[Day 2: Mid Evening] A White Swan? (Closed)

[Jon Cobb]

Jon strode towards Ayleth Swann's pavilion, mulling over how to approach her about entertaining Ser Fendrel's suit. She was prickly about matters of station, that much he had already noticed, so perhaps it would be best not to be too direct about his business. Perhaps he should simply sound her out about how she felt about the whole situation? Well, hopefully things will go better than with young Dunstan, he sighed inwardly as he neared her tent.

Jon stopped before the guards at the entrance - both wearing Swann livery, he noticed - and announced himself: "
Ser Jon Cobb to see Lady Ayleth. She's expecting me."

[Reader]

The Swann guardsmen were wide-eyed at Wrecker Jon's approach, they knew he was currently with House Bartheld and his imposing frame lived up to his legend.

The younger or the pair actually bowed to Ser Jon, as if he were some great high-born lord in silks, earning a playful thump from his colleague.

Lady Ayleth sat demurely on a chair, delicately re-stringing a harp.

She smiled and set aside the harp, offering a curtsey and a polite, "
Ser"
to her tall guest.

[Jon Cobb]

Jon acknowledges the guard's bow with a grin and a wink, before proceeding into the tent.

"
Lady Ayleth,"
Jon responds with a sweeping bow. "
My apologies for intruding on your solitude - it is most kind of you to agree to see me. May I sit? I'm afraid I'm not as spry as I used to be,"
he continues with a self-deprecating little smile.

[Reader]

"
But of course, minstrels sing of how your wounds were well won in defence of the realm."


Lady Ayleth has a handmaiden place a stool a respectable distance from her, still waiting for Jon's opening gambit.

[Jon Cobb]

"
Thank you my lady,"
Jon says as he sits carefully on the stool.

"
Lady Ayleth, I shall try to not to keep you long from your harp. I have come on behalf of Ser Fendrel Bartheld, who wishes to know if you have all the comforts you need, or if there is anything he can do to make your stay with House Bartheld more pleasant? He also offers his apologies for the...unbecoming...situation you have been forced into through no fault of your own. It is not in his nature to impose himself upon any woman, and so he has tasked me with asking you what your desires are in this matter, and what he might do make you look favorably on his courtship. Also, if there are any questions about Ser Fendrel that you wish to ask, he has commanded me to answer them as truthfully as I may."


OOC: A horrible bit of infodump, but since time is of the essence, it seems necessary. I'm also assuming a great deal about my mandate from Ser Fendrel, so I expect him to back me up all the way.

[Reader]

"
Unless Ser Fendrel can conjure up a ruby necklace, I fear the only thing I lack is an appropriately coloured gemstone to show my devotion to my new home."


Lady Ayleth flashes a mischievous, but possibly also avaricious, smile.

"
I thanks Ser Fendrel for his consideration and his understanding for the difficult position it has placed me in. House Bartheld has lived up to its reputation for hospitality."


"
Tell me - you are not Bartheld by blood. Is Ser Fendrel open-handed with his friends?"

[Jon Cobb]

"
Ser Fendrel has all the virtues one may expect of a true Bartheld, my lady. Open-handedness to his friends, and a will to make and keep friends, is certainly among them. As for a ruby necklace, I would not put it past him to conjure up such a thing if it should please you..."
Jon replies with a sly smile.

[Reader]

"
I would endeavour to honour such a feat of conjuring by wearing it often and prominently."

[Jon Cobb]

"
Then I shall speak to Ser Fendrel about finding a suitable stone to enhance your beauty even further, Lady Ayleth."
A bit of flattery can't hurt...

"
But you have asked me only one question about Ser Fendrel. Is there nothing else you wish to know about him?"
Is she really not interested, or is she just unsure what to ask?

[Reader]

"
Bartheld's parties are famous - does Ser Fendrel enjoy summerwine or Dornish red? Or does he take more pleasure in song and music? What's the appeal of these events for him?"


Ayleth idly runs her hands across her harps strings as she questions Jon.

[Jon Cobb]

"
Alas my lady, I have not studied Ser Fendrel's tastes in wine closely enough to answer such a detailed question,"
Jon replies with a laugh, "
but as far as I know, he enjoys many art forms, and certainly song and music."


"
I think you will find that Ser Fendrel is a man who takes his pleasures very seriously, and if you know the reputation of House Bartheld's revels then you know that they can be very pleasurable. But beyond the opportunity to eat, drink, dance and make merry, Ser Fendrel understands that these festivities are the foundation of House Bartheld's standing. He has said to me - and I agree - that House Bartheld measures its strength in friends, not in spears. Many a feud has been settled and new alliances formed under the mirrored ceiling of Hart House's grand ballroom, all with the help of Ser Fendrel's discreetly guiding hand. I'm sure you can appreciate how such helpfulness can strengthen House Bartheld's position. But even without such opportunities, Ser Fendrel would wish for the revels to continue - like Lord Brom before him, he wishes for Hart House to be a happy place filled with friends, laughter and good cheer."


"
If you have any further questions I will be happy to answer them, but may I first impose on you with a little story and then a question of my own? Did you know, Lady Ayleth, that many years ago I met your aunt, Lady Johanna Swann, while I was held captive in Lys? For several months, she did much to lighten the burden of my captivity and I was able to do the same for her. We became very...close...and it was my fondest wish to bring her with me when my ransom was paid. But I had no means to persuade her captors to release her, and in the end I was forced to return to the Stepstones without her, though it nearly broke my heart to do so."


"
Now although I have never married, I have lived long enough to know that a joyless marriage can be a cage as terrible as the one poor Johanna endured, and for her sake I would do my best to help you avoid such a situation. So with that in mind I ask you - what does Ayleth Swann want in life? If you can trust me enough to tell me your desires, then I can counsel you honestly on whether Ser Fendrel may be the man to help you fulfill them, or at least not hinder them."


OOC: I have no idea if Johanna Swann would be Ayleth's aunt, but it seems like a plausible family connection given their age differences. Also, Jon's story about Johanna Swann is perfectly true from his perspective, and his offer of honest counsel is genuine.

[Reader]

Jon's mention of Lady Johanna Swann earned a brief break in Ayleth's compsure, as she nodded enthusiastically at the mention of her captivity.

[/OOC - intrigue resolved off screen]

Lady Ayleth made polite conversation, the serene Swann shielded by courtesy's armour, but delicately providing information where propriety allowed.

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