⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ( Blackwood c , Haruna kawaguchi , 27 , ciswoman , she/her ) the hand of the late king welcomes Shizuka Blackwood , Lady of Raven Tree Hall, to the kingsmoot. the realm knows them to be responsible and gentle, but the master of whisperers has unearthed information that speaks to their overbearing and anxious tendencies. to dream of them would be to dream of lavender fields at night escaping difficult responsibilities, pirouettes under moonlight, and the haunting feeling of making a wrong choice. they themselves dream of any house besides bracken on the throne. time is an unwieldy mistress, and only she may tell who will sit the iron throne when the dust settles.
- key stats.
name , Shizuka Blackwood . age , twenty seven . title , lady of raven tree hall . gender / pronouns , cis woman & she + her . orientation , asexual biromantic . allegiances , house Blackwood . religion , old gods . eye color , amber brown . hair color , black . dominant hand , left . height , five foot & five inches .
- deep facts.
virtues , patience . vices envy, . weapons of choice , poison . moral alignment , true neutral . character inspirations Ronica Vestrit, Princess Zelda, Katara, . parents , names tbd . siblings , akira blackwood, Ren Blackwood, Mizuki Blackwood, . Pets, a black ferret named Tricky . marital status , single .
- history.
It was no secret that the other houses found the Blackwoods unsettling. From her sister being a greenseer to the continued worship of the old gods, there was no way to fit in with the rest of the Riverlands
Due to the ongoing feud with the Brackens and Blackwoods, Shizuka was fostered at Riverrun to be Ameri Tully's friend. Much of her childhood was spent being raised as a Tully rather than a Blackwood
Shizuka always had a large heart, and set out to become a healer. While her current beliefs prohibited her from properly studying at the citadel to become a maester, Shizuka found other ways to learn medicine
During a feast at Riverrun, a fight broke out between the Brackens and the Blackwoods when Mizuki spoke of the ill fate that awaited the Brakens. While Shizuka was only ten and two, she still tried to help. Not being a strong believer in magic, Shizuka tried to help in more mundane ways but she could only save so much as a child of the Riverlands.
No matter how much Shizuka tried to extend an olive branch, the Brakens would not corporate. Weird cures made from molded bread and crushed roots only made one seem insane.
These attempts at peace came back to bite Shizuka later. Trying to solve a centuries old rivalry on her own good of everyone's health was not the smartest of Shizuka's plans (to be ploted with the rest of the Blackwood and Bracken muses on to what happened)
She still tasks herself with healing no matter her mistakes, releasing her anxiety by taking walks in flower fields and dancing alone as much as possible
The King dies and a Kingsmoot is called. While Shizuka tries to be practical in who she hopes claims the throne, the Brackens cannot be trusted with anything past their horses.
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he's watched this farce go on for long enough. or as long as he dared to allow it while his patience ran thin. already clinging to its last few strands , its upon watching his sister raise a hand to her head ⸻ her very much injured head , that he finally chooses to step in. waiting until her assistant scurried away in a haste to follow her instructions , he was quick to take their place at her side with a hand at shizuka's shoulder. guiding her with one arm wrapped around her , and the other reaching up to clasp gently around the wrist of her own raised arm. he led them to the corner of the room , and further away from where the chaos reigned. ❝ you will not. ❞ a little brother's plea , delivered through the clenched teeth of a man made up entirely of his worries. over everyone , everything , but his family especially. ❝ you should be in one of those beds yourself ⸻ recovering. ❞
Shizuka shook her head gently, but did not attempt to move past Ren. Her little brother's words had some truth in them; even a mild concussion could spell trouble if not healed properly. Her own head was already swimming. But who was going to take care of everyone else?
"I should be at Akira's bedside at the least!" Shizuka protested. She was not the only person or Blackwood injured. In fact, Shizuka preemptively presumed her injury was the least severe out of all those effected.
At least she was alive.
