[ He's there in a moment. Light in the darkness, and Stephen Strange stepping through from one dark place to another. His expression is grim with concern, searching. ]
You shouldn't be out here.
[ Even in her own courtyard, the darkness isn't safe. ]
[ some part of her was desperate for company, but when she sees him there, the relief immediately turns into guilt. he had other, important business to attend to, but she also knows that no one else could help her with this like he could. the guilt can wait. ]
Stephen. [ she crosses the distance between them and takes his hands, a determined look in her eyes. determined not to cry, determined to do something about this. her hands are cold. ] I am grateful that you came. There has been no sign of him.
[ She takes his hands and he grasps hers tight, the permanent shake of his fingers tempered by the grip. He meets her gaze, catching dim light, and holds it. ]
He'll find his way back, Alicent. You'd struggle to keep him from your side even if you wanted to. He's coming back.
[ From what he knows, that man has loyalty to his family, to his mother baked into his bones. From his palms and moving outward, warmth starts to flood as he channels magic into his skin, aiming to take the edge off of her chill. ]
[ that's right, but she's scared. she blinks, confused, when she realizes that something is happening – his hands feel so warm all of a sudden, but she can't pause to wonder about it. instead she presses on. ]
If this were a matter of his will alone, he would be here with me now. He's lost in the dark, Stephen, and he cannot find his way back to me. Or worse, I cannot-- [ voice breaking, she swallows down the rest of the sentence and squeezes his hands. ] I will only ask you this once. I know I shouldn't, but please, listen to what I have to say.
[ she doesn't hesitate. she knows her request is not simple or reasonable, but everything pales in comparison to her agony. ]
Find my son, Stephen. Please. [ she moves closer to him, her desperation plain and obvious, but there's hope too. if he's listening, that means she has a chance to convince him. ] Travel into the Void and bring him back to me. Please.
[ There's weariness in there. A sadness. He wants to help her, he wants to, but the problem remains the same. The reasons to stay remain the same. Still he can't quite bring himself to deny her, can't quite shape the no he needs to say while looking down into the naked hope in her eyes.
If this were any of his people, would he still be in town now? Or would he be out there, seeking them?
Alicent's one of that number now. And Aemond's hers. ]
[ she can sense his answer in the the way he says her name, but she hasn't heard a "no" yet. ]
Stephen. [ louder this time. even if she's close to bursting into tears, she's doing everything to steady her voice, to not let it tremble. ] It was my fault that he went out there. If anything has happened to him, I could not forgive myself. With the Duchess on her sick bed, we do not even know if there is any hope for the fallen. You must help him.
[ it's unfair to put it like that, she knows, but she's already reaching to touch his cheek gently, her doleful eyes staring right into his, pleading. they share a bond and she has been forced to remind him of it. ]
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march 16
Aemond has gone missing.
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No. You're sure?
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I have not heard from him since last night. I cannot... I cannot feel his presence. He is not like his brother, he would answer to me.
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[ He doesn't really need to be told where she is to go direct to her. But better not to turn up without some warning. ]
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[ it's dark and rainy, but she's pacing the courtyard, unable to sit still inside. ]
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You shouldn't be out here.
[ Even in her own courtyard, the darkness isn't safe. ]
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Stephen. [ she crosses the distance between them and takes his hands, a determined look in her eyes. determined not to cry, determined to do something about this. her hands are cold. ] I am grateful that you came. There has been no sign of him.
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He'll find his way back, Alicent. You'd struggle to keep him from your side even if you wanted to. He's coming back.
[ From what he knows, that man has loyalty to his family, to his mother baked into his bones. From his palms and moving outward, warmth starts to flood as he channels magic into his skin, aiming to take the edge off of her chill. ]
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If this were a matter of his will alone, he would be here with me now. He's lost in the dark, Stephen, and he cannot find his way back to me. Or worse, I cannot-- [ voice breaking, she swallows down the rest of the sentence and squeezes his hands. ] I will only ask you this once. I know I shouldn't, but please, listen to what I have to say.
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I'm listening.
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Find my son, Stephen. Please. [ she moves closer to him, her desperation plain and obvious, but there's hope too. if he's listening, that means she has a chance to convince him. ] Travel into the Void and bring him back to me. Please.
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[ There's weariness in there. A sadness. He wants to help her, he wants to, but the problem remains the same. The reasons to stay remain the same. Still he can't quite bring himself to deny her, can't quite shape the no he needs to say while looking down into the naked hope in her eyes.
If this were any of his people, would he still be in town now? Or would he be out there, seeking them?
Alicent's one of that number now. And Aemond's hers. ]
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Stephen. [ louder this time. even if she's close to bursting into tears, she's doing everything to steady her voice, to not let it tremble. ] It was my fault that he went out there. If anything has happened to him, I could not forgive myself. With the Duchess on her sick bed, we do not even know if there is any hope for the fallen. You must help him.
[ it's unfair to put it like that, she knows, but she's already reaching to touch his cheek gently, her doleful eyes staring right into his, pleading. they share a bond and she has been forced to remind him of it. ]
You must help me.