[Day 1; LE] Oratory leasons (Join if you like)

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan got in touch with Ben soon after arriving to the Riverlands. It was a bit hard, since one was in Stone Hedge and another in Raventree Hall, but the courier managed to give him a message.

They met under the darkness of stars, by a particularly pretty lake. Dunstan had a fire going on, and mead was there too. All the good things for a bit of carousing with friends, only it was not carousing Dunstan wanted to get out of this.

As he was growing up and taking more and more Lordly responsibilities, it became clear that he needed more ... tact, a cooler temper and a slightly better ability to draw people to his cause.

"
... yous see Ben, I was hoping you could teach me to talk better."
he explained as they sat there.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben laughs heartily and takes up a drink. "
It is not always your speech that warms a person to you. Many times it is your mannerisms. The demeanor you create that sells what you have to say or the way be feel about you."


He ponders while he takes a sip and gazes at the stars. "
Though sounding educated goes a long way."

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan takes note on Ben's remark and continues to joke.

In a loud, clear voice he says

"
Benedict, of House Marsten."
he makes a dramatic pause and looks him in the eyes

"
On this fine day I welcome you to our fine encampment. Let it be known to all in our fair realm that my salted fish is yours, and my wine is free to be shared among those you consider friends.

Let us celebrate."
he starts laughing

"
Good?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine wanders over, amused by Dunstan's formal and dramatic address.

"
Good evening, you two. Might I join you?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Yes, certainly, lady Corrine"
Dunstan smiles.

"
We were talking about ways to .... talk? I guess. This is a diplomatic mission, and I assume negotiating will be much more useful than plain old skull bashing."
he smiles.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Knowing how to do both is certainly advantageous,"
she muses, sitting beside her husband. "
Were you not trained in etiquette at all?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I was, but it seldom interested me."
Dunstan shrugged.

"
Now I see it has its uses."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ah. I understand. It's rather different for girls,"
Corrine nods. "
Well, I think Ben &
I could help you. What sort of things do you want to know?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan things for a moment, scratching his beard.

"
Let's say - situation from today. You enter a Hall of a House who's Lord is but a boy. It feels a tad bit weird to start talking about family ties and King's orders to a young boy, you know? So, what is the proper way to do it?

He is a Lord after all, you can't just give him a pat on the back and proceed to the older folk."
he chuckles to the thought of it.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Well, House Blackwood is ruled by a regent for now, given Benjicot's age, so you would normally deal with the regent. Even if you were dealing with Benjicot directly, you would likely be doing so via a castellan or advisor."


Corrine glances at Ben;


"
Did you get to ask them about what will happen regarding Benji being your page? I expect they will want him back, so we will have to renegotiate."

[Benedict Marsten]

Dunstan takes note on Ben's remark and continues to joke.

Let us celebrate."
he starts laughing

"
Good?"

Ben smiles and nods. "
Yes, cuz. Well done."

Corrine wanders over, amused by Dunstan's formal and dramatic address.

"
Good evening, you two. Might I join you?"

Ben seems pleasantly surprised to see his Lady wife. "
Hello love."


He listens as the two converse. "
Benji has been prepared for the formalities he is to deal with. So you must speak them and he will listen, but the key to making an impression is relating on terms your recpient can understand. So in this case your own situation which was very similar."


Ben sighs turning to Corrine. "
I wish we could keep him awhile longer so he may have sometime to enjoy his childhood, but yes he will be needed here."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Sadly, I think his father's murder marks the end of his childhood. Many will vie to influence him now. Poor soul. I wish we had more power to protect him. He's a nice boy, and it is bad enough to lose his father as it is. To be thrown into such a mess is no less than a sin,"
she said, sadly.

And I hope &
pray that never happens to Bethany.

[Benedict Marsten]

Upon seeing the grief on Corrine's face Ben remembers another good point for Dunstan.

"
While giving said speech we often lend our emtions to our words. This is a slippery slope. It is best to keep emotions checked. In the above situation displaying your grief with tone or facial expression is one thing. Anger and outbursts may incite but do little to impress yourself on people for the extended future."


He reaches out to squeeze his wife's hand.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Noted"
he says to Ben.

"
And Corrine, don't yo worry. We'll catch the one who did it. I know it won't bring back the lad's father, but at least he'll see some justice."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine acknowledges Ben's hand squeeze with one of her own.

"
I know, Dunstan. I intend to go to Raventree Hall tomorrow, to investigate the murder. I suspect that the killer had inside help. If that is the case, then I intend to seek the highest retribution for Benjicot. He must grow up without a father, but I will not have him grow up without justice."


She took a deep breath, calming herself;


"
But, anyway, Ben speaks truly. Calm and balanced is how we must all be in this. I know you are a just and compassionate man, but I also know that you can let your emotions lead too much at times. I understand completely, but it is a thing we must rein in. One must be conscious of who is watching and listening at all times. The most useful thing I have found so far is to try and remember to take a deep breath before answering someone, especially on a heated matter. Just a few moments pause can avoid saying or doing something rash."

[Benedict Marsten]

(Ooc: scene? Unless someone has something of relevance.)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[that's fine by me]

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