[D4, ME]Oh what tangled webs we weave[Closed-ish]

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I have said it before, my lady, I know, but it must be said again that you have a wonderful voice"
Theomore does not seem any different to his usual self as he approaches Gwyn, and as always, he approaches a lady as if he intends to court her, though his next words imply that simple social pleasures are not on his mind. "
Would you have a moment?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn gives Theo a demure smile and curtsies. "
My thanks! I always have a moment for the uncle of Lord Tullison. What would you have of me?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
No doubt you have heard of the incidents involving Ser Benjen, my lady."
Theomore begins. "
My lord nephew is quite wroth, as I am sure you can guess, and there are many people who would like to see nothing more than the Freys and Blackwoods up in arms against each other."


"
The Blackwoods are our cousins as you know, and thus I should like to avoid that outcome."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

She takes that news with a nod. "
And so you come to me?"
Gwyn asks. "
I've no wish to see violence between Blackwoods and Freys either, but the Marstens have not been counted friends of the Blackwoods. I'd like to change that though, so...you have my attention. What idea do you have to stop it?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Straight to the point, my lady?"
Theomore could appreciate that. "
It so happens that Ser Benjen quite assuredly did as he was accused, and those who wish to see Freys and Blackwoods at each others throats will make sure that he stands trial for it, and he will no doubt trust his swordarm."


"
Ideally from my point of view, if a man of such skill that the Blackwoods can accept him as a champion for their cause would step forward when the time comes. A man that will not escalate the situation by crossing blades with Ser Benjen. Would you know of such a man from the Vale?"
That the Marstens were leaning towards the greens last Theomore heard was no disadvantage either.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Stand against Benjen Frey for Lady Sofia's honor, hm?"
Gwyn's eyes cut sideways for a moment as she thought. Benjen had a 'ferocious' reputation, but Kevan was no slouch either. And what better a way to bring him to the beleagured woman's attention? That said, she was not eager to sacrifice an ally for this. She'd need to make sure Kevan could win somehow.

She looked back at Theo and smiled.

"
I may know a knight or two who would be willing to stand so. It will take some persuading...our men at arms are rather busy at the moment preparing for the joust and melee. And I'll be frank and admit most of my time is going to be spent with Dunstan, when possible. We've recently had something of a breakthrough, and I'd hate to lose that progress."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I am sure that we can handle the persuading, my lady."
Theomore offers an encouraging smile. "
Of whom do you have in mind?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Kevan Lyras, I think,"
she replied. "
A skilled knight and a bannerman of my House. I believe I can convince him of the rightness of the cause."


"
Perhaps in return I might ask a small favor?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I am, as my lady knows, quite unable to deny a beautiful girl."
Theomore offers with a friendly tone and style, though the full truth of that statement would make a septa shriek.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth chuckled at that, most likely just reacting to the rumors that swirled around Theomore's exploits, or simply his veiled innuendo itself.

"
Until now you've very sensibly been a neutral party with regards to who Dunstan weds,"
she said. "
I would ask that, in recognition of the assistance I provide, that you become...less sensible, in my favor. I know better than most that Lord Tullison does as he sees fit, but I also think that should he begin to seriously question himself he may turn to an elder male relative for advice."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
It is not exactly a small favor my lady asks"
Theomore calls forth a smile of playfulness "
Nor am I entirely neutral in such affairs, it is only that my efforts are far more subtle than those of my niece. We both desire for Dunstan to take a wife that are able to guide him the way we one day will not be present to provide, he is a good lad, but you know how he is. And so we need a woman of quality that can take that role, alliances be damned, Yve can shore up an alliance should we need one."


"
Can you be that woman, my lady?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
I think I've already been that woman more than once,"
Gwyn says, putting her hands on her hips. "
But I also think you're quite aware of who I am. You did come to me, after all."


