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Post by Alliser on Feb 19, 2019 22:58:31 GMT 1
Lord Alliser was nearly done, his household was packed and Malyk was eager to depart this black festival. But he had one stop he wanted to make before he departed, to the son of a legend, and a hero himself, who now rested in the infirmary of Highgarden. He breezes in through the door in fine white silk tunic, scarcely brothering to knock. "Ser Titus, your reputation proceeds you so let me introduce myself, I am Lord Alliser of house Levalle. I have yet to formally meet you, but wished to rectify that before I left the tournament." He produces a bottle of Arbor Red, "Good Ser,"
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Feb 19, 2019 23:33:55 GMT 1
By now he had gotten to used to the flow of Lords and Nobles wanting to pay their respects and condolences. The word "Hero" felt much more bitter-sweet than he had though as a child. And, he was learning, came with it's own new brand of dangers.
"Lord Alliser, you honour me. My father spoke well of you." Mother however, did not - and Donnel spoke well of everyone, she would have observed. Not being able to get up and greet the lord proper he gestures towards a chair by his bedside. "If it pleases you my Lord." Accepting the bottle of wine he continues. "Most kind of you, lord. I fear the maester do not yet allow me the pleasure of drink, too much Milk of the Poppy, if you understand - but I shall look forward to it!"
"How may I be of service?"
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Post by Alliser on Feb 19, 2019 23:55:49 GMT 1
Alliser smiles, "sometimes Maesters worry like a goose after her gosling." He gestures towards a stool next to the bed, "do you mind if I sit? My back still bothers me from time to time from my own injury all those years ago." He offers at apologetic smile. "In fact that why I brought this vintage red, the fruit of the harbor with the milk of the East was there only thing that would let me get any rest."
It was a lie, about his back hurting now. Sure occasionally it would flare, but this lie like all the best has truth behind it was well, as alliser really did mix the drinks to get proper sleep.
It also would let him gauge how curious the young Knight might be about what alliser might want from him. No need to rush to the ending. Like anything else time made all things easier.
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Feb 20, 2019 17:25:32 GMT 1
"Thank you. Yes, please have a seat, my lord." There is a certain effort to his manners, partly to mask the pain he is in, no Lord want to hear of the suffering of a young knight but also his weariness of Lord Alliser's motives. A man like the Spongeholder did not make idle visits from the good of his heart.
"I believe I owe your Senechal, Master Malyk my life. I am told he was the one that found me and Lady Marianne amongst the... amongst the carnage when he was tending to the wounded. I have not been able to seek him out to thank him in person, I imagine he is a very busy man but please, send him my deepest and eternal gratitude."
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Post by Alliser on Feb 20, 2019 23:31:58 GMT 1
Alliser nods, "I will indeed let Malyk know of your gratitude. His opinion on knights has been soured of late, so it would be good for him to hear of your thanks." Alliser lowers himself gingerly onto the stool, "He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time," It has led him to getting into trouble for it in the past
"So during the flurry of matchmaking I heard about Lord Merryweather making inquires on your behalf for a young lady... a Daena Rivers I believe?
I heard that he was not terribly successful in his offer's due to his... Well due to the stains on our knightly oaths.
Now I was hoping that my daughter might marry him. She is a very talented individual who I believe might be able to prevent his excesses in the future, if given the chance.
I was hoping that you would be amiable to seeking an audience with Lord Eldon so you might sing praises of my daughters beauty to his ears. Words of another Knight, a hero who saved his life, about a lady might go far in convincing Lord Eldon of the potential of marriage.
In return I could seek an audience with Lord Marq or Lady Daena herself for you, unless there is someone else you would desire?"
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Post by Alliser on Feb 20, 2019 23:41:47 GMT 1
Alliser did not know Titus, but he had met his father, who was an honorable man. Alliser offered a reason to relent with his plan that might have been taken by Ser Donnell, for the good of the realm he should support Lady Ellyn marrying Lord Eldon.
