The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
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Post by The Gambler on Jan 18, 2017 5:38:56 GMT
4th Day, 5th Moon, Afternoon
Stands erected near the almost complete Harrenport, to watch the Melee a Pied.
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Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Jan 18, 2017 17:28:20 GMT
Ethan stands in view of the melee and looks about the stands, munching somewhat obnoxiously on a leg of lamb. He enjoyed watching violence from a good distance; maces and hammers and long swords had never been how he manipulated conflicts. His unit's unofficial motto had been that a knife kills safer than an axe, and a bow killed safest of all. It gave him considerable respect for archers that he seldom doled out to anyone else.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 18, 2017 19:06:08 GMT
Violet sat among the noblewomen. She wore a pretty dress of fine-knit silvery wool embroidered all over with the flowers from which she took her name. She looked for her future husband among the competitors, eager to see how well he performed.
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Almia Storm
Serf
Belric's 2nd
Posts - 31
Likes - 0
Joined - January 2017
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Post by Almia Storm on Jan 19, 2017 7:41:17 GMT
Almia had come to the Stands alone, in fact she had come to Harrenhal alone. It was not a state in which she was uncomfortable, having grown used to the loneliness over the last few years. Yet, there was something to be said for having a friend to confide in. She wore a beautiful dress that compliment her figure, it's dark blue satin a contrast to her porcelain skin. Spotting an empty seat next to a young woman in a floral dress, Almia took her place with the rest of the women.
"Such a silly thing, men play-fighting." She said to Violet, rather abruptly. "You'd think they'd had enough of the real thing. The war is not yet far enough behind us in my opinion." It was clear that Almia had no idea who Violet was, and she was just trying to start a little idle chat while they waited. She didn't even bother to offer her name, thinking it ruder to introducer herself than to simply start talking. Conversations always seemed to start easier that way.
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Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
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Post by Barley on Jan 19, 2017 18:48:28 GMT
Saesha was sat watching the Melee on a dais with the best view. She invited Lord and Lady to Tully to watch with her.
"It is a fine day for it is, it not?" She asked the two of them, happy to make some small talk as they waited for it to begin.
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Yseult Rivers
Peasant
Yana
Posts - 100
Likes - 4
Joined - June 2016
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Post by Yseult Rivers on Jan 19, 2017 19:23:16 GMT
Yesult is close by Saesha's chair but unobtrusively so should Lady Saesha need her.
She has a pair of waterskins with her, slung safely over a shoulder (as a shoulder bag would be) and a goblet that is secured to the strap holding the 'skins. One contains water and the other the cooled tea blend she has been keeping close by for Saesha's nausea so she does not have to go back to the castle should either be required.
Yesult has a shawl over her shoulders and upper half. Clearly more for warmth than for looking pretty. She has a few freshly sharpened knifes hidden about her person.
Yesult expression is as neutral as she can manage.. her jaw betraying her gritted teeth perhaps, she is determined to get through this damned tourney without emasculating anyone and more importantly without embarrassing her Lord and Lady further. Her eyes are watching everything she can see.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 19, 2017 21:05:21 GMT
Almia had come to the Stands alone, in fact she had come to Harrenhal alone. It was not a state in which she was uncomfortable, having grown used to the loneliness over the last few years. Yet, there was something to be said for having a friend to confide in. She wore a beautiful dress that compliment her figure, it's dark blue satin a contrast to her porcelain skin. Spotting an empty seat next to a young woman in a floral dress, Almia took her place with the rest of the women. "Such a silly thing, men play-fighting." She said to Violet, rather abruptly. "You'd think they'd had enough of the real thing. The war is not yet far enough behind us in my opinion." It was clear that Almia had no idea who Violet was, and she was just trying to start a little idle chat while they waited. She didn't even bother to offer her name, thinking it ruder to introducer herself than to simply start talking. Conversations always seemed to start easier that way. Violet was rather surprised to be addressed by a woman she didn't know, who she had no recollection of even seeing among the arriving nobles. The woman was pretty, but that was the only thing Violet knew about her. She did, however, assume with the naive confidence of youth that the stranger would know who she was. After all, they were celebrating her impeding wedding and she was sure every guest present knew it. "Men like such things," she said. "it helps them practice their fighting skills. But...who are you? Are you kin to one of the high lords? I don't recall seeing you at the feast last night?"
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Almia Storm
Serf
Belric's 2nd
Posts - 31
Likes - 0
Joined - January 2017
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Post by Almia Storm on Jan 19, 2017 22:58:00 GMT
"I know they like it, but that hardly saves it from being silly." She laughed, her smile wide and welcoming; like an old friend, reunited.
"I'm Almia, daughter of Gellart Dondarrion, Steward of Storms End." She capped her introduction with a stout curtsy before returning to her seat. "And you didn't see me at the feast last night because I wasn't there, I only arrived this morning."
She gave Violet a curious look, once again examining the girl in the floral dress. Violet's refind, but simple look, was what had origjnally attracted Almia to sit next to her. The last thing she wanted to do was offend some importantly Lady. However, now that Violet had questioned her presence at the start of the tournament, it became clear the girl before her was more involved that originally assumed.
