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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
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RHAENYRA
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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
RHAENYRA
text ❖ audio ❖ video
I have heard he is among those with strange abilities here, the ones who were supposedly honored at a dinner not so long ago.
He seems more content to favor carousing and drinking over breaking peace. Though it may be for the best if our paths do not cross.
He seems more content to favor carousing and drinking over breaking peace. Though it may be for the best if our paths do not cross.
Would you call something dead returned as another being a human still? Or do you take exception because of Jacaerys's own changes here?
[ it bears no malice, the question. the vampires hold themselves apart from the mortals, and they have a right to it. they claim to be monsters, at least by armand's or louis's words; so be it. ]
At your leisure, mandia. It's not like we have a grand other matters to see to.
[ it bears no malice, the question. the vampires hold themselves apart from the mortals, and they have a right to it. they claim to be monsters, at least by armand's or louis's words; so be it. ]
At your leisure, mandia. It's not like we have a grand other matters to see to.
Jacaerys is not the only one who was killed and returned changed. Yet he is still my son. I have no knowledge of the others. I only seek to understand them.
For now, that is true. Though I would expect some sort of party or feast hosted in short order. They seem to prefer doing so once we have been lulled into a sense of peace.
For now, that is true. Though I would expect some sort of party or feast hosted in short order. They seem to prefer doing so once we have been lulled into a sense of peace.
Are there changes to Daemon too, then?
[ if there were, then aemond hadn't noticed it. it's worrisome to think. ]
It is the lifeblood of any keep to entertain its residents, when idleness encourages conspiracy and gossip. More the former than the latter in these here parts, that said. The Balfours seem rather entangled.
[ if there were, then aemond hadn't noticed it. it's worrisome to think. ]
It is the lifeblood of any keep to entertain its residents, when idleness encourages conspiracy and gossip. More the former than the latter in these here parts, that said. The Balfours seem rather entangled.
Edited 2024-12-04 16:18 (UTC)
Who would be unchanged, after dying and then experiencing resurrection?
[ she doesn't name herself for a reason, but there are scars she has yet to allow anyone to see, from the autopsy. ]
And rather committed to entertainment at any cost. Though even they seemed surprised by the turn their last game took.
[ she doesn't name herself for a reason, but there are scars she has yet to allow anyone to see, from the autopsy. ]
And rather committed to entertainment at any cost. Though even they seemed surprised by the turn their last game took.
Mm. All four of you have died here, that is true.
[ how he feels about that is best left unsaid. ]
Surprised by the ferocity of everyone's attempts, certainly, but not the deaths themselves. Begs to wonder if these deathly games have always been part of their ways, and our conduct during these events that confounds them.
[ how he feels about that is best left unsaid. ]
Surprised by the ferocity of everyone's attempts, certainly, but not the deaths themselves. Begs to wonder if these deathly games have always been part of their ways, and our conduct during these events that confounds them.
There was a sacrificial nature to it, considering. Why not kill indiscriminately, given the power handed over? Why steer through the rules of the game; why be compelled to follow at all?
Welcome yourself in, the door is not locked.
[ aemond is- not relaxed, but certainly less guarded at present. he will meet his half-sister with his hair loose, not at all tied, in loose clothing that are nonetheless warm. he won't arm himself, either - for peace, however tenuous it runs. ]
Welcome yourself in, the door is not locked.
[ aemond is- not relaxed, but certainly less guarded at present. he will meet his half-sister with his hair loose, not at all tied, in loose clothing that are nonetheless warm. he won't arm himself, either - for peace, however tenuous it runs. ]
[ Rhaenyra's arrival is marked with no fanfare at all — no one to announce her presence, no one to declare her, save the turning of the doorknob before she herself steps over the threshold.
There is little that would even indicate her status, her hair drawn up loosely with a few strands spilling free, her frame clothed in a soft sweater dress that successfully keeps out the rising winter chill. They have rarely seen such cold in Westeros, apart from the North, where winters are said to carry an even more bitter sting than they did in years past; these are the moments that drive her to dwell on Viserys' words, and the prophecy he once divulged to her, as well as Jace's recent insistence that they speak regarding future events.
But now, there is only Aemond, and Rhaenyra turns to regard him, chin lifting slightly, gaze watchful and silent for a brief span before she broaches the quiet. ]
You requested the tapestry, and it appeared?
