[D5, EN, Part 1] Star-Crossed Lovers (Closed*)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

*[ooc: This thread is closed, unless Reader approves a request to join]

Corrine waited at the entrance to the Sept, swathed in a long, dark blue woollen cloak, to guard her from the chill of the night air. She anxiously glanced around, hoping her message had not been intercepted, and its recipient would arrive soon.

Gods, please, let this work.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben approaches the sept the hood of his worn cloak pulled up. His sword belt hastily fastened about his hip, one hand holding it secure. The scabbard beating against his leg as he moves swiftly up the steps to the entrance. He pauses part way up as he sees the cloaked figure. "
My Lady? Is all well?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She smiled to see him approach, and stepped forward to meet him.

"
As well as can be in the circumstances."


She took his hand gently;


"
Our attempt to convince my mother did not go as well as I'd hoped, and I worry that she may try to interfere indirectly. I don't want her to force us apart. I don't want anyone to do that. And I have been thinking about this constantly since she left us. She is only my regent. As much as I would like her blessing, we do not need it to be together. And so, I summoned you here tonight to ask you a question."


She glanced around a moment, then back at him, with a tentative excitement in her eyes;


"
Will you come into the Sept with me, and ask the Septon to marry us right now?"

[Benedict Marsten]

His anxiety melts at the sound of her voice and joy fills him with her touch. His look turns to playful curiosity when she speaks of summoning him. His own excitement rises, evident by the way his lips curl up to one side in a smile. "
Yes! But I would council you to be sure this is what you want. I have already shown I am willing to give up all I have to be with you, but what I have to lose is little compared to all you have to lose."
His words say caution but the sparkle in his eyes say marry me now.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She nodded at his caution. It was wise to say, though her mind was made up.

"
If you are willing to take my name, be my loyal husband and as wise and just a Lord Protector as you can be, then that is all I require of you,"
she replied.

[Benedict Marsten]

He steps toward the door pulling her along. He looks back over his shoulder at her with a impish smile. "
I do. What are you waiting for?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She grins broadly and scampers along with him into the candlelit hall, her hand in his.

"
Nothing, now that you've answered my question,"
she giggles. "
Do you think the Septon will need much persuading? What if he wants a..."


Her next words are an impish whisper;


"
... financial incentive?"

[Benedict Marsten]

He looks about the sept as if in deep thought. "
Then the Seven shall have their tithe. At the cost of a few mens losses in the joust."
He gives her wink.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
But you have your own things to ransom back, Ben,"
Corrine protested, though not very forcefully. "
Can you do both? I can help, if need be. I can be very persuasive."

[Benedict Marsten]

He looks at her in amusement. "
The Flea's gear will easily pay for ol' Rose and my battered gear. Now the Bracken boys have filled my purse. But by all means charm away if need be, I know just how persuasive you can be. Here I stand."
He shoots her a quick playful smile as he attempts to locate where the septon would be.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Oh, so you are here against your will, drawn by my silver tongue alone?"
she teased, also looking around for signs of the Septon.

[Benedict Marsten]

He scans her from head to toe admiringly, then says playfully. "
I am here from fear of your bow skills."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She gasps in mock affront and pokes his chest.

"
How can you say that? I would never shoot you! I'm not that scary, am I?"

[Benedict Marsten]

He laughs at her poke. "
No you are a regular little kitten who confronts one-eyed madmen in the woods."
He continues laughing at his own jest. Then becomes serious. "
Have no doubts I am here of my own will and the draw of your kindess and beauty both inside and out."
He pauses their search to embrace her quickly. "
And you? Why are you here? Beside to give you mother a heart failure."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Alright, I will admit, I was a bit reckless in dealing with him. I acted out of fear, trying to puff myself up to try and scare him off, I suppose. But then I remembered that I need to stay safe. I'm sorry about that."


She squeezed him tightly when he embraced her.

"
I am here because I believe you are the person the Gods intend me to be with. I believe they brought us together. There are the practical things, like believing you would be a good Lord Protector, and someone who has values close to my own, which would make running the House easier. However, it is more than just thinking you would fit the title. Since we were reunited in the library, I have felt a draw to you, a connection. I thought it just reforged friendship at first, but now, when I look at you, I feel like you understand me, and I you. I can see a real chance for happiness, for love. Dyana told me to follow my heart, and that I should stick with you, and I truly believe she was right."

