inbox

[lambencies]

● ○ ○ ○

○ ● ○ ○

○ ○ ● ○

○ ○ ○ ●

Alicent Hightower

○ text ○ voice ○ action

CODE BY

Comments

[lambencies]

We are not to expect any mercy from the Duchess after what transpired in the castle. If Ianthe does not hold true to her word...

[ no, she won't allow her mind to wander there. ]

What will you do?

[sapphyre]

I will face her challenge on the morrow at the Moot Hall.

[He's not going to decline, he's not a coward like Cesare had been. He made a choice, he's living with it. If he stops to think about anything otherwise, he will lose what edge he has.]

Your attendance isn't necessary. [ He won't flat out tell her not to come, although he'd prefer if she didn't. He's being reserved for both their sakes. ] I'm telling you now as I'd not want you to learn of it any other way.

[lambencies]

I will be there, Aemond.

[ the tone suggests he'd better not even try talking her out of it and she's not done speaking her mind-- ]

Why are you playing along with this? What happened to Lady Gilia was not the result of your bloodlust. Your hand was forced. Ianthe's challenge is unreasonable.

[sapphyre]

[ Refusing is cowardice, it's guilt. What well respected man would turn down an honorable challenge? What would it say about him to the other Void Touched, his watchmen, that he wouldn't fight? Cesare's challenge had been a public one, he crumbled beneath the pressure and backed away. His reputation is that of a cad and a coward. He would not be seen as the same. ]

She's formidable. In a trial of skill against skill, the gods may yet see me victorious. [ Will she choose to not believe in him as well? ]

[lambencies]

[ haven't they suffered enough nightmares? why must he insist on having her experience another? ]

It is not a test of skill, Aemond! Your life is in danger and for what? What do you hope to gain from such a meaningless battle? Ianthe wants revenge, there is no honor in that.

[sapphyre]

[ She should consider it lucky that he wasn't killed in his cell before he could earn his freedom. Considering the many alternatives that could have occurred, this is the best resolution. She will see that with time. ]

You don't think I can win. [ That's what this is about. ]

[lambencies]

[ no! again, he's not listening to her. she wants to scream. ]

Even if your life is spared, you will suffer great injuries. Your strength is needed now more than ever. I need it, your brother needs it. Our House needs it!

[sapphyre]

We shall see the result on the morrow, do not make haste to make such dire assumptions of mine own livelihood. [ Now he's raising his voice, just a little bit. If he afforded to think the way she does even for a day, he would be dead in the ground somewhere. She may not be wrong, but it's too late to change anything.

A pause, collecting himself. A reminder who he's speaking to. ] I'll hear nothing more of it.

[ He's hanging up. ]

[lambencies]

[ she knew from the start that there would be no changing his mind, but it's still crushing – like a door slammed to her face. she swallows down her defeat, bitterly, cursing again his stubbornness and her own lack of control over him.

she could go to Ianthe, but not only would that not change anything, it would result in her losing his trust forever. ]