video | un: flowerknight

[triplerose]

[ Look who's finally figured out how to use the video feature! Though, admittedly, he's still hesitant about this particular function, and it shows on his face as he sits in front of the camera, looking at the image of himself before he remembers he's making one of these moving picture things. ]

I am aware that, with this relocation, there are many new changes for all of us to grow used to. I'd like, if I can, to make myself available. To anything anyone might need. A job or something similar. Something like that.

[ Gods be, why did he choose to make this a video? This must be the part where he lists his skills and qualifications. As a man who's never had to work a day in his life, his applicable skill, he knows, might be for an acquired profession. ]


If there are hunting parties seeking another member, I'm no stranger to the hunt. I am accomplished tournament knight. I've proven my merit on the battlefield, and I was designated Lord Commander of my king's Rainbow Guard. [ The guard may have been short lived, but even to this day, Loras feels he still holds the position. In his heart of hearts.

There's a long pause. ]

If you think I may be of use to you, I'd like to help. Any way I can. [ And then the screen goes dark. ]

Comments

[triplerose]

Then my lord Renly would have looked kindly on him. Do pass on my regards.

[ He's not shying away from it. Let Robb Stark know precisely what Loras thinks of him, please. ]

[reek]

[ He's not actually going to do that. He doesn't speak to Robb as often as he lets on. Ramsay's words have put him off speaking to the Starks as openly as he once did, painting them as liars and deceivers. Those words haven't stopped him from caring, but they've distanced him. ]

You are also welcome to pass your regards to him yourself.

[ YOU LIL SHIT!!! ]

You've said nothing of your false king's stance on the ironborn. Perhaps he had none.

[ They are...often forgotten, it's true. ]

[triplerose]

He had far more important tasks at hand. I'm certain that he would have given them whatever kindness they were due. If any.

[reek]

[ Again, he laughs. The ironborn don't accept anything; they take. Balon showed that when he refused Robb's offer of a crown.

He can't help but feel offended anyway. ]

You are certain of a great many things, aren't you?

[ He bares his teeth in a cruel smile. ]

It's too bad your lord Renly isn't here to confirm for you.

[triplerose]

He will be, some day. [ He's sleeping in those pods and that means it's only a matter of time. ] My loyalty is with my king and I have no reason to doubt his actions.

[reek]

[ HE LITERALLY HATES YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW LORAS ]

Any man who names his Kingsguard "the Rainbow Guard" sounds half a fool.

[ There it is. True pettiness. ]

[triplerose]

A man who names his guard in honour of The Seven is not a fool. And it was an honour to be his Lord Commander. An honour you're like to not experience - unless your young wolf was going to name you to his? A kingsguard staffed by common folk seems more foolish still.

[reek]

[ For a brief moment, Theon looks as though he’s been slapped in the face. He still feels guilty for his betrayal, and doesn’t believe he’ll ever stop feeling guilty. Apologies don’t fix the wounds he’s opened, and they won’t regain trust or friendship. And then he smirks, and his bitter mask goes back up. ]

They were not common folk. Not one of them. They were not a kingsguard in name, but all were high born. Myself included.

[ He would add that they were all well trusted, but…well. ]

[triplerose]

Highborn or otherwise, they are no knights. Or am I mistaken?

[ Because, let's be honest, Loras knows of all the good knights and a Greyjoy has never been heard of. Not by him. ]

[reek]

[ There are only a handful ironborn knights, and Theon can name none of them. He’s never had any desire to become a knight himself. ]

Two. Ser Wendel Manderly and Ser Perwyn Frey.

[ At least he’s honest about it. ]

They needn’t be knights. They were good fighters. Good men.

[ And one woman, but he thinks it best not to mention Dacey Mormons in this argument. ]

[triplerose]

A false guard for a false king.

[reek]

[ You literally didn't right now he's the only one who can say that how dare you? ]

Do not speak of him in that manner.

[ Theon, your hypocrisy is showing. ]

[triplerose]

Do not speak truthfully? [ His eyebrows raise, but he casts his gaze aside after a moment. ]

What use is it now? There is neither Iron Throne nor northern lands left to rule.

[reek]

No. You speak only of things you know nothing of.

