kingdomcomes | [OPEN] - a strange new land

Who: Éowyn and anyone else who happens to be around
What: A princess from Catholic Fantasy Land deals with arriving in a sex world, is confused.
When: May 8-10
Where: The castle (both the barracks and around the place generally), the village, and the forest.
Warnings: TBD

i. the barracks
There's no question that this is where she'd end up. There's plenty that discomfits her about the situation, from the idea of being tattooed to the thought of pledging her service to anyone but her King, but she's too proud to leave and too hot-blooded for the position not to appeal to her. For a long time, she's wanted nothing more than to fight. However much she knows she needs to go home (and she does, her uncle needs her there), the idea of being a soldier is too tempting to turn down.

But it's still a lot to take in, which is why for the first couple of nights in the castle, she can be found sitting cross-legged on her pallet in the clothes she was wearing when she got here, turning over the breastplate she was given in her hands and considering it. Occasionally, she says things under her breath that sound an awful lot like "but why?"

ii. around the castle
Éowyn has always prided herself on her sense of direction. But this place is unlike anywhere she's been before, with its complicated winding passageways and floors upon floors - very different to the open layout of Edoras. It takes some getting used to, is the point. And, as she's far too embarrassed to ask for another tour, she can be seen when off-shift, checking her map against the corridors with a frown.

And it isn't just the size of the place. It seems like every time she rounds a corner, there's something else to wonder at - and by wonder at, she mostly means wonder why. She's sheltered but not naive, and it isn't that she doesn't know what a dick is or even what some of the sex stuff is probably used for. She just doesn't know why you would put it everywhere. Don't they have anything better to use that space for? (Also, shut up, she's not blushing. That's, uh, the shadow of the helmet. Sure.)

She finds herself standing and staring a lot. At the paintings, for example. Her frown's obscured a little by her helmet, but it's still obvious.

"Is this common? In other lands, or only this?"

iii. the village and surroundings
Yes, it's confusing. Yes, it's more than a little disconcerting. But after all this time all but trapped in her uncle's hall, with duty always bearing down on her, it's also incredibly freeing to be here, where there's time off.

Frankly, that's not a concept she's ever really had. She's the Lady of Edoras, responsible for the household and her uncle's care and the reputation of the House of Éorl. Free time doesn't factor heavily into all that. It's actually pretty intoxicating to be able to just walk, breathe the free air, and to know that she could do just about anything and nobody would need to know. So she spends a lot of time wandering, taking in the sights. You can find her in the forest, humming under her breath as she walks without direction, or sitting on hilltops, or meandering through the village.

Or you can find her on the second day after her arrival, walking around the village with little scrapes and cuts on her bare thighs, accosting passers-by to ask where, in all of this, she can find a pair of leggings.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I see." His contrition isn't lost on her, but she never has been particularly good at backing down. That coldness is still definitely there. "I suppose I can see how that would be."

Her smile is brief, and it doesn't reach her eyes. "Even this may in time grow commonplace." Meaning the pegging painting, obviously.

Remus eyes the painting again and has to cock his head at her.

"The paintings themselves, or the...the acts portrayed?"

Because really, the answer is probably both.

Again, there's that blush, to her immense dissatisfaction.

"I... have no doubt the acts are already commonplace, to some." Awkward. Very awkward. The good news is that she's too busy being embarrassed to keep being cold and aloof.

[How did Remus manage to make an awkward conversation even more awkward.]

To some. Certainly not, er, that's to say—I wouldn't exactly consider that commonplace.

[He honestly thought that was just a thing guys joked about among each other.]

It seems...

[How can she put this delicately? Her lip curls slightly.]

...Crude. And none too pleasurable.

[Remus has to physically hold in the laugh that wants to come out. Best not risk that again. He holds his face as straight as he possibly can.]

I have to say, I agree. I don't even...know what the woman would get out of it, truth be told.

[Oh, Remus. You are small and have much to learn.]

Perhaps to be in control.

[She says it without thinking, because actually, when that occurs to her, she can see the appeal. It's not as if she's any stranger to wanting to play a man's role, to shed her womanhood and be taken on the same level as a man.]

[But... maybe not like that.]

[She clears her throat, tilting her head a little.]

Who can say?

Oh.

[Oh. Remus hadn't considered it that way, at all. He's lived in Muggle London long enough to know that power dynamics are certainly a thing for some people. Is his face red? He thinks his face might be red.]

One of life's many mysteries.

[That sounded wise and sage, right?]

[Not even a little bit. But actually, that helps her soften a little, seeing that he really is just as lost and out of his depth as she is.]

[She gives him a little smile.] Mystery indeed. I cannot but think there are many of them, in this place.

I have forgotten my manners. My name is Éowyn, and I hope we are well-met.

I don't doubt it.

[To say that he's relieved to see her expression softening a little is an understatement; Remus is too gentle and anxious to deal with being frozen out for any amount of time.]

Oh! No worries, I forgot mine, too. [He smiles.] Remus Lupin, at your service.

Remus. [She repeats it thoughtfully, considering the way it sounds. Not like any name she knows, but in such a strange land, she probably ought to get used to that.]

[She shakes her head, clearing her throat.]

Have you been long in this land, Remus?

[He nods in the affirmative. Her name is not so strange for him; it sounds exactly like something someone's witch great-aunt would be named. Old-fashioned, maybe, but a pretty name.

He makes an ambivalent gesture with his hand.]

Only a month or so. Not so long that I've stopped missing home or my friends. But my closest friend just showed up, too, so that's quite a relief.

[There's something faintly sad about her smile. It's probably the dawning realisation that the only people she'll miss are her family.]

Glad tidings, then! A friend in this place is a boon indeed.

It is, yeah. He's a bit...well, he's a lot to deal with, but I'm glad to have him.

[Ever attentive to other peoples' expressions, Remus notices that hint of sadness.]

Glad to have new friends, too.

[Her smile falters, caught between amusement and doubt.]

Even those who cannot stay too long?

[Remus's smile doesn't fade, and his tone is firm but gentle.]

Even those, yes.

[Something nameless and complicated grips at her heart. It might be gratitude, but she doesn't want it to be.]

[Still, there's definitely a warmth in her look that wasn't there before.]

You are a good man, Remus Lupin. I feel it.

[Whatever it is, Remus will take it. He lets out a heh and stares down at his shoe, which scuffs against the stone floor.]

Thank you. I'll have to take your word for it.

[OPEN] - a strange new land

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject