Re: [Epilogue] A Proper Wedding Party (Open)

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon slides in beside his new wife, putting an arm around her waist.
"
Shall we join them on the dance floor? Or shall we stay here and avail ourselves of the oh-so-fine food that our generous host has provided?"

He plucks a grape from a nearby tray and holds it up for Gwyn to eat.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Good. I recall meeting a rather shy man in the library a few weeks ago. It is good to see him transformed before me. It suits you. We may not fit what others expect, but we can make that our strength."

Ben begins to blush, but quickly halts. His grin remains firm. "
Not shy. Just overwhelmed to find such a beautiful mountain wild flower among those dusty tomes. It will be our strength and hopefully others inspiration."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Good. I recall meeting a rather shy man in the library a few weeks ago. It is good to see him transformed before me. It suits you. We may not fit what others expect, but we can make that our strength."

Ben begins to blush, but quickly halts. His grin remains firm. "
Not shy. Just overwhelmed to find such a beautiful mountain wild flower among those dusty tomes. It will be our strength and hopefully others inspiration."

"
If we try to lead by example, perhaps others will follow. Every revered reformer was once a radical. Things will not be easy, but I think we've made some friends here. Not exclusively, but, well, we cannot please everyone."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
We have made a good deal of friends. Some from all walks and colors."
Ben smiles at his veiled words.

"
Knowing which are true will be the difficult task. As to the ones we did not please they will forget us, forgive us or fu-hate us. Either way we will find our way in the storm."
He confidently spins her and draws her back in. It was not the most graceful but full of energy and enthusiasm.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
We have made a good deal of friends. Some from all walks and colors."
Ben smiles at his veiled words.

"
Knowing which are true will be the difficult task. As to the ones we did not please they will forget us, forgive us or fu-hate us. Either way we will find our way in the storm."
He confidently spins her and draws her back in. It was not the most graceful but full of energy and enthusiasm.

She giggles girlishly with delight as Ben spins her, returning happily into step with him with similar enthusiasm.

"
Well-saved, my love, but yes, you are right. It is a waste of effort to chase the affection of everyone. I have asked Edmund to quietly look after matters such as discerning our true friends, and keeping those who would undermine us at bay. It seems suited to his talents. Once we begin auditing the guilds and the Mayor, more rats will likely emerge, and we should have someone in place if Nathan decides to move on."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Yes a foul mouth is a hard habit to break. That is an excellent idea. From what you say he may well be suited for it."


Moving through those on the floor Ben manages to smile and nod to passerby's without losing step.

Getting better or she just makes me not look like a fool. I will take it either way.

He smiles at his thought and continues their conversation. "
Nathan. He would be a great attribute and a good friend to have around. In the end I think colors may bring our friendship to a crossroads."


Ben seems saddened by the thought.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Yes a foul mouth is a hard habit to break. That is an excellent idea. From what you say he may well be suited for it."


Moving through those on the floor Ben manages to smile and nod to passerby's without losing step.

Getting better or she just makes me not look like a fool. I will take it either way.

He smiles at his thought and continues their conversation. "
Nathan. He would be a great attribute and a good friend to have around. In the end I think colors may bring our friendship to a crossroads."


Ben seems saddened by the thought.

"
Sadly, that is possible. But, I do think he is, at heart, a trustworthy and just man. I don't think he would try to harm or sabotage us, unless we were mistreating the smallfolk or doing something definitely morally wrong. Despite our different politics, we share much in the way of ethics. If we have to part ways, I believe he would have the decency to tell us."


Or perhaps we won't see the doible cross coming. All the more reason to have one of our own watching the shadows.

"
But was it not yourself who told me only a week or so ago that I worry too much?"
she teases.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Baelon slides in beside his new wife, putting an arm around her waist.
"
Shall we join them on the dance floor? Or shall we stay here and avail ourselves of the oh-so-fine food that our generous host has provided?"

He plucks a grape from a nearby tray and holds it up for Gwyn to eat.

