Inktober 2017. Video Game Horrors! Day 24: “Undead Ned” from 2009’s “Borderlands: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned.” The aforementioned title is a zombie-infested, Halloween-centric add-on DLC for the core game of the original Borderlands. Dr. Ned (who’s totally not just Dr. Zed with a bad mustache) turns out to be evil (what a shock!) and you off him, credits roll… but then Ned’s undead, baby. Ned’s undead! (And sporting a super awesome fake mustache) . . . . . . . #inktober #inktober2017 #inktoberday24 #halloween #borderlands #zombieislandofdrned #undeadned #ned #totallynotzed #videogame #gearbox #gf2 #gregfreeland #vaulthunter #DLC #undead #zombie #artistsoninstagram #denverartist #horrorgame #videogamehorrors #artprocess #fanart #gore #zombie #demons #creepy #mustcache #ink #pentelpocketbrush @inktober
The idea of losing his companion was not quite so charming as a walk to the midst of cold gardens that would be easily disappointing despite his parents attempts to make them sound appealing.
"They're rather fond of the Northern Winter roses is all," he answered, his eyes still following the mop of dark curls that bounced with every step. They almost made him envious. Or perhaps curious as to what lay beneath them that made the boy so abject to company.
Lord Eddard Stark, despite his name and fortunes and honors, was far less interesting. He was of King Robert's men. He was Renly's common brother at arms and for that Loras imagined he should have been more curious. But from what Loras knew of those men, they were built of stone, feeling what little they could as they donned their armor and swept into battle.
Loras was not one of them. He walked with pride, not honor. Renly had taught him that much, and his parents had taught him to do it tactfully. Though that part was much more difficult for him. Feeling was easy, but feeling properly was always hard.
"Have we cause such a great disturbance for you, Lord Stark? Our parents scolded us all for being so impatient, but my sister is but six and we'd grown tired of keeping pace for her so long," Loras shrugged, his eyes darting impatiently and willing the company of Lord Eddard's sons. The thought occurred to him to perhaps ask why the boy had scurried away, and for as much as he'd wanted to, he feared asking.
"But your eldest is near my age, is he not?" He attempted, his eyes perked up to look on the man more easily. Perhaps he could do it in a more subtle way, though he imagined when his eyes began to seek out the child again he'd be found out.
Watching them both was something of a spectacle. The boy had shown his father open affection. Cradled to his side and wrapped his arms around the man well enough. Loras could not help but stare. It might have been impolite. Or perhaps rude, but he was sure the true extent of his crimes.
But Loras had never known such feelings for his father. Certainly he loved the man, didn't he? He loved his siblings. He knew that much and had no qualms when it came to running up from behind and tackling them to the ground. Even if Willas was not so fond of the matter. Garlan never shrank back though. And even Margaery would pile on if no one was around to witness her unladylike conduct.
Except this was something different. And Loras was still staring, intruding on their intimate moment even still until he'd heard his name called. His eyes perked up, brows raised almost in surprise before he smiled at the man.
The mighty Lord Eddard Stark was more than an impressive figure. Far more dangerous than his Father had given him credit for. Even in his age, the man still looked a more than capable warrior.
"That may have been my fault, My Lord. My brothers and I are fond of urge our horses on faster. We must have raced half way here," Loras answered, his smile bright up at the man. In truth, he had little knowledge as to where his parents might have gone off to. Perhaps to rest after traveling with their unruly children. Perhaps they were exploring as Loras had been. But he knew they were more than pleased to simply have the opportunity to run off on their own.
"They were pleased to have the morning to themselves in truth. It has been some time since we were received by an entire fortress, My Lord," his voice rang, happy and pleased to have met the man before his parents had. Loras had begun following him, absently in search of his siblings rather than his own parents.
"If it please you, I can run off to find them for you, My Lord. The day's travel was short this morning, and I'm certain if anything they've asked to see what gardens you might keep in Winterfell," he added quickly, thinking how pleasantly his mother had spoke of winter roses and what beauty they held.
Loras never understood why they'd been forced on this trip. Rather, he resented that Renly pushed him to travel with his family all the way North without any reason as for why. Loras had surely missed his family the past year, but hadn't desired to ascend into the cold and snow to spend time with them.
Willas had spent a good portion of their ride telling Loras every detail of his steed's breeding as though Loras cared more for that than anything in the world. Garlan had sped past him several times in an attempt to challenge him to a race, and Margaery let her pony trot along, smiling at her brothers as they played and pranced. But Loras was not amused.
In fact, by the time they reached Winterfell, Loras was rather cross, unseating himself from his horse quickly, his year as squire making it difficult to hand the reins over. He was resisted the urge to help his brothers, or even Margaery down and watched, dumbfounded as they were greeted with kind hospitality. Even in Winterfell, the Tyrell name was known, but Loras hardly remembered he was one of them, and not a Baratheon as he'd so practiced.
Their introductions had been short, and the awe of another noble family was not quite so impressive. They dispatched, and Loras watched as his brothers trailed after their parents, Margaery walking ahead of them, her little bouncing curls unaffected by the chill.
But Loras was not so easy to follow. Instead, he left the family to find warmth, heading back toward the stables, looking at the Northern ponies and patting a few on the nose when they came by and whinnied at him. He chuckled as one latched it's large tongue over his fingers and tried to nip at him. He pulled his hand away and forgot for a moment that he wasn't in Storm's End, and these were not horses accustomed to him and familiar with him.
Leaving the stables, he crept around, ever silent, looking for the cracks and crevices of the great Northern Keep. He watched a boy, not much younger than him, come racing out of some wall and knocking into some poor boy. Loras smiled, watching as he scampered away. He followed him, watching as he crashed through the heavy doors of the Great Hall.
When he took in the sight of Ned Stark, so much taller than he'd ever truly pictured, Loras felt the impulsive need to protect the boy. Launching from his feet, he clamored in after the boy, almost knocking him over, but holding on to his shoulder to keep him upright.
"Got you!" Loras exclaimed, a smile spread wide over his lips as she slowly turned his attention from the boy to the towering Lord. If nothing else they could at least pass for having played a boy's game of tag so bright and early. "Sorry, My Lord, it was my fault. I was chasing after him," Loras smiled, bright eyed as he looked over the man. He was impressive. Much like Renly's eldest brother, and looked equally terse, but Loras had never known himself incapable of charm, even at such a young age.
