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

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
My apologies Ellie. Can I make it up to you with this?"
smiles Nathan pulling out a butter pastry filled with currents.

"
Septum. We were just talking about the nature of violence as entertainment. Given your recent encounter, I am sure you have an opinion."


"
Care for a meat stick?"
he asks with a completely straight face.

[Septon Arlyn]

"
My apologies Ellie. Can I make it up to you with this?"
smiles Nathan pulling out a butter pastry filled with currents.

"
Septum. We were just talking about the nature of violence as entertainment. Given your recent encounter, I am sure you have an opinion."


"
Care for a meat stick?"
he asks with a completely straight face.

"
Aye many times I have been round up in discussions myself that lead me to being bored to tears dear ellie, However having had to face down a number of men whom think that the brown robes of a begging brother are secretly the means to emence secret wealth, I can appreciate a civil discussion of boring topics such as politics. For although singers rarely praise the hard work of men and women working together around the negotiating table hashing out details of grazing rights and road access, those boring discussions can oft save the lives and innocence of the small folk."
Reaching out to take Nate's proffered meat stick. "
Aye and you have found my weakness I suppose. Nothing like some good smoky meat to stratify a Septon."
and he gives Nathaniel a wicked wink.

"
As for violence as entertainment."
The Septon gives a hopeless shrug. "
I guess there are worse forms of entertainment. I have not had much study in the ways of other cultures but I hear in some distant corners of the world they actually force men and women into pits to be slaughtered by beasts. At least here the seven have shown us a way that only willing combatants enter into these violent entertainments. Men whom have had years of training in combat, instead of helpless people facing dangerous situations that they have had no business being in. Aye a necessary evil if you ask me. In a perfect world where the mothers mercy would stand without the warriors strength we might be able to do away with these violent entertainments. But until that time, yes violence is necessary and it is better controlled in an environment such as this melee then under some crofters thatch.. "

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
You are right, of course, Septon."
shrugs Nathan. "
Compared to other blood sports, this pales in comparison. I suppose it is also good preparation for men who will have to do battle for more than glory, and heartens the smallfolk to know there are men skilled enough to protect them."


"
Still, there is much hypocrisy here. Such entertainments are lauded and encouraged, while others are denounced as immoral despite being private and involving a lot less blood."
Nathan sighed. "
Perhaps I have scewed view of the world. I have been told so often enough."

[Septon Arlyn]

"
You are right, of course, Septon."
shrugs Nathan. "
Compared to other blood sports, this pales in comparison. I suppose it is also good preparation for men who will have to do battle for more than glory, and heartens the smallfolk to know there are men skilled enough to protect them."


"
Still, there is much hypocrisy here. Such entertainments are lauded and encouraged, while others are denounced as immoral despite being private and involving a lot less blood."
Nathan sighed. "
Perhaps I have scewed view of the world. I have been told so often enough."

"
Hypocrisy is a funny thing though. There are some whom say that the stranger comes for all of us, yet how many Septs try to hide him in the corner and pretend that he doth not exist? How frequently do the small folk talk in their fields and learn to rule a kingdom whilst staring at the ass of a horse? Aye some may even say that myself have felt the sting of those in my own faith whom would rather have a fatter coin purse then serve as required by our vows."
With a heavy shrug the Septon sighs. "
But its not my place to judge hypocrisy. That is for the Father to decide as judge of us all. For whom knows what beams may be in mine eye whilst trying to remove a mote in another. All that we are charged with is living to the best of our abilities, regardless of some of our more, peculiar, habits."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine looks apologetically at her companion;


"
Oh dear, I'm sorry, Ellie. We don't mean to bore you. We were just getting philosophical."


She looks up to Septon Arlyn with a friendly smile;


"
Septon, a pleasure to see you today. Will you sit with us? There is space next to Ellie, there."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Quite right, my Lady. If we continue the young lady will fall asleep and miss the melee;
and it will be all my fault."


Nathan pours a cup of cider for the Septon.

"
So who is winning. Do they bash each other until all but one has fallen down, or is there some sort of point system. This is my first tournament. I have seen jousts before, but this is my first melee."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Quite right, my Lady. If we continue the young lady will fall asleep and miss the melee;
and it will be all my fault."


Nathan pours a cup of cider for the Septon.

"
So who is winning. Do they bash each other until all but one has fallen down, or is there some sort of point system. This is my first tournament. I have seen jousts before, but this is my first melee."

