She did, yes. She was very relieved to have you here. I've been looking forward to meeting you.
I see. Thank you, then, for sharing. Maybe preparing is a good idea, yes. Are you prepared? You and your family?
[Koby's taking this with a grain of salt, of course, but -- dragon dreaming, the game in October, the tales he's heard. It might not be bad to listen.]
I'm glad to bring her some relief. It must have been difficult for her here. But I also hear she has made friends. I'm glad for her, and I thank you for looking after her as well.
[She has to think about it for a moment]
I've given them warning. I can't force them to prepare, but this time they're listening to me. It will make a difference. And sometime a difference is all that is needed. We'll survive this. [She's not sure if that quite answered the question though. Oops.]
I'm getting my embroidery in order. [There, see, she's prepared]
She has, yes. Some very strong, very kind ones. You're very welcome, your majesty. Your mother has been very kind to me, and I've made up my mind to help her any way I can.
That's good to hear. [Both that the Targaryen's are mobilizing in advance of Helaena's warning and that it may, hopefully, be enough.]
You do embroidery? I was always terrible at that. I couldn't keep the stitches straight.
[That's how it usually is, she thinks. Alicent could get people on her side with little effort, so its no surprise that she's made powerful allies here too.]
I do. My mind is always everywhere. The embroidery helps. My hands can do something, my mind can concentrate and not wander. The repetitive motion is soothing.
I can embroider something for you, if you'd like. On your clothes or a scarf or something.
I see. That sounds tiring, your majesty. If it’s not too bold to say so. Are you in need of supplies? For your embroidery?
That’s very kind of you. All my scarfs are very plain and boring right now, so I’ll welcome a little added decoration, I think. What do you like embroidering most? I knew a girl growing up who could make flowers and fish that looked almost real.
[She considers a moment]I would like more, yes. More colored threads, at least. Is that something we could spare?
I can do flowers and fish, if that's what you'd like. But my specialty is insects. I have many as pets, and I've been making a habitat for them in my room. I have mostly spiders right now, but a few crickets, and two dragonflies. The dragonflies are my favorites.
I'll see what I can find for you. I've been setting aside supplies and I think there might be a sewing kit somewhere in there?
I like dragonflies too. We don't have many insects at sea, so I'm not used to them, but in the summer the lake had lots. You'll like the lake, once it warms up a bit. Lots of insects.
I'd like that. I can repair things, since I will not fight.
At sea? Are you in a navy?
I've plans to go to the lake anyhow. I found out my mother enjoys swimming. I think it would be nice to try with her. [To try swimming, to try...in general, with Alicent]
If things go as bad as you say, we'll need all the help we can get, including in repairs. [It's the beginning of another month; it seems likely that something is going to happen.]
I was, back at home. But my world is also mostly sea, with a lot of little islands. Your mother's told me it's very different in Westeros.
It'll be warm in a few more months, with what I've learned of the climate here. Last summer was very nice for swimming and boating and other things like that. I'm sure Alicent would like that.
I can take over mending clothes. I don't mind that.
[It's something to do with her hands, to keep her focus.]
Yes. There's still a sea, but I don't usually go sailing on it. Usually I fly. Has mother told you of our dragons?
[She tries to imagine Alicent as carefree, lighter. Laughing and smiling] It's hard to imagine my mother enjoying much of anything. I'll look forward to seeing the change in her.
Thank you, your majesty. Do you prefer that? Your title? Some do and some don't, so I thought I'd ask.
A little bit. Your brothers too. It sounds strange, creatures that large who can fly, and people who can fly on them. Aren't you ever afraid? I'd be afraid.
Is that so? [It's saddening, but...not surprising, necessarily.]
I don't mind either way. The only ones from our world here are my family, and it can be a sore topic. You can call whichever you wish.
At first. It was frightening, but exhilarating. It's a special bond between rider and dragon. While my dragon would harm many, she would not harm me. I'm the only one who could tell her to stop and be listened to.
[And as for her mother--] My mother has had the world placed on her shoulders from a very young age. Expectations upon expectations, placed by others-- but also by herself. She clings to them. She could know peace, but no one can force her until she can accept that it must be her to bring it.
