[Day 7, Mid-Evening] The Gathering of the Three

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

The Grand Ball was the last big social event of the tourney, and everyone who was anyone...and quite a few who were not...was turning up for it. Gwyneth appeared in her very finest dress of silk and velvet, with its shimmering twilight violet, speckled with tiny cut stones that glinted like tiny stars around her shoulders and upper arms. Around her neck was a necklace of silver with a polished peridot setting. Like most of her clothes, it looked modest when hanging;
with no decolletage to speak of, no padding or other artifice to accentuate her figure. It was only after she put it on and the garment molded itself to her curves that the appearance of conservativeness was dispelled.

Just in advance of the formal beginning of the ball, she had excused herself momentarily from Baelon's arm to hunt Corrine and Dyana down.

A lot had happened, a lot was still happening, and she desperately needed to confer.

She found Corrine first, because she was with Ben, and Ben was tall enough to make him easy to pick out of a crowd. With murmured apologies, she deprived the groom-to-be of his fiance' and took her on a trip just outside the Great Hall, to where she suspected Dyana would be dithering before going in. And yes, walking over towards the Hall, in the crowd but always just a bit apart from the others, there she was.

"
Dyana!"
Gwyn called, waving. "
Over here!"
She tugged Corrine to follow and went a little off the path, to a spot they could talk with some semblence of privacy, at least for the moment.

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Gwyn? Gwyn!"
Dyana heard her sister before she saw her, and before long they were skulking about together.

She was dressed in a high-cut gown of black silk, and had some unlikely opulent jewelry in the form of a neck-covering collar gleaming with intricate layers of silver and two large earrings. Her hair was tied in an elaborate knot, exposing her ears and the draw of her shoulders in invitating manner, and she had the scent of cinnamon and spiceflowers about her.

"
What is it?"
She glances between the other Marstens, frowning slightly. "
Something happened?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
All kinds of things have been happening,"
Gwyn affirmed. "
We've all been so busy with it all, we've barely had a moment to put our heads together. So. Heads...together."


She twirled a finger, pointing at each of their heads in turn.

"
Who wants to go first?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine let Gwyn pull her along by the arm, scampering to keep up, hitching her voluminous skirts a little with her free hand to avoid tripping over. Like Dyana, she had opted for black and argent in her outfit, but it was different enough that it was not glaring. Where her cousins had opted for silks, she had chosen a rich velvet, with a wide, scooped neckline, a bodice sewn with a flowing geometrical pattern in silver thread, which danced its way down the skirt in a wave on the left side, following the line of her leg, and a silver collar that bore a little lightning bolt at each end, meeting with a single opal between the two points, nestling in the hollow of her throat. Her hair had been woven into lots of long, thin braids, accented with more silver thread, and then braided together around her head, creating an intricate, soft mahogany swirl, exposing her swan-like neck, and the little pinkish shells of her ears, set with lightning bolt earrings that matched her collar.

She grinned bashfully at Gwyn's conspiratorial finger-twirling.

"
You started it, you go first,"
she replied, with a coy look.

[Dyana Marsten]

After taking a moment to inspect Corrine's hairdo with unconcealed admiration, Dyana crosses her arms and turns to her sister.

"
Gwyn. You dragged us here to gossip?"
She glances between the two, a grin slowly crawling into her expression. "
Because if you did, then you are obliged to begin. It's basic etiquette. I think."
She nearly chuckles at the silliness of it all... because she was beginning to fear it was more bad news. Last two or three times she was dragged somewhere like this, she got caught up in something that ended in death.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Don't make light of it!"
Gwyn complained, giving Dyana's shoulder a swat. "
This is important. But all right, I'll go first. I've found our House's old Maester, Leopold. He's staying at the Huntsman. He's had a very rough time of things, but Baelon and I have managed to at least begin to get him to come around. Also, I'm still convinced this business with Lionel Darry and his men may be more than what it looks like on the surface. I mean to try to find out how and why they came to target Dunstan in particular. The gods know if they were simply after hypocrites, there were many bigger targets than him."


She pauses at that, thinking for a moment, then adds, "
Oh, and I've been making little waves to bring our Ser Lyras and Sofia Blackwood together. He's taken a shine to her, and I think no one can deny she could use a protector now. Let's see, what else..."


"
Well. I've one other item, but it's a trifle, really. I'll save it for last. So! Dyana, you go next. The Lady of the House I'm sure would hear everything we've to say before taking part."


Gwyn gave Corrine a playful roll of her eyes when giving her title.

[Dyana Marsten]

"
You managed to find Leopold after all?"
Dyana's eyes brighten. "
That's good news! Even if he's had rough times, you... tell him I'm eager to see him again next time you meet, would you?"


She nods at the other news, not really interested in the doings of Lyras and Blackwoods, though the whole issue with Lionel Darry has her frowning.

At last, she clears her throat, then looks at Corrine with a solemn, mock respect. "
Oh. Right. The Lady Marsten would hear us first."
She performs a little formal bow before speaking herself.

"
Well, so... news. You both know I'm in the tourney."
She glances to the side, wary of eavesdroppers. "
I lost the joust to a kingsguard, and that's acceptable, I think. I did break three lances, and I am mostly unhurt. Curiously, he chose to spare the reveal of my identity, and I think no one, or not many people suspect of anything yet. There's the Melee to look forwards to.

"
Also, hm. Daveth Coldbrook has been trying to get in my good graces, as you said he would. He's a kind man, and I like him. We even attended the Bartheld party together yesterday. There's not much else to it, at least for now. The thing is,"
she leans forwards slightly, "
that Ser Wrecker Jon, who's been wooing aunt, also seems to have taken a liking for me. I just drank a little and he walked me to my tent the other day, but now he's constantly making excuses to see me, and he gave me jewelry. He can't stop appearing with food, either. I'm to gain a stone if I keep meeting him."
She lets out a muffled chuckle.

"
That's a lot already. Let our Lady-"
she bows formally again, "
regale us with her news now. Right, Corrine?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth covered her mouth to quiet her sudden burst of laughter, and she asked in a scandalized whisper, "
Wrecker Jon? He's old enough to be your father! And all the while chasing Isobel as well?"
She clapped a hand to her forehead melodramatically, the grinned wickedly. "
It would be entertaining to see you and her force him to choose between you."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Good heavens!"
Corrine exclaims. "
You two have been far busier than I!"


She taps her chin thoughtfully for a few moments, then addresses them both;


"
I have thoughts and questions, regarding what you each have said, but first, my news. Now that I have begun to officially take the reins of the House, I am forming an advisory council, to help me in my decision-making. I wish for it to have seven members, and will include Ben, my mother, and Lord Kriegar. I am considering each of you as well, along with Ser Baelon, Kevan, and Edmund. I may have to ensure only one Lyras is appointed, to keep Lord Kriegar happy. If either of you don't fancy it, let me know now."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn shrugged. "
I'll be giving you advice regardless. We may as well make it a formal position,"
she quipped. "
I'm not sure I see why Edmund should be on the list though. He's not really a talkative sort. If you have to take a Lyras away to keep Lord Kriegar from throwing his ale at you, then I'd say it should be him."


"
I mean,"
she quickly added, "
It's not that I don't like him, or respect his ideas. He just keeps to himself most of the time is all."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine nods slowly.

"
That is true. I had been thinking of him as someone who could come &
go in ways and places you could not, Gwyn. I was considering him a sort of counterpart to yourself. You are both charming and subtle, and do things that I could not be seen doing. But I do see your point, and it does solve a problem."


She pauses a moment for thought, then gives Gwyn a smile;


"
I am glad you found Leopold. I was fond of him. We you thinking of trying to restore him to our service? We could use a maester, especially in planning for the future, but my mother will likely disapprove."


[ooc: Haven't forgotten you, Dyana. Will get onto addressing your points shortly.]

[Dyana Marsten]

"
I would be honored to help in any way I can, Corrine."
Dyana nods at her with a little less playfulness than before. "
Though I do not know Ser Kevan very well, and cannot vouch for him over Edmund in this Lyras situation. I'd take Gwyn's word on it, to be honest.

"
But, cousin, my little sister brought us here to gossip, and you're just discussing politics."
Her semblance grows sly again, and an eyebrow rises mischievously. "
Tell us, how is Ben? You know, how he is... you know."
She waves her hands speculatively, failing to choose a proper euphemism.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Why Dyana,"
Gwyn said in mock outrage. "
How dare you imply that the Heir of the noble House Marsten would ever consider improper relations in advance of her wedding."
She fanned herself with her hand. "
This is what comes from a woman learning the sword. It's chaos, I tell you. The death knell of all we hold dear!"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine blushes beetroot red, and lets out an involuntary giggle.

"
Gods, Dyana! You caught me by surprise there!"
she exclaims, fanning her burning face with both hands in what could only be described as adorable panic. "
I... erm..."
she stammers, glancing at Gwyn's playful yet wicked grin, "
Nothing... nothing improper... of course... uhh, hmmm. He's... very good to me. Yes. We're both looking forward to the wedding a great deal,"
she adds, her stammering turning to babbling for a moment before she takes a deep breath and slowly shakes ger head in amused concession.

"
Heavens above, I... am a... terrible liar,"
she laughs. "
My dear Dyana, he is wonderful! Loving, gentle... enthusiastic,"
she said with a smile, a recent memory playing in her mind, "
and... very generous, shall we say,"
she winked, though this made her blush and giggle all over again.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana rolls her eyes at her sister, but when her gaze turns to Corrine, it is filled with expectancy. Hunger, even, that hungry look only gossiping women can truly produce.

And as Corrine stammers and stutters her way through, Dyana's eyes widen, as does her smile, and her face is sheer amusement. When the report is over, her face is a mirth gaping so openly it could pass for a mute laughing.

