Viktor

cassana forgotten how judgemental all these lords and ladies could get. six months away from that was not long enough. cass saw at least one lady whisper to another about the lord swimming in the pool before scurrying off. the whole thing was a bit ridiculous if she was being honest. but as she saw the greyjoy emerg from the water she couldn’t help but smile once again. “lord greyjoy, should i be surprised to find you in the water?” she smiled. her eyes flickered from the water back to the lord offering her a swim. it was far too hot for her and even the silk dress she wore was doing little to help her. quickly she untied her shoes before she began stepping into the cool water “you know i might think some of those ladies that got scared off might think this is some kind of ploy. but honestly, it is too hot to care about that.” she said wading in further

“A Greyjoy in the water? A preposterous idea!” He declared with a grin, hands raising to slick the hair back out of his face. “A ploy?” The expression on his face morphed into one of confusion. “What would I possibly do? I would not drag them in against their wishes —  well, unless they were being cheeky and then I might.” Chuckling, he assessed her quietly for several moments before nodding. “The silks help, as will finding ways to stay cool. The pools are a preferred method of mine, though I’m sure that comes as no surprise. But you’ll also find most rooms are designed for air flow in attempt to keep things cool.”

“I fear you would swiftly change you mind should it be put to the test. While I have always loved living at a port, I have scarcely been able to spend more than a few hours aboard a ship without desperately wanting to be off of it. They are far too enclosed for my tastes. You would be horrified by my cabin fever.” Tya said and took the arm that he offered as she strolled. While she did not believe his claim, Viktor was far too much of a shameless flirt, it did warrant a smile. “I trust things are well on the isles?”

“You would be surprised, my Lady, to discover how many Ironborn initially hold a similar mindset to the open ocean and the confines of a boat. It can drive anyone small minded mad, but you are not one of those people. Your experience has simply been poor. Should I ever have the honor of having you board the Wind Dancer, I promise your cabin fever will vanish.” At least, he would try. “Well enough.” And that was the most he wished to speak of it. He still lacked real trust in his elder brother, and that was an odd feeling. 

The way that Viktor spoke about his first wife reminded her of how her father spoke about her mother. There was a sweetness in it and a hope. “They sound lovely. She sounds like she was lovely too. You must miss her terribly.” Ashara took the vase of flowers and set them on a table near her window so that they would have enough light to stay lively for a few more days. “That’s not forward…” Ashara said and furrowed her brow. “You were away for several months. A great deal of things had to have happened while you were away.”

“I miss her everyday. But I would not change anything.” She’d gifted him three children —   each of whom he adored, and their time together ( while short ) had been the best years of his life. “I’m afraid you didn’t understand me. I meant with you.... Ashara, you were frightened when you first saw me. Did Loron do something to you?” He loved his brother, but if the man had been an idiot and mistreated the woman before him... he would not let it stand.

She put on a smile as she ran into Viktor Greyjoy. In truth, she did not mind the man, but they have never seemed to connect as she did with many other nobles. She had a feeling he was not particularly fond of her, but her only interest was in keeping a good relationship with the Iron Isles. “Indeed I am,” Rhaena answered politely. “I have always been fond of garden strolls and this is a very pretty one.” She looked around for a moment before continuing with a question. “How was your journey here, Lord Viktor? I assumed you sailed?” she asked to make conversation. 

“The pools are what has kept my interest.” Unsurprisingly, the Greyjoy was grateful for the water —  especially now that the heat was nearly unbearable. “Ah, yes. You’ll find, your Grace, that Islanders rarely travel by land if they can help it. Our strength is the water.” Though that didn’t make them incapable, but they simply owned ships, not horses.

“You can’t trick me into just telling you everything.” She returned with a laugh. “I’ve never been much good at being an open book, I’m afraid. Although I’m not sure any of my secrets are delicious.” Wylla chuckled at the word. “That entirely depends on how much coin you intend to regularly pay me despite me not bringing you drinks.”

“Ah, is that not how this works?” He tsked softly. “Pity. Guess I’ll just have to keep looking. And see? That is where we have to disagree. No one thinks their secrets to be good because they are familiar with them. I am certain you would continue to amaze me.” Nose crinkling, Viktor gave her a disgruntled look. “You aren’t a whore. I’m not paying for your time, and fuck I hope you haven’t said that to anyone else because I’ve at least got a sense of humor. Half these fuckers would take that literally.” 

Tya watched with an amused eye as he brought her fingers to his lips. “I think you would find my company somewhat less charming aboard a ship than it is on shore, My Lord.” She took a few more steps away from the crowd, content to take a turn about the garden. “And how fond are you of me now compared to before?”

He couldn’t help the rougish grin that spread across his lips at her words —  his fingers tightening around hers momentarily before releasing them. “You would come to find that we have similar mannerisms, my lady. Different on land then we are at sea. And I must admit the idea of what you might change into is inciting.” As he was sure he’d done countless times when they’d encountered one another in Kings Landing, he followed after her almost like a lost puppy ( though his arm did jut out —  a silent offer to escort her ). “Far more fond then I once was —   if such a thing is even possible.” 

“i suspected i might see find you down by the docks.” rosa smiled, a slight tease in her voice. the bustling crowd of the dockworkers moved around them as she was finally able to catch up to the greyjoy. although he had been much more of a friend to her brother, rosa always did enjoy the talks with the somewhat less conventional lord. “how’s the wind dancer looking?”

@viktorgreyjoy·

With one final glance at the papers he’d been looking over, Viktor offered the men surrounding him a dismissive before turning his attention to a familiar head of firey hair. “Has there ever been a more fitting place for a Greyjoy?” Making a spectacle of an overly elaborate and deep bow, he offered the woman a grin. “She will always look best on the open ocean, but I cannot complain. Perhaps you might join me aboard someday —  should that sound agreeable.”

