[Day 4 LM] Lady Marsten (Closed paritaly)

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan heard enough of trouble with the clans House Marsten seem to have to stand up and go see Lady Isobel personally. He had a plan in mind, and in his mind it seemed like a good plan.

Approaching the tent he hailed the guards and took a peak inside.

[Reader]

Lady Isobel Marsten, awaited inside, as composed as ever in a deep purple dress. The Tullisons were rich and strong, but they lacked House Marsten's refined breeding and history.

"
My Lord Tullison, to what do I owe this pleasure? I hope the day finds you well."


Servants scurried to provide cups of water and brought forward chunks of bread and cheese, in case their guest was hungry.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Pleasure is all my Lady Isobel"
Dunstan says as courteous as he can and sits down, immediately grabbing on some cheese. After he chews it up and takes a sip of water he says

"
Your knight, Ser Baelon, spoke to me earlier in the tourney. He told me of the troubles befallen on you, troubles with the mountain clans."
Dunstan says trying hard to look her in the eyes and wrestle with her steely gaze.

"
We may not be sworn to the same Liege Lord but we do share the mountains My Lady, and I always considered House Marsten a friendly House. I would like to offer assistance. "
Young Lord collects his thoughts a bit


"
Iron mines back home were particularly generous last few years, and House Tullison finds itself with coffers full. I'd like to offer you some of that wealth so you can build a watchtower mayheaps, stop the attack of the clans before it happens. Or, if your needs are for more soldiers, hire mercenaries. Whatever the situation requires."
Dunstan speaks honestly.

"
In return we would seek friendship. Darktimes are ahead and my House needs allies of such prestige my Lady."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Having fled the trial, Corrine had sought the quiet privacy of her tent. However, she strode in to find her mother speaking with Ser Dunstan Tullison. Despite her distress, she politely stopped and curtsied;


"
My Lord. Mother."

[Reader]

Lady Isobel recited Lord Tullison's speech precisely for Corrine's benefit, and to show her wilful daughter the benefits of paying attention.

"
Corrine, Lord Tullison has come to us in a spirit of friendship with a generous offer. Why not address the particulars with him?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Damn. I wanted to be alone.

Corrine kept up her pretence, offering her mother and Lord Tullison a congenial smile. It was but a mask, but a necessary one for now.

"
I'd be happy to,"
she replies politely. "
So, I understand that my lord wishes to offer us wealth to fortify our lands, in exchange for unspecified boons at a later date. Is that correct?"
she asks Lord Tullison.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
My Lady Corrine"
Dunstan smiles,

"
Boon I am after is closer ties to your noble House. Since we are practically neighbors I hate the mere thought of the clans pestering you. Same clans that have killed many of my friends in the past. I would do anything to help stopping them. Just so happens House Tullison has some leftover coin and instead of pursuing one luxury or another i wanted to contribute to safety, happiness and good relations with neighbors."
Dunstan speaks with no sign of malice in his voice. He is cheerful and in a good mood as most of the time.


"
With the coin we would provide you with you could build a watchtower to be alert of their attacks, or hire mercenaries to fight against them. In return we could cement a firm alliance, and possibly make it official with some Tullison tapestries or stained glass windows in your castle, and Marsten in ours. So all who step inside know our noble Houses do not stand alone in this world."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
A generous offer indeed, my lord,"
Corrine replied, with a warmer smile this time. "
I think that arrangement will be most agreeable. As neighbours, we would do well to stick together. After all, if either's lands are not well-protected, we each become a target for these mountain savages."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
It pleases me to hear that my Lady. I can dispatch have my maester draw up the paperworks necessary as soon as tonight. And mayheaps we could scour the markets of Riverrun on the morrow to try and find an artist good enough to great artwork that would celebrate our friendship!"
Dunstan said.

OOC: If Reader doesn't mind I would mark this in our Holdings, and you can add +1 Wealth to yours as well. We can make a market thread tomorrow if you want:)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I have a further question, before we draw up final plans,"
Corrine added, with a charming smile. "
I understand you are, as yet, unwed. A man of such fine character as yourself should not be without a fine wife. I'd like to offer you the hand of my cousin, Gwyneth, to strengthen our alliance."


[ooc: I'd like to make this an intrigue, unless Dunstan accepts right away.]

[Dunstan Tullison]

Oh boy, Dunstan thought as his smile slowly vanished, here we go again.

Dunstan was charmed by Gwyn during the dance yesterday, and thought much higher of her than he did before, back in Mountain's Reach - but the young Lord was still very much in love with another and stuck to his naive ideals stubbornly.

I wish Yve was here..

"
You are correct my Lady, I am still unmarried as it happens. Reasons are many, I've had other bussines, and when Lady M..."
Dunstan almost says the wrong name, "
hm, Lady Gwyneth was back at the castle there were many other ... matters I had to do and.. well, it kept me from pursuing that particular matter Dunstan stumbles in his speech many times and repeats the same words over and over again, signifying his nervousness.

[url=Intrigue initiative][/url]: 5d6 11
Objective: Change the topic of conversation away from marriage
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 9

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiled politely, stifling a small laugh at his awkwardness, thinking it shyness rather than actual reluctance.

