yes. i'm seasoned at keeping up with the kardashians, so this is a piece of cake. there's more?
[ this is the kind of thing that happens to other people, in other countries, the kind of thing that the american government sticks their noses in and tries to make better but often (always) makes worse. ash has a knack for being diplomatic, which is why he's the president and embry is not, but more than that, he knows how to be transparently empathetic. embry was born missing several key elements required to outfit a decent human being, and right now he's starting to get that itch to get the fuck out of dodge. he is, after all, famously known for not staying in one place or with any one person for too long. swearing himself to ash's side for all these years has only shredded his heart beyond repair. ]
the princess. rhaenyra. what does she think of all this? you said she was your childhood companion. that means you know her pretty well, right? can you appeal to her? everything from home doesn't have to be the same here.
We have agreed a truce, and I’ve informed her of our sons’ folly. Perhaps her boy will see sense and retract his challenge before they meet on the morrow.
I do not wish for anyone, yourself included, to be party to our war. It is a foul enough thing to inflict on one realm.
If he wins, his uncle will kill me. If he loses, his uncle will kill me. It is something of a moot point.
[ deflecting, even with embry. her position has always asked her to choose whose life she will value more, that of her children or rhaenyra. she resists it still. folly after folly. ]
He already assumes I laid with you, if that is your concern.
[ it's unkind of her, to reduce his care to physical interest. she knows it, but she also hasn't ever had a man want for more than that. ]
no one's going to kill you, alicent. i might look like someone's trophy husband, but i spent four years prostituting myself to my government as a soldier.
[ there's no thought too unkind, considering thirty seconds ago he was weighing the option of making a quiet exit. being a good man isn't an inherent embry moore skill. ]
that wasn't my concern. [ more of a long-term goal. ] why is he so concerned?
[ that he would is — she doesn’t know what to do with it. ]
I am certain you have already gotten the measure of him as one who is…difficult. Sharp.
But he is more than that. None of my children understood the danger of their lot the way he always has, especially since his nephews took his eye. His fierceness, his position as the rider of the largest dragon, they are all that will keep my children from the sword.
no offense, but the father/husband didn't sound like he had a lot going for him. i can't imagine that he could've ever kept up with you in any life.
[ this just became 12% more awkward. ]
oh. ok. well, he probably really thinks we're going at it now. i'm taking him to the theater so he can experience what a movie is. i really hope they're not showing any weird porn in there tonight.
i think maybe he's reconsidering beating the shit out of the nephew, though. no promises.
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no subject
there's more?
[ this is the kind of thing that happens to other people, in other countries, the kind of thing that the american government sticks their noses in and tries to make better but often (always) makes worse. ash has a knack for being diplomatic, which is why he's the president and embry is not, but more than that, he knows how to be transparently empathetic. embry was born missing several key elements required to outfit a decent human being, and right now he's starting to get that itch to get the fuck out of dodge. he is, after all, famously known for not staying in one place or with any one person for too long. swearing himself to ash's side for all these years has only shredded his heart beyond repair. ]
the princess. rhaenyra.
what does she think of all this? you said she was your childhood companion. that means you know her pretty well, right? can you appeal to her?
everything from home doesn't have to be the same here.
no subject
I do not wish for anyone, yourself included, to be party to our war. It is a foul enough thing to inflict on one realm.
no subject
[ a pause, before he decides to just Go For It. ]
you were loosening up. that doesn't have to change just because your kid is here.
no subject
If he loses, his uncle will kill me.
It is something of a moot point.
[ deflecting, even with embry. her position has always asked her to choose whose life she will value more, that of her children or rhaenyra. she resists it still. folly after folly. ]
He already assumes I laid with you, if that is your concern.
[ it's unkind of her, to reduce his care to physical interest. she knows it, but she also hasn't ever had a man want for more than that. ]
no subject
[ there's no thought too unkind, considering thirty seconds ago he was weighing the option of making a quiet exit. being a good man isn't an inherent embry moore skill. ]
that wasn't my concern. [ more of a long-term goal. ] why is he so concerned?
no subject
I would not ask you to fight, even in my defence.
[ that he would is — she doesn’t know what to do with it. ]
I am certain you have already gotten the measure of him as one who is…difficult.
Sharp.
But he is more than that. None of my children understood the danger of their lot the way he always has, especially since his nephews took his eye. His fierceness, his position as the rider of the largest dragon, they are all that will keep my children from the sword.
He’s protective.
no subject
[ it sounds better than he has a death wish so bad that it scares even ash. ]
i haven't gotten that at all from him, actually. he seems nice.
i don't think he likes my jokes very much, though. i'll work on some better ones.
he has he liked anyone he assumes you've
laid with?
no subject
[ okay, the “seems nice” gets a laugh. aemond is a lot of things, but not that. ]
He had little love for his father.
[ kind of a popular opinion tho, on her side of the family. ]
But he was fond of Ser Criston, my queensguard. I suspect he has surmised why a common knight has always taken such keen interest in his lessons.
[ aka sharing embry’s long term goal of laying with alicent hightower. it happens. ]
no subject
[ this just became 12% more awkward. ]
oh. ok.
well, he probably really thinks we're going at it now. i'm taking him to the theater so he can experience what a movie is. i really hope they're not showing any weird porn in there tonight.
i think maybe he's reconsidering beating the shit out of the nephew, though. no promises.
🔒
[ ha ha. ]
Wonderful. You best prove yourself worthy, then.
[ teasing, maybe, to cope with the horrors of her son being aware of and involved in her choice of intimate partners. ]
Thank you, Embry. The way you spoke of being a father yourself…I think even knowing you will be to my son’s benefit.