[Day 1, LM]Breakfast[Open]

[Theomore Tullison]

In a manner quite usual for Theomore, he came strolling into the Tullison mess tent several minutes after breakfast was served, no doubt alerted by his squire. "
Waiting is wasting"
he would say whenever Lady Moraine commented on such tardiness, so she had stopped commenting to avoid her children from fancying to take such habits after their uncle.

"
Morning"
he declared to everyone before making his way to the Lord's table, unceremoniously take the closest available seat and fill his plate with smoked trout, bread and cheese. While generally a talkative smiling man, that was after breakfast.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben nods back to Theomore giving an awkward smile, his mouth busy chewing at the time of Theomores late entry. His plate nearly empty now save a few cooling roasted potatoes. He continues to finish, knowing better than to interrupt Theomore from his food or drink when he has set to it. Instead he leans in to Ellie at his side and says something that makes her giggle quietly.

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan drinks a big cup of water more often than he partakes in a meal - a consequence of having a hangover due to drinking too much last night. Greeting his uncle with a lazy smile he shuffles the food in the plate left and right with a fork.

Suddenly, he yanks his head up and, in a enthusiastic manner well known to anyone who spent even a moderate amount of time with him, says -

"
Uncle! If the rumors are true, Prince Daemon himself is arriving today. We must meet him!"
with those words he attacks the trout in front of him with force, as if that realization completely woke him up.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I would not get my hopes up for meeting him"
Theomore shrugs. "
I have a mind to go see him, but he's a prince, he may not have time to see me back."

[Benedict Marsten]

Waiting for a another short lull in the conversation. Ben rises from his seat, his hand slipping from Ellie's as he moves from behind the table. "
Excuse me My Lord."
His voice is formal and unlike his normal light-hearted canter. He moves to stand before Dunstan. "
I figure there is no better time than here among family and loyal peoples. Lord Byran (Blackwood) has granted my request to be released form service to house Blackwood."
Slowly Ben draws his long sword and goes to knee. "
I wish to swear my sword to House Tullison and you Lord Dunstan Tullison. In hopes that I may bring glory to help aid you and your house, and grant protection to you and your people and give what wise council I may."
He holds his blade out stretched, his head low.

A tinge of nervousness still runs through him. Knowing his cousin could refuse him and easily embarrass him, but he hopes he knows Dunstan better.

[Dunstan Tullison]

Waiting for a another short lull in the conversation. Ben rises from his seat, his hand slipping from Ellie's as he moves from behind the table. "
Excuse me My Lord."
His voice is formal and unlike his normal light-hearted canter. He moves to stand before Dunstan. "
I figure there is no better time than here among family and loyal peoples. Lord Byran (Blackwood) has granted my request to be released form service to house Blackwood."
Slowly Ben draws his long sword and goes to knee. "
I wish to swear my sword to House Tullison and you Lord Dunstan Tullison. In hopes that I may bring glory to help aid you and your house, and grant protection to you and your people and give what wise council I may."
He holds his blade out stretched, his head low.

A tinge of nervousness still runs through him. Knowing his cousin could refuse him and easily embarrass him, but he hopes he knows Dunstan better.

Dunstan, upon hearing Ben's words, smiles with both his mouth and his eyes, quickly wipes his mouth with his hand and stands up. He was glad to be able to see Ben during the tourney, but the news of his permanent return to Mountain's Reach simply overjoyed him. Seeing how the room suddenly got serious and formal, he wiped the childish smile of his face, cleared his throat and said:

"
Ser Benedict, you have always been a loyal friend both to me and House Tullison. It is my privilege to accept your sword and grant you the rights to call Mountain's Reach home from now on."
he says and bows his hand to symbolically take Ben's sword.

Afterwards he can't help but give the old friend a hug and say "
Welcome!"

[Benedict Marsten]

A relief washed over Ben. At the mention of home he looked over to Ellie with a smile and wink. "
Thank you My Lord. Each victory I earn will be that much sweeter knowing they help glorify your-our House"


When Dunstan embraces him less formally he hugs back with equal measure. "
Thank you. It will truly be a pleasure to help you make our House great."


