Roote Guest Quarters

[The Gambler]

Where the Rootes stay in Kingspyre Tower during the tourney at Harrenhal.

[Tim of Raventree]

3rd day, 5th moon


Violet headed for the rooms assigned to Lord Lucamore and his relatives. It was past time she had a proper conversation with her betrothed, she decided. She chose one of her prettiest dresses, a dark blue velvet with a lace panel on the bodice and asked for Lord Lucamore.

[The Raven]

Lord Roote's sister Gloriana greets Violet. They have not seen each other since before the Blackfort was shut away in the cloister house.

In that time, she had married and lost a husband to illness. She was still of marrying age, but Lucamore had put little effort into finding her a suitable match. Perhaps her daughter made it a difficult task.

"Violet!! How you've grown into a woman!!"

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet smiled, remembering the older woman fondly with the hazy recollections of childhood, when Gloriana had been the most beautiful lady in the world and everything the young Violet wanted to be.

"My lady," she said. "Thank you for coming. I am glad we are to be sisters soon. I always admired you. Perhaps you can help me to be a worthy wife to your brother."

[The Raven]

"Ahh... As unambitious as I recall." She laughed and then hugged Violet. "I'm teasing you! Come and sit with me!"

Gloriana took her hand and lead her to a small table, where they sat close together. "Now... What would you like to know about the many mysteries of matrimony?"

[Tim of Raventree]

Smoothing out her skirts, Violet said "I was looking for Lord Roote, truly. I hoped I might get to know him a little before our wedding day. But no matter, I am happy to spend time with you. Um..."

She hesitated a moment, flushing, then she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. "How do I make my husband love me?"

[The Raven]

"Well..." She gave her a sad smile. "I cannot call you unambitious again if you desire my brother's heart."

Gloriana stood while gesturing for her to stay. She opened several drawers about the room before returning with a deck of cards.

Gloriana shuffled and dealt cards as she spoke. "The first step is knowing his interests. He likes to hunt, fuck, and play cards. I don't have a stag on hand for you to practice skinning, and the second activity can wait until after the wedding if you really want to hone your skills."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet giggled nervously and blushed. "I couldn't skin a stag, truly. But I will happily ride out with Lord Lucamore when he hunts, if he'll let me. And, well, I know my lord will teach me how to please him in the bedchamber. I hope I shall learn quickly and enjoy doing it."

She turned even redder, with that last declaration, but she meant it. To distract herself from her embarrassment, Violet eyed the cards with interest.

"I haven't played many card games. The septas didn't care for such things - some said it was sinful - and my friends in Harroway's Town didn't play. But I'm happy to learn any games you choose to teach me." She hesitated and then asked "Did you love your husband?"

[The Raven]

"Gambling is a sin. Cards are just idle entertainment. And legally speaking, as a woman, everything you own belongs to your father and to your husband. So how can you possibly gamble?"

At mention of her husband, she shook her head without hesitation. "Not in the slightest. I was in love with another man at the time I was betrothed, and my brother saw him as beneath me. Both men died shortly thereafter, so the theoretical joys of one relationship were drowned in the sorrows of the other. Ironically, when my proper husband died and left me with child, it meant that, in the eyes of the realm, I would have been able to marry my true love who was already dead. Such are the cruelties the Seven reserve for our sex, Violet."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet frowned. "That is sad. But you are still young, my lady. You might be able to love again. I could help you look for a husband, once I'm married. If you want one, of course. Please don't think I wish you to leave your home - I'd never do that!. But I've always thought that marriage to a man you love is what most women desire above all else."

She stopped to pause for breath a moment then said "I hope to love your brother very much, once we are better acquainted. So obviously I wish him to love me too."

[The Raven]

Jan 20, 2017 16:54:00 GMT Tim of Raventree said:

Violet frowned. "That is sad. But you are still young, my lady. You might be able to love again. I could help you look for a husband, once I'm married. If you want one, of course. Please don't think I wish you to leave your home - I'd never do that!. But I've always thought that marriage to a man you love is what most women desire above all else."

She stopped to pause for breath a moment then said "I hope to love your brother very much, once we are better acquainted. So obviously I wish him to love me too."

"Yes, I think we've established that goal." She looked at her cards. "I've got a pair of daggers and three bloodstones. What have you got?" Gloriana examined Violet's hand. "And you have a royal massacre. Clearly, the Seven have a soft spot for you." She dealt two more hands.

"I expect I shall die a seamstress in Lord Harroway's Town. My son will be heir if the Mother doesn't bless you, so I would prefer to stay with him."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet examined her cards, thoughtfully.

"Tell me about your son. What is his name? How old is he?"

[The Raven]

"Fenton is five. He takes more after his father and uncle than his mother, I fear, but hopefully, that will only endear him more to his new aunt."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet smiled. "I hope he and I shall be good friends. I've not much experience with children, though. I hope he will be a good friend to his cousins, when they come along."