"
My, that sounds wonderful!"
She claps her hands in delight. "
Lucky you, to have found a man you love, and who is generous."
She turns to Gwyn in mock seriousness. "
It is hard to find proper gentlemen these days."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Yes, tell us all about that,"
Gwyn says, turning her grin on Dyana. "
You've had more than your share of gentlemen recently, or so rumor has it. Scandalous, scurrilous rumor! One bookish wisp of a man, the other a grizzled old warrior? And to think, I never thought I'd see you so much as make eyes at a man who couldn't wrestle you down like a bear. But here you have two at once!"


"
But are they gentlemen? Or must Corrine and I pen vicious letters to their liege lords?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Well, if Wrecker Jon is trying to woo both you and mother, I would say that is the behaviour of a cad and a bounder,"
Corrine said, a little spikily, her skin returning to its usual shade as the subject shifted. "
Daveth, however, seems, from my interactions with him, a very charming, thoughtful, and intelligent man, with decent prospects. If it were me, the choice would be easy. Wrecker Jon spends much of his time in the brothel, for goodness' sake. It's bad enough that mother is being charmed by a man like that, war hero or no."


She catches herself in her little rant, and looks at Dyana apologetically.

"
I am sorry. I should not bombard you with my opinions like that. If I may offer more courteous input, I think Daveth a far better companion than Ser Jon Cobb, if it is a loyal man you seek. He seems the sort to be devoted and kind, and those are precious things in a man. If the tales of Ser Jon are true, then he is something of a drifter. And besides, I don't think it would go well in a number of ways if you were to be at odds with my mother for Jon's affections. I am trying to foster peace among my family, not have a love triangle going on."


She offers a kind smile, trying to convey that what she says is out of caring.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana glances between the Marstens, then opens a wide grin. "
I don't know why I hadn't convened with you two before."
She says, shaking her head.

"
You are family, Corrine. Feel free to bombard me with uncorteous opinions. Seven know I will do the same to you if you deserve it."
She then turns a sharp glare at her sister. "
Sorry Gwyn, what is that you're saying? I can't be with a man who wrestles me like a bear? Hmnph."
She crosses her arms. "
To be honest, I think Jon could wrestle quite well. But I'm not about to test that theory. And oh, fuck it, the last thing I want is aunt looming angrily over me. The best thing about her is when she leaves me alone.

"
We'll see, I think. Gwyn, uh, what's that trifle you mentioned?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn chuckles happily at Dyana's reaction. "
Relax, I was only jesting,"
she reproves. "
Most days it always seemed you wanted to be a man, rather than be with one. So it's good to see you all begowned and dancing. Daveth isn't the soldierly type you seem to prefer the company of, but I think he complements you well."


She scratches her chin and nods, "
Ah yes, the trifle."


"
Dustan's considering offering Baelon the banner House that Ben was to have been offered before he and Corrine wound up betrothed."


Gwyneth cleared her throat and shrugged. "
So, shall we to the ball?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Oh no you don't,"
Corrine told Gwyn with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "
You can't drop something like that and try to scamper off like it's nothing. I knew already, but I think Dyana needs more information than that."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth grins abashedly and replies, "
I'm not sure there's much more to say at the moment is all. Baelon and I have discussed it some, and there will be some more discussion of it to come."


She hesitates a moment then says, "
But...right now...he has reservations about it. We won't know for sure until Dunstan talks in more detail about the holdings and so on, but I think Baelon is leaning towards remaining with Marsten. And he made some good points. We'll just have to see."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gave a slow nod and an understanding smile.

"
Fair enough, dear cousin. Whatever happens, I'll always be there for you."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn returned the smile, full of gratitude...then quickly said, "
It would be an odd thing if Jon Cobb got it though, especially if he's still wooing Isobel. One thing that occurred to me..."


"
What do you think about Kevan? He's sworn to our House, but he fought at Dunstan's side more than once now. He has aspirations, and is seeking Lady Blackwood's hand...and it wouldn't be a bad thing for Marsten to have strong ties to Tullison through one of their bannermen."


And of course, she didn't say, that it wouldn't be a bad thing at all to have said bannerman owe her a substantial personal favor for assistance rendered securing said lady's hand. The higher Kevan rose, the more valuable to her he became.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is a very interesting thought,"
Corrine replies, her mind turning over this new idea of Gwyn's.

"
Why don't you get Baelon to have a little word in his ear, and you have a little word in Dunstan's? That is, assuming Baelon decides not to take the offer himself. I had rather hoped he would be my Keeper of the Gate, but I will not keep him from what he himself desires. I couldn't, even if I wanted to,"
she adds, with a little laugh.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
The impression I got was that he's leery of Dunstan's offer,"
Gwyn assures Corrine. "
I think if you told him he has your support to be Keeper, that might make up his mind for him. And he'd have mine as well of course."


She looks at Dyana. "
What about you? What do you think about all this?"

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