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[001 🐚 Action]

Who: Jeyne and YOU
Broadcast: N/A
Action: SS Golden; SS Blue Fish
When: Oct 23

It hadn't been a great surprise when Jeyne had appeared suddenly on the Golden. For all of her intentions of begging to be at her husband's side, she inwardly knew that she would be placed elsewhere. For the few days she had spent on the Marsiva, as well as the brief conversations she had on her strange device, she had slowly become aware of how these Atroma intended to play. Nothing was about her comfort, it was about this show that they had brought her here for.

For her sanity, and for Robb's sake, she would need to make the best of this situation and allow herself to be moved around as a pawn once more.

She had at least been given a room of her own. For the first few days, she had wandered the ship, acquainting herself with her surroundings, but only when she wasn't with her husband. Traveling between the Golden and the Blue Fish was becoming a routine for her. While she wanted to remain with Robb, she had duties to attend to and couldn't neglect her own crew.

So mornings and evenings, she would travel between the ships, slowly become familiar with the faces she passed (even if she didn't know all of their names.)

Stepping through the sealed doors, Jeyne rested for a moment, catching her breath and regaining her composure. No matter how often she passed people or walked the distance between her ship and the Blue Fish, she still managed to become disoriented and drained.

Hearing another's approach, she forced herself back into composure, bringing a smile once more to her features. "Good day," she said, turning to greet the person that had interrupted her solitude. "Am I in your way?"

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[ There is no real reason for Theon to be on away from he Paisley. Perhaps it's boredom, or perhaps he feels it wise to make some new attempt to force Robb to see sense--or perhaps he's just seeking another excuse to punch him in the face. Either way, he finds himself on the Blue Fish that afternoon, looking as if he hasn't had a good night's sleep in several days.

He isn't exactly the most popular person with the crew of the Blue Fish. They seldom speak to him, so when he hears someone address him, he doesn't smile. Instead, he reacts with slight suspicion. ]

No, you are not.

[ He pauses, briefly taking this woman in. There are little tellale signs that show up in all Westerosi, colors that don't wear off. Theon never noticed them before, but they've become increasingly more obvious here. Something about the way they all speak, the way they hold themselves. ]

Have you been assigned to this ship?

[He isn't the only one that is looks poorly. Her sleep had been fitful even before she was brought to this place. The strain and stress are written plainly across her face, as she never had the inclination or pride to mask them. Worrying about Robb now and the constant vigilance she kept at his side hadn't helped matters.

She had noticed Theon wandering about, a strange sense of loss about him, even as he walked with determination. It took one broken person to recognize another, and she could see there was something haunted in his look.

His terse manner is met with a calm regard, her concern shifted from herself to another.]

No, but my husband is here. I came to visit him.

[He speaks with a particular accent...one that she can't quite place. It isn't Northern, but it isn't Southern either.]

Lord Stark? Do you know him?

[ The suspicion does not lift from his gaze. If anything, his expression darkens. For the briefest, most fleeting moment, he has to remind himself that this girl is not the cause of Robb's death.

No, he quickly intervenes on his own thoughts. Robb's stupidity brought him to his grave. And if you hadn't been so foolish yourself, perhaps you could have stopped it.

Even with the blame securely placed back upon himself and Robb, he still can't bring himself to look kindly upon this poor girl. He sympathizes, he truly does. After all, Jeyne looks just as miserable as he does. He can only assume that she's seen more bloodshed than she ever should have, but her very presence serves as a comely, yet gut-twisting reminder that Robb is dead, and nothing Theon can say or do is ever going to serve as a worthy apology.

Still, keeping up appearances is one of Theon's biggest skill. He grins, a false smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. ]

Lord Stark.

[ He repeats her words with a chuckle, forcing himself to look bemused. The only time he ever refers to Robb by any of his titles is when he wants to rub salt in the wound. ]

I know him well. You'll find the miserable ass holed up in his room, sure enough.

[She was responsible, even if others told her otherwise. It was her mother that had helped to arrange the massacre, her greed and desire for status that had been the cause of Robb's death. At the heart of it, that pride was centered around Jeyne, wanting to place her in a more "prestigious" marriage with a Lannister.

Much like Theon, she carried that guilt and shame on her shoulders. She doubted that Robb would ever forgive her, if he knew the role her mother played.

She might not be able to tell when someone is deceiving her, but she could recognize a false smile and bravado, having done as much herself. He might not be pleasant and friendly, but given his earlier appearance, she didn't doubt that he was trying to get a rise out of her.

