the mountain&#x27;s daughter

Ain't it Good to Know You've Got a Friend? | (Vardis & Mya) (21 Sept)

Vardis nodded. She didn’t need a job per say—the Arryn household provided for her as it always had. She was part of the family. A job would simply be good for her. The only way to grow was to do just that—grow up. But she had a good head on her shoulders, and Vardis didn’t worry about her nearly as much as he worried about Robin. Mya would make her own way in life, he knew.

"Not a bad idea. But school comes first," he assured her. Career came later, and school was an irreplaceable step in the lesson of life. Vardis himself had always been mature and responsible for his age, but even still, university had opened up his world.

He had been surprised to hear that she was going to the gala. It was hard to imagine her in a formal dress. But the revelation of her date did surprise him.

"You went with a Martell?" He furrowed his brow, trying to recall the Martel family tree…the names didn’t come to him, however. He wasn’t sure how he felt about this….did it matter? Vardis supposed it was just strange to think of Mya out there at what he knew was just a big political peacock show. "Hm. ….How was that?"

#th: ain't it good to know you've got a friend #ch: vardis egen

Of course, of course, she thought. School had always come first, that was the only real rule that had been placed on Mya when she had started living with the Arryns. She had taken it so seriously, that the next year, she received high honours. The girl had taken it very literally, that if she didn't go to school, she couldn't live with them. A conversation with Jon afterwards changed that, of course.

Mya nodded, "Yes, Trystane, the youngest, I reckon. His father was the one that got shot back in April." She frowned, just hearing the dismissal in her voice. It was a serious thing, and it had taken it's toll on Trystane, her friend. "...It was alright, fancy food, even fancier champagne. I wore that suit I had from back in my sixth form, like I'd be caught anywhere in a bloody dress." She smirked, "You should've seen some of their faces though, like they've never seen a woman's suit before." Bloody propers.

"What about you, then? How's everyone, Lysa, Robert?"

when the levee breaks | trystane and mya [september 15]

It was easy to see why he had liked Mya in the first place. Girls in general made him uneasy, especially if they weren’t related to him, but Mya always knew what to say. She was funny to the point where it could be bitingly truthful, at least to Trystane, and he liked that. She didn’t powder herself up either, so it was easy to be himself with her. “Never really understood adult stuff.” he said softly, more to himself than to her, though he was sure she had heard it. Trystane did not mean to say it out aloud, but his tongue was frighteningly loose right now.

He was worried about what his cousins would say. About what his sister would say. But Trystane had been sitting (or standing and talking, but that was for a good fifteen minutes or so before he crawled back to the shadows) here for a solid two hours or so. That was enough to count as attendance. “I’m so hungry. I could eat all of those sandwiches, but I can’t. This wouldn’t be a problem if I could just eat them all.” He would probably get sick, but those fingers sandwiches were addicting.

"I…I dunno." He didn’t care. Did he care? A little bit maybe, if he wasn’t so fuzzy. But now he was just hungry and his stomach was put first. Trystane could deal with the consequences later. "You can drive? I don’t wanna accidentally hit something or someone. "

#th: when the levee breaks #ch: trystane martell #yooo

"No, you can't." She agreed with a nod of her head, "Well, if you do, just say your date was a right complainer, and so you took her home, I don't mind." She smiled, and looked around the room. "Of course I can drive, come on, we'll go get something to eat." She put a hand on his back, and lightly pushed him forward.

Was there a valet? She couldn't remember, but once they had arrived at the car, she held her hand out for the keys, "Keys please, Trys." She wiggled her fingers impatiently, the smile still firmly on her face however. Her stomach was growling now, she hadn't even had any of those fancy party foods.

now let us check our heads | mya and myrcella [september 18]

She blinked, nodded warily. Uncertain.

The tube, you know?

She didn’t. Myrcella hadn’t the faintest idea of how the Tube works, the system, the logistics, the crowd, the way peoples’ shoulders brushes against yours in a hurry, the delays, or the halting screech of wheels against the track.

In fact, for someone whose lived in the London her whole life, the London Underground system is a mysterious pathway underneath the city. Forbidden too, because it’s not wholly her own choosing to steer clear from the Tube; it’s just she knows her mother would never allow her anywhere near public transportation especially after 2007, and more importantly, especially with the recent situation that’s befallen over London.

(She had been driven inside one of the Lannister town cars; a couple of bodyguards trailing behind her. For now, she’s only glad that she’s managed to convince them to sit only a couple of tables over, preferably where she can’t easily spot them from the corner of her eyes.

