Nothing Daunted Her

“My brother always out does himself,” Margaery’s tone was light, even if her words were true, it was one of the shining traits of her brother. No detail was unthought of, and it was impossible to hide her own admiration of him. Soon, she linked her arm throuh Myrcella’s, offering a smile as she did. “You know me, Myrcella. I can’t be anything other than well.” She squeezed the blonde’s arm a bit, raising her brow, “And you? I can’t imagine things have been easy in the wake of everything.”

“Oh, of course!” Myrcella beamed at Margaery, although she did sober slightly as Margaery continued. It hadn’t been easy, although she had done everything she could to maintain her cheerful demeanor in public. “It’s been hard but manageable,” she said, more honestly than she might have in any other situation. But she felt that she could trust Margaery, and there wasn’t any harm in admitting that it hadn’t been a walk in the park. “But hopefully we’ll get everything behind us. The last thing I want is more drama for our family.”

“I dunno, if I run out of more canned tuna again he very well might.” He said, giving his cat a long suffering look. Stannis2 simply meowed and settled down more comfortably in Myrcella’s arms. The damn creature looked down right smug. Renly loved him so much already.

“I think he’s hoarding them under the couch.” Renly said thoughtfully. It was one of the few places he hadn’t managed to check very well. Moving it was such a pain and normally took at least two people. He’d not make Myrcella help him with that, though. They had more important things to do.

He blinked and rubbed at his beard. Couldn’t exactly ask her which one Loras was most shirtless in could he? That would be far too telling. “Err, whichever one’s your favorite I suppose. I’ve not seen any of them. Go get settled I’ll grab the snacks. Want a beer? I’ve got a few. Should have some wine around here somewhere as well…”

“Well, whatever could you expect if you were out of tuna? The poor cat might starve!” Myrcella leaned closer to Stannis the cat with kissing noises. “Poor boy, does Uncle Renly starve you?” Maybe she should get a cat too. This was certainly having what she imagined was a similar effect to baby fever - except she wasn’t interested in babies any time soon. A cat though . . . that wouldn’t be too hard to manage. 

She leaned down ever so slightly but since she didn’t want to disturb the cat, she couldn’t actually get a look underneath the couch. “I suppose that would be as good a place as any to keep the stolen socks, right? Maybe he’s making a nest. Do cats make nests? I mean not like birds obviously, but you know . . . just little cozy spot.” That seemed like the sort of thing a cat would do. “You can always buy more socks too.” A better niece might offer to help look, but Myrcella knew her limits, and she had just gotten a manicure.

“Oooh, my favorite? Hmmm . . .” Gently, she set Stannis the cat down and went to scan the movies to find her favorite one, and hopefully one that her uncle would appreciate as well. “Surprise me! Beer or wine sounds fantastic either way. I will not live up to my normal picky standards since we’re at home to have fun. Anything new in your life that I should know about?”

Jeyne laughed. “Fair enough.” She’d had several nights – or days, for that matter – where she’d woken up with drink stains on her clothes, and that was if she’d woken up in the same clothes she’d worn out to begin with. She’d never been afraid of a good party and she was glad to have run into Myrcella for the evening. She took another sip from her glass and allowed her hair to fall down, the dyed locks curled in waves.

“Exactly! Not that I don’t care about people, because I do. But it’s been such a mess these past few weeks that sometimes we just need to let loose!” She nodded and began to lead the way toward the bar. “I’ve been good! Work’s busy which surprises me. I expected it would be slower after what happened.” She shrugged. “How about you? How’s school and everything?”

Myrcella liked to keep herself looking as immaculate as possible, although it wasn’t always practical at events like this. Still, she had a reputation to maintain, and thought she had done a pretty good job of it so far. “I think you’re right about that,” she said, her cheery expression fading somewhat at the thought of everything that had happened in the last several weeks. This was the perfect opportunity to let go of it all, though, and she fully intended to enjoy herself. 

“Ooh, that’s wonderful for you though! Maybe everyone else wants something cheerful to take their minds off of everything too.” Honestly, Myrcella was pretty sure she would have gone stir crazy if they didn’t have something to break up the monotony. “School is school,” she said with a shrug. It was actually going very well, although she didn’t want to let that become widely known. “I was just quite ready for a break, between school and family drama.” Rolling her eyes, she heaved a dramatic sigh that was mostly for effect, although the statement was quite true. Family was difficult in the best of times, and this was not the best of times. “Anyway. Is there anything that you think I should especially check out here?”

