[D3:EE] Dance, Magic Dance (Openish)

[Baelon Drakeson]

OOC: This thread is open for anyone who wants to dance! However, the specific conversation between Baelon and Corrine is closed-ish;
please do not interrupt them.

"
Lady Corrine, would you favor me with a dance?"


Baelon extends his hand to the young Lady of House Marsten, a smile on his face and a glint in his amethyst eyes.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's sky blue eyes flicked up to his, and she notices they were the same colour as the large, pear-shaped amethyst she was wearing around her neck. However, she dismisses the frivolous thought, and smiled politely, taking his hand.

"
Certainly,"
she replied, and stepped closer to begin the dance.

"
How fare you, Ser Baelon? Enjoying the festivities?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon takes Corrine into his arms in a dancer's embrace as the musicians begin a new minuet.
"
It is... bittersweet, my lady. Certainly, I enjoy being among so many friends, and the thrill of the impending competition is building. Further, this is the first I have seen the Princess and..."

Someday I will be able to call him 'my father' at an event like this and no one will bat an eye, but not yet, Gods be damned.
"
...Prince Daemon since I left Dragonstone. They remind me of what I left behind there, and why I left."

He smiles, wistfully.

"
But enough of the past. I wish to talk to you of the future - your future. I'm sure by now some sweet-tongued little blond bird has tweeted in your ear that I have expressed a desire to marry you.
I'll not deny it;
but I will say this:"


Baelon spins her around into a close shadow position, and whispers in her ear.

"
I will have no wife that would not have me, no matter what her mother says or what her dowry might be.
You are my true liege lady, and she rules by your consent only."


He twirls her out and back around, gracefully guides her back into his arms in their original position.

"
Does that seem fair to you?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She moves smoothly in time with him, as graceful as ever, listening carefully to what he says as they move closely around eachother.

"
Straight to the point, I see! That is very fair indeed, Ser Baelon. I am pleasantly surprised to hear you say it. I must confess, I was rather expecting us to be harried together by my mother. Thank you for respecting me more than she does,"
she said, with a hint of bitterness in her voice. "
I am happy for us to spend some time getting to know one another, if that would please you."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
I have been told many times lately that I am direct;
I suppose that is so when I have something on my mind."

He smiles.

"
Knowing your cousin, I suspected that little bit of information had found it's way to you already - not that it was a secret, though I had hoped to tell you myself."


He gracefully steps through the dance.

"
I take great pleasure in the prospect of getting to know you better, my Lady. Though we shouldn't take too long - lest your mother decide she has waited long enough. I doubt many of your suitors would be as... accommodating... as I am."


He twirls her once more.

"
It would be rude of me to keep you for more than one dance, when I am sure there are others who desire the pleasure of your company. Until the the end of the dance then perhaps we should play a game of questions, to start to get to know one another? And perhaps we can meet after the feast for an evening walk?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
The little bird in question did indeed inform me,"
Corrine replied. "
I thought it best to let you approach in your own time. I do appreciate you being so accommodating. I fear you are right that others will not be."


She came in a little closer when she stopped spinning.

"
Your proposal sounds agreeable to me. Questions it is, then. And later, we can have a walk together, somewhere quieter. The Godswood, perhaps?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
The godswood it is, I look forward to it. Now Lady Corrine, as in all things, ladies first. What would you like to know?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She thought hard for a moment, trying to formulate her thoughts. What to ask, and in which order?

"
Hmm, well... I suppose I would like to know what sort of husband you think you would be. What qualities do you feel you would bring to a marriage that make you most suitable?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
I see I am not the only direct one! I had expected a lighter start, but so be it. What sort of husband would I be..."

A moment of blankness crosses his face.
"
In truth my Lady, I'm not entirely certain how to answer that question. I have never been part of what you might consider a normal family, so I have only seen how husbands and wives interact in public, and public presentations are hardly accurate. I suppose I can start with how I act towards women in general - 'kind', 'protective', 'generous', 'understanding'. To that I would add 'loyal' and 'dutiful', as my wife would be my sworn partner above all others;
finally, if I whom I marry is a matter of choice more than circumstance, I would add 'loving'."

He pauses.
"
Now then, my question for you - what is it that you most enjoy doing? That is, how would you fill your time, should all demands and duties be lifted from you?"


OOC: At this point, with their basic conversation done and next scene established, I would be ok if someone were to interrupt us, cutting in, or even declaring that the song has ended so they can ask one or the other of us to dance (or otherwise request our attention) without cutting in. We can always pick this part of the conversation up in the next scene. Corrine, do you agree?
I just want to make sure that everybody has a chance to do what they want to do.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[OOC: I'm totally fine with that. I intend to continue until either someone cuts in, or the scene comes to an organic end.]

"
I suppose it was quite a broad question, but I thank you for your candour. Now, let's see... what would I most enjoy doing, were I without duties and demands?"


She takes the opportunity of the next step, turning away from Baelon for a few moments, to think.