There is little that would even indicate her status, her hair drawn up loosely with a few strands spilling free, her frame clothed in a soft sweater dress that successfully keeps out the rising winter chill. They have rarely seen such cold in Westeros, apart from the North, where winters are said to carry an even more bitter sting than they did in years past; these are the moments that drive her to dwell on Viserys' words, and the prophecy he once divulged to her, as well as Jace's recent insistence that they speak regarding future events.
But now, there is only Aemond, and Rhaenyra turns to regard him, chin lifting slightly, gaze watchful and silent for a brief span before she broaches the quiet. ]
You requested the tapestry, and it appeared?
Left on my floor in a paper box, as it were, but I imagine it was Ser Lestat who had asked it and a servant brought it here upon its arrival.
[ aemond steps level to rhaenyra and greets her with something of a nod; he is not fled of his manners yet, and she is his older sibling, no matter the hurts between them. moves to the light switches and turns on one of the recessed lights, shining warm yellow on one of the walls in the room, where the tapestry looms large over them. save for the youngest children between helaena's and rhaenyra's get, everyone is depicted much younger than they are now, including their father. ]
It is a beautiful thing, isn't it?
[ aemond steps level to rhaenyra and greets her with something of a nod; he is not fled of his manners yet, and she is his older sibling, no matter the hurts between them. moves to the light switches and turns on one of the recessed lights, shining warm yellow on one of the walls in the room, where the tapestry looms large over them. save for the youngest children between helaena's and rhaenyra's get, everyone is depicted much younger than they are now, including their father. ]
It is a beautiful thing, isn't it?
[ Rhaenyra nods once, absently; she's still growing accustomed to the strange happenings of the house, and she's heard enough talk about the library and its unconventional gifts to spark her own curiosity, even if requests aren't being fulfilled at the present moment. Something to inquire after further, perhaps, when her attention isn't otherwise occupied.
Her gaze roams across the space to find the tapestry, partially cast in shadow until Aemond illuminates that part of the room — and then she doesn't say anything at all, for a long while, even as she moves closer to the hanging as if her feet are moving independently of her. The likenesses that have been captured there are younger, when the passage of time or illness had not quite had their ravaging effects. Her father — their father, in particular, looking as hale as he ever did in his prime.
She moves to speak and finds that she cannot, at first, the words dying on her lips before she recovers her voice. ]
Yes... yes. [ Her eyes haven't left the tapestry once, flicking over it as if trying to commit every detail to memory. ] An impressive rendering.
Her gaze roams across the space to find the tapestry, partially cast in shadow until Aemond illuminates that part of the room — and then she doesn't say anything at all, for a long while, even as she moves closer to the hanging as if her feet are moving independently of her. The likenesses that have been captured there are younger, when the passage of time or illness had not quite had their ravaging effects. Her father — their father, in particular, looking as hale as he ever did in his prime.
She moves to speak and finds that she cannot, at first, the words dying on her lips before she recovers her voice. ]
Yes... yes. [ Her eyes haven't left the tapestry once, flicking over it as if trying to commit every detail to memory. ] An impressive rendering.
[ he watches his half-sister look upon the likenesses of their family, and wonders if he had the same look when he unveiled the painted cloth for the first time. he had taken it upon himself to place it on the wall, requesting only the servants' aid in securing the hooks and the hanging rod. he'd done everything else, from arranging the recessed lights' aim to affixing the tapestry to a curated space. any less felt disrespectful.
and he had spent countless hours sitting in front of it, reclined against a high-backed seat, looking up to their forebears. he sees himself in the severeness of maegor's look, the coolness of visenya's gaze. and he sees his family's features spread across, too; helaena's softness shared with queen alysanne, aegon's boyish charm shared with prince baelon. his and rhaenyra's own mouths painted across several of their father's aunts and uncles, their kinship undeniable.
this is their family. it is their legacy they're fighting over, back home. ]
Is that how you remember our father?
and he had spent countless hours sitting in front of it, reclined against a high-backed seat, looking up to their forebears. he sees himself in the severeness of maegor's look, the coolness of visenya's gaze. and he sees his family's features spread across, too; helaena's softness shared with queen alysanne, aegon's boyish charm shared with prince baelon. his and rhaenyra's own mouths painted across several of their father's aunts and uncles, their kinship undeniable.
this is their family. it is their legacy they're fighting over, back home. ]
Is that how you remember our father?
Indulgence? They wish to tempt us and force us into depravity whether it lingers underneath the surface or not. It tempts us all.
Let us hope that remains so. He’s asked me of the truce between us.
The benefit to our house aside, I would be happy to call Baela my wife at any moment. You were right, mother, what reason is there to wait?
