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You do ensure I will never grow complacent in my duties to you, yes.

[ code for chill the eff out, lady!! it's surprising he doesn't have more salt and pepper sprinkled throughout that beard of his from how much she stresses him. none of what she has said earlier comes off as foreign to him. she has always been headstrong. passionate. emotional. Jorah has worked hard to help her control those feelings in favor of being a proper, legitimate Queen once she assumed the throne, but...

... some habits die hard. ]

Yes, but I left you in good company any time I have left. I know you have befriended others... perhaps they have even earned your trust, but—

[ Jorah interrupts himself with a sigh. he has to learn to stop being so skeptical of any and everyone. most mirrorbound are like-minded if only because they were all brought to Aefenglom against their choosing. he shouldn't have cause to believe they have ulterior motives. ]

—I wish I knew it possible to convince you to remain safe in this city. Those who sit at the throne are not to be in the front lines, nor do they often play the role of emissary.

It seems our time apart has earned you a sense of humor. I'm impressed.

[ Coy, teasing – Daenerys is taken aback by the lightheartedness when she came to him so blunt. It helps ease things, makes her admitting she was wrong to play hero so quickly.

She sees red – Astapor burning, chains and shackles hitting the ground... and the smell of flesh crisped to the bone still fresh in her nose. Daenerys tries her best not to associate it with this upcoming voyage... yet...

Her voice grows soft, almost like when she pleaded with him to take her to the House of the Undying. ]

I must see this city for myself... I must know if this world is plagued by a wheel that grinds the unfortunate into the ground. [ There's a true admittance here: ] I do not have a throne to sit on. Not here. Maybe not even back home. The future is nothing to bet upon when magic weaves itself around us.

I have always had a sense of humor, khaleesi. It is just usually in the form of sarcasm, and I try to restrain myself of that in front of my queen.

[ because a queen shouldn't be talked to with sarcasm in mind. who's to say what that means if he allows himself the opportunity to speak in such a way. maybe he's growing comfortable with their more sociable dynamic since arriving at Aefenglom. maybe he's actually somewhat passive aggressive without realizing it. maybe it's a combination of both. either way, it's there and he doesn't apologize for it. ]

And if this other city is exactly what you fear? If you have no throne to sit on, surely you understand the difficulties of raising an army to force change at your own will.

[ she'd not only be going against Dorchacht, but she would no doubt be butting heads against the apparently passive Aefenglom. without understanding its history, the city they lived in appeared to be very cautious about causing unwanted problems and attention on itself. perhaps they should have realized the consequences of bringing someone like Daenerys into their world. ]

I ask that you keep control over your emotions while you are there, Daenerys. I will not be there to help you during these meetings. Please do not put yourself in harm's way.

[ It's almost bitter how quickly she wants to insist she is no Queen here. That one did not hold over well last time, she would not return to that conversation. ]

We must be partners, ser. You serve me well, provide good council and I wish to return the favor. [ His words were difficult to hear. As if she was being talked to like a child. She hates it, makes her wish to end this 'call' and just go to sleep. Yet... a Queen, she listens to her people. ] I... will do my best, then. My wants and wishes may not align to what is best for us all.

[ A pause, returning to his earlier question. She thinks, trying to sum the words up for him to understand. ]

If it is as I fear, my heart will bleed for them. [ However, she does insist more from him. ] I wish to know about their city, I trust you to find me the answers I need.

[ though he is quick to mention the lack of a throne, she will always be a queen to him. it is but a simple fact for Jorah. bias aside, she was destined to break the wheel and he was one of the first to believe in such a thing. he helped her climb her way from the bottom of the desert to the Great Pyramid of Meereen and eventually the mountains of Dragonstone. he didn't quite get her to King's Landing as he had hoped, but it's proof that she can do it all over again if she so chose.

the problem is that it's just the two of them this time, and he's far too cautious about putting her in harm's way. she teased the fate of death one too many times back then; he will not allow such a thing repeat itself here. not when he's come so far to be with her again. he will do whatever he must to ensure she remains safe, even if it's at the cost of providing others their freedom. ]

Your wants and wishes are important to me. You know this. But I cannot side with any decisions that provide you with unnecessary risks. Perhaps that is why you moved forward without my direction. —Or perhaps you dabbled in those impulsive habits of yours.

[ and he applauds her for that if that is the case. present the conversation to him prior and he would have done any and everything in her power to steer her towards remaining in Aefenglom. bringing it up in the public, spurring them forward and creating conversations... there's no way he can stop her now. it may not have been her intention, but surely it was smart. ]

Of course. Assuming this teleportation device keeps my limbs intact, I will not return to you until I have more information.

