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hit me with your best shot ❢ meme continuations ❢ aus ❢ idek

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[endlesswar]

[Frank chuckles and gives her middle a little squeeze as they step through the second gate of the keep.]

I was quite vocal, actually. I was very fond of saying no.

[The sun is warm on his skin and Starsea kicks up her pace. Frank adapts easily.]

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[ Karen laughs at that, not able to restrain herself (or wanting to). ]

Somehow... I'm not shocked by that. I've been told I was busy talking in another language at that age. But "no" was one of the first words that truly stuck.

[endlesswar]

For you? Imagine.

[He chuckles warmly. Already the lioness is opinionated in her own right. In infancy it must have been unstoppable.]

I learned to mind in my own way. My refusal for things didn't always hold dominance.

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[ She laughs again, giving a light smack to his arm. She can't be too offended when she's more than proven that point. ]

Oh, I'm sure. It's not that much different in a court of lions. You have to stand firmly to have any worth. If you allow people to walk over you, what's to stop them from eating you alive?

[ Lessons her own kinsmen taught her more than once. She saw it happen to other relatives. She had just never thought her father would be one of them. ]

[endlesswar]

[No offense or any kind of darker emotion roused from her playful smack. In fact he is wholly intrigued.]

Woe to any that would ever.

[They're approaching a grove of trees that will provide a bit of shade for a time.]

I'm sure you were a lovely, spirited little lioness.

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[ Her eyes go up to the branches as they travel under them, almost feeling like they were walking into a whole new country. ]

Little, yes. Spirited, most assuredly. Lovely is debatable.

[ There's a smaller laugh mingling in with that one, remembering the hard time she gave her poor tutors when it came to escaping from her studies. ]

Though my father had a way of making me feel like a princess even when I wasn't one and everyone else made sure to remind me. No, that title belonged to my cousins who lived on the Rock.

[ A pause, ]

Was there ever competition like that for you? Or were you respected as you were?

[endlesswar]

[Birds twitter and bounce in the branches above. The way the sunlight falls through the leaves dappling Starsea.]

Oh? With ivory skin and sapphire eyes? How could she be anything but lovely.

[Enfant terrible? The lady? Frank chuckles again.]

Ahhh, my own dear cousins were quick to test me. They taught me how to not just be stubborn and strong but clever. They had age and experience on me. And while they were my of my father's blood they were not so fond of me. They called me a soft little prince. No prince is a khal.

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There's that silver tongue again.

[ But she smiles all the same. She's been told the Dornish either love those kinds of features or hate them, depending on how they feel about Lannisters and those from the west. It was comforting to know which Frank was despite their rocky start.

Though she frowns at his words, looking over her shoulder at him again, ]

All because your mother was Dornish?

[endlesswar]

[He contently sighs and bows his head as they pass under a low branch. It brushes his cheek close to her's. Quite friendly like. Karen is already in his lap for all points and purposes.]

Yes. I had to prove myself to them many a time. While it was not the most happy of times, I learned many a valuable lesson.

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[ Her own cheeks flush at the contact, leaning away slightly before turning back to face forward again. Her body follows when she remembers how close they really are. ]

What kind of lessons?

[endlesswar]

[The steady tread of Starsea knocks them together now and again. Close as can be. Frank's hand stays respectfully still at her waist. The fabric of her fine clothes is soft, so soft and now and then is pulled by the gentle breeze.]

That I have to be resourceful and fast because I can be overpowered. And running to my father or the arms of my mother won't always be an option. In fact that stopped first or else they would have called me an infant until my death.

[He laughs about that now.]

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[ Those are all good lessons. Even when she thinks she could never not rely on her mother for emotional support of some kind. She is a woman now but still loves the times when she can rest her head in her mother's lap. ]

Do you still talk to your mother?

[endlesswar]

When I can yes. My good fortune is her own. She does not care for courtly life any longer.

[Doesn't help that her choice of lovers has made her an outcast.]

Perhaps one day you shall meet her.

