[D7, LA] House Matters (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: This thread is for Daveth, Corrine, Ben, and NC Garrett Snow]

Corrine was glad to have arranged the upcoming meeting in the library. The quiet, contemplative nature of the place stilled her mind, and she was better able to mentally prepare. She sat alone in the most secluded corner she could find, gazing out of one of the windows, deep in thought.

Here I am, now making proper decisions for the House. Being Lady Marsten. It's frightening, but it is what I want, what needs to happen. Hopefully, I can show mother that I am capable.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben quietly watches Corrine as he approaches. Her eyes looking off out the window, her mind surely on duty. She was beautiful there with the open daylight cascading across her delicate features and making her blue eyes sparkle. He hated to disturb her.

His voice was not much more than a whisper. "
This library will always be one of my favorite places. Despite how roughly it has treated me."
His crooked smile creeps out under his affectionate gaze."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She turns to look at him, and smiles warmly, despite her surprise at how close he was able to get without her noticing.

"
You are far too good at creeping up on me,"
she giggles, and embraces him. "
Daveth isn't here yet. I was miles away."


Her eyes shine happily to have Ben back with her.

"
I have a fondness for it too. Why do you say it has treated you roughly?"

[Benedict Marsten]

He squeezes her tightly and eases his embrace. "
I am glad you came back then. From your miles away."
He gives her a playful smile.

"
I can not blame the library for all my woes. Playing tag with Ellie in here did not ingratiate us with the scribes and attendants."
He smile in remembrance. "
But somewhere in this labyrinth of dust and shadows lies some information to better my sword arm."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ahh, I see. And I imagine they wouldn't take kindly to hide &
seek either,"
she chuckled. "
If its a book you are after, perhaps I can help you look while we wait for Daveth?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I would be most delighted to have your help. If we can not find the book, then perhaps hide-in-seek will be in order."
He looks around the vast room of shelves and stacks.

"
Where to start?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She gazes thoughtfully at the books, tapping her chin absent-mindedly.

"
Well, the last time you looked, did the attendants give you any indication as to roughly where it might be?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Well ... we never really did get their help. If it were not for Daveth I would not have gotten anywhere."


He makes bug eyes. "
Ellie and I tried ourselves the next day..."
He laughs shaking his head.

"
Those sections over there"
He points out some far shelving. "
have nothing of use."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Right,"
she nods thoughtfully. "
Let's try finding a section that contains martial texts, and work from there. I expect that similarly-themed books will be close to one another."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
That would be reasonable. Alas, it would also be incorrect."
Daveth says with a small smile as he finally finds the pair. "
I've found during my search it's best not to view it as an organised collection, rather look on it as a sea of information, in which you are looking for a particular drop. All related drops may have been near each other at one point, but by now, the motion of the tides has severed all links, and you simply have to wade through it all to get what you want.

"
Lady Corrine, Ser Benedict, thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
he says with two formal bows, both the appropriate depth for the lord and lady of so prestigious a house. "
May I introduce my brother, Garret Snow."
gesturing to the slightly older man following him. "
Garret, this is Lady Corrine Marsten, and her betrothed, Ser Benedict Blackthorne."


Daveth's appearance is *immaculate*. He's very clearly spent a lot of time trimming his hair and beard to look his best, and his clothes, while not really more flashy than usual, are very smart, clean, and professional.

[size=85:20c7vgkb]Edit: Damnit brain, work!

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben smiles genuinely at Daveth's interruption. Then bows back reluctantly. This bowing to friends shit is going to get old quick.

"
Good day Daveth."
He stretches his hand out.

He turns to Garret. "
Its nice to finally meet you. Your family"
Ben angles his head at Daveth. "
and men speak well of you."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine curtsies to Daveth and Garret;


"
A pleasure to meet you, Garret. And it is good to see you again, Daveth. Shall we find ourselves a quiet corner, in which to converse?"


She gestures to the corner she had previously occupied.

[Reader]

Garret bows to Corrine and Ben and moves to follow the rest of the group to the secluded corner.

[OOC: Awareness TN 8 to notice that his gaze lingers on Lady Corrine slightly longer than is entirely proper]

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth takes Ser Benedict's hand and shakes it with a more relaxed smile.

