The Sphere: IC Inbox

[ulfur]

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[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.