[D3, LE] A Quiet Interlude (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine left the Great Hall to meet Baelon, as per their agreement during the dance. She was glad to be out of the bustling noise and activity of the feast. Her dress sweeping through the grass made a soft whispering noise, though she otherwise moved silently. She cautiously looked around for Baelon, though the beauty of the Godswood was diverting in itself.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon had exited the Great Hall a trifle earlier, and made a quick trip to his tent before entering the Godswood.

"
Ah, there you are Lady Corrine. I did not think it possible, but you are even more lovely under the moon and starlight than you were in the light of the Hall."

He takes her hand and kisses it.
"
It is so much nicer out here in the fresh air, and away from prying eyes and ears. I did pick up one shadow though."

He gestures behind him, where Septa Heloise stands some distance away, watching them.
"
She wanted to bring guards as well, but I convinced her that me being armed was sufficient, so at least the two of us will still have superior numbers over her."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine giggled, the moonlight indeed reflecting its soft light beautifully on her, the gentle breeze stirring her dark hair a little.

"
Do you expect danger, Ser Baelon?"
she asked playfully.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Only the danger that my heart might first be claimed, then broken."

He says with a smile, as he holds her hand in his and leads her into the Godswood.

[OOC: As it is already Wednesday, I'm going to get the intrigue going now, rather than bantering a bit first. I think we covered that in the dance, anyway.]

Intrigue - Initiative step
Objective - ???
[url=Initiative][/url]: 3d6 8
Disposition: Friendly (+3 Per, -1 Dec, 2 DR)
Intrigue Defense: 8
Composition: 9/9
Frustration: 0

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She smiles as he takes her hand, and she walks with him into the Godswood.

"
I will endeavour not to misuse you heart, Ser,"
she said tactfully. "
Though I must confess, I am unaccustomed to this, being so highly sought after. It is a little frightening."


Intrigue - Initiative step
Objective - ???
[url=Initiative][/url]: 4d6k4 15
Disposition: Friendly (+3 Per, -1 Dec, 2 DR)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 12
Frustration: 0

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
That is one of the things Lady Isobel has been shielding you from. In truth, I do not think she is satisfied by any of your suitors - I don't know if there is a man alive that she deems worthy of you."


OOC: You won initiative, so you act first. :;
):

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I don't want her to shield me any more,"
Corrine said thoughtfully. "
While I am not set on someone either, I would have it be my choice alone, not hers. That having been said, I am looking for something which I understand is uncommon in our world. Tell me, how much do you think you would fit what I described before? I would know sooner rather than later."


[ooc: I suppose her objective is to get the truth.]

[url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 5d6k5 15

[Baelon Drakeson]

[ooc - go ahead and make your intrigue action/roll;
if you win the intrigue, I'll give you a full and honest answer, if that is your objective. I'll answer more circumspectly in the meantime :;
): ]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[edited in roll]

[Baelon Drakeson]

Intrigue - Exchange 1
Objective - Get a token of favor from Corrine to wear in the tourney
[url=Initiative][/url]: 3d6 8 (Corrine, Baelon)
Disposition: Friendly (+3 Per, -1 Dec, 2 DR)
Intrigue Defense: 8
Composition: 2/9
Frustration: 1

"
I believe I could be the sort of man you desire - though I'll not speak on my wisdom. I have heard it said that the wise man knows his own foolishness, and the most knowledgeable recognize how little they know. I do know two young ladies back on Dragonstone who I think would vouch for me. My sisters, well, half-sisters. When I left they were only six - someone had told them that I was their father's son, and they treated me as a brother ever since, though in that place if I so much as uttered a word about being his son I received a beating."


He reaches into his doublet and takes out two small scarves, one red with a black embroidered dragon in the shape of an "
R"
and the other black with a red embroidered dragon in the shape of a "
B"
.

"
When I told them I was leaving Dragonstone, they gave me these as favors and made me promise to wear them in all of my tournaments. I have kept my promise, and will do so until they release me from it."


