[D6, LA] Burying The Hatchet (Closed-ish)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: This thread is primarily for Corrine &
Athelstan, but if you want to jump in, please PM us to ask permission]

Corrine makes her way to the seamstress, to choose an outfit for the Barthelds' masked ball, and, indeed, a mask. She was lost in thought, not even noticing the bustling of people around her.

After the tensions of the previous day, though assuaged somewhat by the night's activities, Corrine was increasingly worried about Athelstan's presence. Thankfully, the joust had seemed to end relatively amicably, but was that real, or a front for the crowd.

Perhaps I should speak with him. Be calmer next time.

As though the Gods had decided to make a joke, that was the point in which she literally bumped into him.

She squeaked in surprise and alarm, and stood frozen for a moment, her mind jolted into the present uncomfortably.

"
Athelstan...I... I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan looks like has seen a lost soul of the sea until he blinks and it's Corrine, but relief washes over him quickly enough by laughing "
You sound like me now"
mocking himself "
Er.. excuse me good Ser I didn't see you there"
shrugging his shoulders "
Might as well would have been me since you were on my blindside lady Corrine"
as Athelstan tries to bat away the seamstress like an annoying fly "
Give me a moment lady, do you not see I'm busy, just hand them to me so I can keep trying the masks and then I'll see the outfits that can match it"
rolling his eyes "
I had no idea this could be so damned complicated, how do you do it?"
Athelstan is speaking to Corrine as if they were long time friends, and like nothing ever happened.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gives the seamstress an apologetic glance, though smiles politely at Athelstan.

"
Well, I suppose it is not normally the sort of thing men care about. We women are trained to have an eye for colour and cut. After all, looking good for men is a large part of our remit,"
she says wryly. "
I could try to help, if you wish,"
she offered, her tone a little awkward under her quiet congeniality.

[Athelstan]

"
Well this is very not normal, I've never had to do this kind of things before except wear that one fancy clothes that I was helped to pick the day I met you, but I had no hand on it, it just escapes me why not just meet and talk in comfortable clothes and then a disguise ball, are there children, it would be a little late for that"
noticing he caught himself thinking out loud "
It is just foreign for me as an ironborn we have no real need for this type of things, but I must adapt and learn proper custom and etiquette which I might as well be terrible at as you already know, so yes please help this wretched man find something that won't make me look like a jester and that actually matches..."
Athelstan ignores the awkwardness Corrine feels I tried, I lost, had my say of it, did what I thought of it and now it is done, I guess greenlanders just can't let go of things that easy

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I suppose it may seem strange to some, but you never know, perhaps you will have a good time,"
Corrine offers, beginning to examine nearby garments for suitability.

"
Is there a particular impression you wish to make? Do you wish to convey a specific quality? Either possessed or desired? Do you want to appear refined? Or perhaps strong?"


This sort of thing was one of Corrine's elements. She found choosing clothes for people a fun challenge, so it helped her relax, despite the company. It was still impossible to look at his eye patch and not see the missing eyeball in her mind, staring, accusatory.

[Athelstan]

"
I'm sorry"
is the only word that came from Athelstan for a few moments, knowing she would understand about what.

"
Now, I need to find my self some kind of a bride, or Yoren will have more trouble getting to be heir, since I'm some how considered an option, according to my uncle"
crossing his arms and thinking "
I'm to be married of like a maid, go figure. My sister would had loved to meet know you, and be friend you"
pointing a menacing finger "
Not a word to Benedict about me being married of like a maid, that's our secret"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Erm... it's alright. I won't tell anyone,"
she replied hesitantly, not sure what make of the information. "
I hope you find someone who makes you happy."


She gingerly held a sea green velvet doublet against his chest, assessing it in relation to his skin tone, hair, and eyes.

"
I think this colour will suit you. "
Sea green tends to be good with hazel eyes."


She realised that might sound wrong, and corrected herself.

"
Eye. Or, erm... Sorry. I'm not sure how to talk about... that."

[Athelstan]

"
There is no need, life is simple you make choices and you don't look back"
shrugging his shoulders "
We said our parts, we did what we did and it is now settled in the past, don't dwell upon it, keep moving. The don't look to the past look to the present and your future"
patting her in the head like it were his sister "
Past only serves to remind us of our mistakes and correct ourselves, but not dwell on them"


Now taking doublet "
Well, I guess if you the sea green velvet doublet looks good it's good anything else I need to add to this, I assume there is somehow. I will also need something for the masque. I swear this must be some strange punishment I feel so lost and useless doing this"
giggling to himself "
Thank you for helping lady Corrine"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Well, some charcoal grey wool breeches would go well. Probably go for brown boots and belt. Black tends to look rather stark against light greens, you see. If you decide to wear a brooch or jewellery, go with gold, brass, or something similarly yellow-toned,"
Corrine advised, almost business-like in her concentration. "
And either a white or pale ochre shirt."


