in between helping to clear the debris from the streets, pounding other similarly pent - up nobles into the dirt ( or eating dirt themselves ) and attending to their parents, jocelyn had very little time to dwell on the discomfort in their chest whenever they passed by the room that had been made into a healing space for their sisters. now, however, there was reason enough to spend more than a few minutes in their general vicinity ─ a common enemy for them to focus their hatred upon, rather than dwell on the feeling of otherness that overwhelmed them whenever the conversation halted in their presence. ❝ FELLOW COMPATRIOTS ! you will never guess where we are go--- ❞ once a cheerful ring, their voice dies down in their throat at the sight of their sisters and the lingering tension in the air. ❝ ... did i interrupt something ? ❞ it certainly had felt that way, more often than not, since coming to the capital, and jocelyn hated it. their hand lifts, rubbing at their chest, as though that could soothe the slight pinch that had nothing to do with physical hurt. they attempt a laugh, but it echoes, hollow. ❝ come on, out with it, or i won't share my news. ❞ please, jocelyn wanted to say, tell me what i did wrong so i can fix it.

what a journey the past near half a year had been and how utterly awful to sail abroad the widow's hymn without its captain. but lady seora left clear instructions and business ventures to wrap up in essos after she remained in king's landing to support her house's claim or whatever house harlaw had intended with this faux kingsmoot. there'd been an increase in responsibilities that laena would like to think she managed well, every thing meticulously documented and in order to celebrate their ships reunion with her captain.

from aboard the ship, elaena spies the familiar figure of seora harlaw and the brightest smile radiates. she'd been honored to be entrusted with the safety of the ship and its crew, to helm the errands and deals, adding more loot and gold to their reserves. but as she was, maybe later in life, laena preferred to follow than lead. a better executioner of a vision than ideate herself. and truly, of all the people cross the seas and seven kingdoms, there was no one who felt more like family and whom she owed her loyalty and heart to than her... "captain!" laena calls out, waving. "happy to report smooth sailing and an even better bounty!"

one body had become two somewhere between the hour of the wolf and the hour of the nightingale ─ jocelyn had padded through the dark room, bare feet squeaking on the floor as they clambered into bed beside their sister, curling up against her back until the rising sun began to peek through the curtains. myrcella seemed to have slept well, which pleased the youngest of the triplets, though they could not say the same for themselves. the whole matter with the poisoning, the deaths and now the funeral had stirred up some unpleasant memories from their mother's passing, which was why jocelyn had sought out their sister to begin with but, stifling a yawn against myrcella's arm ( and, naturally, biting down lightly to wake their sister up ), they wondered if their siblings were having the same thoughts or if the guilt was solely their own. ❝ ... we have to be in the sept after breakfast. ❞ from sunrise until sunset, though a few hours were granted for the nobles to eat and dress. ❝ the funeral rites will be in the evening and then there is a feast ... do you remember the boar i caught for mother's dinner ? ❞ that was all jocelyn seemed good for ─ running and killing things. ❝ ... have you been sleeping well ? being this far from a proper godswood ... does it ... help ? ❞

"I was beginning to think you had no intention of joining us." The initial letter about Suho had been sent moons ago with very little response, and it was far too difficult to pen to paper Yerin's true intentions, for if the wrong eyes were to see... Yet the eldest Harlaw found it reassuring nonetheless that her youngest sister had managed to catch up to the traveling party. It'd been almost half a year since they saw each other last, a lifetime ago it feels.