The year is 286 AC. King Jaehaerys II has just passed, leaving the throne without a rightful ruler. While his three children fight for the crown, Winter creeps closer, and unimaginable darkness looms.
Not all alliances will be so typical this time. In fact, many people have a crucial effect on the way this story is told. As for the ending, we only hope there are enough people left alive to tell it after its passed.
Events
Join us for our first event, the wake of recently deceased King Jaehaerys II.
Updates
AUG. 19: So we are now officially open to the public. We have a mini-event flashback thread going on, and our main event just began. Feel free to make a second canon if you can keep both of them active enough.
Don't hesitate in pestering staff with questions; it's what we're here for! Let's raise a glass and make a cheer toward a successful launch of Winds of Winter.
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 5, 2017 12:55:58 GMT
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Honestly she couldn't even bear the thought of not knowing her own mother. The relationship between a child and mother is important, and is what often leads to a child's behaviour in the future. The fact that Dalton was here, and to her standards quite the gentlemen was a feat in itself.
Respecting him, she didn't apologize, but she didn't stop feeling pity for him in her own heart. Not that he didn't do well without a mother, it's just sad to think he missed out on the endearment from one.
"I too wish to be better than my father," she said softly, turning away from the sight of the pursuing ship. It may have been considered rude that she left her words there, but Sera did not have the desire to continue and ended it swiftly by changing the subject once again. A tactic that she was rather fond of when faced with difficult topics of conversation.
"I like talking to you too," she said before exhaling swiftly and looking at the wooden craft they stood on,"So besides watching the waters and drinking, what does an Ironborn normally do aboard a ship. I'm sure there are like duties the crew has to do... Right?"
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 5, 2017 13:12:00 GMT
The deep talk was over and he was somewhat thankful for that. It was not that it pained him or something like that. No. But he also did not really like doing it either, feeling that their time could be spent much better on other things. And, indeed, she swiftly moved on to ship protocol – even though there was little going on right now. He had come down to his quarters specifically because not much needed to be done on deck, so naturally there were only few people about.
“There is a lot to do, of course. But a lot of these things are very specific. Like adjusting the rudder, keeping the helm or just being the lookout. Yet most of the work is usually the same you also got in a castle. Someone has to prepare food and provisions. Someone has to check inventory and patrol the ship for potential issues. And, of course, someone will come to clean the deck soon enough. The waves often bring unwelcome things on board.” He laughed, briefly, as he stretched a little. For some reason, he was starting to feel less tired and not more so. Was that because of her, or because she was a useful distraction? Probably both. “One day, we had a wave throw a swordfish on deck. I kid you not. Some stupid kid almost got himself killed tried to grab it, so another had pretty much sword fight with a fish in its death throes in order to save that kid.”
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 5, 2017 13:25:32 GMT
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Brows furrowed and eyes squinted as she tried to picture in her head what a fight with a swordfish looked like. Though with her overactive imagination it was probably the farthest thing from the truth. Either way, she laughed and smiled at the humorous idea of a fish standing to use it's nose as a fencing weapon.
"And as the captain it's your job to see that these all get attended to? It is quite similar to running a castle, though on a much smaller scale."
Glancing over to the men that paced the vessel she pursed her lips, "I suppose it is rude of me to be keeping you all to myself now isn't it?" she asked quietly, assuming that he had something more important to attend to before she so selfishly demanded his attention back in the room.
Though the idea of him leaving her presence just yet left a paigning sensation of loneliness in her chest. Much like she felt before he brought her the water an hour or so before.
Not that she would admit that she desired to stay close to him.
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 5, 2017 13:45:15 GMT
He had never really compared a ship to a castle. It made sense for her to make the comparison, but as far as he was concerned, those things were very different. But then again, he’d never had to take care of a castle. Pyke was usually in the hands of his father. And when the latter left, Dalton was often gone as well. Back when he’d had to look after his sisters he had been around more often. And yet, he was too young then, so someone else took care of most of the mundane matters.
“Hmm, I see the similarities. But a ship is a lot more work, I guess. A castle can easily whether every storm there is, but a captain needs to know exactly what his ship can hold. Plus, you need to chart a course, of course.” Those were the main differences in his eyes, though there were certainly more. Still, given that, he really did not think it was too similar.
But close enough for a land-locked lady to compare to. Though her other comment did surprise he and had him shoot her a bit of a grin. He was a bit oblivious to things sometimes, but he had spent enough time with Vae to recognize some behaviours. “Maybe it is rude, yes, yes. You would have to apologize and make up for it of course. Especially to me, of course, given that you are just taking possession of me, my lady Baratheon~.”
