Re: [D4, MM] Pray n Tell (closed-ish)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: sure, open the thread. We can keep going until someone else jumps in ]

Corrine laughs, though quickly hushes herself as the sound echoes a bit more than she expected.

"
Poor Ben. He told me not to encourage your bad habits, and I think he might have meant things like bad language and telling embarrassing tales about him,"
she sighs, shaking her head in mock regret with an amused grin on her face. She clears her throat and becomes more serious.

"
Ellie, I have a difficult thing I need to get out of the way. I feel I should say that I have a difficult decision to make, and I must make it soon. I'm sure you know what it is. But I want you to know that it is not something I will take lightly, and I dearly hope that we can be friends, no matter the outcome. I don't want to worry you, I just want to make sure I'm not unduly getting your hopes up prematurely."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I figured as much. Like I said yesterday you will be beating them off you with a belaying pin."
She frowns a little. "
I think he knows it to. He saw you on the dance floor. I tried to get him to go over, but he just said he did not want to cause trouble for you."
A weak smile plays on her face. "
I cant hold it against you. Especially since you are honest. He wouldn't either. Just don't lead him any farther down the road please, till you know what youwant."
This time she clasps Corrine's hand. "
You have been too kind to me and now that you know our story you are one of us."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you. I am glad you understand. I won't lead Ben on, I promise. And I am honoured to be considered one of your 'tribe', so to speak. It is a nice feeling, to have made some friends of my own, rather than people I'm told to speak to."


She sighs heavily.

"
Now I'm wishing I hadn't wasted a dance on Ser Theomore. He turned out to live up to his reputation too much. Blatantly cheated at a coin toss to get a kiss off me. Only on the cheek, but I still felt like a fool for not seeing it coming. I now have a double-headed silver stag to remind me not to be so gullible in future,"
she grumbled.

[Benedict Marsten]

She laughs quietly. "
The man is something else. Don't hold it against him. Something about skirts, they get him fired up like a bull and a red cape. Just switch to breeches."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine chuckled.

"
That is actually more likely in my future than you might think. I don't intend to be a dainty little lady who sits around with embroidery all day when I rule Hartshorn. Do you ride at all?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
No more than most. but I do enjoy it. Dunstan takes me out regularly. Mother used to say 'a Blackthorne's legs are meant for decks not destriers'."
She looks down at her slippered feet.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Tell me about yours and Ben's parents. If you don't mind my asking. I'd like to know more about you both."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
That's easy my father was 3rd born so not titles for him. He became a captain as most of the Blackthorne men do. He is a good man stern and fowl of mouth. He was gone a lot. As for my mother, father was my grandfathers favorite so he made arrangements with Blackwoods for my father to have my mothers hand. That is a big deal cause most of our marriages are with families from the Sisters. She is beautiful and loves the sea. We used to play on the beach and collect shells and ..."
She looks at Corrine with sly look. "
You've got me babbling."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiles warmly;


"
Babbling is fine. I asked to know more and you told me. Where are they now?"

[Loreia]

The door to the Sept opens in the front while they speak. Loreia enters a little late to hear anything important or sensitive in their conversation, bowing a little should Corrine lock eyes with her on her way to get her own candle. She kneels in front of stained glass depicting a matronly scene, praying quietly. Whatever the Seven judge, I pray you hold Baelon in your arms, keep him from suffering the Warrior's wrath, dear Mother, that a victory for either champion not come at the cost of his life.

A few moments later she rises, holding a brass candlestick with a lit candle, borrowed from what is available. She places it on the alter before going to grab another, and deciding to stop and speak to Corrine.

"
Lady Corrine,"
she greets, "
thank you for toleratin' my intrusion yesterday."


"
Can I ask how Lady Gwyneth fares today? I understand Ser Baelon is charged to be her protector."


*The dog is outside.*

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine looks up at Loreia and smiles welcomingly;


"
Good morning! It is nice to see you again. You were not intruding yesterday, do not fret. The more things to take my mind off that awful trial business, the better. I have not seen Gwyn yet this day, but she seemed very worried yesterday. How are you, Loreia?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren walks into the sept, stoopshouldered under the weight of his thoughts. He enters the sept as he hears someone speaking of the trial. He therefore walks over and recognition of Loreia comes soon after.
"
Loreia, how nice to meet you again!"

He looks around: "
Am I intruding into the womens council? I know the dire consequences of men meddling in womens business... should I leave, or do you want to introduce me to your friends, Loreia?"