This would be easier if Arys was there, she thinks)

"It’s alright," she says, before briefly turning to the host in assurance that they were fine for now.

Myrcella didn’t mind the lateness, no. But the time she spent by herself, she had been restless, knees bouncing and checking her phone every so often to see if Mya had cancelled. She was only glad for now that Mya was there. Smiling, Myrcella shifts forward on her seat, straightening her skirt down. “I hope you don’t mind, I got myself a cup of tea already. I wasn’t sure what you wanted so… “

She raises a hand to call over a waiter, before taking the teacup handle and takes a sip of the tea.

"How are you?"

#th: now let us check our heads #ch: myrcella baratheon #uwu

The rather nice restaurant wasn't necessarily busy, Mya notes as she settles more into her seat. There are a pair of men, large burly types that sit around a corner. They remind her of Vardis, the straight backs, and wary eyes as if they were looking for potential threats. Bodyguards, Mya assumes, Myrcella's bodyguards.

It's quite an assumption, and she was going off of Vardis the Arryn's own bodyguards, but these were not Vardis. She curls her lip as she realizes how much she actually misses the man who was more a father to her than anything whether he wanted that relation or not.

"Hmm? Oh, not at all." She nods with a smile, looking up as she sees Myrcella calling over a waiter. There's a menu by her small plate, and she looks over it rather quickly. "What, sorry, er, fine, I'm fine." She grins at the girl, though she can't help but think that she looks unsure and out of her element.

No, you can do this, Stone. You lived in the Eyrie, Lysa is posher than all this. You aren't to get intimidated by a kid, straighten up and chill out, bloody hell.

"Really, I am great." It wasn't the truth, but it helped her relax a bit more as the waiter approached them.

She drops her voice and leans forward. "I've never been here before, I should say, I dunno what's good...Any suggestions?"

now let us check our heads | mya and myrcella [september 18]

After Google-ing Bluebird, Mya made her way to the tube station. She was running late, she knew. After looking up what type of restaurant Myrcella had said, she knew that it wouldn't due to exactly show up in an art smock and some ratty jeans. So she pulled out a rather new pair of jeans, of a dark wash, along with her usual boots, and a light jacket against the cooling air of Autumn.

Mya rushed down with the afternoon commuters, pushing her way through the tills, angering one man with a briefcase. Though he was a tosser, and would've walked into the pole in any manner. Mya disregarded him as she made her train and grabbed the metal bar running horizontally for stability.

Checking her phone, it was nearly 12:50 and Mya cursed under her breath. Apparently it wasn't quietly enough, as a boy next to her mimicked the word, and proceeded to scream it through the car.

Should she send a text message to Myrcella? She didn't want to seem too overeager, when in actuality she was hanging out with a teenager. Myrcella was rather young, either fifteen or sixteen by the looks of her by Gala standards. Mya remembered her quite well, in her expensive dress and champagne hair. She was very pretty in truth, but she did look like she was trying to act older than she was. Or perhaps that's how posh people acted...Robert should take lessons from her then.

Smirking as she got out of the car, Mya bolted up the stairs, and gathered her surroundings once she got to the street top. Furrowing her brow, she looked for the street, King's Road. She had got off on the King's Road stop, but...which direction?

She looked at the nearest buildings, and judging by the numbers, she headed down the right wing of the street. She saw the sign within a matter of minutes, the time: 1:05. Mya ran a hand through her hair, and cursed once more, nearly running the rest of the way, only to stop a few feet in front of the building face. She didn't want to walk in out of breath.

Approaching the main doors, she opened it greeted with a comfortable breeze of warm air. She went further in, and smiled politely at the Host at the restaurant front. "Er, I'm meeting someone here?" She raised a brow and recieved one in return. The Host asked her who, exactly, and she nodded her head, "Oh, of course, Myrcella Baratheon, I'm...Well, I'm really late." She offered up a light laugh, but only got a stone-face in return.

"We have Myrcella Lannister as a reservee,"

"Yes, her! I didn't know she had a different last name." The Host led her down through the restaurant, and she spotted a blonde head at a fairly nice table. "Hi, Myrcella, sorry I'm late, really. The tube, you know?" She grinned apologetically and took a seat. She noticed the host looking at Myrcella, as if they did not believe a person like Mya would be looking for her.

