[ Robb Stark has come a long way from Britain. If someone had asked him a year or two ago about going to India of all places, he would've laughed at the thought. He's the heir to the Stark family. Why would he need to travel halfway around the world? Things change, though. His family has been grievously injured by the Lannisters and rather than wait in brooding silence on his family's estate, he chose to pursue their ambitions and to foil them. It was a decision born of impetuous youth and he has seen much since he arrived here. He's fought and killed and his own band of loyal Stark followers has dwindled to little more than a handful of grimly determined men and women, all intent on seeing justice done for Eddard. Even if it costs them their lives.
Robb's fortunate in that he's found allies on the subcontinent. His family wasn't the only one that the Lannisters hurt or betrayed and here he's found that they're using the guise of "civilization" to inflict pain and misery on the people. Robb is, at heart, somewhat of an old-fashioned ruler and lord. He is far from democratic or believing in the natural equality of people, but he does believe that someone of higher station should not use their position to harm those beneath him. So now Robb has more than one reason to despise the Lannisters and common cause with Lakshmi Bai.
He traveled here months ago, when he heard of the fighting and the growing rumbles of discontent, hot on the trail of the Lannisters, and offered himself and his followers as advisers and allies. At the time, there was chaos in the country; mutineers and allies of the Company both rampaging through the countryside and the rani was the only one who could maintain control - and help him find vengeance.
Since then, things have become difficult. The noose has tightened around them and soon there will blood and powder smoke inside the walls. It's in this particular mindset that he comes to her chambers and he finds her cleaning her blade. That isn't much of a surprise. He wears a curved European saber and a revolver on his hip these days. But there's something beautiful and reverential about the way she holds the blade up to the light and for a long moment he can't help but watch how she moves.
He tries to put thoughts like those out of his head. At least for now. ]
Just thinking about what tomorrow might bring, truthfully.
[ His reply carries across the room and then he follows, tread heavy on the floor. ]
Thinking about what brought me here and how things have changed. What we're going to do next. If there's a "next". [ He pulls out a chair, glancing at her to silently ask permission to sit. This is her house and her chambers, after all. ]
no subject
Robb's fortunate in that he's found allies on the subcontinent. His family wasn't the only one that the Lannisters hurt or betrayed and here he's found that they're using the guise of "civilization" to inflict pain and misery on the people. Robb is, at heart, somewhat of an old-fashioned ruler and lord. He is far from democratic or believing in the natural equality of people, but he does believe that someone of higher station should not use their position to harm those beneath him. So now Robb has more than one reason to despise the Lannisters and common cause with Lakshmi Bai.
He traveled here months ago, when he heard of the fighting and the growing rumbles of discontent, hot on the trail of the Lannisters, and offered himself and his followers as advisers and allies. At the time, there was chaos in the country; mutineers and allies of the Company both rampaging through the countryside and the rani was the only one who could maintain control - and help him find vengeance.
Since then, things have become difficult. The noose has tightened around them and soon there will blood and powder smoke inside the walls. It's in this particular mindset that he comes to her chambers and he finds her cleaning her blade. That isn't much of a surprise. He wears a curved European saber and a revolver on his hip these days. But there's something beautiful and reverential about the way she holds the blade up to the light and for a long moment he can't help but watch how she moves.
He tries to put thoughts like those out of his head. At least for now. ]
Just thinking about what tomorrow might bring, truthfully.
[ His reply carries across the room and then he follows, tread heavy on the floor. ]
Thinking about what brought me here and how things have changed. What we're going to do next. If there's a "next". [ He pulls out a chair, glancing at her to silently ask permission to sit. This is her house and her chambers, after all. ]