There was another reason to Shizuka's reluctance to rest. Ameri, her friend, was presumed dead. If Shizuka let herself heal without finding cures and solving injuries she knew she would grieve, which would help no one at the moment.
She pointed to where the majority of the action was. "They need my help. They all do." With a purpose now, Shizuka attempted to go around Ren and catch up to her assistant "I cannot allow them to succumb to their injuries, Ren!"
“i suppose they can be fun, if you are the type to be included in things.” if steffon had not been born a twin — hadn’t been provided with a soulmate the moment they emerged — he was unsure whether he would have ever been brought in from the cold. forever on the periphery, always a little too strange to be part of anything, cursed to never be skilled or take the breath away from others. nervously they played with the ends of their fingers, picked at the dirt beneath their nails. if shizuka did not know they were of noble birth, it would not have been difficult to mistake steffon for a commoner fighting his way into tents for an exclusive view of the competitors.
“are you that good, then ? ” not an insult, merely a question. his head tilted on its axis like a quizzical puppy sniffing unfamiliar foodstuffs. “i assure you that lyanna does not need pity. she is fantastic. regardless as to whether she wins, it will do her good.” to be normal again, to shed the cloak of hightowers and return to her life as an arryn, to begin to enjoy what she had been forced to relinquish.
Shizuka put her bow down once the string was repaired, her eyes catching onto Steffon's finger picking. "You should not pick too much at your skin" Shizuka chided in her own overbearing way. "You will let in infection"
Shizuka shrugged. She had to admit, she was not the best at archery. But the Blackwood did enjoy shooting a bow, even if it may not earn her any awards. "I am decent at it" She smiled at Steffon. There was not much more to say on the matter of her archery skills. "My sister and brother are superior" It was a matter of fact. "If I was a betting woman, I would put my money on them"
It was rare to see a sibling talk about the other so highly. "you must love your sister very much" Shizuka would be lying if she said her siblings could do no wrong. Sibling rivalry could be healthy. "I wish her luck"
faces, voices, warming presences were a distant memory to alysanne. her memories of the sick room came in waves, and it was often impossible to unpick the silken strings and to identify what was reality and what had been conjured by her stricken brain. many had come to her aid, sat by her side, and the princess ached to thank them ... but how could she show gratitude to those blank faces, those twisted features that she could no longer identify now that the sickness had drained from her and left a husk behind ? “you were there,” it was not a question, but an affirmation. alysanne's words came breathless and, although it was weak, she smiled. “i feel as though, when i try and speak of our time in the sick room, those that did not find their way to that side of the curtain seem to ... well, they do not understand.” and how could they ? how could others ever imagine the stink of loved ones rotting from the inside out, the fear as all sanity melted away like the wax of an old candle ?
Shizuka nodded at Alysanne's words. The feel of those that passed to the beyond is never something that is over quickly. From the death of her own parents to whatever may be next for her siblings. As tough as it was, Shizuka had learned to be comfortable with that feeling.
It was the only way to work through when you were the only light in the storm.
"Do not understand what, your majesty?" Shizuka asked with some confusion. Many of the nobles had been poisoned, and those that were not still knew someone who had been. "I fear many had known what was happening, they just were in denial to save themselves the mental strain"
"did you not just see the dragons fly down from the skies like they were some omen from the seven hells?" betha's voice is loud through the haze of chaos, a bit of an exasperation in her tone. leave it up to the blackwoods to be acting such a way. "you are hurt," why did she even care? it would not be unlike them to throw the brackens under the bus if it was the situation flipped, like the blackwoods always had done. "do you really think you are going to mix poultices correctly with a wound on your head? your mind could be scattered and other people's lives could be at risk because of it."
Of course Shizuka saw the dragons fly about, she was simply too shocked to react to such a thing. More than anything, Shizuka was surprised the Bracken night expressed concern towards her current injured state.
