[D9, LE]Many farewells[Closed]

[Theomore Tullison]

While the tourney was slightly more eventful than Theomore had anticipated, the only thing that actually surprised him was the fact that some spare son from a rather lowly house would rise from Tullison sworn sword to Lord Protector of Hartshorn in the matter of a week, a long one mayhaps, he didn't quite see certain other things coming of course, but none of those were things that were dissimilar to things he had witnesses at least twice before. Marriages for love he had only ever seen among the smallfolk, aside from the rare occasion of love and politics being aligned. Would the deeper bond between the two spouses outweigh the political disadvantage? Time would tell. Either way, he had words to share. Lady Corrine did not seem to share her cousin's political savvy, and an emotional little girl to boot, and it could be bad both for Theomore and House Tullison if she allowed her opinion of his perceived vices come in the way. Besides, unless his opinion of himself was too high, always a risk to take into account, he probably had one or two pieces of advice to share that Ben was not like to receive from others.

[Benedict Marsten]

The mornings breakfast left a sour taste in Ben's mouth. When the invite had come, he had been worried. The last thing he wanted was to leave House Tullison with any bad blood. He had hoped his talk with Corrine would quell her misgivings about Ser Theomore. The two of them were not close acquaintances, but from the experiences he had with him, the man was fine knight and decent fellow.

"
Ser Theomore, good evening. I am glad we can have a chance to talk."
Ben places his hands on the chair before Theomore, respectfully waiting for acknowledgement to be seated.

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore gestures towards the empty chair at the table, smiling warmly. "
Can I order you anything? I did make a decent amount of coin this tourney.."


At first there is some smalltalk, and why not? Ben is a pleasant fellow, and Theomore likes to think himself one too, even when he doesn't desire to but merely wears it as a mask. Though there is a topic, perhaps less pleasant, in need of broaching.

"
It might seem that your betrothed and I somehow got off on the wrong note. "

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben sits, accepting a drink. Enjoying the small-talk Ben begins to wonder if he should bring up the breakfast, when Theomore does just that.

"
It does appear that way."
Ben is hesitant and not sure of how to proceed.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Some might say that I did the mistake of being honest to her during the dance, ser."
Theomore smiles, a bit tired apparently. "
My lord nephew can afford to be honest, as can you and ser Kevan, I believe. I, on the other hand, like most other nobles, engage in activities which we have all agreed that it is best to pretend that we do not."


"
Perhaps that the lady Isobel ought to have been the one revealing this particular truth."


"
Then I suppose she has caught on to certain rumors flying around, concerning Floreta and I, making her own conclusions based on my demeanor, and she probably was not entirely wrong in those. I'll readily admit that had she been Floreta Rivers rather than Frey, or just the daughter of a knight of low stature, I probably would have turned on my charm and I dare say that my charm is rather effective, though Ser Baelon is better at it than I were at his age. I have a weakness for indulging in what a lass willingly does give me, as your sister no doubt could tell you a great deal about, and I also do tend to encourage them to offer such gifts."


"
But I am old enough to know better than to risk scandal."
Well, that wasn't a lie, was it? He knew better, though he did sometimes slip even so. With lady Sofia most recently. "
I have never pushed a girl that shows discomfort, and I keep myself sober enough to notice if she does. Must be more than ten years since I actually got properly good and drunk outside of Mountain's Reach, I have seen enough of what too much drink can do to a man's senses that I find it best to avoid it where I might hurt someone, or myself for that matter."


"
Bur what it does come down to is that I would hope that lady Corrine's perceptions of me will not give cause to any problems in the future."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben bobs his head in agreement to Theomore's words. "
It does seem a good deal of this is Isobel fault for sheltering the Lady, but she was-is fearful of Corrine's wellbeing."


His rather concerned look eases with a laughing smile. "
It would seem society must take a piece of the blame for cherishing innocence in young Ladies. It leaves them a bit naive to the real world about them. All stories of heroes and fair maids."
He gives Theomore knowing look with a shrug of his shoulders.

Ben chuckles a bit. "
Your deeds while not innocent are also not malignant. And I have made that clear to My Lady, I hope. She may not like it, but understands that it can only harm those who choose to consent. She also does not wish to create strife with House Tullison, friend and now family."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
The more I hear, house Marsten do indeed require a change for the better, but I would worry if your wife to be surrounds herself with the sort of men she is inclined to like, such as Ser Kevan and yourself, perhaps she does not need the advice, but as much I enjoy the games we nobles play, it is not exactly a good thing when it will shatter a lord's idealism or the lord himself, sometimes both."


"
Someone in the inner circle must be the cold cynic, unfortunately."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Lady Isobel will be watching over my Lady''s shoulder with such a coldness that is not evenly matched. And as an experienced man as yourself knows, one should not judge by outward appearance. Our few encounters may have shown me to be a dutiful and simple man as they should, but that does not mean I do not understand the way of noble courts."


"
Funny thing about cynics is when you know a man for one, some tend to pay him less heed."
He gives Theomore a grin.

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