Regardless, it struck a nerve and raised that protective instinct in her. She wanted to strike him, but didn't have it in her to let out her anger in that matter.]

Don't speak of him that way, not in my presence.

I am sorely tired of anyone speaking ill of him.

[ His false smile falters all too quickly, the corners of his mouth threatening to turn downward. He doesn't mean to be so harsh, but currently, he doesn't hold the highest opinion of Robb. He's caught in a cycle of wanting to be forgiven and wanting to punch Robb's lights out so neither of them have to deal with it anymore. There is no middle ground. ]

I will speak of him however I please.

[ It's an extremely childish response. He shouldn't be speaking to her this way, and Robb is likely to be angry when he catches wind of it, but he can't stop himself. As hard as he may try to keep his calm and arguably charming composure, his anger is quick to seep through the cracks. ]

If you're already sorely tired of my words, then it's truly a wonder that you're able to tolerate him.

[She dug her nails into her palm, battling her desire to scream at him. That false smile might be false, but his words were painful and harsh. He had the sort of face that would rankle anyone's nerves, whether in telling a joke or speaking the truth. But she had no desire to be baited.]

Then you prefer to act like a child?

[Gods but he was no better than her little brother, Rollam. He would also lash out with words when he didn't get his way.

Which was indication enough that this was more than just cruelty. His anger was misdirected, something she could sense from herself (but would never admit). He didn't hide his feelings very well, if he was trying at all.]

What has happened between you that makes you feel you need to hurt him? You only isolate yourself this way.

Tell me, how many conversations have you had with your lord husband? Speak to him once more and then tell me again which of us is acting the child.

[ It's obvious that he isn't trying anymore. His mouth twists into a cruel, mocking smirk. Just like that, poor Jeyne has been caught up in a fight that truly has nothing to do with her. All of Theon's anger and cruel words are directed toward Robb and Robb alone.

Jeyne has the right of it, too--he's already isolated himself with this behavior. Some have taken pity on him, understanding the source of his behavior, but he always seems to default back to this. ]

My name is Theon Greyjoy. If he's been free with hi words, you should know well enough what happened between us.

I can answer that without needing to consider my conversations with Robb.

[It was a pathetic attempt to rile her and only earned a look of exasperation. Whatever ill will this man had towards Robb, it seemed to be born out of himself. She had never seen Robb act anything other than honorable and kind.

She hated to jump to conclusions, but he wasn't making matters easy.

The moment he speaks his name, bile works its way up her throat, threatening to spill out as venomous hateful words. She feels sick just having conversed with him. Her first night with Robb, the one that started it all was because of this man. She could still remember the grief on Robb's face, the way his body trembled as he sobbed against her.

It had broken her heart.

Theon Greyjoy was a monster.]

Murderer! You murdered innocent children and you have the audacity to condemn Robb? You were like a brother to him once. You have no honor or loyalty.

[ By now, Theon has heard that same reaction too many times to count. He's grown tired of denying it, tired of trying to explain and trying to make others see the sense in his actions. His intentions were never cruel; he simply lost control and put too much trust in the wrong people.

It wasn't him who killed the miller's boys, it wasn't him who put Winterfell to the torch, but he finds himself feeling no less guilty. He allowed it to happen. He allowed Ramsay to get into his head and manipulate him until he couldn't even recall his original intentions anymore.

He doesn't appear surprised, but he does seem to sink slightly beneath the weight of her accusation and despite the way he narrows his eyes, his features appear to grow even more tired with every word. ]

Perhaps you should consult your lord husband once before you speak to me of things you do not know.

[ Robb will make no defense for you, he reminds himself, but at least he can do as much to confirm that Bran and Rickon are alive. ]

Oh, but he knows nothing of it himself. All you know is what he's told you, and he refuses to hear reason. I suppose that does make you a perfect match.

[She noticed the fatigue and weight that seemed to rest on him. His eyes seemed almost haunted, burdened with memories. She had seen a similar look on her own face whenever she looked in the mirror.

It didn't erase her anger or her frustration at his betrayal of Robb. He had rendered her husband to his lowest, taking from him the last of his hope and joy. It may have brought about their marriage, but there was no denying that it changed him drastically.

He lost more than a home. He lost three brothers.]

What do I not know? How exactly am I mistaken? I was there when he received word about your treachery.

[She couldn't trouble Robb about this, even if he did wake this day. He didn't need to know that she had met the turncloak.]

Reason? What sort of reason is there in what you did? He was your friend! Your family! Yet you discarded him as though he were nothing but scraps! How do you justify any of that?

