in chaos there is calculation...

starter for steffon tarth @bemercifuls

perhaps he had underestimated the young lady, too caught up in the potential winnings of an uninformed participant. he takes a bit too long to catch onto her scheme, only entirely piecing the puzzle together once rosana has revealed her success. his brows furrow and he's silent for a moment, eyes desperately checking the cards again for the chance that perhaps she's lying. no, she was before though and steffon realizes that now. he drops his head, unable to look back at the lady's winning grin, disappointed in how easy the game must have been for her. still, after his initial shock, he can't help but give a chuckle. " you're a filthy liar - but you won, fair and square... i think. " he narrows his eyes at her with a similar smirk to her own, sliding a coin purse across the table. " i have to say, i am impressed... and if you see my siblings anywhere, lady rosana, please keep your mouth shut about my empty pockets. "

sound of approaching foot steps earn the sharp turn of her head , paranoia seeping itself in the femme upon morbid revelations that had ended the eve early . and while delicate features initially offer a scowl with the harshening of brows , they soften slightly with the relief that comes with familiar features . " seven hells , steffon ... don't sneak up on me like that " jocelyn scolds , though his presence is welcome . a needed solace from the gloom that's overcome the capital .

his smile grows at the sight of her and while he doesn't intend to scare jocelyn, steffon still does it all the same. he raises his hands in surrender but the way she scowls with her face scrunched causes him to smirk and give away any chance at seriousness. " sorry, sorry, " he apologizes as he attempts to wipe the grin from his face. " how are you ? this place feels even worse now, all the celebrations over and our own personal prison ... hopefully it's just some disgruntled commoner and we can all go back home soon. " steffon responds, though he's grateful to be able to spend more time with jocelyn.

there's no hesitation for cyra as she wraps her arms around her niece, engulfing the young arryn in a close hug, letting olynna linger as long as she desires. a hand lifts and begins to softly flow over the brunette's hair, a comforting attempt she remembers using with her own children. her eyes dart around the great sept, prepared to glare daggers if anyone takes a noisy glance at the sudden noise. with one side of her lips pursed, she nearly smiles at the apology but shakes her head. " there is no need to apologize, sweet girl, you have done nothing wrong. take as much time as you need. " cyra finally attempts a smile and her hands lift to rub olynna's shoulders. " whatever you and your siblings need, do not hesitate to ask myself or your aunt, yes ? whether it be company, advice, a reminder to eat everyday ... you name it. "

the tension and heaviness in every room she enters is felt more than she desires. while in laws, she had hardly any love for the man apart from him being related to her wife. to have the hand of the king be her wife's brother was a valuable asset but now ... her heart only aches for the arryn children and her love. she finds her way almost tiptoeing through the great sept, startled by her own footsteps at first with the silence. cyra recognizes olynna almost instantly and though her mourning apparel threatens to break the ruling lady tully's heart, she knows she must be the strong one. awkwardly she offers a hello, not expecting her niece to respond, gently resting a hand on the young girl's shoulder at the flinch - an attempt at comfort. " yes, my darling girl, but don't worry, " cyra assures with a smile. " there will be no speaking if that is what you want. we could just ... stand here, yes ? "

" quite ? " the femme repeated with a tone of feigned offence yet entirely playful in nature as she too found herself stepping closer , " dressed in my very best and the most flattery i get is quite beautiful ? " her scolding's are a mere jest , the smile that hints at corner of her lips telling of her appreciation of sweet sentiments offered by the male . it wasn't unlike them , having never truly taken many things seriously throughout their time together , even in soft moments . " i think i ought to take myself elsewhere , somewhere where i'll be better appreciated ... " she mused aloud , " there has been one particular lord eyeing me all day , figured he's taken a fancy for my red hair . "

