abraxaslogs | [Open] Light Atop the Tower

[The woman possesses different colored hair, similar to the Targaryens though a different shade. She is quite fair in that uniqueness, lovely in a way that was hard to explain. Having her solitude disturbed often perturbed Alicent, though being alone unnerved her (a strange paradox). At this moment, she was content, eager to share her memories of home and to let others see the grandeur.]

It is, though it is unfinished. There is much I do not remember and I worry about simply creating something new.

[She offered her hand, gesturing for Hilda to come closer.]

This is Oldtown, my childhood home.

[ Now that she's drawn closer, Hilda spots a familiarity in the way that the young woman holds herself: shoulders drawn back, posture straight, and a gentle regality to her that is both inherent and taught. Couple that with the clothing she's wearing, and Hilda has to assume that she was probably in a place of high position from her world. It's all noted, tucked away for later, but none of that changes Hilda's ease especially with the offer. ]

I never would have guessed it was unfinished if you hadn't told me. This all feels so real. [ There's a breeze coming off the water carrying the smell of salt water and the sun feels pleasant on her skin unlike how it beat down on her in the Free Cities deserts. Hilda casts a glance towards her as they stand together at the end of the dock. ] May I ask how long you lived in Oldtown?

[She gave a relaxed grin, pleased with the compliment. She had seen a few other places in Horizon and they were so different and detailed. Meanwhile the walls in the Hightower were bare and the rooms lacked full detail. It was a painted canvas more than anything, but there was at least something that others could appreciate.]

I do not recommend you venturing far inside the tower. You will find the reality disappears and the unfinished details are more clear.

[It is a warm region, but nothing resembling tropics or deserts. Oldtown had always been fertile, lush and green. There might be a bit of humidity, but nothing overpowering. The water was a bit cooler, but still inviting for a swim.]

Oh, I cannot really say. We were at court shortly after my mother's death. I was 8, I believe.

[ Hilda's brows knit briefly together at the mention of the young woman's mother. ]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. It must be so difficult losing a parent at that age. [ But in an attempt not to dwell too long on a topic that could be sad, she tries to steer them back to the surroundings. ]

It doesn't diminish how impressive it is to see that you recreated this with memories from when you were eight though! I'd love to see the inside of the tower once it's finished though if you don't mind giving a tour. [ She extends a hand, her smile warm. ] I'm Hilda by the way.

[It's a bit ironic to have someone apologize now, given no one had ever said that to her as a child. She had reflected to Viserys it was all she wanted. Now that someone offered sympathy, she wasn't sure how to really respond to it. She smiled softly, accepting the sympathy, but unable to really even brush it aside with a 'it was some time ago'. It still hurt.]

No, I would not mind showing you the Hightower. [She glanced over her shoulder back towards it.] There will be some rooms that are simply empty as I never saw inside it completely. Many rooms were locked away save for the Lord of Oldtown.

I am Alicent Hightower.

[ Loss and hurt are still foreign concepts to Hilda. Living a charmed life meant that even amidst the backdrop of war she's become particularly skilled at pretending things away when it came to her own feelings and thoughts. As spoiled as she though, she's not the sort to ignore someone else's hurt if they wanted to talk about it.

But somehow meeting someone for the first time in a childhood setting doesn't seem like the time or place to discuss subjects like that. ]

Blank rooms just sound like an opportunity to do what you want with them. Get a little creative with it! Maybe there's something in your new home that you could use to populate the empty rooms.

[There's a similarity between them. Much like Hilda, Alicent is able to push away her feelings and thoughts, making them blink from existence. Her life was one of duty and obligation, and while she was raised a lady, she couldn't exactly say she was spoiled. There were too many expectations and costs. Having her own feelings and trauma would only hinder that. She simply pretended they did not exist.

Even if they were elsewhere, Alicent preferred not to linger on it. Not here, not now.]

Do you think I should? [Why had that never occurred to her?] I don't know what I should do instead? What would be appropriate?

[ Another thing about Hilda was that she always wanted to encourage others around her to pursue what they wanted, even if it was as simple as building out an imaginary room with whatever it was they desired. Maybe it was just her earnest nature. Or maybe it had something to do with how she didn't think she was capable of much herself so it was her way of living vicariously through others.

Either way, she smiles encouragingly. ]

I think that depends on you. Everyone's going to have different tastes. [ She hums thoughtfully. ] Maybe we can start with things that you like. I have a friend back home who loves art and painting. So if I were him I'd probably dedicate a whole room to being a studio.

[Ah. That was the difficulty and something that Alicent could not fully admit to a stranger. She didn't know herself well enough to say what she liked or felt passionate about. Duty consumed her and had always done so since she was young. Freshly arrived at court, she was encouraged by her father to care for the sick king. A few years later, the next king, she was pushed to offer him comfort after the death of his wife. Once wed to him, there was only his care to focus on, as well as her children.

