» video

[golder]

( When her image appears, she may immediately be recognizable to some. She is young, with healthy colour in her cheeks and a brightness in her eyes where not long ago there had been neither. )

Where I come from, there was an entire epoch in history where great heroes walked the land. One of my forebears, Durran Godsgrief took to wife the daughter of two deities of wind and sea. They rained down such a tempest upon the wedding party that Durran's family and guests all died.

One after the next, he built successfully larger castles to weather their grief. Until finally the seventh, built with the aid of either the Children of the Forest or Bran the Builder finally survived and withstood the gods' rage. He was known as Godsgrief ever after, for having caused them such a bother.

( She is wise enough now not to speak of Lann the Clever instead, as she assumes her secret must ever remain precisely that. Her green eyes hold the camera, as she tilts her head, effecting a thoughtful façade. )

The word 'hero' carries a different sort of weight here than what I am familiar with. Is it simply this world, or others? ( She wonders if hers is merely an anomaly. ) Is the definition of heroism someone with godlike powers in the songs and stories of your realm, or are some ordinary people who manage to accomplish great things?

( Myrcella is, for now, putting on the impression of wide-eyed curiosity to stem her panic at having not only been resurrected, but with the ability to maim others if this file is correct. Her features soften apurpose, and she gives a sweet smile to her audience. )

Thank you.

Comments

video;

[song_of_ice]

I am no "ser", my lady.

[As kind as that address is, it isn't appropriate to bestow on him. He was a bastard born and a rebel king, he didn't need to assume anymore airs than he already had. It felt like too much already.

It wasn't so much kindness as he knew what it was to learn there was family in this world.]

As well as it's possible at the ends of the realm.

[It's a lie, but he would say the same to any of his family. It was less a matter of trust and more his way.]

You were in Dorne, last I heard?

[She was dead last he heard, but he wouldn't be the one to say it.]

video;

[golder]

Nonsense. I will address you properly.

( As he deserves, she thinks to herself. She, too, was bastard born into a noble family. Because she can't, won't give up that last shred of her life or betray her father's trust, she must then afford him the same respect she'd always received. Up until just before the end.

It does help immensely. To her, she views it as a kindness, still. )

Which I have read are very cold, among others things. But what of this place? Your family is here, my uncle tells me.

( They both dance around the truth now; Myrcella can feel it, but interprets it as nothing more than the same distant politeness she's given others.

And continues to, even at the mention of Dorne. A feat she's relieved for, given how sore the subject is. She nods her head. )

At the opposite end of the realm, yes. I was. For the most part, I enjoyed it there very much.

( Being betrayed as she had by those she had thought to be her friends being the lone exception. )

[golder]

( Pausing, her brows furrow together. )

From gossip or experience, lady?

Voice

[golder]

( Ah. Understanding dawns swiftly upon Myrcella, and she is most thankful for this conversation being spoken only. Her expression truly would betray her amazement.

And curiosity. )

As you describe it, it sounds like a beautiful existence. What do you do to pass the remaining ninety-eight years?

Is humanity a joy or something else, as you see us?

( That's something she's wondered, and moreso now that she's died and returned to life. What do the gods make of the follies of men?

And the greatness of which she know many of them are capable? )

[golder]

Thank you for the clarification. I know someone I could certainly refer to as badass, then. ( Her father uncle. That's right. And while Veronica fails to feel guilty, Myrcella follows suit. )

Interesting. So if children born on the wrong side of the blanket aren't as damaging, what does constitute as being a grand scandal where you are from?

( She finds herself able to smile a little. )

Your lessons are nothing like those I received as a child, as you can imagine. What do you study? Is Ohio the name of your country?

The seven kingdoms of Westeros—there are several others hailing from my kingdom here as I have seen and been told. Perhaps you've met one of them before me?

video

[golder]

I see. I hope things have had a chance to improve for the pair of you, in that case.

Not a thing I am wholly unused to. I was born a princess.

[golder]

My family. My late father was king of the Seven Kingdoms. My mother is regent for my younger brother until he reaches his majority.

( She senses there's more to that statement than she can readily understand at this time, and decides to remedy it. )

What manner of place is this; truly, and not what is said on the parchment I was given when i arrived.

[ghoulking]

I think every country would if we all did that. Including this one.

[ including Kaneki's ]

I'm sorry there is no peace in yours though.

[couldbebeautiful]

Oh, yeah? What did they do?

[If she knew who it was that Myrcella considered badass, Veronica would be asking a very different question. Like, say, please don't tell him I taught you how to swear. But alas, she does not.]

