Re: [Day 4, EN] We drank we fought we made our ancestors pro

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Hey, Benedict. Ser Benedict. Good to see you."
Dyana says nonchalantly, rising her mug again. "
You mean to introduce me to this towering ladyfriend of yours, is it?"
She smiles softly at Loreia, twirling the beverage inside her cup for no good reason.

[Loreia]

"
If only he were so lucky,"
Loreia quipped. "
He and me've only met recently. So, you're Dyana then? Lady Corrine mentioned you."


"
Your choice of outfit confirms what she told me, m'lady,"
she commented, referring to the jerkin, and leaning a bit from where she's standing for the sword to catch her eye. She waves the serving girl over for an ale.

*Who comes, Becca or Brenna?*

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben gives a short bow. "
Lady Dyana, may I introduce Loreia, guardswoman of House Coldbrook."
He smiles at her warmly. "
And I was afraid you may not remember me, but there is no forgetting you ,my lady. I am glad to see Lady Isobel has not broke you and you still are true to yourself"
He motions to the armor and sword.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Dunstan bites his lower lip and thinks for a bit. He was not that pious but still, they fought the Faith in that war. However Faith Militant was past, he thought, and hopefully supporting this won't lower High Septon's opinion of us.
Ironborn deal tough him not to rush too quickly into agreeing as he has a tendency to do, so he felt a few more questions are in line.

"
I see. And where are the Darrys now? Do they enjoy support of any Riverlander Houses?"

"
I believe the remaining Darrys only remain in Castle Darry, close to Harrenhal. I'm not aware of any significant support for them - after the uprising, their house's involvement with rebels against the crown hurt them. It takes time to recover from such a blow. However,"
he raises his hand in an oath-taking gesture "
I can't swear there are none. We just don't have the connections to verify that."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Dunstan bites his lower lip and thinks for a bit. He was not that pious but still, they fought the Faith in that war. However Faith Militant was past, he thought, and hopefully supporting this won't lower High Septon's opinion of us.
Ironborn deal tough him not to rush too quickly into agreeing as he has a tendency to do, so he felt a few more questions are in line.

"
I see. And where are the Darrys now? Do they enjoy support of any Riverlander Houses?"

Ser Jorah noted that Lord Tullison was endeavouring to find out more before making a decision. Considering previously he had rushed to offense in the Godswood, perhaps the young Lord was learning.

"
Weakened as we say. We have heard nothing from them for years aside from a few feeble attempts to convince Lady Coldbrook to leave Castle Grenward whilst Lord Coldbrook was in the stepstones."
Ser Jorah's tone left no doubt what he thought of those efforts.

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan nods,

"
Well, given what you told me I have no reasons not to support your noble House in securing it's rightful claim. Now what I said at the gate is true, we don't really need any help in return, regarding investment at least. Iron mines provide us with wealth and if we are to decide and tackle any construction project, we would have no issue doing it ourselves."
the young lord takes another sip

"
However we are in need of allies and friends. These are times when you cannot really have enough and both Houses can benefit from such alliance Daveth, in my humble opinion. In adition to political support House Tullison would offer all the funds needed to construct a holding, mend or upgrade Castle Greenwald. In return I seek alliance, and it should be agreed with a simple handshake"
Dunstan offers his hand

"
And it will be good for both of our Houses if we are to attach stained glass windows with motif's of both houses, or enrich our castles with tapestries depicting the same thing."


Dunstan thinks a bit about Ben and the thing he just told him outside,


"
Of course, as allies do, we might seek your support in some political matters as well. As should you do to us."


Dunstan smiles for the end, "
Queer affair is it not?! From lashing out in the Godswood to discussing possible alliances! I guess such is the way of true men!


OOC: Dunstan offers 1 Wealth point to you, and political support regarding the claim. Anything built with that wealth point should glorify the Tullisons with appropriates engravings/stained glass windows or anything similar.
If you want to put Yve into the deal feel free to go ahead, I would like it OOC but Dunstan would be stubborn.

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Good to meet you, Loreia."
Dyana says, lowering her head in compliment. "
And of course I'd remember you, Ser. I can't say we are the closest of acquaintaces, but I've seen you come and go for, what, two years? That's a lot of times."
She smiles softly, taking a small sip of her ale, then looking at the mug with a mild grimace.

"
The way you two speak of me, I'd imagine I'm clad in three layers of plate. This is just... a comfortable leather attire."
She gestures to her light armor. "
And the notion of my aunt breaking me is... ha... no, Lady Isobel has little say on me, Ser."

[Benedict Marsten]

Bens brow crease in worry . "
I meant no offense just that in the vale you are a rarity, add in such beauty and it would be hard to forget you, my lady. As for your aunt, then you would be one of few in the Marsten house that she does not attempt to ... "
He pause to find the polite term. "
influence."

[Loreia]

"
But you're a Lady of the Vale? Of the south, I guess. Diff'rent dress, diff'rent duties?"
Loreia asks, taking a drink. "
I mean, I can't imagine your family's too pleased, else you wouldn't be wearin' that sword."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
None taken, Ser. You flatter me."
Dyana smirks at Ben. She's sober, and barely started drinking, but one could think she is just a bit inebriated. Not near enough to cloud the mind, but perhaps sufficient to loosen the tongue. She turns to the guardswoman. "
I am a Lady of the Vale alright. Of the east, I'd say, but then again, to northeners, everywhere is south."
She chuckles drily, taking a slightly longer sip of her mug. "
My family is two girls who wouldn't oppose me, and an aunt who doesn't care, Loreia. The sword is garment by now. I wouldn't be without it, alone in town."

