[D5, LE] Just a Few Rounds

[Terrance Stone]

"I'm not sure." he admitted. "I thought she wanted a clear idea of what I thought of her, but it seemed that was more than she was comfortable with."

He sighed. "I am not used to this. Usually, my concern is only of the woman I am with and myself. We enjoy a brief time of pleasure and passion, but with no expectation of much else. This is more than that and clearly more complicated."

He looked over to Ser Covey again. "Sometimes, simpler is better."

[Leovall Marten]

"What, exactly, did you say?" Leovall ignores the other knight for now and focuses on Terrance. "Did you think she was looking for a short and sweet romance alone? You ought to be careful thinking such things of unwed noblewomen Terrance. A commoner I can understand, but... most of the maidens here are out for spouses." He tried to keep his tone light as he restrained a frown.

[Terrance Stone]

"No. Nothing like that." he shook his head. "Quite the opposite, really. I admitted my weakness for pretty girls, but told her that I felt she was much more. Honestly, she's a woman someone like me shouldn't have a chance with. And, I told her as much."

[Leovall Marten]

"Why would you... there's honesty, and there's... errgh." Rubbing his face he had to pause to stop himself saying something offensive. "And what happened after you told her all that?"

[Terrance Stone]

"She walked away." he shrugged. "Not angrily or anything. I don't know. She didn't want more charm and flattery and I didn't know what else to say."

[Leovall Marten]

By now he was forcefully rubbing his own forehead, eyes closed. "Next time please don't tell a pretty noblewoman you're weak for pretty girls, but that they're much more. At least not when you've only known them a few days." He sighs deeply and lowers his hand. "And please don't be so critical of your own self worth cousin. You're part of this family."

[Terrance Stone]

"I know, but there is still a significant difference between myself and you or Lili." he shook his head. "Even if they respect my abilities and position, most won't look beyond my name. I may be a nobleman's natural born, but I am baseborn as well. Courting a noblewoman is an appealing thought, especially if she accepts who I am. But, courtship isn't that simple, is it? There are things to consider beyond the man and woman at the heart of it. This may be for the best."

[Leovall Marten]

"Terrance." He lifts up his hand and stares hard at his cousin. "You don't need to explain this to me. Moreover, don't you think any at least slightly educated maiden knows that just from your name? Her House has brought a maester. I've seen him and Lili went to him. The girl isn't lacking smarts. As far as I can tell neither are her father or sister." Leaning back he sighs deeply, hoping his message was getting through. "I thought you were smarter than this. She doesn't need to hear about your self worth - she can judge that for yourself." He runs his left hand through his hair as he keeps his right hand raised. "Look, you need to step out from your father's damn shadow and realise something I'd have thought obvious." He huffs in agitation and finally lowers his hand. "Telling a noblewoman that's interested in you that you like pretty girls is going to send her into an utter panic. By the Seven that should be obvious. Most would think a bastard would know that better than anyone, so when you admit to the same tendency it's going to make them feel an inch tall and feeling like a fool. Anything you say from that point is either going to sound like sweet nothing pillow talk or it just isn't going to be heard. What if she was sizing you up for a proper courtship? Her family has no male heir from what I've heard... can you work out what they might be looking for?" His tone lightens. "And one capable on his own, with your good looks? There's a reason those pretty girls like you back."

[Terrance Stone]

"She compared herself to other girls." he sighed. "In our flirtation, she joked that I flattered every girl I dance with. The truth is, I do. But, I've never danced with a girl like her before. I wasn't simply pointing out the difference in our standing. I've never felt that I would meet a woman as special as her."

[Leovall Marten]

"Yet it didn't work out well." This time he keeps his response short and sweet.