Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Barley on Jan 8, 2017 1:48:13 GMT
Saesha had to stop herself jumping off the dais and strangling her husband. Why could no one in this family just shut up?
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jan 8, 2017 3:57:35 GMT
The wink gave Medgar pause, the Lord of Riverrun seemingly unsure if his vassal was threatening him or coming on to him.
"To the contrary, it seems many of us should be following you example, Lord Blackfort," he replied, in a complimentary tone that at least sounded genuine. "From the reports of your trouble maintaining law and order, I had expected the worst, but we passed your newly completed mine on the ride here and I never thought I'd see the day a proper port sat on the God's Eye. With this lavish spectacle on top of all that, clearly I have not been collecting enough taxes from Harrenhal."
|
|
|
Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 8, 2017 4:27:47 GMT
The wink gave Medgar pause, the Lord of Riverrun seemingly unsure if his vassal was threatening him or coming on to him. "To the contrary, it seems many of us should be following you example, Lord Blackfort," he replied, in a complimentary tone that at least sounded genuine. "From the reports of your trouble maintaining law and order, I had expected the worst, but we passed your newly completed mine on the ride here and I never thought I'd see the day a proper port sat on the God's Eye. With this lavish spectacle on top of all that, clearly I have not been collecting enough taxes from Harrenhal." Belric's expression hardened, "Your seat at the top is not comfortable enough, m'lord? Must my lands fold underneith the weight?" He cocked his head, looking to Medgar questioningly. "I invite you into my home, to share in my good fortune along with all of the Riverlands, and you seek to bleed me further? That does not sound like the prosperous Riverlands you preached of moments ago. Will you punish every man here for trying to better his house?" (Persuasion:50) to convince the room that Medgar is a dipstick.
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jan 8, 2017 4:48:29 GMT
(+1 Persuasion. Still failed, barely. House Blackfort loses 1 Disposotion Level with House Tully)
The accusation came across as more petty than damning, despite the fact it bordered on suicidal. No one that did not already hate Tully was like to be swayed. Even Roote facepalmed at the foolhardy attempt to goad and discredit their liege lord so clumsily.
Medgar looked to Belric with what appeared to be concern, before donning a sad smile and shaking his head, as if he just now realized that his vassal had been kicked in the head by a horse as a child. Despite the sudden uncomfortable silence by many of the lords gathered, he did not rise to the painfully obvious challenge. Instead, he turned to Saesha, clearly seeing her as the adult in the relationship.
"Lady Blackfort, I know your husband is not well versed in the ways of court and you must have a great deal on your plate as it is, but you must teach him how to recognize both praise and jest when they are presented before him," his tone sounding closer to pity than chastisement. "Undue embarrassment born of miscommunication would be tragic when you have clearly gone through so much painstaking efforts to make your home presentable for guests."
|
|
|
Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 8, 2017 6:39:59 GMT
Foolhardy or not, it had been Medgar who threatened his vassal with higher taxes for sharing prosperity. Belric was sure the man's misstep had not fallen on deaf ears. He had complimented Medgar's experience and hospitality, even if it was in a way that was inwardly sarcastic, and was insulted in return. If that wasn't enough proof that Medgar was a greedy twat, his unwillingness to answer Belric's questions must have been.
Despite his frustration, Belric continued with his nonchalant disposition. He gave Medgar a solid nudge on the shoulder, playing along with Tully's comical diversion. "Come now m'lord, do not begrude my beautiful wife for my incompetence. I seek only to play along with your jest. You must forgive me. Harrenhal will always be here to pay its taxes." He gave a show of bowing to his Lord, adding a rather un-Belric like flourish of the hand.
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Jan 8, 2017 10:09:16 GMT
"Considering nothing can come from it except an enjoyable diversion, I would say it doesn't really matter," he countered, when the tension of Belric's toast had abated. "I certainly would not mind being a notch on your own." She smiled. But as Belric continued to speak with Lord Tully, her heart sank. Belric seemed to take one step forward then two steps backwards. She decided that it was best not to react and hope that Saesha could prevent Belric causing a disaster. But she was not pleased that such a risk would be taken mere days before her own wedding. "So how would you divert me, in a harmless manner?" She challenged.
|
|
Boros
Knight
Jon
Posts - 456
Likes - 205
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Boros on Jan 8, 2017 11:46:30 GMT
Hoster analyzed the marble for some time, wondering what that meant. After a while, he stashed it into his pocket.
|
|
The Raven
Administrator
Posts - 1,119
Likes - 230
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Raven on Jan 8, 2017 20:34:41 GMT
"I don't doubt it. The woman always looked at us like we were rotting meat, and had the most unpleasant odor the last time we met. Orland and I thought it was the road, but now..."
Arya sipped her drink quietly as Visenya jumped in. "Enough about puppies and babykillers! Let us truly converse! Shall you attempt to fuck us or actually marry us?"
"Visenya!"
"Is that not our sole function at this gathering, cousin?" She turned to Willis. "You should be made aware that my cousin is a war widow. Slain two years past. His name was Willis too."