"What's your name?" She asked, caution in her voice.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 19, 2017 23:16:13 GMT
Violet fought to hold back her surprise. "I'm Violet Blackfort," she said, as if it were obvious. "How did you come to be here, Lady Almia? I didn't know Lord Dondarrion took an interest in the deeds of the Riverlands. Did Lady Saesha invite you?"
She wondered if Almia was a courtier from the capital.
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Almia Storm
Serf
Belric's 2nd
Posts - 31
Likes - 0
Joined - January 2017
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Post by Almia Storm on Jan 19, 2017 23:41:17 GMT
She let out a small squeek, here eyes going wide. Out of all the people she could have chosen to sit next too, she ends up next to the Lady who's the whole reason for the tornament. Almia was cought between fear and elation, the Blackforts were the source of much interest to her.
"Dear me," she said, trying to wipe the look of surprise from her face. "Are you really the sister of the Ravensbane? How magnificent." Her expression turned bubbly again. "Congratulations on your betrothal, m'Lady. I seem to be here crashing your party. As you see, I was not invited, nor was my father. I have been hearing stories of your brother for months now, and when word of the tournament reached the Stormlands, I could hardly resist the opportunity to see him for myself." She looked on the field, attempting to recognize a man she had never seen before.
"I have yet to found a place to stay, though I plan to offer my services to the apothicary, and perhaps to your families Maester if he approves." She put a hand on Violet's leg, her expression brightening as the many questions she had ran through her head. "What is the King's sister like?" She asked, enamored by Violet's family's infamy. It had been a while since Almia shared in any gossip.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 20, 2017 17:03:56 GMT
"Beautiful, clever and proud. Belric loves her very much and the Lady Saesha loves him too," Violet confided. "I hope I shall be as lucky in my own marriage. I'll point Belric out to you once the melee starts. If you like, I could introduce you, later."
She was about to say something else about the festivities when a troubling thought occurred to her. "Where is your escort? Did you send your maid to sit among the commons?"
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Almia Storm
Serf
Belric's 2nd
Posts - 31
Likes - 0
Joined - January 2017
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Post by Almia Storm on Jan 20, 2017 22:14:10 GMT
"Point him out to me, yes. But to meet him? Gods no, I would be terrified." Despite her proclamation of fright, Almia still wore the look of a excitement. "I heard he beat a servant to death just for looking at him the wrong way, and with his bare hands no less." Despite speaking to the man's sister, she spoke as if it was a well known fact.
Her expression soured a little at the mention of an escort. "My name is Storm, m'lady. I have not traveled with an escort since my youth." She tried to force a smile, "I think I would lose it if I had to be watched and guarded all day like my true born siblings. Though, I'm sure you understand, having grown up in in a lowborn house." Despite how it came out, she did not intend her last words to be an insult. Almia took pride in being a resourceful woman who could take care of herself. She simply assumed Violet felt the same way.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 20, 2017 23:17:17 GMT
Violet was understandably surprised to learn that her companion was bastard born yet Almia was still a lord's daughter and her father might welcome a connection between their houses, slim as it was. That meant saying as little as possible about Belric's less virtuous traits, even when Almia had mentioned them first.
"I don't understand that," she admitted. "I was raised by septas and they were vigilant most of the time. But my sister Dacey might understand. She's to compete in the melee, and so is our cousin Aelison."
She pointed out Dacey, having spotted her preparing for the contest to begin. "Since you are here, at least let me introduce you to my goodsister. At least privately. She doesn't bite, I swear it."
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Almia Storm
Serf
Belric's 2nd
Posts - 31
Likes - 0
Joined - January 2017
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Post by Almia Storm on Jan 21, 2017 1:16:14 GMT
Almia's father was a Steward, not a Lord. On top of that, he had abandoned the rest of his family when his brother, Lord Dondarrion sided with Daemon Blackfyre. In an effort to keep his high position at Storm's End, Gellart obeyed Lord Baratheon and fought for the Targaryen's. However, Almia did not expect Violet to know anything about the political climate of the Stormlands.
"Septas?" She asked, giving a look as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. "I cannot imagine that being a very exciting childhood. Though, that's probably why you left, huh?" She giggled, leaning into her new friend.
"I would very much like to meet your family, they all sound like something out of a story." She sat up straight, feigning a serious tone that a storyteller would use. "A warrior sister, better than any man with a bow. A famous brother, with the strength of five men and the temper of ten. Not to mention his dragon bride and her cunning sorcery." Almia surrendered the act, laughing at herself in embarrassment. "At least, those are some of the stories people tell. I'm sure it's far less glamorous than it sounds in song."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 21, 2017 9:57:46 GMT
"Oh yes. It's different when it's people you know. Even heroes are just people who need to eat and sleep. But I would be in awe if the king spoke to me, truly."
She smoothed out her skirts. "Mother sent me to the motherhouse when I was eleven years old. It was fun spending time with the other girls and I liked my lessons but by the time I was a woman grown I knew I didn't want to take vows. I probably wouldn't be here now if I had."
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