Re: [D7:MA-LA] Watching the Melee

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie laughs with Corrine. "
Yes they can not just let any young maid run of with hand of their first born and soil his innocence and virtue."


She did not think most Ladies would find their conversation so amusing. She was glad Corrine was not most Ladies.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Exactly. Ben is an innocent and virtuous creature. His delicate honour mustn't be sullied by association with some deviant strumpet!"
Corrine nods sagely, though cannot keep a straight face, and bursts into a fit of giggles.

[Benedict Marsten]

Again Ellie can not help but laugh. She has tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

Wiping back those tears a thought comes to her like a lightening bolt. She looks at Corrine with faux suspicious. She lowers her voice to a whisper. "
Have you two ... have you ..."
she giggles. "
taken that innocence?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine blushes bright red, her laughter turning awkward for a moment;


"
Erm... Heh... I... Um... A lady does not kiss and tell,"
she offers, less than convincingly, though also lowering her voice, mercifully masked for the most part by the clashing of steel. She attempts a look of innocence, though her eyes are knowing;


"
Besides, Ben would be terribly embarrassed if I answered either way."


Gods, that was so obvious. She's young, not stupid. It's her big brother though, her hero. I hope it doesn't offend her.

[Benedict Marsten]

She gives a look of contrition. "
It's alright. I am sorry it was impolite of me to put you on the spot. Besides it is probably awkward. Me being his sister and all. If it helps I know it's what married people do and you know ... not to mention it would mean a niece or nephew hopefully."


Her smile returns. "
You should work on your defenses for that question. You know in case someone else surprises you with it."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Don't apologise, sweetling. It's fine. You caught me off-guard is all,"
Corrine reassures her. "
You have a manner that makes one feel at ease. I suppose I'm also unaccustomed to having such questions asked of me."


She smiles shyly, but with affection;


"
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it. It does feel like an awkward thing to speak of, as you're siblings, but I didn't find it impolite, particularly. It's not a taboo subject to me, just something that should be kept between close friends and such. But, we're close friends, so, my previous flusterment notwithstanding, I'll be honest with you. The answer is yes. I'm surprised you had to ask, actually."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Her smile returns. "
You should work on your defenses for that question. You know in case someone else surprises you with it."

"
Well, my suggestion would be to ask them 'Why do you want to know?'."
smiles Nathan behind the pair. "
Most people are generally intimidated by beautiful women anyway, it shifts the burden of an answer back to them without answering yourself, will usually fluster the person by having to justify their question, and subtly points out their rudeness without having to be rude yourself. 'Why do you want to know?' actually works for most questions you don't want to answer, and nearly all questions they have no business asking in the first place."


Nathan grins broadly. "
My apologies Lady Corrine. I am an inveterate and unrepentant eavesdropper. A large portion of what I know I learned from eavesdropping - and the more interesting portion at that."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Her smile returns. "
You should work on your defenses for that question. You know in case someone else surprises you with it."

"
Well, my suggestion would be to ask them 'Why do you want to know?'."
smiles Nathan behind the pair. "
Most people are generally intimidated by beautiful women anyway, it shifts the burden of an answer back to them without answering yourself, will usually fluster the person by having to justify their question, and subtly points out their rudeness without having to be rude yourself. 'Why do you want to know?' actually works for most questions you don't want to answer, and nearly all questions they have no business asking in the first place."


Nathan grins broadly. "
My apologies Lady Corrine. I am an inveterate and unrepentant eavesdropper. A large portion of what I know I learned from eavesdropping - and the more interesting portion at that."

Corrine blushes again, turning to look at Nathan. As startled and mortified as she is to have been overheard when she thought they were being quiet enough, she shrugs it off with a congenial smile;


"
My! What keen ears you have!"
she quips good-naturedly. "
I'm afraid I don't think our girl talk will be of much utility. How are you today?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
My interests are wide and varied, Lady Corrine. I assure you that girls talking when they think people aren't listening is infinitely more interesting than when they think people are. My ears are probably no keener than most."
grins Nathan. "
However, unlike many men, I am more practiced at listening. I hope have have not embarrassed you. My intent was to be helpful."


Actually, given the wide grin, his intent was probably both, if in good fun.

"
I am here to watch grown men hit each other with large sharp objects for entertainment. I have yet to decide whether that is better or worse than grown men riding at each other at full gallop while trying to knock each other off with small trees for entertainment."


"
Please don't let me interrupt if you ladies wish to be alone."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
My interests are wide and varied, Lady Corrine. I assure you that girls talking when they think people aren't listening is infinitely more interesting than when they think people are. My ears are probably no keener than most."
grins Nathan. "
However, unlike many men, I am more practiced at listening. I hope have have not embarrassed you. My intent was to be helpful."


