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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 18:57:26 GMT
Having arranged a meeting with Princess Serena, Melissa Gardener arrived in an elegant gown of burgundy silk, augmented with a gold necklace, bracelet and earrings.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 19:03:38 GMT
The ruler of Dorne is dressed rather more simply but she rises and kisses Melissa's cheeks politely. "My dear, how you've grown!" She said. "The little girl I once saw is all gon, now, replaced by this lovely woman." She is a shrewd woman, Serena, but her fondness for the princess is genuine enough. "Take a seat, please, please. I do hope you've come to talk about our futures," she said, "as this entire tournament is about the future of Westeros."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 19:06:19 GMT
"So it is," Melissa agreed, as she took her seat. "I thought it only proper to renew our acquaintance, princess. I loved my time in Dorne. I hope I may consider us friends?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 19:10:09 GMT
"Sisters," Serena corrected. "Royalty have only family, not peers. It is so good, seeing you again. I hope your family is well? They do not always have the same view towards Dorne I may prefer," she said, "but such is the way of things." A young man entered and whispered in her ear and she waved him off. "Later, Royce. Later." She turned back to Melissa. "I wish I was eighteen again, and unwed here," she confessed. "The adventures we could have had..."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 19:20:24 GMT
"Age is no bar to adventure," Melissa countered. "The Princess of Dorne I know would not let a simple thing like that stop her from having as many adventures as she pleased. And at least you don't have to worry about upsetting your father, like I do. I must smile and play the courtly lady as much as possible, for his sake."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 19:27:29 GMT
"I do have a country to run," she said, "don't believe the hype; it is thankless and unrewarding quite often. Adventure must be sublimate for my people, although if you do hear of something with promise...I am quite far from home at the moment," she decided. "You do need a more experienced life guide than that lovely knight of yours."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 19:54:36 GMT
Melissa wrinkled her nose. "Life experience guide? What does that mean, begging your pardon?" She had an inkling and wasn't sure she was going to like the answer.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 19:58:23 GMT
"Someone who is willing to take risks," she said. "And go beyond what society thinks we should. Ser Damon's concern for you stops at his king's orders. If you wish to live like a Nymeria, you must be willing to go as far as she did to get your way."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 20:13:30 GMT
"Nymeria was a strong woman, but she was fleeing from the rise of Valyria. I am...not. I've no desire to run across the sea simply because men are too stubborn and too stupid to accept that a woman can be good at swordplay and adventuring. I should have been born a boy, or a bastard, and then I could do as I pleased. As it is, well, I'm managing to satisfy my needs some of the time. It's not quite enough, but it's the best I can do." She sighed. "I am not willing to cast off my family. I love them, no matter what they think of my adventures."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 20:16:23 GMT
Serena sighed. "The pull of family, the strongest drug there is," she said. "An addiction almost no one can kick." She leaned over to her. "Come to Dorne," she whispered. "Where no one will judge you by your sword or steel."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 20:23:20 GMT
It was impossible to ignore the hope fluttering inside her or the desire to be among other like-minded women, and men who did not think her an eccentric. "I would like to, truly, but I have responsibilities to my family and cannot simply leave the Reach without my father's permission. I'm sure you've heard about Isabella Arryn. I don't know if that story's true or not, but I can't do that to my family. If you were to make a personal request to my father, I'm sure he would not deny you. After all, we are neighbours and you and I are old friends."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 20:26:06 GMT
"He has denied me once," she said, "for my dear Samael. I believe he thinks you'd disapprove, or perhaps he does despise us Dornish so much." She looked hurt like only a practiced woman can. "Isn't it a shame?"
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 20:33:27 GMT
"Er...yes." Melissa was a little taken aback as she clutched at the implications. Agitated, she rose to her feet and began pacing. "You asked leave for your son to marry me, Serena? Father never even told me. And I thought he'd surely wish to discuss possible matches with me. Gods be good, I never had a chance to approve or disapprove." Her pacing continued, but more slowly. "I don't know Samael very well, it's true, but I shouldn't mind getting to know him better. What are his thoughts?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 20:47:55 GMT
"I assume he'd rather marry you than someone else," she said. "He liked you. He also likes many other women, but why not a princess for a prince? Isn't that how stories are written?" She leaned back, "I can only assume tha means your father means Dorne no good will."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 20:55:13 GMT
She scowled. "I hope not. Would you like to try finding out? I suspect he may a match already in mind, though he's not told me who it is, yet. But even so, I should be able to find out something, and perhaps persuade my Father that you and he should be allies. Even if Father's taken against marrying me to Samael, perhaps he might allow one of your daughters to marry Percy?" She suggested.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 21:48:58 GMT
Selena smiled. "I think my daughters might eat Percy alive," she admitted. "But it is worth broaching the topic. I wish peace at my borders so I can focus on peace in Dorne." She kissed her cheek. "And it'd make my heart sing to have you as a daughter in law."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 11, 2017 21:55:49 GMT
Despite her somewhat lukewarm feelings about marriage, Melissa was pleased by the compliment. "I will speak to my father. How are your children, anyway? I thought they were here with you. Are they busy?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 11, 2017 23:02:59 GMT
"Theyre off doing their adventures here. They all wanted to talk to the Targaryens," she said, "and I fear my daughter has caught some strange northern fever and finds Prince Torrhen irresitabe.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 12, 2017 19:15:25 GMT
"He's pleasant," Melissa answered. "I would not go as far as irresistable. I haven't met the Targaryens so I gave no opinion on them, yet."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 12, 2017 19:23:52 GMT
"Good,' she said. "Someone sees one and they all suddenly lose their damned minds. The curses of curiosity." She patted her hand. "But I've found that happiness is usually found when one doesn't look too far away."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 12, 2017 20:27:10 GMT
"I suppose so. I'm not that interested, personally." She shrugged.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 12, 2017 21:04:00 GMT
Serena nodded. "And why would you be? Your independence is what you crave," she said. "So you wouldn't want to give that up. I'd marry an old man were I you," she confided. "hen when he is gone you can do as you would like, in any way."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 12, 2017 21:14:15 GMT
Melissa wrinkled her nose. "That sounds horrid. And my father would probably just make me marry someone else."
Besides, the thought of going to bed with an old man turned her stomach.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 12, 2017 21:16:54 GMT
She shrugged. "Well, I wish I could be more help," she said. "I am so glad you came to visit."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 12, 2017 21:31:43 GMT
"I'm glad I came. I hope my father will allow me to come visit you again some day. I will ask him," she vowed.
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