[Day 3 EE]A Black Swan?[Closed]

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore always felt at home in the dance. The "
hunt for a different sort of prey"
as Ser Benjen called it. The prey worth hunting, in Theomore's opinion. And here it was so delightfully abundant. Only in the dance did propriety allow for knight and lady to meet close enough to sense the warmth of each other, their every move for all to see, true enough, but their words not traveling to the ears of others due to the music, and the shared moments between man and woman where theirs alone, it gave him more than enough to sense who might be found lead astray from the flock, and like the shadowcat, Theomore knew how to prowl in, unnoticed until the time to pounce came to pass.

From lady to lady he passes, seemingly gaining more energy for each and every one of them. Until he comes upon a slender beauty that he does not fail to recognize from his visits to Hart House.."
My lady Ayleth"
he offers the deep bow that he always gives a lady. "
Would it please you to grand me the honor of a dance?"
Knowing her, it probably would.

[Reader]

"
Who could refuse our dashing pageant champion?"


A playful toss of the hair from Lady Ayleth, who curtsied and then offered an arm.

"
I fear I must look a state, Lord Bracken is quite the vigorous partner."


She looks anything but a state - men would fight over her even if she were not a key piece in the Bartheld inheritance. Lady Ayleth's white dress is accented with black and has a red trim in honour of her future marriage in to House Bartheld, whichever "
heir"
it is to be. It's slightly more daring than many other ladies present, but this on the right side of good taste.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Are you saying, my lady"
Theomore's smile indicate that he wouldn't quite agree with that assumption as he leads them onto the floor, never taker her face out of his sight. "
That you usually are even more gorgeous than you are now? I do hope your future husband knows how lucky he is..."


[url=iniative][/url]: 4d6 11
Objective: Something that will cause more trouble.
Disposition: Amiable, DR3
Defense: 10
Composure: 9

[Reader]

"
I do hope to know my future husband soon too,"
says Ayleth. As they dance, Theomore notices that she wears an impressive ruby necklace.

She's an enchanting dancer, and seems to take genuine joy in the activity. It's enough to soften the heart of even a rogue like Ser Theomore.

Initiative: [url=Status (Initiative)][/url]: 5d6 24
Objective: ???
Disposition: Dislike (Haughty), DR5
Defence: 12
Composure: 9
Action: [url=Persuade (Charm)][/url]: 6d6ro1k4+1 24
Result = 4 x 3 DoS = 12 -3 = 9 Damage

[Theomore Tullison]

And softened up it is indeed. Theomore can feel the unfamiliar feeling of jealousy stirring somewhere deep inside. Along with the quite well known one of desire. "
Pray forgive me my lady, but last I heard, your betrothal to lord Davain had already been agreed upon?"
Theomore had heard some interesting stories regarding the Barthelds, but it was always best to not make any assumptions beyond the news that were reliable.

iniative: 11
Objective: Something that will cause more trouble.
Disposition: Amiable, DR3
Defense: 10
Composure: 3 (1 Frustration)

And this is why intrigue against specialists goes badly.....one good roll is all it takes to break the generalist....not taking action quite yet.

[Reader]

Lady Ayleth doesn't miss a beat despite the conversation.

"
No forgiveness is needed, news travels slowly and unreliably."


"
The maesters are quite particular - I am bound by alliance to merely marry the 'heir to House Bartheld' and it would appear that this is not yet a settled question. I am cast adrift on a sea of uncertainty ser - my foes are more elusive than the targets you expertly conquered yesterday."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Your foes, my lady?"
Theomore had helped the lady Sofia had he not? This one sounded more difficult, but he could help her as well. "
How could you possibly have foes?"



iniative: 11
Objective: Something that will cause more trouble.
Disposition: Amiable, DR3
Defense: 10
Composure: 3 (1 Frustration)

I think I'll go high stakes, thus yield offer:
Theomore will improve his disposition towards Ayleth by two steps, if she will join him for a moonlight walk in the Godswood (or some other similar location, with or without actual moonlight, on account of the weather) along with giving him a second chance to pull off his original objective.

[Reader]

[OOC: yes if she can have a septa as chaperone - you can always try to bribe/shake your tail, or just convince Ayleth to dismiss her. She's a high status lady from a grand family, she's not doing anything daft. At least not without a lot of persuasion.]

[Theomore Tullison]

[Done]

[Reader]

"
My foes are my feet at the moment Ser Theomore, and I fear they shall trip me if I do not concentrate,"
she sniffs haughtily. It's clearly a polite falsehood - Lady Ayleth could recite half the court's lineage backwards while still out dancing most maidens, but she has a winning grasp of etiquette and good manners.