Her personal frustration towards the Bracken's started when they refused Shizuka's odd treatment, offering mold to treat an infection.
Despite this, she really did need to make sure everyone was cared for, Bracken or not. Shizuka pulled herself together and worked through the chaos "It is only a mild injury, I will be fine" She got dizzy again, grabbing onto Betha for stability. Fine, Shizuka had to admit she needed a little help. "I just need a moment to rest"
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set during the immediate aftermath of the dragon attack. the rivers is pushing through throngs of wounded, dust kicking up everywhere. barely able to spot the person — @firedreamt, @tragic-keepers — she reaches out for them.
it had all been a blur. one moment she was preparing herself to go into the final rounds of the joust, armor covering her and her horse being brushed by her aunt. the next, roars that pierced her ears were heard in the distance and chaos erupted on the tourney grounds. betha did not know where she was going or what she was doing, dirt kicked up into the air and making it difficult to see, but she peeled off her helm, tossing her armor in every direction she could to get a clearer picture. only then does a silhouette appear in the fog of dust. "seven hells!" she curses, reaching out for the figure, "are you alright?" perhaps her voice is a bit too loud, but with the roaring of everyone else it was needed. "let me get you somewhere safer!"
For a moment, Shizuka was well. She had decided to give her half toxic wreath to Ren, trusting him to not hurt himself on the flowers. Then it happened. A ancient noise from an ancient creature. All the sudden Shizuka wad under the rubble with splitting pain coming from her forehead. She brushed her hand across her forehead and saw the bright red of fresh blood drawn.
It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to Betha. Shizuka waved Betha off, getting to her feet ignoring the fog entering her mind "No..no. I am fine" Her palm pressed into her forehead injury. "There are people more injured than I. They need my help"
closed: @tragic-keepers, @firedreamt, @valarrghulis, @rottedhearts @graveruins
setting: somewhere in the red keep after the hour of the ghost (midnight)
four days after the dragons attack
paper cannot hold fire. secrets are inevitably discovered. only the dead tell no tales. though that last one may be debated upon. with shizuka's help the past few moons, it may had been an arduous task but one that remained manageable, the secret of what began as weekly sleepwalks instead of nights that aligned with the moon to nearly daily wanderings. in raventree hall, the path was routine, familiar after more than two decades. yet in king's landing, there was no weirwood tree for her to find comfort in, to confide in, a faux godswood with a sorry excuse for a heart tree that leaves her wandering the red keep without destination and without a minder to stop her from roaming far from the blackwood's designated quarters.
barefoot and in plain white robes (for she long learned better than to simply trust a mere sleep chemise if she were to wander off), not utterly improper but still severely underdressed to roam a castle, mizuki takes slow, steady steps. onlookers may assume the lady was on some random leisure stroll from afar but the whites of her eyes tell a different tale. where she's been attempting to go, she has yet to find out with shizuka or ren able to intercept the older blackwood before she made it too far. yet on this night without shizuka's medicinal blend, she goes further than ever.
drifting through the keep, it's only when the presence of another registers in a sleepless mind that something within whispers fiercely: w a k e u p .
mizuki startles awake with a gasp, suddenly realizing that they had left the safety of her personal quarters. then she processes the presence of another watching her and slowly turns to face them still catching her breath, trying to swallow panic and tears, mind still reeling from the dream. the four dragons and their ire. the fire. the dreams have not ceased. she is tired. heavy is the burden to be the messenger of the old gods when she feels so far from them. was there a way to salvage it so it seem less suspicious that she stands here on the verge of a breakdown?
"i'm sorry. i shouldn't... i shouldn't be here. i didn't mean to disturb you."
Ever since the disaster at the tourney, Shizuka had trouble sleeping. She was lucky enough to escape mildly injured with only a concussion. Shiuka realized she needed rest, but what privilege was resting when there were people that were more injured than she was?
