Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 17:39:08 GMT -5
"Perhaps I should have learned some High Valyrian by now, Kesi, but I suppose there were so many other skills I found more interesting. Besides, I am only half Targaryen."
Elsey spotted Bertram's wistful look, and looked earnestly into his face;
"I know that look. I understand the pain of missing a distant loved one. I'm sure you will be able to bring her to you soon though, you have been welcomed by the King, have you not?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 22, 2014 18:04:09 GMT -5
"So a story of the right place at the right time eh, Kesi? And my condolences for your husband."
Bertram turned to Elseyris, "Welcomed like a bad memory. I fear that my only saving grace is Vraxor. The current king has changed much since I last knew him. Her Grace the Queen was more receptive. I am more than happy to put up with the pain of her distance if it means that she is safe. I remember being in the King's court, even at its best there was danger, deception, and threat always present."
Bertram shook his head to clear away the dark turn of the conversation.
"But look at me, how can I be speaking of such nasty things at a party with such beautiful company as this?" He raised his glass to the women and drank deeply, finishing his glass. "My ladies, let us rejoice!" This time refilling his glass with the brandy that was present, he offered his glass for another toast, "To a beautiful night, at a beautiful party, with beautiful women, and beautiful new friends!"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 18:15:28 GMT -5
"Well, I may only speak for myself, Bertram, but I, for one, welcome you here. You seem exactly the sort of man that King's Landing is short of."
As Bertram raised his glass, she joined him in the toast;
"To beauty. May we walk in it always."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kesi Mandisa on Mar 22, 2014 18:20:12 GMT -5
Kesi frowned slightly.
"I am much preferring toast may path always be clear and free to you." She said, twisting her bracelet around her wrist. "Beauty is only being word, overused I am finding."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 18:28:46 GMT -5
"I am sorry, Kesi. May our paths be clear and free."
Elseyris raised her glass again, her face apologetic. She often suspected she might never be free, but she was trying to keep a positive facade.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 22, 2014 18:36:58 GMT -5
Bertram looked quizzically at Kesi, "You speak wisely, Kesi, words are fine, but actions are better! To finding what we are searching for, may our paths be free and clear!" He clinked glasses with the women and drank deeply, enjoying the slow warmth starting to spread through his body.
"Lady Elseyris I hope you are right, usually the type of man that has gone missing from a place is absent for a reason. Yet I have been enjoying myself quite thoroughly so far!"
Bertram finished his glass and stood up, offering a hand to help both women up if they so desired, "My ladies, we have been sitting and brooding for long enough, let us find some fun! Show where we can enjoy ourselves, I need games, dancing, fun! And of course, some more alcohol!"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 18:50:42 GMT -5
"Well, you say you had orders, that is reason enough. And, well, I may be something of a silly romantic, but, if you found your dear wife in Lorath, then that is the best reason of all to have been there."
Elseyris smiled warmly, though she wondered to herself what that meant for her, in Aegon's absence.
She took Bertram's offered hand, and held herself steady as he pulled her and Kesi to their feet. She downed her brandy and refilled the glass, the edges of her mind feeling warm and fuzzy from the alcohol. She took up the almost depleted brandy carafe, handing it to Bertram with a playful grin.
"Finding fun would be most welcome! Kesi, have you any preference?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Kesi Mandisa on Mar 22, 2014 18:57:06 GMT -5
"You are knowing me, Elseyris. I am ever finding fun when there is none." Kesi said with a mischievous smile.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 19:07:34 GMT -5
"Well, My Lord Bertram, do you think you have it in you to dance with two ladies at once?" Elseyris asked, flirtatiously, her deep brown eyes glancing playfully between Bertram and Kesi, the slight sway in her movement giving away that she was tipsy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 22, 2014 19:44:22 GMT -5
"If not then it will be the most pleasant failure of my life! Let's find out shall we?" Still holding onto their hands, he led them to the dancing hall, spinning them gracefully before beginning to sway and move with the exotic music.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 20:06:24 GMT -5
Elsey let out an uncharacteristically girlish giggle as Bertram spun her, and she swayed excitedly on the spot as he did the same for Kesi. The best way to share the dancing seemed to be alternating, so they each moved in a loose triangle, taking turns to hold hands, shoulders and waists as they spun and skipped around with eachother. Elsey even squeaked with delighted surprise when she was briefly lifted into the air.
As the music came to it's climax, Elsey was twirling joyfully around Bertram, with Kesi doing the same opposite. She laughed heartily, for the first time in so long as giddy as a little girl. At the triumphant finish of the music, she all but collapsed against Bertram, her chest heaving, her face aglow.