not a bit of her teasing causes wounds, his eyes locked on her with a grin throughout the entire time she speaks. steffon is too busy thinking about what he's already spoken aloud, jocelyn's beauty, to give a proper response. instead, he nods, his heartbeat pounding in his ears at the thought of telling the lady how he truly feels. though, her mentioning another lord is all it takes to snap him back and he's acting first, gently grabbing for her hand. " ah, i think you ought to stay here, " he comments with a smile, attempting to pull her closer. " not only because you interrupted me about to discuss how you are easily the most beautiful lady here, but also... i would rather not fight another lord in my fanciest attire... not when we could just stay here instead. "

it’s   a   spectacle   she’s   sure,      to   see   a   lion   fleeing   lambs.      dominique’s   words   are   weapons,      her   name   a   chopping   block   if   she   were   to   use   it   correctly.      but   these   are   festivities,      and   a   persistent   liege   is   not   a   good   enough   excuse   to   ruin   the   mood.      fangs   are   pulled   back,      and   instead,      refuge   in   the   lord   is   sought.      cherry   lips   curl   into   a   girlish   smile,      a   pretty   sight   :      a   scene   of   enjoyment   to   dissuade   any   fools   from   attempting   to   take   her   away   from   her   sanctuary.      “    what   would   you   like,      my   lord?      i   am   nothing   if   not   generous   when   it   comes   to   my   savior.    ”

her resemblance is familiar yet steffon knows they've never met - he would surely remember. the lord bows his head at her smile, offering solace in his company from those who lurk for her attention. at the inquiry, he chuckles, a slight turn of his head as he smiles back at her. " well, my lady, i did not anticipate your generosity, " a slight redness in his cheeks, attempting to laugh off a route he's not quite prepared to explore. still, he finds himself amused and curious to know more. " what if you gave me your name ? "

wherever   she   is,   no   matter   the   land,   isabela   seeks   out   the   green   gardens   with   a   kaleidoscope   offering   of   flowers   ⸺   raised   in   the   most   beautiful   gardens   of   the   kingdom   indeed.   head   tilts   upward,   no   longer   smelling   the   white   roses   in   the   bushes,   as   someone   approaches   her.   balletic   bow   performed   with   slender   anatomy   as   green   optics   trail   over   other   femme's   face.   "   as   you   wish,   lady   tully,   "   she   speaks,   joining   the   other   on   her   walk.   "   i   certainly   enjoy   all   the   excitement   though   i   prefer   the   festivities   in   highgarden   more.   "   admitting   her   truth   almost   felt   like   a   crime   in   the   den   of   the   lion,   or   rather   stag.

to offset her abrupt arrival, the ruling lady tully grins back at the eldest tyrell, hoping to ease any tension from the previous company that may still linger. " yes, i'm sure festivities are much more... colorful in highgarden, hm ? i do enjoy your sweet arbor wines, i'm sure there's plenty when your house is the host. " she responds, appreciating the honesty and appreciating the reach for what they offer but catching herself in the midst of prying ears. " his grace is plenty kind for this magnificent display, but it seems... wasted in king's landing, surely. " if not for the lack of beautiful sights, then surely for the smells.

" stealing ?? " she questions with a large gasp, still playing up the facial expressions for little calla. when the flower is shown as a sort of trophy, it takes everything in cyra not to giggle in approval. " no, you just know what you want - headstrong, like someone else i know. " and perhaps the gardeners would not find calla's thievery amusing, but cyra only thinks it proves to show how vibrant the little girl is bound to be. " my goodness, four ? oh, such a sweet face could never belong in a dungeon, i would surely make it the last time those gardeners ever spoke, " cyra exclaims with a large grin.

she had honed the art of half - listening to a fine skill, an ability to feign interest with elegance. this talent came to the forefront when enduring the endless droning of some verbose lord. she would patiently endure the monologue, all the while plotting her exit strategy. the key, she found, was in crafting a backhanded compliment, delivered with a sweet smile, before gracefully excusing herself. it was a dance of social finesse that she could execute flawlessly. she was, however, no fool to believe she was alone in such a practiced art. so, when she spotted another lady seemingly yearning for the liberation from a tedious conversation, she is all too happy to offer aid and play along. ❝ ah, lady tully! ❞ she greets, voice warm, as though she were greeting an old friend rather than a passing acquaintance, ❝ i am enjoying myself quite well, and your company is most timely. i was just about to take a tour of the grounds. ❞