She glanced to check that the seamstress wasn't hovering too closely, then spoke quietly to Athelstan, taking advantage of how close she'd been standing to hold the doublet against him.

"
Look, Athelstan, I want to apologise for being so aggressive yesterday. You caught me at a bad time, and I had not fully... dealt with my feelings. Regardless of how I felt, I should not have been rude to you. I am sorry."

[Athelstan]

"
No need, that is how ironborn argue with one another, we let words go and what we think and feel fly, best get out lest you drown on them"
smiling at Corrine and trying to remember all the tidbits of important things he had to remember "
Jewelry I probably won't wear unless I acquire it somehow, since all I have is silver, the rest not a problem including the brooch. This reminds me of my sister when she took my buying nice clothes for me to bring here, she can look like the most delicate flower, sing, read, and poetry, but she could as easily rip Yoren to shreds with an axe and ride as good as most men that crazy girl"
caught himself in the memory of it and coming back to Corrine "
Any way, now I have a decent outfit to wear, and hopefully make a good impression on Elize Cox from the Saltpans"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She was glad there was no hostility from him, but the sudden shift to very cheery confused and slightly unsettled her, as did the talk of him looking for a wife, since only a few days ago, he had seemed set on her. Not that she wanted to go back to that, it was not the Gods' plan for them, but the change was simply jarring in itself.

"
I'm... happy that you are moving on, though I'm afraid I'm not sure I feel entirely comfortable discussing wooing and wives with you. I hope you will understand that it is a little awkward for me, after how things were a few days ago. I want there to be peace between us, certainly, and I hope your apparent cheerfulness is genuine, but I'm finding the sudden shift in your approach to me a little surprising,"
she explained, as tactfully as she possibly could. "
Since we spoke in the Godswood, I have feared reprisals, not just for me, but for my family too, and Ben. I appreciate that you have been courteous with him today. I don't want anyone to suffer on my account."


Her eyes were sad at that, knowing that she had caused hurt to people she cared about anyway, despite her good intentions.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan waves his hand "
Corrine please, it was not my intent to ask you to help me woo her, just that if this would look good enough to make a decent impression, not for you to help me court her or something outrages"
laughing a bit "
I made my peace with Ser Benedict and Ser Baelon, I have no ill will against you or Gwyneth, I have no idea how else to tell say it so that you can believe it. I even let Ser Benedict take the place as if he would have bested me in the joust, which I admit it was just luck I caught him at the right time with my lance, but he hit me harder than I did him"
shrugging his shoulders "
Does this put you in peace of mind?"
getting closer to her, but not enough to make it uncomfortable but to say something while looking that no one was close enough to hear "
I did tell Ser Benedict someone is behind your rumors, as I stand nothing to gain from them so be very careful, whomever that is while not stop there, but I do not know what his intentions or why he does so, but we will know before this tournament is over"
then stepping away as to look for the rest of the things he needs to buy "
Now we need to find clothes for the masque and a proper mask"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She listened to him, and nodded solemnly.

"
I believe you. I will say no more of it. And the rumours, well, I have decided not to concern myself with them. Small minds have little better to discuss,"
she added dismissively. "
I think you will make a good impression with that outfit. I hope you do well in it. As for masks, well, I'm looking for one too, so let's see..."


She eyes the available masks, picking some up and examining them, and eventually shows him an understated, yet stylishly designed mask, painted in steely grey, the sculpt of the face reminiscent of a sea monster, the kind that could be the figurehead of a ship.

"
What do you think of this one? You're very connected to the sea. It would fit your personality, I think."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan grins and with a playful tone "
Calling me a monster are you, and very polite while your at it"
making monster sounds with the mas on "
I guess most people would agree with you, are you up to the challenge of finding another mask that might suit me more than this one"
strangely finding himself enjoying buying clothes for a change "
This can be fun apparently, hope you don't think we are crazy the way Yoren and me argue, we both care for the future of our House, but Yoren should heed lord Dunstan advice and mine."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
What you and Yoren argue about is mostly none of my business, Athelstan,"
Corrine replied, tactfully. "
You do things differently, and that is fair enough, but I don't think I will ever be able to fully understand it. I just hope that you two can co-exist peacefully, and that your House may, one day, throw off its bad reputation, and become a functioning member of Westerosi society."


She offered him a smaller mask, based on an owl, decorated with tawny feathers tipped with tiny flecks of gold leaf.

"
This one has good colours for your outfit, and it is less... fierce."