"
I think I most enjoy learning. I am very curious about the world, and other people. If I were not duty-bound to Hartshorn, I would travel, see new places, try new things, learn skills that women are not normally afforded. Books and tales can only do so much.And so, I would like to extend the same question to you, Ser."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Travel, a good answer. I can think of none better for myself - no, I take that back. The majority of my travels in the past two years have been alone. I have seen beauty and wonders, but were I unrestrained, I would not see wonders, I would share them with another. Someone in whom I could see the wonder and exhilaration I felt standing on top of the Wall looking at the vastness of the world farther than you've ever seen before;
or standing on the parapets of Feastfires, watching the sun slowly sink into an ocean that spans the entire horizon. Those were wonderous things which I will never forget, but to be able to share them with someone else;
now that I would truly treasure."

He pauses for a moment.

"
My question to you is... what do you seek in a husband?"


ooc - question pending, but I'm falling asleep here... I'll finish it up tomorrow and send you a PM letting you know it's ready.
EDIT: question asked. Why couldn't I have thought of something that simple and obvious last night?

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben watches Baelon escort Corrine, his fist clench momentarily. He then shakes it off scanning the tables. There she was, golden haired Gwyn, radiant as ever. She should be out there dancing and enjoying herself. He scans quickly for Dunstan, not seeing him. He steels his nerves as he approaches the table, bowing politely to Gwyn and sharing a playful smile. "
My Lady, with your grace and beauty you need to be on the dance floor for all to admire. May I have this dance?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I seek a man who would be my equal,"
Corrine began. "
Competent and clever without arrogance or cruelty. Honourable and honest, but with grace and tact. Wise and caring. Loyal to my House, faithful to me. A strong, handsome form that holds a gentle heart and inquiring mind. A man that will treat me as my own woman, not a human tourney prize. One who would care for me, rather than my title and lands."


Describing her ideal man made Corrine's eyes shine prettily, and she could not help but smile bashfully.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon laughs, warmly.
"
Titles and lands are all well and good, but a the end of the day I would rather be a happy hedge knight than a miserable lord. The title and the lands do not make the man."

He whispers in her ear.
"
I was once called the Prince of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea - what came of it? The only title I truly desire is to be my father's son."

Once... or twice, at least, by that drunken sot of a tutor from Oldtown. What was his name? It doesn't matter he was at least a few links short of a Maester, that's for sure.
He smiles.
"
Have you any more questions, my lady?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She nods slowly in agreement at what he has to say of titles and lands.

"
Are you actively seeking acknowledgement? Or, if not, is that your intent? What would you do if you were made a Targaryen in name? Would it change your goals or character? Would a dragon by any other name still breathe fire?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

Quietly, he responds:
"
Acknowledgement, yes. What son doesn't want his father's recognition and praise? As for legitimization... fine word, 'legitimate'... that is another matter entirely;
that would be... complicated. Do you know the story of my namesake?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I do not. Will you tell me?"


This was a side to Baelon Corrine had not expected to see. What she had heard of him was an aloof knight with a penchant for female company and little concern for family ties. She hoped that what she saw now was the more genuine of the two images.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Certainly, I will - but not here, not now. Suffice to say that the King is unlikely to legitimize me, if Prince Daemon were to request it."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Very well. I understand. This is probably not the place for the deeply personal."


She thought for a moment, then her cheerful smile returned;


"
Well, why don't you tell me what you enjoy doing when you are not impressing crowds at tourneys and being a knight? Do you have personal interests?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
I find no higher joy or pleasure than being amongst friends. When I am not performing Knightly duties or traveling, I am typically cultivating or enjoying those friendships.
I sometimes also..."

He stops, and starts to blush slightly.
"
...when traveling... alone..."

The blush deepens a hair.
"
...sometimes I will..."

He seems like he really doesn't want to say it.
"
...when I really don't think anyone is around for miles..."

The blush is almost enough to be discerned from more than a few feet away.
"
...sing."

Suddenly the color fades to normal, and all of he pent up energy rushes out in one fell swoop.
"
That's not to say I'm any good! I know there is a singing competition tomorrow, but I really don't think I should enter, I have no doubt that I would only bring shame and embarrassment on myself and House Marsten...

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine grinned, pleased by this display of confidence. She found his blushing rather sweet.

"
I'm sure you are being too modest. Why were you so embarrassed to tell me that?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Yes, I rather was. I have not told anyone before."

I think... maybe?

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Well, I thank you for sharing your secret passion with me. I am touched that you trust me with it. I assure you, I shall tell no one if it is not your will. But, if you are feeling bold, I think you ought to try the contest, if you think yourself skilled enough. I am a lover of the arts myself, and not a terrible singer. I wonder if they allow duets."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Dear Corinne, do find out. I would expose my secret to the world, if you were to wish me be your partner."

He smiles, somewhat weakly.
"
Though some time to practice together would be probably be advisable - and to give you a chance to decide to sing alone."

He smiles again, this time his normal, charming smile.
"
Do you know Two Hearts that Beat as One?"


[OOC: Mutual disposition increase to Friendly?]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[OOC: Done!]

Her eyes light up, and her next step in the dance is more like a bounce;


"
Oh yes, I do! I love that one! It's ever so romantic!"


She catches herself, and blushes at her outburst.

"
I will find out, Ser. Perhaps we might give the trees a rendition when we meet later?"

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