Let us hope that remains so. He’s asked me of the truce between us.
The benefit to our house aside, I would be happy to call Baela my wife at any moment. You were right, mother, what reason is there to wait?
All the more reason not to succumb, if we can help it.
I do not believe he has an appetite for war. Whatever enmity he possesses has been stoked by lies and manipulations.
If you would rather delay until the weather is kinder, I believe the seasons are more changeable here.
I do not believe he has an appetite for war. Whatever enmity he possesses has been stoked by lies and manipulations.
If you would rather delay until the weather is kinder, I believe the seasons are more changeable here.
[ It does speak of a strange magic — for who could know the faces of their forebears so intimately, be able to capture them so expertly through a weaving like this? But in the moment, Rhaenyra does not find herself plagued by too much questioning, and considers the futility of asking too many questions that Aemond may not even be able to answer. Would it not be better to appreciate the gift as it was offered, and make what inquiries she can later?
It is a deep, sobering reminder of what has preceded them, and what has been lost. Yet she considers, still, her father's words, and the importance of what she has been tasked with securing. She has laid it to rest here, bound within the walls of a house that has no real place in her fight, but they also cannot remain as guests indefinitely. ]
Sometimes. When I am recalling him with kind feeling. [ Other times, her recollections are not so generous to his memory. ]
It is a deep, sobering reminder of what has preceded them, and what has been lost. Yet she considers, still, her father's words, and the importance of what she has been tasked with securing. She has laid it to rest here, bound within the walls of a house that has no real place in her fight, but they also cannot remain as guests indefinitely. ]
Sometimes. When I am recalling him with kind feeling. [ Other times, her recollections are not so generous to his memory. ]
[ On Christmas Eve, the manor staff kindly deliver the gifts Alicent prepared for family and friends.
— Inside an ornate hat box, Rhaenyra will find the crown of Viserys Targaryen.
— The envelope attached by a gold ribbon bears no name, but smells of Alicent’s perfume.
— Inside an ornate hat box, Rhaenyra will find the crown of Viserys Targaryen.
— The envelope attached by a gold ribbon bears no name, but smells of Alicent’s perfume.
Dearest Rhaenyra,
I have written and discarded several letters now, as I have with all our correspondence. Words seem inadequate, don’t they, for all that we have experienced together and apart.
I requested this when my team won the werewolf game, knowing even then it was not for myself but for you. For even when your father forgot me, he remembered the daughter he loved best. And even when I acted against your interests, I could not forget you.
It is hard to say why I have waited two turns of the moon now to share this with you. We have both been waylaid by our families since arriving, as we will always be. I cannot abandon my sons any more than you can forsake yours.
And yet I am sorry, for the mistakes I have made and harm I have done. I meant it truly and without reservation when I said you would make a fine queen.
I think of you often. And even when I am not thinking of you, I am trying to keep myself from it, which is much the same thing — don’t you think?
Yours,
Alicent
[ There are few delights in this world that could come close to the joy of the pleasure of a wife sated, of a lover come to completion, spilling in hand or mouth or elsewhere. Daemon has found great enjoyment between his wife’s legs over the years they have been together, and has longed for her further than that - how many of the whores in King’s Landing had been his for an evening because they had her nose, the glint of her eye, the dimple of her smile?
Too many, and perhaps that lacks the flattery that it might offer to some, but there is no denying the truth.
Daemon is hers, and has been so for too many years, under the pained and watchful eye of Viserys, with other marriages between them. He had fondness for Laena, that he would never deny, but the whole world had known where his oath and devotion had lied. They’ll know it again now, with his knee bent to her at Harrenhall, his promise made before their banners and their kin.
He is her dragon, her sword, her monster in the night, her own to command and cast where she sees fit.
It is so easy, then, to kiss her, to lean into the familiar dance, to leave soft noises against her skin. There is no duty in this, nothing beyond the joy and pleasure of coming together once more, of adoration and love and trust branded upon them. There need be no heir from this, no replacement for what was lost - only love.
Breathless, he grins up at her, their noses nudging even as he rocks himself into her cunt, using the angle to push in as hard as he can, to take what is given to him so freely. ]
Whatever my grace wishes, she will have. Let us not resist our urges.
Too many, and perhaps that lacks the flattery that it might offer to some, but there is no denying the truth.
Daemon is hers, and has been so for too many years, under the pained and watchful eye of Viserys, with other marriages between them. He had fondness for Laena, that he would never deny, but the whole world had known where his oath and devotion had lied. They’ll know it again now, with his knee bent to her at Harrenhall, his promise made before their banners and their kin.
