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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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.