The Rains Weep O'er Their Halls

[kingnamedstark]

Who: Robb Stark and YOU
Where: Outside of a bar
What: Arrival
When: 5/8
Warnings: Mentions of death and violence, ptsd. Drunken sex, NSFW.

[He isn't in the best mind frame as he's told where he is and that he is here for a reason. In his mind, he can still hear the "Rains of Castamere" and hear the screaming of his men. He can hear his mother begging for his life and see his wife on the floor. His death wrapped around him like a cloak, leaving him in a deep fog as he wanders, searching for something and nothing at the same time.

Eventually he finds somewhere that looks close enough to a tavern, but the act of opening the door is too much for his body, still sore and aching from his wounds. They may have healed, but he could still feel them. Some things couldn't be erased. With his hand on the door, he stands for a moment, staring at it, as though expecting it to warp and change.

There was someone next to him, but his thoughts are so jumbled, it's hard to make them out from the corner of his eye. He has to shake himself to remember he's blocking the entrance.]

I'm sorry. Am I in your way?

Comments

[kingnamedstark]

[It's all too much, made worse by the news that Bran is alive. Now he has to question how real this place is and how real Sansa is. He's being told the things he wanted to hear, needed to hear.

He can only shake his head as he starts to feel overwhelmed and near a break down.]

Later. Tell me all of it later.

[So many lived, but he was dead. The North was free, but he was no longer king. He feels as if he is losing his mind.]

[toivory]

I will. Everything you wish to know.

It is much to take in, I know. Where are you staying? I can accompany you there.

[kingnamedstark]

[He gave her a grateful smile, putting his hand on her arm, reminding himself that she was truly here.]

It was some dome with a 2...I can't remember. Everything has been...

[Well, she can guess.]

[toivory]

Yes. I can imagine.

[it had been hard for her, but she'd had Theon here to help ease her into it all, and many others like Alex and Angel. Robb will have to meet them, in time.]

Are you hungry? I... I made lemon cakes the other day. [She looks up at him, hoping to charm him with the memories of home and her lemon cakes.]

[kingnamedstark]

[It was the right decision. Lemon cakes and Sansa, that makes him genuinely smile, even it still has a tinge of sadness to it.]

You learned how to make your own? What would Septa Mordane think?

I would like some.

[toivory]

I would hope she'd be proud of all I have learned.

Follow me, then. It will only take a moment for me to dash in and take them. [She doesn't know if Theon is there, but she doesn't want to invite that confrontation. Or any questions about their relationship yet.]

[kingnamedstark]

She would be.

[As would their father and mother. He didn't doubt that. Whatever they might think of him, Sansa had survived torture in King's Landing and the manipulations of Littlefinger and returned home.]

Do you stay in the home they gave you when you arrived?

[toivory]

[And she survived even worse than that. But she won't trouble Robb with those details. He need not know yet.]

No, I moved to a slightly larger one. It was better suited for what I needed. I wouldn't be surprised if Jon moved from his, soon. He has a beautiful girlfriend, I believe they may want to move in together, in time.

[Holding on to his arm to help guide him, Sansa leads the way to the dome she shares with Theon.]

[kingnamedstark]

[He had his own secrets to keep for now, but eventually, they would show their scars.]

Jon has a woman? [He pauses for a moment in his steps, wishing he had something of Jeyne's to carry with him. A necklace, a ring, something to remind him of her. What he feared most was her face disappearing from his mind, fading with time.

He squeezed Sansa's arm, taking a moment longer to let the wave of grief pass again. It would come in stages.]

He always said he didn't mean to be with a woman.

[toivory]

It is the third I've known him to have, yes.

[She's proud of Jon.] She's a wonderful woman at that, and one of my dearest friends here. We are business partners- oh I will have to show you the shop! [And immediately start working on some embroidery projects for Robb to wear.]

Another reason he took the Black, then? [She smirks] Jon's a handsome man, but this is the first I've heard of him saying that.

[kingnamedstark]

[Three? Seven Hells, Robb only had one!]

No, I wouldn't think you'd have heard it. It was when we were boys and Theon started visiting brothels. [It's not like that was much of a secret, right?] Jon always said he didn't want to father a bastard and didn't see a point in getting married.

[How much things have changed. Not that he begrudged his brother that happiness. He just wished that he had his still as well.]

You found a way to earn coin?

[toivory]

[She has to smile at the mention of Theon. Of how he used to be.] Those days are far behind both of them now, it would appear.

I have! Inesa designs clothing, and I help to sew and embroider. I've done some leather work, as well, but I confess that is much harder.

[kingnamedstark]

[He's not about to smile over Theon.]

So long as Theon keeps out of my way, I don't care what he's like.

[But trade was a better topic.]

It would be something you'd excel at. I never would have thought about you using it for coin though.

You will have to make me something.

[toivory]

[It pains her to hear that, though she knows his feelings on him are anything but sweet. She says nothing, though, lets no emotion pass across her face.]

We will need to speak of him, one day. Not today. But soon.

[That's all she's going to say on the subject of her boyfriend.]

I would be honored to make you something. What would you like?

[kingnamedstark]

[He tugged at his tunic. There was still dried blood on it and holes from the arrows and dagger. He wasn't going to be picky about what else he could wear.]

Something clean. After, we can burn this.

[It might be cathartic.]

[toivory]

Consider it done. Though- have you checked your room? Some clothing is provided for us. [She gestures at herself for further explanation. She's dressed more what she's learned is modern, though she still prefers her long skirts. Now, though, she wears a short-sleeved blouse. She'd embroidered flowers along the collar.]

Then we'll burn it. And, I think, with the four of us here, we should take time to honor those not with us.

[kingnamedstark]

I didn't spend much time in my room. [He can remember going in, looking around, being overwhelmed and then leaving just as quickly. If there were clothes, he missed them.] Are they anything similar to what we have at home?

If you want. [It's not a bad idea, but he'll need a few drinks before to prepare himself.] There are no Weirwood trees are there?

[toivory]

More or less? They are... less elaborate than we are used to, surely. The women's fashion is much different, I find.

No, I am afraid to say. But we will find something.

[kingnamedstark]

I suppose it doesn't matter. It suits you though. Is this one of yours?

[Something was better than nothing.]

If there is enough magic here to bring the dead back to life, there should be a way to find a Weirwood tree.

[toivory]

It is! Do you like it?

[She spins for him, showing off her work as she would have when she was a child.]

Then we will try.

[kingnamedstark]

[He at least knows how to compliment dresses *cough*Jon*cough*]

I do. You were always skilled when you were a girl, but this is better than when I last saw your work.

[He smiles, getting a better look at her and how much she changed. It hurt to consider what he might have missed, but she seems to have thrived.]

Mother would be proud of you.

[toivory]

You should have seen my coronation dress.

[Oh, yeah. Did she mention she's the Queen?

Sansa beams with pride.] I pray she would be. Her and father both.

[kingnamedstark]

[He blinks. There are so many questions to follow that.

At least the North was in Stark hands, but it wasn't a position that he wanted for Sansa.]

There is no joy in ruling. [The sad and unfortunate truth.] You always wanted to be queen.

[He squeezes her hand.]

They would.

[toivory]

[All will be infodumped in time.

She squeezes his hand back.]

It is a difficult task. But I hope to lead the North into a new period of peace, now that Spring has come.

[kingnamedstark]

I didn't leave you a stable realm to manage or men to believe in our House.

[He knows his crimes and the stain of kinslayer that remained.]