The Grand Veranda

[brigida]

Tristeza waited expecactly for his tirade to begin.

[The Smith]

As soon as Villisander leaves the Sea Lord growls, "How dare you say that?"

[brigida]

Tristeza closed her eyes momentarily, "I do not know what you mean, Lord Delinal." she said evenly, "What will you lose if I die? Braavos is full of whores, and you have sixty three friends at least who you value above me. I did not say you would be...completely unphased by my execution...But certainly, one could see...Particularly one called Nero...where the loss would be quite worth the gain."

She paused for a moment, "I do not mean to offend you; truly I wish this were not the case; I do...care a great deal about you...and I would never ask for an afirmment of any sort of your sincerity...but;" she struggled to find words, "I have never met a man above deception, Sergyo. Not a single one; and aside from my feelings for you, I have no reason to believe you will be any different. I hope that does not hurt you to the extent that it would hurt me if our positions were reversed."

[The Smith]

His eyes started wide but the more she went on the closer his eye lids came, until there were only two slits. "It did not hurt at all." He looked down to the board and added, "Leave."

[brigida]

Tristeza idled a moment, gazing at him, her face a wash of blankness. After a long moment had passed she said, in a slow, even voice, that was barely more than a whisper; almost the voice of a ghost; "I had rather not see you before you send me away; I may say things I do not mean... The last thing I need are more regrets before I die."

She stood soundlessly to leave.

[The Smith]

"Get out." The Sea Lord stared at the board, "I am alone."

[brigida]

Tristeza gazed at him, her brow furrowed deeply; "I am human, Sergyo--If I believed everything men with power had told me I would be dead by now; if I had believed them less, I would still be in Dorne. How can you disdain me so on behalf of my own humanity? I want to believe every word you speak--It would love nothing more in the world than to have so few cares that that were possible. But I cannot simply believe you without a reason, no matter how I wish I could."

[The Smith]

"You kill me with your words." He said quietly staring at the board, "You are still safe. Now leave."

[brigida]

Tristeza shook her head sorrowfully; "I was not as concerned with my safety just now as I was with your reaction." she muttered, "I do not mean to...kill you..." she says awkwardly, "in any sense, or by any means. Won't you let me stay?" she pleaded.

[The Smith]

"Leave." He said coldly, "Now." He still stared at the game board.

[brigida]

Tristeza glanced at the door but seemed unable to commit herself to it; "Sergyo, please. I--" she could not find words. Approaching him cautiously, she knelt beside his chair, and looked up at him pleadingly, "I am frightened," she said smally, "I am frightened, and...paranoid. But it does not change my feelings for you...if I believed you reciprocated by sentiments wholly, I would not venture to bring it up. But you are so...inconsistent. I never know what to believe. Your words are so very different than your actions."

[The Smith]

His eyes appear moist, and when she makes eye contact with him he pushes her back. Turning he grabbed the game board and launched the board into the air over the railing, he strode to the railing and stared out into the night. "Do not look at me!"

[brigida]

"Why?" she asked pleadingly, and added in a quiet voice, as she took several steps in his direction, "There is nothing else I enjoy to look at more."

[The Smith]

"We are done. I will keep my word, but I will not allow you in my presence any more." The Sea Lord said to the waves and sea.

[brigida]

Tristeza hung her head slightly, and muttered in a voice that he may or may not have heard at all, "If you are so able to make that change, then I was right to question whether or not your affections matched mine."