[Day 3, ME]Like a Fly to the Spider (Open-ish)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(OOC: Same deal as usual, happening in public, so nothing physically stopping interrupting, but...)

The feast had been going on for a long time, and even with his careful rationing in of his drink intake, by this point, Daveth was slightly drunk, though at least not so much that his speech was noticeably affected. His judgement was, perhaps, a different matter, for, seeing Lady Gwyneth Marsten relatively unattended, he was by her side and talking before his brain had finished reminding him of the warnings he'd been gently hinting at with his brother.

"
Lady Gwyneth, I'm glad I was able to catch you. I wish to pass on my brother's apologies. He came down with a slight malady this morning, and I insisted he maintain complete bed rest today so that he is in top form tomorrow. Else, I am certain he would have entertained you through a dance. Since I feel partially responsible for not detecting it earlier, would you do me the honour of allowing me to act in his stead in the next dance by means of apology?"


(OOC: That's my IC justification for Garret's inactivity today, and I'm sticking to it. )

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth looked at him and broke into a brilliant smile that did dampen into a concerned expression at the news of Garret's illness. She murmured an excuse to the people she'd nominally been talking with and moved away with Daveth to give him her full attention.

"
So...Daveth Coldbrook. I'm glad we had a chance to meet,"
she said graciously as they started to dance. "
Your brother spoke most highly of you. I apologize, he never mentioned your title. How shall I address you?"


The question was formal, and proper, but Daveth noted a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, and curiosity. She appeared to be aware of the awkwardness of the question in light of the Coldbrook succession woes. Perhaps she thought his answer would reveal his position?

[Daveth Coldbrook]

At her concern, Daveth makes a dismissive gesture. "
He will be fine, m'lady. Truthfully, if he didn't need to be in top form tomorrow, I would have told him to just carry on regardless, so do not worry.

"
And I assure you, my brother spoke well of you to me in return."
When he wasn't sighing wistfully and staring off into the middle distance, anyway. "
As for my title? Well, I'm certainly no knight, nor am I Lord, so none is mandatory, though if you wish to be formal, 'Master Daveth' is most suitable."
Daveth's answer is friendly, leading the question as to 'if she wishes to' open to her decision.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Well then, lets dispense with the formalities then? I shall be Gwyneth, and you shall be Daveth. At least here and now. I suppose when we have resumed the mantles of our Houses to do business, those things will return."
She let Daveth take the lead in the dance, light enough on her feet that she seemed almost to be floating just a little off the ground.

"
Have you been involved in those discussions?"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
As you wish, Gwyneth."
Gods, but that sounds weird. Like the name hasn't gotten any clothes on.

Daveth raises an eyebrow at that. "
'Those discussions?' There have been formal discussions between our houses? If so, no. I am not even aware of them. Which is ... odd, to say the least, for I would imagine that I would at least be involved with something of that import."
I wonder how much, if anything, Ser Baelon mentioned to her. It sounds like maybe he hinted at something, and she's fishing for more information. Damnit, Ser Baelon, you were supposed to be discreet! At least until we have an answer.

Daveth doesn't even try and match Lady Gwyneth's grace - he's fully aware he'd only embarrass himself should he try. However, he does at least choose moves that let her show off her skill without being hampered by him reasonably often.

[size=50:3vgn7sjv]Edit: Added Baelon's title.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn closed her eyes in melodramatic woe, then broke into a chuckle.

"
Yes...that was impolitic of me, I apologize. Clearly I'll take whatever tidbits you let slip and scurry with them back to Baelon."
She sighed. "
To safer topics then, shall we?"


"
I'm curious, Daveth. What place do you see for yourself in your House, when your father has gone to be with the Seven?"


Again that wicked little glint in her eyes. Not exactly malice, but she did seem to like trying to evoke reactions.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

You consider talking of my father's death *safer*? What the fuck is going on that I'm unaware of? Daveth gives a small smile. "
If my Lord father goes to be with the Seven, I rather feel I'll likely be in the castle basement, waiting for him to finish tearing your afterlife apart looking for the exit to be with our gods."
His tone is dry, clearly aware that he's evading her real question.

"
However, since it is not really a secret, I'll give you the information you seek. At that time, may it be far in the future, I see myself being much as I am now - doing what I can for the Lord of the house to the best of my ability."
There's no bitterness or resentment in his tone, just a calm statement of fact.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn laughed at the mention of his father in the afterlife. "
I should very like to see him doing that,"
she says. "
That would be a fight to remember."


She quiets as he answers her real question though, and nods slightly.

"
A very considered, and polished answer."
Gwyn sighed and let Daveth turn her around in the dance. "
What a pair we make, hm? Marsten and Coldbrook. One house with no lord at all...the other with two men;
neither of whom particularly want to be lord. But that's our Houses, not us. I'm curious...if you were without any responsibility, or duty to your House, what would you choose to do?"


Her smile returns, "
And because you've been very patient with me, I'll go first. I would take my horse, and perhaps a guard or two, and I would travel the length and width of Westeros and beyond. Meeting people, seeing the cities and sights, hearing the tales firsthand."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

What is it with this evening? That's two people in quite rapid succession who are trying to get me to think of who 'I' am.

And you still don't have an answer, do you? Because that would involve you giving an honest look at yourself, and that *terrifies* you. It's much easier to bury yourself in duties than face your own shortcomings, isn't it?

Daveth nods in response, playing for time to assemble his answer. "
A good answer. When I spoke with Ser Baelon, I did feel a stab of jealousy that he'd seen the Wall that I hadn't. There are indeed many wonders to see, in this land, and beyond.

"
But, that's not what calls to my heart."
he frowns. "
I'll tell you, but I ask that you not laugh."
he clearly struggles with words for a few seconds. "
If my family had no need of me, we'd severed our ties, and I should make my own way in the world, I'd study. I'd become equal to any maester, and use that to gain a position as tutor to a noble family's children, and I'd help shape them into the Lords and Ladies of tomorrow. I'd marry a woman I loved for no other reason than I loved her. And I'd live a long and happy life without having to watch every word I spoke, without fearing the hidden blade, or the poison words of false friends.

"
Not a life of plenty, perhaps. But a life of *sufficiency*. And for me, that would be enough."
He shrugs, clearly somewhat embarrassed.

Very pretty. Now, how much of that was actually *true*? Do you even know?

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Why would anyone laugh at that?"
Gwyn asks, and for once there's no hint of humor or jesting about her. "
I have only the greatest respect for the Maesters, and that ambition is, in my opinion, a very high one. Who matters more to the future than the one who teaches the children? None of us live forever after all."


"
It's not so uncommon for a noble son who will not inherit to visit the Citadel,"
she points out. "
But you haven't?"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Because it's a childish dream. Life is never that obliging.

He gives a small grin. "
What, and give up women?"
he shakes his head. "
*Far* too high a price to pay. You're much too interesting."


His tone turns slightly more serious. "
Plus, it's my family that need my skills, and we're not considered important enough to have a true maester. So, I do the best I can in their place."


Also, our family needs as many ties to other houses as we can get, but no need to mention that part.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn smiles. "
That's a very noble attitude,"
she says. "
You may not call yourself lord, but you think like one. Always asking yourself what's best for your family and people first."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

I've lost a father and a brother already. I don't want to lose any of my family again.

"
Thank you for your kind words. But I am not exceptional in that regard in our house - we are small, with few ties to others"
Few? Try 'none'. "
We all understand that we have to stick together and help each other if we are to"
survive "
prosper."


He gives Lady Gwyneth a small smile. "
That, rather than martial power, is, I feel, House Coldbrook's true strength."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Prepare for war,"
Gwyn said, echoing his smile, "
Plan for peace. Every house must see to its defense and that of the realm...but that's not enough by itself. House Coldbrook is lucky to have you in it. Luckier perhaps than they know."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
I thank you again. Though I am curious as to what sparked your interest in me."
he gives a small smile. "
Aside from my brother's kind words, that is."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Well, he told me a little of the troubles House Coldbrook is having with its succession, and that piqued my interest,"
Gwyn admits. "
And of course, when one is planning to meet and discuss business, it's always wise to meet the other side in less confrontational circumstances and get to know them first. This is especially the case with a House as young as yours, I think...with so little history to guide me, I turned to those who steer the House now. Your father's accomplishments and demeanor are a matter of record. You and Garret are...more interesting. So I wanted to meet you both."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Note to self: Daveth thinks dryly. Ser Baelon is *not* discreet. I wonder how many other people know about this.

"
I see. Well, I doubt my brother will be joining us for any negotiations, that's more my area."
And it is nice for you to be so open about your intent to use my answers to manipulate me in negotiations. he thinks, without irony or rancour.

"
So, do you think you've learned enough from my answers to make me dance in your palm, like so many men have no doubt done before me?"
in a light tone and with a wry smile.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
You give me entirely too much credit,"
Gwyn chuckles. "
Or perhaps not enough? As I see it, there's little need for subterfuge in this matter of our Houses. It's all simple enough. We each have something we can offer one another;
something the other needs. We're in a position to help one another, and it's in our best interests to do so. There'll be a bit of haggling before it's all done, but I'm very confident we'll end up with a fair deal for all and lasting friendship between our people."


She smiles. "
Is that such terrible music to dance to?"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth gives her a wide smile. "
On the contrary. I can think of none better."


/Scene?

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

(A good place for /scene! Thanks!)

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