Actually, given the wide grin, his intent was probably both, if in good fun.

"
I am here to watch grown men hit each other with large sharp objects for entertainment. I have yet to decide whether that is better or worse than grown men riding at each other at full gallop while trying to knock each other off with small trees for entertainment."


"
Please don't let me interrupt if you ladies wish to be alone."

"
I must confess that you startled me, but your presence is not unwelcome. Would you like to come down here and sit with us? Perhaps we can try to answer your quandary about compating this with jousting,"
she offers, patting the space next to her.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie eyes the newcomer with curiosity. She relaxes when Corrine regards him with familiarity.

Oops! I hope I have not just caused a problem with my big mouth.

She quietly listens. Surveying the situation before opening her big mouth again. After all it was hard to get the taste of foot out of ones mouth once you inserted it there.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
You are very kind, Lady Corrine."
Nathan turns to the young girl beside her. "
You must be Ellie. My name is Nathan. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
He says with a slight bow. "
How is Ben? I have not had occasion to speak with him for several days."


Sitting down, he pulls a bottle of fine Highgarden sweet cider from a satchel, along with several small cups, offering some to the ladies. "
My favorite beverage is orange juice,"
Nathan smiles. "
But this particular cider is a close second. I also have some spiced meat on sticks from a vender in the market that are delicious, although I don't know what kind of meat they are... and probably don't want to."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you very much,"
Corrine replies cheerily, accepting the cups and passing one to Ellie. "
Ben is well..."


She looks back to the churning melée;


"
Well, so far, at any rate. How is Ser Jon?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
He is well. He was unhorsed by Ser Warrick Wheaton in the semi-finals, but suffered no lasting injury. He is confident he will do better in the melee, and he certainly has the skills to support that confidence."
Nathan's voice seemed light, but there was a slight edge to his tone that underlay obvious concern.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
He is a renowned and capable warrior,"
Corrine reassures him, picking up on his slight tension. "
I'm sure he will do well."


She takes a sip of the cider, and smiles;


"
This is lovely. Thank you."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I am sure you are right."
smiles Nathan, but the smile is filled with doubt.

"
I understand the appeal of this for the spectator. I even understand the reasons men participate, even if I don't agree with them. It's the chaos of the melee that bothers me. There are too many variables. Too many things that can go wrong... and too many men in the world that will do anything for status, prestige or glory... even at the expense of honor... which is supposedly the point of all this."


Nathan sighed. "
To risk ones life for family or those we love, perhaps for duty, for a cause one believes in, for loyalty or for what we believe is right. That I understand and have done so myself. To risk ones life for sport or to see who is better seems.... selfish."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I am sure you are right."
smiles Nathan, but the smile is filled with doubt.

"
I understand the appeal of this for the spectator. I even understand the reasons men participate, even if I don't agree with them. It's the chaos of the melee that bothers me. There are too many variables. Too many things that can go wrong... and too many men in the world that will do anything for status, prestige or glory... even at the expense of honor... which is supposedly the point of all this."


Nathan sighed. "
To risk ones life for family or those we love, perhaps for duty, for a cause one believes in, for loyalty or for what we believe is right. That I understand and have done so myself. To risk ones life for sport or to see who is better seems.... selfish."

"
An excellent point, well made,"
Corrine nods slowly. "
I think I am inclined to agree with you. Life is too often counted cheaply."


She sighed sadly;


"
But I suppose those who love it, and especially those who profit from it, would ask what one would replace it with, even if one were able to change it."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Your right of course. Ser Jon would probably say that the risk is part of the sport, like climbing cliffs or trekking through wilderness."


Nathan shrugs. "
I hold personal choice above all things, so I would not want to take this away from him, but the consequences of such choices affect more than just him, and those that profit the most from such things are often at no risk at all."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
True. Many would count the risk as part of the sport. I wonder how many fail to think of who loses most if they lose their lives. I'm sure most don't mean to distress those who love them, but it is what it is. While accidents happen, I think some suffer more from being too proud to yield."


Corrine absent-mindedly strokes Ellie's hair as she watches the melée, glancing at Nathan while she speaks.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I think you will find most men are linear thinkers, Lady Corrine. They focus on their goal and give little thought to other intangibles. Excellent in some situations, less so in others. Remember that when you are married and I expect Ben will be grateful for it."