"
Last man standing is the winner,"
Corrine replies, sipping her cider. "
Having multiple family and friends in there makes it rather difficult to decide for whom to cheer,"
she quips.

Just then, a spray of arterial blood catches Corrine's eye, and she looks just in time to see the Knight of Stones fell Wrecker Jon with what looked like a horrific and fatal neck wound.

"
Gods above!"
she exclaims, putting her free hand over her mouth in horror.

Dyana... what in the seven hells...

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan follows Corrine's gaze and his eyes narrow. Quickly he scans the battlefield.

"
Ellie, do you know who that Knight is over there? The one in the silver armor. He looks very skilled."


Nathan would recognize Ser Baelon Waters at night in a rainstorm, but the best way to distract someone was to show them something shiny.

[Simple Persuasion test to distract Ellie. [url=Persuasion][/url]: 6d6k4 20]

[Reader]

Lady Isobel Marsten is no stranger to death, but she had feelings for Jon Cobb and his dramatic demise is an unexpected shock.

Her reaction is more restrained than her daughters, but a ladylike gasp is accompanied by a telling tear that is hastily dabbed away with a handkerchief.

She briefly seems frozen in shock, and eagerly follows Nathaniel's words to Ellie - she knows what the strange young whore is attempting, but is deperate to allow herself to be distracted.

[TN Awareness (empathy/notice) 12 to spot her reaction]

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie's eyes light up and an enormous grin stretches her cheeks when Nathan produces the pastry. "
That will easily makes up. That bag must be bigger on the inside."


To Corrine's apology she shrugs and smiles with sisterly love. "
Do have a seat Septon."


Ellie is hesitant to acknowledge Nathan's inquiry, but locates the knight he asks about. Making a look of disbelief once recognizing who it was. Is he serious. Does he live under a rock.

She turns to answer him. "
That is Ser Baelon Waters. Lady Corrine's own sworn sword."


[url=Awareness Isobel TN12][/url]: 5d6k4 11

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[url=Awareness - Empathy][/url]: 4d6k3 13 (Isobel)

Corrine sees her mother's stricken look, despite her attempt to hide it.

"
Excuse me a moment, gentlemen and lady."


She stands, setting her cider cup down on her seat, then picks her way over to Isobel and takes a seat next to her.

"
Mother, are you alright?"
she asks quietly, despite knowing the answer, gingerly touching Isobel's shoulder with genuine concern.

[Reader]

A deep breath.

Courtesy is a woman's armour.

"
Stomach cramps my dear. I fear Lord Tully's tightened purse strings mean our meals have seen their best days and do not sit well with me,"
replies Lady Isobel Marsten to her daughter's query.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Mother, I am not blind. I know you had affection for him. I know you can't show it here, but it's alright to be upset. Can I bring you a little drink? Goodman Nathaniel brought some lovely cider."


She keeps her hand on Isobel's shoulder, trying to be comforting.

[Reader]

"
Get him, get him, he's right there!"
shouts an over-excited urchin as the Knight of Stone and Ser Florian Greysteel face off, gesturing for Ser Baelon to join in against the mighty Ser Florian. The words nag at your conciousness - they somehow simultaneously seem familiar yet distant...

[Septon Arlyn]

Ellie's eyes light up and an enormous grin stretches her cheeks when Nathan produces the pastry. "
That will easily makes up. That bag must be bigger on the inside."


To Corrine's apology she shrugs and smiles with sisterly love. "
Do have a seat Septon."


Ellie is hesitant to acknowledge Nathan's inquiry, but locates the knight he asks about. Making a look of disbelief once recognizing who it was. Is he serious. Does he live under a rock.

She turns to answer him. "
That is Ser Baelon Waters. Lady Corrine's own sworn sword."


[url=Awareness Isobel TN12][/url]: 5d6k4 11

The Septon Glances at the field and sees the shinny knight but does not catch the ladies reaction.
[url=Awareness for lady Isobel][/url]: 2d6 4

But he fully understood what Nathaniel was attempting to do,

assist to Nathaniel's persuasion roll

"
Aye and what can you tell me about him?"


"

[Reader]

"
Mother, I am not blind. I know you had affection for him. I know you can't show it here, but it's alright to be upset. Can I bring you a little drink? Goodman Nathaniel brought some lovely cider."