Ashara watched him carefully. He’d noted her flinch, and she wondered momentarily what he made of it. She reached out and accepted the flower, leaning down to take in their sweet perfume. “They are beautiful. Thank you.” She said with a smile. Ashara tried to remember that this man had been nothing but kind to her. “Oh! Oh, please come in. You don’t need to stand out there.” She said and stood aside. “I thought that there was not a lot of vegetation on the Iron Isle.” Ashara turned to find a suitable vase for the flowers.

His head inclined into a nod at her thanks, but he couldn’t help but hesitate at her offer for him to come in. Her flinch had given him enough pause that he wanted to be cautious —  but someone had placed that fear into the woman since they’d last spoken, and it was only fitting that he see it rightened ( he was to be her good brother after all ). “There isn’t. But much like it’s people, you’ll find there are a select few plants that persevere. My late wife always kept some in our rooms. Petals of blue mixed with purple. A mix of the sea and the setting sun she said.” Moving into her rooms, Viktor couldn’t help but observe what was scattered about the space. “Forgive me, my lady, if I am being to forward... but did something happen while I was away?”

The Stark turned her head to hide a small smile. “Then perhaps I will have to try harder to remain a mystery.” Wylla looked at him again. Admittedly, she had missed the man somewhat. He’d always been one of her favorites to serve at the tavern. “I only missed how well you tipped.”

“Ah, and that will do nothing but keep my interest.” He grinned. “There is nothing better then a good mystery. Nothing more satisfying then finding out bits and pieces of the truth... and I believe you would be quite the hard one to crack the most delicious secrets from.” Chuckling, Viktor couldn’t help but shook his head. “Does that mean you’re going to rid of me now that I’m no longer a customer but an acquaintance?” 

That familiar rasping voice pulled Tya away from the previous conversation that she’d been having. The hint of a smile played on her lips. “If I had, I would not have seen any sign of you, Lord Greyjoy.” She said and took a sip of the wine she’d been nursing for the majority of the night. “I might have thought you would visit at least once.”

Flashing a smile at those he was drawing the Lannister Mistress of Whispers from, it didn’t take long for his dark gaze for his dark gaze to drop to hers once more. “If I had known you waited for me, I would have never left.” Reaching for her hand, he brought the digits to his lips for the briefest of kisses. “At least not without you at my side.” Had it not been for those surrounding them, he might have allowed that mischievous glint in his eye to take full form, but given the crowd and their time apart, Viktor found a need to remain patient. “I have been told absence makes the heart grow fonder.” 

Wylla crossed her arms in front of her chest and tilted her head to one side. Her lips were pressed together as she did her best to hide her smile. “You see right through me.” Her voice was dry, and she gestured down to her stomach, which was more obvious in the Dornish clothing. “This was all done to keep you at bay.” She rolled her eyes. “I suppose I will simply have to try harder.”

“Quite an easy book to read.” He teased. Viktor had not heard any news on the returned Stark daughter since they had parted, so if he were correct, the babe she carried was a bastard. “You must admit you at least missed my handsome face dropping in to see you.”

Ashara was surprised to hear a knock at her door. She quickly tossed a blanket over the daggers that she’d been sharpening before anyone could bother to enter. It was equally surprising to see the brother of her betrothed at the door. At first, she’d thought it was her fiance, and Ashara flinched back slightly. Upon realizing her mistake, she bowed slightly. “I am well. Thank you, my Lord.” She said and smiled to him, noting the flowers in his hands. “Are those for me?”

Though Viktor wasn’t always the most observant of men, he was aware enough to witness her visible flinch at the sight of him. Knowing he’d done nothing that would warrant her offense, he quickly deducted it had to do with his brother. Brows furrowing, he quickly shook himself from his thoughts. “Ah.” Offering out the flowers, Viktor gave a small smile. “Yes, I brought them from the shore. There is something familiar along the rocks of the Islands.”

Being one who enjoyed the water, Viktor wasted no time stripping off his shirt and dipping beneath the surface of one of the many pools located within the Watergardens. After the heat of the day, the water offered a welcomed relief ( and while he had expected to be left alone in the venture  —  particularly with so many judgmental eyes of Westrosi nobles ), he was surprised to break the surface to find a familiar northern lady watching him. “Lady Mormont, we meet again. Might I fancy you in a dip?” 

Having traveled to Dorne countless times in his life, Viktor was more then prepared for its climate and customs. Adorned in their fashion he wandered the Watergardens with a lazy smile ( already well into his cups ). Several had already begun to discuss politics, but Viktor was convinced that he would have one more night of solitude before the ass kissing began. But of course what one wanted and what one received never aligned —  so when the Dragon Queen ventured into his path, he forced a smile. “Queen Lannister. I do hope you’re enjoying the gardens as much as everyone else.”

Upon his arrival to Sunspear, Viktor was quick to realize the mistake he’d made. His attention had been so entirely focused upon the rivalry that had formed with his eldest brother, that not once had he dared turn his gaze away ( effectively ignoring his youngest brother and his future good sister ). Hoping to rectify the situation, he’d plucked up some blooming flowers along the shore and prepared a graceful apology to the lady in question, but when he’d knocked upon her chamber door ( and she’d opened it ), he was given pause at her appearance. “Are you well, my Lady?”

With the festivities in the Watergardens well underway ( and many having already begun to conversation of politics despite it being well before official negotiations began ), Viktor found himself drawn toward a familiar sight the moment his dark gaze locked onto her. “Lady Lannister  —  a welcomed sight. Tell me, did you keep a weathered eye on the horizon for me?”