Father & Daughter (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: A private thread for Ser Devyn Terrick and Daeryssa Terrick to converse atvarious times.]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Ser Devyn sat by the fire, sharpening his sword with whetstone and oil, as a small pot approached a slow bubbling heat atop the flames. He occasionally looked to his daughter and smiled.

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa busied herself mending clothes. The 'squirette' didn't lack for chores, but needlework was her favorite;
she could imagine even the princesses of the realm themselves working at their needle. "
Should I sing, father?"
she asked Devyn. Daeryssa often sang during her chores, but she also wanted to speak to her father if he had time.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Yes. I do like to hear you sing,"
he replied, with a smile.

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa smiled back and sang sweetly, a song of the love of Maris and Uthor. Singing was one of her favorite pastimes, and although she knew many songs of the Riverlands she often sang of the reach because of her love of chivalry. Once she had finished the song, she spoke to her father. "
The Reach always has the best things to sing about. Our own history can be a little difficult. One of the most beautiful songs I ever heard was about the Justman line, but it just makes me too sad to sing it."

She shifted slightly and smoothed out her skirt before continuing. "
My, what a strange day. First the fight at the inn, and now the newcomers and locals so angry at each other. It makes me value the peace of the people of Eagle House."
She shook her head softly. "
Of course, knights aren't made for peaceful times."

"
Who do you think is in the right? The townsfolk or the newcomers?"
she asked as she sewed. Her father would know, she thought.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Things are rarely as simple as who is right and who is wrong,"
Ser Devyn replied. "
I think there is truth in both sets of tales. What matters is the perspective. All we can do is listen carefully, act honourably, and try to foster peace. I must admit that I somewhat regret bringing you into this. You should have a better life than this."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
I suppose.... but I mean, the newcomers must either be stealing like the locals said, or the locals are lying about them. It can't be both"
Daeryssa mused. "
I will do as you tell me."
Honorable behavior had been stressed in her upbringing, and she always tried to live up to it.

"
Father"
Daeryssa said softly, laying aside her sewing for the moment. "
You know I am glad to accompany you. And knowing you have a healer on hand puts my mind at ease"
She rose and crossed to her father, hugging him. "
Beside, someone has to accompany you. Tomas and Lyn are too old to keep up with you now"
she teased.

Truthfully, it would really worry her to have her father with no one he could count on.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I think the thefts are happening, but I'm not convinced that everyone is being honest about the reasons why."


He patted Daeryssa's arm when she hugged him.

"
I enjoy your company, Dae. I'm just conscious that I should be trying to find you a good husband, not trailing you along with me as a squire."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa blushed. Is this about Martin? I was hoping father had forgotten."
I'm hardly a spinster"
she protested. "
There's still plenty of time to find me a husband."
She had always hoped she would fall in love at a tournament, herself. They're just so romantic.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I know, little one. I know. It is just normal for a father to worry about his daughter. Tell me, are you happy, living this way?"

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa nodded and smiled. "
Of course, dear father"
Her father was always looking out for her and worrying for her, she couldn't ask for a better father. She wasn't quite sure how to answer, as it just wouldn't be ladylike to say she enjoyed the adventure of it. "
It's rougher than I'm used to, but I am happy. It's nice to see all sorts of new places like this and I enjoy helping out in whatever small way I can."

She was silent a moment, before asking softly "
Did mother ever travel with you?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

The mention of his late wife still stung, but he smiled fondly at Daeryssa, her living likeness.

"
Sometimes, when the House was more prosperous. We'd go to the coast. Gulltown, White Harbour, Seagard, Duskendale, Saltpans. She loved to watch the sea, the birds, the boundless sky. She was like you, didn't mind camping. Once we had a family, that became more difficult. I had hoped to take her away again before... before the end."


He gazed into the fire with a wistful sorrow.

"
She'd be ever so proud of you, you know."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
That would-"
Daeryssa began softly but quieted. It would probably cause her father pain to see the places her mother loved, and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. But it was nice to remember her mother, and the things she had loved.

Daeryssa teared up softly when Devyn said her mother would be proud of her. "
That means so much to me. I hope I will be a woman you could both be proud of."


