[The Leaf is literally shimmying in excitement: it is helping and it knows it. For his part, Wrathion looks at it, bleary-eyed and groaning.]
You, stop that this minute, or I'll eat you. [That's a growl.]
Aemond. You may call me an idiot, but I'm not dying. I promise you. I only wish I were.
Let us say I was...unaware of the effects the blood of that beast would have upon me. Are you and your family all right? Is Sansa safe??
If you can find her, would you tell her I am... [Wrathion has to pause, here, because he does not want to worry her. At least not more worried than she is likely to be, already...]
Tell her you can find me, because Aspects know you likely can. And I am...urgh. Well enough? Still in the realm of the living, at the very least.
[ He isn't thrilled, but Gods is he relieved. Aemond is quiet as he processes all of this, a deep frown on his face. He's still experiencing his own pain after everything, but he's certainly well enough for this. His aches are old anyway. ]
I doubt she'll be pleased to hear you're willing everyone away. [ It's easier to focus on the feelings of others and not his own. ] I'm coming all the same.
What do you prefer eating in your dragon form? What else might you need to make you comfortable? I can easily fetch those things.
Only until I'm certain the effects are gone, Aemond. I do not think I am likely to harm anyone, but do you truly think I wish to take that chance?
[It is terribly easy to look impassive as a dragon; his facial features and muzzle do not lend themselves easily to things like anguish. But if Wrathion harmed anyone--especially someone he cared about, due to things beyond his control? It is the stuff of his darkest nightmares.]
I have some things here, and I am close enough to the ocean that I've been fishing. You needn't go out of your way. [A pause, then.] Though if you choose to, perhaps some fruit, or something else that isn't fish?
[He does sound a bit pleading, there.] Thank you, Aemond.
[Weakly, as he's had something of a rough ride from this particular trip...] Not too much trouble, I hope.
But I shall still thank you. I figured that I would just stumble back into town when I could. Since you are looking for me, I may assume that Jacaerys and Rhaenyra are also unscathed from the tribulations of that beast? And Jon and my lady?
[Because of course Wrathion is going to ask. There are others he'll inquire after, but maybe after he can reliably cast his Visage spell and have hands again.]
[ He snorts, but doesn't reply to that first comment. Wrathion will feel his amusement, though. He's teasing. ]
All are alive and relatively unscathed, Gods be good. Most of us didn't attempt fighting the beast directly. [ Aemond would have made a comment about Wrathion's use of my lady, but he lets it go for now. ]
They will expect to hear from you once you're feeling well enough. But I'll pass the news to them in the meantime. [ A pause. ] You're important to us. Remember that, Wrathion.
I swear on the very Titans, Aemond, I was not trying to be stupid this time. Save for the effects of the hydra blood, and being somewhat exhausted, I am largely unharmed. And I am glad that by the grace of the Aspects, you and the others are, as well.
[Though he gives a faint snort, then.]
Besides, what was I to do but fight the beast directly? Even were it not one of the directives of my flight to protect the mortals in my care, there are those here that I would not see harmed. I could not sit by and take the chance!
[ Aemond switches to video just to give Wrathion a pointed look. ] I wasn't admonishing you for that. You did what was necessary. I would have done the same if I'd had half your talents. [ And yet.
And yet.
He exhales, releasing the Leaf from his grip so it can float alongside him. The basket he's carrying is heavy. ]
You did well. [ Then, in a softer voice: ] Next time, let us help before you fly off somewhere.
Like as not, you are easier to manage in a similar state. Had I been in Visage, I imagine you would have managed me with less trouble, as well. [Or at least more easily than a rampaging dragon.
Wrathion tosses his head, but it's less a negative gesture and more just--annoyance, likely. Frustration. He's fairly frustrated at all of this.]
You may try, Aemond, but even if death is not a thing that lasts, here, how do you think I would feel, were I the one to slay you?
[There's a reason for his stubbornness, after all. It isn't just to be stubborn. Not in this instance.]
[ Aemond listens, hums, and exhales softly, not in annoyance, but slight discomfort. He's never been skilled in expressing his emotions — not when it counts. All of this is testing him.
At length: ] I understand.
But know this — [ and his voice turns deadly serious ] — were I to die in service of trying to help you, it would be a great honor. I would be proud, Wrathion. I would have done something worth my life.
[Testing him? Wrathion, who has people sworn to him, who willingly give their lives in his service--and he grieves every one, make no mistake--but he values those sworn as a craftsman values his tools. They swore. He accepted. Their service to him, his service to Azeroth--
This is different. Wrathion isn't certain that he has the words to discern that difference. He only knows that it is, indeed, different.]
Unacceptable. You throw your life away as if it is worthless, when there are those here who care for you, who value your life--and I number myself among them! If you can throw your life away so, Aemond Targaryen, I challenge you to enact a new vow. Dying is easy. Living is costly. Do not die for me. Stay alive for me. And help me do the same--for you, for Sansa, for your family. Our family, the one we make here!
Yes, alright. [ Aemond needs to stop walking for a moment because he's getting too worked up. ] I won't throw it away — you have my word. But if you keep insisting on not letting me help, I can no longer allow you to help me.
I am not saying that at the moment. [Suddenly mild, as if he's suddenly pivoted. Wrathion might be plotting something. Alternately, he might just be tired. Really, it's the latter. The hydra has taken it out of him.]
