P O P P Y

“A northman would be good, a Crannogman would be best. Though we’re a difficult people to find, mostly keeping to ourselves, save for rare situations.” he gestured at himself for emphasis, “Storms can be frightening, though I can’t say they’ve ever bothered me, the ones in your homeland must be quite something.” he paused a moment, “What position do you hold in your house? I’m the youngest child of mine.”

“You are a Crannogman?” She asked, eyebrow arching slightly. “Then consider myself grateful we’ve met - I doubt I should have gotten the opportunity otherwise.” Poppy doubted she’d step foot near his lands - let alone need a guide through them that wasn’t already provided. “Should you wish to extend your travels, you are always welcome at Storms End - at least so that you may witness a storm yourself. Some say it is as if the gods are weeping - though I’ve always heard the reasoning to differ as to why.” Nose crinkling, her shoulders rose into a shrug. “I’m one of the youngest, but we’ve never really worried over such a thing. It was clear my brother would become the ruling Lord of the Stormlands, but we try not to allow our ages to separate us.”

“unfortunate… or good politics.” cassian mused, swirling the wine in his goblet. “if the illusion is upheld, any number of people might slip up — offer some clue to the investigation, let slip something about either death they didn’t know. maybe even someone ends up drunk enough to brag about what happened, sending us all home early.” he shrugged, brow ticking up to poppy. “either way, the only people who know what is going on… is the lady tarly.”

“Or poor politics.” She countered. “Confining all of the Seven Kingdoms nobility into one space for such an extended period of time... we all have our rivalries from the past, and now we add upon suspicions of the present. Words will be said unkindly and unwisely by some. So while the Targaryen’s and Lady Tarly may eventually get what they wish, it may also lead us astray and cause quite a bit of civil unrest.”

“Well that may be what most of the others think.” He knew a few men who were not like that and actually valued the opinions of their wives, but they were an exception to the general, unspoken rule. “I know that I would want to feel as though my wife and I were partners in the marriage, who listened to each other’s ideas. The popular saying is that two heads are better than one after all.”

She couldn’t help the small chuckle that past her lips, head tilting back to enjoy a bit of the sun. “Best to keep such words to yourself, my Lord, or women will flock to you in hopes they will be your wife.” Poppy had never allowed herself to dream over such a marriage, but it would certainly have made an arrangement far more kind. “I’d like to believe some of the best leaders within our history had a strong woman to rule at his side.”

“i do. very much so.” but in that same sense, she was afraid. what if she returned and never wanted to leave? much as she loathed it, her life wasn’t in sandstone any longer, wasn’t allowed there like she once was. her life belonged to storm’s end. it was where she would make her home, where her children would consider themselves from as opposed to that of dorne. all of it left a horrible, bitter taste in her mouth — and ali unsure of any of her feelings on the matter. “i would like that.” she smiled at her sister-in-law, before a heavy, dark frown overtook her features. “that is — if we ever manage to escape the capital, given all that’s transpired here.”

Poppy imagined that the moment she left her home for another place a rock would settle into her chest where her heart lay - at least for a time. There were things she craved and yearned for, but in time she would undoubtedly become accustomed to the place she ended up. “If I know my brother at all, he’s already trying to find a way to get us both back to Storms End as we speak.... Our name has history and influence, and our words will only go ignored for so long.”

         SERALA wasn’t sure what to make of the westerosi and of the land, and of the customs, the mannerisms and the distinct lack of collared servants.   her father had warned her that the westerosi did not deal in slavery, and whilst the braavosi had outlawed the trade more than two centuries ago - she knew to be wise enough to not comment on it.    as a noble from pentos and a magister’s daughter, attending westeros was something she’d always looked forward to with trepidation and excitement -   but now it seemed to be rather boring and dull.     she wasn’t unused to death, she’d seen a servant or two beaten to death before, but a cold blooded killing was something wholly unheard of in the noble and wealthy families of pentos.

           “ what does one do for fun in westeros ? -     it all seems rather dull.   aside from the senseless killings.”