She spotted her older sister sleepwalking again. It was not a surprise to see Mizuki out at night seemingly aimless to wander. The weirwood called to her, yet there were no weirwoods around. Quietly, Shizuka followed behind to make sure Mizuki did not hurt herself. It could be dangerous to wake someone sleepwalking on their own. Shizuka's stores were already low from treating various injuries, she was not sure she would be able to stretch more to help her sister without leaving the city.
"You never disturb me Mizuki, even if it is late" Shizuka offered her sister some kindness, ignoring the dizziness in her own head. "Do you need help back to our quarters or would you prefer to stay out longer?"
❝ starter for : @tragic-keepers , @steelworn ❞
❝ where : the gardens , a few days later ❞
they'd deemed the gardens a safe place to wander. it was within the castle walls , but still open enough that she didn't feel confined to their room. from what the maester's had said , her memories would come back. when , they didn't know. but prayers to the seven would certainly do the trick. jeyne hadn't had the energy to tell them that it would be her first prayer since she was a child. so instead , she chose to walk. there were a few people scattered around the grounds , and jeyne decided to take a chance. "am i interrupting you ?" she asked pleasantly , opting for a neutral tone in case their relationship were non-existent … or hostile … or friendly , even. there was a lot she didn't know at that present moment , so forced politeness was the safest bet. "i can leave if you'd rather spend this time on your own."
Shizuka had gone to the gardens in order to find more plants. The dragons unforntunatly made it impossible to travel outside the Red Keep, so Shizuka was forced to forage the garden. She was not sure if she was allowed, but what did rules matter when there were souls that needed attention?
She walked off of the bath and found herself knee deep in plants. Her mind still felt scrambled as she picked what was needed.
Her head lifted at Jeyne's question. "Please stay, it is very lonely out here without anyone" She pointed to the bush she was standing in. "I could use some help collecting rose hips, if you are able to"
Who: @arcan3ly, @hclvedhearts, @eclipt1cs, @graveruins
Where: Sick bay, a few hours after the dragon incident.
Despite her own injury, Shizuka was on her feet treating those worse off than her. She had spent the last hour refusing any medical help and yelling at the maesters for not living up to her standard of care.
She had secretly grabbed a bottle of wine from the cellars, which was much more impactful for sterilizing open wounds than whatever the water had in it. She had also found soap to keep her hands clean when healing.
As she made her way across, a wave of dizziness overcame Shizuka. "Here" she said handing the wine and soap to the nearest person to her. "Give this to the next poor soul who has an open wound." She held her head and steadied herself "I will be there in a moment"
the crownlands offered mela little in the way of things that she wanted. the only herbs she had thought of interest were offered to her by the sparse floors of the kingswood, needing to be coaxed from the dirt that they held onto so adamantly. mela thought that the king could not have treated his land very well — very gently — for it to be as unwilling to give as it was. many times, she had to enlist the aid of donnell's strength. the reach had never been so stingy with its bounty. " your brother, " she notes, staring up at the sky. they are grey, closed off. " i wish him well, then. " the platitude is hollow, but offered nonetheless. " i am not, no. like you, my brother will ride in the tilts, the fool of a boy that he is. "
"I would never do something as to harm myself and ride in a tilt as our brothers are" Jousting. Two short sighted people running towards each other at full speed to see how bruised the other could get. It was a stupid sport that would lead Shizuka to even more work. "I find the people who compete in such things tend to lead much shorter lives"
Her stores were already depleted from the last emergency, and she would have to spend a good portion of the night getting more. "I'll have a salve made ready for Ren." Shizuka bent over and observed a rough looking plant. "Should I prepare a double batch for your brother as well?"
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"Yes but your comfort is not the least of mine." What an odd fatal flaw to befall their family, this streak of never ending self-sacrifice instilled into each of them, setting themselves on fire to keep their family warm. This may be the death of them. "I'm no sweet summer child blind to my limits. I can manage the uncomfortable." Mizuki stood slowly, needing to walk and pace some of the restless energy away.