Watergate's maybe the biggest political scandal I can think of, and that was more about the president at the time trying to cover up all the times he abused his power. Besides that, temper tantrums in public, adultery, partying too much, stuff like that. [Also, murders disguised as suicides.] But those are only grand scandals when the people involved are famous, and they don't last too long either before the next one comes along.

[Veronica tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.]

Oh, uh—no, Ohio's the name of the state I'm from, it isn't a country in itself. [She doesn't sound very proud of her state.] It's part of the United States of America—that's where we are right now, except it's pretty different from the one I'm from.

And, uh, American high school students like me study math, English, science, history, geography, and also something called physical education. [It's in no way comprehensive or exhaustive, but this is Veronica listing subjects off the top of her head.] That last one generally just means you get balls thrown at you a lot, if you're unlucky enough.

Oh, no, I don't think so. You'd be the first. [She props her chin up on her hand.] So what do princesses like you study in these seven kingdoms of Westeros? And which kingdom are you from?

video

[am_i_a_monster]

Being here is an improvement.

I was used to it for different reasons. I never liked the curiosity.

[oddbod]

I'm afraid so. It's less apparent than in my world, because the economy and resources are different, but it's still a global dilemma. There's plenty you can do to help, though.

video;

[baetiful]

[ Well, of all the people he assumed this porter would drag in -- he had to admit, he expected to see Cersei well before her quiet and beautiful daughter. But that's the thing about the porter. It could not be predicted.

And the good news is that this now gave Jaime Lannister something to protect. ]

Wouldn't you know, princess? You are supposedly one of those heroes now. Of course, some here are a bit more proactive in their heroism than others.

[fistofthejoestar]

[Jonathan shifts, expression uncertain as he struggles internally on how to respond. it was against his nature to speak poorly of others, even when they deserved it, but given the current circumstances...]

It would be...unwise of you to have complete faith in the government. They've proven themselves to be occasionally unscrupulous in the past, and if matters came down to it - I wouldn't be surprised if they expected allegiance to them to supersede all others.

[he thinks about those Soviet cities, bombed out of existence for the misdeeds of a handful of residents. it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, even now.]

There's a great deal of good that this world has to offer, but it would be a lie to say it doesn't also possess those who expect you to mold to their needs. So long as you remember to strive for your own morals first, it's really not as terrible as all that.

[golder]

Ah, yes. I did read that this country is at war. How bad is the situation? Truly.

( i.e.: Not what the pamphlet claimed, but the truth. )

That is kind of you to say. My brother is a sweet boy; he will be a good king, when the fighting stops.

Reminding myself of it helps. What of your realm, ser? Is it at peace, or no?

[golder]

That's saddening to know. On an international scale, too? ( This bothers her, down to her very core. ) Sadly, I don't have any money yet.

What might I do until that changes?

[golder]

( Carefully, Myrcella considers what he's said before allowing herself to ask the question which may seem rather obvious. )

How have they proven themselves to be unscrupulous? ( Is he referring to Joffrey-level terrible, or what? ) Truthfully, I don't understand how a government like this functions to begin with. There are only monarchies so far as I know where I come from. And the King would be entitled to and expect fealty to him before any and all else and others.

( This democracy business actually fascinates her, but she doesn't understand; yet. )

I can do that. ( She knows her own mind, especially after what she's endured. Whatever she chooses will be up to her. ) The people seem good so far.

What else is?

video

[golder]

Then I'm glad for you both.

Ah, I see.

[golder]

My uncle? He slew a mad king, and is one of the greatest swordsmen who ever lived.

( She knows he only has one hand now; it doesn't matter. Myrcella admires him anyway. The way he's come into Dorne with only one sellsword as his company to rescue her had cemented her view of him as a hero.

As Veronica goes on, she hums thoughtfully beneath her breath. )

So, very much like my realm, then. Except no one forgets anything. Babies born to unwed parents are said to be wanton and lascivious. A slight is committed, and grudges are held for years. It is a sad thing, and I would change it if I could.

( But being dead in Westeros now, she really can't. )

How large is this country? ( Instead of gaping like a fool, she's turned pale, and her eyes are brighter now with interest. ) I had thought that a state, unless it were a city-state and a country were comparable. It is entirely different here?

Ah, I envy you that, Veronica. The fact that you had balls tossed at you aside. It must have hurt.

I'm honoured, then. ( And she is. ) Dancing, music, embroider—decorum. But I learned to play cyvasse, a strategy game, and am quite fond of reading. Histories, songs and stories, mostly. I was born in the region called the Crownlands, which wasn't a sovereign entity before the conquest. That land was ruled by any who fought for and won them; Storm Kings, River Kings, and others.

My ancestors come from the Westerlands and Stormlands, though, and both of those kingdoms' roots go all the way back to the First Men.

video;

[golder]

( Now here's a face she has not seen since childhood. She had known he is important, before her uncle Tyrion had sent her away to be fostered with House Martell. That his rise was an unprecedented and dramatic one, and that many had taken note. but beyond that, he is largely an unknown quantity to Myrcella.

Fortunately for him perhaps, as much as it is that she has been ported in instead of her mother. )

So I have heard, my lord. Though I wonder if any songs or stories will be written of me.

( She knows the likely truth back home: none at all. )

In what way, might I ask?

[couldbebeautiful]

Oh my god, that is badass. [Like, classical hero badass, only without the godlike power.] You've talked about songs and stories. Does he show up in any of them?

[Because, look, a guy who slew a mad king and is also a great swordsman? That sounds like the stuff of epic movies starring Harrison Ford or Sylvester Stallone.]

Don't get me wrong, the public can still hold a grudge if you screwed up badly enough and it was in the news. But for the most part there's just too many scandals for them to last very long. [She shrugs.] And, seriously, your world kinda sucks.

[Veronica, you're from a musical about murder. Your world sucks too.]

It's pretty damn big—there's fifty states, though Hawaii's not really anywhere near the mainland. They've all got their own governments, but ultimately they're under the federal government of the United States. It's sort of like, uh, multiple tiny regions with their own governor and administration under one king.

[That works, right?]

Except every leader is elected by public vote, so it's not actually a kingdom, per se. [Which is where the analogy kind of falls apart.] But you're getting that so far, right?

[She groans, puts her face in her hands again.] It hurt like hell, and trust me, American high school's more like a jungle than a paradise.

[Kings, queens, princesses, conquerors—this is the furthest thing from anything Veronica has ever known. The closest thing she knows is the Heathers, with Heather Chandler as the bitch-queen of her school, but that's dwarfed by the actual princess she's talking with right now.]

Wait, wait—what conquest? And who are these First Men you're talking about?

[pummelgranite]

Six of one, half dozen of the other.


So why'd all the gods and heroes disappear?

video;

[reek]

[ To Theon, Robert is little more than the man who took him from home. There was a time where Then refused to separate Lord Stark from King Robert, but Eddard eventually faded into the background, the lesser villain in the story. ]

As was my father, once. Though, you mainlanders tend to forget that there was a time before your father took his crown.

[ He has little reason to defend Balon. The thought of his father still leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, but blood is blood. His smirk widens, masking any disdain that may attempt to seep through the cracks. ]

I’ve fared well enough. I wish I could say the same for others here.

video;

[golder]

( She regards him with a cool sense of patience, a small smile gracing her face, though she can't reach for the usual warmth which would ordinarily brighten her eyes.

It hadn't been like this before her death. A thing she marks, and files away to turn over in her mind later. )

And you must surely know that I was taught history, my lord. Even things which took place prior to my father's part in it. My uncle Tyrion is rather fond of reading, and so am I.

( That much, she would understand completely. Her feelings for her stepfather, mother and elder brother are complicated to state it mildly. Tilting her head, a curious look shifts her expression away from gentleness. )

Good. But whom has done poorly here of late?

[ghoulking]

It's... calmer than last year, at least. The two factions are still at war, but last year Russia invaded USA. They managed to take back their cities but... admittedly, the whole thing is incredibly messy - but it seems to be a bit calmer now. [ at least to the public eye, kaneki knows it's not like that for real. His spy mission proved that ]

And not exactly, no. There are issues as well. I think in every place there is always conflict.

video;

[song_of_ice]

[He didn't feel comfortable in accepting a title that he hadn't earned, but it wasn't the first time something had been given to him, despite his reluctance.

It's not a shock that the Kingslayer gave her some warning about the number of Starks in the city. He had done the same when his family were brought in.]

Lord Stark and his lady wife are here, as are two of their children, Sansa and Robb. [As always, he discounted himself from the family.] Arya was here for a time, but she has returned home.

[He knew what toll death would have on a person. While he didn't know much about her, he could see there was something lacking from before. She had seemed happy in Winterfell, but so much had happened in that time.]

Away from King's Landing?