[url=Detect misbehaving brother (TN8)][/url]: 3d6 11

As soon as the other two have turned their backs to make their way to a secluded corner, Daveth quietly kicks Garret's ankle and silently shoots him a warning glare.

When they've reached a quiet corner. "
Well, the first thing I'd like is to confirm that your desire for our men and the existing deal I negotiated with Lady Gwyneth and Ser Baelon still stands. With a change in leadership comes a shift in priorities, and while I see no reason why the situation need to have changed, it would be foolish to not at least confirm it with the new Lord and Lady of the House."

[Reader]

Garrent rolls his eyes in a good humoured fashion at Daveth's dour telling off, but at least appears to be listening to the matters on the military alliance. Women are fun and games to be pursued, but he has his father's talent for war, albeit perhaps lacking Lord Coldbrook's discipline.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[url=Awareness - Empathy][/url]: 4d6k3 11

Corrine smiles politely, noticing Garret's lingering look, allowing it.

It can't hurt our negotiations with the Coldbrooks if he's taken a shine to me. Perhaps that can be advantageous. At the very least, it's flattering.

"
I am glad to hear that you wish to honour our previous arrangement,"
she replies to Daveth with a graceful nod. "
I am more than happy to keep it in place. I do not see any need for modification, unless one of you have suggestions you wish to make."


She looked to the three men with cheerful curiosity, awaiting input either way.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben shakes his head to indicate he has nothing to add or disagree with. Oblivious to the ogling of his wife.

"
Surely Daveth you have more to speak about. All of this could have been confirmed last night."


[url=Spotting a man with good taste][/url]: 3d6 7
OOC: son of an orokos!

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(OOC: I do, that was just a minor detail, but to be sure to avoid temporal paradoxes, I need to finish another thread off first, and Dyana's not posting.)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth coughs lightly, slightly embarassed. "
Yes, I do. And from a pragmatic perspective, this, too could have been handled last night. But this at least, I wanted to do *properly*."
he looks around at their surroundings. "
And well, this will suffice. Hopefully."


Daveth clears his throat again, and obviously straightens his back a bit, standing up properly before continuing. "
I'm sure you're both aware by now of my pursuit of Lady Dyana's hand. While I would not say that we are at all close to a final decision, and I have absolutely no guarantee she will accept me, we have at least had an open and honest discussion about where we both stand and our intentions.

"
I wanted to speak with you both, partly to assure you both of my honourable intentions, and partly to discover if you had objections to or demands regarding the match. I know you both, and I hope you would approve, should it move ahead. If, however, you intend to step in before matters get too serious, for whatever reason, I would prefer to know that now."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiles warmly at Daveth.

"
I have absolutely no objections, Daveth. In fact, I whole-heartedly approve, and will do what I can to aid you in your quest. I consider you to be a good man, and an honourable one. In the brief moments where I have seen you with my cousin, I have thought you two rather complemented eachother. I thank you for assuring me of your good intent."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben gives Daveth a sly grin and nods. "
May the Old Gods bless you in your endeavor."


He turns to regard Garrets reaction, a pleased look on his face.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth smiles in response, and obviously relaxes a bit. "
Thank you both, sincerely. And I'm very grateful you made that offer, Lady Corrine. I think it likely I'll need to take you up on that at some point."


(OOC: and sorry, but the third and final thing actually requires Garret to be 'active', since that bit's why he's here, so that will have to wait for Day 7 proper. )

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I will likely see Dyana later, at the Grand Ball. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you,"
Corrine grins.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(OOC: Oooh! Another thread reminded me of something else we should discuss before Garret's needed.)

"
Thank you. I'd appreciate it.

"
On the subject of things I'd appreciate, there is something we're after that your assistance would be appreciated with. Ser Jorah Holt, my father's sworn knight. A good and honourable man. You may have heard his name in rumour as a potential Kingsguard candidate. He's interested, and I think he'd be excellent at the role, so I'm putting our house's full weight behind it.

"
I understand if it's too much to ask, but what help you'd be willing to offer in this regard would be something we'd definitely be interested in receiving, since your political weight is so much more than ours."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Ser Jorah is a good man and fine swordsman."
His head bobbing in small nods of agreement to his words.

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