"But this execution will be more than that for you. I won't be alone regardless and I can think of near a hundred better things for you to spend your time." What a farce. This execution in the name of justice made to a spectacle for the nobility and smallfolk alike. Entertainment disguised as retribution when a tourney was to follow meant to wipe the blood from people's minds as if the stones would not be stained of it, proof of a life lost. And why had the Lady Wylla commit their crimes? To what end? Was the purpose accomplished? Surely more was to come...
She walked to her sister and gently bumped her with her hip. "We are all here together already, united, aligned. One morning does not change that. In fact, probably better you whip up some salve for Akira's old bones and whatever injuries Ren will collect in combat. I've heard them both discuss participating in the tourney." Tsuki let out a quiet laugh. "Let us hope Akira sticks to the archery alone. Though I have half a mind to join and beat him."
Shizuka had spent the majority of the last few weeks running back and forth between the healing wards and being with the rest of the Blackwoods. The execution would be more than just a formality for Shizuka, she'd have to watch another life be taken from her that she could not stop.
"Perhaps I will take your suggestion and spend the time gathering herbs instead" Shizuka's stores were already low considering how much she had accomplished. Ren was certainly going to get injured. Akira would probably complain. Maybe she should even offer something to Wylla. Having death coming for you can't be good for the nerves......
"If you join it will be three of us Blackwoods against the rest" Like it always was, like it always has. Baring Shizuka's time spent in Riverrun of course. "We will be unstoppable".
her skittering attracts his notice, but she does ultimately hide away what tools she has brought with her to the table. and before he can see, which is somehow a common trait of all blackwoods he encounters. considerable secret-keepers, knowledge-reapers, then mum's the word insofar as the sharing and sometimes, even the caring, although they would label the house as one of the more compassionate. that was what happened, when the road to favour was painted in visions. “ no? why wouldn't it be appropriate? lest you want to give it to a lover, don't let me stop you. ” tease emerges, although in the same tone as the rest of what they say, therefore rendering it rather moot.
“ aila is determined to take this as serious as she can and give herself tully luck. ” and she'd be the better for it, relying upon nobody else to provide her favour. mor admired her for awaiting no such a gift, if that was indeed the case, and providing enough fortune against her sleeve that she might stand a fighting chance. “ if she'd enjoy that, i'm sure young ren would enjoy a favour from you. ” it is simple logic. they have long since forsaken the art of overthinking when it comes to the simpler things. indeed, a craving for the simpler and quieter things often overwhelms them, takes them to a place of dark nostalgia they rarely wish to escape.
Shizuka only then realized how suspicious it was to snatch her wreath out of reach, especially the wreath made of half poisonous flowers. With the tension that underlined the entire Headsman's tourney, it would be easiest to blame a shifty Blackwood known for being a bit odd. Her eyes met with Mordhred's niece, handing her a harmless daisy from her personal pile.
"Perhaps I should give it to Ren" as long as Shizuka notified Ren in advance to the contents of the wreath. "But it is a little awkward gifting a favor to one's own house" Shizuka barely paid attention to proper tourny etiquette with those sorts of things. She was way more interested in weaving meanings into her wreaths.
"Unless you have another idea from those competing?" Shizuka asked the Tully. It felt right to ask guidance from one who had watched over as she was fostered at Riverrun.
he hums, pleased, before pointing to the wreath in her hands. "if they don't believe you're cursing them, pass it along to a friendly face." as long as it's not a bracken. but that went without saying. though he is certain they would blame every misfortune on their shoulders, no matter if the blackwood family was involved or not.
"agreed. at night, then. when the moon is closer and the weirwood sings its lullaby." their worship is no secret; at least they are among similar minds, with the boltons and baratheons mingling.
still, akira peers at their sibling, lips thinning to a straight line. "what concerns you, shizuka?" because they are in the maw of the realm; concern is much too light of a word.