She takes a deep breath and says, "
If I was some simple, weak-willed maid-in-waiting, I'd never have lasted this long. And if you're concerned about last night, I'd have convinced Ser Mallister to step in if Lord Tully hadn't chosen so quickly. Honestly, I think he barely even looked at the others who volunteered."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I do not doubt it, my lady."
Theomore agrees "
But are you able to offer him wise counsel as well as you can make him follow it?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Only a fool thinks themself wise, I think,"
is Gwyn's answer. "
But I can offer Dunstan many things he lacks. Thoughtfulness, moderation, and subtlety both in action and perception. As his wife I would be ever a step behind him, to whisper in his ear that which I see that he does not...and to make sure no knife ever finds its way to his back."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, I must admit, my lady."
Theomore does have to concede this particular point. "
Finding another maid of your qualities will be rather difficult, and Dunstan do need to wed soon."
Gwyn can sense a but in there, and soon enough it's coming to the forefront. "
If my lady can convince this old knight that he need not look further for one that can offer sound advice as well as she can make a man follow it, then I shall be quite delighted not to have to continue my search."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Mmhmm,"
Gwyn says. "
And do you have any specific advice in mind that you would find convincing?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Oh, I shall be rather blunt, my lady."
Theomore smiles playfully. "
What advice would you give him about a certain dashing uncle of his?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Only what he knows already,"
Gwyn replied with a slow grin. "
That his uncle is a very crafty man, that he cares deeply for him, and that his counsel should be listened to and heeded. I suppose I'd choose a more flattering term than 'crafty' of course."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
And does my lady think that he should be allowed to remain an unmarried rake and indulge in his fancies with no restraints?"
Theomore likes that question and it shows, though he does give an impression of wanting to hear a yes..

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth breaks into a laugh with that. "
Ser Theomore, is that what you were worried about? Well, you need not fear me trying to marry you off. It would be a deep unkindness to the lady and yourself alike. I've known my share of rakes, and it is sad to see one wither away in captivity. I would not wish that fate upon you."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I can always chose to be absent when the ceremony is called, my lady."
Theomore now wears one of those faces of his that it's hard to tell whether he would go through with such a thing if a marriage contract were to be negotiated. "
None can be forced to speak the vows in sight of the seven, and one septa once told me that I should not speak such vows, since I apparently would be utterly unable to honor them, and that I am far too clever not to know it."


That septa in question had learned a thing or two about how good it felt to break such vows the night before. "
But if I am to have a wife, I better go find her before my hairs turn gray, eh?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Oh, I don't know,"
Gwyn muses. "
You'd cut a dashing figure with some grey around your temples. It gives a man a sense of dignity and sophistication. And authority."


It was all a game, of course, the flirting...but it was a fun game. Who said conversations important to one's ambitions couldn't be fun as well?

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I suppose that is one of the many gifts afforded to men in this world, my lady."
Theomore doesn't seem to feel any particular joy in it. "
Three and ten years have passed since I was made a knight, and I am perhaps considered a better prospect now than ever before, but if I had a twin sister, she would like to never again be courted by so many as that very same tourney."


"
Men want their brides while they are young and pretty. Perhaps reasonable given that such ladies are in better health and have more years to carry forth children, but sometimes, an older and wiser spouse may serve them better."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Ah, but too old and too wise, and you may find your spouse quietly running the show while you simply make public appearances and approving grunts to all her proposals,"
Gwyn jabs lightly back. "
I would think the best possible result would be a man and a woman, of age with one another, of like and complementary ideals and goals, who can find it in themselves to be full partners in whatever their actions are for at least the majority of their years."


"
...which would explain why it so seldom seems to happen. But one cannot be faulted for trying."


She pauses, then adds, "
You seem to be of two minds this evening. Part of you guarding your freedom, part of you wanting something else. Have you met someone?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
My dear lady, I always meet someone at a tourney, many someones."
Three someones, in fact, and then someone that was more than a someone. Not counting those whom his advanced had failed to move, the one right in front of him included, but he didn't meet him.

[I think Awareness(empathy) is in order here.]

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