The year itself wasn’t going in the direction that Gendry favored. Somehow he had been arrested for a crime he didn’t commit and there was hardly anything else that had lightened the load. He tried to find the silver lining in everything he came across and was happy that he found time with Myrcella. She was, after all, one of the saner family members that he could last more than five minutes with unlike her brother Joffrey. There were quieter places to go, but the venue was hardly something Gendry noticed. The music that was playing from the stage was a band that Gendry had never heard of before and their music wasn’t anything original but for what it was worth they had talent. He had tagged along to it at Myrcella’s doing, knowing that through her influencing she was meant to make an appearance. Gendry arrived back to their table with two drinks and settled himself down. “Do you know how many tracks they have left?” Gendry asked conversationally, sipping at the drink. He knew it was a college concert when there were younger people getting drunk after one drink and everyone on their phones instead of listening to the music. “We could go somewhere else next. Preferably with better music and better whiskey.”

@ladymyrcellab​

Myrcella did not like to see her family upset and when they were upset, she wanted to help them out however she could. So she had the opportunity to come see the band, and get some drinks, and she knew that Gendry probably needed a chance to relax so she invited him to come along with her. It wasn’t her favorite band and doubted that it would somehow turn out to really be Gendry’s thing either but it was something they could do together and that was what mattered, she thought. “What - you don’t want to stay?” Giggling, she reached for the drink and pulled her phone out with the other hand. She had a track list somewhere on it and after a minute of searching, finally pulled it up. “Ooh, you’re in luck! Two more and then we can go. I’ll even let you pick since you indulged me for this. First though - I need a selfie. Come here.” Holding her phone up, she scooted a little closer to him and waited expectantly for him to join her so she could get the picture.

Myrcella was good - much better than Margaery, she was sure. The two got along, but Margaery was still left wondering what was going on beneath the surface. She knew herself to always be calculating, and though she could typically see through others, she couldn’t say the same for Myrcella. It didn’t seem possible for someone to just be good, especially with the current state of their world, and it was all quite intriguing. 

“Tonight seems the perfect chance to remedy that, doesn’t it?” She grinned, stepping close to the other girl. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself this evening?”

“It truly does.” Myrcella beamed. She knew Margaery but it was always good to get to know someone better and Myrcella loved making new friends. “It’s a wonderful party - your brother has really outdone himself tonight. And it seems like a really good size crowd too.” She wasn’t surprised at that though; a Tyrell party was never a disappointment, in her mind. “How have you been?”

She grinned. “Good. It’s much too early for such a party foul, right?” Jeyne lifted her glass to her lips and took a long sip, knowing that the liquor would soon affect her more than she thought. But wasn’t that the point of fun events like this? Her lips twitched and she wrapped her arm around the other woman, squeezing slightly before she laughed, a little too loud for polite company, but she expected that Myrcella wouldn’t notice – and if she did, she likely wouldn’t care.

“It’s amazing!” A laugh escaped her lips. “I think this is the most fun I’ve had in…ages, really.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Do we need to get you a drink?” she asked. “I’ll soon be due for another.”

“It would totally throw off all my outfits so definitely much too early.” Jeyne seemed to be a little ahead of Myrcella when it came to the drinking - although she had time to catch up to her friend, of course. It seemed like a good idea too but she wanted to be a little circumspect about it. Myrcella loved a good party and having fun as much as anyone, but all her lessons about being a proper lady lingered in the back of her mind even then. 

“Okay first, yes, everything has been way too gloomy, hasn’t it? We needed a good festival to cheer us up. And second please! I am ready for one! Lead on and we can walk slow enough for you to finish that one while we go. How have you been?”

“I think he’s everyone’s favorite Stannis.” Renly said, eyes crinkling up with mirth. As much as he loved and admired his older brother the man certainly could do with a good massage or something. Stannis always looked so dower when anyone besides Shireen got involved.  “I think he may even be Stannis’s favorite Stannis, as long as he doesn’t ruin the place completely.”

He handed the cat over to his niece and Stannis2 went willingly, purring like a motorboat as Myrcella held him and chittering in her ear.