"
Why don't we follow your suggestion, and continue the discussion in the gardens later? Septa Heloise can help us identify the flowers, she is learned in such matters."


Ever the proper young lady, Ayleth delicately adds her septa to the evening stroll.

[/scene and link to next thread after parting words from Ser Theo and the end of the dance music?]

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

Some time after lady Ayleth Swann stopped dancing with Theomore, she was approached by yet another man asking for a chance to be enchanted by her grace and beauty among joyous music played by the hired minstrels. Wearing one of his more extravagant attires, black and green with golden embroidery, proudly displaying House Bartheld's coat-of-arms, Fendrel smiled as he closed the distance separating him from one of the most striking ladies at the ball. While no longer a youth, Fendrel looked as if he was still only a man of twenty-five, maybe twenty-six summers. Handsome, but not wildly so.

"
My lady,"
he says offering a deep bow, "
we have not yet had the pleasure,"
the flirtatious remark was obvious, "
to meet in person, but I have long longed to make your acquaintance. Ser Fendrel Bartheld, at your joyous service."
He finished with a smile. After all, House Bartheld's words were Joy in Service.

"
It pleases me greatly to see you wear the gift... even if the rubies cannot even hope to match your radiant beauty. My lady, would it please you to honour me with a dance?"
Fendrel's eyes admired the beauty before him. Ayleth was truly striking, her green eyes and pale hair making her look more like an excellent drawing and not a tangible person.

(OOC: got Reader's permission to post in this thread.)

[Reader]

Lady Ayleth offers a graceful curtsey, a hand involuntarily moving to her necklace. Or perhaps a gesture artfully designed to appear involuntary.

"
I would be delighted, your nephew is not much for dancing,"
she replied mischievously, taking his hand. Davain sits alone at the Bartheld table for now, impassive at his uncle dancing with the women each seeks to marry to secure the Bartheld throne.

House Swann has educated her well, and she knows her pleasantries. Simple chatter did not detract from her light footed dancing.

"
Ser spoke well yesterday in the great hall."

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

Lady Ayleth offers a graceful curtsey, a hand involuntarily moving to her necklace. Or perhaps a gesture artfully designed to appear involuntary.

"
I would be delighted, your nephew is not much for dancing,"
she replied mischievously, taking his hand. Davain sits alone at the Bartheld table for now, impassive at his uncle dancing with the women each seeks to marry to secure the Bartheld throne.

House Swann has educated her well, and she knows her pleasantries. Simple chatter did not detract from her light footed dancing.

"
Ser spoke well yesterday in the great hall."

Fendrel's eyes light up when lady Ayleth takes his hand and they move to the floor and start moving graciously to the rhythm of the minstrels' music. He shoots a smile at the ever impassive, ever serious Davain. "
Alas you are right, my lady. You will find out that he is not one to enjoy the many joys of life. He does not appreciate art, or music, or song, or paintings. It is as if the gods cursed him to be blind to real beauty..."
While saying the last word, Fendrel looks into Ayleth's green eyes and smiles nonchalantly.

"
My lady brings me great joy,"
another smile, "
by saying this."


[url=Status][/url]: 4d6 18 Initiative

Initiative: 18
Objective: Service (to meet him again or even make a habit of it...)
Disposition: Amiable, DR3
Defence: 10
Composure: 12

(OOC: Should I already state my action or wait till I know whether I go first or second?)

[Reader]

Ayleth tries to read Ser Fendrel's intentions as they dance, but the proud young noblewoman finds him harder to read than younger knights. She is keen to get the measure of the man, but cannot.

To conceal this, she makes a brief conversational gambit.

"
To bring joy is your house's calling Ser, I must confess to finding the attitude unusual. I have oft heard joy regarded as selfish, yet you Barthelds call service a joy."


[url=Initiative][/url]: 5d6 22Objective: ???
Disposition: Dislike (Haughty), DR5
Defence: 12
Composure: 9
Action: Read target fails
[url=Awareness (Empathy)][/url]: 5d6k2 9

[OOC: whichever you prefer, I don't mind!]

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
Unusual? That is certainly one way to put it, my lady."
Fendrel smiles as he talks, "
We are no Starks or any of the northern houses with all their grim rememberence of the incoming disaster. We are no Tullys even if we greatly value the importance of family and duty. We are no Baratheons to be screaming with fury at our enemies. We are no Targaryens either, no ancient blood in our veins... and the Seven forbid, no more fires on our lands!"
He laughs lightly at his own jest before continuing, "
We are no great house and as such we are called to serve... but who says that service cannot bring you joy? Tell me, my lady, do you think that this - engaging in this dance and letting ourselves be engulfed by song and happiness all around us - is wrong? Why should it be? I assure you, your smile, your moment of bliss cannot cause anyone else pain. We live just like any others, do our duty, serve... but the difference is that we do it with a smile, we do it because we want to and we do it while also pursuing our own happiness."
For a second, lost in the dance - or was it on purpose? - Fendrel gets just a little too close to the silver-haired beautiful before him and looks into her eyes, "
Would you not rather do your duty because it brings you joy than because you are obliged to or even forced to?"