You are crystalline. I am going to hold you to your word, Aemond. But I will remember my promises to you, as well. And you are well aware of how stubborn I am, if I did not want your help, I would let you come all the way up here and I would already be gone!
Like an ass, but I've done such a thing before. [To the Champions of Azeroth, but while he likes them as a collective, sometimes the paranoia gets to be too much, even with those he trusts intimately.]
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undertheweight) wrote2025-05-24 10:55 am
voice, @vhagar
Where are you?
[ He's clearly too stressed and worried to type. It's unusual for him. ]
no subject
You have 7 missed calls and the following unread messages: ]
You're testing my patience.
Don't make me hunt you down.
You don't get to do this, do you understand me?
We leave this godsforsaken pit together or we don't leave at all.
WRATHION YOU IDIOT.
That's it. I'm coming for you.
video; un:blacktalon
You, stop that this minute, or I'll eat you. [That's a growl.]
Aemond. You may call me an idiot, but I'm not dying. I promise you. I only wish I were.
Let us say I was...unaware of the effects the blood of that beast would have upon me. Are you and your family all right? Is Sansa safe??
If you can find her, would you tell her I am... [Wrathion has to pause, here, because he does not want to worry her. At least not more worried than she is likely to be, already...]
Tell her you can find me, because Aspects know you likely can. And I am...urgh. Well enough? Still in the realm of the living, at the very least.
no subject
I doubt she'll be pleased to hear you're willing everyone away. [ It's easier to focus on the feelings of others and not his own. ] I'm coming all the same.
What do you prefer eating in your dragon form? What else might you need to make you comfortable? I can easily fetch those things.
no subject
[It is terribly easy to look impassive as a dragon; his facial features and muzzle do not lend themselves easily to things like anguish. But if Wrathion harmed anyone--especially someone he cared about, due to things beyond his control? It is the stuff of his darkest nightmares.]
I have some things here, and I am close enough to the ocean that I've been fishing. You needn't go out of your way. [A pause, then.] Though if you choose to, perhaps some fruit, or something else that isn't fish?
[He does sound a bit pleading, there.] Thank you, Aemond.
no subject
There are sounds of him walking, then speaking in a low tone to someone, then shuffling. He's packing a bag. ]
Fruit it is. And don't thank me yet. I haven't given you nearly as much trouble as I plan to. You're not out of this yet.
no subject
But I shall still thank you. I figured that I would just stumble back into town when I could. Since you are looking for me, I may assume that Jacaerys and Rhaenyra are also unscathed from the tribulations of that beast? And Jon and my lady?
[Because of course Wrathion is going to ask. There are others he'll inquire after, but maybe after he can reliably cast his Visage spell and have hands again.]
no subject
All are alive and relatively unscathed, Gods be good. Most of us didn't attempt fighting the beast directly. [ Aemond would have made a comment about Wrathion's use of my lady, but he lets it go for now. ]
They will expect to hear from you once you're feeling well enough. But I'll pass the news to them in the meantime. [ A pause. ] You're important to us. Remember that, Wrathion.
no subject
[Though he gives a faint snort, then.]
Besides, what was I to do but fight the beast directly? Even were it not one of the directives of my flight to protect the mortals in my care, there are those here that I would not see harmed. I could not sit by and take the chance!
no subject
And yet.
He exhales, releasing the Leaf from his grip so it can float alongside him. The basket he's carrying is heavy. ]
You did well. [ Then, in a softer voice: ] Next time, let us help before you fly off somewhere.
no subject
[Not that Wrathion wouldn't be upset if he harmed anyone when he was hallucinating, but it would be exponentially worse if it were those two.]
Were it anything else but my mind being afflicted, I would have stayed.
no subject
Exhaling hard, Aemond continues with, ] At least let me help, should the time come again. We can't both be stubborn. We won't survive it.
no subject
Wrathion tosses his head, but it's less a negative gesture and more just--annoyance, likely. Frustration. He's fairly frustrated at all of this.]
You may try, Aemond, but even if death is not a thing that lasts, here, how do you think I would feel, were I the one to slay you?
[There's a reason for his stubbornness, after all. It isn't just to be stubborn. Not in this instance.]
no subject
At length: ] I understand.
But know this — [ and his voice turns deadly serious ] — were I to die in service of trying to help you, it would be a great honor. I would be proud, Wrathion. I would have done something worth my life.
no subject
This is different. Wrathion isn't certain that he has the words to discern that difference. He only knows that it is, indeed, different.]
Unacceptable. You throw your life away as if it is worthless, when there are those here who care for you, who value your life--and I number myself among them! If you can throw your life away so, Aemond Targaryen, I challenge you to enact a new vow. Dying is easy. Living is costly. Do not die for me. Stay alive for me. And help me do the same--for you, for Sansa, for your family. Our family, the one we make here!
no subject
Do I make myself clear now?
no subject
You are crystalline. I am going to hold you to your word, Aemond. But I will remember my promises to you, as well. And you are well aware of how stubborn I am, if I did not want your help, I would let you come all the way up here and I would already be gone!
Like an ass, but I've done such a thing before. [To the Champions of Azeroth, but while he likes them as a collective, sometimes the paranoia gets to be too much, even with those he trusts intimately.]