"
I understand that a lord, such as yourself, has many pulls on his attention, but if one leaves such matters too late, before long, one becomes an old lord, and the whole process becomes more difficult, the options less desirable. Rather like myself, you are at an ideal point to make such a consideration, and it would speak well for our alliance. As fine it is to exchange tapestries and stained glass, there are few things that demonstrate sincerity more than the bond of matrimony."


Damn, I thought he might agree to that. I thought they liked eachother.

[url=Initiative][/url]: 4d6k4 10
[url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 5d6k5 17 + 1 = 18
Objective: Obtain agreement to accept Gwyn's hand
Disposition: Amiable (+1)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 12

(drat)

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan sights

"
My Lady is right, as many have spoken before marriages do fortify alliances the best. My uncle often spoke so too."
Dunstan looks like he is fighting a battle of his own with thoughts and reconsideration.

"
But my noble House has other matters that require my attention as well."
Dunstan shifts in his seat,

"
I came here today to offer you a donation in coin, in exchange for friendship. Now, a marriage would surely raise the stakes of that agreement, don't you agree? If we are to take each other's hand, how could that stronger alliance benefit both of our Houses?"


Exchange 1
Initiative: Dunstan, Corrine
Objective: Change the topic of conversation away from marriage
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 9

Action: Consider (Dunstan gets +2B in the next exchange)

OOC: Usually we roll initiative first and than post actions during exchange number 1:) But as you already rolled let's see..

18 vs 9 = 9 - 4 = 5. 2 DoS of infuence, it's 2 x your Will rank. Now that would be your used up turn, and I would, with damaged composure, start exchange number 2. You can rp the post and tell me how much infuence did Dunstan suffer.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I would have thought that being offered more rather than less in exchange for your coin would be an attractive prospect, my lord,"
Corrine replied, amusedly. "
Gwyn is a fine woman, and dear to me personally. I would not promise her to just anyone.

Come on now, don't make a fool of me. She adores you.

"
A marriage between our houses would ensure mutual co-operation and friendship for generations to come, not just until the mountain clans no longer threaten us."


[ooc: 8 Influence]

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I must admit, my Lady, when I came to your camp this morning I did not expect to discuss prospect of such deep bonds between us. Your House is a noble and influental one, and Lady Gwyneth is charming and lovely, but I do not know if I am ready.."


Dunstan does not sound particularly convincing.

Exchange 2
Initiative: Dunstan, Corrine
Objective: Change the topic of conversation away from marriage
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 1/9

[url=Persuasio (Convince)][/url]: 5d6k3 12
OOC: 1 DoS = 3 influence- 3 DR = 0 influence

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I think you already know that we Marsten women can exceed expectations,"
Corrine replied with a wry smile. "
I appreciate that I have sprung it upon you unexpectedly, and your desire to make good decisions does you great credit, but you certainly don't sound averse to the idea, only hesitant of the timing. If it is of any reassurance, a betrothal need not be swift, and is, in fact, a good time for the couple to get to know eachother better, and assess their suitability. I believe you would find Gwyn most suitable indeed."


Exchange 2
Initiative: Dunstan, Corrine
Objective: Obtain agreement to accept Gwyn's hand
Disposition: Amiable, DR 3
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 12
[url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 5d6k5 14

[ooc: If I've done this wrong, let me know and I'll fix it.]

[Dunstan Tullison]

I am a Lord of my House, Dunstan thinks, like my father before me. And Gwyn is easily the fairest maid around

"
Perilous times are ahead of us, and we need allies to survive. The stronger the alliance the bigger the chances of surviving are."
Dunstan adopted a formal tone, he was glad because this marriage was good for the House but still deep inside he was miserable to push Marei away.

"
I will accept to marry Lady Gwyneth, my Lady. And extend the invitation for the entire Marsten delegation for the breakfast tomorrow. There we could settle the details, I need advice and council from uncle and Ben on this matter."


Marriage!?! Really? Is this what we have to do to gain friends? Oh.. tumulus thoughts arise inside Dunstan as he is biting on his fingernails.

Exchange 3
Initiative: Dunstan, Corrine
Objective: Change the topic of conversation away from marriage
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 2/9;
Frustration: 2

Yield Offer: Dunstan agrees to marry Gwyneth and calls the Marstens over tommorow for breakfast and conversation:) Disposition goes up to Friendly for both of us. Oh, and I still want those stained glass windows.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: I accept your yield, good sir! You shall have the shiniest stained glass windows money can buy!]

"
I would be delighted to accept, my lord!"
Corrine replied happily, with a respectful nod and a warm smile. "
We shall discuss it on the morrow, toast our friendship, and our future, which looks very bright indeed!"


Gwyn will be ever so pleased! And I've helped the House! Perhaps I'm not so inept as I thought!

"
We shall install the finest decorations we can find to honour your House."

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan stands up and kisses both the ladies hands.

"
My Lady Corrine, I am thrilled at a prosperous future both for our two Houses and mine and Lady Gwyneth's."
with a deep bow he greets them both cordially and starts making way out of the tent.

"
I am afraid I must leave you now and start preparing for the joust. It has truly been a pleasant visit. You prove to be an able House leader, it can be seen you learned from the best"
Dunstan offers compliments for both the Ladies.

Leaving he gives Corrine a look and a nod of support. They were both young heads of House and he felt a connection of sorts.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
It was a great pleasure meeting with you, my lord. I wish you the best of luck in the joust."


She returned his nod and gave a friendly, unguarded smile.

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