[Day 4, LA]Life, Loss, and Cyvasse (Closed)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth walked through the Godswood, Edwin in tow, carrying his well, Garret's really, but he won't mind Cyvasse board and pieces, along with a cloth for sitting on, a wineskin, and a couple of glasses, looking for a man whose life has turned to ashes. A man who needed a friend.

How sure are you that he views you the same way? And how sure are you that you really do consider him a friend?

Shut up. Today, for once, won't be about politics.

Don't be so naive. You can't afford it. Everything you do is politics.

It's just mostly boring politics.

Daveth tries to find his usual peace among the trees, but it proves elusive, and soon he reaches the arranged meeting spot, lays the cloth down and starts laying out pieces.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren is robed all in red for the occasion and walks over to greet Daveth:
"
Daveth! How are you doing? Ready for a game?"

Yoren helps the servant set up the board, while already watching the board for a good starting position. He then fishes out a few wineskins of his own from under his robe: "
Being religious has its advantages."

He says with a wink as he settles down, putting the screen up so that they may deploy in secrecy.
He sighs for a moment before he starts deliberately placing his pieces.

OOC
Sorry missed this thread until now...

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(OOC: no worries. I'm in no position to throw stones at anyone for missing threads.)

Daveth smiles back at Yoren. "
Ready enough, I hope."
He waves Edwin back a way, so they can have some privacy.

He begins setting up his pieces, going for a defensive-reactive strategy. His eyes then flick to Yoren, considering. Then, he changes his positioning to all-out aggression, with the objective of pushing Yoren hard right from the beginning.

You're going to be under a lot of pressure from here on. Let's see how you handle it.

Even for you, I think that's a new record speed in hypocrisy. 'No politics', indeed.

Once the obvious thinking around the setup was done, Daveth spoke, quietly. "
How are you holding up?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren removes the screen between them at Daveths signal. As he shows his formation it becomes apparent that he is not trained in the classical westerosi formations. His first line is quite compact, deployed at the extreme front of his line. Behind this he has put up much free space for quick pivots, with his more manoeuvrable pieces in the back. Answering Daveths question as he uncovers the screen he tells him:

"
It seems like my front line is in trouble, threatened by the dragon, I should really have put my horses further to the front considering that...
Well, no problem, this formation is after all made for its rapid maneuverability."
Yoren then cocks his head: "
wait, you are not talking about the game, you are talking of... otherwise?"


Yoren sighs and takes a prodigious sip of wine before continuing. "
I'm holding up badly, but at the very least I'm holding up... Athelstan is not open to show his emotions in the same way as me, but he must be breaking. Whereas I watched my brother die, he was the cause of his brothers death."


Yorens hand goes to the wine skin refilling his own cup also filling Daveths, if Daveth has been drinking. He then moves up a horse to cover his right flank before continuing. "
My father is of poor health as it is, this may break him completely..."
Yoren gives a sad smile. "
Fortunately I will not have to worry of my sister, although Athelstan will have to. If she comes within striking distance of him, he will be dead, but she won't wallow in grief, that is not her way."
Yoren gestures at one of his Rabble, which have been rendered useless by a clever move on Daveths part: "
good move, I had not even considered that..."
He then returns: "
Everyone liked Roddric, I know you did not know him very well, but I'm sure you would have liked him too. Tomorrow I will hold a cermon, would you like to come? It will be my first on this side of the narrow sea, it felt right doing it noe considering Roddrics death."


Yoren leans backwards, emptying another glass.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(OOC: Actually, let's see how well Daveth is actually playing. I'm going to assume Cunning (Logic)
[url=Playing Cyvasse vs Yoren][/url]: 4d6 13
So, I'm playing a fairly average game by my standards.)

(Note: Daveth has been drinking, but only lightly.)

"
I never actually met Roddric."
And given that as far I heard, he was a fairly typical Ironborn, I doubt he'd think much of me. "
I'm afraid I have no idea what he was like, or how much I'd like him."
His tone leaves the possibility open for Yoren to talk about him if he wants, without pushing the issue.

He raises an eyebrow at the mention of the sermon. "
I don't want to be one of those friends who always tries to stop you doing what you want, but are you sure that doing such an important thing as your first sermon is something you should attempt now? This would be the first exposure most of your audience would have to R'hllor. And they'll talk, and rumour will spread. You can't really afford to be at less than your best at such an occasion, and, well, it would be understandable if you weren't."


