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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 20, 2017 20:03:48 GMT
Alyssa Hightower invited many of the higher born ladies to a gathering, since there was so little for them to really do while the men trained and so on.
She booked out a dining room in one of the larger, more up market establishments and has them set up more tables outside, both in the sun and under a canvas to shade people who still wish to be outside.
There is food on offer, cheeses and sweet meats, fruits and cakes and hot food available on request, though she anticipated no one wanting that at a little get together like this. She hired musicians and some entertainers who were here for the Tourney to entertain the women as they socialised.
There was also a large table set up for drinks, with ice and fruit juices and spirits, water and wine and all sorts in between.
Alyssa herself was wearing a lovely sky blue dress which looked incredibly summery, the skirts were light and airy and in a Dornish style having plenty of layers.
She of course had been here all morning arranging things and seeing to things and was there to greet the first people who arrived until more guests came. Her sister Alex was wearing a matching dress in pink and was looking incredibly excited. She loved a boozy lunch.
OOC: As a note, Brad says any player with no female PCs can make Minor Characters to partake should they wish to!
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 20, 2017 20:12:52 GMT
Melissa was among the first arrivals, feeling that it was important to support her goodsister. She hoped the gathering would give her the chance to meet some more of the royal ladies in the interests of furthering the interests of the Reach. She had chosen an indigo silk gown trimmed with white lace, a silver girdle about her waist. The skirts and sleeves were long and full, the bodice tight. She brought a bouquet of flowers as a gift for Alyssa.
"Alyssa, Lady Alex," she called out merrily. "This looks delightful. And I was afraid that we would sit and languish between the events. I'm so glad you had this idea, Alyssa."
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 20, 2017 20:55:27 GMT
Lady Lysa Vance, nee Shoreham, arrives wearing a fashionable green and black dress. She is 18 and has already born two children for her husband, the lord of nearby Atranta. She is more dazzled by the customs of Southern nobility than by Harrenhal, having seen it several times before now. She has strong arms from her love of the bow, but she rarely seems to find time for practice since her latest birth.
When she arrives, she seems to stare dumbfoundedly at the room before just introducing herself to random people.
"Greetings, I am Lysa Shoreham and I am married to the Lord of Atranta! What a lovely party!"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 18:04:18 GMT
The Princesses Arryn and the Vale party, dozens of western and Stormlands families, the MArtells and the flowers of Dorne all attend in addition to the Reach ladies. From the Riverlands Allison Tully, Lyla and Wanda Mooton, and Dolores and Desmera Frey all sow up, as well. Asha Hoare and Larissa Dayne are the representatives from the royal family. They all bring a little something to add to the party, scented candles or bottles of rare wine and the like. Ashs kisses Alyssa and Alex's cheeks as she greets them. "So nice to finally meet!" She said happily, and then she did the same for Melissa. "I've heard ever so much about the three of you."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 18:25:46 GMT
"Lady Asha," Melissa replied, turning away from the table of drinks, where she was arranging her flowers in a vases. "My brother Perceon speaks highly of you."
She spotted Lysa Shoreham and smiled at her too "Ah, I'm Melissa Gardener. Come join us."
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Post by Prince Willem Lannister on Aug 22, 2017 11:42:07 GMT
Annice Lannister arrives at the ladies gathering. Shy and retiring, she would much rather have not been there but her brothers had insisted that she go. With her is her friend and handmaiden Teora Kyndall.
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 22, 2017 21:00:06 GMT
"Lady Asha," Melissa replied, turning away from the table of drinks, where she was arranging her flowers in a vases. "My brother Perceon speaks highly of you." She spotted Lysa Shoreham and smiled at her too "Ah, I'm Melissa Gardener. Come join us." What followed was a long string of sentences only unified by perfect grammar and sheer anxiety in the presence of foreign royalty. "Oh! Yes, I would be delighted!" Lysa joins the princess. "I've never met a princess! I mean, I've met Hoares, but it's not the same thing. I mean, House Hoare, not the whores you find in brothels! I would never be seen in a brothel! And besides, I am happily married to my Jon... Oh no, that's my husband's name! He's not a john, he's Jon Vance, Lord of Atranta! We have two very legitimate children together! Oh bother..." Lysa shut herself up with a long gulp of whatever was close at hand. |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 21:23:04 GMT
Melissa was rather bewildered by the woman's chatter, and had to carefully unravel it all.
"I'm not your everyday princess, I'm afraid. But I am pleased to meet you anyway."
She glanced at Asha to see if she was offended or baffled by Lysa's speech.