He takes Corrine's chin in hand and gently tips it up towards his face, as he looks down, his amethyst eyes boring deep into hers.

"
Lovely Corrine, I would ask that you do me the honor of letting me add a favor from you to these two for this tourney."


Action: [url=Persuasion(Charm)][/url]: 6d6k4+5 20 [url=attractive reroll][/url]: 1d6 6 replaces a 3s for a new total of 23 (one away from a 4th DoS...)
Effect: 3 DoS x 4 Persuasion = 12 - 2DR = 10 Influence


Free action: against a character with 4+ status, so:
[url=Godswood free action status(breeding)][/url]: 3d6 11 1 DoS, so +1B that can be used once on a future persuasion test this intrigue. Shame I forgot to do this before this exchanges action, I might have gotten that 4th DoS.

OOC: looks like you forgot the +3 from your disposition, which gives you 18 for 3 DoS, your Will is 4, so 12 influence, - 2 DR = 10
OUCH, being Friendly is a double edged sword!
I take 1 frustration to reduce it to 7

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She looks at the favours, and when he tilts her face up towards his, she smiles shyly;


"
That is very sweet, Baelon,"
she begins, taking a less formal mode of address, though her brow furrows a little in thought. "
But... I'm not sure. Today has been a little... intense. I do not wish to make promises I can't keep."


She took the hand that held her chin between both of hers and looked at it with a pensive expression. After a moment, she looked up again, but kept holding his hand, her pale blue eyes gentle, honest, but a little anxious;


"
I'm sorry, but I need time to consider it. I hope you will understand."


Intrigue - Exchange 1
Objective: Counter Baelon's request (my initial objective no longer fits, so making the change)
[url=Initiative][/url]: 4d6k4 16
[url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 5d6k5 20 + Disp = 23
Disposition: Friendly (+3 Per, -1 Dec, 2 DR)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 12
Frustration: 0

[Baelon Drakeson]

OOC: First off, just so you know, changing objective automatically restores some of your opponent's composure.

Second, you would generally offer a yield before your action, though that is not technically necessary. However, it makes things far less awkward in a PbP, as the influence from the action happens immediately, so doing both at once means your opponent has to do the bookkeeping from the influence AND consider the offer it makes extra work for your opponent. Offering a yield after your action also means that so it means the damage from your turn is done, and your opponent is in a position to retaliate, so they are less likely to take the yield. If you offer the yield before your action, on the other hand, your opponent is more likely to accept because if they don't you still get your action, which could be worse.

Third, I'm not sure what you mean by a 'token of esteem' as opposed to a 'formal favor'. A favor is a token of esteem, then is worn in a tourney to show off that esteem.

Fourth, the disposition modifies all perception or deception tests made in an intrigue by the indicated amounts.


So...
1) Do you still wish to change your objective
2) You're beating me up pretty badly, you probably don't need to offer a yield, though you could (it would take effect after your action)
3) Can you clarify what you mean by 'token of esteem' as opposed to 'favor'?

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Apologies, I thought there was a distinction between a gift and a favour, namely that one is a personal keepsake and the other is openly displayed, but it no longer matters. I have edited to make things more coherent, and I'm taking the hit for the objective change, though I have to anyway, since the original objective of getting an honest answer to her question is not relevant to this bit of the intrigue]

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
No, my lady, I do not understand - why might you not be able to keep your promise?"

He shakes his head.
"
No, it doesn't matter, I have no right to pry, but please - if your heart belongs to another, do spare me future suffering and tell me now."

Surely not that Ironborn kinslayer she was talking to earlier... or Ser Theomore, she'll not get fair return for her heart there!

OOC: 4 DoS, your Will is 4, so 16 influence, - 2 DR = 14 Influence
Even with the recovery from changing objective I am *crushed*.
Not too surprised though, with my low ID and Composure, and not going first against Corrine Marsten!