Daveth maintains his pressure on Yoren's pieces, attempting to force his pieces to lose their ability to support each other properly. He was taking more losses than he'd normally feel comfortable with, but he was forcing Yoren to take higher losses, too.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren refills the glasses as fast as they are emptied.
"
He was everything that I despised, but I still loved him. His walk his talk, or his lack thereof, I loved it all, although, those attitudes was what made me leave in the first place."


Yoren does a quick move while emptiying his wine glass before he continues: "
On the contrary, it is when grief strikes ceremonies should be held. Emotions are the driving force behind all actions. Thoughts do nothing but staying your hand."
Yoren gestures to the board: "
our conciousness is slow to comprehend what we already know. I know that my horse over there is in trouble, although I cannot specify from where."
He moves the horse: "
Know when precision is important and put all of your thoughts in those areas, if you are to think of all things first, nothing will be done."
Yoren taps his head: "
Let your intuition lead you right in all issues that are not important."


Yoren then smiles: "
For all those words I do consider my life to be important, that is why I have considered this cermon carefully. The risks is attempts at my own person, however, that is a small price to pay, when you think of it. If I even sway one man, there will be equality, and all above that is pure winning on my part."
He motions to the board. "
Here all pieces have their roles, in life it is the same. Everyone has their own lot, and my is to help save the world. If it requires sacrifices then I am more than willing to provide these. Also I could argue that this is when my speech will be at its best, emotion has its own language."


Yoren then shoots back: "
What is your lot in life."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth makes a deliberate point of considering the board before moving. "
You were absolutely correct that your horse was in trouble. However, the reason you couldn't see the threat was because it was actually perfectly safe where it was. I was just subtly closing off its possible exit routes, so I could catch it when it moved."
he swiftly moves his elephant, and captures Yoren's horse. "
Instinct prompts us to action, thought to inaction, it's true. But sometimes inaction is the *right* action.

"
Speaking of, you talk of being willing to die for your god, but what of your dream of changing the Ironborn to a more sustainable culture? One more able to integrate with your neighbouring lords? Without you, that dream will surely die. No doubt it's received a devastating blow recently, which must be very dispiriting, especially since you were in such early days. But if you ever thought it would be easy and have no setbacks, you're a fool. And I do not think you a fool. I think you a man of iron will, who, once you've set yourself a goal, while you may be knocked down and suffer on occasion, you won't let anything stop you for long.

"
And as for my 'lot in life'?"
he shrugs. "
The gods know. To claim to know your own fate is foolish. To claim to be able to warp fate itself according to your own desires is purest hubris."
He's looking right at Yoren as he says this, clearly aware that he could take offence, and defiant anyway.

Sometimes, being a friend means saying what he wants to hear. Other times, it means saying what he least wants to hear.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren looks thoughtfully at his wineglass, before drinking deeply.
"
My entire plan was showing the iron born that riverlanders are not so treacherous as rumored. However my idea was kind of destroyed when the two houses I'd made an agreement both turned around and betrayed us!"
Yoren shakes his head "
I could have helped both sides, but that is impossible if they don't want to give it a chance. i cannot explain the reasons why this is mutually beneficial either, I can see myself showing how inelasticity in supply and demand curves may occur."
Yoren chuckles at the thought of that.

"
So I had to revise my plan. Instead of establishing trust, I'll have to attempt a change in culture instantly. If you have better suggestions I am wide open for ideas."

Yoren then sits a bit straighter: "
I won't give up this is only a minor setback, a few more hurdles, nothing I cannot handle. Will you help me? I will not need much, the assistance of the guardwoman, Loreia, was that her name? Just to make sure no other kinslaying takes place... of course only for the cermon, I will not separate you longer than that."
Yoren starts pacing a little around the table.