He is her dragon, her sword, her monster in the night, her own to command and cast where she sees fit.
It is so easy, then, to kiss her, to lean into the familiar dance, to leave soft noises against her skin. There is no duty in this, nothing beyond the joy and pleasure of coming together once more, of adoration and love and trust branded upon them. There need be no heir from this, no replacement for what was lost - only love.
Breathless, he grins up at her, their noses nudging even as he rocks himself into her cunt, using the angle to push in as hard as he can, to take what is given to him so freely. ]
Whatever my grace wishes, she will have. Let us not resist our urges.
[ There had been doubt fostered between them, in the past — recent events had led Rhaenyra to question Daemon's true intentions, his deeper motivations regarding her rightful claim to the Iron Throne. Whatever had transpired for him at Harrenhal, whatever ghosts he may have been forced to confront there within its haunted walls, seems to have given him a new perspective — not merely in regard to her father's insistence of the Song of Ice and Fire and its importance, but that she can serve as the best ruler to lead the Seven Kingdoms when it inevitably comes to pass.
How long, she thinks, had she been his — a piece of her belonging to him even as he had taken other wives, as she had been promised to another husband? That night on the Streets of Silk had been illuminating for her in more than one sense, but he had refrained then, denying himself, denying them. Years later, the encounter on the beach between them had been hers to initiate, asserting her desire for him as a woman rather than a girl.
Here, her desire lies not in mere womanhood, and not even necessarily that of a queen; she aches for him as wife for husband, as her dragon, and her pace quickens as her need does, as they start to move more frantically, with an accompanying slap of skin against skin. ]
Daemon. [ A plea, nearly a whine despite their earlier play, she wants no other name on his lips but hers, as she edges closer to her peaking. ]
Finish inside me. [ She craves every drop of his seed now — perhaps it will not take root this time, but that doesn't mean she wants it left anywhere else. It's evident she's holding herself back, though, trying to withstand him, so that she saves her own release for his tongue, so that he can lick his leavings out of her. ]
How long, she thinks, had she been his — a piece of her belonging to him even as he had taken other wives, as she had been promised to another husband? That night on the Streets of Silk had been illuminating for her in more than one sense, but he had refrained then, denying himself, denying them. Years later, the encounter on the beach between them had been hers to initiate, asserting her desire for him as a woman rather than a girl.
Here, her desire lies not in mere womanhood, and not even necessarily that of a queen; she aches for him as wife for husband, as her dragon, and her pace quickens as her need does, as they start to move more frantically, with an accompanying slap of skin against skin. ]
Daemon. [ A plea, nearly a whine despite their earlier play, she wants no other name on his lips but hers, as she edges closer to her peaking. ]
Finish inside me. [ She craves every drop of his seed now — perhaps it will not take root this time, but that doesn't mean she wants it left anywhere else. It's evident she's holding herself back, though, trying to withstand him, so that she saves her own release for his tongue, so that he can lick his leavings out of her. ]
Edited 2024-12-16 16:33 (UTC)
hi.
you don't know me. i'm embry. alicent's friend.
i know you as her princess.
i died a few months ago, right before the werewolf games started. and when i did, alicent made sure the person i loved the most wasn't alone in his grief. i could count on one hand the number of people who even knew what he meant to me. she was one of the few people here i trusted.
what she did meant everything to me. i want to repay the favor. i don't know if the number of people she trusted is even less than mine, but i know what it's like to stand beside someone and still have an ocean separating you. i know. it should be you with her right now. i'm sorry that it can't be. i'm sorry that no one else can know.
i can't compare to her in any life, but if you want to go somewhere, if you want to talk, if you just want me to stand at the door while you yell at me to feel better, i'm here.
i'm here for whatever you need.
you don't know me. i'm embry. alicent's friend.
i know you as her princess.
i died a few months ago, right before the werewolf games started. and when i did, alicent made sure the person i loved the most wasn't alone in his grief. i could count on one hand the number of people who even knew what he meant to me. she was one of the few people here i trusted.
what she did meant everything to me. i want to repay the favor. i don't know if the number of people she trusted is even less than mine, but i know what it's like to stand beside someone and still have an ocean separating you. i know. it should be you with her right now. i'm sorry that it can't be. i'm sorry that no one else can know.
i can't compare to her in any life, but if you want to go somewhere, if you want to talk, if you just want me to stand at the door while you yell at me to feel better, i'm here.
i'm here for whatever you need.
Edited 2024-12-16 23:46 (UTC)
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