Arya looked at her cousin bitterly, but offered the knights a sympathetic glance. Visenya looked at Willem. "You... Do you have any titles or land, or will you impress me with your natural prowess? Noblewomen are fools, you know. We all think a strong joust arm signifies talent in the bedroom." She winked at him.
|
|
Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Barley on Jan 8, 2017 22:13:40 GMT
(+1 Persuasion. Still failed, barely. House Blackfort loses 1 Disposotion Level with House Tully) The accusation came across as more petty than damning, despite the fact it bordered on suicidal. No one that did not already hate Tully was like to be swayed. Even Roote facepalmed at the foolhardy attempt to goad and discredit their liege lord so clumsily. Medgar looked to Belric with what appeared to be concern, before donning a sad smile and shaking his head, as if he just now realized that his vassal had been kicked in the head by a horse as a child. Despite the sudden uncomfortable silence by many of the lords gathered, he did not rise to the painfully obvious challenge. Instead, he turned to Saesha, clearly seeing her as the adult in the relationship. "Lady Blackfort, I know your husband is not well versed in the ways of court and you must have a great deal on your plate as it is, but you must teach him how to recognize both praise and jest when they are presented before him," his tone sounding closer to pity than chastisement. "Undue embarrassment born of miscommunication would be tragic when you have clearly gone through so much painstaking efforts to make your home presentable for guests." "I thank you, my Lord, for noticing all of the efforts that have gone into making this event something that can be enjoyed by all," she replied, not acknowledging Belric's continued antagonism. Inside she was shaking with rage at him, she had rarely felt so much anger, being a fairly controlled person, let alone this much anger at Belric, but here it was. "As with Harrenhal itself, my husband is a work in progress, a sentiment that could not doubt be shared by all of your lovely wives" she replied to the whole room, once again as a attempt to not seem like Tully was being singled out. She gave the joke with a smile of good humour at what was going on, as if it were an every day occurrence and not the complete embarrassment that it was. Charm 55
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jan 9, 2017 2:00:48 GMT
She smiled. But as Belric continued to speak with Lord Tully, her heart sank. Belric seemed to take one step forward then two steps backwards. She decided that it was best not to react and hope that Saesha could prevent Belric causing a disaster. But she was not pleased that such a risk would be taken mere days before her own wedding. "So how would you divert me, in a harmless manner?" She challenged. "Harmless sound to me like another word for dull," Whalen remarked, with a devilish smirk. "But Brackens are known as horsemen first. I would be happy to take you for a ride. Or we could just stael away somewhere now." Hoster analyzed the marble for some time, wondering what that meant. After a while, he stashed it into his pocket. The fool had clearly thought it an obvious enough joke...a replacement eye for the one lost. "I thank you, my Lord, for noticing all of the efforts that have gone into making this event something that can be enjoyed by all," she replied, not acknowledging Belric's continued antagonism. Inside she was shaking with rage at him, she had rarely felt so much anger, being a fairly controlled person, let alone this much anger at Belric, but here it was. "As with Harrenhal itself, my husband is a work in progress, a sentiment that could not doubt be shared by all of your lovely wives" she replied to the whole room, once again as a attempt to not seem like Tully was being singled out. She gave the joke with a smile of good humour at what was going on, as if it were an every day occurrence and not the complete embarrassment that it was. Charm 55 (Failed. No change in disposition) Lord Medgar did not veer from his course of ignoring Belric in favor of his wife, not even seeming to register that the man was speaking, only reacting with an annoyed glance as the oaf slapped him on the shoulder. Tully did not have the sort of relationship that warranted horseplay with any of his banners, let alone the Blackforts. Nonetheless, he managed a ghost of a smile at Saesha's jest, which at least resulted in some laughter from a few of the assorted lords and especially their wives, who knew all too well what trouble their husbands could be. "I suppose one benefit of the war was that most of these poor women got a reprieve from their husbands. My wife was not so lucky," Medgar jested in turn, causing a few more laughs from the peanut gallery, some genuine and some simply nervous.
|
|
|
Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Jan 9, 2017 7:25:54 GMT
"I don't doubt it. The woman always looked at us like we were rotting meat, and had the most unpleasant odor the last time we met. Orland and I thought it was the road, but now..." Arya sipped her drink quietly as Visenya jumped in. "Enough about puppies and babykillers! Let us truly converse! Shall you attempt to fuck us or actually marry us?" " Visenya!" "Is that not our sole function at this gathering, cousin?" She turned to Willis. "You should be made aware that my cousin is a war widow. Slain two years past. His name was Willis too." Arya looked at her cousin bitterly, but offered the knights a sympathetic glance. Visenya looked at Willem. "You... Do you have any titles or land, or will you impress me with your natural prowess? Noblewomen are fools, you know. We all think a strong joust arm signifies talent in the bedroom." She winked at him. Willem could not contain his laugh at Visenya’s sexual commentary, as it was so unexpected to him. Were all noblewomen like this, he wondered, or had he chanced upon the only interesting one? “I’m afraid I don’t have a tower yet, but I am the sworn shield of the Ravensbane himself.” Willem replied. “And knowing Harrenhal it won’t be long before a vacancy opens in one of the towers.” He shot Willis a playful grin before looking back at Visenya. “I am not a tourney knight, my lady, as much as I might wish I was.” He said with a trace of regret. “What with the war on, I focused on skills that would keep me alive. I promise I’ll impress in the melee a cheval, if you planned on attending that.”