[ There are times she feels less of a Queen and more like a child. As if she does something wrong with thinking quickly and acting just as such. Jorah has always lamented patience, encouraged her to see a path that she may not see so easily. His last comment of impulsive habits makes her think. Her jaw drops as if she wants to beg him to repeat his words. The fire in her belly burns a bit more and no – she recalls Tyrion's words... she would not be a Queen if she punishes her most loyal followers.

So, impulsively, she speaks. ]

Then, keep track of my impulsiveness as you have for years. Bond with me. Ensure we are bound by more than fate. [ OKAY DANY CHILL... ] They say it is an essence of bonding two souls, to allow them to feel one another. If I am in danger, you can feel it and return to me, as you always do.

[ It's almost poetic. Even if she does this with half-anger, she is genuine in her words. ]

We can find a Witch tonight to cast their spell.

[ he awaits for the moment where Daenerys spits fire in his direction. he practically has it coming. often does he give her appropriate criticism and advice, but she never takes it well when he singles out a specific trait of her personality. Jorah is the last person to ever dare try to dull or change her in anyway. he admires her spirit and wants nothing more than for everyone else to witness it. he just implores her to have constant control over it.

with great power comes great responsibility, yadda yadda yadda.

she can hear a hitch in his throat when she calls him out on it in a different way altogether, however. he has to run the words through his heads multiple times, asking himself if he could have misheard her in any way, shape or form. bond with me. it bounces around in his head for longer than deemed comfortable, and she may be concerned that he has disconnected the call before giving her an answer. his heart is suddenly pounding a last faster than he could have ever prepared for, and Jorah is certainly pacing back and forth in his room as he tries to muster up a response.

finally, after an impossibly long period of silence: ]

This idea is the antithesis of literally everything I have just said to you, Daenerys. [ so many mistakes. so many misinterpretations. bonding is almost parallel to that of a marriage, though he understands they can be platonic. the idea that this is exactly that stings more than he likes to admit. ] ... But if you insist. It does have its... benefits.

[ His silence unnerves her but she can hear a few things in the background – he was still 'connected' to her. Had she done something wrong? He is to protect her, yes – but she makes it so difficult... When he speaks up, she snaps back quick and defensive. ]

How so? You hold responsibility over me in your vow as my knight. Now, the vow is extended and mutual. To serve one another, not just one.

[ It was something Daenerys almost feels pained to offer. As if she could do nothing to help him – when he had always been there by her side, sword at the ready. Was it even fair, really?

If she is lead to be impulsive, she will take that proudly. Her impulsiveness has done both good as it did harm. How could she be ready to sit by and let this cause be ignored, no matter how badly she wishes to return home? Perhaps it would lead them closer to returning home... with the magic the Coven so proudly totes around in this other city. ]

You fear that I act too quickly or harshly. With this bond... we are truly connected. [ Lowly: ] If I become what we are trying to stop and I harm others in my choices... you will be able to feel in my heart, I believe.

[ A brief pause. ]

We may be each others strength. [ Literally, this time. There was much she does not know about the Bond – but she was advised to do so before leaving. To ensure they were not at risk of being 'claimed' over there. This... was for more personal, protective reasons. ] Would you allow this one impulse without lecture or chagrin?

[ she couldn't have assumed she would get an immediate reaction out of him. the only reflexes he acts on is when he is in battle. all other things are thoughtful and deliberate — his choice of words, his actions, the emotions he decides to make obvious and the ones he bottles inside. having her voice in his ears but her face not standing before him does enough to throw him off-balance, but being asked to pseudo-marry his queen knocks him off of his proverbial feet.

it took everything in him to control what came out of his mouth at that moment, and a pang of guilt washes over Jorah as he feels like Daenerys may have taken offense. regardless of what it is, she never offers herself easily. to bond with him means a great deal. beyond the betrayal, beyond the past history between them — a bond between two monsters is far from recommended, especially for two new mirrorbound. mirrorbound with no Witch to bond to as well.

this next month will surely be interesting. ]

Connected. Hm. [ there's a click of his tongue as he mulls over the words. Jorah eventually sits down in a nearby chair, leaning his head back to stare up at the ceiling. ] I already empathized with you before, you know. When you hurt, I hurt. When you were scared, angry, overcome with joy... I shared all of those things with you. No bonding ceremony was required.