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 22, 2017 21:29:08 GMT
Alyssa smiled at Asha and greeted her and when she was kissed, nodding politely to Larissa. She saw Melissa had things under control with these three and left to greet others, she approached the Martells and saw Sarisa, "is this enough ladies?" She asked with a smile.
//////
Conversely, Alex headed over to the Mouse of a lion.
"Hello, Priness." She said politely, with a curtesy, "I am so glad you could come to our party," she said, taking credit.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 21:42:50 GMT
Asha isn't visibly phased by the prattle; Lady Shorehan lived so closed her keep could be seen from the top of the King's Tower on a clear day and she was not unknown. She smiled at Melissa. "I hope you enjoyed the melee," she said, "quite exciting. Who has your favor for the joust?" She asked. "Perceon was a perfect gentleman at our little afternoon drink and gossip," she said. "Shame he doesn't fight."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 21:57:01 GMT
Asha isn't visibly phased by the prattle; Lady Shorehan lived so closed her keep could be seen from the top of the King's Tower on a clear day and she was not unknown. She smiled at Melissa. "I hope you enjoyed the melee," she said, "quite exciting. Who has your favor for the joust?" She asked. "Perceon was a perfect gentleman at our little afternoon drink and gossip," she said. "Shame he doesn't fight." "Not all men are warriors," Melissa answered. "One thing Percy will never run short of is men to fight for him. But not everyone has his courtly skills. I'm afraid I must keep my favour a secret. That's more exciting anyway." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 22:10:56 GMT
Asha frowned a bit at that. "Secrets are for enemies," she said sweetly. "Sharing is for sisters." She sipped the wine and made a (possibly exaggerated) satisfied sigh of satisfaction. "Leave it to the Reach to supply the finest in beverages and refreshments. I fee the grapes dancing on my tongue."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 22:33:51 GMT
Alyssa smiled at Asha and greeted her and when she was kissed, nodding politely to Larissa. She saw Melissa had things under control with these three and left to greet others, she approached the Martells and saw Sarisa, "is this enough ladies?" She asked with a smile. ////// Conversely, Alex headed over to the Mouse of a lion. "Hello, Priness." She said politely, with a curtesy, "I am so glad you could come to our party," she said, taking credit. Sardis laughed. "A Hightower never fails to impress," she said. "My sister Arianna, Alyssa Hightower," she said. Arianna was shorter and thicker than her sister but they looked much alike. "I am quite enjoying myself. So many interesting people to be found when we come together." |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 22:44:18 GMT
"Yes, they do that." Melissa eyed the table, thoughtful. "We excel at producing wine, but it's hard not to, when we have the Arbor and other regions with such good soil."
Thinking to distract Asha from the matter of her favour, as well as delay the inevitable mention of Prince Torrhen, she decided to experiment.
"I have a fun idea. Here's a sweet white from the Mander. If I take this peach juice, I wonder..."
She poured wine into her glass, then a measure of juice and swirled it together. She took a sipn and her face lit up. "Oh! I like that! Here, have a sip." She offered the glass to Asha.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 22:46:51 GMT
The princess took a sip and nodded. "Delightful," she said with apparent sincerity. "I hate not living in a land with peaches. They are the very fruit of the gods," she declared. She made herself one. "This drink will need a name," she noted. "Everything good needs a name."
