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[isak_cederstrom]

Coming home is wonderful and terrible.

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[valyriandragon]

Why is it terrible?

[isak_cederstrom]

[He sighs a little.] -- Family. Well, some family. They make coming home not -- so pleasant.

[valyriandragon]

[She can't help but remember Viserys.]

I might understand, though I have never had a home that lasted long.

[isak_cederstrom]

[He tilts his head with curiosity.] Surely you -- come from somewhere? Although I guess many do not consider that home, either. I know many think that "home" is not a location, so much as it is a state of mind or a feeling. And the people you are with.

[valyriandragon]

I have not felt that either. My brother and I moved around frequently as children and I have not stopped.

[isak_cederstrom]

[He frowns a little] I am sorry to hear that. I imagine it is hard to get attached to any place if you are not there long enough.

[valyriandragon]

My brother said our home was a place I do not even recall. He remembered it, though.

[isak_cederstrom]

[Another thoughtful head tilt.] Have you never travelled back there?

[valyriandragon]

Not yet. I would not be welcomed by the usurpers.

[isak_cederstrom]

-- Ehm, usurpers?

[valyriandragon]

They stole the throne from my father. I intend to take it back.

[isak_cederstrom]

So -- you are a princess?

[valyriandragon]

A Khaleesi and a Queen if we are being exact. I was born a Princess.

[isak_cederstrom]

Oh -- I, ehm. [He blinks, hesitating. He starts to bow from the waist, arching down at a 90 degree angle.]

[valyriandragon]

[She laughs softly and motions for him to rise.]

I do not expect immediate subservience.

[isak_cederstrom]

[He stands, glancing around a bit awkwardly] I've just, ehm. I have never met royalty before. I assumed bowing was standard.

[valyriandragon]

Once I claim my throne, perhaps it will be standard. But I have not done so yet.

[isak_cederstrom]

But you were born a Princess; that is close enough for me. [He extends a hand, then starts to withdraw it. He isn't sure if you shake hands with royalty] My name is Isak Cederström.

[valyriandragon]

[She eyes the hand and pauses, smiling, before extending her own.]

Lord Isak, I am glad we have crossed paths and I hope your home is more of a comfort than a terror in the future.

[isak_cederstrom]

[He smiles, giving her hand the slightest shake before withdrawing.] Please, just Isak. My father might think he is a Lord, and my mother might think she is a Lady, but they are neither. Isak is more than fine.

Thank you for your words; I hope it is, too. I hope you can return to your home in peace.

[valyriandragon]

[An awkward gesture, but she accepts without comment.]

I see. Why do they feign nobility? [Such a thing isn't easy to do in her society.] Thank you, though I do not think I can hope for peace yet.

[isak_cederstrom]

Ehm -- well, they like to think of themselves as much more important, than they really are. [He speaks slowly, feeling out every word as he says it.] Despite their wealth, they do not carry titles. But they like to think they are -- more deserving of things than they really are. [He clears his throat; his parents are not exactly a topic he likes to talk about.]

I am sorry to hear that, about your home. War?

[valyriandragon]

How did they earn their wealth? They would be eligible for certain titles depending on their contributions to the crown.

[At least he remembers them.]

There will be casualties before and after I assume the throne. I will try to avoid a war, however.

[isak_cederstrom]

My mother was once a model, when she was younger. She was quite popular around Scandinavia, but she has long since stopped that. The majority of the wealth comes from my father, who is the CEO of Nordea bank; it is the largest bank in Sweden. [His voice is cold while talking about his father; he does not try to hide it.] Mm, Sweden does still have a monarchy, technically, but they are mostly just for show. They hold absolutely no power and can make no rulings; we have a Parliament and Prime Minister for that. We also do not really -- knight people anymore. That stopped quite a bit of time ago.

If you do not mind, what happened? You mentioned usurpers and your father; someone betrayed him and took him out of his position?

[valyriandragon]

So your system of rule has been completely altered. I would not know what counts for nobility, then. They could be a Lord and Lady.

[Her smile is slightly teasing. She can hear his dislike of them.]

The usurpers staged a revolt and killed my father. My mother was pregnant with me at the time and she fled to a castle called Dragonstone. I was born during one of the worst storms in history, which is how I earned the name "Stormborn".

[isak_cederstrom]

[He opens his mouth to protest, but then realizes she's teasing him. He lets out a chuckle as he shakes his head.] I will not be passing that message along to them. They certainly don't need any help in thinking highly of themselves.

[The smile on his face quickly disappears at her retelling of what happened to her father. His face falls into a frown.] Herregud .. That is -- quite a tumultuous beginning, to put it lightly. So -- it was you and your brother? That is why you haven't yet been able to return home?

[valyriandragon]

So I surmised. I will not be informing them, you have my word.

[He's far more handsome when he smiles - in her not so humble opinion.]

Viserys was the reason we both survived. He was barely more than a child himself when we left Westeros, but those loyal to our family foresaw him as the next King when he came of age. Thus we were sent into hiding in the East.

[isak_cederstrom]

[He nods his head in appreciating, smiling.]

-- But you are going to take the throne. Your brother -- ?

[valyriandragon]

My husband killed Viserys. [With her permission.] I will take the throne.

[isak_cederstrom]

[A bit of a nod; things just got very dark, very fast. He clears his throat.] I am sorry, to hear about your brother; though I do not know if sympathy is -- needed?

I cannot imagine the sort of life you have led so far. -- And, I am afraid I do not know your name.

[valyriandragon]

It is...complicated. He grew bitter and reckless; living in the East was never easy. He, in particular, was treated very poorly. I know he did much for me - sacrificed much - but he threatened me before my husband one too many times.

[A crown of gold.]

Daenerys Targaryen.

[isak_cederstrom]

Your brother -- threatened you? [His voice reflects his inability to understand; he could never imagine doing that to his sister.]

-- How should I address you? I imagine calling you by your given name is too informal.

[valyriandragon]

Many times. [She is certain Viserys wouldn't kill her. He needed her. But -]

We are alone. Under all the titles, I am Daenerys still.

What should I call you?

[isak_cederstrom]

Then perhaps he is no longer around to do so?

[He nods slightly.] Daenerys it is. Isak is more than fine.

[valyriandragon]

Drogo ensured that was so. He showed me my worth; he loved me.

[Past tense is never a good sign.]

Good. Isak, have you met any others from Westeros?

LOL How I know it was too late for me to comment: I left out words. "perhaps it is good that .."

[isak_cederstrom]

-- Loved? I am sorry to hear that.

[He thinks about it, trying to remember everyone he has met so far.] I think so, one other? But -- I am afraid we did not get to exchange names. He was talking about Direwolves.