Nathan watched the melee while unwrapping a stick of meat from the charred leaf that encased it, offering one to the ladies. "
I think they are rabbit. I have become quite addicted to them over the last week."
At least, he had gone through a great deal of effort to convince himself they were rabbit.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
You are very kind, Lady Corrine."
Nathan turns to the young girl beside her. "
You must be Ellie. My name is Nathan. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
He says with a slight bow. "
How is Ben? I have not had occasion to speak with him for several days."


Sitting down, he pulls a bottle of fine Highgarden sweet cider from a satchel, along with several small cups, offering some to the ladies. "
My favorite beverage is orange juice,"
Nathan smiles. "
But this particular cider is a close second. I also have some spiced meat on sticks from a vender in the market that are delicious, although I don't know what kind of meat they are... and probably don't want to."

Ellie smiles brightly recognition coming to her. "
Yes, I am and you Nathan."

"
Thank you very much,"
Corrine replies cheerily, accepting the cups and passing one to Ellie. "
Ben is well..."


She looks back to the churning melée;


"
Well, so far, at any rate. How is Ser Jon?"

She takes the cup and sips it gracefully. Her eyes following Corrines back to the chaos. She remains quiet listening intently to the two.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I think you will find most men are linear thinkers, Lady Corrine. They focus on their goal and give little thought to other intangibles. Excellent in some situations, less so in others. Remember that when you are married and I expect Ben will be grateful for it."


Nathan watched the melee while unwrapping a stick of meat from the charred leaf that encased it, offering one to the ladies. "
I think they are rabbit. I have become quite addicted to them over the last week."
At least, he had gone through a great deal of effort to convince himself they were rabbit.

"
Thank you, I will try some,"
Corrine replies, plucking up some of the meat and chewing daintily. She looked thoughtfully across the tourney grounds as she finished eating.

"
Thank you for the advice too. I intend to make my husband grateful for many things,"
she said, with a playful crypticness. "
Ben seems more mentally engaged than many, but I have yet to meet a man who did not possess a powerful and abiding desire to win at something or other."


She eyes Nathan curiously;


"
I wonder what it might be that you wish to win."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
An interesting question."
replies Nathan thoughtfully. "
I admit I don't like to loose. I don't think anyone does;
but if I do, I am more bothered if I knew I could have done better, rather than my opponent being better than me. In the archery tournament I was pleased because I performed at my best. The fact that so many others were better does not diminish that. The only person I tenaciously compete against is myself."


"
No matter how good you are at something, there will always be someone better, if only on that day or for that moment."


"
To be honest, I am not sure if I am looking to 'win' anything beyond a happy and fulfilling life."
Nathan pondered a moment. "
No... that's not quite true. I do like to win opportunities for those deserving of it and not lucky enough to have had my good fortune. I also like to win against those who take for granted or abuse the good fortune they have been blessed with. There are those with either by birth or by skill have gained great power over others. Some use that power responsibly, like Davain, others use that power for great evil."


"
Look at the current political situation. I may be a green supporter, but I would bend knee to the Princess tomorrow if it could be assured that blood would not be shed and war would be averted. What is my pride compared to the lives of innocent people with little if any stake in the matter. Would that be a win or a loss?"

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn arrives and seeing Corrine begins to make his way through the crowd to approach her, with mushroom going off to the princess waiting area and a guardsman taking the miscreant to the queen.

"
Lady Corrine"
The Septon Sweeps in with a smile and a bow, "
What good fortune to meet you here at the waiting area, and little Ellie is here with you, you two seem to be getting along famously. Goodman Nathan"
He gives a slight incline of his head. "
So I just had the oddest experience today, (OOC the Septon Relays [url:1v8ioy3i]http:
//dragonsdance.
forumatic.
com/viewtopic.
php?f=49&
t=1163[/url:1v8ioy3i] ) I had no idea that things had gotten like this among the common folk, anyways what were you guys just discussing?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Septon Arlyn arrives and seeing Corrine begins to make his way through the crowd to approach her, with mushroom going off to the princess waiting area and a guardsman taking the miscreant to the queen.

"
Lady Corrine"
The Septon Sweeps in with a smile and a bow, "
What good fortune to meet you here at the waiting area, and little Ellie is here with you, you two seem to be getting along famously. Goodman Nathan"
He gives a slight incline of his head. "
So I just had the oddest experience today, (OOC the Septon Relays [url:1amb6brj]http:
//dragonsdance.
forumatic.
com/viewtopic.
php?f=49&
t=1163[/url:1amb6brj] ) I had no idea that things had gotten like this among the common folk, anyways what were you guys just discussing?"

Ellie playfully rolls her eyes. "
They are trying to bore me to sleep with talk of men's thoughts and politics."

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