There was plenty Poppy enjoyed - including the festivities that had transpired - but each day before or after seemed to drag. Too many people were shoved within the walls going stir crazy out of sheer boredom. “The Capital is dull.” She corrected with a sigh, brow crinkling in displeasure. “I’m certainly surprised they haven’t brought in some entertainment for us while we’re stuck within the Keep. The gardens only amuse one for so long, as do books or gossip. I’m afraid we’re all rather... bored, my Lady.”

The capital lacked a substance that Luci couldn’t quite but her finger on. Maybe it was because of the murders or because everyone here was just boorish. Whatever it was it had caused the girl to return to her chambers and lay upon her bed starring up at the ceiling daydreaming. It wasn’t until a knock on her door that caused her to stand and come back to reality. Opening the door to find her dear friend poppy, a happy yet mischievous smile grew on her lips. “ I am but terrorizing poor souls does sound quite intriguing.” Her sweet tone now sounding impish as she opened the door wider for the girl to enter.

Releasing a sound of relief at the sight of the other girl, Poppy drew her into a brief one armed hug before she moved into the room. “Terrorizing is only so fun when it becomes repetitive as it does here. People sleep together and act surprised and panic when they’re caught. They gossip but act as if they’re saintly and sorry for the dead.” Eyes rolled heavenward before she moved to stand beside Luci’s bed - flopping back with a huff. “I grow bored and being trapped is only making it worse. Men watch me with concern and have been trying to escort me everywhere. I’m ready to rip the hair from my head in frustration.” 

Shaena returned the smile. “Yes, I agree.” The thought of a celebration at Storm’s End excited her, as her time in King’s Landing had helped her learn to be more comfortable. “I want to sail, Poppy. I miss the open water.” 

“I miss the storms.” She countered. “Watching them roll across the waters while we dined was always one of my favorite sights. The howling of the window and the smell of salt.” Brow furrowing, her eyes took in the sight of another dragon skull with a touch of distaste. “Here all you have is the noise of others and the smell of waste. I can’t imagine wanting to stay.”

His hand moved to rest on her thigh, more out of a reflex than an conscious effort. He hadn’t noticed that she changed into one of his shirts, and he cursed himself silently for ignoring her. Edwyn kept his rough, warm hand planted on her. It carried a feeling of desperate need, not for sex, not for anything less than companionship. A cough forced it’s way from his throat and through the awkward silence around them. “Why would I run when I have a steady job and a small bed? I have too much honor to just leave…this.” He wasn’t sure that it was he was referring to, but the guard knew well enough that the thigh beneath his hand was a part of it.

When his hand slid onto her thigh, Poppy found that sometime after crawling into bed - despite nuzzling her body into his - she’d returned to being tense. But now that he seemed to be winding down, her eyelids drooped slightly. “You can find a steady job with just as small of a bed most places. Except most will not require you to have such rowdy neighbors.” She murmured. “Perhaps leaving is not for everyone. I just know that should I ever find myself in a situation where I am miserable and question my own happiness that I would step foot onto a ship and not dare look back. I certainly would never live this life again.”

“it happens more often than you think.” he replied, still faintly amused at the prospect. she reminded him of esme in so many ways — headstrong and smart and with a sharp tongue, wise beyond her years. he would wager any peices of gold that she knew what she wanted from the world: and nothing could stop her. “give it a few years, lady baratheon, the boys will mature and they may even have a sentence or two to offer you.”

“Does it?” She inquired innocently. Poppy knew well enough that it was a face that often stopped men in their tracks, but it was words and actions that left them lacking coherency. “Should the events within the capital continue to worsen, I fear the years are not in my favor and I will marry sooner rather than later.” 

“no it is not.” the words were sharp — but tinged with amusement and the slight hitch of laughter. “it is horrifying. terrifying. that they beat down on the landscape there…” ali shook her head. she could still remember the first time she had seen one such storm: loud and violent and angry, unafraid and uninhibited. it had frightened the daylights out of her — still did, even she had grown somewhat used to the idea of them lashing about the rocky outpost that was storm’s end. “you should… see the sandstorms. at sandstone.” she shook her head softly. “barely hear… any of it and yet… whole landscapes change in hours. the place you see, when it’s over, is not the place you left behind at the start of it.”

