[murk]

You're meeting your betrothed today, Erik, try not to mess it up. The words echo around in his head, a stone of nerves settled in his stomach. Of course, the one day where actually impressing a girl would matter, Erik chose to feel nervous. It wasn't like he hadn't been through the motions before, but that didn't seem to matter as he smoothed down the shirt while standing in front of a mirror. She was to come to the Lannister's home. A gracious guest, it was to be an honor to have a Frey into the house, and he was to treat it as such. No jokes, no sarcasm. Even if the were betrothed, it was far too important for them to like each other for Erik to just throw it out over a dumb comment. He wasn't sure who wanted him out more, his mother or himself. A deep breath, he walked out to meet his betrothed. beekeeper

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[beekeeper]

amor, te amo por clara y por oscura, murk

She should be honoured, this much Aster knows. She should be nervous, too – this will be the rest of her life. But she's been promised, and she isn't going to be sent back to the crossing if the Lannister boy decides she's not pretty enough.

Really, she's looking forward to it. Marrying Erik Lannister is not a promise she'll be queen, but it's a step closer. It's a chance to see what she's working with, and it can't be any worse than home. Nothing can be any worse than that.

It's by sheer luck she's here – a strategic marriage, luck that she's the prettiest of the girls, and that's as far as she needs luck to take her. To the main hall of Casterly Rock, where someone presents her – Lady Aster of House Frey, as she crosses to Erik with a polite smile and a curtsey.

"A pleasure, my lord."

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[murk]

When he was told she was the prettiest of the Frey daughters, he didn't realize that they meant she was actually pretty. Far from it, in fact. The Freys weren't known for their beauty, and saying that Aster was the prettiest wouldn't have been a far throw from adequate at best. But he could say he was surprised, caught off guard for a brief moment. It was when the formalities came out that he realized she was one of those girls. He tried to cover up the sudden stiffness in his stance, straightening slightly. "The pleasure is all mine, my lady." It was probably more than what he needed to say, he was probably going to be scolded about it later, but he was a sucker for going against the rules. "I hope the ride down was pleasant." All he needed was polite conversation, and he'd be out of the conversation before he knew it. beekeeper

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[beekeeper]

amor, te amo por clara y por oscura, murk

Aster looked him over with a faint smile– he wasn't bad looking. Still, he couldn't be good looking, wealthy and high born all at once and without flaw. It would only be a matter of time until she found something wrong with him, but they weren't getting married for the sake of love. She only had to tolerate him, and he her.

"The Westerlands are lovely this time of year." She replied. The ride had been awful. Long and dull. "Perhaps we might get some fresh air later, a walk through the gardens later." Truthfully, she was curious about Erik Lannister – they said a lot of things about him.

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[murk]

The Westerlands were pretty, but if Erik knew anything from his personal experiences with riding, it was that they were never really fun. Slow paces, looking at the same general scenery for prolonged periods of time. "It's a promise." Anything she wanted, it was his command. Frowning, he looked around as if to check if anyone was keeping too close of an eye on them. "How about we just ditch now? I don't think anyone will miss us." beekeeper

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[beekeeper]

amor, te amo por clara y por oscura, murk

Aster raised a brow, glancing around – he was probably right. And nobody could blame them if they went off together like a pair of eager lovebirds. Nothing would change the fact that they would be married and Aster would be rich and powerful because of it.

"Lets," She agreed, taking his arm. The castle here was brighter, bigger than what she was used to, but Aster thought she fit in well here.

"I hope I'm not disappointing you. All the girls in Westeros and you get a Frey."

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[murk]

She took his arm, and without so much as a second glance back at the rest of the group gathered off to the side, he led her off in the direction of the garden. Eager to jump into love, they'd say - and Erik was more than willing to take that as being his way of being out than just ditching the party in general. If they thought he was falling head over heels for Aster, so be it. He laughed, shaking his head. "Hardly. I wouldn't say I'm missing much, really." He shrugged, passing by a curious looking guard with a nod. He wasn't sure how to word it, exactly, but he wasn't getting the same vibe from Aster. "They're all the same, really. Eager to please, the works." "Plus, being a Frey isn't necessarily a bad thing." beekeeper

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[beekeeper]

amor, te amo por clara y por oscura, murk

It wasn't that Aster wanted to get to know Erik – it was that she wanted to get to know his weaknesses. She was laying the charm on thick, he could probably tell, though whether he expected her to always be this way or not didn't matter. She was sure her patience would wear thin with him eventually, as it did with all people, but she could play nice for now.

They must make an unlikely pair – a Frey and a Lannister. Albeit they looked like a good match, arm and arm and deep in conversation in the gardens. "No, it isn't, but we're not as grand a house." She wouldn't speak ill of her own house, perhaps not in public. "You should see where I come from."

Aster leaned in, spoke the next part as if it were some sort of intimate secret. "But I really can't wait to see King's Landing."

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[murk]

Considering weaknesses, Erik seemed to have a lot. For example, he was far too forgiving to be someone who would have to deal out punishments. Far too empathetic to be telling others what they can and cannot have. In some cases, he could even be considered fairly easy to manipulate, considering his unconditional trust towards those he's deemed worthy. And, really, he betrothed was more than worthy. "Maybe, but still a grand house." The Freys were still grand enough to be placed on a map, grand enough for Erik to have to memorize some high points - the family quote, sigil, and so forth. They were grand enough to not be laughed at for demanding an arranged marriage. Her whispered secret made him frown, however, though a small one. Plagued with the need to impress a lady and yet his own thickheaded need to go against his parent's word. "You've never seen King's Landing?" beekeeper

coded by electric of gangnam style

[beekeeper]

amor, te amo por clara y por oscura, murk

She knew Erik Lannister to be charitable, though she wondered if this marriage was a bit of charity in itself. While he could concern himself with the common people and their hardships, Aster would concern herself with more important things. Like becoming queen.

He seemed well-mannered, at least he went along with her, he didn't miss a step. He told her her house was grand, and he looked suitably upset by her confession.

Aster shook her head - she wasn't as worldly as she liked to seem. "But you'll take me there, right?"

CODED BY DUCKIE OF GS