She wiped her tears. "
What a fool I am. I was just talking about how happy I am and now I've made us sad. Forgive me"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

He gave her a fond smile.

"
Don't apologise, sweetling. I feel your mother's absence much, but my memories of her are happy ones. We can still be happy and miss her too. And of course we're both proud of you. You are the kindest and gentlest of all my children. A credit to the House."


He reached over and stroked her hair gently for a moment.

"
Never doubt that I cherish you, my darling. You are already braver than many men are at twice your age. In all things, be brave."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
I'm very glad I was her daughter. We were blessed to have her."
Daeryssa said seriously
Daeryssa brightened under the praise. "
I try, in everything that may become a lady."
Truthfully, she did not have to try that hard in this area;
kindness had always come naturally to her.

"
I will be!"
Daeryssa enthused when her father told her to be brave. She would never be a knight like her brothers or father, but that didn't mean she could show bravery. "
I tried to be, when I thought Patience was making threats, but I'm afraid I made myself look silly."
she added with a blush. "
I... I guess I jumped right to the most dramatic assumption when things were simpler."


She was happy to share the moment with her father. Family was very important to her.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That Patience is a peculiar sort. Do not worry overly much about what she thinks of you. You were just trying to do what you thought was right. While it is wise not to jump to conclusions, sometimes our instincts are valuable. Being able to assess a situation quickly is a good skill to cultivate. It will help you run a household someday."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
She is, but I feel sorry for her. It's awful to lose a child"
Daeryssa said.
She nodded sheepishly when her father said it was wise not to jump to conclusions.
"
I think I'll be good at running a household."
she said optimistically. After her mother had passed, Daeryssa had thought of herself as the lady of the house, and tried hard to help out, despite her youth.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
It is a great sadness to lose a child. May neither of us come to know it. And you'll be a fine lady. You have shown great capability already. The trick is determining who might be worthy of you."


He smiled, and took up a stuck to prod the fire.

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa smiled at the compliment.
"
Oh, a prince of the realm ought to do it. What an experience it would be to fly on a dragon"
Daeryssa teased, happy to make the conversation a little less serious

She shifted closer to the fire and resumed her sewing. "
You know, for an adventure we're not so very far from home"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

He chuckled at her jest, though the thought of her being overly close to a dragon or the volatile royals made him uneasy.

"
No. Not far at all. Handy if all goes to the seven hells. Not too far to flee. Is there somewhere you're longing to adventure to?"

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
Oh father, you worry too much"
Daeryssa replied fondly when her father talked about everything going to hell. She sighed wistfully when he asked his question. "
I'd like to see Oldtown, but it's so far away. What was your favorite place you've ever seen, father?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Ser Devyn thought for a few monents.

"
When I was a squire, I saw Shipbreaker Bay once. The sun was starting to set, making each wave gold-tipped as it rolled toward the rocks. The sky felt boundless. We don't get sunsets like that back home, as much as I love the place for other reasons."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa closed her eyes. "
Oh my, how lovely. I can see it in my mind's eye. I should like to see the ocean"
she said dreamily.

"
Though I a a touch surprised, with all the places you have been. Not King's Landing, or some famous castle?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
When you've seen as many castles as I have, they don't impress as often. That having been said, Highgarden, the Red Keep, and Riverrun are the most magnificent castles I've seen. I suppose, these days, I'm more impressed by the simple beauty of nature than the grand feats of mankind. I've seen a lot of destruction and darkness in humanity, and it somewhat changes things. Your sense of wonder is admirable, daughter. I hope tou don't lose it. If you keep it, everything will give you joy."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Riverrun was too close to home to seem exotic and exciting. But Daeryssa smiled at the idea of seeing far-off highgarden, or the Red Keep, full of silver-haired princes and princesses. "
Well, the beauty of nature is very special. I've seen so much more since I've started travelling with you. I particularly like the variety of flowers we've seen."
Daeryssa loved flowers. She quieted down as her father spoke. He could be so dark sometimes. "
Thank you, I'm sure I won't lose it. Not in the world the Seven have given us, with so much that's special and new to me."
Her innocent blue eyes fixed on her father as she smiled at him

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