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Post by Prince Willem Lannister on Aug 23, 2017 8:07:53 GMT
Conversely, Alex headed over to the Mouse of a lion. "Hello, Priness." She said politely, with a curtesy, "I am so glad you could come to our party," she said, taking credit. Annice looked up and smiled shyly. "Hello. Thank you. I am pleased to be here." she said, even though her face did not exactly mirror her words. |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 23, 2017 17:22:59 GMT
The princess took a sip and nodded. "Delightful," she said with apparent sincerity. "I hate not living in a land with peaches. They are the very fruit of the gods," she declared. She made herself one. "This drink will need a name," she noted. "Everything good needs a name." "Oh yes, definitely," Melissa agreed. "It shall be called...Peachy Delight. Does that sound good to you too?" |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 17:44:15 GMT
"Peachy Delight?" Asha asked, arching an eyebrow. "I suppose...I feel it may be a bit on the nose, if you get what I'm saying. A Chilled Melissa," she said with a grin. "So, how are you enjoying yourself?" She asked. "I've heard ever so many things about the madness going on here. If you ask me those Arryns are crazier than bats in a smokehouse," she confided. "They prove the adage that beauty and brains do not correlate." She leaned in conspiratorially. "Except for girls like us, of course."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 23, 2017 18:01:47 GMT
Melissa laughed. "You're too kind, but at least you're not hiding behind false modesty either. I didn't expect things to be as...exciting as they have been, I admit. I won't soon forget my time here. I should probably speak to the Arryns at some point, I haven't so far." She poured Asha one of the new drinks. "Would it not be arrogant to name a drink after myself?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 18:08:54 GMT
"Arrogance is equivalent to royalty, isn't it?" Asha asked, watching her mix her drink. "Who our parents are makes us gods among mere mortals, able to command the fate of thousands with but a whim." She grinned. "Some think it puts us past the concept of morality itself." She looked her over. "So what man has sparked your fancy?" She asked. "I'm surprised you could find the time even coming to this, with everyone who must be seeking you out."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 23, 2017 18:21:00 GMT
"You won't believe me, I know, but nobody has taken my fancy as such. I like watching men compete but that's about it. And, well, not all men are falling over themselves to marry a woman who can wield a blade as well as they can." She tossed her head a little. "That's fine with me. I will marry as my father wishes and it would be horrid to break a man's heart because I am promised elsewhere."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 18:30:28 GMT
"Men won't hesitate to break your heart," Asha said, sipping the drink and topping it off with a bit more white wine, "I wouldn't worry too much about doing it to them." She has a short but fashionable green dress on, a slit up one leg for easy movement. "As well as they can?" She seemed interested. "I'd like to see you go beat some man senseless. God knows they deserve it." She looked down and adjusted her dress's fit over her chest.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 23, 2017 18:46:41 GMT
"Perhaps one day you can," Melissa answered. "But I promised Father I wouldn't draw my sword as long as I'm here. Not even in practice. "It's a shame, but it's too dangerous at the moment. I'll be horribly out of practice by the time we get home," she grumbled. "Prince Theon told me that Ironborn women sometimes carry blades. Do you?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 19:00:44 GMT
Asha shook her head. "No," she said, "my younger sister does, but I don't see the point. I weigh a hundred thirty pounds; I'd rather just point some men in the direction of any who mean me harm. We have some female captains, but her on the mainland I have found the life of a pampered princess suits me well." She rolled her shoulders. "I save my energy for other exertions. I do enjoy horseback riding." She rubbed her chin and grinned. "What would it take to make you draw your sword?" She asked. "My curiosity is unsated now."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 23, 2017 19:28:01 GMT
"I didn't bring my sword with me today," Melissa pointed out. "Of course, if there was a danger, I would be obliged to draw it, but Father wishes me to play the role of the proper princess for a while longer, and I meant to keep to that if I can. Don't tempt me, I beg you. I don't want ot face my father's wrath for no good reason."
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 23, 2017 19:28:35 GMT
"We should do it more often no?" She said and smiled, "rather than the normal few decades, I'll be ugly and wrinkled by the next one." She grinned at the both of them, "you should join your sister visiting Oldtown"
/////////
Alex nodded, "I can imagine you are, no one throws a party like the hightowers," she said and linked their arms, "let's get a drink, no? Do you know anyone here?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 19:36:08 GMT
Sarissa and Arianna grinned. "That would be a trip to remember. Or, perhaps, to not remember. You'd have to be as fun there as you are here," she said. "And we'll all be as wrinkled as you, the summer sun beats down on us all and turns us into crones." The elder princess winked. "That's why we need to have our fun now."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 19:38:57 GMT
"I didn't bring my sword with me today," Melissa pointed out. "Of course, if there was a danger, I would be obliged to draw it, but Father wishes me to play the role of the proper princess for a while longer, and I meant to keep to that if I can. Don't tempt me, I beg you. I don't want ot face my father's wrath for no good reason." Asha stuck her lower lip out like she was pouting. "I forgot, that look desn't work on most women. Except Ashley Tully...just don't ask," she said, shaking her head. "I wouldn't want you in trouble. I'd prefer to help you if I can. I find your sort of adventure....inspiring. When I am crushing rebellions in the North I shall have to learn to wield a sword, maybe," she furrowed her eyebrows in thought. |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 23, 2017 19:57:07 GMT
"I'm the last woman to tell you not to do what you want to," Melissa admitted. "But it will be harder to learn the sword as an adult. That's why they teach boys so early. But I've met Prince Torrhen and he doesn't seem like the kind of man who will dislike a woman carrying a sword."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 20:01:31 GMT
"You've met him then?" She asked, taking her arm. "Do tell me all about it, please." She looked about. "My father is so silly about worrying about us....getting to know one another before I get to Winterfell." She rolled her eyes. "You heard about it, then?' She asked, a bit more curious now. "I don't recall telling anyone."
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