eachdraidh | [Video / Open to Both Courts]

[A page of ornate script can be seen, but the sentences are broken thanks to how much has been crossed out:

~~Father~~Withen,

Our paths may never cross again. ~~I expect that brings you joy.~~ I am going to request that this letter be sent to you. The Fae are capable of magnificent deeds and

The text stops almost as if the writer couldn't think how to continue.

I haven't been the best son ~~and you haven't been the best father~~, however I don't regret having known you. I see now that my future is brighter than I ever imagined. I also see that holding petty grudges is a wasted effort.

~~As much as you may wish I were your bastard, I am not.~~

Each crossed-out section is legible. Unfortunately. The silver eyes of Vanyel are soon peering into the locket, his forehead creased.]

Am I allowed no privacy? [He balls the letter up in his hand and instead begins to write Lady Treesa at the top of a blank sheet of paper.] Are all families so difficult?

[No matter where he goes, what he accomplishes, there are certain facts that won't change. Withen in particular is like a stubborn mule when it comes to understanding him. He is only beginning to try in truth, but Vanyel knows it's far too little far too late.]

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-- Perhaps you ought to be more careful with your locket, ser.

[ the mildest of mild reproofs. in truth, she feels pity. sansa would hate to have her secret thoughts spilled so easily for all to see. ]

Lady Sansa - [He smiles ever so slightly, closing his eyes.] I must have turned it on when I was reorganizing my desk. They are as delicate as they are sturdy.

I keep mine on my person always. [ that's sort of a lie. ] They are...strange little things. I wish we had them in Westeros.

[ she would have talked for hours with her family -- would have been able to warn them. or so she naively thinks. ]

I wish we had them in Valdemar too. One of the duties of a Herald is to relay messages. Our work would be significantly lessened with these Lockets.

[There's no naivety in that, Sansa.]

Edited 2014-12-21 08:27 (UTC)

A herald! [ mild curiosity. perhaps also mild embarrassment, if only because back home she would never be called upon to chat casually with a herald. but this is the drabwurld and things are different here. ] Do you like being a herald?

You've heard of us? [This is a first and he looks mildly impressed.] It's...part of me. I couldn't stop doing it if I tried. Someone once told me it's like...a calling. We answer the call because we are naturally drawn to helping others.

The court of the Red Keep kept half a dozen heralds in its employ; more, mayhaps. I never spoke with any.

Families can be....complicated, yes. I can understand that.

[Even her own, which was previously so simple and perfect, just her and her loving parents. Until they died and everything changed. Snow can relate to family being complicated.]

I should have had an easy time. I am the oldest, so it should fall on me to inherit and have heirs, but that wasn't meant to be.

[He has a talent for making things difficult.]

Edited 2014-12-21 08:29 (UTC)

No? And why is that?

[Her own inheritance, the title and status of Queen was complicated as well. As for the matter of heirs, that should have been simpler with Emma. But life was determined to make it difficult, given Regina and the curse. Though she suspects his answer may be much simpler.]

I wasn't the masculine son my father wished for to start with. He sent me away to my Aunt to...toughen me, I suppose. While I was with her, I discovered a lot about myself and...

My powers were awakened. [So many Gifts becoming active at once... He was lucky he hadn't gone mad.] Valdemar puts their Herald-Mages to good use. I have no time to be an heir.

Ah. He was...disappointed then. I can only imagine what that must have been like to deal with.

[Not to mention the powers. The way he talks of his being awakened makes it sound...forced, almost? In comparison to the study she knows her own back home need to go through for their own magic. Which always comes with a price.]

I've not heard of Herald-Mages before. But I assume it has something to do with magic in any case? Did you at least have siblings that might inherit in your place? I imagine that would soften the blow somewhat for your father at least.

That's putting it lightly. [Withen assumes his firstborn is up to all sorts of awful deeds.] I am his eternal disappointment.

[It had been forced. His magical channels had been ripped open and then burned.]

Heralds serve the monarchy of Valdemar. We deliver messages, settle disputes and defend the borders. Herald-Mages just do so with their various Gifts or magical talents.

[He smiles without humor, sighing.]

I have a younger brother. He will inherit everything and I gladly give it to him.

I'm sorry to hear that. My parents were both rather proud of me. Though I can't imagine hearing of these Herald-Mages as to why he would be so upset at you. It sounds like you were doing your part for the kingdom, as anyone would. What are these....Gifts though? I know some magic here is different than I encountered back home.

[Because Snow is of course oblivious to the underlying issues between them. Withern's prejudices and wrong assumptions about his son.]

At least that much wasn't an issue then, if he could take over. In that case I'm not really seeing much of a problem myself.

I wasn't the strong, masculine son he wanted. He is...rather simple-minded. [It doesn't matter what Vanyel does, Withen only judges him based on his sexuality.] My Gifts are varied. They were awakened late - compared to other Herald-Mages. I have the Bardic Gift, Mind-Speaking, Thought-Sensing, Projecting, Fetching, Far-Sight, Fore-Sight, Fire-Starting, a dash of the Healing Gift and something I've coined the "Othersense". It alerts me to other presences and energies.

...no. But I do wish I could have a better relationship with them.

I see. I suppose I can only imagine. My own parents were wonderful. But that is perhaps not my place to ask too much on that if you don't wish to talk on it.

I think I understand most of those or some idea behind them at least. That's...pretty impressive and varied. Do all of these Herald-Mages have so many gifts? I know we have our own sorcerers and the like back home, but this sounds different than their years of study. Their magic they use.

I suppose it would be rare to find anyone that might not have some regrets regarding family. Perhaps it is something to strive for once you return home? I gather from the letter that your family isn't here with you, at least.

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