xfulminare - Tumblr blog

[xfulminare]

scoff left his lips immediately at his brother's statement. "please, they couldn't make me do anything." while stubbornness was not a strong trait of his, the words still rang true enough when was no denying he had always been something of a law unto himself. following his own whims and wishes above all. "some would think it's good to attempt to understand them and their motives." words are a grumbled defence, unsure when he had started to care about the intentions of others and wondering if a certain targaryen had rubbed off on him after all. "I could see it now if they had-" hand moved dramatically in front of him as though he was trying to get his brother to share in his vision. "- we wouldn't just win, we'd leave them all behind."

Iravan had not thought about it, not the way his brother was explaining it to him, if it was that they were underestimating them based on one performance he would definitely be putting more than just effort into making them eat their thoughts and words. however if it was just fate, well he still hoped to strike a winning spot all while simultaneously enjoying the time with his youngest brother. "are this greenlanders making you grow softer, my dearest brother?" he chuckles as he teases him. "i think the same however, that we shouldn't question it. although i do wish gisele would've been with us as well, but i suppose we cannot have it all if its suppose to be fair." he shrugs, the other team with the third good brother was indeed in luck with such a skilled sailor. "

[xfulminare]

though his mind had undoubtedly been too filled with matters of his own heart to pay much attention to those of others, he would have had to be wholly unobservant to miss the blacktyde and the lannister's relationship. but regardless of the connection he would still have greeted the other with the same easy grin. "I don't know, a little dip in the mander might have been fun." though the laughter he gave might have given the impression of a joke, the glint in his eye as he looked out across the river suggested that he was considering it. if for no other reason than he could then say he had done it. "if nothing else we can claim to not have been last, reclaim whatever pride we might have lost otherwise." though the ironborn isn't sure he'd have found it at all embarrassing. "well, one of us slightly more than the other."

⸻ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ︵ : merrick goodbrother + will lannister. ⸻ 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 ︵ : @xfulminare.

he'd  come  down  to  the  banks  of  the  mander  in  search  of  theon  to  both  poke  a  little  fun  at  the  second  place  win  ,  his  own  boat  had  gotten  off  to  a  slow  start  compared  to  the  league  ahead  they'd  had  .  spotting  one  of  his  teammates  ,  and  fellow  islander  he'd  yet  to  meet  ,  will  trudged  over  to  him  with  a  friendly  smile  .  “  i  suppose  though  we  didn't  win  we  should  be  so  lucky  that  our  boats  weren't  water  logged  like  theirs  .  ”  with  his  back  still  tweaking  as  it  was  ,  will  would've  been  of  no  help  and  felt  like  he  hadn't  done  much  to  support  his  own  team  aside  from  being  able  to  provide  a  miniscule  amount  of  power  .

[xfulminare]

while he had never been one to put much stock in fate for a moment he was tempted to claim that it was conspiring to pull them apart. but he knew that the reality was far simpler than that. while it might be easier to place the blame at the feet of some nameless, faceless entity the ironborn knew in reality it was a situation of his own making. so instead tongue clicked in mock disapproval, teasing challenge falling from his lips rather than any morose or pining statement. "you might but then again me cheering for you might be loud enough to distract. if not you then everyone else around." teeth cage the temptation to exclaim theomore to be the wrong choice for her behind another grin, quick to nod when all he wanted to do was spend time in their company. "well, who would I be to let such a fine brew spoil and pass up such fine company? couldn't let it go to waste just because you lacked a drinking partner."

