caged bird;

seldom does the opportunity to walk beside waters warm to the touch and xia-li has every intention of spending her day soaking up the western rays. she probably should have waited for the men her brother sent to keep her away from trouble, but knowing herself, she'd attract it just by standing in place for much too long. that's why nimble feet manuever quickly, closer and closer to the soothing sounds of moving water until the soft sand can be felt at their soles. this feeling is paradise, no matter where its located.

alcoves that she crosses paths with are given inquisitive glances, but not necessarily explored to their fullest extent. she would save that for the caves filled with smuggled wonders if she could seem to find them. a glimmer of hope (and a hint of the inevitable trouble) appears to her in the form a familiar dornishwoman who'd chosen the ocean as her destination. it seems like ages since they'd meandered around the makeshift markets and dens of yi ti, and despite the endless chiding from her brother upon return to fir hold, she regarded it as the most fun she'd had yet.

"is that-? it couldn't be. the devani toland gracing the shore of casterly rock. i should probably let the other nobles know to hide their finery... but we both know how much i love to see them scramble."

delicacies of the crownlands left little to he desired for the yitish lady. despite her acceptance of the decadent meals provided by the royal court, she found it lacked the ability to fully sate her hunger and theres no doubt that the cousin she'd sent for a few hours earlier shared the sentiment. its the very reason why she requested that those accompanying her brother prepare dishes that were more familiar to their palettes. she was far too busy reading through the parchment brought within her belongings to find the passages that might mean the most to yuna.

eager eyes scan over the options covering the stretch of wood they would be seated at. succulent dumplings and fluffy rice enveloped in a steady rise of steam are sat next to two bowl, filled to the brim with broth, noodles and vegetation imported from the lands their ancestors once inhabitabed before settling amongst the westerosi. it took every bit of self control she could muster not to touch the tempting bowls of tangyuan and trays of wagashi that had made friends alongside each other at each end.

"...that’s the paradox here: vulnerability is the last thing i want you to see in me, but the first thing i look for in you..."

• xia-li greenleaf • esfp • bold, impulsive, outgoing, witty, ego-driven, observant •

influences:

• summer roberts (the o.c)

• kenna de poitiers (reign)

• drea torres (do revenge)

"he has been searching for a long while and the north contains far more land than his men can cover. the way i see it, if we have more feet on the ground, then it leaves less places for these rats to burrow away." spoken swiftly, as if she's gone over it a thousand times before this encounter. the utmost care has been devoted to this matter and when he speaks, she has hope that its not in vain. "my brother has spoken highly of your accomplishments, my lord. it brings us great pride to see yet another from yiti rising to such heights." theres a sincerity in the way she speaks. she holds their homeland close to her heart, much more so now that shes begun learning more with her cousin. now that ren has gained his own lands, she's confident that sea dragon point will become a place that her family will find a familiar comfort. "your consideration of such a task is worth more than you know, whether or not you find yourself willing."

shes been here before. the sense of urgency, anxiety, and uncertainty that comes with times of war. xia-li was much younger when the dance began. a wide-eyed adolescent, who knew nothing of the threats loomimg in darkened skies. she'd lived her life in a rose-colored bubble for so long that when conflict struck the north, she could hardly make sense of the chaos that had ensued. shouldnt she be more prepared now that shes a woman grown? she's been here before. so why does she feel as shaken as she did then?

time to dwell on personal afflictions is few and far between for the lady of fir hold. there are refugees to tend to, people whose own fears far outweighed the ones that keep her hands in a subtle shake and a queen that depends on her help to comfort them. "your grace, a word if i may?" the ladys request is rushed, but she still feels relief in rosalyns presence. a particular picture had been painted for her of what a lady-in-waiting should be, one burned into her memory by parents and siblings alike. she was fully prepared to put on the same facade that she was forced to adorn when in the presence of her peers. that was until the discovery that her queen preferred who she truly was to the mask she'd broken and pieced back together so many times that it was nearly unrecognizable. she feels like herself in winterfell, she feels at home.

footsteps follow the silent request, eager to lead her to what she hopes is trustworthy help. theres been little development in finding the remaining culprits and her impatience grows each day that they go without justice. "my brother and his men, as noble and competent as they may be, have had little luck finding the other four men responsible for the heinous crime against my family." carries in her sleeve a piece of parchment, creased from nights spent folding it in and out of its ornate shape. its her most important possession as of now, and she finds it hard to pass it in his direction. "i took it upon myself to gather my own information and these are my findings. last locations, though some may be rather old..." fidgets with the edges before commiting to placing it in his hand.