[Day 6: BP] Jon Cobb and Dyana Marsten

Jon curses silently as he watches Dyana and her companion leave the main pavilion, stuck as he is making pleasantries with Ser Kevan. Now I'll have to patrol the whole damn camp to corral her, he thinks.

As soon as he can, he makes his excuses to Ser Kevan and stalks outside, trying to pick up the trail. Fortunately, there are many outside who remember the Silver Eagle and the White Raven, and he soon finds himself watching a mummers' show, standing a little behind the pair. Then, the White Hart appears and speaks to the White Raven.

As he nears the mummers he notices a rather short slim figure dressed as a white raven. No harm in asking. He taps the figure on the shoulder. "
Pardon, but is that you Master Daveth?"


Daveth turns around, taking a second to place where he recognises the voice from. "
Ser Benedict! Yes, it is me. So much for my disguise. How are you?"
Extending a hand to shake.

Jon listens to the exchange in a state of shock. Daveth Coldbrook?!! She's letting that...that...boy escort her? And how did he suddenly grow the balls to ask a woman like her to come to the masquerade with him? Have I misjudged him after all? Well, he's distracted now - best to strike while I have an opening...

Stepping quietly up behind the Silver Eagle, Jon leans forward and says in a loud whisper, "
A thousand pardons for disturbing you, oh fearsome raptor, but I am a humble dancing bear, and I seek a maid with honey in her hair. Would you happen to know where such a sweet lass may be found?"

Dyana turns sharply towards the interloper, seizing him up in her gaze in an instant. She doesn't really recognize him, though she has her guesses.

"
A dancing bear."
Her lips curl upward subtly, and the eagle mask bestows her eyes with cunning and gravitas beyond that of her own - which was considerable already. "
I'm afraid I have seen no bees to carry your sweets tonight, gentle bear."
She says in a stage whisper, and her eyes dart to the side, glancing at the distracted raven by her side before returning.

"
I do think I can aid in your search, though. Who knows where such a fickle maid might have fleed to?"
Dyana's eyes smile beneath the shadow of the eagle, and she takes a conspiratorial step towards the bear.

"
You are too kind, oh fierce and noble queen of the skies! Between your sharp eyes and this bear's keen nose, she cannot elude me for long. Indeed, I am already certain that I have smelled her sweet scent in the cool night air, that lovely maid with honey in her hair, perhaps she may be found...over there?"
Jon grins beneath his mask, indicating a small footpath that leads off into the darkness.

The Eagle's fierce green eyes slowly shift to the footpath. She hesitates a moment, then takes in the bear with just the corner of her eyes.

"
You think so? But in a place dark as that is, I daresay only your scent will prove useful. I can see sharply, yes, but only in light, dancing bear."
She cocks her head to the side, and then her eyes narrow congenially, and she takes a step forwards. "
But. Should. We. Try. Anyway?"
Each word is a small, hopping step towards the footpath, and by the last one she gives the bear a mock curtsey to thank her audience for watching her performance.

"
If you do not fear to walk with me in the dark, my eagle, then let us dance and spin from here to there, for I am a dancing bear, and now I am sure that she is ever so near, my maid so pure and fair!"


Bowing deeply, Jon takes three twirling dance steps towards Dyana and offers her his hand to lead her down the path.

The Eagle accepts his hand eaglerly, making it all seem terribly graceful. "
That would be a sight to see, dancing bear."


With a widened smile that borders breaking on a giggle, she lets the bear guide her forwards to whatever he would be intending to. She casts no glance backward, but does take a last look at the mummers before they reach the footpath. That glance swiftly turns back to the bear, though.

"
Where would you go from now, then, humble bear?"

"
Why we must hop, skip, and jump our way along this path, lady eagle, braving the terrors of the night together, until at last - or so I've heard - we may come upon a magical place, and if I am a fortunate bear, then there she may be found, my maid with honey in her hair. Now listen! Do you hear the tune we must dance to?"


Drawing Dyana closer, Jon begins to hum The Bear and the Maiden Fair, guiding their steps in time to the music as they progress, half dancing, half walking, along the path. Although not as brightly lit as the main party area, there are still flickering torches here and there along the way, and it isn't long before Jon brings the dancing to a stop.