" it would seem fitting that the time i choose to participate in the events, we are not on the same team. it is unfortunate that i may beat you, " they tease, maintaining easy grin around merrick. though she had not seen him over the month their correspondence had been frequent enough for them to be kept abreast of each other's activities, though nothing did compare to seeing him again in person. " after, shall we enjoy some wine together ? i picked enough fruit for fireplum wine to be made and i can not enjoy it solely by myself, and theomore does not like the taste. "

closed starter : @xfulminare

[xfulminare]

genuine interest in politics was undeniably limited but the liege knew all too well that it was a necessity they could not avoid. least of all when it was the queen who addressed her. serene, practised smile flickered over their lips as she inclined her head to form a small bow of the necessary respect. "a beautiful day, we can only hope it is a sign to come for their marriage." brow rose in mild intrigue at the monarch's next words, they were certain it was likely some insult against their hosts but neutrality had always been their weapon of choice. "I am sure our hosts would not risk their guests but if you are right, your grace, there seem to be plenty guards waiting along the banks in case of such emergency." not wishing for it to become some kind of battle, the dondarrion attempted to steer them into more peaceful waters. "is there a particular boat you favour, your majesty? I am not much of a gambler but I am certain a bet with your advice would be one worth placing."

◟ open starter, open to five on day two at the mander.

❛  it's  such  a  lovely  day  for  there  to  be  a  race  .  the  gods  must  be  smiling  upon  this  union  .  ❜  her  oaf  of  a  husband  should've  listened  to  her  for  there  to  have  been  a  match  between  one  of  the  tyrells  &  their  own  children  .  gyles  had  done  well  enough  that  at  least  she  was  only  the  youngest  ,  &  odd  one  ,  not  fit  for  king's  landing  .  ❛  though  do  be  careful  .  from  this  vantage  the  boats  look  a  bit  rickety  .  perhaps  only  fit  for  leisure  rather  than  a  race  as  the  tyrells  desire  .  ❜  the  artfully  disguised  insult  had  a  smile  on  the  queen's  face  ,  inviting  as  she  tried  to  be  when  in  public  .  away  from  her  husband  that  cared  only  about  the  joust  it  was  easier  to  pretend  .

[xfulminare]

other than the stables the gardens had been by far a favourite, the notion only cemented when eyes find someone she is so found of. "thank you." brief smile is given as the bloom is accepted before shoulders roll into a noncommittal shrug. "I thought I should make an appearance." words are dry, almost self deprecating when she suspected the stag would understand her reticence to be at such things. grief might still demand that they live a more solitary life but she knew it was not a path she could truly walk. while little interest was held in such competitions, they had long since learnt for the need for making their presence known and taking at least passing interest in the goings on of the realm. appearing disinterested would only bring the disapproval of others. "seeing as they have you to vouch for them perhaps I will make some effort to pay more attention to them than their mounts." another almost joke, this time the ghost of a smile curling at the edge of their lips when they had always been more fond of horses than people.

OPEN   STARTER⋆day six of the wedding celebrations ,  in  the  gardens  with  any who wish to respond  . 

the  reach  was  just  as  she  remembered.  the  years  had  dulled  tarah's  stored  memories  of  highgarden,  packed  away  in  her  brain  for  over  thirty  name days.  the  only  memory  that  remains  vivid  is  the  one  of  her  reluctant  departure  at  six  and  ten.  for  six  years,  she'd  managed  to  convince  herself  she  was  a  rose  rather  than  a  storm. her mother’s death and the realization that she would be at her father’s beck and call until he died were wine too bitter for tarah to swallow.  highgarden  as  it  is  now  is  technicolour,  and  tarah  finds  herself  rather  reluctant  to  leave  once  more.  “  will  you  be  attending  the  joust  later  on?  ”  she  questions,  tilting  her  head  slightly  with  the  query. she picks a brilliant pink rose from its bush, offering it to the other.  “  it's  sure  to  be  a  spectacle.  the  knights  of  the  reach  are  nothing  if  not  showmen.  ”

[xfulminare]

break had been taken from filling her baskets with the help of her children, passing them over to their septa with a small nod before making their way over to the prince. "come now, cousin, do not pretend you are incapable of a little labour." tongue clicked and while their words are mostly meant to tease there is no denying a warning edge behind them. her cousin had their unerring support but she knew that others would not give their loyalty so freely and were even less likely to do so if he was believed to be unworthy. "being adverse to a little hard work is hardly becoming." the thought was left unspoken that if he could not bring himself to pick some fruit she hated to think how unwilling he would be to put in the hard work needed to run the kingdoms.

open raven from cassian baratheon — day one; the orchards.