[ she won't earn a lecture or any chagrin from him. just a sober tone that responds in neither one way or the other. he doesn't make it easy for her to gather how he feels from all of this. ]

I will do this for you, khaleesi. But you must know... if our hearts grow tethered in such a way... I do not know what that spells for you. The last thing I want is to confuse or misguide you.

[ It was different. Where Daenerys may speak so boldly and command attention, her voice carries with care. It feels like she is taking an easy way, but their conversation started with being at odds with one another. She does not want it to be that way, not when she feels vulnerable and alone without him.

She asks this of him to guide him. To allow him to find her if things grow tense or talks go south. However, she wishes to know what he feels. She wishes to know if he is endangered on his mission. Who knows if she anticipates to feel the longing and love in his heart. That concern, may fall low on her list of priorities. ]

I know, my knight. I know. [ She's painfully aware of how much he sacrifices for her. ] If we are in a world of magic, perhaps... we must adapt. Use their magics against them. This bond is something deeper rooted than we could imagine.

[ Than simple words or agreements with their loyalty could yield. It gives them something to tether, to ensure they are protected. His tone washes waves — she has a difficult task finding out how he feels and she asks a lot of him. She knows. She'll always know.

But, he made a vow to her. What is one more? ]

... We will address that when the time comes. I wish only to ensure I know you're safe, that you know my impulsion is not causing us trouble.

[ She speaks plainly. ]

I need you with me, even if you can not be by my side.

[ logically, it all makes sense. what better way to ensure a knight can protect his queen in long distances than to form a bond with her that provides him with more insight? he isn't Varys. there is no such thing as having "little bears" planted throughout the other city to keep tabs on her and those that might wish her harm. he's learned many things over the years regarding reconnaissance and gaining intel, but it has always been a solo affair. this will help him do a better job.

too bad he is sure it comes with a heavy cost. it's not a matter of if he is willing to pay it. it is a matter of when. ]

As you wish, khaleesi. Just refrain from growing overdependent on this newfound change. We will likely be without it once we return home.

[ his tone indicates he is lacing his words with humor. he technically is. he's mainly talking to himself, however. offering a reminder so that he doesn't get used to anything that may come from this. Jorah has to accept that they're doing this for a very specific reason. ]

—Did you truly mean to do this tonight? It's... very late. Surely you want to sleep?

[ It was a difficult subject. Both of them had to understand that this was something far more than what they were knew. Dany could stand in scorching fire, but to know truly how someone feels and share their pains? It feels invasive, but they need it in their present situation. ]

You have my word, then.

[ It does instill a bit of hope – returning back to Dragonstone... to finding herself back where she needs to be. To bring him back into the fold of their mission.

His question does bring a laugh at least. ]

You wish for me to have time to change my mind, ser?

[ Dany always goin' and complicatin' shit. she's lucky this monster business has him growing hair, not losing it, lest decisions like this would turn him bald with any remaining on his head to be pure white. ]

The thought has crossed my mind, yes.

[ he offers a short laugh in return, all before standing back up and pressing himself against the door just mere feet from that of her own room. that is assuming she isn't up to no good and is somewhere else altogether. Dany-herding is an exhausting task. ]

But it is an obscene hour. Why you are even still dressed is beyond me. Makes me wonder how long you were thinking of doing this.

[ the last thing Jorah needs to think about is his queen in her sleepwear. surely bonds won't let her invade his thoughts. that will present oh so many problems. ]

[ He's far too noble of a man to abandon her when she needed him most. This was one of those testing moments. ]

Surely the Coven witch unfortunate enough to have two monsters banging at her door at this hour will place us in her debt. [ But, she's already pulled a robe on and wrapped it around herself. The ends brush to her feet as she raises up – pacing. ] It was impulse, remember? Do well to remember that when we are using our bond in this new city.

An impulse to bring it up to me. Whether or not you considered it prior is up for discussion.

[ Jorah knows he was curious about it when he had learned more of bonding ceremonies. he is far from adept at the subject, but he would be a fool to agree to his Queen if he didn't at least understand the basics of what they were getting into. they're both well aware they aren't Witches by now, so for two monsters to sign up is certainly a risk. neither of them have a Witch bonded to them either.

alas, he understands this is a time-specific issue, and they do not have time to come up with anything else. talk of ending this bond after they return already causes him to wince at the thought of how much it will inevitably pain him, but he must soldier on. ]

I will see you outside in a few minutes then, khaleesi. As lovely as it is to hear your voice, it will be nice to witness your face during the chaos of what will follow.

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and then this happened