The Sphere: IC Inbox

[ulfur]

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[qelos]

[Oh. Ned is breathtakingly handsome. Even more so than when she’d known him, so many years ago for him.The epaulettes of his jerkin only emphasize the broadness of his shoulders, and the suede trousers fit him snugly. It is a very good look on him. And she has to remember not to stare. To not admire the figure he cuts. Her smile is brilliant, though, her violet eyes sparkling. And she ignores the compliment (although she certainly feels it, with how her heart flutters and her cheeks warm), her expression and her smile turning teasing.]

And you are still as charming as ever.

[She can’t tell him that he’s still the most handsome man she’s ever seen. But he is.]

[ulfur]

[ They are dancing on the edge of what could be termed merely friendly. Ned looks into her sparkling eyes, their purple shadows dappled with emotion he remembers well, and he feels the danger of being lost in them, as keenly as the first time he'd met them with his own.

And now? That teasing smile, that warmth in her voice, its soft Dornish accent melodic to his ears. Ned tries not to blush. ]

If we are comparing it to my usual standards, Ashara, that is no high bar.

[ He is teasing in kind as he takes her arm, the motion effortless by now. ]

How are you settling in? Do your chambers suit?

[qelos]

I would have to argue that that couldn’t be farther from the truth. [If he thought that her eyes couldn’t sparkle any more than they already were, well, he would be wrong. And still she teases. Her words are truth, as well. He’s always been more charming than he thinks. Particularly to her.

He takes her arm easily, effortlessly, and it’s comfortable.]

Well, enough, I suppose. [She hesitates, for a moment, before deciding to be honest.] If one can call them chambers at all. And I don’t know that I can. There’s... no privacy, there. [Her discomfort is plain, particularly for someone like Ned, who knows her so well.] Just a bed, sunk into the floor. Surrounded by a handful of other beds. It feels... very exposed.

[And for someone who has always had the ability to find at least a small degree of privacy behind closed doors at the very least, be it Starfall, Sunspear, or King’s Landing, and certainly solitude, it is not a terribly pleasant experience. It makes her ache for home.]

[ulfur]

[ Her teasing assertion just makes him laugh and look down, shy as ever. Eddard Stark could cut down a company of enemies without blanching, but tell him he was the most charming man in the room and he was sunk.

But he does turn to look at her once more as she tells him of her living quarters. Ned look thoughtful, seeing Ashara so clearly unhappy with the current situation. It makes him uneasy too, having her surrounded by other strange people whose intentions were unknown. He puts his other hand over hers where it rests on his arm. ]

Aye, that sounds like barracks, not a proper home. You deserve better. Perhaps something can be done about it.

[ He knows Arya lives in one too, but she does not seem nearly so distressed about it as Ashara. Arya is also the woman most capable to defend herself that he's ever known, with the possible exception of Brienne of Tarth. ]

No wonder you are so eager to go out.

[ Ned's lips curve at her, although like with all of their banter, there is some measure of truth to it. ]

At least my company is preferable to being surrounded by strangers.

[qelos]

[Oh, Ned. The wolf lord of Winterfell is still shy. It is such a familiar gesture that her chest aches at it, and it takes all her willpower to not reach out and touch his cheek. Tilt his face back to her, as she so often had, before. ]

I don’t know if anything can be. I’ve resigned myself to it. Surely it will get easier.

[She hopes. There’s nothing that can be done, she thinks, so she might as well settle in and get used to it. Or try. Perhaps she will just... spend as little time there as possible. She’ll come up with something.

She huffs a soft laugh.]

Well, the fact that there’s a whole sphere full of new and wondrous things is a large part of it. That I avoid where I’m to stay is simply a side benefit.

[ She arches an eyebrow at him, lips curling playfully.]

Your company is always preferable.

[ulfur]

[ He is less resigned to it than she is. The instinct is already there in Ned's mind to give her another option, something he can do. He hesitates just long enough that the moment passes, but the thought remains. ]

Indeed there is. We should explore more of it.

[ There she goes again, complimenting him and making him contemplate his feet instead of her. Ned squeezes her hand. ]

Then I must make sure I don't disappoint today.

[ He leads her onto the public train that connects the residential domes with the merchant and recreation ones. They wait a moment at the station before the next car arrives. He's traveled it enough times by now that the process no longer surprises him as it had the first few times. They enter and take seats by the clear window where they can watch the ocean whizz by.

Reluctantly, Ned lets go of her arm but remains close by her side. The train moves faster than any horse as it speeds on its way. He watches Ashara's face. ]

What do you make of all this?

[qelos]

We should explore all of it.

[The words slip out, but she doesn’t mind. Not with Ned. (Although her smile is a touch She has always been an adventurous spirit, although life as Elia’s lady-in-waiting had perhaps kept her from as much adventure as she might have liked, sometimes. Here, now, though... there is a whole world at her fingertips.

And a dear friend to share it with. (Only a friend, never mind how she feels the weight of his gaze on her, how the warmth of his nearness and that familiar smile makes her heart flutter. The way it always has.)

