Robb Stark [ modern!au ] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
northless) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
brickbybrick2013-03-23 08:12 am
northless) wrote in brickbybrick2013-03-23 08:12 am
[verse; closed]
take a chance
make a change
and break away
take a chance
make a change
and break away
[Ten things about Robb Stark that may or may not be incredibly obvious off the bat:
1. He's a dirty hipster.
2. No, seriously. Has a playlist full of folk and indie music and everything.
3. He lives ten minutes away from his family home.
4. He's twenty-nine, nearing thirty, and he still sleeps around.
5. He has a ton of emotional baggage from a past life.
6. He also has a fear of commitment and PTSD. Reincarnation: not all it's cracked up to be. He can testify to that.
7. He knows that weddings = great place to meet someone. Never mind that most of the time it's one of his (many) exes getting married. Never mind that seeing them getting married hurts.
8. And never mind that a part of him wants to try again.
9. Since graduating from college, he's had a string of jobs, all of them not really paying much, so most of the time he's working at least two.
10. He got laid off from both jobs this week.
The last item is why he's currently looking around. It's a day before he has to pay his rent, and he is exactly twenty dollars short. No one's looking back, so he just inches closer till he nears the fountain's edge.
Then he rolls up his sleeves and starts not-so-discreetly taking coins and stuffing them in his pocket. Just twenty dollars, really--he'll compensate. At some point. As soon as he gets a job again. Or two. Or three. But really, he'll make up for it.]
1. He's a dirty hipster.
2. No, seriously. Has a playlist full of folk and indie music and everything.
3. He lives ten minutes away from his family home.
4. He's twenty-nine, nearing thirty, and he still sleeps around.
5. He has a ton of emotional baggage from a past life.
6. He also has a fear of commitment and PTSD. Reincarnation: not all it's cracked up to be. He can testify to that.
7. He knows that weddings = great place to meet someone. Never mind that most of the time it's one of his (many) exes getting married. Never mind that seeing them getting married hurts.
8. And never mind that a part of him wants to try again.
9. Since graduating from college, he's had a string of jobs, all of them not really paying much, so most of the time he's working at least two.
10. He got laid off from both jobs this week.
The last item is why he's currently looking around. It's a day before he has to pay his rent, and he is exactly twenty dollars short. No one's looking back, so he just inches closer till he nears the fountain's edge.
Then he rolls up his sleeves and starts not-so-discreetly taking coins and stuffing them in his pocket. Just twenty dollars, really--he'll compensate. At some point. As soon as he gets a job again. Or two. Or three. But really, he'll make up for it.]
[In his rush to fish coins from the water, he's likely oblivious to the clicking of high-heeled shoes approaching. It's near dusk and there's no one in the square. She's made a ritual of dropping a coin in the fountain everyday, a wish for luck before turning in the night. In truth, it likely hasn't done her much good. Her life is a good one but there's always been a certain emptiness that nothing could fill. Work is all well and good but how long can she continue to stand in her father's shadow? She charms investors for him and seals his deals with a smile. But what else is she good for? A silver dollar hits the water with a plop, causing the water to ripple toward the scavenging stranger.]
Do you make a habit of stealing other people's wishes, sir?
[People could say whatever they wished about her but none could claim that she wasn't polite.]
Do you make a habit of stealing other people's wishes, sir?
[People could say whatever they wished about her but none could claim that she wasn't polite.]
[With a shrug, she turns her attention to her purse and pulls a bill from her wallet. Instead of looking at him, she starts folding the currency in her hands.]
Go ahead, I'm listening. It's not as if making a citizen's arrest is on my agenda.
Go ahead, I'm listening. It's not as if making a citizen's arrest is on my agenda.
Edited (wording OTL) 2013-03-23 01:42 (UTC)
[He lets out a sigh.]
I just got laid off from my jobs--both of them--and my rent's coming up. [He runs a hand through his hair, not noticing what she's doing.] They didn't really pay all that well, and my landlord's not exactly the best of them. I don't pay, he kicks me out.
I just got laid off from my jobs--both of them--and my rent's coming up. [He runs a hand through his hair, not noticing what she's doing.] They didn't really pay all that well, and my landlord's not exactly the best of them. I don't pay, he kicks me out.
[The movements of her hands cease and sweeps at the back of her skirt before she sits at the lip of the fountain. It's getting dark, and the first few streetlamps are just starting to blaze to life with their familiar florescent glow. At first glance, it looks like she's just dipping her hand in the water but her touch leaves something riding on the meager waves born from her touch. There's a paper boat sailing toward him, as green as any rusted copper penny but worth quite a bit more.]
Your wish for the sake of everyone else's.
[Just fulfilling a passing whim. At least she'll feel like she's done something worthwhile today. Granting wishes is a duty usually left to higher powers but they've constantly let her down. Nothing wrong with taking over for them in a singular instance, is there?]
If it's lacking, I'd advise shamelessness in stating what else is needed.