Unlike the rest of westeros, as far as he could tell, he was not completely drunk in the beauty of the reach. the flowers, the greenery, it was pretty in the way mother nature could be. aside from that, he found it just as pretentious as the lions queen court and the decadence of the rock he had gotten to experience weeks before. he scrunches his nose in disagreement with the many smells of the reach, he passes around the orchids relentlessly, he had picked a peach a while back, eaten it then had cleaned his hands. aside from the freshness of the fruit, "i see no point in this activity, is the reach short of workers to pick the fruit?" he inspects the tree near him, eyes slightly open with the brightness of the sun.

[xfulminare]

boat race with iravan goodbrother @ephiiphanies

in general the goodbrother took more enjoyment in the actual event rather than where he placed. but this time pride was smarting from their narrow defeat in the westerlands and he was quickly learning that while he did not care about his own results, those of his fellow islanders did. so even though the race was different, he could not help but see it as a rematch and a chance for them to claim the victory they should have had. "I cannot decide if these tyrells are foolish to put us together again or not. do you think they think us little threat after last time?" if that were the case he would see that he proved them wrong but he continued without waiting for a response, correcting himself. "more likely that it was left to chance and they are fairer than most." with the fondness he held for the youngest he liked to think they were an improvement on many other mainlanders. "either way I won't question it when it at least means that we are together once more."

[xfulminare]

"I've already had my fill." easy grin accompanied his words, fairly certain that there were enough remnants of the fruit he had consumed whilst picking to give his statement all the credibility it needed. rest of the distance between them was closed with an almost lazy stride, head tilting to motion that he wanted space to be made for himself on the bench. he barely waited for that to happen though, squeezing himself on regardless of whether the greyjoy wanted it. perhaps he should have shown their heir more respect but it was lingering fondness that made him act so irreverent. "the wolves have let you out their sight then? will you be slipping away to join your own more often?" even with his time in the free cities he still felt every inch the islander, something he had been reminded of all the more frequently since being back in westeros.

◟ @wylldfyres, @monarkhes, @xfulminare, @forcrowning, @milkhoncys, day one at the orchard.

he  had  arrived  with  the  starks  but  found  a  path  away  from  them  quickly  as  he  had  with  the  other  events  .  vickon  hadn't  ever  liked  for  the  king  to  be  able  to  easily  find  him  by  being  able  to  look  to  his  captor's  family  &  while  he  didn't  want  to  pick  fruit  ,  he  did  enjoy  the  difference  in  the  air  from  the  north  &  the  islands  .  vickon  found  a  bench  and  a  fireplum  a  while  ago  to  occupy  while  he  tossed  the  fruit  up  &  down  in  the  air  to  occupy  him  while  he  people  watched  .  ❛  the  fireplums  are  over  there  .  ❜  he  directed  when  someone  came  close  as  he  assumed  that  they  weren't  coming  to  speak  with  him  or  try  to  sit  on  the  bench  that  had  little  room  left  on  it  .  

[xfulminare]

the reach had not declined in its beauty from what she had remembered, if anything she had failed to do it justice. but time would do that, no matter how fondly she had held onto the memories. most of the day had been spent socialising with her spouse, their now easy partnership lending itself well to entertaining and advantageous conversations. still, she had never wished to be a woman who needed someone by her side and so she had set off in search of some company of her own. quickly she found her friend, hand waving in dismissal of his statement. "yes, yes. nothing but happiness, all the best and all the rest. we can pray for them to have a blessed union later but for now I find myself much more interested in you and how you have been." letters would always be seen as a poor substitute to actually being in the company of her friends. it was far easier to get straight to the point and the heart of what she wanted to know instead of having to wait for a raven to return. gaze that she liked to believe missed nothing caught the motion of him relinquishing his glass but not claiming another, brow arching upwards in playful challenge. "do not tell me you are retreating so easily - especially not from me."