[Athelstan]

"
Well difference will smooth with time, as for me and Yoren we get along pretty fine, unless we talk of religion and politics. I told him I seek to understand the seven to help is things and we are building a sept in our lands, but he wants to change our god for his, that is insane"
shrugging his shoulder "
I better shut up now, before I get into it"
looking at Corrine "
I'm the wise owl now with golden feathers, tho of wise I don't have much but it's just a mask and fair enough it's better than that one"
pointing at the sea monster mask "
I'm already viewed as a monster, don't need to play the part more than I already have in a masque ball"
smiling and trying on the mask making owl noises.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She can't help but giggle at the hooting. She catches a glimpse then of the charming, funny man she had met three days before. It feels like a lifetime already. So much had passed between them in that short time. She pushes that sad thought away, and holds up another mask, this time, a jester with a cheerful face, tiny bells fastened to the four corners.

"
Since you're so funny, how about this one?"

[Athelstan]

"
Now, Hoorrine there is no need to go that far, just because I have a sense of humor"
as he continues to Hoot Hoot "
Finally taking the mask of "
I kind of like the owl"
not sounding very convinced and a mask catches his eye.



Looking at Corrine "
I think I found my mask, it has sea creatures and a warriors face in the middle"
now an outfit to go with it might be complicated"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Good choice! Well spotted,"
Corrine agrees. "
I actually think it will look fine with the outfit you have. However, if you wanted to change, I think greys, blacks, and blues would work nicely with that pewtery colour of the mask."


She starts examining masks for herself, Ben, and Ellie. She picks an ivory-coloured mask, decorated with gold and silver stars, for Ellie, and a pretty ivory organza dress to match, with an empire waist skirt and a gold &
silver trim and ivory satin slippers. For Ben, she finds a white hart mask, with little silver antlers.

A perfect complement to the White Hart Hunter.

Instead of matching his mask colour, she goes with an effective contrast of a black doublet, decorated with oak leaf detail in silver thread, a white shirt, grey lambswool breeches, high black boots and a silver-tipped black sword belt. She decides to have his mask modified slightly, by having a small silver Marsten lightning bolt painted onto the forehead.

She struggles to find a mask that truly speaks to her, but eventually chooses a gold-coloured filigree mask, resembling the face of a fox. She doesn't have a particular connection to foxes, but she does think it a pretty mask, and it goes well with the gown she likes best;
a gorgeous crimson velvet ballgown with a flocked bodice, full skirt, and a half cape, lined with fox fur, fastened at the shoulder with a thick brass brooch, dotted with garnets. She completes the ensemble with oval cut garnet earrings, a delicate gold chain bracelet, a red velvet ribbon choker with a large oval garnet in the center, and red flocked slippers.

The arrangements are made to send her outfit to the Marsten pavilion, and the other two to the Tullison pavilion, each with an affectionate note inside the mask box.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan just watches her buy what seems to be many clothes "
Are you wearing all that, or you just buying different things to have spares or what?"
as he continues to look for the colors she said "
So it's wear my usual black and reds, or blues and grey then?"
shaking his head "
It's so damned complicated I swear..."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I offered to spare Ben the horror of choosing his and Ellie's clothes, so that is why there is so much. Only the red outfit is mine. If I'm not careful, I may end up doing this for every poor soul who hates shopping,"
she chuckled.

[Athelstan]

"
I dont precisely hate shopping it's just something a sister or a wife normally does for ironborn and jewelry must be earned if you are a man or received as a gift, hence why I dont buy it"
knowing it might sound stupid "
Ironborn rules are rather simple to follow, but in westeros they can be quite restraining, so I have to balance things"
chuckling "
Hence you have saved me of buying clothes that would have probably been horrid and broken ironborn social etiquette"
making a mocking refined man pose "
I will buy something, since its a gift, a silver round brooch, its not a shield but as I said before if you and Ser Benedict need help send it to me and I will know its meaning, you have my shield Corrine always will, that's the least I can do"
.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She nodded slowly, accepting the gift.

"
Thank you. That is kind. I am glad that we could make peace."

[Athelstan]

"
Yes indeed, I'm sorry I was also horrible with my words, but it's an old habit we ironborn have strange games we play to avoid bloodshed and the words game with insults is one of those"
smiling "
So I can easily get caught in it like I do with Yoren, but he thinks I'm actually having a debate or discussion, so let us hope he does well in your campaign against the clans, as the ironborn will have insight on the how to since we are raiders and it's our area of expertise"
.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I too hope they will do well against the clans. Yoren's aid is appreciated. I only hope he can keep them disciplined. I have already scandalised my family by making a deal with him, so it is in both his and my interests that the men rise to the challenge."

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