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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 14, 2014 21:51:58 GMT -5
She closed her eyes when he painted her face, doing her best not to shudder at the feeling and smell of the blood as it began to slowly cool on her face. When she opened her eyes, Jaime was grinning at her. She looked around at the rest and bared her teeth in a show of mock fierceness. "Has anyone a skin of wine? The warrior thirsts!" she cried, laughing.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 15, 2014 4:13:08 GMT -5
"I do! I do!" With so few women in attendance, and one of those a bastard, the men were quick to offer their wineskins to Visenya. She found herself offered the choice of several, though she barely knew most of the men offering. But Lord Reyne calmly offered his own with a bow.
"I believe the host has the privilege of the first offering," he announced, as he offered her his own skin.
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 15, 2014 14:14:48 GMT -5
Visenya laughed, pleased to be the center of attention, even if only by default. "I thank you, my lord," she said, accepting the wine from Reyne gratefully. She drank off a draught at once, swallowing as much as she could but still managing to drip some down her chin. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve and handed it back.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 15, 2014 14:22:04 GMT -5
Reyne took it back with a grin. "I see hunting has given you a thirst. I'm pleased to see that. We'll be heading back soon."
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 16, 2014 1:33:32 GMT -5
She nodded, smiling. The attention of the hunters had gone back to their previous conversations and tasks. Visenya shot a smile back toward Westerling, but headed toward her bastard cousin Taena instead. "Victory seemed to enjoy herself. Do you hunt often?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 16, 2014 6:57:02 GMT -5
"When Princess Laena can spare me, yes." Taena smiled at Visenya. "It gives Victory a chance to exercise her wings. She usually goes off by herself for a while to claim her own kill while the hunters claim theirs. And it's good to get out of the city. Did you enjoy it, Lady Visenya?"
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 17, 2014 2:23:42 GMT -5
"I am sure she finds ever so many uses for you, cousin," Visenya said with a chuckle. She watched the smallish dragon with interest as it devoured its meal. "I did enjoy it. It is very good to get out of the city, actually. I've only left it a few times, and hardly ever on the ground." She shrugged.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 17, 2014 3:43:11 GMT -5
Taena looked upon Visenya with a sad, thoughtful expression. "That is truly terrible. I don't believe I'd change places with you for the world, and I'm just a bastard girl. I don't mind it though. Nobody expects very much of me - except Princess Laena - so I can do as I like, mostly. I would be happy to keep you company if you wish to leave the castle some time. I am sure nobody would dare question the Dowager's own handmaid."
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 17, 2014 12:08:38 GMT -5
Visenya's smile brightened. "And I think you'd be allowed to accompany me to visit Silverwing! I have neglected her, poor thing. Not enough suitable escorts left in the city, understand." She had only spoken to Taena a few times before, having some disdain for the taint of bastardy. But it seemed she was not in a position to refuse friends, nor did she wish to. "It must go well for you, to be generally above reproach. Perhaps I should attach myself to someone of importance as well."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 17, 2014 14:07:32 GMT -5
Taena smiled. "I rather thought you might already have done so, my lady. But you are right, it's always useful to have friends in high places. I would be happy to escort you to the Dragonpit. Victory could fly alongside us. She'll need to make her home there one day, after all."
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 21, 2014 14:29:44 GMT -5
"So I might have," she said, fixing Taena with a small cryptic grin. "How long until she is large enough to carry you, do you imagine?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 21, 2014 14:47:34 GMT -5
"About a year, Grandmother says. But that is carry me for short flights and in normal clothing. I won't be able to wear armour for a while after that. Victory has never been big for her age. But I watch those who have dragons with a great deal of envy. I am so looking forward to flying one day."
Taena smiled. "So is Victory, I think. She and I are...very close."
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 21, 2014 14:57:46 GMT -5
"That's such a terribly long time to wait!" Visenya exclaimed, forgetting that her siblings and cousins all had dragons when she had had none in the exhilaration of the memory of the first time she and Silverwing took to the sky. Her dragon had been fully grown when first they met, and she had been so small, clinging to her back in the clouds... "You will only become closer when you can fly together. I hope for both of your sakes that she will grow large and strong quickly."
She glanced back, wondering when the men would finish with their messy task of butchering and wrapping the quarry. "I'm getting hungry, aren't you? I almost wish I could char my own portion, like Victory there."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 21, 2014 15:07:58 GMT -5
"Yes, that would be handy. "We could ride back and have bread and cheese and we'd be finished and probably hungry again by the time the meat is ready at supper. It would be more amusing than standing around waiting for the men," Taena observed.
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 21, 2014 15:15:12 GMT -5
She laughed. "Shall we, then? This was fun, while we were riding. The waiting is not much fun." She could feel the blood drying and crackling on her face. "And I'd like to wash this off," she added, gesturing to the brownish streaks on her cheeks.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 21, 2014 15:36:43 GMT -5
"Oh yes. I quite understand. We're not warriors on a battlefield so why should you stay all bloody?"
Taena looked at Visenya with a grin. "You know, Ser Jaime is quite taken with you. Lord Reyne too, I'd say, though his fondness for a pretty face is well known."
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 22, 2014 20:18:15 GMT -5
Her cheeks colored slightly and she pointedly did not glance in the direction of the westermen. "Only because there are so few ladies to catch their eye. Just think, Taena, now is the perfect time to find a husband. The court is emptied out." Her thoughts were on the favor that she had given Aegon. Did he still keep it near his heart?
"Besides, I am sure Ser Jaime at least is 'quite taken' with all the girls. He is quite forward."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 22, 2014 20:29:03 GMT -5
"Yes, I've noticed. He's a good lover too," Taena said candidly. "I was quite taken with him myself, at one time. But he'd never marry me. Nobody ever wants to marry a bastard girl. But you could get him, if you wanted. Lady Westerling."
She said the title with an exaggerated air of grandeur and pulled a face.
"It sounds rather nice, I think. I'd be tempted, if I were in your place. Or does your heart belong to another?"
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 22, 2014 22:26:30 GMT -5
"Oh?" Visenya tried not to look shocked at Taena's forthright manner. "Did you...know him long?" Now she did glance his way, though she returned her gaze to Taena quite quickly. "And you can't say you would refuse a title!" She laughed, though her expression faded as she spoke of the crown prince.
"There is someone I had hoped for, but he has given me no promises."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 23, 2014 6:36:50 GMT -5
The men were too far behind for Visenya to see Ser Jaime.
"No," said Taena. "I would not refuse a title. I'd known Ser Jaime a little while when I lay with him, but I was foolish enough to think love conquered all. It was not his intention to hurt me, of course, but all men think bastards are lusty. I was too innocent, that's all. But what is true for me is not true for you."
She stopped, looked very hard at Visenya. "May I know who has claimed your affections? Perhaps it's best he has made you no promises. Words are wind. Deeds matter the most."
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 23, 2014 13:06:37 GMT -5
"I know what it is to have things assumed just because of ones birth." The taint of bastardy, it seemed, was less than the taint of her own father's mistakes.
She hesitated a moment, wondering whether to trust this girl she hadn't known as long as she would have liked. She wished to shout her hopes for Aegon from the battlements of the keep itself, but being blood of the traitor, well, Maegor might take offense. Finally, she told her. "My cousin. Aegon. He kissed me before they all left," she confided. "Septon Aegon kissed me. "
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 23, 2014 14:12:21 GMT -5
Taena put her hand to her mouth in shock. Afterwards she said "But...Visenya, why would he do that? Aegon is meant to marry one of his sisters. Everyone knows that. And, well, he's not the kind of man to lay with a girl outside of marriage. So...oh dear, can he really mean to risk the king's wrath?" She eyed Visenya with a worried expression. "Are you not afraid the king will blame you if Aegon asks for your hand?"
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 23, 2014 14:27:32 GMT -5
"He doesn't want to. The blood is too close, by the teachings of his gods." She shrugged. "What will be, will be, but oh, Taena, he is so kind and so honorable. I am sure every maid wishes for a husband like him."
Though she could have continued on that path for quite some time, Visenya quickly changed the subject. She didn't want to tell Taena too much before she was certain of her, not with the girl's close relationship with the Princess Dowager. "But do you think I should try my luck with Ser Jaime? Perhaps it would be good to gain some more...experience before my wedding night." She waggled her eyebrows at her bastard cousin, pleased and embarrassed at once to say such scandalous things aloud.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 23, 2014 14:34:29 GMT -5
Taena smiled slowly. "Yes. It would be a good idea. Ser Jaime knows much and more about the bedchamber arts and he's handsome and charming. He would be a good choice to help yourself learn more. Although, why not marry him if you are sure that you cannot marry Aegon? Are you still holding out hope that Aegon changes his mind?"
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Post by Lady Visenya Targaryen on Jan 23, 2014 18:27:40 GMT -5
"There are things Aegon can give me that other men cannot," she did not meet Taena's eyes, saying that. "Let us speak of different things, though."
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too