#th: now let us check our heads #blood and glory threads #ch: myrcella baratheon

✉ → text → mya [september 17, afternoon]

message: bluebird, at chelsea.

message: is tomorrow good? after your class, if you have one?

#ch: myrcella baratheon #type: text

message: im all free tomorrow so yeah, that sounds good message: where even is that im going to have to google it DX

tbelchers

female heroes: [8/?] alex millar

#photo #angell

✉ → text → mya [september 17, afternoon]

message: what do you like to do?

message: well, actually. I’m not allowed to go out much so you can come over, if you want? Or I can reserve us a table for afternoon tea ! Or we can go to a coffee shop?

#type: text #ch: myrcella baratheon

message: er i dont really do that much to be honest, i just go wander message: coffee sounds great, plus im pretty strapped for tube fare

✉ → text → mya [september 17, afternoon]

message: Oh! perfect !

message: do you want to hang out? :D

message: i dont have many friends… who are girls or just frien-

#type: text #ch: myrcella baratheon

message: hang out? um sure! message: w h a t

✉ → text → mya [september 17, afternoon]

message: am i that forgettable?

message: haha funny ;D

message: I’m good thanks! you?

message: Are you busy?

#ch: myrcella baratheon #type: text

message: im pretty alright message: not really, i was just heading back from a class

✉ → text → mya [september 17, afternoon]

message: hey mya, it’s myrcella

message: remember me?

#ch: myrcella baratheon #type: text

message: from the gala? no, not really message: im just kidding how are you?

thesternfaced-blog

Crack a window, crack a broken bone [Stern face & Mya; 15th September]

thesternfaced-blog

The girl turned to him and Lucas gave a little, hesitant smile, ” Hey,” He returned, ” And yeah, friend,”

He wondered if this would turn to be a bad idea. He was allowing so many people to know his face, and he was putting himself at even more risk meeting her here when he had another appointment. He didn’t want anyone to see him meet with Liz. But then again, it would be good to show that he was human at least.

Until Liz arrives however, he may as well play around with this girl. If she was close to the Dog, perhaps winning her friendship will help keep him off his back. Or perhaps the Dog will take it as he manipulating the Arryn household against him. Either way, it would be interesting.

There was a brief pause, as if searching for a name, ” And you’re…. May- No- Mya.. yes? You live with Lysa- Er, the Arryns i suppose,” He stepped over to her so they can speak better, realizing that their voices were amplified as it echoed and bounced off against the marble walls and floor. He glanced around apologetically and mussed his hair, ” You’re not back in Wales with them? I thought you’ve all left, “

#ch: sternface #th: crack a window; crack a broken bone #sry this is short and rlly late but

It was strange, seeing someone she barely knew from the Eyrie here in London, in this museum. "Yeah," Psh, she thought, May. Looking down at the floor as she smirked to himself, she heard him walk over.

"The rest of them have, dunno what realy happened. I think Robert ran away one night, and came home all spooked. Obviously wanted to get back home as soon as possible. And you know how Lysa is." She looked pointedly at the man.

"I wanted to at least finish the semester here before going anywhere." She shrugged, looking at the portrait in front of her, "Why aren't you in Wales? Do you live here, or something?" She asked, curious as to who this guy that Lysa was...hanging out with.

Ain't it Good to Know You've Got a Friend? | (Vardis & Mya) (21 Sept)

Vardis let Mya go ahead him before following her outside. “Of course I’m paying,” he said, reaching to muss her hair and give her a playful push. Like he would expect her to pay…he always paid when he took Robin and Mya out. And especially now that she was living on her own, she could probably use a good, hearty meal on someone else’s dime. He remembered how welcome his mother’s home cooking was after a semester at Cardiff, living on a student diet. So while he was here, he’d make sure she got a few good meals in her and that her kitchen was stocked with groceries to hold her over.

She took her familiar place in the passenger seat and Vardis slid into the driver’s side. He hummed the engine from its sleep and pulled away from the curb, heading down the block, waiting on Mya’s direction.

His instinct was to hound her with questions—are you staying safe? Observing the curfew? Not going out alone?—but he held his tongue. He knew the answers already and he didn’t want to harass her straight off. Those questions would likely come a bit later—they had to be asked, just for his peace of mind, and to make her conscious of her choices. It was easy to fall into a comfortable routine and forget to be mindful.