She’d seen visitor’s retreat into the heart of Storms End in fear of what might transpire when the waves rolled against the stones and winds battered the walls. Poppy had grown to cherish the fierce roar just as any other native might - and she found it hard to step into her sister-in-laws’ shoes. “You’ll grow accustom to it over time.. and then the quiet will feel foreign.” Lips quirking, her head tilted ever so slightly at the description of the sandstorms. “You must wish to visit your home again. Perhaps I might accompany you on the journey to witness such a wonder.”

vivienne shrugged her shoulders at that, head tilting. “it’s human nature to be selfish. to think of ourselves first and others second in most situations. there’s no point denying it.” god knows she’d been selfish in her life, stealing kisses and happiness when she could. she was selfish even now, worrying only about her own problems and giving very little thought to the fact that two men had been murdered. “that is very kind of you, lady baratheon. i’m sure my husband would welcome you at stokeworth if you ever wished to visit, also.” her her nodded. “nowhere is quite as special as the place you grew up. marrying and moving away certainly doesn’t change that.”

Humming softly in agreement, the girl sank back into her seat. “People deny it nonetheless and instead take on the falsities of grief and fear.” It was something the Red Keep was practically swimming in and something she hoped to avoid at least a while longer. “I hope I would have your welcome as well.” She’d certainly assure Lord Stokeworth sent the invitation, but Poppy knew her time would likely be spent with his Lady. “Do you visit your home in Karhold frequently, my Lady?” 

Ascar smiled softly, “Oh very,” his voice took on a quiet rhythm, not unlike what storytellers in taverns did, “The waters are deep and murky, one wrong move and a knight would drown under his armours weight. Fallen logs can be lizards larger than a horse is tall with daggers for teeth, always watching, always hungry. Poison frogs and spiky fish all dart from place to place and it is said even the ancient children of the forest watch those within the swamp.” he paused a moment to chuckle, “Of course, all that’s perfectly navigable should one know what to do.” he smiled.

She felt her breath catch within her throat as he spoke - the words mimicking the fairytales she’d grown up hearing. To know that such tales had pieces of truth was both amazing and concerning. “Remind me - should I ever visit - to not take a singular step without first advising a guide.” Releasing a soft laugh, she shook her head. “The deadliest thing I’ve encountered at home are the Storms.”

                “IF THAT ISN’T the most truthful words I’ve heard in months.” She chuckled, finally picking a book. The other girl was right on the money, her knowledge was something that could never be taken away from her grip, it could not be send far away and seen every now and again. 

“More women think that way then we believe. I simply have the feeling that most will not voice it for the same exact reason we seek it. Men fear what they cannot control.” And reading endlessly filled heads with plenty of knowledge.

Her question caused his entire body to tense into numbness. Poppy’s heart faded to a soft thump to him as he poured through his thoughts, figuring it was too late to go back now. “I came from a very loving and large family. I always saw myself as a father, and now that I might be, it makes me want it more. I remember holding my youngest sister in my arms the day she was born, I hardly put her down and the wet nurse had to pull her out of my grasp. It was always something I wanted, and as the third son, I was at liberty to have more freedom and marry for love. But the only woman to make me fall off that cliff was Nesta, who was above my station and already married, and out of spite and desperation I robbed myself of everything I ever wanted. So, yes. Every single day.”

Poppy had always harbored some desire for a similar life. To love the person she married and ti have a small army of children running about her feet, but Septa’s had been quick to intervene. She was a Baratheon and she would be a sought after bride for both name and beauty - love would grow in time if she were lucky. “You cannot control who you love." You could only smother the feelings and try ignoring them. “You could run away to Essos - somewhere away from the Crowns influence. Still have a chance at love and children.”