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 5, 2017 14:05:27 GMT
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Sera paused, hesitant on what she should say next to the young Ironborn. His grin caused her stomach to twist and her knees to feel a bit weak under the pressure. She had no idea on whether or not he was actually offended by her actions, or if she was the victim to a joke he was playing. Either way she looked up at him with concern in her eyes.
"Dalton I--" she started, trying not to stammer, her face flushed and she squeezed her fingers around the thick fabric he placed around her previously.
"I mean, -- I am sorry if I really crossed the line with asking to come up here. I can always go back if it's a problem."
It was hard for her to think that he would see her as his equal, and understood if he genuinely was upset, but his smile confused her and made her insides flutter at the same time.
"My apologies."
She almost considered that it was the mug of ale she had a little bit ago, seeing as that she was not a avid drinker, she was normally affected so easily. Could that be the explanation of the burning she experienced in her cheeks and stomach?
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 5, 2017 14:26:31 GMT
The next person who called him inconsiderate, he would punch in the face. Right then and there, no questions asked. Given the sheer amount of willpower and mental fortitude that he brought to bear right then, something like that would simply be an insult. Yes, not bursting into laughter born from witnessing her reaction was a whole lot of work. He almost did not make it, but he did.
However, she did not get away wholly unscathed. Dalton raised his hand in a gesture that might have been seen as the prelude to a slap. Yet, instead of doing anything like that, he simply took the liberty of shortly patting her head and tussling her hair. “Silly Sera. I was only joking. Don’t worry about it. You really need to develop a better sense for those things if you want to be around my crew for any duration of time.” Another laugh and he let go briefly, that smirk still on his face. But he would stop teasing her, at least for a little while. “And don’t think for a moment that you are a burden to me, yes? I will tell you right away the moment you become one. But right now, being up here with you is very entertaining and a welcome distraction from everything bad. I wouldn’t want you to leave me right now, so hopefully you can accept my apology for making fun of you. My lady.”
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 6, 2017 12:27:40 GMT
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There was a reflection of horror in her eyes as he raised his hand, and she even yearned to step back from him. But her knees feet wouldn't move and the pain never came. Instead it was warmth, as his hand caressed the top of her head, shifting her short hair in a quick motion.
She was was confused, using her own hand to fix what he ( and the wind ) disturbed. Her fingers combed through her short red-brown hair as he explained. Thus there may have been no other moment where she felt like a bigger idiot. It was nothing more than a joke, and a small O formed on her lips before a quiet chuckle.
"There is no reason to apologize. I was just the fool for being none the wiser to your behaviour... It was pretty funny however."
She smiled, thinking back to what he said and the embarrassment still glowed on her cheeks, "So we can agree that me leaving right now isn't in both of our best interests.... Looks like you are stuck with me for now Lord Dalton."
Her eyes lifted to meet his, and her smiled shifted into a small playful smirk. She really was terrible with the whole "humor" thing, but she tried at least.
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 6, 2017 14:24:29 GMT
So, she could well take this kind of approach – but she needed to have it explained to her. That made some sense, to be honest. It was likely that no one had treated her like this before. A bigger brother maybe, but someone unrelated to her would have seen this as something truly audacious. Yet, interestingly she just allowed him to touch her like this with nary a mention of it. She certainly did not lack the tongue to speak out when she did not like something, so this had to have been bearable at the very least.
It was kind of adorable, but he stayed his tongue. Well, in this one respect at least. “Oh no, I am stuck with one of the nicest and prettiest high ladies I know. Whatever will I do?” Again, a boisterous laugh, before he started walking down the ship again, towards the helm. She would likely be interested in that part of it as well, so it was only natural to at least give it a glance. “Anyway, we have talked a lot about me so far, but you still shroud yourself in mystery, don’t you? Of course not. Let me guess: ‘I am just not that interesting’. Is that it? But I’d still like to know some about you. I know the dragonstag branch of the family, but your side of it is not very well known to me at all.”
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 6, 2017 15:13:19 GMT
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Amused by his blatant and obvious sarcasm, Sera scoff and chuckled before closing her eyes and giving a swift nod. "There is nothing you can do but suffer at the hands of said pretty lady."
