A strange dinner. (D3 EE Closed)

[Yoren longshore]

this chaos makes strange bedfellows. Yoren chuckles to himself as he takes the seat in the corner. The three other chairs stood empty for now, and he had a feeling that he'd soon wish that their occupants could leave the chairs empty. He sits in quiet while waiting for the other 3, distractedly musing over whether or not he could simply leave the meeting and just let the strongest come out on top...

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine arrives with Ben at her side. She greets Yoren with a polite, reserved smile;


"
Good evening, Yoren. How are you?"

[Yoren longshore]

"
Good, I'm a bit hungry, but then again, I believe we are here to adress that point."
Yoren smiles to Corrine as he sits back: "
Should we wait for Athelstan before eating?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Well, since he is also an invitee, that would be considered polite,"
Corrine replies.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan arrives still wearing his armor, tired of a long day of keeping the peace and searching for things important to him "
Evening"
an even tone "
Apologies for arriving late I suppose, I do work to maintain the peace and find answers until my body demands rest and food"
looking at the only empty seat and smiling at Corrine and nodding to both Ben and her, and a raised eye brow to Yoren with an inquisitive look and then a grin before taking his seat "
Glad you haven't started without me after all, I'm not that important among lordlings to make you wait, you have my thanks"

[Yoren longshore]

"
A few minutes more and I'm not sure I would have waited, I'll go get the food."
Yoren wiggles out as he goes to get some stew.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I hope you are having some luck with investigations and what you are looking for. Today's events surely did not aid in the search for truth, but maybe they stilled the tide of war."
Ben demeanor is gracious if a bit short.

[Athelstan]

"
To much things I have found, the assassination was a plot between both Blackwood's and Bracken's, just need more evidence and Corrine has helped me piecing a couple of things with my findings. I've found information on the iron mines which today I have shared with Corrine. I also know to a certain point things of the Septry, Blackbuckle, Pennytree, and false flag. I need to speak with others to compare notes on the Septry, assassination, and Blackbuckle above all."
shrugging his shoulders "
Thinking nothing of Ben's short words "
I hope you as well as Corrine are not having such hard times, I can only imagine the pressure you tow are under, and not to mention Ser Kevan"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Hard evidence is even harder to come by and it's validity must be obtain."
Ben shakes head to show his frustration.

"
The pressure has not even really began yet I am afraid."

[Athelstan]

"
It's sure to increase when the delegation comes in tomorrow, and probably only increase after that"
Athelstan orders some food and tea for a change.

[Yoren longshore]

"
Don't stress, frayed nerves doesn't do anything good. It's better to just relax, and speak calmly through issues. Serenity reaps better results, as at the face of violent emotions others are swept into the current."
As Yoren seats hinself again he smiles and winks over at Corrine.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
It is a heavy burden, but I am honoured that His Grace thinks House Marsten capable of bearing it,"
Corrine begins, sincerely. "
The pressure to achieve an ideal result is high, though I expect there will be no such thing as an ideal result in practice. As with everything House Marsten does under my leadership, I fully anticipate wailing and gnashing of teeth about whatever decisions I make as a mark of my female ineptitude,"
she adds, sardonically, tearing a strip of bread off the large loaf in the centre of the table, to dunk in her stew.

"
Still,"
she sighs, a little sadly. "
We must try, nonetheless, to do what is right, even if it is difficult. I dearly hope that wisdom and compassion will win out."

[Yoren longshore]

"
I thought women were supposed to be the ones wailing?"
Yoren asks before adding: "
Couldn't we just jail the lot of them? They are all guilty snakes. Fortunately we will get additional help with judges tomorrow."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Men can wail too,"
Corrine shrugs, then realises that statement could be taken a number of ways. She hastily moves on.

"
I don't think jailing everyone would be a just or helpful thing to do. We cannot tar everyone with the same brush. I am interested in the truth, and in fairness. I will not punish someone who has committed no crimes, just because they belong to the wrong family. I expect every one of the investigators to seek the truth, and to support peace. Mercy, I would argue, is a greater mark of strength than force of arms. While I wish to see the perpetrators of each crime brought to justice, it is more important to me that we get these two Houses to set aside their rancour, and commit to peace in our time."

[Athelstan]

"
Men can wail too,"
Corrine shrugs, then realises that statement could be taken a number of ways. She hastily moves on.

Athelstan almost chokes with the food trying not to laugh afterward.

Mercy, I would argue, is a greater mark of strength than force of arms.

"
Yeah. Regretfully it's force of arms what takes to enforce it."

While I wish to see the perpetrators of each crime brought to justice, it is more important to me that we get these two Houses to set aside their rancour, and commit to peace in our time."

"
So basically pick and choose what is convenient then, is that what you are saying?"
Athelstan shakes his head "
All crimes and criminals must be accounted for if possible, but the way we bring judgement is what will bring peace, but again who will enforce it?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's expression becomes a little terse, and her eyes regard Athelstan coldly;


"
No. I am not saying that we will be selective. If I catch anyone trying to do that, I will respond with appropriate chastisement. What I am saying is that we should not perpetuate the cycle of violence by doling out unnecessarily harsh punishments, just to show off our power."

[Athelstan]

"
Perhaps not you, or Benedict, but Ser Kevan? Baelon? Coldbrooks? Tullison's?"
shrugging his shoulders you could say I believe you both, bot them no. Specially Baelon and Dunstan, they are invested in seeing for the Blackwoods, and they will show it when the time comes!"
Crossing his arms in front of himself "
Ser Kevan may be your sworn sword, but his wife and link to the Blackwoods cannot be easily put aside when the time comes for judgement. House Longshore wants fair play and a good resolution to maintain peace, but that might not be the same for other Houses involved"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Other Houses will indeed be more biased, but it is our duty to mediate those biases,"
Corrine explains. "
We cannot eliminate them, but we can take them into account when making decisions. I will personally be on the lookout for anyone trying to manipulate the result. We are but human beings, Athelstan. I do not have the perfect knowledge and insight of the Gods, but I will do my best to ensure the final treaty is one that will be just and fair. You may not trust the others, fair enough, but trust that Ben &
I understand the situation, and can handle it."

[Yoren longshore]

Trust me Yoren reflects The two words that causes people to be the most on guard. Out loud he simply says:
"
I'm sure you will, just know that We'll be here to assist if anything happens, although i can just promise eleven swords to any fight, so we might be better used other places."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Let us hope it does not come to that. But thank you for the show of faith. It is good to know that House Marsten has friends, despite our occasional frictions."


She smiles a little to herself, then speaks again in a light-hearted tone;


"
Perhaps it will become a tradition between ourselves. Every time we meet, we shall have to have a dinner together, to clear up all the misunderstandings we accrue."

[Athelstan]

"
Well people have to eat after all, and the way I see it, we will end up having dinner like this more often than not"
he chuckles to himself

[Yoren longshore]

"
I've got a figure to watch, so we'll have to ensure that not too many misunderstandings pop up."
Yoren smiles. As the conversation lulls he adds to Ben "
I saw the most wondrous bird coming here today, could you bring this drawing to your little sister, it seems like something she might like."
He then pulls out a small sheaf of paper, which he gives to Ben.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: I wish to vote for the deletion and retcon of this thread, since the iron mine incident obviates Athelstan's prescence, and throws into question House Marsten's future dealings with House Longshore.]

[Athelstan]

[Agreed on delete do to Athelstan]

[Sponsored content]