text | un: stormsend

[bruxisms]

GREETINGS. I AM STANNIS BARATHEON, ONCE RIGHTFUL KING OF WESTEROS, AND LORD OF DRAGONSTONE AND STORM'S END, THOUGH OLD TITLES MATTER LITTLE HERE.

I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR ALL "REFUGEES".

[ is he using capslock because he believes that is the proper way to type? because he accidentally got his phone stuck on it? because he just wants to? the true reason will likely be lost to time, and none will ever know. ]

HAVE ANY OF YOU EXPERIENCED AN ODD OCCURRENCE WHERE YOU MEET SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE ACQUAINTED WITH, AND THEY RECALL EVENTS FAR DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU? NOT MERELY A LAPSE IN THEIR MEMORY, BUT ENTIRELY DIFFERENT EVENTS, SUCH AS A MAN STILL BEING ALIVE WHEN YOU KNOW HIM TO BE DEAD, OR HEARING THAT YOU MARCHED YOUR WIFE AND CHILD INTO BATTLE WHEN YOU KNOW THAT WOULD BE UTTER FOLLY AND RECALL LEAVING THEM SAFELY UNDER GUARD?

[ he still cannot believe that anyone would do that, least of all a man who seems to share his name, personality, and so many of his memories, yet is very much not him. ]

I WOULD KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR THINGS WITH THOSE THEY KNOW. AS THOUGH THERE WERE TWO VERSIONS OF YOUR WORLD. ONE THAT SOME OF YOU RECALL, AND ONE THAT OTHERS DO.

AND EVEN IF YOU DO NOT, I WOULD ALSO HEAR OF WHAT YOU KNOW OF DRAGONS FROM YOUR OWN WORLD. AS A MEMBER OF THE SIMWE INSTITUTE, ONE OF MY TASKS IS TO STUDYING THEM, AND I WOULD HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.

YOU HAVE MY THANKS, AND DO NOT WASTE MY TIME.

Comments

voice; un: valiant

[illuminescent]

But my lord Baratheon, how many kings does Westeros have?

Are you brother to Jon Snow?

voice;

[bruxisms]

It should have only had one, but there are usurpers and usurpers. Regardless, it matters little now.

[ as to that other question... ]

I am nearly old enough to be the boy's father. He is one of the reasons that I ask the question in the first place. I know him well, and trust him, yet he recalls a far different version of events than I. [ and the last he saw of him, he was Lord Commander, not a king. ] I have also spoken to others, and at least three more recall the same version of events as I, while others recall Jon Snow's.

[illuminescent]

Ah, so not his brother. My apologies.

I should imagine that things must change. My own royal brother spoke of such things as they had not passed for me, in my own world, before he lay down to sleep again.

[bruxisms]

No need to. Jon Snow is a fine enough boy, though he made things far more difficult for me than need be.

[ still there's a note of affection in his voice, even under the anger. ]

It is not only that. Jon Snow spoke of a man advising him that I knew to be dead. Another that I know told me that he was his father's only son, when I knew him to have two elder brothers. And both of us knew the same woman, only with a different name. There are stranger things at work than just differences in time, I believe.

[ it was worrisome. ]

[illuminescent]

How queer! I cannot think as to how such things should come to be.

[bruxisms]

Nor can I, but it concerns me. Particularly when the other "Stannis Baratheon" appears to have lost his honour and sense in ways I could not even begin to imagine.

[ they have plenty in common as well, but he certainly doesn't want to think about that. it would lead to him confronting far too hard of truths. ]

Yet, I suppose none of it is any stranger than the current situation we find ourselves in.

[illuminescent]

Oh! If someone said such an unkindly untruth about me or my royal brothers, I should think I would find it most disheartening.

[bruxisms]

Hope that does not come to pass for you, my lady.

[ though now he is curious. ]

How many brothers do you have?

[illuminescent]

Two, my lord. Edmund, who was here a time, and is known for his justness and his gravity of thought, and Peter, who has never been here, but is known for his wisdom and clarity.

[bruxisms]

They sound like fine men.

[ a pity his own brothers were not. ]

You are fortunate, my lady.

[illuminescent]

I am most certainly. And quite shamed by my loneliness. I should think myself to be far braver than that.

Do you have brothers, then?

[bruxisms]

Aye. An elder and a younger.

[ what does it feel like to like your siblings? ]

I loved them both, yet they were insufferable fools.

[illuminescent]

Oh, well.

We hardly choose our families.

voice; private; un: manbun

[song_of_ice]

You thought he was my brother?

[illuminescent]

I should not imagine why it is so odd! He is king, and so are you.

[song_of_ice]

I was a king, my lady.

Stannis Baratheon is old enough to be my father and well suited for the role.

[illuminescent]

There is a saying where I am from. Once a queen or king of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia.

And so I say it must be the same.

[song_of_ice]

In Narnia, brothers and sisters can rule the same kingdom peacefully.

It isn't the case in Westeros.

[illuminescent]

So I see.

I am sorry for that, then.

[song_of_ice]

Your world seemed much more peaceful. Even this one can't compare.

[illuminescent]

Oh, not peaceful. We are oft at war.

[song_of_ice]

[Were, but he wouldn't say it out loud. Simply knowing their worlds were gone was enough to suck away what little hope or happiness they had found.]

You haven't come across any others with different memories than yours?

[illuminescent]

Have you met any fauns or talking animals?

No one else from my world is awake, my sweet one.

[song_of_ice]

I don't know what fauns are, my lady.

They will wake eventually.

[A gesture to try and make her feel better.]

[illuminescent]

Fauns?

Half goat, and half man, sir.