Shizuka sighed deeply. There was plenty that troubled her with this Headsman's tourney. And plenty that bothered her with the Kingsmoot housing the Blackwoods so close to the Brackens.
It was almost as if they wanted more violence to break through.
"I'm nervous that whoever takes the throne next will disapprove of our lifestyle , dear brother" Shizuka kept her voice lowered so that no one else could possibly hear what she was discussing with her brother.
“ the people that are still in mourning will continue to. the rest of us should not have to when we are not. ” simple, in her mind, if not a little blunt but she cared little about wylla greyjoy. she knew nothing of her aside from what had been said — in truth, dove have only wished to have spoken with her due to having a common interest. both, supposedly, with mothers whose reputations bordering upon infamous, but otherwise … she had changed the realm, made countless people sick, and killed others. for what reason should she put back on her mourning clothes and wail ? “ difficulty ? do you consider yourself to be shy ? ” the wreath she had been creating now finished and set to the side with the others in the pile, the flowers the other had been weaving now catching her eye. “ it may … if i may be so bold, help to not offer something that would cause them harm. i do not think any would find it to be a mistake to be poisoned again. ” an interesting choice all things considered, to be sure. “ i have no one in mind. i do not have difficulty in getting along, but i do not offer my favor to the first pretty face i see. i would have already offered you one, if i did. ”
Shizuka felt strongly about death, and another death on top of the poisonings that happened only made things worse. She did not appreciate Dove's tone regarding the matter.
True to her name, Shizuka kept calm and quiet to Dove's response.
"Of course I do, my lady" Shizuka offered a small smile as she added the finishing touches "You do not see me inviting myself into conversation" Shizuka's shiness came with experience. Curse those Brackens for making her retreat inside her shell when she was only trying to help. She held up her wreath again "It's only half poisonous!" Shizuka exclaimed. "As long as they don't shove it in their mouth and wash themselves afterwards, whoever gets my favor will be fine!" Though, Shizuka strongly doubted the intelligent of some of those jousting.
She should probably give it to Ren after all.
"Of course you don't. Choosing someone to favor is a careful choice and the wrong message could be conveyed if you-" Shizuka cut herself off when she caught Dove's compliment, blushing a bit. "Oh, why thank you Lady Reyne"
the refusal earns her an exaggerated pout. despite the pounding in her head, however, she tries to remain amicable, ignores the desire to let her words bite. can she blame lady blackwood for keeping her own handiwork? if she had managed to create something half as lovely, she too might have guarded it, treasured it, given it to a certain special someone. ❝ i will have to admire it from afar, i suppose. though i still think it would look far better resting upon my head than attached to any lance. ❞ in low notes there is no indication that she truly expects the other to surrender the wreath, only traces of a jest not quite as obvious in the current state of her voice. at the mention of souls, her gaze falls once more to the favor. she studies it, inquisitive, temple fully resting on the palm of her hand — a foolish attempt to vanquish the pulsing ache that there resides. ❝ what does your wreath say about your soul, then? ❞ viserra asks. this time, she does not mock, but rather wonders with genuine interest. ❝ flowers have always been mysterious to me. i enjoy looking at them, but i am helpless when it comes to their uses or meanings. ❞
her pitiful excuse for a favor still lays before her, paling in comparison to what the rest of the circle has made. one flower hangs at an awkward angle, another has fallen off entirely, resting on the table. she decides it’s beyond saving, until wire and twigs are offered. after staring at them for a few seconds, the princess sighs in all her theatrical glory, and reaches for the materials. ❝ perhaps you are right, my lady. ❞ her left hand holds the wire, while her right one lifts the wreath: the crooked little thing seems to laugh at her, taunt her. asking for help has never come naturally, and yet she finds her lips parting, in unusual, shy hesitation. ❝ would you … show me how to do it? ❞ the smirk returns to rosy lips, her much needed shield. ❝ otherwise, lady mallister might ask me to never return to one of her crafting circles again, which would be devastating. ❞
Shizuka observed the princess slightly, taking in her dark hair. The purple and pinks of her wreath would compliment it. Though, Shizuka noticed the trace of jest Vissera had in her tone.
