video; un: ironborn

[reek]

I’ll not congratulate anyone for the beginnings of this cure.

[ Oh, look, it's that guy who pisses everyone off. The corner of his mouth quirks into a cruel smirk, but his teeth are clenched too tightly and his eyes burn too fiercely for any proper smile. It’s a struggle for him to remain as guarded as he would prefer, and there are cracks in his armor: he’s clearly angry and upset. ]

My sister was among the ill. Was. I have been informed that she has since returned to the pods—still uncured.

[ He tries to keep his tone even and cold, void of emotion, but his voice breaks ever so slightly. He and Asha weren’t close, not like he’s known siblings should be, but it’s a deep cut to be abandoned again, and it hurts to know that one of the few people he felt he could trust in this place is gone. Clearing his throat, he continues.]

Which leads me to the question at hand. What reason do I, or the worried, or any of the ailing, have to trust the maesters here? Healers--whatever name you may know them by. Months, this has gone on, to the point where someone is gone and remains unhealed.

[ He knows better than to critique those who have done nothing but help, but his anger is directionless otherwise, so he chuckles cruelly, and that cheshire smirk widens. ]

They’ve been all but useless.

Comments

[reek]

[ He snorts, because he knows it's true, but he can't just admit to it. ]

Perhaps I've had quite enough of your magpie's chattering.

[vorrutyer]

[ With broad mock-offense: ]

Magpie? My dear angry little ornithologist, I am at least a peacock. Screeching and obnoxious, perhaps, but beautiful to look upon.

[reek]

[ With legit offense: ]

What did you call me?

[vorrutyer]

[ By grins, then repeats the word like it's something truly offensive: ]

An ornithologist. And I shan't apologize for saying it, so don't even demand it of me.

[reek]

[ It could be something offensive for all Theon knows! Ornithologist isn't a term that exists in Westeros! He looks legitimately offended, though, like his pride has been completely decimated. ]

Perhaps you're more of a pigeon. A common, ordinary pigeon.

[vorrutyer]

Pigeons do fuck a lot.

[reek]

Hence why they're so common, and considered some of the most irritating birds in the seven kingdoms.

[vorrutyer]

Well, except to the charming lady-pigeons, who are all - Ahh, Monsieur Colombe, ravish us, thrill us! And I coo a soft, charming little song in their ear. Say, what are the seven kingdoms?

[reek]

You've had far too much time to think about your fellow pigeons.

[ Says the man who's doing his best to insult people by comparing them to birds. ]

My home. I hail from the seven kingdoms. [ He pauses, eyebrows furrowing. Is that contemplation? Is he actually capable of thought? ] Stupid name, really, when it was divided into nine regions by the end.

[vorrutyer]

[ A little snort. ]

Ah, tradition. So seven-nine kingdoms. Did you have seven-nine kings running around, then? Sounds irritating.

[reek]

More complicated matters than that.

[ He smirks. How does one even begin to describe the state of the Westeros when he left it? ]

Tradition says that one King rules all Seven Kingdoms. Or nine, if you prefer. As I last recall, three men had put forth their claim for the throne, one had tried to claim independence from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, and another fool had it in his mind to claim that same portion of Westeros for his own. [ That fool was his father, and the fool you’re talking to right now tried to help. It was a disaster. ] Not all of their claims were valid.

[vorrutyer]

Hm. And so did you have a favorite? One whose claim you thought was a bit more valid?

[reek]

[ That’s a difficult question for him, if the way his jaw clenches is anything to judge by. ]

I swore loyalty to only one claimant.

[ Technically not a lie, but he did betray that claimant and is still dealing with immense guilt because of it. Westerosi politics are dirty work. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ What an interesting expression that is. ]

And was his claim valid, or were you just partial towards him?

[reek]

His claim was valid. Some would have argued otherwise. His title was an ancient one and hadn't been used for hundreds of years, but he was descended from Kings all the same.

[vorrutyer]

Well, and in war, I suppose "validity" comes down less to legal arguments and more to - you know - who has the biggest guns. Or swords, in your case? [ Then, with a little tilt of his head - ] How long did he last before he died?

[reek]

I do not recall saying that he died.

[ He did. It's just a bit of a sore spot, considering Theon's actions contributed to some degree and he's still feeling the weight of that guilt. ]

[vorrutyer]

Not in so many words, no. But he did, didn't he?

[ All that past tense, and that grim little look... ]

[reek]

[ The grim look makes a reappearance, and he rolls his eyes as if annoyed, but a response is easy enough to draw out of him. Casualties happen in war. Theon merely hadn't expected Robb to be one of them. ]

Aye. He did. He was betrayed.

[vorrutyer]

Really?

[ His eyebrows lift. ]

Good heavens. By whom?

[reek]

Men he thought to be allies. Perhaps men he trusted too quickly.

[ Himself, and Roose Bolton, but he's not going to just reveal himself. That would be foolish. ]

To my knowledge, they've not yet woken.

[vorrutyer]

What would happen if they did?

[reek]

Perhaps they would be killed on sight.

[vorrutyer]

By you? Avenging your liege?

[reek]

If that's what it should come to. He does have family who would do the same.