And that was so necessary right now. It couldn’t be a worse time for one of the Eyrie brood to leave the nest and settle in London of all places. From the eagle’s nest to the rat’s nest. Vardis would have chosen anywhere else for Mya to move out to, presently…Cardiff—what was wrong with Cardiff? But he supposed an adventurous young woman like Mya wouldn’t be satisfied with the slow-and-steady life there. No, all the kids wanted to be in London or New York, where the action was.

But then again he’d jumped headlong into Saudi Arabia for his career, so he didn’t exactly have the high ground on that debate. He liked to be where the action was, too, to an extent…

He settled for less aggressive conversation. “So what have you been up to? Working?”

#th: ain't it good to know you've got a friend #ch: vardis egen

Mya was content with the quiet once she had got into his car. It was nice, the silence between them, and it had nearly always been a comfortable one. So when he asked her a question, Mya looked over at him, her elbow up on the handle of the door.

"Working, erm...No. I was thinking of getting a job, maybe something that'll look good along with my credits at school." She shrugged absently. Honestly, she hadn't thought to get a job at all. Money, she knew she needed, but she was content in where she was as far as that went. Vardis bringing it up just made her feel a bit lazy, if not a free-loader.

She furrowed her brow thinking about what exactly she's been up to, and continuing on, "I went to that Gala, last week. Just so happens a friend I met at school is one of them important families. His I reckon, it was their Gala. It was nice, really proper though." She squinted in distaste, although she did have a fair bit of fun, she couldn't shake what had come of it.

man, look what we found here einstein | trystane, mya and myrcella [dialogue; september 15 (martell gala)]

Security? [He grins, amused at the thought, though Trystane didn’t want to voice his opinions. For all he knew, Myrcella probably had a black belt in some defense class] I think IT would suit you, the boy wouldn’t mind.

[The boys would probably take to teasing him, but they knew better than to mess with Myrcella. Thinking of Myrcella working next to him, with him, was a bit nerve wracking though, since that office was where he was allowed to relax, to play video games and just brush off responsibilities for a moment. If she saw him like that, would she think him a slob?

There is a brief sense of relief and perhaps a tad bit of embarrassment when Myrcella shifts the subject over to Mya again, asking how they met. Going so long without talking to Myrcella (he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by texting her silly things like he used to do; just friends, she had been clear), it was easy to slip back into his old skin, rubbing the front of his shoe against the back of his pant leg, an old habit that betrayed his emotional state]

In my defense, she looked lost.

[He throws him hands up slightly, shrugging his shoulders with a small smile on his face, fond and slightly cheeky. The initial worry he had of Myrcella and Mya not getting along was slowly disappearing, though he hoped no awkward questions would arise] I proved to be a great friend though, didn’t I? [He directs the question to Mya, glancing over at her]

Not so much a good guide though.

Oh! No… no [she chuckles, shaking her head] I’m just taking my A-levels. [It’s at the exact moment she said it that she wish she hadn’t at all. How embarrassing. Just taking A-levels when Mya and Trystane are well into university — it a reminder of how young she is. Sometimes, she forgets and it’s easy to when acting older than she seems has become more of a natural habit than a practiced routine.

Myrcella clears her throat, smiling through gritted teeth] What I meant was — well, I’m on my last year. [She falls silent for a moment, trying to regain any dignity she had left. Of course, she thinks now with the realization that Trystane would prefer someone more like Mya — art student, much older than herself, a much edgier style — when all she measures up to was A-levels and flowy pink dresses.]

I uh, should — [Myrcella gestures vaguely over her shoulders. Get out now. Abort mission, a voice frantically says in her mind. But to where? There was only so many places in the Water Gardens where she could go, only so many people to escape to.] I should look for my brother [she finishes, shrugging. (It’s the first Tommen’s even come up to her mind. She wasn’t even sure if he was here)] Or something.

We should hang out, Mya. I mean, if you want to [She’s wondering if she’s got any control left over her tongue. Probably not; but she reasons out that if they’re both Trystane’s friend, then it didn’t seem so far stretched.] Here — [Myrcella fishes out her phone from her clutch and hands it towards Mya] You can give me your number.

#ch: myrcella baratheon #ch: trystane martell #th: man look what we've found here einstein

[It's a bit of a shock what the word A-levels can do for someone. Mya had previously thought Myrcella a lot older, though with her admission she couldn't help but side-eye Trystane. He was pining over a girl who was just now taking her A-levels? Shaking the judgement that was so evident on her face, she furrowed her brow at Myrcella.]