[ But his shoulders slump ever so slightly, and he knows Loras is right about at least one thing. Thrones and crowns and titles mean nothing here. No one is a king, or a lord, and there’s nothing left to be heir to. They’ve all been stripped of such things. Truth be told, Theon knows less who he is here than he ever did in Westeros. At least there, he could cling to his title and his name, even when Balon had fashioned Asha into his heir in his son’s absence. So Theon clings to the few things he did know for certain, the few things that couldn’t be wrenched away from him. He was a good marksman, so he continues to show off his marksmanship more than ever. He smiled and laughed at all the wrong things, so he continues the tradition. He believed in Robb. Despite his betrayal, he truly believed in Robb. So he defends him now. ]

You would not understand.

[triplerose]

I would say this conversation begs to differ.

[ They both have their loyalties. And while Loras' loyalty runs deeper than just friendship and supporting Renly's claim, he can understand. He doesn't agree that Robb Stark should have been king. In truth, he knows that it wasn't Renly's place, either. The Tyrells wanted their power and the people would have loved Renly - but Renly was easier to control from behind the throne. Loras wonders sometimes if his vehement defense of Renly's claim is born more of guilt.

Most likely. ]

We are equally ignorant to circumstances beyond ourselves.

[reek]

[ Again, Loras is correct, but Theon is too stubborn to admit to it. He knows little of what transpired after he left for Pyke. Robb hasn't spoken to him of it, and Theon doubts he ever will. Their friendship has been too far severed, and wishes for it to be repaired are all in vain.

Perhaps his defense of Robb is born of guilt as well. A different sort of guilt. Sorry you have something in common with a turncloak, Loras. Theon scoffs, not wanting to admit defeat. ]

I would say this conversation has been pointless. You've not been swayed, nor have I.

[triplerose]

Not even in death did I sway from my king.

[ Well. He'd denounced Renly, in words but not in spirit. It had been his weakness that made him - the High Sparrow had worn him down and Loras would say what he had to. One more notch of guilt to add to everything. ]

It's an admirable quality, you know. Any man so easily swayed is not a man of character.

[reek]

[ Those words are what break him. The guilt crushes down on him in an instant. It shows on his face only for an instant, but then he laughs a dark and bitter laugh, sounding somewhat choked even as he does. ]

Then you do not speak to a man of character.

[ He tries to tell himself that he wasn’t easily swayed, that he hadn’t let his father’s cruel words get to him so easily, but that’s a lie. Balon’s words cut deeper than any knife, and they left Theon realizing that he had no choice. He could never return to Robb’s side. If he had chosen differently, he would have been labeled a turncloak by his own people, by his own blood.

It’s a confusing position to be in. Even now, he feels split. He wants to remain loyal to his family, but he also wants to remain loyal to Robb. And Ramsay hasn’t helped; he’s only worsened the entire thing. ]

You will find that I do not possess such an admirable quality.

[ If anything, his actions were to blame for Robb's death. He should have been there; he tells himself that often. ]

[triplerose]

[ Oh.

Now Loras feels a little ashamed, for sort of lying about his own deeds. He looks down a bit, choosing his words carefully. ]

Some would say it still takes a good man to admit his faults. It would make you a better man than I, in that case

[reek]

[ Theon rolls his eyes, his smile so brittle that it could crack. He doesn’t know Loras, and Loras doesn’t know him. To Theon, it sounds as though the other man is backtracking. ]

Pretty words. A shame that admitting to my mistakes doesn’t make them disappear, and it doesn't turn me into a good man.

[ He pauses, eyeing the screen suspiciously. He wonders if, perhaps he would still be admitting to his mistakes if his siege had gone more smoothly. ]

Did your loyalty waver?

[triplerose]

[ Loras hesitates. He knows there's no talking around it. Even if he didn't waiver in spirit, renouncing Renly in word is just as bad. He sighs, lips pressing together. ]

I let my weakness get the better of me. I'm not proud of it, nor will I forgive myself for it. Renly deserved a better commander and protector than me.

[reek]

[ Theon's smile doesn't waver, but he can't help but recognize just how familiar those words are. The corner of his lip curls, whether into a smirk or a sneer or into an attempt to keep his act up. ]

Then it seems as though neither of us is the man we would prefer to be. We've found common ground at last, Ser Loras.