Initiative: 18
Objective: Service (to meet him again or even make a habit of it...)
Disposition: Amiable, DR3
Defence: 10
Composure: 12

Action: [url=Deception (Charm)][/url]: 6d6k4+5 23 Manipulating the heck out of her.
Result: 4 x 3 DoS = 12 - 5 = 7

[Reader]

"
Who could say no to that? To be joyful is not a sin, but is it enough?"
say Ayleth, seemingly enjoying herself but a little flustered by Fendrel's sudden proximity, briefly unable to offer an sharp remark. "
It may leave a man rudderless."


Initiative: 5d6 22
Objective: ???
Disposition: Dislike (Haughty), DR5
Defence: 12
Composure: 2 (9)
Action: [url=Persuade (Charm)][/url]: 6d6ro1k4+1 16
Result: 4x2 DoS = 8-3 = 5 damage

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
If he were solely to seek pleasure, mayhaps. But we also serve, we are focused on doing our duty to the best of our ability."
Fendrel moved away slightly, giving the beautiful woman space to herself. Still smiling, he added, "
My lady, believe me, I am never rudderless."


Initiative: 18
Objective: Service (to meet him again or even make a habit of it...)
Disposition: Amiable, DR3
Defence: 10
Composure: 7 (12)

Action: [url=Deception (Charm)][/url]: 6d6k4+5 21 Same as last exchange.
Result: 4 x 2 DoS = 8 - 5 =3

OOC: Quick post, not much time before sleep

[Theomore Tullison]

"
My foes are my feet at the moment Ser Theomore, and I fear they shall trip me if I do not concentrate,"
she sniffs haughtily. It's clearly a polite falsehood - Lady Ayleth could recite half the court's lineage backwards while still out dancing most maidens, but she has a winning grasp of etiquette and good manners.

"
Why don't we follow your suggestion, and continue the discussion in the gardens later? Septa Heloise can help us identify the flowers, she is learned in such matters."


Ever the proper young lady, Ayleth delicately adds her septa to the evening stroll.

[/scene and link to next thread after parting words from Ser Theo and the end of the dance music?]

"
I shall be looking forward to it, my lady."
Theomore smiles quite pleased. A septa might be annoying, but he did have a friend to help with that.

[Reader]

"
I suppose it could be said I have a duty to get to know you better Ser?"
Ayleth smiles sweetly, won over by Fendrel's charm. "
And perhaps in time I might even find joy in such meeting?"


[OOC: intrigue v Fendrel result - probably defeat. What consequences are you after? Reasonable and she concedes defeat, bonkers and we're in negotiated yield territory/take frustration and quit]

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
Only if it pleases you, my lady, but it is very probable with me at your side."
Fendrel also smiles, confidence booming in his voice. "
And to that end, I would ask you for a token of your affection before tomorrow's joust. Token of joy... and duty?"


[OOC: Fendrel wants her to grant him a token of her affection - as well as change her disposition towards him - or does that happen in a yield anyway if you've used Charm?]

[Reader]

"
Oh, well put indeed Ser Fendrel,"
says Ayleth.

She produces a checked handkerchief in Swann black and white, with a Bartheld red around each white square. It is almost as if she had come prepared for the request.

"
I hope it serves you well in the joust,"
she says, seemingly enjoying their little word game. I shall be cheering my champion on from the benches."

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
You have given me a great boon, my lady,"
Ser Fendrel takes his lady's handkerchief and examines it closely. He smiles when he notices the Bartheld red combined with the Swann black and white. "
I shall be thinking of you, my lady, my muse and inspiration of my victories."


[OOC: So Barthelds' colour is red? Didn't know, but I like it, I'm noting that down! :8-): ]

[Reader]

Lady Swann covers a courtly smile with her hand, now deprived of her handkerchief.

She offers a parting curtsey before taking the arm of her next partner. The woman seems to have infinite stamina, at least so far as dancing is concerned.

[OOC: Sigil was"
A brown boar running on a black field."
It has been switched to a red field, mainly because it was that colour in a past Play by Post game and is now forever linked with it in my mind.]

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

Ser Fendrel parts with lady Ayleth giving her another of his flirtatious smiles. He moves away, his eyes still fixed on the white-haired beauty.

[OOC: Yeah, I thought it was brown on black, but thanks for the clarification.]

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