Go? Really, [Mya pouted, her eyes wide, though she couldn't think of any reason why the girl would stay. She was surprised at Myrcella's request.] Um, sure! I'd be glad to, I hardly know anyone in London still... [Smiling a bit, she took the phone from her hands, and hastily input her number.] You can text me whenever...Here's your phone. [She held out the girl's phone, glancing towards Trystane again.]

when the levee breaks | trystane and mya [september 15]

Trystane nodded his head at her question, missing the amused smirk she sent his way as he stifled a small yawn, quickly glancing around afterwards to make sure no one noticed. He didn’t want anyone thinking that the event was so bad that he was drinking his boredom away. He was drinking for an entirely different reason, somewhat related to the event but also not. The yawning was just from a tiring day. “Grown up fizzy drinks are fun, then.” he said smartly, giving her a quick smile.

It was nice to see Mya happy, even if it was at his expense. Trystane had been worried about bringing her as his date, worried that people might snub her or that they might be mean to her. He liked having her as a friend since she reminded him a lot of his cousins, who liked mess with him whenever he had girl problems. Or just problems in general. He knew it was all in good fun though, and it was the same with Mya. “Sorry you didn’t get to see my cousins. They’re all busy, doing adult stuff.”

He waved his hand, dismissing the thought. “I don’t drink a lot.” he said, like it was a fact that needed to be stated. “And I could totally drink all of those glasses. But I’m a nice, considerate person. So I won’t.” Besides, he was getting a little sick of champagne, hungry for some Pepsi and pepperoni pizza. “I’m hungry. Are you hungry?”

#th: when the levee breaks #ch: trystane martell

Mya still smiled quickly, at Trystane's remark. I should get him drunk more often, she thought amused, meaning well despite it all. Not plastered, or trashed, just giddily drunk, like he was now. Mya lightly patted Trys' shoulder when he apologized for his cousins. Had she seen them around? They were...Like Trys, right? She looked around, and saw some other people who in theory looked like Trystane. Those had to be his cousins, right? Or was she just being racist?

"That's alright, I can understand, adult stuff. Very....important." She rolled her eyes, humour still lacing her voice and actions just from Trystane's presence.

Finishing off the glass and setting it down on the nearest available space (which happened to be a chair), she furrowed her brow at her friend. "You don't need to justify it, Trys. You're an adult, you're allowed to drink..." She shrugged again, "And so what if you do drink a lot, nothing wrong with that." She couldn't see a problem with it, she knew that some people had problems with alcohol, but what did that matter? It had nothing to do with Trystane.

"Good, I'd think you'd leave at least some to me anyway." She gave him a cheeky grin and nodded tersely. "God yes, fuck. I don't know how you lot can survive on bloody finger sandwiches. Are you allowed to leave though?" She looked with narrowed eyes around the crowed, "Your cousins won't be too cross at you if you do, right?"

when the levee breaks | trystane and mya [september 15]

Trystane wasn’t exactly fond of alcoholic drinks as a rule, excluding the occasional beer or three with the mates whenever he could. But even with the hired security at every entrance, looking sharp in their pressed suits and weapons ever at the ready, he still felt a bit worried. Paranoid would be another word for it, choking him until he felt nauseated. The only time it would ease off was when he was drinking and though there was some blood-orange punch mingled with some sort of soda water, he still wanted to seem grown up with the champagne flutes and little sandwiches he popped into his mouth every once in a while.

He wouldn’t lie and say he was completely sober, but he wasn’t embarrassingly drunk either. Trystane wasn’t an idiot; he knew that if he made a scene at the party, either his sister or his cousins would get photographic evidence of it and possibly never let him live it down. He very rarely lost control. No, he had enough in his system to relax, and if it made him a little more vocal with his feelings than usual, he saw no harm in that. Trystane only just hoped that he wasn’t going to walk up to Myrcella and ask her what he did to give her the impression of being ‘just friends’.

Making sure to stick close to Mya (except for when he wandered off), he felt the tips of his ears turn slightly hot at her question. “A few.” he managed to squeak out, not really wanting her to know he wasn’t exactly in top form right now. “A few. A lot. A lot of a few.” he said, grinning at her.

"You don’t peg me as a champagne girl." Trystane wanted to punch himself. He didn’t want to assume he knew Mya and he was sure she preferred him keeping those assumptions to himself. She hardly seemed like the type to let him pass judgement (even if he was right) without much comment. "I don’t even like champagne. I’m just drinking cause it helps. A little. Which is why I’m drinking a lot."