Re: [Day 5 - MM] Tullison/Marsten breakfast (Closed)

by Sun May 17, 2015 8:58 pm

Edmund stops mid-sip, his goblet left hanging in the air by the abrupt departure of Corrine and Gwyn. He wants to laugh, but recognizes that it was rude and frowns.

"
Apologies for my Ladies Corrine and Gwyneth, Lord Dunstan."
he says, lowering his goblet and replacing his frown with quick smile, trying to lighten the mood. "
I have known them for some years, and as ever, they are a mystery to me at times."
Looking around the table, he says with a laugh, "
But then, is that not occasionally true of much of the relations between men and women?"

Seeking to change the subject from Corrine and Gwyn, he nods in agreement with Lord Dunstan, "
It will do my Uncle well to know of your compliment, my Lord. Thank you for your praise."

He raises his eyebrows at the questions of his father, "
Sadly, no, my Lord. My father was unable to attend the tourney as he and my older brothers had volunteered to maintain a guard over House Marten lands in Lady Isobel's absence. In the event that there should be further raids by the Mountain Clans."
He adds more darkly, "
The Vale can be a dangerous place these days."

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Sun May 17, 2015 10:25 pm

Outside, Gwyn's anxiety shows more clearly in the set of her face, and the tension in her eyes.

"
Corrine...you remember last night, when you first told me of this marriage, and my reaction was...underwhelming?"
Without waiting for an answer, she plowed on. "
I wasn't entirely honest with the reasons I gave you. They were true, but they weren't the whole truth. If it helps, I wasn't being entirely honest with myself either."

Gwyneth looked around quickly, and lowered her voice.

"
Please just listen while I explain how all this happened. It's important to me that you understand."
She took a deep breath. Why was this so hard?

"
Baelon and I are in love. We have been for ages. It happened...well, it started even before we reached Joston's Rock, but it never amounted to much. He refused to entertain any thoughts of being with me, because he thought I 'deserved better,' and I...I was hurt, and I gave up on him, deciding I was better off with Dunstan."

Her throat caught, and she had to swallow. "
But last night everything changed. Before I even told him about Dunstan, he was asking me to marry him, and...I believe him. I think he's really..."
Again, she couldn't go on for a moment. "
...so...I know it won't be easy, and I know it's terrible timing and...I need your help, Corrine. Everything's become an awful tangle, and I can't get out of it without your help."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun May 17, 2015 10:32 pm

Corrine listened, in stunned silence, trying to grasp all she was hearing. She could see Gwyn was being sincere, and that she was scared. Her heart went out to her, as she realised the bind they were in. Eventualy, she spoke;

"
Gods above, what a fool I've been. I'm so sorry I got you into this, Gwyn. Had I known about you and Baelon, I'd never have offered Dunstan your hand,"
she hastened to apologise. "
Nor would I have entertained Baelon's suit for even a moment."

She shook her head, still stunned by this revelation.

"
I will speak with Dunstan right away. I need to fix this before it is announced. Thank you for telling me. I know it can't have been easy for you."

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Sun May 17, 2015 10:43 pm

And Corrine felt herself caught in a sudden hug from Gwyn.

"
Thank you,"
she whispered. "
I knew you'd understand. Do you want me to come inside with you, or stay out here? I feel I owe Dunstan the full story. He's a sweet boy, and I'm very fond of him. I don't want him to feel like this is some failing on his part."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun May 17, 2015 10:48 pm

Corrine was a little taken aback by the hug, but returned it nonetheless.

"
It's alright. I can tell this is important to you, and both you and Dunstan are my friends. I would rather you be happy with other people than unhappy together. I have an alternative that he may be satisfied with. Why don't I go fetch him, and we can speak with him together? I understand though if you would rather it were just me."

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Sun May 17, 2015 10:49 pm

"
No,"
Gwyn replied, releasing Corrine. "
No, I would much rather be there. He deserves to hear it from me."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun May 17, 2015 10:52 pm

Corrine nodded in understanding.

"
That takes courage and honour. I'm sure he will appreciate that. Now, I shall go get him, before it is too late. Wait here."

She hurried back into the tent, and approached Dunstan.

"
My lord, I'm dreadfully sorry about the disturbance, but might we speak outside for a moment?"

by Dunstan Tullison Sun May 17, 2015 11:10 pm

Dunstan's confusion only deepens and he raises his shoulders and spreads his arms

"
Why outside? We have specifically called everyone here to discuss the marriage proposal. If the matter is of another nature I'm sure it can wait, but if it concerns the marriage than it should be discussed at this table."

He turns to Theo, seeking an approval.

by **Benedict Marsten** Sun May 17, 2015 11:13 pm

Ben shifts in his seat a jolt of nervousness shooting up his spine. By the Gods what could all this be about.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun May 17, 2015 11:27 pm

Corrine folds her arms, trying to be firm but subtle, though worry creeps into her heart and squeezes.

"
I can assure you, my lord, the matter is of some import and delicacy, otherwise I would not ask. It will only take a minute,"
she explains, turning her body slightly and tilting her head a little in a gesture to follow her. She puts on an inviting smile, trying to look as benign and calm as possible.

