understand."
Setting up intrigue, for if he says 'yes'. Iron and Mercury - Intrigue Initiative: 6d6k5 17Objective: Friendship ID: 13 Base Composure: 12/12 Iron and Mercury - Start of Intrigue - Deception (Act): 6d6k4+2 20 +1 ID / DoS vs Awareness (Empathy) |
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Post by Father on Dec 4, 2018 15:10:20 GMT 1
"Arguably, I can't claim to know them well, duty seems to have a long list of things in need of my attention. He seems somewhat apologetic. "There is never any time to relax, even less now"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 4, 2018 16:17:38 GMT 1
Well, shit. Laena resists snarling in frustration, but the urge is definitely there. Either he's genuinely too busy to talk (which means he's quite likely too busy to be an attentive husband), or he's giving her a polite brush-off. Either way is likely closing off this avenue. Still maybe...
She puts on her professional face. "Obviously, I do not have the authority to speak for my house, but given houses Starkwood and Caswell share political views, and are neighbours, is there anything I or my house would be able to do to help you? I know we're always looking to strengthen our relationships with our neighbours.""
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Post by Father on Dec 5, 2018 23:47:42 GMT 1
"My sister, Lady Erena, have mentioned the efforts of both your house and hers to seek peace, though there is an obstacle, as I understand, or three"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 6, 2018 0:45:31 GMT 1
[For the sake of chronology, I feel it makes more sense if this occurs earlier in the day than my meeting with Balon]
Laena briefly pulls an irritated face. "Yes. Your sister's help in the matter is appreciated, and my daughter Sylvina liked the time she spent with Joffrey, but I do admit progress has been stymied somewhat.
"We're far from defeated, however." She thinks back to her meeting with Ser Balon yesterday. "New angles of approach could reveal themselves soon, but I can't promise anything." A flicker of a smile. "Well, except that we'll keep trying. Enough people of enough influence on both sides want it to happen, so I'm sure we'll find a way eventually." Her face turns concerned. "Once it's clear House Blackbriar's loyalties will not shift, I'm sure the ... obstacles will change their focus to minimising the harm the upcoming conflict will do to their house. A cause which peace will aid in. Time, while short, is on our side."
She frowns in thought. "Though perhaps I'm underestimating the scope of the problem. I'm only aware of two obstacles of any significance. Who's the third?"
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Post by Father on Dec 6, 2018 18:37:27 GMT 1
"The first is that between Lady Shiera and that mad septon, most of the knights of Gyldenhaal thinks House Starkwood is filled with heathens in need of purging. For her, that is just a scheme to ensure that Lord Jon's knights will only march for Ser Daemon, seeing that Lord Starkwood will march for the king, the second is Gormon Peake and all his tendrils, Lady Shiera, Ser Balon, Ser Titus even though he is as much his father's son as Ser Balon is his mother's." He grimaces. "The third is Lord Jon, he is noncommittal I am told, and conflict-shy with a preference to delay any decision that brings him discomfort, with the result that the only time he ever does something is when both Ladies Erena and Shiera are in agreement on what course of action to take."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 7, 2018 0:46:50 GMT 1
Laena nods. "I do feel I've made progress with the Septon this tourney. Hopefully I'll be able to leverage that into him softening his stance towards us, leaving Lady Shiera isolated. I imagine the knights look up to Ser Donnel more than they do his wife, and I've spent time with him as well, fostering stronger bonds. Hopefully between those avenues, the first obstacle will be weakened enough.
"Lord Gorman ... I can do little about. However, his tentacles are seemingly everywhere, so he can only apply a little attention to each. Weaken the other obstacles, and this one can do little without requiring too much in the way of effort.
"As for Lord Jon ... perhaps I should have words with your sister ..." She shakes her head. "No. It's Lady Shiera who's key. I need to convince her that House Blackbriar won't change allegiance, so her efforts are best spent elsewhere." Maybe I'd be able to convince her through Balon? "Without her interference, Lady Erena shouldn't have a problem convincing Lord Jon to seal the deal. This is the obstacle I've been working on, where new avenues may appear soon." She sighs. "We'll see if they do."
An apologetic smile. "Sorry I can't give you better news. I understand you must be worried about your sister. All I can really say is 'Don't give up hope'." Her flickering smile indicates she's well aware of how little that is worth.
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Post by Father on Dec 7, 2018 18:56:13 GMT 1
"I very much doubt that it can be that easy"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 7, 2018 23:47:05 GMT 1
Laena snorts. "I don't want to know how difficult the tasks you face are that you consider convincing Lady Shiera her efforts are best spent elsewhere *easy*!
"Simple? Yes. I find complex plans are doomed to fail - best leave those to the Lord Florents of the world. But not easy.
"If you have insights to share, I'll happily listen - frankly, I'm not going to turn away any help at this point."
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Post by Father on Dec 8, 2018 15:26:36 GMT 1
"As I understand it, Lady Shiera has little difficulty in making Lord Jon do nothing, in fact it sounds like he requires very little nudging to avoid making a decision, and his brother ignores what he thinks are only minor voices of dissent among the knights, he may influence them, but he does not seem to know that he would need to" He shakes his head. "I tried to talk with the septon myself, but it would appear he is more interested in spreading his own brand of piety and complain about how Lady Erena does not allow him anywhere near her son."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 8, 2018 23:07:40 GMT 1
"Hmmm. I wonder what it would take for either brother to act." She sighs and shakes her head. "Who knows. I just have to keep trying until I find something that works. It's not an elegant solution, but it can be surprisingly effective."
She straightens. "So, unless there's more you feel you need to say, given how busy you've indicated you are, I don't think much good would come from me taking more of your time." This has been nothing but a waste of time for both of us.
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