CLOSED STARTER : day one, a reach wedding ft. warrick & ( dealer's choice ) @xfulminare

weddings were strange affairs for warrick specifically not necessarily for others but then again he had been in love with an impossible woman. it was later in the evening yes feasting to be done with wine flowing and it had him thinking. before the mother of his children was lost to them all could he have finally won a mountain clanswoman over to the world of lordlings and foolish things of houses and the great game? clutching his wine to his chest he sipped it slowly off to the side of the many who feasted watching pies that passed them all full of fresh picked fruits sighing. It wasn't often this strange emptiness filled him but he could attribute it to the soft exhaustion of a full day and this sweet wine that had his mind full of questions at the start of a week of celebrating a most happy union for someone else. "This week is bound to be full of interesting turns of events, gods willing nothing but happiness for a couple" He speaks handing off his drink to a servant opting not to take another for the moment - wondering if retiring for the evening would be frowned upon of if he should linger here.

[xfulminare]

“I coped by retreating and maybe I did become a mirror, a polished surface that shows nothing of what lies beneath.”

— Rebecca Solnit, from The Faraway Nearby

[xfulminare]

Tanaya Beatty in Through Black Spruce (2018)

[xfulminare]

with his mind and time having been so consumed with not only the repair of his city but also a new alliance, time in the reach had initially been met with distaste from him for its timing. but since arriving in his wife's homeland he had found himself almost grateful for the break. while he was not a man who usually saw distractions as welcome sometimes taking a step away helped to clear and refocus the mind. "just as long as it is not us." competitive spirit meant that he struggled to extend the wish to all taking part.

"do not tell me you are so short of interesting things to speak of, brother." he tutted slightly in faux disapproval, though he had never struggled with interactions he could concede that at such gatherings they could get repetitive. "with luck you will be able to discuss your victory instead of having the same discussion about how fortunate we all are in the weather."

WHERE : highgarden, the boat race WHO : @xfulminare

               IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE RACE in the lannisport harbor, sure, but it seemed like it would be nicer. quieter competition wise with rowing down the mander but brynden still couldn't get rid of the feeling of dread that he'd had in his stomach since before leaving lannisport. ❛ hope no one overturns. ❜ brynden said it gruffly to his brother as he watched people get the row boats ready for them all and tried to keep his focus on tybolt alone instead of their brother just down the path.

❛ then again it may make for something interesting to speak about. ❜ he may find it humorous but depending on who it was that went under other people might not. if the king happened to flip he didn't know if he'd be able to hold his laughter.

[xfulminare]

fruit picking with rowena arryn @talestold

though initially reluctant to leave his home while he was still in the midst of repairs, upon arriving in the reach he had committed to enjoying the celebrations as much as possible. or at least taking full advantage of them. smooth, sure steps were taken towards his new partner, polite but warm smile on his lips as he did. "lady rowena, I believe I am to get the pleasure of your company this afternoon. I must confess to having little practise when it comes to such activities but with weather and a setting so lovely I am sure it will still be an afternoon well spent." lannisport might receive regular shipments of such fruits for him to enjoy but there was something novel about being able to select the produce himself. "shall we?" with the posing of the question he gestured ahead of them, willing to let her take the lead and dictate where they started.

[xfulminare]

politeness had demanded she approach the groom though her intent was not for a lengthy exchange. "thank you for having us. I am sure you have heard it countless times already but it makes it no less true for my part." smile on her lips was a practised one but that did not make it anymore genuine when she did find herself grateful to be there. playing host to such a crowd was not something she envied when for all she enjoyed being part of the action she had never coveted being the centre of it at such a large scale.

"generous of them indeed." there is a hint of playful envy in her tone when she supposed she might have liked to claim such friends for herself, not that "arbor red has long been a firm favourite of mine but somehow it tastes even richer here though I had not thought it possible." appreciative sip of her glass was taken as if to prove the point. "do you intend to travel after the wedding? it is a good excuse to travel if you wish to - or at least my spouse and I took full advantage of the notion that we should see more of the world together."