"
But in taking that horse so close to my grounds, I may attempt to cut of your elephant there."
He moves triumphantly to block the elephant before admitting. "
Truth be told I did not see the threat of the elephant before you took my horse, but I would like to think that it was a well thought out plan on my part."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth shrugs. "
Riverlanders are people, same as you'd get anywhere. You can use reason all you like, but it's emotions that really rule the roost in all but the most disciplined of minds. And the strongest emotion is probably fear. For all that they'd present you with smiles and handshakes, you're still Ironborn. The fear is still there. They would at the very least be skittish about any deal with you. And when something like this happens, it confirms all their darkest fears. I can understand your frustration at the situation, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find people *anywhere* who are familiar with Ironborn ways who wouldn't run. After all, it's easier to ignore an unpleasant fact if you have no connections to it."
he shrugs again. "
Harsh, but true. And the fact that the actual *deal* is as good now as it was then has absolutely no impact."


"
Changing your culture will not be easy, but you're right. I can't come up with a better alternative. And I am glad to see you still have your fighting spirit. As for Loreia?"
Loreia? Protecting an *Ironborn*? I think my brain just broke attempting to imagine it. It's like asking a sheepdog to guard a wolf. "
Have you had positive interactions with her, then?"
I mean, I'm not saying she's like to tear out your guts and make herself a jerkin from them just because you're Ironborn, but that's just because I'm being diplomatic. "
I could ask her if you want. Or, I could also float the idea to Ser Jorah? If you haven't met, he's a good and honourable man, who I trust absolutely. The one stipulation I would have is that while a Coldbrook is protecting you, that you refrain from any political comments that could hurt us. I understand your frustration with some of them, but House Coldbrook is trying to work towards acceptance here, and us guarding you while you denounce other houses as traitors will not help our cause."


Turning his attention back to the game, Daveth continues. "
Actually, had you held off on moving your horse for another turn, I could have captured it safely. As it was, I now have a serious fight on my hands. But that rather undermines the point I was making, so let's gloss over that, if you don't mind.

"
Still,"
with a significant look. "
It is the mark of a great leader to spot the opportunity in a bad situation and use it to turn the situation around. Prove you can do that as easily outside the cyvasse board as you do on it, and you could emerge from this stronger than ever."
a small smile. "
But before you ask, no. I've no idea how you can do that."
his smile turns rather wry "
But after all, is it not the fire that brings light to even the very darkest of nights?"

[Yoren longshore]

"
I am not saying that I cannot see their reasons for betraying me, I am merely pointing out how difficult it makes my job when all the negative attributes wehave put on the riverlanders come true."
He shakes his head: "
I suppose I hoped for too much. You are right, of course they would get scared off by such an event."

"
I will make a religious point, not a political one, but that may rub off negatively on you nonetheless. I have talked to Loreia on two different occasion, and hope that she got an as positive impression of me as the one I got from her. I am sure Ser Jorah would be a good man to have, but as you pointed out, I might shed bad lights on your houses reputation if I am escorted by a knight in your service, although if he is to come to the Cermon, I'd welcome him with open arms."

"
And don't worry about me making a political stance, the cermon I have made is as tame as can be. Also I think that we strive towards the same objective, I don't want to alienate anyone, regardless of how they have treated past agreements."


Yoren smiles: "
I do not know how, but I will try to emerge victorious no matter what. You will come to my cermon right? I will show you one of the trics i have up my sleeve."
Yoren winks conspiratorily to Daveth.

Yoren moves a piece a little out of position while he is speaking, leaving a hole in his defence.

OOC
I'd love to continue talking, but day five has come, so I thought we could close this thread, you exploit the hole and win in a few moves, does that sound good to you?

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
Well, while I can't promise - business must always come first - I will certainly try my best, and I'm hopeful I'll make it. And even if I can't swing a direct bodyguard for you, well, I certainly won't be alone, and any person of good moral character would certainly stand to prevent further bloodshed breaking the peace. One way or another, I'll do what I can to see you safe."


He looks at the board, and sighs. "
Off the Cyvasse board, anyway."
he shakes his head. "
I hope you're not this nice to all your opponents."
he makes a confident move, and captures another piece. "
Victory in 3. As a consolation, you can at least capture my elephant."


Careful, Yoren. You can't afford to be so careless. Your path is dark and treacherous.

It's cute that you think you're any different.

Daveth sighs. "
Barring an emergency, I'll be there. Call it 'scholarly solidarity'."
He extends a hand. "
Assuming I don't manage to talk to you again beforehand, good luck."


(OOC: I think a quick response from you, and we're done.)

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren smiles before shaking Daveths hand: "
I'll look forward to seing you there."

(Done, enjoyable meeting you as always. )

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