[Benedict Marsten]

He smiles politely back. "
I am glad to see that no one or thing has dissuaded you from pursuing martial qualities. I did enjoy seeing a few of those spoiled pages crying at the beatings you dealt them."
He laughs remembering fondly his days at Hartshorn.

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Oh, I... don't... Ser, I don't beat spoiled pages."
Dyana blinks at the embarassing memories of one or two of such episodes. Or three. "
I only fight the enemies of my house, and of house Arryn. You got to know where to direct 'martial qualities', lest you lose yourself in rumors and ill word. I don't even spar these days."
She takes a hasty gulp of her mug, nearly failing to suppress a satisfied 'ahh!' afterwards.

Perhaps she'd best drink some wine, rather than ale.

[Loreia]

"
My family is two girls who wouldn't oppose me, and an aunt who doesn't care, Loreia. The sword is garment by now. I wouldn't be without it, alone in town."

"
Ah. Well, I'm glad for you."
The utterance of understanding comes with a knowing look. To her, this hints of the absence of the unmentioned.

"
You got to know where to direct 'martial qualities', lest you lose yourself in rumors and ill word. I don't even spar these days."
She takes a hasty gulp of her mug, nearly failing to suppress a satisfied 'ahh!' afterwards.

"
What? That has to be a crime against at least two of the Seven!"
she fakes protest. "
Surely someone here at the tourney could oblige?"

[Dyana Marsten]

"
No, the Seven wouldn't fret about it. Besides, I'm ill-disposed today."
Dyana waves off the guardswoman's protest, but looks intently at her. "
The way you speak about it, though. I imagine you must keep your skills sharp through constant drilling? Especially on quality of being a soldier."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
My apologies, I must have ... mis-remembered, my Lady."
His still smiles at thoughts of the events. His look turns to amazement at her statement of not sparring. "
I agree with Loreia to bells with rumors a warrior must train."
He looks to her empty mug. "
May i get you another. It is on Lord Dunstan."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Dunstan nods, [...]

(OOC: This is a thing that Daveth definitely really wants to talk to you about, but *anything* he says about it could violate continuity, depending on what happens in the talks with the Marstens in the afternoon, which are themselves currently paused while we deal with something else that's causing it's own related issues in the morning. So, basically, what I'm saying is, my response is delayed for OOC reasons, but am definitely interested in discussing this.)

[Loreia]

"
My apologies, I must have ... mis-remembered, my Lady."
His still smiles at thoughts of the events. His look turns to amazement at her statement of not sparring. "
I agree with Loreia to bells with rumors a warrior must train."
He looks to her empty mug. "
May i get you another. It is on Lord Dunstan."

"
He's certainly in high spirits. Well, more than usual."
After Dyana refuses or accepts a drink. "
M'lady, sparring with a partner'd be a good enough stand-in for a drill or two,"
she replies with a friendly grin. If you change your mind, feel free to stop by the practice field in the Coldbrook camp."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Perhaps you two are right. And that'd be lovely."
Dyana smiles to Ben and looks over at Lord Dunstan, accepting a second drink when one comes. "
I still hold that today is not a good day for such activity. But, perhaps, tomorrow? I could use some stretching."


She drinks some more, sets her new mug down on the table, and stares at it for a moment. Her eyes narrow ever so slightly and then open again several times, as if she's weighing a decision behind the increasing stupor of alcohol. It doesn't take too long for her gaze to rise, however, and meet Ben's. "
Ser Benedict. I must ask you something. How close are you to this woman?"
She tips her chin towards Loreia.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben seems caught off guard. "
We met a few nights ago, here with Ser Baelon. We have not conversed much."
He looks from Loreia to Dyana with concern. "
My lady, is something wrong? Perhaps I should escort you back to the Marsten camp if you are not feeling well."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
I'm fine, don't worry. Simply starting to get a little... tipsy. But I won't drink another mug after this one. I'll be fine."
Dyana nods to Ben, then glances at Loreia again. "
But if the relation between you two is only so, could I then ask your leave to speak in private, Ser?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben again seems a little surprised. "
Certainly, my lady, anything you may require."
His voice sincere with still a bit of concern.

[Loreia]

"
Well, if you wish to speak like I'm not present, I guess I've said what's needed sayin'."
She sips her ale and slips away to solicit the wage earners of the inn for gossip.

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Well, I don't really... there she goes."
Dyana blinks as Loreia slips away, then shrugs and turns back to Benedict. For the better, either way.

"
Ser Benedict."
She begins anew. "
What I have to say is simple, and it is short, and I'll be direct. Such as it is."
She pushes the mug of ale away from her, putting aside distractions for the moment. "
But before I do, I need to ask a question, and I want the right answer. Alright?"
Her tone lowers to barely more than a whisper, and she leans forward. "
Did you speak to my cousin Corrine, Ser Ben?"

[Benedict Marsten]

He eyes her suspiciously. "
Yes I have spoken with ... lady Corrine on several occasions. But perhaps you mean .."
He is hesitant to reveal anything. "
more intimately."
Does she know? Will she be accepting ?

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana stares at Benedict for a hard moment. "
Ser. I'd like simple, short, and direct. I am not here to weave schemes or test your honesty. You know of what I'm talking about."
She leans forward on the table some more, and gazes at him expectantly.

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