Following him slowly she walked with her hands clasped tightly around the given garment and a smile permanently fixed to her lips. "I suppose I've been found out," she said in regards to the certain 'mystery' she resided in,"Though it might be cliche, there really is nothing that interesting about me."
Growing a thought in her head she bit on her lip and smirked at the young Greyjoy, "I have not stories to tell like you might, but if you wish to know me more, then I suppose I can humor you with a tale or two."
She stopped, a finger lifted to press against her chin as she contemplated just what to tell him, "I am the firstborn of my father, who is Arkas' brother of course. So I never really had much influence as my father is no ruling Lord of his house. In fact, I can't really tell you about my siblings as I spent more time with my Uncle and cousins rather than my own family."
A sad thought really, and a possibility of why her father grew more mad every day. Family is an important thing, and his neglected him. "I would have rather been born to Daella than my father. But a child does not choose their parents."
Lifting her hand to play with the strands of hair that framed her face, "This one time... my father, he had just come home from a supposed hunting trip. He was drunk, and like me he doesn't do that often." She hesitated, furrowing her brows at the thought of continuing the story, "I don't know what drove him to drink that night, but he did. Anyways... it was raining, as it normally does back home, and one of our house vassals were attending to him. A young man, perhaps four years younger than I now."
"He killed that boy, --Pressed on his throat until he was blue in the face. I don't know why, and I didn't care to ask the next morning at breakfast. My father seemed at peace, and that's when I realized how fake of a man he was. I've lived under Daella ever since."
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 6, 2017 16:15:12 GMT
That…went dark rather quick. Sure, Dalton was used to having an erratic and homicidal parent, but so far he had thought that most Greenlanders were not like this. In fact, the way she spoke of it, this seemed to have been something rare in her kingdom. Notably, neither the fact that such things happened surprised him, and neither did the fact that the father had not been punished for it. But he was taken aback a little at how casually she was able to speak of this. Her movements betrayed some restlessness and nervousness, yes, but despite that, she was very collected.
Apparently, both of them had a very complicated relationship with their fathers. Still though, the young lord felt a pang of guilt. If recounting this story was a problem for her, then it was his action that had brought it to light in the first place. After all, she would not have had spoken of it without his prodding. “Ye, children really can’t choose their parents,” he chimed in, joining her statement. It truly was a shame sometimes. By now though, he had stopped briefly, likely allowing her to overtake him slightly. As the sky above them gathered more clouds, predicting the rain she’d spoken of coming to them as well soon, he put a hand on her shoulder.
He did not reassure people often, so he was pretty bad at it. “Your father sounds like an awful man,” he stated the obvious. “I can see why you need this adventure, now. You may not have been able to choose anything about your past, but you can choose your future. That father of yours sounds like the kind of man that would wed you to the most despicable man in the world if he could profit from it. Do you want to find a different path in life? I doubt that you would fit into my crew or have the stomach for it. But I know a very successful merchant. I think she could help you with finding a new life, if you wish to.”
He would let go afterwards, realization of what he had just said hitting him. Of course he would say that, given what kind of place he came from. But from the sounds of it, Daella’s part of the family at least did still matter to Sera. “But you likely have obligations to the rest of your family. My apologies, I was a bit presumptuous there.”
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 6, 2017 17:25:45 GMT
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It seemed that he had presumed that she disliked her father. Which was likely her fault for saying what she did, but it was incorrect either way. She felt the warmth of his hand on her shoulder and knew that he was trying to comfort her, in his own little way. With a smile she simply swung her head side to side.
"No, I care for my father, the way that a daughter should. I would not go as far to say he is an awful man.... He is just... --"
It was hard to explain, and she stopped, going over her memories of her younger years, "He is protective of his children, and very loving. At least that is what he wants to appear as. I am not sure what my father is like, or what he is like truly."
She had pleasant memories of playing with her siblings in the courtyard and of her father's smile on their namedays when they would receive their gifts with happiness. She just couldn't fathom the idea that feelings of her father were nothing more than a facade and she didn't want to play that game. "Everyone has duties to their family, but they first have obligations to themselves. I suppose if I ever wanted to leave that behind, I would have to figure out who I am first."
She heard rumors of many highborns leaving their houses to fulfill their desires. A particular prince in dorne, and a lady tyrell, neither of which she knew personally, but word spreads in the thin walls of the great city. Perhaps leaving would open up new possibilities.... or it could hinder her growth as a lady to her house.
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 6, 2017 17:59:00 GMT
Duty to one’s house. That meant something different to people such as him and Greenlanders, didn’t it? His sisters had gone and become pirates in their own right, carving out a piece of Essos for themselves and both marrying the same man. On the other hand, this lady would do her duty by marrying some random jerk – or decent person, who knew? – without question. For all the faults that Dalton saw in the Ironborn culture, this was one of the areas where he clearly deemed it superior. After all, who would want to live like that, shackled to the decisions of old men? At least he and his siblings could find glory in means other than becoming a breeding mare.
“I guess you are right. Duty to one’s family is important. I guess the thought of someone as bright as you just being forced to live a drab and dreary life as someone else’s prize just annoyed me. For all the prejudice your people have for mine, I have to say that women are treated only marginally better. I mean heck, what is the big difference between a salt wife and someone just paying another in some way to marry their daughter? Pah.” Yeah, the mainland hypocrisy was something that got him riled up sometimes. Which was ironic, given that he did not completely hate the practice.
In the end, he was likely just as much a misogynist as every other male in Westeros and only got angry at things like this in order to feel superior. That would be even worse, though. Thus, he took another deep breath and cleared his mind. “At least now you will have some weeks to find yourself. The ocean has a way of reflecting your mage in ways that you could not fathom before. I am sure that something will come from this at least.”
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 6, 2017 19:16:05 GMT
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It was amusing to know that Ironborn regarded their women with different ideals, well compared to the rest of the seven kingdoms. Though they may have been loved by mothers and fathers, all highborn girls are nothing more than fodder to be given off in the furthering of bloodlines. It was rare that wives were actually chosen for love rather than politics and that was something she surely didn't want for herself or her own children.
Eyes lifted to meet his and she pushed her hair behind her ear, "It annoyed you that I was designed to be someone else's prize...-- and not yours?" she snickered and looked out to the darkening horizon. It was getting later and even the weather was starting to turn darker.
"I look forward to what the ocean has to tell me about myself," she said simply before walking back, a drop of water landing upon her cheek foretold the coming rain, and she didn't like the idea of being damp and cold. "Care to treat a girl to another pint of ale?" she asked in a playful voice, looking over her shoulder in hopes he would follow, "Though I understand if you have more pressing matters."
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 6, 2017 20:13:12 GMT
That was a good question she raised there. Of course, she did not mean it as a question. Yet, it still came across as one. Would he have wanted her as his prize? Obviously, had she been caught up in a raid conducted by him and his men, he would have wanted her for himself. But that was true for most attractive women – it was simply the Iron Way. He followed along without saying anything, thinking this over. After all, he had come to King’s Landing in part to look for a wife. He had hit on multiple Lannisters and others. Yet, the two women he now had sleeping in his quarters he had strangely ignored.
Okay, he had thought about it with Ashe. He could admit to that much. But, he had buried that thought right away when he had learned of her marriage. This was not aforementioned raid, after all, so he respected ties like that. But Sera? Really, he simply had not consciously thought of her like that. Maybe it was due to the circumstances of their meeting. It had been much too busy and confusing to waste time on that. Plus, something else had held him back. But now that she had said it, the spirit was out of the bottle.
What did he think? Well, for the moment, he followed her back to the entrance, where they could resume the drinking, right as the rain started to fall properly behind them. Yet, instead of opening the door in front of her, he instead stemmed his arm against it, sort of trapping her. “Ale, yes. But to the other question? I have no clue. And I am not the kind of person to go back and forth over such things for days and mull them over. So, I hope you can forgive me, but I will just clear that up right now.” After all, he had his roots on the summer isles. Being a shrinking violet was not his style. And unless she actively repulsed him, he would swiftly go for her chin, lift it and attempt to kiss her.
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 6, 2017 20:59:26 GMT
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Brushing her hand against her forehead, she wiped away what little water collected as she stepped forward, only finding herself barred by Dalton's arm. Her eyes glanced up to meet his, the man towering over her by nearly a foot and she sensed something amiss. The girl raised an eyebrow and she turned her body to face his, confused by his advancing actions.
Then the feeling of his fingers around her chin, though unlike like last time they were more gentle as they lifted her face towards his own. His lips were welcoming as they neared hers, lingering just a movement away, and her cheeks blazed with warmth.
Her breath quickened and she awaited their touch, her eyes closing in her excitement. Yes that is what she was, excited. Did she want this? Did she desire her virgin lips to be taken away by the young Greyjoy? She couldn't even answer that for herself, or have the time to contemplate it before she stepped forward and into his kiss.
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