"
We have arrived, oh queen of the sky and mountain,"
he rumbles, indicating a canopied wooden dais off to the right. Strategically placed braziers provide light and warmth, and in the middle of the dais sits a small table, laden with cold finger foods and decanters of wine. The floor of the dais is covered in soft furs and pillows, allowing guests to recline in comfort while enjoying the fare and each other's company. A liveried attendant stands nearby, ready to serve. As Jon and Dyana approach, he steps forward to greet them with a bow.

"
Good evening, my lord and my lady, I am Joffrey, and I will see to your needs and ensure your privacy while you are here. If there is anything you want, you have but to ask."

The Eagle sustains their little show to the tune of The Bear and the Maiden Fair, half dancing until they arrive at the wooden dais.

Just then, she halts, glancing quizzically between Jon, the small feast and the attendant. And when she speaks again, her tone is none as playful as before, as if she'd just dropped a facade. "
O, Ser. I would imagine this place isn't staffed, stocked and vacant on chance?"
Her green eyes dart sharply to the bear, but it's hard to read their expression beneath the mask, her expressive eyebrows concealed. "
What sort of game are we playing tonight?"

Dyana Marsten wrote:Just then, she halts, glancing quizzically between Jon, the small feast and the attendant. And when she speaks again, her tone is none as playful as before, as if she'd just dropped a facade. "
O, Ser. I would imagine this place isn't staffed, stocked and vacant on chance?"
Her green eyes dart sharply to the bear, but it's hard to read their expression beneath the mask, her expressive eyebrows concealed. "
What sort of game are we playing tonight?"

"
Curses, Joffrey, she's onto us!"
Jon laughs. "
This eagle's mind is as sharp as her eyes."


"
Quite so, Ser Jon,"
young Joffrey agrees. Turning to Dyana, he smiles and says, "
My lady, this is but one of a number of similar places at the ball, set aside for guests who wish for more intimate surroundings in which to enjoy each other's company. You are correct, however, that this one is not vacant by chance. Ser Jon was most insistent that this one be available for his use when he should require it, and so you find it vacant, even though a number of guests have sought to avail themselves of it already."


"
Your valorous defense of my cause shall not be forgotten, young Joffrey,"
Jon assures him with grin. "
Lady Dyana, the game I wish to play tonight is simple enough, and though there is some danger involved, I will be the only one at risk. Do you remember when we danced at the great feast a few days ago? I asked you a great many questions of a quite personal nature, but gave you no opportunity to do the same. Well, this is that opportunity, if you want it. Ask what you will of me, and I will share it with you, for as long as the wine and my courage hold out."

Dyana smiles at the attendant's prompt and useful response, noting his inflection of the word intimate. "
Then I believe you have my gratitude, Joffrey, for reserving this most pleasant spot for me and Ser Jon tonight."
Though she hides it well, someone paying attention could notice she wasn't quite sure the Bear was Jon Cobb until the name was mentioned. Nevertheless, she plays along just fine.

Jon Cobb wrote:"
Your valorous defense of my cause shall not be forgotten, young Joffrey,"
Jon assures him with grin. "
Lady Dyana, the game I wish to play tonight is simple enough, and though there is some danger involved, I will be the only one at risk. Do you remember when we danced at the great feast a few days ago? I asked you a great many questions of a quite personal nature, but gave you no opportunity to do the same. Well, this is that opportunity, if you want it. Ask what you will of me, and I will share it with you, for as long as the wine and my courage hold out."

Now exactly aware of her position, Dyana takes a few daring steps towards the pillows and cushions on the dais, casting a deliberately fleeting glance at Jon. "
I'll accept some wine, then."
She nods at the attendant, and as she turns again to the Wrecker, she sits on a cozy spot amidst the furs. The Eagle's got some fire tonight, and makes even placing her bottom on the floor seem the most graceful of movements.

"
I do quite remember your barrage of questions, Ser."
Dyana says, receiving the wine from Joffrey's hands and taking a ladylike sip. "
I do think they were well rewarded."
She grins, tapping the brooch on her dress lightly with two fingers. Lastly, she gestures at the pillows around her. "
Have a seat, then."

