[Day 1, EN]The maid of Raventree[Closed]

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore started to wander from the great hall, wondering if he ought to retire or go see what Riverton might have to offer this night, having a girl always made wonders for his sleep, and as he knew tourneys to be like, solid sleep was very much a desirable thing. On the other hand, going straight to his tent would mean more sleep. With a slight disappointment in himself, he comes to the conclusion that not going to Riverton would be the best choice, if perhaps not the most appealing. Ten years ago, he might still have thought the same, but he would have chosen differently without a doubt. But he could better handle late nights ten years ago as well.

The fresh air is quite invigorating, just the right amount of chill for his cloak to be of comfort, yet not a necessity. A clear night with stars out in all their majesty, and a moon lighting things up. Beautiful. Just the sort of night perfect to pursue his little indulgence, Theomore almost reconsiders his decision to go to sleep at the sight. But once again chooses the sensible thing, boring as it may be.

The third time a challenge to his restraint presents itself though, reason capitulates to impulse. The shape of a black haired young lady stands alone at a brazier, not quite alone though, a pair of Tully men stands watch close by as well, but watchmen are not really paid heed to when one has no intention of doing anything to which they might object. Theomore ignores them, and admires the silhouette for a brief moment, a shapely one for certain. Warming herself by the fire perhaps? Theomore might too if all he had was a summer dress and no cloak. Without really thinking, his steps take him towards her side, unconsciously circling the approach as to not come directly from behind. "
There's a chill out tonight, my lady...Sofia, is it not?"
He remembers her face from the Blackwood party in the great hall now that he can see the shadows from the flames dance upon it.

[Reader]

Lady Sofia offers a smile and a slight curtsey but does not speak.

Sofia seems the very embodiment of willowy beauty. It is no wonder this challenge proved impossible for Ser Theomore to resist. From the flickering fire he can see she wears a traditional, modest dress in white and grey, picked out in House Blackwood's red trim.

It is a cruel jape of the Gods that politics has seen her promised to Ser Benjen Frey, the lumbering "
Ferocious Frey"
of the Crossing.

"
You have me at a disadvantage, Ser...?"
her voice rises playfully, signalling the question.

[Theomore Tullison]

The tone of her voice brings Theomore past the point where the thought of this being a bad idea has a chance of passing through his mind, not that it matters, his lust and rising desire had already no need of further encouragement, the one thing that could defeat them now was lady Sofia's good sense.

"
Is that so, my lady?"
A hint of enjoyment at her choice of words and tone flickers on his face, difficult to spot..unless the lady is looking for an invitation to continue in same fashion. "
Then allow me to introduce myself, I am Ser Theomore Tullison. At your service."
A deep bow, with the sort of panache that Theomore only offers to attractive girls, and never in sight of their family, accompanies the words.

[Reader]

A slight look of concern crosses her face, displacing the genuine smile at Theomore's elaborate bow.

"
House Tullison? Did you ride in the recent unpleasantness we endured with House Bracken? My brothers tell me House Tullison was among the swords arrayed against us."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Then I fear your brothers would have the wrong of it, my lady."
Theomore does his best to appear tolerant of that mistake. "
Or else I would be a poor captain of the Tullison swords, riding as I was under your Lord Father's banner."
After the death of Sterl, the regency was left to his widow, Moraine, she herself a Blackwood. Who the Tullisons would support had never since been brought into question, and she never stopped reminding Dunstan about what his father died for. None of this he sees fit to lecture her on. "
Though I can see why such unpleasantness would be gladly endured"
he adds to shift the topic away from that of war to that of her.

[Reader]

"
Then I fear your brothers would have the wrong of it, my lady."
Theomore does his best to appear tolerant of that mistake. "
Or else I would be a poor captain of the Tullison swords, riding as I was under your Lord Father's banner."
After the death of Sterl, the regency was left to his widow, Moraine, she herself a Blackwood. Who the Tullisons would support had never since been brought into question, and she never stopped reminding Dunstan about what his father died for. None of this he sees fit to lecture her on. "
Though I can see why such unpleasantness would be gladly endured"
he adds to shift the topic away from that of war to that of her.

"
Houses Tullison and Marsten came down from the mountains to lend their sword to their fellow worshippers of the Seven in House Bracken."


Is one/both of us confused on Blackwood/Bracken nonsense?

Let's see if we can straighten this out.

Once we get this sorted we can retcon/I'll play her as a total air-head.

[Reader]

[OOC: ho ho, I have written contradictory things in different sections. House Tullison was supposed to be on House Bracken's side. Thanks to Dunstan for pointing out my mistake...