[Benedict Marsten]

At the description of the scene with Athlestan he playfully rolls his eyes. The words of her declaration make him smile cheerfully. By its end he is blushing slightly. "
Your words comfort me."


He kisses her forehead softly. "
Lets find the man, so that I may make you my wife."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She nods in agreement;


"
Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I'm getting a bit over-excited."

[Reader]

Even at this late hour, house Tully's Septon Meribald could be house from his head by those of sufficient rank.

The middle-aged Septon shuffles in to the Sept, blinking in the torchlight, which reflects off his balding head in turn.

[SImple intrigue, TN 10+3 for difficult request = 13, higher DoS needed to make him do it here and now, if desired]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Septon,"
Corrine greeted the cleric with a respectful curtsey, head bowed. "
I am sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I have a request to make."


She glances at Ben briefly, with a smile, then extends her most charming smile to the Septon;


"
We wish to be married, tonight, and I humbly ask if you would perform the ceremony for us, quietly. We know that this is no small request, so we offer you a donation of two gold dragons, one for each of us, for your services, and for your discretion. We can also supply our own witnesses. Please, Septon, will you bring us together in holy wedlock before the Seven tonight?"


[url=Persuasion - Charm][/url]: 6d6k5 21 +4 for the 2gd offered = 25 (3 DoS)

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben bows to the speton, doing his best to look charming and innocent at this hour of night.

[Reader]

Septon Meribald immediately moved to place the coin in a a secure donation box.

"
The orphans of Riverrun thank you my lady."


"
This is most irregular, but we serve the maid and true love her, alongside all the faces of the Seven."


"
Witnesses must be brought forth, and someone to give the bride away."


[OOC: make sure to appraise Septon Meribald of any oddities of the ceremony - which cloak each of you takes, whether or not Ser Ben keeps his name etc. This will be important later.

Feel free to narrate a wedding scene once you've gathered the other invited PCs, including directing Septon Meribald

3 DoS = enough to get married tonight!]

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan wes getting ready to make his way to the Inn tonight, and he wondered where Ben might be when he received a message

Come to the Sept urgently

Almost dismissing the message, because who in their right mind would choose a sept over the Inn, he remembered it could be related to Corrine and him, so he donned his crimson doublet, put on the good black leather boots and threw the heavy blue cloak over his back.
He walked all the way to the castle, and entered the Septry quetly, wondering why did they call him so late.

"
Ben"
he whispered to the dark, "
Are you there coz?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you, Septon. From the bottom of my heart,"
Corrine beamed. "
I did send messages to summon witnesses, and I expect they will be here soon. I must appraise you of some things that may affect your ceremony before you make your preparations. I am head of my House, so Ser Benedict will be taking my family name, so that should be taken into account. I would also ask for guidance on the matter of the cloaks. Since he is marrying into my House, rather than the other way around, should I then place the cloak of my House on him?"

[Reader]

Septon Meribald sucks air though his teeth while he ponders this unorthodox question.

"
Hmmm, most irregular."


"
The symbolism is clear, the one being welcome in to a House sheds their old cloak and has it replaced with the new. I trust your husband to be is comfortable with this situation."


"
I can make the necessary adjustments to the prayers and blessings."


Meribald shakes his head in bafflement. Now he's seen everything!

[OOC: Marsten players, a small influence hit from this kind of unconventional behaviour is likely, it won't be large and appreciate the House's commitment to the story]

[Benedict Marsten]

Dunstan wes getting ready to make his way to the Inn tonight, and he wondered where Ben might be when he received a message

Come to the Sept urgently

Almost dismissing the message, because who in their right mind would choose a sept over the Inn, he remembered it could be related to Corrine and him, so he donned his crimson doublet, put on the good black leather boots and threw the heavy blue cloak over his back.
He walked all the way to the castle, and entered the Septry quetly, wondering why did they call him so late.

"
Ben"
he whispered to the dark, "
Are you there coz?"

Ben walks to the entry. "
Yes. We are here. Thank you for coming. I believe there is no need to whisper."
He jokes. "
Not many visit the Sept at this hour."

[Sponsored content]