She lets him lead her onto the train. It’s a touch less... unnerving having him seated beside her. Once more she is struck speechless, gazing outside at the ocean as it speeds by, faster than any horse or carriage. This isn’t the first time she’s travelled on it, but she’s not any less struck by it. There is wonder on her face as she gazes out the window.]

Oh, it’s beautiful.

[ulfur]

[ It is the adventurous spirit he knows well. He has gotten to see a good bit of it in Dorne, free of tending to Princess Elia all the time, when they'd been able to ride and dance and play, free of duty or care or...

Ned shakes his head a little, shaking off the memories. ]

Surely, let us explore all that we can.

[ He smiles at her reaction. Luminescent sea creatures wave them on as they travel, a wondrous sight for the fiftieth time as much as the first. ]

It is beautiful, and impossible. Scarcely real.

[ Is he speaking of Ashara, or the world they find themselves in?

Ned glances up at the glowing map at the front of the tram. Recreation Dome 1 blinks. ]

What do you say? Here, or the market? [ Which was up in two stops. ]

[qelos]

[Ashara smiles brilliantly up at him. The thought of exploring this place with him is... quite a lovely one. And she looks forward to it. She looks forward to it a great deal. Reminds her a bit of his time in Dorne, visiting her. How they’d explored and she’d shown him her home, and they’d.... spent a great deal of time together.]

We have the time for it, I think. To explore all that we can.

[She might be wrong, one or both of them could vanish as quickly as they arrived. But if they don’t... they have the time. The freedom.

She looks at him, violet eyes bright.]

It seems like a dream.

[Only it’s real. As strange and wondrous and dreamlike as it feels... it is as real as the two of them.

She thinks thoughtfully for a moment.]

The market, I think.

[ulfur]

[ Whatever time they did have, Ned wasn't going to waste it here. His own days were numbered...and so were Ashara's. Those thoughts, he pushes away from the top of his mind. It wasn't time to tell her. Not yet.

He meets her violet eyes steadily, nodding. ]


The market then.

[ It was convenient to the carnival, and the Ferris wheel he'd asked her to join him on again. But this time, perhaps they'd go further afield first.

They ride swiftly to the appointed stop before pushing the button to be let off. The bright, well-lit streets of the market greet them with whiffs of falling snow and delicious food. Ned ignores their siren call, guiding Ashara instead toward a side street. The giant dome is yet hardly bigger than Winter Town, he supposes, and this is a street he has been done. Once or twice.

He glances at her, an eyebrow raised. ]

I know you have seen the market. But what of the black market?

[qelos]

[Ashara has no idea what awaits her upon returning home. Nor what awaits Ned. But she has never been a woman to waste moments. And it’s easy to embrace living, here. With so much strange and new, and Ned beside her. A friend.

Once they’ve stepped off the train, she lets him guide her away from the scent of delicious food carrying through the falling snow. She looks at him curiously, wondering where it is that he’s taking her.]

I have not.

[ulfur]

[ They would certainly have to detour towards some food at some point. But first, exploring.

Ned meets her gaze, half-lifting a brow. ]

Good. It makes for an interesting stroll.

[ And as they turn down a particular street, he slides his arm around her shoulders, wordlessly protective. Not that he thinks she's in any real danger, but it is mostly for the statement it made. (And...perhaps...a reason to touch her again.) ]

It is noteworthy, because officially all of the businesses on this street sell contraband items and activities. Yet the Sphere allows and even funds the startup of their endeavors.

[ Before them, signs in front of storefronts advertise taverns, smoke shops, casinos, bawdy shows, and all sorts of entertainment to be had of varying degrees of illicitness. All cities and most towns had something like this. Clearly, Sphere was no exception.

Ned glances back at her as they walk and take in the sights. ]

We should be able to find a decent glass of wine here.

[qelos]

[She smiles up at him, amused and playful. Somehow she’s not surprised that Ned has taken a stroll through the black market before.]

Interesting stroll, hm? I look forward to seeing it, then.

[His arm sliding around her shoulders protectively catches her a little by surprise, but it’s instinctive to just... tuck against his side, her arm curling around his waist. Given that apparently they’re in the black market district, it makes sense, she supposes. Lest someone unsavoury think she’s a woman alone and an easy target. It’s sweet. She’s without her daggers, here, and would be at a distinct disadvantage in a fight.]

That’s rather... indulgent of them, isn’t it? Although I suppose it might not matter to the Sphere what those it’s brought here get up to.

[Ned is right, though. It certainly makes for an interesting walk. Taverns, smoke shops, casinos, bawdy shows, and other troves of illicitness. She looks forward to exploring it more in-depth.

She laughs softly.]

I do hope so. I’d like to not be deprived of good wine while I’m here.

[She’s Dornish. They have an appreciation for high quality wine. And if she’s going to be here for long, she would like to be able to indulge in a glass of decent wine occasionally.]