[Quite the possibility. The lioness agreed to a private ride. That is a good sign. There's another break in the trees and more burst of sunlight. It paints her hair a more brilliant gold.]

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[ She dips her head when the sun hits, eyes downcast from the brightness of it. For a moment, she voices her own doubt at such a thing: ]

Are you certain she would want to meet me?

[ She's not considering a possible marriage with Frank. Not at this juncture even if her parents are seeing him as a potential suitor. She's thinking more about finding acceptance among these people she now finds herself surrounded by. She is stubborn and set in her ways. There's a good chance she will always be seen as an outsider here. ]

[endlesswar]

Oh yes. Anyone that believes they have the patience or stomach for my company has her favor.

[They come to another cover of trees, closer to the walled garden now. It shimmers in the distance from the Dornish heat.]

Your lord mother and father seem to be lovely people.

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[ She looks over to the wall, feeling a hint of a smile again, ]

You have demonstrated having far more patience than I.

[ She then nods, ]

They are. They deserved better than the treatment they were dealt.

[ And some days she feels as if they deserve a less willful daughter. ]

[endlesswar]

Nothing worth keeping comes easily, be it a fine horse, glittering gold or a loving wife.

[Sagely words that are not his own. He leans forward into her as the dunes grow unsteady.]

You love them. I can tell.

[The northern countries and Westerlands show affection differently than they do in the sultry kingdom of Dorne. He has caught on by the way the willingly came despite the risk for a better life. And even in sorrow the lord knows his daughter is a prize and has prospects.]

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[ She's silent for a long moment, feeling his body press into hers. Eventually, she leans back into his. ]

Which do you seek the most?

[endlesswar]

I once thought it was the comfort of a keep and riches. They have not served me beyond that. And now that I am a man I have come to think of sharing it with another.

[Another he says. Who ever could he have in mind? Starsea easily paws her way to more steady ground.]

....and yours, my lady?

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I thought I knew once...

[ A beat. ]

I'm not sure anymore.

[ She knows she misses the sea. But ever since they were more or less banished, she's felt her future was uncertain despite her parents' words of encouragement that they will find her a suitable husband. ]

I am still a stranger in a strange land.

[endlesswar]

[For a moment he's silent as they close the distance between the walled garden.]

Dorne is not your rock island. There are still joys and riches to be had if you seek them.

[And someone willing to show her. Frank slows Starsea and slips to dismount to walk along side them.]

Don't let your heart be heavy.

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[ As soon as he leaves the saddle, she finds herself missing the solidness behind her. The warmth of his body. ]

Have I offended you?

[ He must think her weak for fixating so much on a place that doesn't want her. ]

[endlesswar]

[Frank turns to look up at her, soft expression on his face.]

No, not at all. It will be easier to get in down here. I have a key.

[A private garden. He reaches up to touch her hand.]

I hope that in time you'll find room in your heart for new people and places.

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[ His words make her chest grow tighter, suddenly realizing one of the reasons she's so hesitant to do just that. If her own family could cast her and her parents out, how could she trust strangers to treat them any better?

She was afraid of this place. And of the people in it.

It was shameful and cowardly for a lion to be that way. But then she wasn't much of a lion anymore, was she?

She doesn't pull her hand away from his touch but averts her eyes, keeping her other hand on Starsea's mane. ]

[endlesswar]

[There are plenty of reasons why kin can and will turn on you. Blood and name do not always mean loyalty. Frank still lightly smiles at her. The lady has her own journey to take. He can only lead the way if and only if she is willing.

He turns away to unlock the door, pushing it open the heavy, ornately decorated door. He leads Karen and Starsea over the threshold. Within the shade of the trees for a moment seems to paint the interior of the garden an emerald. Above them the sun comes through a domed lattice structure above. It allows small, seed feasting birds in and keeps raptors at bay. A few steps in and the sand path becomes smooth artisan tile.

A trough is waiting for Starsea and he leads her there before offering to help her ladyship dismount.]/small>