[Her manner of speech is stiff and proper, a consequence of constantly being drilled in making pitches and presentations to draw investors in.]
Your wish for the sake of everyone else's.
[Just fulfilling a passing whim. At least she'll feel like she's done something worthwhile today. Granting wishes is a duty usually left to higher powers but they've constantly let her down. Nothing wrong with taking over for them in a singular instance, is there?]
If it's lacking, I'd advise shamelessness in stating what else is needed.
[Her manner of speech is stiff and proper, a consequence of constantly being drilled in making pitches and presentations to draw investors in.]
Edited (ugh wording again sorry) 2013-03-23 01:57 (UTC)
[He stares at the paper boat, not believing it till he reaches out and plucks it from the water, unfolding it in his hands.
Twenty dollars. The exact amount he needs.
He looks up.]
It's--it's fine. God, I--thank you. [He stuffs it into his pocket as well, and fishes out the coins and drops them back in the fountain.
Splash, splash, splash. How many people come here to wish upon a coin? How many people, clinging to one last hope, drop a coin into the fountain's waters? More than he can count, he thinks, and his impulsive action moments earlier now seems foolish, even a little cruel. But then, he's no stranger to foolish decisions.
But he's no stranger to kindness, either.]
Twenty dollars. The exact amount he needs.
He looks up.]
It's--it's fine. God, I--thank you. [He stuffs it into his pocket as well, and fishes out the coins and drops them back in the fountain.
Splash, splash, splash. How many people come here to wish upon a coin? How many people, clinging to one last hope, drop a coin into the fountain's waters? More than he can count, he thinks, and his impulsive action moments earlier now seems foolish, even a little cruel. But then, he's no stranger to foolish decisions.
But he's no stranger to kindness, either.]
God, hm? I wouldn't chalk this up to divine intervention. You might even blame your good fortune on a lack of it.
[Entrepreneurship turned one godless after awhile. An enterprise failed or succeeded based on how shrewd one happened to be. God had nothing to do with it. The devil, maybe. Say what you will about the man downstairs but people were more likely to make deals with him than with God.]
People help people. It's simply a matter of learning how to convince them to open their purses.
[And inadvertently, he'd managed such a feat with her. He hadn't run like a coward and he was honorable enough to return what he'd taken. It's not something one sees everyday.]
[Entrepreneurship turned one godless after awhile. An enterprise failed or succeeded based on how shrewd one happened to be. God had nothing to do with it. The devil, maybe. Say what you will about the man downstairs but people were more likely to make deals with him than with God.]
People help people. It's simply a matter of learning how to convince them to open their purses.
[And inadvertently, he'd managed such a feat with her. He hadn't run like a coward and he was honorable enough to return what he'd taken. It's not something one sees everyday.]
[He'd entertained the thought of running away, but he likes being able to sleep at night. Even if he usually doesn't, but that is something no one needs to know.]
I guess I'm not the best at that, then. [His family is willing to help, but he can't burden them with his troubles.]
I guess I'm not the best at that, then. [His family is willing to help, but he can't burden them with his troubles.]
Is that so? Philanthropy isn't exactly a strong suit of mine though this latest act might speak to the contrary. The mayor's been hounding the construction arm of our conglomerate for months about investing in a certain bridge. She hasn't seen a penny from me. Based on that, your success rate in getting people to open their purses is about 2000% better than the mayor's. Perhaps you should consider politics. Clean up a little and you might even have the face for it.
[Even her humor didn't go untainted by her work. He words were earnest though. Inspiring her generosity was not an easy thing to do.]
[Even her humor didn't go untainted by her work. He words were earnest though. Inspiring her generosity was not an easy thing to do.]
[He huffs out a laugh. Ah, Cersei Lannister, mayor of the entire damn city, and he still has not figured out how everything hasn't gone to shit yet. Maybe she's changed as much as he has in this life.
Politics. Ha, yeah, right. He'd lost the game of thrones before, and he isn't interested in playing something like it again.]
Never been one for politics. I don't have the stomach for it.
Politics. Ha, yeah, right. He'd lost the game of thrones before, and he isn't interested in playing something like it again.]
Never been one for politics. I don't have the stomach for it.
No one truly does. It's a duty that isn't to be taken lightly. We see fit to dip our nets in the water when it suits us. Would that I could find a better way to traverse such treacherous waters.
[Her hand's in the fountain again, and she's watching how the light from the lamps plays against the glimmer of submerged coins. It's too dark to see her reflection now. A warped shadow stares back at her, rippled by each caress against the water.]
Certain impressions have to be made.
[She did call the money she gave him an "investment," didn't she?]
[Her hand's in the fountain again, and she's watching how the light from the lamps plays against the glimmer of submerged coins. It's too dark to see her reflection now. A warped shadow stares back at her, rippled by each caress against the water.]
Certain impressions have to be made.
[She did call the money she gave him an "investment," didn't she?]
[He had, and he'd been dashed on the rocks, paid the price for his mistakes (and there were so many, so many that sometimes he can only sleep in spurts because of them).]