After shake some hands and taking a few congratulations Ben returns to his seat, where Ellie gives him a large bear hug and kiss to his cheek.

Once no longer under his sisters attack he adjusts himself looking to Dunstan. His voice now back to its casual tone. "
So My Lord what trouble are we to find today? A adventurous spark shines in his blue/grey eyes.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I like the way you think Ben Dunstan says, hoping for adventure as well. "
We only arrived, who knows what will happen still. We need to welcome Prince Daemon! I hope he will fly over his on his dragon!"
he says with boyish enthusiasm.

Now, pondering a bit, Dunstan looks at the side of the table where his sister and his uncle are seated.

"
There is something else I wanted to talk about. I, as you can see, am not a boy anymore, but a man grown. There really is no need for an entire entourage to follow me everywhere I go."
he says, trying not to hurt anybody's feelings, but still determined to push this issue through. "
What I would want to do is get one personal squire, and dismiss the guards who constantly worry for every step I take."
he finishes.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
A man grown, aye"
Theomore agrees, washing down the food in his mouth with some wine. "
But also Lord Tullison, representing our house. You will notice that few lords and high ladies will be found without at least one knight trailing behind. Lords honor knights by allowing them to walk by their side, and at the same time, show the realm that their house can attract such chivalry to it's ranks."


"
And they also serve to dissuade any troublemakers, as amusing as our friend of Bracken was at the kneeling man, such incidents has much too often ended in naught but grief."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
You are wise as always uncle"
Dunstan says. "
What better knight than Ser Benedict right here"
he adds and points to his friend with a smile.
"
Surely it's better to have Ben by my side than that many guards"
.

Two guards appointed to watch the entrance start pouting and look at the ground. Dunstan was surrounded by them since early age, and often found time to jest with them a bit.

[Benedict Marsten]

A prideful smile beams across Ben's face. "
I would be honored My Lord and protect you as any Kingsguard would, but perhaps also 1-2 "
trusted"
guards for more public outings would be wise."
He gives Dunstan a knowing glance to imply, guards who knew when to look the other way. Hoping to both keep Yves disapproval quieted and give hope to the long term guards at the door.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, you know what I always say, more is better"
Theomore just grins. He may at one time or the other have indicated that it did not apply to drink if one had a wish to impress a girl. She might get prettier and prettier, but she also had the habit of disappearing.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I am glad you agree with arrangment. Know that even if you will surely be as loyal as a member of Kingsguard, I will not have anything against you "
soiling your cloak"
as they say"
Dunstan says with the intention of making a jest.

"
What say you about a squire? Surely we could improve our relations with another House if I am to take one of their boys. Maester?"
Dunstan turns to Haelis, for it was him who attempted to teach him of noble customes quite often.

[Reader]

House Tullison's handsome young Maester Haelis looked up from the minutes and inventory he had busied himself preparing.

"
A squire? Such an arrangement is common to form links between both friends and enemies. It is a fine suggestion, does my lord have somone in mind? No doubt this tourney is an ideal opportunity to find a likely lad."


A pause while Haelis plays with his chain, seemingly lost in thought.

"
However, I must caution you against dismissing your guards. A squire, no matter how noble of birth and true of hear, is scant protection against kidnappers and raiding clansmen. Keeping one or two present at all times is essential, even if you appoint a worthy squire."


Haelis looks around the to his fellow House members, expecting them to join him in gently reining their lord in.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben nods at Haelis' words. "
Yes like I previously stated at minimum 2 well trusted guards. As to the squire I shall keep my eyes open but it would seem a more political choice than militaristic. So my opinion may not be of use."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
We could approach the royal family?"
Dunstan says in his naivety, not realizing the absurdity of his words. "
Or maybe our liege Lords? We are in their castle after all."
he finishes speaking with a more reasonable suggestion.

"
As far as personal entourage goes I would prefer to go alone but since you all make such strong case against that, I will let Ser Ben decide on such matters in the future."


