video; un: v | cw for creepy dolls i guess?

[mehanizovati]

[the video starts focused on a shelf, and on that shelf is a doll. absolutely the kind that just exudes 'listed on ebay for having the spirit of an angry victorian child in it' vibes with its dead eyes.

when viktor speaks his tone could not be more dry.] Some of you might have noticed the unpleasant dolls that, when ignored instead of bought, come to life violently. This is a matter our household is not entirely aware of because Palamedes continues to gladly buy any unpleasant doll he sets his sights upon.

[offscreen, but not like, very far offscreen (it is not a big living space), palamedes chimes in with a pointed, 'While I respect your aesthetic tastes, you're wrong, they're delightful,' that viktor will pointedly ignore as he continues.]

He will not stop bringing them. Some of them vanish after a week or two. He calls this one Sensible Bethany.

['She calls herself that, actually, I explained this already,' from the peanut gallery. the camera shifts as viktor turns to address him back]

Is this entire place not haunted enough without ugly dolls, I ask again? There is a limit, Palamedes.

[in the unfocused corner of the camera the doll absolutely turns its head to stare directly at the screen.]

Comments

[dohaeris]

[sansa does actually smile at that, remembering how she had described what the ghosts of her siblings would truly be like in the catacombs.]

In the stories where I'm from, they only ever seem to haunt places. I suppose I would rather be trapped in a castle than a doll, but it all seems very boring.

[having spent most of the past three years trapped in a castle, she speaks from experience.]

Aren't the people who die here supposed to be reborn as someone else? Perhaps Lady Bethany only needs some help to do it..?

[mehanizovati]

Oh that is certainly better. An entire room offers possibilities. A doll is only useful if you wish to frighten people by being unsettling.

[sorry beth but. you are.]

I can't say for Trench natives. Hm, I will ask Palamedes about it, since he speaks to them. Perhaps that is true but she has chosen not to? An odd choice, in my opinion.

[dohaeris]

[she can't resist. deadpan:]

It doesn't seem like a sensible one.

[mehanizovati]

[ok, she gets a snort of amusement for that, a little surprised. then a faint smirk.]

Between us I think anyone who believes their name needs an added descriptor to it isn't really one for sense.

[dohaeris]

[when half your ancestors are named brandon stark...]

It did help with lessons; It's easier to remember what Aegon the Conqueror did than Aegon the First of His Name. I wouldn't say kings are known to be very sensible, though.

[except of course for the kings in the north, but this isn't really the time or place to get into that.]

[mehanizovati]

Eh... I guess it makes sense when everyone shares a name. We don't often do last names where I was born so it was usually nicknames or unique names that did the trick.

[dohaeris]

Some people have them and some people don't, in my world. The King Aegons did, but it was the same name, so it doesn't help very much. Hardly any of them were alive at the same time, though.

Did you have a nickname?

[mehanizovati]

I suppose royalty does prefer its dramatic names, when able. And eh, not many polite ones. I preferred keeping out of the way regardless.

[dohaeris]

[a snort of laughter. she can't help but think bran the builder must be underwhelming by that standard.]

I never had a nickname before I came here. [alayne stone is technically a nickname.] My friend Richie calls me Laynie, sometimes. It's sweet.

[mehanizovati]

That isn't a terrible one for Alayne, better than a few alternatives. I've been called V and Vik, and in truth? I am terrible at coming up with them for others. It seems too casual a thing.