I'd say you're doing pretty well so far. From what I know of her, the mayor can be persistent when she wants to be.
[Not exactly from personal experience, but he knows this from stories, of Westeros from Sansa and of now from his parents, who knew her from college.]
I'd say you're doing pretty well so far. From what I know of her, the mayor can be persistent when she wants to be.
[Not exactly from personal experience, but he knows this from stories, of Westeros from Sansa and of now from his parents, who knew her from college.]
If she was a bit less overt about embezzling city funds, we might have had a little more faith. There's a fine line between a necessary evil and an evil that must be put down. The woman's walking a tightrope and fancies us as a safety net.
[Talking business affairs with a stranger. What exactly is her world coming to?]
Tell me, would you like a new job? Where exactly did you work before you ended up here?
[Depending on his answer, she might peg him for a position as a custodian or perhaps something loftier.]
[Talking business affairs with a stranger. What exactly is her world coming to?]
Tell me, would you like a new job? Where exactly did you work before you ended up here?
[Depending on his answer, she might peg him for a position as a custodian or perhaps something loftier.]
A heavy leaning toward customer service. Hm, I can work with that. Tell me, do you pay attention to the people who cross your path? Notice little things about them?
[Such work breeds tedium but clever people found a way around it by honing an eye for detail. Becoming a good judge of character was a skill that needed to be practiced. When she was younger, her father had seen fit to have start at the bottom within the company. Mail room duty. It's surprising how much you can learn about people when they don't think you matter. Their tongues grow loose and actions are unguarded, leaving them to be read like open books.]
[Such work breeds tedium but clever people found a way around it by honing an eye for detail. Becoming a good judge of character was a skill that needed to be practiced. When she was younger, her father had seen fit to have start at the bottom within the company. Mail room duty. It's surprising how much you can learn about people when they don't think you matter. Their tongues grow loose and actions are unguarded, leaving them to be read like open books.]
Sometimes. There's nothing else to do.
[He's grown better at paying attention to people, true. Most of the jobs he's taken on required interaction with people on a regular basis, it's only logical he develop the skill of reading between the lines.]
[He's grown better at paying attention to people, true. Most of the jobs he's taken on required interaction with people on a regular basis, it's only logical he develop the skill of reading between the lines.]
[Standing up, she tugs at the hem of her skirt to straighten it before walking toward him and extending her hand to shake. There's always protocol to be followed and introductions are no exception.]
A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stark. You may call me Lady Une. I currently serve on Preventer's board of directors.
[It takes all her will power not to go into a spiel about her father's company. She's practiced and delivered this speech so many times that it's almost a reflex.]
Perhaps you might like to conduct further discussion over dinner?
A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stark. You may call me Lady Une. I currently serve on Preventer's board of directors.
[It takes all her will power not to go into a spiel about her father's company. She's practiced and delivered this speech so many times that it's almost a reflex.]
Perhaps you might like to conduct further discussion over dinner?
[Preventer. Oh, he's heard of that, mentions dropped around the hourse, but it's quickly overcome by one other thought.
Oh god, dinner. And an actual dinner, at that, not just reheated noodles like yesterday, and the day before that. He licks his lips at the thought.]
Sounds like fun. Where to?
Oh god, dinner. And an actual dinner, at that, not just reheated noodles like yesterday, and the day before that. He licks his lips at the thought.]
Sounds like fun. Where to?
[When he doesn't take her hand, she reaches to take his and deftly shakes it before trying to pull him to his feet. Her eyes study the way he's dressed. Definitely far too unkempt for her usual haunts.
Perfect. That will certainly draw their eye.
It would do her some good to start a little gossip. Might even be to her advantage with that sheikh who fancied her. She could squeeze a little more black gold out of him if he thought he had competition. The maître d' would probably float the rumor to the oaf in no time.]
My usual table at Luna.
Perfect. That will certainly draw their eye.
It would do her some good to start a little gossip. Might even be to her advantage with that sheikh who fancied her. She could squeeze a little more black gold out of him if he thought he had competition. The maître d' would probably float the rumor to the oaf in no time.]
My usual table at Luna.
[Luna. He's heard many, many things about that, and most of it is that the food is delicious and also expensive.]
You're sure? [His tone's a little worried. He's still broke, and though she's got more money than he does he's still hoping to contribute something.]
You're sure? [His tone's a little worried. He's still broke, and though she's got more money than he does he's still hoping to contribute something.]
Of course.
[To her credit, she's rarely uncertain when it comes to such negligible decisions. It caused her dismay to watch people pussyfoot around what they wanted for fear of how they might be perceived. It just led to endless discussion that led nowhere.
Pulling her Blackberry from her purse, she sends a text.]
Car will be here in five.
[To her credit, she's rarely uncertain when it comes to such negligible decisions. It caused her dismay to watch people pussyfoot around what they wanted for fear of how they might be perceived. It just led to endless discussion that led nowhere.
Pulling her Blackberry from her purse, she sends a text.]
Car will be here in five.
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