Is everyone ok with a retcon to put Tullison on the Bracken side - makes sense on religious grounds? Let me know in the House Tullison forum...

Sorry again!]

[Reader]

"
Then I fear your brothers would have the wrong of it, my lady."
Theomore does his best to appear tolerant of that mistake. "
Or else I would be a poor captain of the Tullison swords, riding as I was under your Lord Father's banner."
After the death of Sterl, the regency was left to his widow, Moraine, she herself a Blackwood. Who the Tullisons would support had never since been brought into question, and she never stopped reminding Dunstan about what his father died for. None of this he sees fit to lecture her on. "
Though I can see why such unpleasantness would be gladly endured"
he adds to shift the topic away from that of war to that of her.

"
Ser must forgive me,"
Sofia flutters her eyelashes, although it could be youthful innocence or a ploy.

"
So many worshippers of the Seven rode against us, but it is a fine thing that our blood ties to House Tullison were strong."


She beams at Theomore's compliment, unused to wordplay from suitors - most poets are too afraid of the ferocious Frey to tempt his wrath by courting his betrothed.

"
Ser is kind. A lady's place is to adorn her husband and strive to be a virtuous prize worth fighting over."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Nothing to forgive, my lady."
Theomore allows himself to pat her reassuringly on the shoulder, his hand lingering a moment longer than proper, as is his gaze into her eyes, his smile being warm, before flashing into a somewhat mischievous grin. "
Though I may need a word with your brothers, perhaps starting with a nice round of spanking?"

[Reader]

"
You'd need to be fast to put such a thrashing on my brothers,"
said Sofia, returning to a demure picture of womanhood despite Theomore's scandalous language, moving closer to the fire to disguise the move away from his hand.

Then again, perhaps she was simply a bored young noblewoman who enjoyed being fought over? It was hard to tell, her choice of language more ambiguous, but more dangerous, her tone hard to read.

"
Ser Benjen has been known to dole out thrashings of his own."


[OOC: Awareness TN 16 to pick-up her subtext]

[Theomore Tullison]

[url=Awareness][/url]: 3d6 +2 Blood of Andals 17

"
So I've heard, my lady"
Theomore finds this one quite intriguing, and quite the challenge. She likely does understand the signals, but is she politely turning him away...or testing if he truly wants her? And even those who play along only do so up till a point.

[Reader]

[OOC: Success - check your PM box - too secretive for public forums!]

[Theomore Tullison]

"
So I've heard, my lady"
Theomore finds this one quite intriguing, and quite the challenge. She likely does understand the signals, but is she politely turning him away...or testing if he truly wants her? And even those who play along only do so up till a point.

"
My lady has been promised to him as I understand?"
Theomore puts a certain emphasis on the last two words.

[url=Iniative][/url]: 4d6 14
Disposition: Amiable, DR 3
Objective: "
Things an honorable knight and a virtuous lady ought not be doing"

Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure 9

[Reader]

"
Yes, it is a good match for our houses. My father was delighted when he made it - more ties with worshippers of the Seven can only help our house. He is a mighty knight indeed."


The last words make Sofia's voice waver a little, as if he is unsure of her next course of action.

Iniative: [url=Status (Initiative)][/url]: 4d6 15
Disposition: Amiable, DR 3
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defence: 10
Composure: 9

Action: Consider

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Oh, it is without a doubt Ser Benjen who has the most cause for delight, my lady."
Theomore moves a very short step closer, an expression of confidence in his face as he looks at her eyes in a way most definitely not proper. Recalling Sofia's earlier words. "
A prize worth fighting for, and one he should cherish and treasure for certain."



Initiative: 14
Disposition: Amiable, DR 3
Objective: "
Things an honorable knight and a virtuous lady ought not be doing"

Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure 9

[url=Persuasion(Seduce)][/url]: 6d6k4+1 [url=Blood of Andals-reroll][/url] :24

Result: 3 DoS*4 influence=12-3DR, =9 damage to composure.

[Reader]

This time Sofia doesn't move away.

"
Perhaps Ser Theomore would favour me with a walk along the battlements? I would look upon the stars, but it is not safe for a lady to do so unescorted."


She offers an arm for her escort to lead her away.

[Result: Defeat and fade to black after parting words from Ser Theomore?]

[Theomore Tullison]

"
It would be an honor, my lady."
Theomore takes her arm gladly. and a considerable amount of pleasure "
I do in fact believe that I know where to go for the best look."
Incidentally, the best places to watch the stars were the ones most bereft of other sources of light.

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