Turning to the maester once again Dunstan asks : "
One more question Maester Haelis. What gift woul be suitable for our hosts? "

[Theomore Tullison]

"
A Tully perhaps"
Theomore considers the thought, not knowing if there were any boys of eligible age available, Targaryen? Dream on he thinks to himself, leaving it up to the maester to comment on the eligibility of either option.

[Reader]

"
We could approach the royal family?"
Dunstan says in his naivety, not realizing the absurdity of his words. "
Or maybe our liege Lords? We are in their castle after all."
he finishes speaking with a more reasonable suggestion.

"
As far as personal entourage goes I would prefer to go alone but since you all make such strong case against that, I will let Ser Ben decide on such matters in the future."


Turning to the maester once again Dunstan asks : "
One more question Maester Haelis. What gift woul be suitable for our hosts? "

"
A Targaryen might be interpreted as overreach my lord, although there are several boys of suitable age. Indeed, Aemond Targaryen himself was on the guest list and is rumoured to be a puissant warrior despite his youth. Given House Tully has not received such favour, I fear we would wrong our master with such an offer, however well intentioned."


"
Robert Tully, a cousin of the main line is of the right age, if one of you is of a mind to approach the Tullys. The offer coming from a knight or lord seems apt?"


Maester Haelis pauses.

"
Ah, the gitfts. Remember, we will be presenting our gifts to our host, but also to the Queen's party or the princess's. They sent letters informing guests that each would be receiving gifts at the same time. It would seem we must offend one by favouring the other. We could try a different tack, but this risks offending both by refusing to partake or irking both by attending to both."


The maester sighs wearily, not hiding his displeasure as he is among friends.

[OOC: this touches on Day 2's events, apologies for being vague. Might give people a sneak preview of this at the weekend]

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan nods at the Maester's words and although the subtle nuances of politics bore him immensely he realizes he will have to learn to think like that at one point.

"
It would be great honor to have a Tully boy as a squire!"
he proclaims to the table.

Even bigger one to have Aemond as one he sights at the thought.

"
Should we approach the Lord at the feast or wait until later?"
Dunstan asks looking at Ben and his uncle.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben glances to Haelis, hoping his suggestion would not be a blunder, as political maneuvering was not his expertise. "
I would think it would be a subject best broached in private, away from the eyes and ears of other Houses."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I would be inclined to agree, yes"
Theomore says, still somewhat groggy "
A decline is better for everyone if only we and the Tully's know of it. And if they were to accept such an offer, everyone will discover it soon enough."

[Theomore Tullison]

That matter seemingly settled, and Theomore having finished up his food, it is time to bring up the more difficult subject that needs be broached.

"
There is one more thing we need to discuss..."
The way he looks at Dunstan is more than enough to establish exactly what that thing would be.

[Dunstan Tullison]

Oh, here we go.. Dunstan thinks.

Completely begrudgingly he says "
I guess you mean the question of a bride. You all know how I feel about that issue. I would never make anyone marry someone they do not wish to marry, and I fully expect you to be the same when it comes to me."
he says, not to Theomore precisely, but more to the entire table. Nervously shaking his leg Dunstan takes a great big sip of ale from the table.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Then I would advise you to mingle and see if a lady does not catch your eye, and see if she won't be impressed by this."
Theomore gives his nephew a good squeeze around his rather impressive upper arm. "
I need not repeat the words of your mother and sister about a lord's duties, I hope. But your chances of finding a suitable maid that you like and that likes you back is much greater here and now than it will be at Mountain's Reach."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
The tourney lasts but a few days. How can one hope to fall in love, true love, for a few days. I am certain all the noble ladies can pretend to love you after a week but that is not something I will agree upon."


Dunstan speaks out of his heart and adds, "
Our House is not like most, we all know that. Where somewhere they scold bastards and treat smallfolk cruely our very own founding history is defined by the likes of that. I trust we won't accept the ways of those Houses and start backstabing scheming and marrying for favors."
with those words he looks outside through the tent door in blind hope to catch sight of Marei. She was nowhere to be found however.

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