entranceway | Robert Chapter II [Voice]

What is the use of these damned vendors? I’ve no shortage of gold in my own keep, but these stubborn fools won’t take my word for promise of payment. Not even the bloody bank of Braavos is as hard nosed as these damned fools. The closets are little better. I've tried a dozen times to find a bow or spear for hunting, but all I have to show for it is are there tiny wooden sticks.

[Toothpicks! Why does he need toothpicks? Is he supposed to be hunting moths? He groans, rubbing his temple at the growing frustration of negotiating with the people who occupy this pace. It’s part of a larger symptom in that he simply craves some action, whether it’s fighting or fucking, he’s not picky.]

What this place could use is decent entertainment. We have a tavern, aye. But a sad one at that. But where are the tourneys? The action? Gods, but what I wouldn't do for a melee now. Seven hells, but I’ll end up fat and soft if I’m expected to live like this much longer. My armor will rust before it sees use again.

[A moment's pause. He adds testily:] And to anyone who might ask, I have no wish to read anything.

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[ it is an odd fear for alayne stone, to face him. an odd, silly, fear for lord robert baratheon is not the fat, drunk king sansa had known and thus, he does not know sansa. he would not see any trace of her in alayne.

and still, she is fearful. she approaches him out of love for her aunt and when she does, she is meek and gentle. a little bird in the face of a bear. ]

Mayhaps my Lord would care to explore the grounds? there is much to see, I have heard. If there is no bow in the closest, there might be hands capable enough of crafting one. Has my Lord attempted to seek a craftsman?

Ah, now there's a thought. Better to have a bow crafted for my own hands. A good thought. What's your name, girl?

[She called him Lord, which is more than what... well, anyone does. She must know him or know someone who does.]

Alayne, my Lord. Alayne Stone, if it pleases you.

[ she curtsies, an awkward gesture from beyond the device. this man was a friend of Lord Eddard Stark, Sansa's Lord Father; but he is much younger, now. He would not have heard her name, there would be no cause to gather up the courage to use it. ]

Ah, a bastard. And of the Vale, no less. I've a bastard girl of my own. Mya Stone. Not so old as you. She's only a little thing, but strong. Aye, with a mess of black hair and blue eyes. You've not seen a child as pretty as that one.

[Mya Stone. The thought of it makes him smile and miss the child. He wishes she was here where he could give her the attention that he has neglected due to war. But all of this he says with a swell of pride. So what if it the child is a bastard? She was his child and he still thought her the most incredible thing, because he had his hand in helping create her.]

[ I know her, she wants to say. Mya Stone who could have been quite pretty if she had dressed as a girl. the girl with the mules, alayne knows but she does not dare to speak of Mya. By all rights, it is as he had said, Mya is a girl and Alayne, a maiden. ]

She is fortunate to have a Lord Father who would speak so fondly of her.

A pity she's not here. It's been too long since I've seen her. What of you, girl? Who is your Lord Father?

[ I cannot tell him, she thinks. the differences between the times would make the statement devoid of logic. does he even know of petyr baelish? she would lie, then, a lie which will be meant to hide another lie. but kindly, still; it will keep all confusion at bay. ]

I do not know, my Lord. I have never heard his name.

But he acknowledged you all the same. [He grumbles and supposes it's not a terribly unlikely set of events.] I'm no Lord of the Vale, but I've spent many years there. I'll look after you, girl. Best someone does. You're too pretty a thing to be on your own.

Did my Lord find it to be pleasing? Some find the weather to be a bit too chilly for comfort.

[ she does not know how to feel about that. lord eddard stark would have approved but what would alayne's lord father have said?

he is a king or a king to be, it is wise to be under his protection here, is it not? ]

My lord is so good to me, I cannot hope to repay you for such a favor.

It was a fine enough place. We spent more time at the Gate of the Moon than in the Eyrie. It was too small for the likes of Ned and I to have some good and proper fun. [He chuckles now at the memories of that time. Things were simpler then.] Show me a smile now and then, that will be repayment enough.

[ he speaks of sansa stark's lord father and alayne wants to ask of him, wants to hear of eddard stark has she spent so much time hearing of him only as a traitor (he wasn't, she wanted to say).

but he asks for a smile and alayne's smile is grateful and sweet. ]

It is such a small price for such a great favor. My Lord is truly kind.

There now, that's a pretty smile. Much too pretty for a common girl.

[The compliment is genuine and easily given out, as he often says to so many girls. She does seem a step above common women, but there is no accusation that she's more than she seems.]

Robert Chapter II [Voice]

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