[ulfur]

[ Just like on the Ferris Wheel, he likes having her at his side. Perhaps a little too much. Especially with her arm slipping around his waist, and the scent of her hair wafting up to him every time she turns to look up at him or back at the street around them. Ned wonders if he is too easily falling into their old ways together, that easy physicality they'd always had around each other since the first time they'd touched, all the way up until the last time...

He blinks away those dangerous thoughts. Brings himself back, firmly, to her response. ]

They might even encourage it. Depending on the reason we were brought here. Perhaps they are studying human behavior from our different worlds. What we will do with ourselves, given enough leash.

[ The black market street was a good example of that. He thinks it will be a fine way to explore with Ashara, at least. ]

Come. Let's try one of these.

[ He gestures to one of the flashing lights of a gambling hall - casino, it proclaimed itself - and turns their steps that way. And when his arm loosens, it is only so that his hand can drape at the small of her back. Just as clear a gesture, just less entangled. You never knew what awaited you through a strange door.

Inside is a brilliant cacophony of lights, machinery, card and gaming tables, and a bar at one end of it. But at least it seems like one of the more rather than less savory places on the block. Ned meets Ashara's eyes, raising his brows teasingly. ]

I'll not deprive you either of wine or entertainment while you're with me.

[qelos]

I would not be surprised if they encourage it. Even if they aren’t studying human behaviour. Perhaps they simply wish for us to have every opportunity while we’re here, for that purpose they claimed we have.

[He guides her towards what appears to be a gambling house of some sort; whatever a casino is, and she goes, all too aware of how his arms shifts, his hand drapes at the small of her back.

It is... almost overwhelming, the cacophony of lights and sounds they step into, and she cannot help but gaze at everything a little stunned. She’s never seen anything like this. Gambling houses, certainly, but this is as strange as all else she’s seen since her arrival. Leaps and bounds away from all that she is familiar with. His hand is warm on the small of her back, though. Reminding her that she’s not stepping into things alone.

Her own brow lifts, just as teasingly, her smile fond and playful.]

Oh, I never thought you would.

[ulfur]

[ Ned remembers when he would hang on those smiles, fond and playful and only for him. Ashara smiled a great deal, but no matter who she was around, whether she knew he was watching or not, she saved those smiles for him.

...He is danger of hanging on them once more.

He breaks himself from the spell of her lips and glances over at the bar. ] A moment to take it all in as we partake?

[ The slight pressure of his hand on her back guides in the direction of the backlit counter where a bartender in a tight sparkly dress serves them. ]

My lady is new here. [ Ned explains to her, nodding at Ashara. ] And comes from a country with excellent wine. I wouldn't want to disappoint her with the selection her.

[ The tavern maid seems to know just what to give them. The red she pours smells of oak casks and vanilla and dark red fruits. He toasts Ashara and sips thoughtfully as they find barstools to perch on. ]

Have you had time to miss home, yet?

[qelos]

There is a great deal to take in.

[He guides her towards the bar and she goes, easily, taking it all in thoughtfully. His words earn him another amused smile. They would see whether or not she’s disappointed shortly. But the tavern maid seems to know her wine, so she suspects she won’t be.

Ashara toasts Ned and breathes in the scent of the wine they’ve been brought. It smells of oak casks and vanilla and dark red fruits. It reminds her enough of home to earn an approving smile before she takes a considerate sip. Hm. Not bad. ]

Yes.

[She misses it more than she knows what to do with, at times. The warmth of Dorne, the smell of the desert and Dorne herself carried on the winds. The simplicity of things. Even the grief at losing Ned, mourning the loss of the man she loved. She was devastated. But it was simple. Knowing that she’d lost him. No longer able to see him. Not this... complicated ease at which they’ve fallen back into each other’s company. Warm familiarity and ease. No matter how much joy it brings her. She’s in danger of falling all over again. (As though she’s ever not been fallen for him. As though she’s ever stopped loving him.)

But she can’t do anything else. He is Ned Stark and she is Ashara Dayne, and she would sooner cut off a limb than choose to avoid him. Even though that might be for the best. They fit together too easily and she’s missed him too much. There’s no stopping how she smiles for him. Just for him. They’re friends. That’s enough. She can smile just for him as his friend. In remembrance of their history together.]

A bit, at least. The sun in the recreation dome helps. The wind doesn’t carry the scent of the desert, or Dorne herself, there, but it does help.

[ulfur]

[ There is empathy in his grey eyes. He knows what it is like to miss his homeland so deeply, it was almost a physical ache. He has been parted from the North for months. Will never see it again. A shadow of sorrow at that knowledge hangs in his gaze, yet looking at Ashara, he cannot help but think he would give up never seeing the North again for this precious chance to see her again, alive and smiling.

Ned is thoughtful as he sips his wine, and if his attention turns more often to the woman sitting next to him than to the bright lights and sounds of gaming around them, it is only to reassure himself that this is not just a dream. ]

I am glad for your sake that they provided such a place. [ He smiles gently at her, remembering. It has been so much longer for him. Twenty years. And yet he still remembers every little detail about her. ] You always did love the sun. So much so, I am surprised you do not worship a sun god.