Jon's eyes linger a little longer than is polite on his lady companion as she walks onto the dais, and beneath his costume he feels himself flush as she settles into the soft furs. Unbidden, another pair of emerald green eyes appear in his mind, and a mocking voice says, Another lamb to the slaughter, my sweet? Are you going to destroy her like you destroyed me? Lead her on and then abandon her when she needs you most?

Go away, Jo, he thinks tiredly. I didn't abandon you. I would've come for you, if only you'd left me some hope. Let me hope again, Jo. Just this once, let me hope.

Jon grins as Dyana taps the brooch. "
A knight must have a coat of arms, my lady, even if she is only a knight in spirit."
Then, taking a glass of wine from Joffrey, he takes his seat next to her. "
Well then, Dyana Marsten, I am at your mercy. What would you have of me?"

"
My coat of arms, is it? Dyana of the Bloody Sausages, I shall be called?"
Dyana chuckles, but does pull her brooch up slightly to take a look at it. The way she eyed it with familiarity, it seemed she had inspected it for long moments before. "
I like it, Ser."
She looks up at him again, smiling warmly. "
I didn't have the opportunity to thank you before. Jewelry and good humor are two things I value, but seldom see together. It was a pleasant surprise to receive this token, and an honor to wear it tonight."
She raises her glass as if in toast before bringing it to her lips.

"
Now, if you want to talk business..."
She eyes him up and down, as if considering the man for the first time. "
I don't know much about you, Ser, aside from a song and some exaggerated tales of a single battle. Still, you have lived for many years, not that single day."
Dyana blinks at him, then takes a tiny finger of ham to help carry the wine. "
Who is Jon Cobb?"

Dyana Marsten wrote:"
My coat of arms, is it? Dyana of the Bloody Sausages, I shall be called?"
Dyana chuckles, but does pull her brooch up slightly to take a look at it. The way she eyed it with familiarity, it seemed she had inspected it for long moments before. "
I like it, Ser."
She looks up at him again, smiling warmly. "
I didn't have the opportunity to thank you before. Jewelry and good humor are two things I value, but seldom see together. It was a pleasant surprise to receive this token, and an honor to wear it tonight."
She raises her glass as if in toast before bringing it to her lips.

Acknowledgeing Dyana's toast, Jon responds, "
And I am happy to hear that you received my gift in the spirit it was intended, my lady."

Dyana Marsten wrote:"
Now, if you want to talk business..."
She eyes him up and down, as if considering the man for the first time. "
I don't know much about you, Ser, aside from a song and some exaggerated tales of a single battle. Still, you have lived for many years, not that single day."
Dyana blinks at him, then takes a tiny finger of ham to help carry the wine. "
Who is Jon Cobb?"

"
Lived for many years, eh? You certainly know how to make a man feel his age, oh Knight of the Blood Sausages,"
Jon laughs. "
And you don't ask small questions either, do you? Straight to the hardest ones..."
he muses, half to himself. "
Joffrey. I think it's time for some of that privacy. See to it, would you?"


"
At once, Ser Jon"
, Joffrey answers, then quickly sets about letting down the canopy's side walls, turning the open dais into a cosy tent, well suited to keeping out nosy eyes and ears.

Topping up his wine glass, Jon sits up straight and removes his bear mask, eyeing Dyana thoughtfully. "
I have heard, my lady, that it ill becomes a man to praise himself in front of a woman, and it would be foolish of me to speak only of my failings, so if you will permit me, I shall answer you with a story instead. That way, decorum may be maintained, and I shall retain at least a shred of self-esteem, should the tale not be to your liking,"
he says with a self-deprecating little smile.

Our story begins in King's Landing, in a cesspit of a neighborhood called Flea Bottom. Our hero was born there, many years ago, and against all odds, he survived to become a big, strong lad for his age. The boy's father, a man of no account and less morals, soon brought him along to help rob drunks on their way home from the grog shops. The boy, knowing no other life, saw no wrong in this.

One evening, a foolish drunk who fancied himself a brawler tried to fight back when the boy and his father sought to relieve him of his valuables. The boy killed him. That night, the boy's father and mother beat him even more furiously than usual, but it wasn't until much later that he understood why - they now feared him and what he was capable of. Even so, for a long time the boy stayed his hand, because this was his family, and back then he still believed in the sanctity of family.

