A Veranda at the Sea Lord's Palace

[The Smith]

The Sea Lord frowned at her, and said in a calm controlled voice, "Fuck your logic."

[brigida]

She stared at him hard, her brow furrowed in thought. After a long pause, she walked towards him, and took a place beside him against the railing. She leaned her elbows on it, and mirrored his gaze out towards the Sea, and remained silent.

[The Smith]

The Sea Lord stared out at the sea and breathed in the scent of brine and tide. "I..." He looked back at her. "I cannot be weak."

[brigida]

"It takes a tremendous deal of strength to ignore the opinions of ones peers," she whispered into the breeze. With the quiet breath wind in their faces, her voice seemed to surround him, "Would you rather appear strong, or be strong in truth?" Tristeza asked, gazing towards the South East.

[The Smith]

In the smalled of whispers he said, "That is not what I am talking about."

[brigida]

"Then what?" she asked quietly.

[The Smith]

"Do not make me say it." The Sea Lord replied. "You know of what I speak."

[brigida]

Tristeza glanced at him through the corner of her eye. After a moment, she asked in a barely audible tone "What was it like when your first wife--your wife, rather...What was it like when she died?"

[The Smith]

The Sea Lord closed his eyes, his head turning away from her like he had been struck. "I imagine much the same it was for you when Horas feigned his death." Then he snarled, "With out that shard of hope that you could carry because he might still live."

[brigida]

"I had no hope," she said, breathing in deeply, "It would be a cruel fate that lead a single man twice through such an ordeal," Tristeza turned her body so that she was facing the palace, leaning on the rail, "It is good you do not love me anymore; I would feel quite guilty to be the cause of your suffering."

[The Smith]

In a flash he had her hands pinned to her chest with one of his, and he wrapped the fingers of his other hand around her neck. Pushing her back tight against the railing he stared at her with fire burning in his eyes. "Do not manipulate me. You have far too much power over me as it is."

[brigida]

Tristeza did not resist him, or try to speak with his hand pressed so tightly against her wind-pipe. She simply gazed unmovingly, unblinkingly at him, expressionless, after the surprise had passed, waiting for him to release her. Her eyes lit up vibrantly as the late afternoon sun reflected in them.

[The Smith]

Staring into her eyes, he leaned forward and kissed her; squeezing her neck at the same moment. Releasing the kiss and the hold on her neck he turned away and faced the wall. "Did you think of me at all when you were arranging your death?"

[brigida]

"No," she answered honestly, "My first priority is Dorne, and second come my children--my responsibility to them is greater than my responsibility to you--if I could have this and live, I would, but that is in no way an option."

[The Smith]

He stared away from her. His shoulders tight with tension. He seemed lost in thought.