She keeps her hand on Isobel's shoulder, trying to be comforting.

Lady Isobel's tone was flat as she fought to control her shock.

"
Yes, my darling Corrine. Cider. To settle the stomach."


Were it another in her place, Isobel would be so proud of her daughter's poise at this moment. But it was not another.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Mother, I am not blind. I know you had affection for him. I know you can't show it here, but it's alright to be upset. Can I bring you a little drink? Goodman Nathaniel brought some lovely cider."


She keeps her hand on Isobel's shoulder, trying to be comforting.

Lady Isobel's tone was flat as she fought to control her shock.

"
Yes, my darling Corrine. Cider. To settle the stomach."


Were it another in her place, Isobel would be so proud of her daughter's poise at this moment. But it was not another.

"
It'll do you good. I will be right back,"
Corrine nodded, and hurried over to Nathaniel;


"
Nathan, dear, might I have a cup of cider for my mother? The display has unsettled her stomach and nerves a tiny bit."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Of course."
replies Nathan, pouring Corrine a cup. "
It's probably the sun."


"
If there is anything I can do, let me know."


Pulling a folded piece of paper from his sleeve, he hands it to Corrine along with the cup. "
If she needs, give her a third of that now, and the rest before bed."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Of course."
replies Nathan, pouring Corrine a cup. "
It's probably the sun."


"
If there is anything I can do, let me know."


Pulling a folded piece of paper from his sleeve, he hands it to Corrine along with the cup. "
If she needs, give her a third of that now, and the rest before bed."

Corrine takes both cup and package, thpugh raises an eyebrow, lowering her voice;


"
Dare I ask what it is?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
It's just Sweetsleep, my dear. A few gains will calm her nerves and the rest will allow her to sleep the night peacefully."


In hindsight, Corrine realized that Nathan carrying such would be only natural. A perfect defense against overzealous, extremely nervous or overly aggressive clients.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
It's just Sweetsleep, my dear. A few gains will calm her nerves and the rest will allow her to sleep the night peacefully."


In hindsight, Corrine realized that Nathan carrying such would be only natural. A perfect defense against overzealous, extremely nervous or overly aggressive clients.

"
Ah. Of course. Thank you. That is kind."


She sprinkles a few grains into the cup, as instructed, then folds up the little paper parcel and conceals it in her sleeve. She then takes the cup to Isobel.

"
Here, mother. It is pleasant, and will help you feel better."

[Benedict Marsten]

The Septon Glances at the field and sees the shinny knight but does not catch the ladies reaction.
[url=Awareness for lady Isobel][/url]: 2d6 4

But he fully understood what Nathaniel was attempting to do,

assist to Nathaniel's persuasion roll

"
Aye and what can you tell me about him?"


"

Ellie's eyebrow raises up in amazement. Are you kidding me. Purple eyes. Platinum hair. You really don't know about him.

Shaking her head she replies. "
He defeated ... the ironborn in trial by combat."
He's good with a sword "
Just recently he became engaged to Lady Gwyneth."
She will be around girl number 578 when he gets to bed her if he hasn't already.

[Reader]

"
Ah. Of course. Thank you. That is kind."


She sprinkles a few grains into the cup, as instructed, then folds up the little paper parcel and conceals it in her sleeve. She then takes the cup to Isobel.

"
Here, mother. It is pleasant, and will help you feel better."

"
A dutiful, attentive daughter is a mother's finest achievement,"
recites Lady Isobel numbly, gratefully taking the cup, and describing someone who sounds not a bit like her wilful child Corrine.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ah. Of course. Thank you. That is kind."


She sprinkles a few grains into the cup, as instructed, then folds up the little paper parcel and conceals it in her sleeve. She then takes the cup to Isobel.

"
Here, mother. It is pleasant, and will help you feel better."

"
A dutiful, attentive daughter is a mother's finest achievement,"
recites Lady Isobel numbly, gratefully taking the cup, and describing someone who sounds not a bit like her wilful child Corrine.

"
I'm trying, mother,"
Corrine replies gently. "
I won't crowd you just now. You seem like you need a bit of space. But I'll see you later on. Enjoy the drink. All will be well."


With that, she picks her way back over to Ellie, Nathan, and the Septon.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie looks to Corrine's return with relief. "
Is all well, my lady?"


Thank the stars. If I had to answer one more question about Baelon...

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