He was not my family.

[ He raises his voice slightly, but doesn't meet her eyes. Age and a young boy's fears had acted as a barrier between himself and his true brothers. Even now, when he tries to recall anything redeeming about Rodrik or Maron, he comes up blank. It's Robb that comes to mind instead. Robb, who was kind and accepting despite Theon's status as a prisoner and the son of an enemy. ]

I am a Greyjoy of Pyke. I've never been a Stark.

[ And judging by his expression, this clearly pains him. He knows why he turned his cloak on Robb. When he returned to Pyke, he was forced to confront the divide in his emotions. The Starks treated him kindly while his own father greeted him with cruelty, but how can one be expected to turn against their own flesh and blood? It's enough to make anyone lose their way. ]

You'll take his side regardless of what I have to say. I've explained it to him one hundred times. I can explain it to him one hundred more and it won't even make a dent in his thick skull. You certainly didn't wed him for his intelligence. He lacks a great deal of that.

[ So this is literally just Roast Robb Hour... ]

[He was right in that sense. It was sometimes hard for her to remember that Theon was nothing more than Ned Stark's ward. From the way that Robb had spoken of him, he had seemed like something more. Had he hated the family all of this time?

Had he only been waiting for the opportunity to betray him? She couldn't say and she wouldn't press Robb for answers.]

Explain what exactly? How do you explain any of this? What reason could any man have to betray his friend? Greed? Arrogance? Tell me then, if you are so confident in your reasons.

[Her face flushed angrily. He might not have meant to cast aspersions on her marriage to Robb, but unknowingly had stumbled into it.]

Does it ease your guilt to speak of him this way? All of this away from his hearing and done when he can't defend himself. It's cowardly!

You mean to imply that he doesn't speak similarly of me? How is he not the coward? Locking himself in his room, as if that door can keep out all his problems so he never needs to face them.

[ He's definitely angry now, almost snarling his words. There's just too much bad blood between himself and Robb, and the fact that they're approaching it differently doesn't help matters. Theon wants to make amends, but Robb wants Theon to stay away. ]

Nothing eases my guilt. I know what I've done, but you know nothing of me. Did Robb tell you I was once his brother? I was his family's prisoner.

Do you even know where Robb is now and what has happened to him? I assure you, he is not hiding from anyone! Were he awake, he would face you and refute every one of your baseless accusations!

If he calls you a coward or worse, it is because you earned that reputation.

[She scoffed, her mood soured by the conversation. Her frustrations had already been raised, triggered by her inability to act or to find a means to wake Robb. Theon managed to present himself as a safe target for her anger.]

Do you think I should pity you for that? My father was his prisoner when we met! I didn't betray Robb, I married him because it was honorable and I love him. If you were once any sort of friend to him, you would not have acted as you did.

Honorable?

[ There's still malice in this tone, but he snorts and doesn't even try to stop the bark of laughter that bubbles up in his throat. You shouldn't be taking your anger out on her, he reminds himself, but he waves the thought away. Jeyne is here now, Robb isn't. ]

Is that what it takes to be seen as honorable now? You marry an ass?

[ He laughs harder, tears welling in his eyes. Whether they're tears of laughter or just tears of frustration has yet to be seen, but the latter is more likely. ]

I don't care about your father. Your father wasn't held prisoner for ten years and told to respect his captors and their kindness. [ Another bark of laughter. ] But kindness only lasts until they have to take your head, doesn't it? Robb is a fool, and you're just as much so. The only thing his marriage to you has earned him is a deep grave.

[ SORRY JEYNE ]

You are a hateful man and I wonder if you've ever known love or acceptance. Did you find it with your father or your family? That is who you went to when you left Robb's camp! What exactly did you get for betraying your friend? From what I see of you, it was nothing but bitterness and hate!

[Her frustration had fully taken control. Robb's continuing sleep had frayed her nerves and brought out her lingering fears that he might never wake. To have him here, but not have him was enough to drive her to tears. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry, she thought bitterly. He will take them as a victory.]

You seem to think you are the only one who has had to endure captivity, but there are better men who have endured worse and never once betrayed their honor! All you have now is emptiness in your life and the contempt of those around you.

[He managed to strike the one nerve that was far too painful to ignore. She held herself responsible for Robb's death and knew the part her family played in bringing it about. The moment the words were uttered, she raised her hand to slap him, managing only barely to stop herself. Instead, she dug her nails into the palm of her hand, her eyes blazing with fury and utter loathing.]

Damn you!