[Loreia]

"
See, I forgot my manners in all that mess,"
she laughs, "
I didn't introduce meself back, m'lady! Gwyneth must have told you my name. I'm doin' well, thank you for askin'."


"
Havin' an animal that can just be there for you helps. Spent time with the horses. Also listened to the stable hands go on 'bout life, horses and such."

Yoren walks into the sept, stoopshouldered under the weight of his thoughts. He enters the sept as he hears someone speaking of the trial. He therefore walks over and recognition of Loreia comes soon after.
"
Loreia, how nice to meet you again!"

He looks around: "
Am I intruding into the womens council? I know the dire consequences of men meddling in womens business... should I leave, or do you want to introduce me to your friends, Loreia?"

"
Yoren,"
she greets, and her tone shifts and loses some of the cheer it held. "
No, you're not intrudin' on anythin'. I was just idly chattin' with my new highborn friend. Lady Corrine, you know Yoren, from the trial - spoke too soon, eh? And..."


She glances at Ellie and smiles cheekily. "
"
The conspiracies men come up with. Get three or more of us into one place together, suddenly we must be plannin' somethin' dire,"
[/quote] she chuckles. Hello, we haven't met. I'm Loreia."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren bows for the both of them, kissing their hands if they offer. He then looks them over: "
Are you sure you are not planning anything dire? I have survived for nigh on thirty years, I don't think I would have made it to twenty if I was not rrady to flee at a congregation of women."

He gives a small wink at his words, before continuing: "
but I have to disagree about the farce, I did not speak too soon, the problem was that the case was decided before we even walked in..."
He seems to simmer a bit in his anger, going quiet, before re-entering the conversation.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie politely listens quietly nodding to each new arrival. When spoken to by Loreia she stands and curtsies. "
Ellien Blackthorne. It is a pleasure to meet you ... on more pleasant terms than last night."


She blushes at Yorens attention(the hand kissing), but sours some at his discussion of the scene last night.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Yes, Gwyn did fill me in once I'd realised I forgot to ask your name. I'm sorry if it appeared rude, I was not quite myself at the time,"
Corrine explained to Loreia, before Yoren approaches. Corrine does offer her hand for Yoren to kiss, and she smiles politely.

"
No nefarious plans, my lord, I assure you. Our congregation is largely happenstance. Understandably, a number of people are petitioning their Gods this day."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren notices Ellies reaction, but asking about it might lead to uncomfortable explanations so he lets it go: "
Of course you aren't, I hope that your gods will listen to the petitions of us mortals, let us have a tournament free of blood."
Yoren, still mindfull of the young lady's glare turns slightly towards her: "
are you praying for one in particular, maybe I can pray with you, so that he will have doubly the protection of the gods!"
He smiles, but seems slightly nervous and out of place.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine follows his glance to Ellie, wanting to say something diplomatic, but not wanting to talk over her friend.

[Loreia]

When spoken to by Loreia she stands and curtsies. "
Ellien Blackthorne. It is a pleasure to meet you ... on more pleasant terms than last night."

"
I completely agree, Ellien,"
she continues, her smile becoming more natural in acceptance. "
There's no need to curtsy or bow to me, I'm only a soldier."
She does balk a little at the gesture of hand-kissing.

*Will catch up when Ellie responds*

[Benedict Marsten]

She looks questioningly to Corrine. Then cautiously to Yoren. "
I pray for my brother Ben that he may win the battles he has coming."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiles encouragingly at Ellie, hoping to help her feel more at ease.

[Benedict Marsten]

She responds to Loriea while waiting for Yoren. "
I do apologize, but graciousness should be displayed to all form King to porter in my opinion. Are you from the North? Female warriors are few below the neck."
She wishes to speak candidly and ask questions, but continues her formal demeanor.

[Loreia]

"
I am,"
she answers, continuing casually, "
and it wasn't challengin' in the North for me to seek martial training because I'm a woman. As I learned, it merely has to do with where I happened to live. To my knowin', it's not more difficult for me than for men."


The others may note that it's oddly specific of her to make these statements offhand.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren almost Unconsciously rubs his temple at Loreias words, before turning back towards Ellie: "
which battles are your brother to fight then, is he planning to try his luck on the stepstones then?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Master Yoren I apologize. He is participating in the Joust and Melee amongst other challneges. None truly battle but all require sacrifices."
She nods apologetically before looking to Corrine.

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