|
|
Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Barley on Jan 9, 2017 7:33:42 GMT
A jest in return, yes, but also a constant reminder of the war... something she did not want bringing up, but still, at least things did not seem harmed. She'd try and undo this mess in the morning. Saesha did not laugh at Tully's jest as he did not laugh at hers, just returning the slight smile back to him, fairly sure they both understood what was happening. "A thing I am sure she was grateful for, my lord."
She turned to her husband,
"My dear, I am feeling unwell," she put her hand on her stomach to imply it was to do with her fragile state, "shall we retire?" her voice was light and its tone gave genuine option, but her eyes were clear this was not really a request.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 9, 2017 8:37:05 GMT
Belric chuckled to himself, thinking Medgar's wife had no problem avoiding her husband. Though he could not help but think of the many wives who lost their husbands to the war. Without the men, lands were left undefended, entire villages defenseless. Belric highly doubted any woman was pleased to watch their loved one's back as they walked away for the last time, regardless of whatever reprieve it granted. However, Medgar was a rat who had barricaded himself behind stone, content to do nothing while the rest of the world lived on. It was clear to Belric what Medgar knew, and it did not include women or war.
Belric had given Medgar a chance at allegiance, when he had ventured to Riverrun. He even played the part of the dutiful vassal, willing to leave the past where it belonged. Yet, instead of talking about the future, Tully wanted to waist time, play games, and violate the trust of his guests and vassals. Now he had been invited into Belric's home, insulted his progress, and threatened to empty his treasury. It was obvious that Medgar did not see a future that included Belric, and therefore there was only one option. He did not have whisperers and assassins to do his bidding, but despite what Saesha may think, or anyone in that room, Belric was not without his devices.
"How can you say such things?" Belric said with a concerning tone, marinated in sarcasm. "What more could Lady Tully want for when she had you there for comfort?" He put an arm around Medgar's shoulder, refusing to be ignored, violating the Lord Paramount's personal space. Belric pulled him in close, continuing with the "chummy-pals" charade, adding, "My mother simply died following my father's passing, like so many women and children while us men were off fighting." He spoke like it was a joke, despite the morbidity.
"But hey..." he chimed one last time, giving Medgar a good pat on the back. "...benefits of war."
Belric looked to his wife and shrugged, as if to say, I'm sorry.
|
|
Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Barley on Jan 9, 2017 10:06:15 GMT
Saesha had no words, and was genuinely shocked by what she was seeing. She had never been so embarrassed, even on her sham of a wedding feast. Once again she was almost overcome by the need to cry, not in sadness, but with Anger.
|
|
|
Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Jan 9, 2017 17:06:58 GMT
"I don't doubt it. The woman always looked at us like we were rotting meat, and had the most unpleasant odor the last time we met. Orland and I thought it was the road, but now..." Arya sipped her drink quietly as Visenya jumped in. "Enough about puppies and babykillers! Let us truly converse! Shall you attempt to fuck us or actually marry us?" " Visenya!" "Is that not our sole function at this gathering, cousin?" She turned to Willis. "You should be made aware that my cousin is a war widow. Slain two years past. His name was Willis too." Arya looked at her cousin bitterly, but offered the knights a sympathetic glance. Visenya looked at Willem. "You... Do you have any titles or land, or will you impress me with your natural prowess? Noblewomen are fools, you know. We all think a strong joust arm signifies talent in the bedroom." She winked at him. Willem could not contain his laugh at Visenya’s sexual commentary, as it was so unexpected to him. Were all noblewomen like this, he wondered, or had he chanced upon the only interesting one? “I’m afraid I don’t have a tower yet, but I am the sworn shield of the Ravensbane himself.” Willem replied. “And knowing Harrenhal it won’t be long before a vacancy opens in one of the towers.” He shot Willis a playful grin before looking back at Visenya. “I am not a tourney knight, my lady, as much as I might wish I was.” He said with a trace of regret. “What with the war on, I focused on skills that would keep me alive. I promise I’ll impress in the melee a cheval, if you planned on attending that.” Willis laughed as well when Visenya got raunchy, but stifled it when Arya's widowhood was brought up. "I'm very sorry to hear that, my lady," He told Arya quietly, "Too many young widows, these days." That may have been a lie - the number of young widows seemed perfectly appropriate and advantageous to the unwed knight. Thankfully Visenya and Willem changed the subject quickly enough. "A strong joust arm might not, but a skilled joust arm, there might be some relation there. There is some similarity in the tools used. Gotta be precise and coordinated for both. And what's a melee require if not stamina? If a man can spend hours a day gettin' sweaty in the practice yard, he can spend hours a night gettin' sweaty in the sheets."
|
|