cyra is happy to lend a helpful hand, especially if the two are benefitting. there is seldom a moment of peace for anyone when suitors are lurking for potential prospects, even when one side of the conversation is unavailable. sometimes she chalks awkward small talk up to wanting to impress someone of her status, while other times she figures some people just enjoy the sound of their own voice. " i'm glad to know we can help each other out, " she nods in amusement before motioning toward their intended direction. " if we're being honest, there is not much worth seeing - but certain spots can provide much needed shade or privacy, given the conversation, should i clue you into their location, my lady ? "

the auburn beauty had never found much joy in large gatherings , particularly those of such extravagancies . a farce , if she were to speak honestly . and to even be dressed up so lavishly herself felt foreign and uncomfortable . but she's done her part , offering enough civilities to allow herself to seek solace from familiar and fond company . and so she comes from behind , presence made known to the male by the subtle trail of dainty fingers across his back , though hand drops before anyone is quick enough to notice . " i trust you're having a pleasant time , my lord ? " feigned formalities are merely an act , a playful means of flirtation between the pair as lips curl into an impish smirk .

his favorite part of a wedding is always the feast, being able to avoid small talk and uncomfortable conversation. steffon would rather stand off to the side, a couple feet from where the rest of his house is seated. he keeps his eyes on them, however, watchful of his siblings and his children with their governess. the second he feels a touch on his back, a chill runs up his spine and he doesn't have to guess who it is - but her presence pleasantly surprises him nonetheless. steffon's suddenly grinning from ear to ear, in awe of how stunning jocelyn is. " i am now, my lady, " he matches her smirk, absentmindedly taking a step closer. " you look ... quite beautiful. "

curious    sound,            velvety    when    it    reverberates    from    very    depths    of    her    throat        ;        rumbles,    𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎    𝚝𝚑𝚎    𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝    𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐    𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚙    of    thunder    across    churning    waters        !        gilded    in    amusement    regardless,    hints    of    a    smile    play    at    the    corners    of    her    mouth    when    cyra        𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐒        onto    her.            “            you    will    forgive    me    if    i    have    grown        TIRED        of    festivities,    will    you    not        ?            ”            oh,    how    wearisome    to    rule            …            vocals    dip,    designed    to    be    passed    between    the    two    like    handwritten    notes    switched    betwixt    giggling    girls:            “            do    not    mistake    me    for    ungrateful,    of    course.    merely    homesick,    perhaps.        𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥.            ”

caught with a fit of laughter, quieting the moment she hears herself, cyra nods in agreement with lady baratheon's confession. " i will absolutely forgive you, as i would be a hypocrite if not, " she too had grown restless from interactions and certain excitement, so she very much understood the desire to stray from the topic. " oh, no, never ! i am so incredibly homesick i cannot wait to leave king's landing, there's nothing quite here for me like there is in the riverlands - certainly not the name day of anyone, even his grace. "

it  is  a  sea  of  nobles,    a  feeding  frenzy.    dominique  could  only  be  polite  for  so  long,    could  only  hold  that  practiced  smile  for  a  certain  period  of  time,    before  the  strain  brought  on  a  migraine.    a  moment  of  escape  was  brief,    the  eyes  of  predators  finding  her  in  the  crowd,    like  blood  in  the  water.    clothed  fingertips  touch  the  closest  arm,    whispering  in  hopes  to  be  heard.      “    pretend  to  be  interested  in  what  i  am  saying,    please.    ”

his disappearance into the shadows is purposeful, avoiding the eyes of people who pity him and those who wish to extend the misery with dreadful conversation. steffon remembers a time where he was the life of the party, front and center of a room, given up for a future no longer his. he can return to it some nights but this evening his efforts seem in vain. " i am pretending to be interested in what you're saying, " he responds in low volume, eyes meeting his company as his towering stature hides her from whoever she's running from. " do i get anything for my participation ? "