Please take the hint, Dunstan, you divot.

[ooc: [url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 5d6k5 23. I know it's not mind control, but she is trying really hard to quietly convey her point]

by Dunstan Tullison Sun May 17, 2015 11:51 pm

"
Pardon me than."
Dunstan says to the crowd seated at the table and stands up, making his way to the young Lady.

Looking at Corrine he asks "
Is everything alright? What is happening?"

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun May 17, 2015 11:56 pm

She led him out swiftly, though tried not to look too rushed.

"
Gwyneth needs a word, before any announcements are made. She asked me to fetch you,"
she replied, as quietly as she could manage.

When they stepped out and found Gwyneth, Corrine approached with Dunstan.

"
Here he is, Gwyn. Dunstan, Gwyn needs to speak with you."

She stood adjacent to them, hands folded, her eyes anxious.

by Dunstan Tullison Mon May 18, 2015 12:03 am

Dunstan walks out, still not having a clue what exactly is going on.

"
Hello Gwyn, is everything alright? Did anyone hurt you?"
he asks sincerely. Entire situation was odd and Dunstan only wanted to make everyone comfortable and relaxed again.

"
Do say if anyone did anything to you Gwyn. Anything you need, I'm here, there is no need to be nervous.

I hope there is no need, did Benjen Frey do anything to her?

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Mon May 18, 2015 1:32 am

Gwyn smiled, nervous but glad to see that Dunstan was still Dunstan.

"
No, no one hurt me. I...we haven't had a chance to talk, before all this happens. And I need talk to you first."

She takes a step in towards him, looking away for a moment as she tries to find the words...then back to him with a look of nostalgia.

"
I still remember when I first arrived at Mountain's Reach,"
Gwyneth said wistfully. "
It feels like ages ago. I was so worried you'd all just...throw me back out again. I was absolutely petrified I'd have to go back to Lady Marsten and explain why wedding bells weren't ringing over the Tullison lands. But you welcomed me. And even though it hadn't been my decision to come, I decided...this Lord Tullison is a better man than I expected. And I would try my best."

She reached out to take Dunstan's right hand in her own, and looked at it.

"
You knew why I was there, of course, but you never...you never seemed interested. You always said, whenever the topic came up, that people should marry the ones they love. Not just for bargains or advantages or to seal alliances."

Her eyes came back up to meet Dunstan's own.

"
Has one conversation with Corrine changed your mind?"

by Dunstan Tullison Mon May 18, 2015 1:58 am

Dunstan stood silently for a while, observing the usual clutter of people in the campgrounds.

"
Gwyn, I came to this tourney with a desire to joust, meet knights, Lords and even the royal family, to prove myself and speak honestly with true men and women. I never felt such excitement as when I first saw the castle of Riverrun, with countless banners flying high over the sea of pavilion tents. It was supposed to be different, devoid of lies, more... pure."

Dunstan did not question why is Gwyneth asking these things, he spoke honestly and held her hand

"
On the road here I got into a fight with some Bracken men. I thought I'm such a hero for beating them senseless and throwing them in a river. What everyone seem to think is, it's just another pointless conflict. And my contribution was just another fist, another dull weapon.
Than, I met Jon Cobb, a hero of my youth. When he invited me over my knee was dancing of excitement, I was nervous like a small boy before his first kiss. When we started talking, all he tried to have me do was support one side of yet another political conflict. It felt underwhelming, I was not Dunstan but just another mean to an end, another tool - now not a weapon but a well perfumed Lord lending his influence to a arguing side, trying to grab some boon or another in the meantime, while chaos lasts."

Dunstan's voice stutters, he is not feeling very comfortable sharing feelings.

"
I... I am lost a bit, it is true. When the Kinslayer raised his axe on his own brother, and the raping Frey did what he did I felt a need to do something, balance things out and bring back the light to this event. But I did nothing, of course, all were protective, all looked on their own interests again."

Realizing he must be confusing the two Ladies, he decided to sumarize it all up, like he usually does, in one true sentence.

"
I learned something, Gwyneth, there is no light and dark, right and wrong, there is only struggle."

"
And my House, like all others, will have to work hard to avoid being wiped out of history. I will fight against that with everything I have, my hand in marriage being one such asset."

He chuckles, and removes one lock of hair from her face

"
And, well, it is you I agreed to marry. Don't think one second you never made my head turn while walking around Mountain's Reach"
he says with a bit of a smirk.

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Mon May 18, 2015 2:18 am

Gwyn nodded, looking relieved.

"
I'm glad...but maybe not for the reason I would have thought. Because you're right, Dunstan. But...not about us."

She took a deep breath.

"
Corrine's agreed to retract her requirement that you marry me. I asked her to. It wasn't necessary for the agreement you had worked out, and...because I was wrong. Do you remember when we went on the hunt here at the tourney? And you asked if there was someone I loved? I told you there was an 'ideal' man who wasn't real. I was...stretching the truth. There is a man I've loved, but I never thought we could be together. So I...I turned my back on it all. I didn't want to just sit all day, hurting and miserable, so I tried to leave him behind me."

