[Day 7, MA] Rancor of the bear [Closed]

[Loreia]

The latest victory is touted on the tiltyards by an aged tourney knight, Ser Derrock Swan. Although still hot with frustration, Loreia can't help being awed by the Aurochs, reaching the finals of a grand tourney past the prime of his life. The crowd awaits the announcement of the next semi-finalist pair. She firmly makes her way to the lists to occupy herself with the promising entry of a few squires from House Coldbrook. And who should she find taking his walk of shame.

"
Well done in the joust, ser. You guide your animal with a special...finesse, if I dare say, and with such form. And yet, to come this far, an' be overcome by a hoary relic with years upon years past his prime. You must be very...humbled."


Mayhaps the striking remark is less so in the face of Theomore's ability and experience, of which there was no denying had carried him thus far. For a moment, she's looking straight through him, to see how deep that remark had cut, to savor what she could notice.
[url=taunt][/url]: 2d6 12
There it is. The best Persuasion result I will ever get.
[url=awareness(empathy)][/url]: 4d6k3 14

"
Still, that Aurochs's a strong contender. Did you face him last year? Feels like so long ago, it's hard to remember."

[Theomore Tullison]

[12 is enough to trigger a reaction, 14 is not enough to see it.]

Who was this ugly monstrosity to taunt him so? Ah, yes, the coldbrook curiosity brought along from the far north, was it not? Wildling? Northling? Bit of both? More fitting in some Meerenese fighting pit than a Westerosi tourney to be sure. Mayhaps dress her up in sealskin and walrus bone and parade her around Westeros as a live wildling on display? Wouldn't that be marvellous? Theomore finds her pitiful slight more amusing than insulting.

"
Humbled."
He echoes with a shrug. "
Same as everyone else, Ser Kevan soon to be included, I think."

[Loreia]

"
Aye,"
she admits, a little sour from his controlled reaction. "
He might give Kevan a run for his ransom. I hear he's been in the tilts for decades. He must have a passion for the game. I love to ride, meself. Favorite pastime. I love combat too, but it's more than just feelin' a rush in a fight. It's about more than just my duty, doin' what I do. A man's niche ought be decided by his greatest passion, don't you think?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
A run for the ransom?"
Theomore seems amused. "
If any here is fool enough to place coin upon Ser Kevan, I shall be happy to relieve them of their coin."


"
Depends on the passion."
he answers the questions. "
I can name a few men that ought not let them become their niche."

[Loreia]

She cocks an eyebrow. "
Oh, I see your point."


She drops the playful mocking pretense, returning to the icy regard she'd had all week. "
I s'pose we'll find out if that holds true for you tomorrow,"
she adds, twisting his statement into a challenge. "
Between you an' me, I'm lookin' forward to it."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Is that so?"
Theomore raises an eyebrow, as if unsure of what she speaks of. Might be she assumes he'll take part in the melee.

[Loreia]

"
It is. I'm relishin' the chance to see how well you fight on the ground, in full range instead of a straight line. I'm gonna make you bleed, right next to your nephew in front of the southron lords gathered to watch."


[url=taunt #2 - rancor of the bear][/url]: 2d6 7
Aaand a fitting failure.

*Welp, I'm walking right into it I guess.*

[Theomore Tullison]

Someone is in for a disappointment.. Theomore thinks to himself, but what purpose would that have, she'd just make a futile attempt to goad him into that sort of crap.

"
I see, pray tell, what prompted you to come and tell me?"

[Loreia]

Her eyes narrow as she considers how to follow up. Since he's pointing a curious finger at the elephant poking its head into the room, she decides it best to take its trunk and lead it all the way in by the nose. "
Because it's all your bloody fault."


"
We used to have one heir, and then we had two, with lordly qualities split between them. House Coldbrook faces a dilemma we thought solved. Now the lesser one, ill-fit for the seat, wants it while the other doesn't, and as sure as the sun rises he'll rise to take it an' be forced to balance it between himself an' the leadin' man."


She monologues all this, barely shifting, her gaze unfaltering. "
All 'cause you decided that no one'd miss a mystery knight when you lanced 'im through the breast."

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore lets her speak, telling himself to keep his composure and avoid confrontation. It may prove futile, but it was always worth a try to turn things around, and for that, he better think carefully about his answer. Though this part about two heirs being left in the wake of Joren...that was interesting.

"
I never meant to do anything but to unhorse him, and I wish that was all that I did."
Theomore replies with sadness when Loreia is finished. Not mentioning the part of two new heirs, nor bothering to mention that a twelve year old boy had no business to enter the lists against grown men.

[url=Convince][/url]: 4d6 [url=BoA-reroll][/url]: 1d6 17

[Loreia]

vs passive Will result: she is persuaded that he didn't mean to do any harm.