"Interesting question" Shizuka mumbled while turning the wreath in her hand again. Shizuka was not great with the symbolic meanings of flowers, but she specifically picked those known to heal in certain quantities and those that kill in others. "I am skilled in the art of healing, so I'd like to think this wreath is a representation of the line between life and death that I stride" Maybe it was a tad bit too philosophical for a joust. Hardly any of the participants would understand the meaning and significance.
She did not waste time bending the twigs and wires to a circle that Vissera's wreath could be woven through. "If I was Lady Malister, I would have thought twice about the crafts I offered" Shizuka suggested as she slowly shaped a new wreath step by step so Viserra could follow along. "There have been many ladies present who could not shape the wreaths correctly."
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✶ ⸺ 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 ! day two of the festivities, seated in the audience of the puppet show with @tragic-keepers
“ i expected something … better. ” lyseni entertainers, different from those usual in westeros. the ability to tales from across the sea, spin a yarn and invest them in the story more cleverly than any other troupe had. fahriye did not often allow themself hope nor excitement, this a reminder of why. something simple that had not managed to live up to her expectations, once again. the show's end had brought an eruption of applause and cheers with the strong remaining both seated and quiet, eyes narrowed as various bows were taken with a flourish. “ did you enjoy it ? ”
Shizuka was trying her best to enjoy herself, despite the depressing overarching feeling of discomfort that seemed to permeate the entire place. She had already encountered one Bracken supporter who she only got grief from.
If Shizuka was to snap from her quiet and gentle ways, how much would have been unexpected with the stress and exhaustion presented to her at this Kingsmoot? She had already witnessed a execution and handled the poisonings excellently, and now a mediocre pupped show had taken her attention.
"I was not fond of the pacing" Too much rushing, in her opinion. The more Shizuka thought it was less about the pacing and more about the content of the show. A little distasteful for this festival. "The story could have been better" Shizuka shrugged
"Perhaps something stronger after the tourney. I'm permitted some pride. I'd like to participate in the archery competition and avoid having my mind clouded with potential side effects." Still, ever grateful for the medicine, she sets the bowl aside with intention. "I should be fine. I may add a lock to my door this evening though."
Wandering the Red Keep could only bring suspicion and prejudice, she had considered renting a room in King's Landing instead but a bustling city felt draining on a weary psyche and there were only so many excuses she could provide Akira to avoid worry. "You are not obligated to attend the execution tomorrow, Shizu. The luxury of us not being head of our house."
"I'll probably attend." Whenever she tried to avoid the uncomfortable, it only manifested in worse ways. "But you should prioritize your comfort. It will not be an easy morning despite the jovial facade of merriment."
Shizuka shifted her weight uncomfortably. Attending executions was never easy, especially for someone like Shizuka who spent very much of her time making sure people did not die. But, she did not want her sister to attend without support. Shizuka was not as familiar with prophecy or magic as Mizuki was, but she was sure witnessing something like that could provide disastrous consequences.
"My comfort is the least of my worries, dear sister" Shizuka spoke up, genuinely concerned about her sister's wellbeing. Shizuka may have been fostered in Riverrun for much of her childhood, but there were still rumors surrounding her house's strange beliefs. Shizuka and Mizuki already had enough of being accused of witchcraft, Shizuka's absence would only add fuel to the flame.
Her attention turned to the medicine bowl. "I am worried about you, truly" How many nights worth of sleep had her sister lost and Shizuka was not there to help? "All of us Blackwoods will have to stay together, even if the event makes my stomach turn"