“Stannis and I are getting along quite nicely, I think. Though he keeps stealing all my socks. Haven’t the foggiest where he’s putting them all. Snacks…” He looked around his own kitchen, chewing on his lip. What did he even have in here? Fuck all if he could remember. “Seem likely. I’ll see what I can scrounge together. There’s probably popcorn and at least some chocolate. That’s good for a movie night right?”

Myrcella couldn’t help giggling at that. Much as she loved her uncle - and she did love Uncle Stannis, even if he wasn’t much fun to be around - she had a hard time picturing anyone who just . . . liked his company. “I’m sure he wouldn’t ruin the place, would you Stannis?” She beamed at the cat as she took him, stroking his back gently. Maybe she should get a cat. That would be fun, and probably less work than a dog.

“Stealing socks? He must have a good need for them.” It seemed a little inconceivable that he might be able to hide them somewhere from Renly but cats were smart. And she found it a little amusing to picture her uncle searching for his socks while the cat just sat smugly on the couch. “Popcorn and chocolate is perfect for a movie night. Do you need me to come get anything?” If she had come so woefully unprepared, she could at least offer to be helpful now that she was here. “What movie are we starting with?”

@ladymyrcellab​

Arya laughed so hard that she would have sworn that the tea she’d just taken a sip of was going to go shooting out of her nose. It took a world of restraint to calm down enough to swallow and breathe again. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You’re making that up.” It had been a while since Arya had such a good laugh. Luckily Myrcella had asked her to grab a bite to eat and exchange notes on the classes they’d been taking at university. “Okay, okay. Explain it one more time. How did he get the peanut stuck there?”

“Why would I make something like that up?” Myrcella covered her face with her hands although she was giggling as well. “I thought I was over seeing things like that when Tommen grew out of his gross boy stage but apparently the boys at university aren’t much better.” Rolling her eyes, she took a bit of her salad and wrinkled her nose. “I honestly don’t think I can explain it because every time I try to remember how it happened, it blurs a little more. I think my brain is trying to protect me from the trauma of disgusting boys.”

Renly had made sure to actually clean up for once. Clutter never occurred to him him until he actively tripped over things on his way across the room. Not exactly the best condition for guests.

The fact he now had a cat complicated things, as Stannis2 kept trying to thread through his legs and pounce on his hands. It would be bloody cute if he didn’t have things he needed to actually get done. Now that the creature could hear someone at the door though, he wanted out. Meowing he jumped up on to the top of the cabinets and peered at the door. “Stannis Baratheon II, get down from there!” He said, trying to bribe the cat down by shaking a bag of treats. “Come here you fluffy miscreant. Cella, sorry darling the cat’s making an escape bid hold on.”

Climbing up on the cabinet himself he made a grab for his new cat, crying in triumph as he clamped one arm around Stannis2 and jumped back down to open the door. Grinning wide he kept a firm grip on the cat before opening the door. “Hey, Cella. Come on in.”

Just when she was getting ready to let out her best, most annoying whine, she heard his voice and decided she could be patient for the cat. Also, picturing her actual uncle Stannis perched somewhere was really amusing and that passed the time until the door finally opened. “My favorite uncle and my favorite Stannis!” Beaming, she skipped through the door and tossed her bag aside. “Don’t tell Uncle Stannis that the cat has replaced him.” She doubted it would really matter much to him but still, it was the principle of the thing.

She held her hands out for the cat; she had loved him from the first picture she’d seen and felt pretty confident that the feeling was mutual. “How are you? How is Stannis the cat? Do you have snacks because I completely did not stop for anything so I know I will be hungry and I’m sorry that I’m an under-prepared niece.”

If anyone asked Myrcella to list her favorite person in the world, the answer would undoubtedly be “my family” because there was no way of separating them out. Parents, cousins, siblings, uncles - they all counted and they were all important to her. Any chance to spend time with them was more than welcome in her book, so when Uncle Renly invited her over for a movie marathon, she was very quick to agree to it. She had her own personal ideas as to why he suggested this particular marathon, but she would keep that private unless he decided to share it himself.

She sent a text when she arrived, but followed it up with a very swift knock and a very excited, “It’s me, let me in!” After a very brief moment of waiting, she knocked again. “Open the door or you’ll lose your spot as favorite uncle!” Which was honestly just a lie so probably not a very effective threat.