Finally, when the boy had just become a man grown, his father sought to put him in his place one last time, but this time the young man did not stay his hand, and he repaid his father's many cruelties with interest. The next morning, his father left home, never to be seen again. Now the young man was left bereft and uncertain of his place in the world;
he only knew that he had no wish to remain in Flea Bottom and become like his father. In a fortunate twist of fate, however, a means of escape soon presented itself. A great prince was raising an army to wage war in a foreign land, and sought soldiers eager for glory and plunder to fight for him.

The young man, knowing that he had nothing to lose, hired on with a mercenary company and soon found himself in a strange new land, battling other sellswords for control of tiny islands that the great prince assured his men were of the utmost value. The young man, however, paid little heed to the reasons for the war. Although a common soldier, bound to obey the orders of his betters, for the first time in his life he felt free, fighting alongside men whom he trusted with his life, and who trusted him to keep them safe also. This was true comradeship, with a family of his choice, rather than the one the Seven had foisted on him. And here there was plunder to be had and many simple pleasures to spend it on - drink, games and camp followers aplenty.

The young man fought hard and fearlessly, exulting in the thrill of battle and never caring if a fight should be his last. All that mattered to him was to live in the moment, to take this newfound life of his and wring from it all the joy and adventure he could before the Stranger caught up with him. The great prince took note, and in but a short time the young man became a captain in his own right. The men he commanded were of a like mind to himself – always at the forefront of battle, first in the breach and last to quit the field. They died like flies, but the survivors were richly rewarded.

Then came the day that made the young man's fortune and sealed his fate all at once. Ambushed by the enemy, he held a bridge along with the last few survivors of his command, buying time for the great prince's army to escape an enemy trap. The last of his comrades died there, and so did a part of the young man's spirit. His recklessness had led the men who trusted him with their lives to their deaths, and yet the Stranger had spared him. It was judgement of a sorts, of that he had no doubt.

Meanwhile, the captain of the foemen, mightily impressed with the young man's fortitude, sent his personal physician to see to his wounds, saving him from the Stranger's embrace. And he did more – he offered the young man a place of high honor in his own army, but the young man refused the offer, for to accept it would be a final insult to the memory of his fallen friends, and a betrayal of the great prince for whom they hade given their lives. Fortunately, the captain of the foemen was a man of noble spirit, and accepted our hero's refusal with good grace. Instead of punishing the young man's impertinence, he sent him to a paradise island, where he would be held until his ransom had been paid. And on that blessed and cursed island began a new chapter in our hero's life.

Noting that his glass is empty, Jon pauses and fills it up to the brim. “My, but telling tales is thirsty work. How are you enjoying the story so far, my lady? How does the hero of our tale seem to you?”

Jon Cobb wrote:"
Lived for many years, eh? You certainly know how to make a man feel his age, oh Knight of the Blood Sausages,"
Jon laughs. "
And you don't ask small questions either, do you? Straight to the hardest ones..."
he muses, half to himself. "
Joffrey. I think it's time for some of that privacy. See to it, would you?"

As Dyana's eyes drift to Joffrey, her words are aimed at Jon. "
Not my intention, Ser. I have lived for many years as well, if you hold it against a single day."
She smiles faintly as the attendant proceeds to enclose them on a tent.

Jon Cobb wrote:Noting that his glass is empty, Jon pauses and fills it up to the brim. “My, but telling tales is thirsty work. How are you enjoying the story so far, my lady? How does the hero of our tale seem to you?”

The Eagle blinks, her mask now lying atop her lap, and she's suddenly aware of herself again. "
Oh, it's an interesting tale, surely, Ser. The hero sounds slightly self-indulging, but then again, few heroes these days aren't."
Her glass still holds some wine, and she finishes it. It was the second glass she went through alongside the story.

She flashes a warm smile, her eyes scanning Jon's features as the glass parts from her lips. "
I would hear more, you know. But I am caught in a difficult moment. I have left the company of another bird, and I fear I would do him a disservice if I kept him waiting for much longer. It's a pity to part from the dais Joffrey so carefully set aside for us this soon, but I'm sure you will understand?"
The sentence turns into a question by the very end of it, rather than the affirmation it was seemingly being led towards.