[ It's true. He is hateful, and he's well aware of it. Love and acceptance are two things he's been seeking for most of his life. Eddard Stark was certainly a stern man, but never frigid where his family was involved. Theon had watched as he encouraged his children, spoke warmly to them, gently scolded them when they did something wrong, and praised them when they did something good.

Theon often wondered which was the norm when it came to fathers: cold and distant Balon who had sent fewer ravens in the span of ten years than Theon could count on one hand, or Eddard Stark. He never did find the answer. ]

Doubtless you've been told as much, but it was Robb who sent me back to Pyke in hopes that my father might agree to an alliance. His hope were mislead. My father is a proud man. He had little reason to align himself with the greenlanders who took his crown to begin with.

[ For all his bitterness, Theon will never say he hates Balon. He doesn't, not truly. He feels cast aside and out of place in his own family, but his father was a great man. Theon takes pride in knowing where he came from. The only problem comes about when he attempts to fit back into that place. ]

Would you have me betray my own family in favor of my captors? Honor isn't worth half as much as you and Robb seem to believe it is. One might think he would understand that, with his mother being a Tully.

[ Family, duty, honor. Honor is last on that list, family is above all. Theon only laughs as she resists the urge to slap him, smirking as he shakes his head. ]

Damn me. Damn me to the drowned god and all seven hells, is that right? [ It's too late. I've already been damned. ]

[Even those parents that were loving could find ways to hurt their children. A father didn't need to be distant, he could manage it quite ably by destroying his daughter's future. Jeyne may not have suffered in the same capacity as Theon, but she still felt that same level of bitterness and emptiness that he seemed to exude.

In any other circumstance, she might actually feel sympathy for him. However, with Robb asleep and the memory of her mother's betrayal still fresh, she had little patience to look at the heart of the matter. As far as she cared to see, Theon was nothing more than hateful.]

I was told you were the one to suggest the idea. How long did you wait to betray him? Was it before or after you faced your father?

[For a brief moment, she felt as though she were staring at the person she could have been. Had her mother told Jeyne of her plans to betray Robb, would she have sided with her family? Loyalty was a trait that had been instilled deeply in her, as it had been with her siblings. Would she have sided with Robb against her family, allowing him to treat them as traitors?

She shook the thought from her head. It didn't matter what could have happened. She had enough heaviness from what did happen. Deep down, she knew the answer to that question as it was. She would always side with Robb.]

I know the costs of such an alliance and the divide between family and honor! My family had served as bannermen to the Lannisters, I went against the vows that my ancestors made and what my father fought for. Do you think it was an easy decision?

I would rather serve a cause I believe in and a man I love rather than some distant figure and memory!

[Honor before Honors. Those were their words and she had followed them.]

Do you feel relief at mocking me and taunting a man that isn't here to defend himself? Does it make you feel powerful and strong? All you look is weak!

[ Theon has had years to build up all this anger, but his failed seige of Winterfell is what really pushed him over the edge. It was then that he had to face the fact that he couldn't live up to everything he thought he was supposed to be. His failures had left him feeling emptier and more lost than ever before. Who is he? What is he? Why was he even born? Even now, he has none of those answers.

He allows Jeyne to chide him, but that insufferable smirk never leaves his face. It doesn't meet his eyes, but it's the one thread he seems to be holding on by. ]

You think yourself so wise, don't you? [ Again, he laughs. To his own ears, it's a forced and grating noise. ] If you knew more and better, perhaps you would have been smart enough not to wed Robb, but worry not. The blame is shared equally between the two of you.

[ He knows that he isn't exactly the definition of a wise man either, but it's difficult for him to say that he would choose differently if presented the opportunity once more. He cares deeply for Robb, but family is family. ]

I've mocked Robb to his face just as often as I've mocked him behind his back, just as he does to me. It's the one understanding we've come to.

[She hates his smirk and that almost mocking air about it. His words hurt, but the sting is less. It doesn't take much to guess that whatever he is saying, it is only a coward that is lashing out, trying to make himself feel strong.

Perhaps that was why he took Winterfell? He wanted to prove something to himself more than send a message to Robb.]

Perhaps not so unwise as you might think. I'm not ashamed of my decision to marry Robb. I don't accept any blame for it, nor do I cast it on him! [The more she said it, the more she might come to believe it. Shame and guilt were still strong inside her.

If only she could wipe that smirk from his face.]

You should leave him be! You've done enough to him already. He doesn't need you about, souring his disposition. You're nothing more than a leech. Not a kraken, but a leech.

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[001 🐚 Action]

Blue Fish

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