I have forgiven her for what she has done, what she is doing, and what she will do, already. The minutes tick ever closer to the hour of no return. Time works different here, though. Perhaps it is not too late after all.
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no subject
Her brow furrows. She checks the name-- Oh]
I'm sorry. I meant to message my mother. I suppose the phone had other ideas.
I'm Queen Helaena Targaryen. But though it was meant for someone else, please take the warning to heart as well.
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I'm Koby, I'm friends with Lady Alicent. She'd mentioned you'd arrived recently. It's nice to meet you.
And thank you. Have you any other warnings?
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I don't know. The knowledge comes and it goes.
It was, it is, it has.
The guests hunger for things not meat nor bread. My brother prepares for a fight. Perhaps you should too?
no subject
I see. Thank you, then, for sharing. Maybe preparing is a good idea, yes. Are you prepared? You and your family?
[Koby's taking this with a grain of salt, of course, but -- dragon dreaming, the game in October, the tales he's heard. It might not be bad to listen.]
no subject
[She has to think about it for a moment]
I've given them warning. I can't force them to prepare, but this time they're listening to me. It will make a difference. And sometime a difference is all that is needed. We'll survive this. [She's not sure if that quite answered the question though. Oops.]
I'm getting my embroidery in order. [There, see, she's prepared]
no subject
You're very welcome, your majesty. Your mother has been very kind to me, and I've made up my mind to help her any way I can.
That's good to hear. [Both that the Targaryen's are mobilizing in advance of Helaena's warning and that it may, hopefully, be enough.]
You do embroidery? I was always terrible at that. I couldn't keep the stitches straight.
no subject
I do. My mind is always everywhere. The embroidery helps. My hands can do something, my mind can concentrate and not wander. The repetitive motion is soothing.
I can embroider something for you, if you'd like. On your clothes or a scarf or something.
no subject
That’s very kind of you. All my scarfs are very plain and boring right now, so I’ll welcome a little added decoration, I think.
What do you like embroidering most? I knew a girl growing up who could make flowers and fish that looked almost real.
no subject
I can do flowers and fish, if that's what you'd like. But my specialty is insects. I have many as pets, and I've been making a habitat for them in my room. I have mostly spiders right now, but a few crickets, and two dragonflies. The dragonflies are my favorites.
no subject
I like dragonflies too. We don't have many insects at sea, so I'm not used to them, but in the summer the lake had lots. You'll like the lake, once it warms up a bit.
Lots of insects.
no subject
At sea? Are you in a navy?
I've plans to go to the lake anyhow. I found out my mother enjoys swimming. I think it would be nice to try with her. [To try swimming, to try...in general, with Alicent]
no subject
I was, back at home. But my world is also mostly sea, with a lot of little islands. Your mother's told me it's very different in Westeros.
It'll be warm in a few more months, with what I've learned of the climate here. Last summer was very nice for swimming and boating and other things like that. I'm sure Alicent would like that.
no subject
[It's something to do with her hands, to keep her focus.]
Yes. There's still a sea, but I don't usually go sailing on it. Usually I fly. Has mother told you of our dragons?
[She tries to imagine Alicent as carefree, lighter. Laughing and smiling] It's hard to imagine my mother enjoying much of anything. I'll look forward to seeing the change in her.
no subject
I thought I'd ask.
A little bit. Your brothers too. It sounds strange, creatures that large who can fly, and people who can fly on them. Aren't you ever afraid? I'd be afraid.
Is that so? [It's saddening, but...not surprising, necessarily.]
no subject
At first. It was frightening, but exhilarating. It's a special bond between rider and dragon. While my dragon would harm many, she would not harm me. I'm the only one who could tell her to stop and be listened to.
[And as for her mother--] My mother has had the world placed on her shoulders from a very young age. Expectations upon expectations, placed by others-- but also by herself. She clings to them. She could know peace, but no one can force her until she can accept that it must be her to bring it.
I have forgiven her for what she has done, what she is doing, and what she will do, already. The minutes tick ever closer to the hour of no return. Time works different here, though. Perhaps it is not too late after all.