Gwyn smiles and steps up to Baelon, then opens her mouth expectantly.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Sadly, that is possible. But, I do think he is, at heart, a trustworthy and just man. I don't think he would try to harm or sabotage us, unless we were mistreating the smallfolk or doing something definitely morally wrong. Despite our different politics, we share much in the way of ethics. If we have to part ways, I believe he would have the decency to tell us."


Or perhaps we won't see the doible cross coming. All the more reason to have one of our own watching the shadows.

"
But was it not yourself who told me only a week or so ago that I worry too much?"
she teases.

He smiles smugly at her spinning the tables on him. "
Well. Well. They have birds in Essos that can repeat my words back to me. But none as beautiful or as loving."


His normal grin returns as he turns her sharply. "
No more worries this evening. Except..."
He leans in close to her ear and whispers barely audible. "
... how I am to take your maidenhead for a second time this evening."


He pulls back with chuckling and wearing a playful grin.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
But was it not yourself who told me only a week or so ago that I worry too much?"
she teases.

He smiles smugly at her spinning the tables on him. "
Well. Well. They have birds in Essos that can repeat my words back to me. But none as beautiful or as loving."


His normal grin returns as he turns her sharply. "
No more worries this evening. Except..."
He leans in close to her ear and whispers barely audible. "
... how I am to take your maidenhead for a second time this evening."


He pulls back with chuckling and wearing a playful grin.

Corrine gasps, mock-scandalised, though a playful grin follows. She presses herself close to him as they step sideways;


"
Well, as long as no-one sees, you can make up whatever heroic, manly tale you wish,"
she whispers, giggling knowingly. "
I can certainly encourage you to take whatever you want a second time. A third even. As much as you like, really. The night is ours."

[Benedict Marsten]

A shocked expression turns devilish. "
That sounds like a regular night. Without the sneaking that is."


His hand drops inappropriately low to pull her hips tight. "
Our night. I do like the sound of that."


What am I doing? She wins this game everytime.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

A shocked expression turns devilish. "
That sounds like a regular night. Without the sneaking that is."


His hand drops inappropriately low to pull her hips tight. "
Our night. I do like the sound of that."


What am I doing? She wins this game everytime.

"
Careful, my love. People are watching,"
she giggles, though doesn't pull away. "
Though you have no idea how happy I am to not have to be secretive anymore. You're actually expected to ravish me tonight. We can't disappoint our guests, can we?"
she purrs quietly, with a wicked smile.

Heavens above, he's wonderful! This is great! I can't wait to get him to myself.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Let them watch. Tonight is the one night I am allowed."
He smirks.

Leaning in again his lips mere inches form her ear he whispers. "
Ravish is right. It has been too long. I hope you have recovered well."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Let them watch. Tonight is the one night I am allowed."
He smirks.

Leaning in again his lips mere inches form her ear he whispers. "
Ravish is right. It has been too long. I hope you have recovered well."

"
I'll likely have a scar for a long time, possibly for life, but it's healed well. Once I gave myself permission to nurse the injury and stopped trying to do everything, it got better more quickly. I feel normal now. Learning to relax a bit was valuable,"
she chuckles, a little embarrassed. "
But I am ready for whatever you have planned tonight,"
she adds, winking. Her expression briefly becomes a bit more serious;


"
I hope the mark won't put you off."

[Benedict Marsten]

He laughs briefly, with a questioning look. "
You are not serious."


"
Love, after you excepted the dread that is my body. Besides it will simply give me a trail to follow."
He gives her his crooked grin and quick kiss.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

He laughs briefly, with a questioning look. "
You are not serious."


"
Love, after you excepted the dread that is my body. Besides it will simply give me a trail to follow."
He gives her his crooked grin and quick kiss.

His response and light kiss make her beam joyfully;


"
I'm glad to hear that. Such marks on a woman are generally considered less acceptable than on a man, but I suppose only you will see it, so if it doesn't bother you, then it won't bother me."


She glances over at Ellie, surreptitously scoffing food with Pudgey, then back to Ben;


"
Is Ellie happy?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I honestly believe so. She hasn't stopped talk about Gillian. She thinks she can help her."
Ben follows Corrine's gaze.