Dyana Marsten wrote:The Eagle blinks, her mask now lying atop her lap, and she's suddenly aware of herself again. "
Oh, it's an interesting tale, surely, Ser. The hero sounds slightly self-indulging, but then again, few heroes these days aren't."
Her glass still holds some wine, and she finishes it. It was the second glass she went through alongside the story.

"
Perhaps you're right, my lady, but I must admit that I have always preferred tales with a flawed hero over a pristine one,"
Jon answers. ”I generally find that they speak more to me than stories where the hero is a perfect model of virtue.”

[url=Awareness][/url]: 3d6k2 8 to detect if Dyana is being honest about how she perceives the hero of the story

Dyana Marsten wrote:She flashes a warm smile, her eyes scanning Jon's features as the glass parts from her lips. "
I would hear more, you know. But I am caught in a difficult moment. I have left the company of another bird, and I fear I would do him a disservice if I kept him waiting for much longer. It's a pity to part from the dais Joffrey so carefully set aside for us this soon, but I'm sure you will understand?"
The sentence turns into a question by the very end of it, rather than the affirmation it was seemingly being led towards.

"
I...of course, my lady. It was poor manners of me to lure you from the companion you had chosen for this evening. Dav...your Raven is no doubt frantically searching for his lost eagle even as we speak.” Jon's answer is conciliatory, but his words do a poor job of masking his sadness at such an early end to the evening.

”However, if you truly wish to hear the rest of the story, then perhaps you would like to join me for a ride tomorrow? Since you do not enjoy jousting, perhaps we could meet then and see where our horses take us?”

Jon Cobb wrote:[url=Awareness][/url]: 3d6k2 8 to detect if Dyana is being honest about how she perceives the hero of the story

Dyana's opinion sounds genuine. There's likely not much more to it than what was said.

Jon Cobb wrote:"
I...of course, my lady. It was poor manners of me to lure you from the companion you had chosen for this evening. Dav...your Raven is no doubt frantically searching for his lost eagle even as we speak.” Jon's answer is conciliatory, but his words do a poor job of masking his sadness at such an early end to the evening.

”However, if you truly wish to hear the rest of the story, then perhaps you would like to join me for a ride tomorrow? Since you do not enjoy jousting, perhaps we could meet then and see where our horses take us?”

Dyana perks an eyebrow at the near-mention of the Raven's name, but the mask she puts on afterwards quickly conceal it. The smile she puts on does a good job of distracting from that subject, too.

"
Well, Ser."
She says, standing up on her own and setting the glass on the table. "
There are few things I enjoy more than a good ride. And my stallion is in need of some exercise, too. May I suggest you ride a resilient steed, then? I might indulge in some galloping."
Her smile shows teeth as she curtsies. "
Would you come to my tent in the afternoon? I will await you there."

Dyana Marsten wrote:"
Well, Ser."
She says, standing up on her own and setting the glass on the table. "
There are few things I enjoy more than a good ride. And my stallion is in need of some exercise, too. May I suggest you ride a resilient steed, then? I might indulge in some galloping."
Her smile shows teeth as she curtsies. "
Would you come to my tent in the afternoon? I will await you there."

"
It shall be my pleasure, my lady,"
Jon replies, his crooked smile returning with his good humor. "
And I thank you for your time and for the dance, Lady Eagle, I am indeed a fortunate dancing bear tonight,"
he finishes with an comically overdone bow. Putting on his bear mask again, he calls out, "
Joffrey! Our Silver Eagle must take flight - open the door to this gilded cage at once!"


"
At once, Ser!"
Joffrey replies from outside the tent, swiftly unlacing the tent door and throwing it open, letting in the cool night air. "
Will my lady be needing a torch to find her way back from here?"

"
I believe I can find my way in the dark, Joffrey. We are not that far off, after all."
She smiles at the attendant, and glances furtively a last time at Jon before stepping out and away of her cage, flying freely into the night.

[OOC: /scene, then, and on to the next day?]

/scene!