The Nebulous

The Wards of The King - A Song of Ice And Fire Roleplay (High Casual)(Reboot)

Gabriel Martell

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Interacting with Myriah and Toran (@Emma, @Obscene Symphony).

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Tiras' response to Gabriel's question was slowly articulated, almost reticent. The boy knew that all highborn men and women have their secrets, even he had a skeleton or two. Knowing it would be unwise and rude to pry, he simply nodded once and went on petting Onyx.

A minute later, princess Myriah entered the room with a gleeful attitude that instantly brightened the atmosphere, and the sun seemed to fill the room once more with a radiance that reflected in her violet eyes. His cousin's very image was stunning, and were she not the princess, Gabriel would be absolutely smitten with her. Alas, she was also his cousin; though whether technically a third or fourth, or the Seven knows which, was beyond him sometimes. The Martell and Targaryen lineages were now intermingled with one another, making them all family. Historically speaking, it was a tad ironic, but it also seemed destined.

Gabriel was the last to stand on ceremony after she had entered the room. He had been there for three days already and had plenty of interactions with the princess up to that point, so there was no need for a repetition of extensive formalities. Instead of greeting her aloud, he quietly walked over to stand near his cousins. It was both to seek comfort for his introversion as well as a politically savvy move. If there was one thing he could borrow from his Martell heritage, it was that power can also come from multiplicity. Mors Martell and Princess Nymeria... and now the Martells and the Targaryens.

"Good morning, Princess," he said with feigned shyness in front of the others, ensuring he didn't push the "family" act too far, lest he come across as a cheeky brat. He glanced at Toran from the other side of Myriah with eyes and a devilish smirk that seemed to secretly convey that he was having fun now.

Mass Effect: Brink

You still accepting people?

@Catchphrase

Yes, we are!

Mass Effect: Brink

Regardless, it was a nice touch that made me chuckle and reminiscence about trading this-and-that from MRE packages with others I was training with. The bottles of tabasco sauce were our go-to solutions to become gourmet chefs with those things. :)

Mass Effect: Brink

<Snipped quote by The Nebulous>

Oh.

@Gowi

...Who are you?

jk. xD

I liked Errol's intro, too! As a matter of fact, I meant to ask you about the MRE reference: are you former/active military by chance? There aren't many that joke about their taste (or lack thereof) without some history with them.

The Wards of The King - A Song of Ice And Fire Roleplay (High Casual)(Reboot)

@Emma- Have you heard the Good News about the Seven Who Are One, ma'am? :P *holds up a copy of the The Seven-Pointed Star*

Mass Effect: Brink

Okay! Now that I'm off of work and had a nap to rejunivate from Monday... I freaking loved Zik's introduction! It's not often that I'm legitimately impressed by someone's contribution to an RP. Nice job, @Howler.

@DirtyDingo sent me an excellent idea for a Loyalty Mission, so I'll be putting together some notes in my journal for how I can best incorporate that into the flow of the story once we get going. If you want to post next, Dingo, go right ahead. I'll wait until you do to present a cue for everyone to begin converging.

The Wards of The King - A Song of Ice And Fire Roleplay (High Casual)(Reboot)

No problem, @BlackPanther! I read the post earlier today, but I'm at work, so I wasn't able to reply right away. I did just now, though. :)

The Wards of The King - A Song of Ice And Fire Roleplay (High Casual)(Reboot)

Gabriel Martell

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Casually interacting with Tiras (@BlackPanther).

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"Onyx is his name," the young Rivers had said after he chose to join Gabriel next to the bear. When the man's other pet, a gray-maned canine, moved over to get in on the love, the boy grinned some more and split his attention between both of the animals.

"Gabriel of House Martell," he said to Tiras by way of introduction, speaking only loud enough to remind anyone that happened to care that he was, in fact, in the room as well. "My cousin Toran and I arrived three nights ago. This is only the second time I've been to King's Landing; my first time was several years ago."

He changed his position to sit more comfortably on his knees in order to keep petting both of the creatures. Gabriel briefly brought his hand away from Onyx to brush a few bangs out of his eyes, and then returned to gently scratching behind its ears. "How is he so well behaved?" The question he posed to Tiras was an innocent one, simply asked to initiate some polite conversation--which would be a far-cry from the rest of the fussing in the room--although he was legitimately curious; a common habit for someone with an inquisitive mind.

The Wards of The King - A Song of Ice And Fire Roleplay (High Casual)(Reboot)

Gabriel Martell

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Idly observing. Unsure if he really wants to interact with anyone.

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Gabriel thought to introduce himself to the rest of the room following Tiras, but the tension had only seemed to escalate as ego brushed against ego. Therefore, instead of making himself out to be the bratty child that seemingly could not read a room--which he could surely do, no doubt, lest a Martell he not be--the boy chose only to say a brief thanks to Tiras for allowing him to pet his bear and then moved away quietly.

Approaching with caution, so as to not startle the lumbering animal, Gabriel carefully sat down next to it with his legs out to his side, using one hand to support his weight while the other carefully brushed over the fine fur coat. Listening closely, the young man could hear the bear's steady breathing. His fingers felt the warmth of the high body temperature as they ran along the backside and gently scratched away at a spot that the big beast seemed to react positively to, letting out a quiet-but-pleasured moan while the ears flicked slightly upward. Gabriel grinned and felt oddly relaxed, despite realizing that he was petting one of nature's deadliest beasts, as if it was the most timid creature in the world.

The attempt at conversations that the other wards in the room were making, but obviously failing at, would have been difficult for anyone to follow without fully understanding the context of their ancestors' histories. Who was who wasn't a concern, as their very colors and the air about each of them were dead ringers. Gabriel had read enough of greater Westerosi history to understand the ancient feuds between some houses; but while bad blood may have once sullied relations, any contempt for one another now was wasted effort, given the very reason why they had all been summoned to King's Landing in the first place. Snarky remarks, insults, and unchecked pride would only serve as vain attempts to defeat the King's intended purpose.

Of that much... Gabriel was certain. But who was he to weigh in on such matters? Oh wait, that's right... he was also a damned heir, just like them.

When Toran appeared in the common room, Gabriel's spirits--which started to feel dampened--were immediately lifted. His cousin's presence was always reassuring to him, especially around strangers such as the ones that now surrounded him. He couldn't very well expect Tiras' bear to keep him safe when half of the men in the room thought to draw their swords when they first saw it (or have their accompanying protectors to do that work for them).

Gabriel thought to stand up and move over to Toran, to once again cling to his cousin's side; but the boy thought twice when he observed Toran sneak his way to stand near Alyssa Arryn. Had his cousin not have had a reputation for woo'ing beautiful maidens, Gabriel wouldn't have found himself suspicious of Toran's proximity to her. At least, Gabriel had convinced himself that his concerns for such things had been born purely of "idle suspicion", and nothing more.

Mass Effect: Brink

You gotta love the krogan! :D Just waiting on @Howler to post for Zik and then we can press.