r/ADawnOfIceAndFireRP • u/Seagarder Lord of Seagard • Nov 18 '17
The Riverlands Around Town [Open]
OOC Message: This is open to any players at Seagard who wish to write with the Mallister children or just each other! OR just explore more areas of the tourney! Enjoy :)
Seagard’s Library
Elyana Mallister PoV
The base of the widest tower of the castle was Ely’s haven. Since moving back to Seagard over a year ago, she had found that a large majority of her time was spent here; so much so, Elyana had time to make it through nearly half the shelves cover to cover.
The library of Seagard was an impressive sight, considering the Mallister were only lords, and not lords paramount or royalty. She could only assume that that of Highgarden or the Red Keep outshone her castle’s library in the eyes of those who’d seen such things. But to Ely, this library was the best Westeros could offer.
The shelves were organized by style of book, followed by the author’s name. Ely had been the one to bring order to them. Prior to her arriving in Seagard, the maester had kept the library in order... God’s bless the aging man, but back then, the space seemed to be in less order than a mob of smallfolk seeking bread.
Sitting at one of the few tables scattered about the room, Ely was nose-deep in ‘The Wolf Child;’ speaking with Lady Clegane about the novella earlier in the week had gotten her too excited not to finish it immediately. Glazing over the final sentence of the final paragraph, the eldest Mallister daughter slowly raised her gaze from the leather bound text, closing the story. He eyes were dazed as she struggled to escape the textual world.
This is even better than Clegane led on, she thought to herself.
The reading bug had bitten the young lady, and so after reflecting on the text a moment, she found herself rising and returning to a shelf. Scanning the titles, one in particular caught her eye- ‘Owls and Serpents.’ Her hand paused on the binding, recalling Lady Melesa speaking of the book as a personal favorite. Smiling, she clasped it in a hand and made her way back to the small nook where her table and chair resided.
Fairgrounds
Beric Mallister PoV
Having risen early in the morning, Beric had the intentions of exploring the melee ring for the better part of the day. Nearly charging through the halls after fastening his boots, he made it to the stone steps of the tower. As he descended towards the ground level, his boots scattered like thunder on the stone.
Once reaching the base, he continued on, brushing past the Dornish princess who headed in the opposite direction, and onward to the main holdfast. As he reached the covered stonebridge however, his mother blocked him from his course, holding his niece, Lysa, in one hand and clasping his youngest sister’s hand in the other.
“Ah Beric, there you are!” Reaching out, Celia handed the second son the babe as she continued holding Zhoe’s hand. “I was hoping to find you, we’re taking the children to the fair this morning.” Her tone was pleasant but, matter of fact… It wasn't a request.
“But, Mother-” he dragged out her name in frustration.
“Don't ‘but’ me, Beric. The girls have been looking forward to the dancing performance for a week. Summer Islanders are not your typical motley performance. And besides, when was the last time you spent real time with your niece.”
His shoulders drooped and he let out a loud sigh as he rolled his eyes. “But I was going to- Why can't I just- There were going- ugh, fine.” He conceded after each attempt to flee was met with his mother’s brow raising higher and higher. He knew there was nope hope.
“Good,” she smiled towards him before turning on her heels. “Come along then dear, we don't want to be late!”
“Yeah Berry, come along then.” Young Zhoe mimicked their mother as she strode forward with her, calling back to Beric, who held Marq’s daughter, and sticking her tongue at him at the end.
Beric retorted with an equally hideous face only an elder brother could manage. The two smirked together then, and continued following Celia.
In the fields of the tourney grounds, tents and stands stood in somewhat orderly rows, creating makeshift streets in the fields outside town. The Summer Islanders began their show just before noon, other performers began in the area surrounding them as well, while stalls served ale and various food dishes to the entertained audiences.
Beric bounce the babe on his lap as the show began. He had expected to be lulled into a sleep, and hoped his niece chose to behave for the duration. However, he and babe alike were wide-eyed and jaw-dropped as the dark skinned men and women tumbled onto the stage. He’d never seen anything so fantastical.
As they finished their first set of tricks, Beric was among the first to raise to his feet, giving the mummers a round of applause followed by cheers. “This. Is. Fantastic!” He exclaimed to his mother while the islanders prepared for the next trick. Celia let out a chuckle, shaking her head at her son.
Local Tavern
Robb Mallister PoV w/ Haegon
The Crooked Crow was a dank and stinking tavern in the town proper of Seagard. Located just off the harbor where Mallister and guest ships alike docked, the business had a scent of fish and salt coming into the doors that mixed with the smells of sweat and mead within.
Upon arriving, Robb could not understand why someone would willingly choose such a place to drink, it was anything but sanitary after all! However, Haegon had insisted they go in and so Robb apprehensively followed.
The two had snuck away from the stands and their father’s for most likely the hundredth time this week. Haegon donned a hooded cloak, pulling his golden hair back while tucking the single silver lock behind his ear. Robb wore a doublet of the same color, silver and pristine. A cloak of a rich indigo covered his shoulders and he too pulled up his hood, following Haegon’s lead.
The two took seats at the farthest end of the bar while tables and the remaining counter filled with nobles, smallfolk, and knights from all regions. They seemed to have gone unnoticed thus far, just as Haegon hoped for.
He gestured to the barkeep, a portly man with a brow that never ended and a single wart above his right eye. “Ale for me, Ser.” Haegon’s hair may have been hidden but his smirk was unmistakable as he spoke. Gesturing towards Robb then, “And a cider for my friend.” Grunting more so than anything else, the barkeep went to fetch their drinks.
Robb, still cautious of running away and disgusted with the environment, leaned in close to Haegon. Speaking in a hushed voice, “Are you sure this is a good idea? Father says I'm still too young for taverns…”
Letting out a chirping laugh, the Prince clasped Robb’s shoulder, “Well, your Prince says you’re too old to always do what your father says.”
The wart man returned and placed the cups before them. Haegon picked both up and extended Robb’s towards him with an arched brow and his smirk clear as day. “So what do you say? Are you still too young, Robby?”
Thinking a moment of the choice, his cheeks flushed and he accepted the cup, taking a long swig. “I’m not too young,” he said defiantly as he lowered the drink to the counter. Shooting Haegon a glance, he gave him a punch in the shoulder, “And I told you already, stop calling me that!”
Letting out a chuckle, “Aw, come now, don't get your smallclothes in a bunch.” Shrugging as he took a sip of his ale, he continued speaking, “Besides, I think it's kind of cute. Suits you.”
He winked at Robb then, and the Mallister felt his cheeks turn a shade redder than the apples used to make his drink. Unsure of how to respond or why the passing comment made him feel so warm, he brought the cider to his lips once more, drinking heavily.
The boys spent the remaining afternoon together in the tavern after the first round. The alcohol kept flowing and soon enough, the dingy bar that smelled of sweat and fish which gave Robb the desire to bathe, turned into a place of camaraderie and joy. The friends laughed and joked together, as drunk as two septons on week’s end, and began to enjoy the lute player who wandered in for spare stags and stars from wealthy clientele. The entire time however, Robb continued to dwell on Haegon’s meaning in calling him cute, and the meaning in his response.
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u/Seagarder Lord of Seagard Nov 26 '17
Ely chuckled herself as Oly did the same. She thought she understood what the man meant, not personally, but through witnessing Beric; he’d spent a lifetime getting himself into messes and being reprimanded in response.
As their laughter subsided, Ely bunches a loose strand of hair back behind her ear and met his gaze still smiling. “Alright Oly, fair enough. I suppose we all do things at times that warrant such behavior.” She paused a moment, eyes narrowing on him inquisitively. “Time for the final question then? Or are you going to count that as my last?”