I lose the intrigue, so your objective takes place... I'm not entirely sure what that means, though.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Sorry dear! I feel kinda bad.]

Corrine sighs sadly, glancing down at the ground, then forces herself to look him in the eye. It was the right thing to do, even though looking away would have eased her guilt somewhat.

"
You are a fine knight, and, I think, a good man, Baelon. You have been delightful company, and you do fit much of what I and my House want. But, in truth, right now my heart is torn, and I do not wish to show favour until I know for certain where my heart truly belongs. I am sorry that I cannot give you what you want, at least not yet. But please believe me when I say that I am giving it a great deal of serious thought."


She releases his hand slowly, and holds her own hands anxiously.

"
I will understand if you no longer want to sing together."


Her eyes are honest, but full of sorrow and uncertainty.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Not tonight, at least. I know I promised you a song, but... the music in my heart has died."

He takes a step back.
"
If you'll excuse me, I prefer to have a good night's sleep before I take a man's life."

He turns and begins to walk away.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I am so sorry, Baelon,"
Corrine says quietly, her voice trembling a little as she watches him go. Guilt and shame gnaws at her spirit, but she is compelled to scamper after him, his last words sinking in and instilling her with a fear she does not fully understand.

She grabs his arm when she catches up, her eyes pleading;


"
Baelon. Please, be merciful tomorrow. The outcome is in the hands of the Gods, but please do not debase yourself with cruelty."

[Baelon Drakeson]

Whether he does not hear her apology or merely ignores it, he does not react as he disappears into the growing darkness.

Shortly after his departure, two Tully guardsmen appear, offering to escort Lady Corrine and Septa Heloise somewhere less... isolated.

OOC:
I was actually wondering if you were going to stop his departure and try to talk him into mercy for Athenstan...
I'm assuming that Baelon would easily win an intrigue to get the guards to ensure the safety of two otherwise unguarded women, and he's not about to leave them unguarded.

EDIT: /scene is fine, unless you really want someone to find you in the woods sobbing...

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: editing. hadn't thought of that, but she'd totally do it!]

[Done]

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

As Baelon left one of the Marstens in the wood, he encountered another one on the path away. Gwyneth, hurrying along, stopped in her tracks on seeing him, surprise etched on her features.

"
Baelon,"
she said, "
What are you doing here at this hour?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon's face is a stony mask that doesn't actually manage to hide his inner turmoil.
"
I was out for a walk with Lady Corrine. And Septa Heloise."

He sighs.
"
It did not go well, to put it mildly."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Another day, that admission would have pleased Gwyneth...but in light of oncoming duels, it did little to calm her.

She stepped closer to him, searching his face. "
Why did you step forward as a champion, Baelon?"
The question served double duty as an accusation, though of what exactly it was hard to tell. "
Why would you do that? Over this...Longshore matter?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon is taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation.
"
To get Dunstan's bacon out of the fire. He's a good man, but... he has no sense of self-preservation.
I didn't want to see him grievously wounded - and I didn't want you to have to go through seeing it, either."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
And what about you?"
Gwyn demands with sudden heat. "
What about what I'll..."
She cuts her self off, sharply enough for her teeth to click, and wrenches her eyes away from Baelon for a long moment before she trusts herself to speak again.

"
Lord Tully would never have allowed Dunstan to risk his life like that. His House and the Tullisons are too close, and they've no other male heir. I...panicked a bit, I know."


She took a deep breath and let it out.

"
There's no way for you to...change your mind. Is there?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Back out? I'd lose my entire reputation. Do you know what I'd be then? A hedge knight that no one would want to hire.
Do you think that Lady Isobel would keep me around? I think not. And she certainly wouldn't..."

Whatever he was about to say, he stops himself short.
"
Dunstan can make you happy, and give you safety and security. You can live in peace, Gwyn. You deserve that.
I couldn't see that taken away from you, and this is pretty much the only way I can give it to you."

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