The Next Big Thing [EE1]

[Kevan Dunn]

It was a strange time to realise for Kevan he had not have a good opportunity to eat for the whole day, so he moved out of his accommodations to poach down a servant girl that could get him something.

[House Dunn]

"And where you do think you're sneaking of to?" The somewhat shrill voice of Kevan's sister, Maera, caught up to him, and she appeared as he rounded a corner. Thin arms crossed over a small chest. Nose held a bit high, lips curled a bit smug, pleased with herself.

As always.

"You think because father isn't here yet, you can run around unsupervised and no one will be the wiser?"

[Kevan Dunn]

"This is more or less what I think. What, you want to supervise me, ginger hen?" He approached her with no less smug a grin and poked her nose with his finger. He loved his sister dearly but he could not concede to being bossed around by the younger tyrant. "I have a suspicion you're just trying to shame me into taking you with me."

[House Dunn]

"I was beginning to doubt if there was a brain behind that pretty face," she wrinkled her nose when he poked her, and swatted his hand away with an exaggerated wave.

"I look at this way: Father is intent on marrying me off, and it is my intent to ensure I don't marry a dullard. I have standards. Unlike you, I expect equality, a husband who can match my wit and intellect. Not just a treat for the eyes and a good time behind closed doors."

[Kevan Dunn]

Kevan tapped his chin, not really stung by her remark about his low standards. "So you say we're going to the Oldtown this evening to hijack an young maester wannabe for your own personal marital use? I suspect that by a good time behind close doors you consider playing chess."

[House Dunn]

"There's a lot more to chess than just winning. It's a game of strategy, of feeling out your opponent, of patience, of drawn out maneuvers that paint a picture of where you want to go. You can learn a lot about someone from how they play the game, sweet brother."

She kicked dirt at him, and headed off in a direction, expecting him to follow her lead.

[Kevan Dunn]

"I pray to the Seven my spouse is not going to be like you, dearest sister, and I'll have other games played in my bedchamber to feel out the opponent." He sidestepped the dirt smirking, then followed her nonetheless. "Chess is something I could play with maesters and know-it-all sisters."

[House Dunn]

"You should be so lucky as to have a wife like me!" she exclaimed, and then stopped short, and drummed her fingers on her full lower lip. "That doesn't sound right. What I mean is, I bet I will find a better husband than you will find a wife. I will have the full picture, yours will be a simple picture book with a pretty cover."

[Kevan Dunn]

He clicked his fingers near her ear. "Read up about Targaryens, Maera? Looks like too many deep books lead you to incestous thoughts. But you're too gangly for me anyway." He clicked his tongue. "And don't worry, me and my wife will discover our depths just fine."

[House Dunn]

Maera appears deeply offended, and scoffs loudly, brushing his hands away again, then sours.

"You're a piece of work, Kevan! I bet you I can find a husband here before you find a wife. Father will be here... eventually... and she'll have to win him over, as well. Whereas Father knows I'm the one in charge of who I marry!" She stomped her foot in the ground.

[Kevan Dunn]

Kevan knew she was right but this could not be helped. "So now you're racing me to a point when you'll be shuffling diapers instead of your educational scrolls?" He gave her an impish smile to cover his own ingrained frustration of being dependent so much on his father's whims.

[House Dunn]

"We have been racing since the moment I discovered I could run," she grinned impishly chiding her older brother, and skipped ahead of him. Almost 16 years old, and sometimes she could still be so very childish.

[Kevan Dunn]

That actually dulled the competitive edge in his mind and awakened brotherly affection. Kevan thought of unpretty things he would do to any of Maera's suitors if they turned out to sleazy and conniving, hiding their dark hearts behind a studious mien. He considered it a danger for her, to fall for an intelligent man rather than a good one. The intelligent ones were usually trained to wield their mind as a weapon.

"Don't race yourself into the forest after dark without ensuring I have your back." He called to her.

[House Dunn]

"You should get used to seeing me so far ahead of you, sweet brother," she called over her shoulder. She seemed to be looking for a spot of trouble she could embroil herself in, that much was for sure. "If I meet any pretty girls here, I'll be sure to send them your way in my wake!"

But there was an unspoken certainty between the two: Maera knew Kevan would always be there to catch her if she fell.

[Kevan Dunn]

"You mean you are that kind of vanguard that springs traps on self so I can just walk idly in and have all the sweet things unharmed?' He chuckled, teasing." Are you not taking too much on yourself?" Her understanding was absolutely correct, jokes notwithstanding

[House Dunn]

"Well! Looking out for you is a lot of work. A lot." She underscored the emphasis with a roll of her shoulders, and slowed down her gait a bit to wait for him to catch up.

"But I'm grown, now, and I can handle a lot of different things! I have to learn everything. I mean, I can't expect you to understand what women need to know."

[Kevan Dunn]

"You'd be surprised by the extent of my understanding of and for women's needs" He snickered, ruffling her hair as he caught up. "I have to learn a lot still, Maera, just like you." He added on a more serious note.

[House Dunn]

She wrinkles her nose visibly. "Is that some sort of pillow talk? Hey!" she swats violently at his hand on her head, ducking away from him - but smiling, nonetheless.

She knew he cared.

She just wouldn't say as much. Not out loud. Not even at pain of death! Not then!

"You may be heir, but we're very lucky to have Father with us. We have a lot to learn from him still."

[Kevan Dunn]

"As long as he's willing to teach, dear sister." He snarled, removing his hand. His contentions with their father were well-known to both. In fact Kevan had become more defiant lately as he was losing patience for the old man to deliver on his promises. "I feel like I need to get the teachings of the world more. Fortunately this looks like a right place."

[House Dunn]

"We have nearly all of Westeros open to us, here, brother- for our choosing! I've never seen so much diversity, it's so exciting! I can just taste my future here, waiting to unfold! Whatever you want, I'm sure you'll find it here, hiding in these rolling seas of tents."

[Kevan Dunn]

"But this is your hunt tonight, Maera." Kevan reminded her with a smirk. "So where are we going? Invading one of the tents?"

[House Dunn]

"Well!" Young Maera smiles conspiratorially, dipping her head towards his, "I was hoping to lay gander on said potential allies, when they are unawares. It's late, and guards are down after journeys to reach Ashford, some more exhausting than others. Where do you suppose we would get the best look at what we have in front of us? Where would you begin?"

[Kevan Dunn]

"You are asking me for advice and guidance? Unheard of." Kevan laughed. "But you may not like the first idea I have despite it's rather sound. If you want to tell apart those worthy from those less so, check who will be attending the brothel tonight."

[House Dunn]

Her smooth brow furrowed at the suggestion and she frowned.

"I would not want my future husband laying with those women. You make a fair and valid point, brother. Any man who attends a brothel is not one I would want to pursue me afterward."

[Kevan Dunn]

"My point exactly, Maera. While this is not the only way to whore around, it's rather conventional and so moderately easy to track. So, shall we set up camp near the Dirty Dornishman? Mind you, people go there to just drink as well. It's those who are drawn to the second floor you can find suspicious..." He said it seriously, then tapped his chin. "Now that I think of it, it may be hard for a young, graceful woman with a strong sense of integrity like you to investigate the matter without becoming exposed to tainting conduct."