"
If you would like we could speak with her."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I honestly believe so. She hasn't stopped talk about Gillian. She thinks she can help her."
Ben follows Corrine's gaze.

"
If you would like we could speak with her."

"
I'm glad she &
Gillian are getting on well. Hopefully their friendship will help to mend Marsten-Kriegar relations."


Corrine catches herself talking shop and shakes her head.

"
And it's good they've made another friend. Let's talk with her after this dance."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
You can not stop yourself can you? I guess it has its pluses. The House will surely benefit from someone who can not stop thinking of house business."
He smiles but his voice betrays a slight concern.

Was I best for business?

"
Yeah another friend is good and she does love a lost cause."
He laughs as he maneuvers then towards the edge of the dance floor, the song winding down.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
You can not stop yourself can you? I guess it has its pluses. The House will surely benefit from someone who can not stop thinking of house business."
He smiles but his voice betrays a slight concern.

Was I best for business?

"
Yeah another friend is good and she does love a lost cause."
He laughs as he maneuvers then towards the edge of the dance floor, the song winding down.

"
Sorry, I ventured into House business again when I'm supposed to be having fun, didn't I,"
Corrine admits, shaking her head. "
I really am trying not to do that all the time. I don't want to become dull and cold. All business, no pleasure."


The end of the dance comes with a flourish, but she stays on Ben's arm as they seek out Ellie.

"
Are Pudgey and Gillian lost causes?"
she asks him, curious about his wording.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Sorry, I ventured into House business again when I'm supposed to be having fun, didn't I,"
Corrine admits, shaking her head. "
I really am trying not to do that all the time. I don't want to become dull and cold. All business, no pleasure."


The end of the dance comes with a flourish, but she stays on Ben's arm as they seek out Ellie.

"
Are Pudgey and Gillian lost causes?"
she asks him, curious about his wording.

"
Not necessarily lost causes, I was referring more to myself. Those two are more like... unlikely causes. Pudgy is very quiet and keeps to himself and doesn't make friends easily. Gillian seems to be in mourning for her brother and not many seek out friendships with a grief stricken girl."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Sorry, I ventured into House business again when I'm supposed to be having fun, didn't I,"
Corrine admits, shaking her head. "
I really am trying not to do that all the time. I don't want to become dull and cold. All business, no pleasure."


The end of the dance comes with a flourish, but she stays on Ben's arm as they seek out Ellie.

"
Are Pudgey and Gillian lost causes?"
she asks him, curious about his wording.

"
Not necessarily lost causes, I was referring more to myself. Those two are more like... unlikely causes. Pudgy is very quiet and keeps to himself and doesn't make friends easily. Gillian seems to be in mourning for her brother and not many seek out friendships with a grief stricken girl."

Corrine lightly puts pressure on the crook of Ben's arm to slow him, stopping to look at him incredulously;


"
Why do you think you are a lost cause?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Was a lost cause. I have found a new course. Thanks to Ellie's perseverance and the Gods blessing."
His eyes address her with tenderness despite his playful grin.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Was a lost cause. I have found a new course. Thanks to Ellie's perseverance and the Gods blessing."
His eyes address her with tenderness despite his playful grin.

"
Ah, I see. Well, I am glad it is in the past now."


She smiles lovingly at him, and lets him lead her over to Ellie.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Baelon slides in beside his new wife, putting an arm around her waist.
"
Shall we join them on the dance floor? Or shall we stay here and avail ourselves of the oh-so-fine food that our generous host has provided?"

He plucks a grape from a nearby tray and holds it up for Gwyn to eat.

Gwyn smiles and steps up to Baelon, then opens her mouth expectantly.

When he doesn't indulge her by popping it into her mouth, she leans forward and grabs it from his fingers with her teeth, then takes his arm possessively and pulls him along with her for a dance.

"
It seems unfair to me that I'll only get you to myself for a few months before you have to ride out again. And we'll both be so busy in that time...we must make sure to have moments just for us. I wonder if this Caladan Hall has a secret room. Or perhaps we can have one made."

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