WHERE : highgarden, groom's day wine tasting WHO : open, 0/6 replies

               EVEN THOUGH HE'D SPOKEN TO MORE people in a few hours than he had in years of his life, sam tried to keep the smile on his face. he was happy with the turn of events and the woman he would soon marry, but he'd like to return to their chambers and rest as soon as possible. ❛ thank you for coming. lady malina and i are pleased that you could join us, ❜ he repeated for the however many number time at this point but his tired smile was genuine.

❛ have you tried any of the wine, yet ? the redwynes were nice enough to provide us with a new cider to try in addition to their wines. i've been partial to the apple type myself. ❜ he hoped that no one had seen him drink more than was necessary before figuring out that it didn't have the same affect that ale or wine had.

[xfulminare]

while he was not usually one to pass up a drink the notion of spending the day around stuffy mainlanders debating the quality of wine was not one that had appealed to him. his love of the sea would always outweigh his enjoyment of a drink and so the decision to attention the beach day had been an easy one. content to simply be by the sea, he had taken time to haphazardly construct something, his lack of planning proving to be the flaw as opposed to his technique. "splendid, no but I did make something." grin slipped easily onto his features, leaning in as though he was conspiring with the bride to be. "a little damp sand goes a long way." dramatic glance was cast around as though it was a prized secret. "I am sure some would call it cheating but they're just jealous they did not think of it themselves."

content  upon  the  sands,  half  molded  between  her  fingers  in  shape  reminiscent  of  highgarden  itself  —  less  impressive  than  her  ancestral  home.  "  there  may  be  a  trick  to  this.  i  recall  being  able  to  build  much  taller  sand  structures  before  the  tide  came  in  to  send  them  back  to  sea.  "  patience  aided  younger  pursuits  where  malina  had  grown  into  restless  energy  that  had  been  tamed  only  by  word  upon  a  page  or  the  interest  of  something  she  did  not  consider  herself  knowledgeable  in.  "  it  is  a  good  thing  that  there  is  no  competition.  i  would  hate  to  fail  so  miserably  at  something  that  i  put  together  by  avocation.  have  you  managed  to  make  something  splendid  ?  "  asks  while  dark  hues  peer  over  the  sand  to  them.

open starter, bride's day beach event ( 0 / 6 )

[xfulminare]

day three with visera targaryen marra of lys @bybloods

seat was chosen for the race, confident that he had chosen the perfect vantage point to show just enough interest in the race's outcome. flash of silver hair caught his vision and space is smoothly made next to him for his newest ally. "lady marra, join me. there is plenty space to watch the race from here." though if he were the type of betting man to gamble on every exchange he might have wagered that their interest would be elsewhere. at least his would be, only vaguely entertained by the idea of the race. "how have you found the reach so far?" there is a curiosity about what the targaryen might think about the kingdom but the question is far more loaded than simple when he is keen to glean what her next move might be and whether their knew setting might have sparked any inspiration. he is a patient enough man, content to bide his time for now, but there was no denying that he would always rather in possession of as much information as possible.

[xfulminare]

with alyssa baratheon @forcrowning

having been allocated her partner the royce wasted little time in taking their basket and laying out her plan once she had curtsied as she was supposed to, pleasant smile crafted onto her features. "I think it might be best if we start a little further afield and work our way back. I would think most will choose not to wander too far and so the closest trees will be more picked through." logic is laid out plainly, though little room was left for any addition the stag princess might have wished to add. but when she had always struggled to make room for the point of view of others and was also competitive enough that she wished to claim she had selected only the finest fruit, it was hardly uncharacteristic of her. "those further away will give us first pick of their fruit, would you not agree, princess?" the words are phrased like just enough of a question given that she was addressing a princess, mindful of the respect the position was supposed to demand. but it would never matter how sweetly she coated her words when there would always be a lingering trace of the notion she thought she knew best.