Painting, reading, sewing, these were activities for unburdened maidens. Alicent truly only existed in her obligation to her family and the kingdom.]

I fear I cannot paint. [She was embarrassed to admit it.] I suppose a library. There are many in the Hightower.

Oh, neither can I. [ Hilda’s laugh is a commiserating one. ] It would be a total waste if I had a studio in my domain. But if my friend I was talking about ever showed up here, he could use it, so maybe it wouldn’t be all that bad.

A library is the perfect place to start though. You could use it and so could anyone else that comes to visit you — really, it’s super considerate of you when you think about it. [ While a library isn’t technically Hilda’s favourite place to be (that was by far Claude’s), her mind drifts instead to the possibilities of decorating its interior. Her eyes light up at the very thought but she manages to contain it knowing full well it isn't her domain. ] You could make it cozy and fill it with whatever books you wanted. Was there a particular type you enjoyed reading?

A room prepared for potential company? [It was not a terrible suggestion. She could likely put in a music room for those with the talent and desire? Guest rooms as well. Though, the fact that she was new and had no friends made it all a bit ridiculous.] Do others spend so much time in another's Horizon?

[She was giving Alicent too much credit. She had not thought of it until she was given the idea.]

I have always enjoyed history. [Though Rhaenyra was far better at it than she was. For all of her memorization and recitation.] Would I be able to create books or would they simply be illusions?

I’m not sure. [ There was plenty to see in the Free Cities, and Hilda is sure the same can be said about Thorne and Solvunn but her domain has become something of a safe haven, a connection to home where she doesn’t have to rely on the presence of her friends to feel tethered. Her eyes sparkle teasingly. ] Is that a subtle hint that I shouldn’t overstay my welcome?

[ If it were she wouldn't have taken any offence. She did wander in after all.

But she took it and ran with the idea! No one said Horizons couldn’t be collaborative. ]

You should be able to. My friend has been spending a lot of time in our library filling the library up with books that he remembers from home.

No not at all. Forgive me if I gave that impression. [She was teasing, Alicent could tell that much, but niceties were deeply ingrained.] To be honest, I wasn't certain what to expect in regards to others find their way here.

[Wandering in seemed like the more likely intrusion and there was no real harm in it. She, at the very least, could preen a little over her work.]

It relies a great deal on memory. I hope I don't make an error.

[ A small laugh escapes her lips, glad to see that her teasing her landed in some sort of way. Suddenly she takes it as her personal mission to try and get Alicent to shake off some of the niceties. ]

I stumbled into several but yours was the one that just so happened to have its owner here. [ A kind smile appears. ] And I'm glad for it. Who knows when we would have met otherwise.

[ As for the books... ]

I'd worry about that too but I have to keep reminding myself that no one else is really going to know if I make a mistake. [ Nevermind that her four other friends are here. ]

[It was a noble goal, one that would give Hilde a great deal of difficulty. Niceties were deeply ingrained in her, she didn't know exactly how not to rely on them.]

That's very kind of you to say. [There was another nicety.] I have not seen many others in the Horizon. I near forgot that others were here at all. It is so quiet.

[That is a good reminder, even if Alicent doubts that she'll feel comforted by that.]

Then I must try to remind myself too.

It is quiet. But it's so peaceful here. [ Here being Alicent's Horizon as opposed to a general grand sweeping statement. ] It's kind of nice especially in contrast to Cadens.

[ Hilda's gaze travels down to the water; suddenly dipping her feet in seems like a great idea and she starts to lower herself to the dock and fussing with her boots, making sure that there's enough room for Alicent to join her if she felt so inclined. ]

Are you in Thorne or Solvunn?

[It's been too long since she's done anything girlish like dipping her feet into the water, bare skin and no stockings. Despite being in the Horizon of her childhood home, she still could not bring herself to relax in such a way.

Regardless, she sat beside Hild, watching her enjoy the azure waters.]

I am in Thorne. From what I understand, it is not ideal.

[ When her feet hit the water, it feels delightfully cool against her toes and whatever little tension had been in her body before seems to dissolve in the water too.]

Not ideal in what way? [ Hilda tilts her head curiously towards her. She hasn't heard much about Thorne apart from the war that they were locked in with the Free Cities, and their queen. The last thing she wants to do is presume. ]

[Even without her feet in the water, listening to the small lap against the dock was enough to soothe Alicent. Subtle reminders of her childhood.]

The Mages do not seem to wish us to find trade. I have heard as well the court of Thorne is not trustworthy.

That's definitely not ideal. [ She pauses, swirling her feet idly in the water, pushing lightly against the resistance of the water. ]

But it sounds like any court that I've ever heard of. Most nobles seem to be looking out for their own interests. [ She casts a glance back at Alicent. ] Is there any real pressure for the Summoned to get involved?

[ Her thoughts flit briefly to Cadens and its military presence. How the soldiers had made it clear that if they stayed in the barracks, they'd have to join their ranks. ]

[Open] Light Atop the Tower

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