"Thank you, My Lord! How delightful!" she exclaimed, breathlessly, holding onto his arm tightly for balance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 23, 2014 4:42:36 GMT -5
Bertram had not had so much fun in years, dancing with two beautiful women, and enjoying some of the best alcohol he'd tasted in years. He could see that Lady Elseyris was feeling the alcohol, she'd had four drinks with him and mentioned drinking more before he arrived, however she seemed to be more than able to hold her liquor. When she fell against him, he was happy to support her while she caught her breath. Kesi, the sorceress, was also a fantastic dancer, her exotic and alluring skills had been quite a sight to behold. The two ladies had been much more talented and capable than he had expected.
Before the next song started, Bertram grabbed a shotglass of some sort of powerful liquor that made his nostrils burn pleasantly, invigorating and reinforcing him.
"Where did you two learn to dance like that?" He exclaimed, taken aback by their dextrous talent.
He held his hands out to the two women again as the next song began to play, "Round two m'ladies, let us show these lifeless husks how it is done!"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 13:25:47 GMT -5
Until this party, Elsey had felt like a shadow of herself. The King's and Trajan's cruelties had worn her down so far that she had cast the last vestige of her spirit far away, shutting herself down just to survive. But, with Trajan absent, in friendly company, feeling accepted and appreciated for a change, Elsey felt more free than she had in a long time. The alcohol had relaxed her a great deal, loosening the cold fingers of anxiety that almost always gripped her in social gatherings, and she felt like she was actually able to be more like her true self in the company of Bertram and Kesi.
"I'm just making it up as I go along," Elsey panted gleefully. "When I try to follow the rules of the dances at court, I'm hopeless! It must be having such capable partners!"
Exhilirated, Elsey curtsied deeply as the next song began, then took Bertram's arm, swinging into another spirited dance, the flare of her dress sleeves whipping the air, making the embroidered birds upon them swoop and soar, her skirts billowing out like a parasol as she whirled around on the spot for a moment, her pale gold hair streaming behind her like a comet's tail.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kesi Mandisa on Mar 23, 2014 18:21:53 GMT -5
Kesi smiled and shook her head.
"I am needing to be getting a drink, maybe next one I will be teaching you a dance from home?" She said, smiling at Elsey and Bertrem.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 23, 2014 18:33:56 GMT -5
"I like the sound of that!" Bertram exclaimed, "I could not have asked for a more fun night, or better company. I happy to learn whatever you decide to teach m'Lady, I can see your magics do not stop at the King!"
Bertram then turned to Elseyris while Kesi was getting her drink, "Thank you for your company and hospitality, you and your friend honor me more than I deserve!"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 19:14:52 GMT -5
Elsey smiled at Kesi as she sidled off, then turned her attention back to Bertram and the dance.
"You are most welcome, My Lord Bertram. There is much I could thank you for, in turn! I have needed the company of someone with life yet in them. How did Westeros ever do without you?"
She grinned appreciatively up at him, her eyes gleaming happily.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 23, 2014 20:05:23 GMT -5
"To be honest, I'm not sure, but I'm sure you have the fact that I was sent away to thank for me being so full of life an energy, I have been here less than one day and already I am reminded of the stress that royal life can put on people." He smiled down at her, lifting her up and spinning her around in the air as the music flowed around them, "But now I am back, and can hopefully breathe some life into this stale city."
Mid-dance Bertram leaned a hand out to a passing server and grabbed a glass of... something, downing it in one large gulp and twisted himself around in one fluid motion back to Elseyris.
"I believe that parties such as this one would help immensely in improving the morale of the city, some for the nobility, and other for the commoners... Perhaps even some parties where both can attend, although that would be against traditional values and cause many safety concerns." He then dipped Elsyris low, lifted her back up with her back to his as he spun her out from him and back. "You are quite the dancer, where did you learn how to be so graceful on your feet?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 20:44:57 GMT -5
"Well, I am sure there was some sensible reason for your stay of absence, I was jesting, of course," said Elseyris, raising an amused eyebrow as Bertram downed a drink mid-dance.
"You certainly are a lively soul. I have no doubt you shall be a tonic to the city, though I hope you are ready for the reputation that suggesting inter-class fraternization will get you. You shall have my support though. Morale in these times is important. A war is never truly over, even when it is won."
As she was dipped, Elsey let her head fall back, her long hair pooling on the floor, closing her eyes as she felt a little woozy from the sudden upturning, but smiling. As he pulled her back close, she jolted into him a little more forcefully than intended, and she let out an embarrassed laugh.
"Care to re-evaluate my grace, My Lord? I suppose my weapons training taught me a lot of important footwork, and the drink makes me less self-conscious. I am as surprised as you, in truth! What about yourself, one who can so deftly juggle two women?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 23, 2014 21:21:20 GMT -5
"My reputation is already questionable at best, most believed I would have stayed away, and I'm sure others would have preferred it. Besides, I can always claim the ignorance of men." Bertram said with a wink and smile.
"To be honest, I did not know I could juggle anything until tonight!" He laughed aloud, "I find myself enjoying it. Tell me, have you been learning much about the magical arts from Kesi? Are you a witch in addition to warrior?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 21:41:42 GMT -5
"Well, I suppose if you are already a known blackguard, there is nothing to lose from trying something new," Elsey chuckled.
"I am glad you are enjoying yourself. I am too, to my surprise. Perhaps being further from the Keep is good for the soul."
"I am not a witch, no. I just help Kesi from time to time. Planting & picking herbs, preparing potions and such. I ask about them, but only a little, as much of the crown's business is not mine. She has been a good friend to me though. She was there to listen when I came back from Oldtown more... broken and lost than I had expected to be. Helping with her work is the least I can do."
She cast her eyes downward for a moment, a sad thought crossing her face.
"I am, sadly, not much of a warrior at the moment. My weapon was taken from me, and I do not get to move freely, given my poor standing with the crown, but it is charming that you call me one. For all that war is terrible, there are things I miss about having a purpose, a goal..."
...and my beloved commander..., she thought to herself.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 23, 2014 22:29:57 GMT -5
"Well I am glad I can put a smile on your face! She seems like a good woman, you are lucky to have a friend like her."
Bertram gave her a questioning look when she mentioned that her weapon was taken away, "Women are always dangerous, they do not need a weapon to be warriors." He stated earnestly. "And I know what you mean, war is never beautiful, but there is an honesty in battle, something primal. I remember what that was like," a wistful look crossing his face, "Having a purpose. Although I'm sure His Majesty will find a new one for me soon enough."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 22:54:39 GMT -5
"I was being punished for a perceived disobedience," she stated, a hint of annoyance apparent in her voice. "Perhaps I may furnish myself with a new one soon, while I am still left somewhat to my own devices. My husband is away, you see, otherwise I would likely not be having so much fun. I still have a 'shadow', but he is far less dark, and follows me less closely."
She glanced briefly across the room at Ser Bryan, who was not partaking of the dancing himself, but was not paying much attention to Elsey either, instead talking with someone she didn't know.
"I do understand what you mean about battle being primal, and honest, in it's way. There are few times when I felt more alive, even though I was likely near death more times than I knew. My mother begged me not to go, especially since my brother went as well. While her fear was out of love for us, we have warrior's hearts that we could not ignore."
She brushed aside a stray strand of hair from her face that had come loose during a more vigorous point in the dance.
"Do you think women are more dangerous than men, My Lord?" Elsey asked, raising an eyebrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 23, 2014 23:43:25 GMT -5
"Infinitely. Men are stupid, all of us. Easily pleased, confused, and angered. Women are complicated, and that makes them dangerous. However, that is why I love them." Bertram sighed thoughtfully. "Women are stronger than men give them credit for, you already know this, besides, just ask any woman if childbirth is easy and she'll take your head off." He laughed,"Women are better at mind control than magicians, unless a man has a particular taste for other men he can be rendered powerless before her."
Bertram knew all too well the power of women, it was what got him sent off to Lorath in the first place.
"To put it bluntly my dear Lady Elseyris, and please take no offense at my language, never underestimate the power of pussy!"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 0:29:34 GMT -5
Elseyris, though never terribly good at being ladylike, loudly guffawed at Bertram's remark, clearly amused by it, though her knowing look showed that she knew she was not supposed to be.
"I am refreshed by your candor, My Lord," she said, trying to straighten her face.
"I would not say all men are stupid though. I think there are many who hide their intelligence, as it is easier to appear as you describe. Intelligence, after all, is dangerous."
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 24, 2014 1:08:55 GMT -5
"Well of course, m'lady, there are exceptions to every rule." Bertram grinned when he heard her raucous laughter, it was a lovely sound.
"Anything can be dangerous, bugs, sickness, hatred, love. I like to think of intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom as powerful weapons."
He thought for a moment.
"For example, I may have many years of experience in this world, but you have much more information on life in King's Landing than I. I am as powerless as a child here, granted my name gives me status, but until I learn more about what has gone on in my absence, I am at the mercy of others, so to speak. This is another reason I appreciate your and Lady Kesi's kindness, friends are powerful weapons too."
|
|
all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too