(A collab with[@AtomicNut])

Seran's thoughts were somewhat bitter. It had been a most fruitful day, and he was alive after several life-risking moments, but the bruises on his face were a sore reminder that it had not gone without cost. It had not been a smooth teamwork either. Holier than thou lords had rubbed him the wrong way, and at times it seemed like the mission could fall apart. But it didn't, and now he was standing in contemplation what to do while waiting in the lull of this entire operation.

What could he do to kill time? He had already chatted with the skinny prostitute and made her reveal her somewhat buried skill, and his old acquaintance, Lira... well, that was perhaps too awkward. She had blossomed greatly, she seemed to have a bit of a fancy for him, and right now she was the plaything of Prince Viserys. 

Thinking on Lyseni and Princes, a thought came to his mind. There was the matter of his sister's fancies, and how she had apparently conceded to be courted by a Targayen prince. And who wouldn't? It was a step up to merely garner the attention of one, and may a highborn lady would kill for Lysara's place. He didn't want to meddle in the affair himself...however, if he didn't at least show a token of concern and feign a little protective jealousy, he would look out of place.

Even if he knew full well that any man who threatened Lysara would die horribly from a wine cup, if his sword wasn't faster. So, hobbling towards under the deck, he procured himself some wine, finally relenting to the advice of numbing his pain, and sought Rhaegar.

"Fancy a little wine, my Prince?" Seran added, wine and cups in hand.

The cloth in his hands nearly floated over the rare steel, gathering at its path the crimson traces of lifeblood. Rhaegar cleaned his sword with extreme care and efficiency, something he sought to learn and was quick to understand even a day after his father granted him the blade. And the Dark Sister had indeed served the Prince well..

With Aemon out in the port town, seeking dealings and Viserys chasing skirts, he was for the first time truly alone in the spacious cabin. The trip ended with an ambush, and planning filled most of his time until their most recent battle. Rhaegar himself received a proud pat in the back by his oldest brother for leading the rear-guard and rescuing Arak, and while to some it might resembled little, to a fourthborn son this was like a mount of gold to a filthy pauper. But amongst the meditative silence, his mind was riddled his thoughts, yet they were suddenly cut when he heard a familiar voice.

"Seran, do come in..." Rhaegar said, flawlessly recognizing Lysaras brother. He even tried to put up a charming smile for him, following instructions on how to be a more affable Prince "Pretending to be my brother was a bold move...yet surprisingly effective. I don't think I had the chance to congratulate for sticking your neck out to the blades of the enemy."

Seran poured wine in the two cups, his good eye sizing the prince up. [i]Goodness, Lysara, are we cradle robbing now? He's just but a lad[/i] He thought to himself, as he stretched one of the cups towards the prince.

"If things had gone as planned, that would had not be necessary. I had an idea. I took the risk, and it paid off. And don't thank me yet. This campaign is far from over." The eldest of the lyseni siblings shrugged. "After all the best lies contain a bit of truth in them." Seran mused.

"Is that so ser...?" Rhaegars bemused look had changed to one of slight question. That last comment didn't just fly over his head, and being suspicious as ever, the young Prince thought that Seran hid an insult towards the line of Dragonkings. Yet his features relaxed soon after, with even an audible chuckle escaping him "Oh but you must mean your quite peculiar ancestry. If my memory serves me well, your sister mentioned your descendance from the Triarchs...or was it the Rogares?" he questioned before taking the cup from his companions outstretched hand.
 
"My sister said that much, huh." Seran added, while swirling his own cup. He was actually referring to the fact the prince was there, but not who the pirates had thought. However this ancestry talk had him intrigued. Lysara... she must've invested a bit on this prince. And, he could see why. Nevertheless that kind of personality had obvious shortcomings, so he decided to put the whole issue to a little test. 

"You do not know half of it, my prince."  The elder Lyseni sibling mused. "True, our mother was a Rogare." Seran said. "But we've acquired better proof of our lineage recently. I always thought poor mother was deluded in that regard, as she always claimed we had Targayen blood as well." Seran eyed the prince.

"But we have proof of it now. Even if we're sons of a Rogare... we should be called Seastar, instead." He added, gulping the cup in one go. The seed was planted. It was up to Rhaegar to decide whether he could be trusted with his sister or not. If he could stomach such tainted blood, then things could go well.

"We didn't have much time together, only a short week, but she was always a welcome companion. And then our departure was at such a haste..." this time the Prince decided to keep his tongue a bit more guarded, seeing as his attempt at an outgoing streak almost made him seem like a fool to the Lyseni. He avoided to inform Seran that he actively sought out his sister, and retreated into a more passive stance, simply sipping on his cup while hearing what his companion had to say regarding his lineage. A part of him was indeed curious to hear the things Lysara missed...and then he was thankful that the last piece in his theory didn't catch in the middle of a sip.

Rhaegar had to plant his feet firmly to the ground, lest he leaped up like a spring in his surprise. And while he wasn't as voracious a reader as Jaehaerys, he recognized the name Seastar "If I may say so Seran...you make quite the hefty claim. Words are like arrows, and once loosened they cannot come back."

"And that is why... I loosened them right in the middle of nowhere, with anyone but us, and several days of travel between us and the Iron Throne, o prince. Surely the Master of Whispers' ears don't reach that far." He put his hand in the table as he refilled the cup once more. "You will be the first to know who she really is, prince. And if you still want her, I will not ever interfere." Seran added, looking at the wine."This is how I judge the suitors of my sister."

Rhaegar indeed left his seat once Seran brought his aunt into the conversation. His patience had depleted rather quickly, and indeed, he felt dumb for allowing himself to be cornered like that. So what if Lysara was carried the blood of Shiera Seastar?

His eyes fell to Dark Sister, resting near his bedside, before crossing with Serans glint. Under the dim lighting of the Cabin, the dark violet orbs of the Prince took the dark shade of newly minted Dragonglass "Then judge my words Seran of Lys...I sought out your sister regardless of blood or name. Still, what justification do you have to this claim, what proof. I don't need to be a Maester to know that Shiera Seastar never married."

"My sister possesses a ring that once belonged to Aegon IV. Which she passed to Serenei of Lys, Shiera Seastar, and finally her descendants and my sister." Seran crossed his arms, satisfied with the answer, as he finally conceded and gave a faint smile. "You're a good man, prince. I have to act like the jealous older brother at times." He added.

"Let me be the first to applaud your act then. Ever thought of laying down your sword and becoming a mummer?" Rhaegars questioned was followed by a mirthful chuckle. First with his act as Aemon and now this, the young Prince found it wise to false mock the Lyseni instead of lashing out in anger. And they said war made men out of boys...

"I will have to thank you for your wine and the company..." he said before downing every last drop of red from his cup "But I believe your friends updeck might be sorely missing it." and then showing him the door as cordially as possible

"Not a bad profession, if I must say my Prince. I'd gladly become one, or a wine merchant, like my late father. But staking my life at swordpoint was the only real option to give my sister the life she deserves. I only wished I had half as talent as you and your family." Seran said, as he bowed with difficulty and made himself scarce.