@ladymyrcellab​ U3 music festival

Jeyne held a drink in her hand as she listened to the end of a concert at the U3 music festival. Lifting the cup to her lips, she took a heavy drink, already feeling the alcohol affecting her. It had been a good day thus far and though she’d tried to stay hydrated, Jeyne could admit that she was more in the mood to have a few drinks. For so long, she’d had responsibility and it was nice to enjoy a party for a change.

The romper she wore had spaghetti straps and the shorts were cut high. Jeyne’s hair was long and as she swayed to the music, she allowed herself to get caught up in the moment. After she turned once, she bumped into someone else. Her eyes widened and she laughed. “‘Cella!” Her exclamation was cut short by a giggle. “I didn’t spill on you, did I?”

It was rare for Myrcella to run into someone she wasn’t happy to see. Especially at an event like this - anyone was a friend, and she loved all her friends! So when she bumped into Jeyne, while it was certainly not expected, she wasn’t at all upset.  There wasn’t a spill - not that anyone would really have noticed if there was one, she thought - and the chance to catch up with one of her friends was always a welcome one. Particularly a friend like Jeyne, who was always fun at a party. 

“Luckily for me, you didn’t! How are you?” She slung an arm around Jeyne - carefully, so as not to induce another spill - for a quick squeeze. “Isn’t the festival great?”

who: shireen baratheon when: february 20, 2020 where:unbowed, unbent, unbroken music festival, sunspear

Shireen hadn’t planned on coming to the musical festival in Sunspear but after receiving tickets to the three day event, she didn’t want it to go to waste. And it was obviously time for her to step outside and what better way than a weekend without her parents to monitor her every move. It had been over a month since Balon Greyjoy’s unfortunate passing which meant it was time for her to stop dwelling on it. The party, the arrests of her family and people that she had known her entire life was all she could think about for a while but Shireen hoped that the festival could at least distract her for a short time.

When she arrived at the festival, it was already at full swing. Everywhere she looked, there was people just enjoying their time and it helped Shireen relax a bit. She walked through the crowds, holding cotton candy in her hands when she accidentally bumped into someone. Quickly turning to apologize, Shireen couldn’t hide her surprise at who it was. ” I’m so sorry about that,” She apologized, scanning the other person’s clothing to make sure that her cotton candy didn’t ruin their clothes.” I didn’t realize you would be here,” Shireen commented with a hint of surprise.

Myrcella loved any excuse for a party, and all the chaos of the beginning of the year had not dimmed that love in the slightest. Perhaps it only made it grow - the desire to return to a simpler time was strong, and an event like this would at least help with forgetting all the insanity for a little while. So she made the arrangements and packed her cutest rompers and found herself at the festival, fully immersed and very happy. Nearly immediately, her worries vanished - this had definitely been the right choice.

Hearing her cousin’s voice only made her more certain that she was in the right place. “Shireen! I didn’t know you were coming either - I hardly believe my eyes, honestly.” She threw an arm around Shireen’s shoulders for a hug. Myrcella liked people in general but her family - they were special. To her, anyway, although she believed they were special in general as well. It was a delight to have the chance to spend some time with Shireen in any situation but the festival just seemed ideal. 

“I see you already found the sweets. I feel like I need some cotton candy now too. I was looking for a really good place to take some pictures though so I haven’t made it in that direction yet.”

who: margaery tyrell and anyone when: february 12, 2020 where: benefit gala, highgarden

It was no question that Margaery would be attending - it was her brother’s event, and it was her home - of course she would be there. So far, the event was going smoothly, no unexpected drama in sight. If she had it her way, that’s how things would stay, a welcome relief from what they had all been through.

Her dress brushed the ground as she moved through the room, before locking eyes with a familiar face and making her way over. “And why are you looking so lonely over here?”

Obviously Myrcella’s plans to attend the gala had never changed. She loved events like this - any event, of course. If she felt a little . . . hypocritical, after what had happened to Balon Greyjoy, that was something she would have to deal with. It did leave her a bit out of sorts so she had gone looking for a quiet corner to wait in, until she could find her sense of self again.

Margaery’s voice was a welcome distraction from her thoughts and she looked up with a smile. “Why, clearly I was just waiting for your company. It feels like far too long since we’ve had a chance to talk.”

FULL NAME: Myrcella Baratheon FACE CLAIM: Maddie Hasson AGE: 21 GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis woman; she/her OCCUPATION: Student/Instagram influencer CITY CHARACTER IS BASED IN: King’s Landing SEXUALITY: Pansexual