He also gave him a more self interest a reason as well. Lord Eldon had failed, but Lord Alliser had a reputation for delivering lady's to the old King. Surely he could work his wires to ensure Titus ended up with the women he desired?
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Feb 22, 2019 15:56:17 GMT 1
He listens in silence while Alliser speaks. If Merryweather was a monster than this was the carrion that follows. Same honeyed words but masking a different type of filth. Lord Eldon has already sullied the idea of Daena, Titus was not going to let The Unworthy’s Whoremaster do the same.
But Titus wasn’t a fool. Not completely atleast. It is unwise to bluntly refuse and insult a Lord, even if his name is Levalle. Perhaps especially if his name is Levalle. Even carrion had claws and the leech can still draw blood.
He considers his words.
”I fear Lord Marq has little say in who Lady Daena is to wed. Her choice of husband is her own to make. And whilst I might be in Lord Eldon’s goodwill I would not be opposed of speaking well if your daughter - should she so wish me to do so - I am yet, and will for a long time I fear be bound to this bed and this chamber.” He gently gestures around the room with a scarmarked arm. It was a refusal, but as polite as he could manage. ”I do not even know if Lord Eldon still remains at Highgarden.”
House Levalle had mounted their own rescue effort during the Riot and a man like Lord Alliser surely could find allies amongst the those men sworn to Longtable who had survived in this quest. Titus however, wanted nothing more to do without Rapist Lords and Whoremongers. That Delia has refused Lord Eldon, how “untactical” it might have been, was a blessing.
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Post by Alliser on Feb 25, 2019 21:14:46 GMT 1
I imagined this happening before your talk with Lady Laena, "Not Lady Daena, fair enough. Lord Eldon may have soured that branch anyways, so I could promise anything. But perhaps a different Lady has caught your eye..." He taps his temple thoughtfully, "perhaps instead Lady Ashara? I could perhaps talk to her father about her current betrothed? He may be a man of his word, but if he was promised an heir and would marry his daughter to a cuckold, perhaps he would be more interested in healing the rift your bother caused by marrying his daughter to a true son of the hero Set Donnell instead?" He opens his hands, "but as far as my daughter speaking with you, I'm sure she would not mind speaking with a hero sick as yourself. I will have her cousin escort her as well." He offers a warm smile, "I'm sure a little beauty in your life will due a Knight like yourself some good " |
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Feb 26, 2019 0:28:33 GMT 1
OOC: Yeah, that's the timeline I put this in as well.
He inhales and takes a moment before responding. Was this how The Spongeholder got women to The Unworthy's chamber? "No means maybe". The Lord of The Tear seemed to think that it was a negotiation of price rather than a refusal and without blinking he had offered up his own daughter as an incentive. This was no knight and no Lord, this was a maggot. Seeking to grow fat on the suffering of others. And like a maggot it would slither between the cracks until stomped out.
He exhales.
"Lord Alliser. Should I seek a marriage arrangement of my own I do not require the help of you or yours. As, I am sure, you and your daughter do not need my help in securing a favourable alliance with Lord Merryweather." You are made for each other as far as I can see.
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Post by Alliser on Feb 26, 2019 1:09:18 GMT 1
Alliser freezes, his congenial mask slips "Ser Titus, I believe you misunderstood my intentions on coming here." He stands smoothly, apparent limp gone, "you think my daughter would have relations with a hero Knight, then you have greatly overestimated your importance." He gestures towards the gift, "I offered you a chance, your father had made a good impression on me. He understands a man's past and rumors do not mark a man for who he is now. But I see your cesspit septon has poisoned you to the good that bad men can do." He turns, on his heel, "good luck in your recovery. Ser. May your foolishness not lead you to rebellion like your brother." (Barring any parting words that is / scene from me) |
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Feb 26, 2019 7:57:20 GMT 1
”Good day, Lord Levalle. I wish you fortune in the wars to come.”
As The Spongeholder leaves, with the dignity of a scorned pimp Titus is left alone again, the bottle of Arbor Red still sitting on his bed side table.
He slowly pushes it off the ledge, watching as it shatters.
Fruits from the poisonous tree.
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