Words are wind, or, she wonders, studying his expression, perhaps he is counting on this? "
Do you believe that settles it, then? I've heard about the way our boys,"
she recounts, attaching a familiar, course tone to the word, "
have decided to settle the matter: a meager pledge of respect to our house's rightful ownership of Grenward, an' support for an heir - which no longer matters. All words. There's another option on the table - or on the field, I should say. One that had never been absent."


*Revised word choice to show proper meaning after 'support for an heir'*

[Theomore Tullison]

"
No longer matters?"
Theomore grasps at the one line of conversation that interests him. The other he will only need to say words this one is not like to enjoy hearing. "
I had the impression that the lord Coldbrook had one remaining son that could hold a claim, one made all the stronger with a royal seal, though you are saying that there now is another?"

[Loreia]

Her tongue catches in her throat. Immediately she wonders how much anyone really does know about the situation, and kicks herself as she considers, with nothing that comes to mind, what Theomore might do with the information.

"
What I'm sayin' is your part in that handshake doesn't match the blow you dealt,"
she continues in an effort to reign it in, "
not by half. The terms agreed to cost you so very little, you might as well pay in iron."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
And what will more blood resolve?"
Theomore face takes on a grim look. "
Will it bring young Joren back? Will it help the issue of succession?"


"
A handshake may not be a satisfactory solution to you, but preferable to a blood feud, I should think."

[Loreia]

Daggers poise within her eyes. "
What would you do, then? You can still set things right, better than that farce with your nephew. Think about what you'd want in return if Jorah or Lord Coldbrook killed him at the Twins."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Their sympathies, perhaps."
Theomore says calmly, this matter he had obviously given some thought to. "
Dead is dead and cannot be undone, there is no way to set that right, as there is no wrong, only tragedy."


"
I could offer my assistance in alleviating pain and repair the damage to house Coldbrook that can be repaired, though as I understand, Lord Tomas has been rather unreceptive to such efforts from me, and I can understand and respect that. "

[Loreia]

"
Really? That'd be so unlike him, to ignore such a proposal."
she satirizes, treating the 'offer' like the most cunning thing she'd ever heard, turning what seems ambiguous into a suggestion of her own. "
Have you told Dunstan's Lady mother? I know Garret wouldn't mind havin' her blessing to court the rose of Joston's Rock. They're perfect for each other!"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
If Garret could become a Coldbrook, rather than a Snow, and be confirmed as heir to Grenward, then I suppose he may warrant consideration."
Theomore answers truthfully. "
He is, like any man, free to approach my niece, though I do not think she will give much attention to a man who's eligibility is in doubt. "

[Loreia]

Just when I think I understand... seven hells, if I could slap him across the face right now, I'd almost call it even.

She winces, as if from a headache. "
I'm still waitin' on an answer, ser. Do you have any clue about what 'assistance' you're tryin' to suggest?"
See, I know what I'm offering - a chance for you to get smacked around.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
We already added our voice behind the efforts to legitimize Garret, so that Lord Coldbrook can have a son able to succeed him."
Theomore shrugs, this woman must be rather dense. "
I may be able to persuade others to follow suit. My sympathies are unwelcome, or so I understand."

[Loreia]

He hasn't put two and two together. And she's going to have to tell him. For better support, for validation, some mix of the two, she isn't sure. Why did I even come here.

"
As I said before, it doesn't matter anymore,"
she repeats, arms crossed, not looking directly at Theomore for this exchange. Beginning to believe he's sincere about helping, she elaborates. "
Daveth has decided that he'd like be the heir instead. And he's convinced everyone on the small council to support him."
Somewhat monotone and adding a modest oomph to her annunciation, she relays this with little power in her tone. In it's place...defeat?

*Okay, yeah. Thanks for the PM, this adds some depth to their talk. It's relieving to know I'm not raging against an evil character.*

[Theomore Tullison]

"
But he does not have your support?"
the words of another, ill fit to be lord wants it, while the other does not. plays in his head. It also sounded like a beehive he should stay well clear of. But Daveth was a person of interest, so best entertain her venting for a bit longer.

[Loreia]

She pauses, hesitant to commit or give him any ideas. "
He'd not have any support if Joren were still alive,"
she dodges. "
An' now, it'd be better for Lord Dunstan to withdraw his."


[To see the answer between her words: Awareness/Empathy TN8]

[Theomore Tullison]

[url=awareness][/url]: 3d6 11

[Loreia]

OOC: I was hoping you'd pass.

She is leaning* towards supporting Daveth(thanks to Gwyn, maybe he'll learn that later), although she feels that her support wouldn't matter. She certainly doesn't want to discuss her personal support, much less open up to Theomore's counsel.

* - with the player's intent
*Her internal conflict will resolve in the thread "
Bearding the Lion"
on Day 8.*

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