kingdoms & empires

scoff left his lips immediately at his brother's statement. "please, they couldn't make me do anything." while stubbornness was not a strong trait of his, the words still rang true enough when was no denying he had always been something of a law unto himself. following his own whims and wishes above all. "some would think it's good to attempt to understand them and their motives." words are a grumbled defence, unsure when he had started to care about the intentions of others and wondering if a certain targaryen had rubbed off on him after all. "I could see it now if they had-" hand moved dramatically in front of him as though he was trying to get his brother to share in his vision. "- we wouldn't just win, we'd leave them all behind."

⸻ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ︵ : merrick goodbrother + will lannister. ⸻ 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 ︵ : @xfulminare.

though his mind had undoubtedly been too filled with matters of his own heart to pay much attention to those of others, he would have had to be wholly unobservant to miss the blacktyde and the lannister's relationship. but regardless of the connection he would still have greeted the other with the same easy grin. "I don't know, a little dip in the mander might have been fun." though the laughter he gave might have given the impression of a joke, the glint in his eye as he looked out across the river suggested that he was considering it. if for no other reason than he could then say he had done it. "if nothing else we can claim to not have been last, reclaim whatever pride we might have lost otherwise." though the ironborn isn't sure he'd have found it at all embarrassing. "well, one of us slightly more than the other."

while he had never been one to put much stock in fate for a moment he was tempted to claim that it was conspiring to pull them apart. but he knew that the reality was far simpler than that. while it might be easier to place the blame at the feet of some nameless, faceless entity the ironborn knew in reality it was a situation of his own making. so instead tongue clicked in mock disapproval, teasing challenge falling from his lips rather than any morose or pining statement. "you might but then again me cheering for you might be loud enough to distract. if not you then everyone else around." teeth cage the temptation to exclaim theomore to be the wrong choice for her behind another grin, quick to nod when all he wanted to do was spend time in their company. "well, who would I be to let such a fine brew spoil and pass up such fine company? couldn't let it go to waste just because you lacked a drinking partner."

genuine interest in politics was undeniably limited but the liege knew all too well that it was a necessity they could not avoid. least of all when it was the queen who addressed her. serene, practised smile flickered over their lips as she inclined her head to form a small bow of the necessary respect. "a beautiful day, we can only hope it is a sign to come for their marriage." brow rose in mild intrigue at the monarch's next words, they were certain it was likely some insult against their hosts but neutrality had always been their weapon of choice. "I am sure our hosts would not risk their guests but if you are right, your grace, there seem to be plenty guards waiting along the banks in case of such emergency." not wishing for it to become some kind of battle, the dondarrion attempted to steer them into more peaceful waters. "is there a particular boat you favour, your majesty? I am not much of a gambler but I am certain a bet with your advice would be one worth placing."

OPEN   STARTER⋆day six of the wedding celebrations ,  in  the  gardens  with  any who wish to respond  . 

other than the stables the gardens had been by far a favourite, the notion only cemented when eyes find someone she is so found of. "thank you." brief smile is given as the bloom is accepted before shoulders roll into a noncommittal shrug. "I thought I should make an appearance." words are dry, almost self deprecating when she suspected the stag would understand her reticence to be at such things. grief might still demand that they live a more solitary life but she knew it was not a path she could truly walk. while little interest was held in such competitions, they had long since learnt for the need for making their presence known and taking at least passing interest in the goings on of the realm. appearing disinterested would only bring the disapproval of others. "seeing as they have you to vouch for them perhaps I will make some effort to pay more attention to them than their mounts." another almost joke, this time the ghost of a smile curling at the edge of their lips when they had always been more fond of horses than people.

open raven from cassian baratheon — day one; the orchards.

break had been taken from filling her baskets with the help of her children, passing them over to their septa with a small nod before making their way over to the prince. "come now, cousin, do not pretend you are incapable of a little labour." tongue clicked and while their words are mostly meant to tease there is no denying a warning edge behind them. her cousin had their unerring support but she knew that others would not give their loyalty so freely and were even less likely to do so if he was believed to be unworthy. "being adverse to a little hard work is hardly becoming." the thought was left unspoken that if he could not bring himself to pick some fruit she hated to think how unwilling he would be to put in the hard work needed to run the kingdoms.

"I've already had my fill." easy grin accompanied his words, fairly certain that there were enough remnants of the fruit he had consumed whilst picking to give his statement all the credibility it needed. rest of the distance between them was closed with an almost lazy stride, head tilting to motion that he wanted space to be made for himself on the bench. he barely waited for that to happen though, squeezing himself on regardless of whether the greyjoy wanted it. perhaps he should have shown their heir more respect but it was lingering fondness that made him act so irreverent. "the wolves have let you out their sight then? will you be slipping away to join your own more often?" even with his time in the free cities he still felt every inch the islander, something he had been reminded of all the more frequently since being back in westeros.

CLOSED STARTER : day one, a reach wedding ft. warrick & ( dealer's choice ) @xfulminare

the reach had not declined in its beauty from what she had remembered, if anything she had failed to do it justice. but time would do that, no matter how fondly she had held onto the memories. most of the day had been spent socialising with her spouse, their now easy partnership lending itself well to entertaining and advantageous conversations. still, she had never wished to be a woman who needed someone by her side and so she had set off in search of some company of her own. quickly she found her friend, hand waving in dismissal of his statement. "yes, yes. nothing but happiness, all the best and all the rest. we can pray for them to have a blessed union later but for now I find myself much more interested in you and how you have been." letters would always be seen as a poor substitute to actually being in the company of her friends. it was far easier to get straight to the point and the heart of what she wanted to know instead of having to wait for a raven to return. gaze that she liked to believe missed nothing caught the motion of him relinquishing his glass but not claiming another, brow arching upwards in playful challenge. "do not tell me you are retreating so easily - especially not from me."

“I coped by retreating and maybe I did become a mirror, a polished surface that shows nothing of what lies beneath.”

WHERE : highgarden, the boat race WHO : @xfulminare

with his mind and time having been so consumed with not only the repair of his city but also a new alliance, time in the reach had initially been met with distaste from him for its timing. but since arriving in his wife's homeland he had found himself almost grateful for the break. while he was not a man who usually saw distractions as welcome sometimes taking a step away helped to clear and refocus the mind. "just as long as it is not us." competitive spirit meant that he struggled to extend the wish to all taking part.

WHERE : highgarden, groom's day wine tasting WHO : open, 0/6 replies

politeness had demanded she approach the groom though her intent was not for a lengthy exchange. "thank you for having us. I am sure you have heard it countless times already but it makes it no less true for my part." smile on her lips was a practised one but that did not make it anymore genuine when she did find herself grateful to be there. playing host to such a crowd was not something she envied when for all she enjoyed being part of the action she had never coveted being the centre of it at such a large scale.

while he was not usually one to pass up a drink the notion of spending the day around stuffy mainlanders debating the quality of wine was not one that had appealed to him. his love of the sea would always outweigh his enjoyment of a drink and so the decision to attention the beach day had been an easy one. content to simply be by the sea, he had taken time to haphazardly construct something, his lack of planning proving to be the flaw as opposed to his technique. "splendid, no but I did make something." grin slipped easily onto his features, leaning in as though he was conspiring with the bride to be. "a little damp sand goes a long way." dramatic glance was cast around as though it was a prized secret. "I am sure some would call it cheating but they're just jealous they did not think of it themselves."