"
But I was wrong. About him, about...him and me. Everything changed, and he wants me. And I never imagined you'd agree to marry me, I never asked Corrine to... She was doing what she thought was best. Ugh, it's all coming out wrong."

Gwyneth let go of Dunstan's hand and put her fingers to her forehead.

"
If it was anyone but him,"
she said through her hands, "
I would marry you and I think we'd be happy. But when I went to him, to tell him about the wedding...before I could say a word he came to me and told me what I always wanted to hear but never dreamed I would. I imagined what it would be, never seeing him again...and I can't do it, Dunstan. I can't. I've loved him since before you and I even met."

Finally she risks a peek out from between her fingers.

"
I never meant it to be this way. All throughout our time together, I earnestly did want to marry you. But now..."

by Dunstan Tullison Mon May 18, 2015 2:30 am

Dunstan pauses for a moment, taking it all in.

Than, a mixture of relief and envy take over him. At first, a bitter, angry feeling fills his stomach - and his pride felt damaged, he felt rejected.
But soon as he fills his lounges with air and takes a sip from a goblet he brought with him, a sense of relief overcomes him. It was as things are where they were, unaffected by new decisions and sudden changes. It felt warm and comfortable, thinking of nights by the lake and Marei, missing her tiny face.

"
I.. I am glad for you Gwyn, I really am. It must be a splendid thing, being able to marry whoever you want without consequence. It might be for the best, our marriage could bring out the worst in both. "
he says with a wide smile of relief on his face, as if he just narrowly escaped death and not a marriage.

"
We can, we will, strengthen the bonds between our Houses on other ways"
Dunstan says and looks at Corrine, thinking of Ben.

"
However, do consult with one another before bringing deals to me in the future. All of this, all the complications could be prevented by acting with more patience, I learned."
he could't help but scold them a bit in the end.

I only wished I bedded her before, he though between sentences.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon May 18, 2015 2:37 am

Corrine managed to stop herself from audibly sighing with relief, but she did feel a weight lift off her to see Dunstan's reaction. Dealing with Isobel in the past, and her recent experience with Athelstan had trained her to expect anger in situations like this. She spoke quietly, humbly, feeling foolish and contrite in the wake of Dunstan's admittedly light, but justified scolding.

"
I am very sorry to have caused all this, Dunstan. I did not know about Gwyn's feelings, and I thought I was helping. I hope you can forgive my error. I'm sure, given what you know, that we do have other ways to bond our Houses, and I greatly appreciate your understanding. I will also take full responsibility for any negative fallout from this change, as it was my fault."

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Mon May 18, 2015 2:40 am

Gwyn grinned giddily, "
I've already had words with Corrine, believe me,"
she assures Dunstan. "
The timing of all these events was just a little off. My love was confirmed AFTER she told me about the agreement you'd made with her. And until then, I was still pursuing you."

Her breath goes out in relief.

"
Dunstan, for what it's worth, if I thought you truly loved me as well, this would have been an incredibly difficult decision for me. You're everything a lady could want for a husband. And I know our Houses will find greatness in friendship with one another. There is Benedict, after all, who wishes to marry Corrie."

She smiles warmly at her cousin.

"
That's still a union between us, if not quite as strong."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon May 18, 2015 2:43 am

Corrine lowered her head bashfully for a moment, blushing.

"
Keep that one quiet, for now, Gwyn. I haven't told mother yet."

by Dunstan Tullison Mon May 18, 2015 2:47 am

"
No need for apologies Corrine"
Dunstan says and lays a hand on her shoulder.

"
We are friends, and friends sometimes confuse the seven hells out of each other."
he says, "
I hope we will be able to convince your Lady mother about Ben and you. Didn't know you told Gwyn, I tried to be all clandestine in front of her earlier."

Dunstan starts to move back into the tent, "
You are still welcome to eat breakfast with us if you please"
he makes a passing remark.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon May 18, 2015 2:50 am

Corrine did start to follow him back to the tent.

"
I didn't tell her, actually. I think Baelon might have passed it on, since he's the only one that I told, and as far as I know, Ben only told you. I'm afraid the past day and night have been rather complicated and confusing. But I am glad to have cleared this one thing up. I would be glad to still share breakfast with you. Perhaps we may actually be more relaxed now,"
she added, with a slightly awkward chuckle.

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Mon May 18, 2015 2:51 am

"
She didn't,"
Gwyn admits. "
It was Baelon."

She gives Corrine a look. "
I still can't believe you didn't tell me."

by Dunstan Tullison Mon May 18, 2015 2:55 am

Dunstan slightly rolls his eyes upon hearing the overly complicated relationship knots discussed and enters the tent making way to the head of the table.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon May 18, 2015 2:57 am

Gwyneth Marsten wrote:"
She didn't,"
Gwyn admits. "
It was Baelon."

She gives Corrine a look. "
I still can't believe you didn't tell me."

"
I was waiting to get it past mother first. I'm sorry. We're going to speak with her later. Hopefully she won't just wither us with her death stare when I break the news."

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