cup of stars

"in the end, we all become stories" - margaret atwood

[regalxpoise]

REGALXPOISE. a dependent blog , affiliated with westeroslive. written by alex ( 29, she / her , PST/MST )

Lady Aelora Targaryen ... youngest lady targaryen of Castamere; intro/inspo/spotify/connections

[cursebrcken]

half  a  smile  twitched  at  their  lips.  "you  wouldn't  be  the  first  to  say  so."  tutors  and  maesters  chided  aelyx  long  ago.  missteps  then  were  forgiven  because  of  their  lineage  rather  than  adoration.  but  not,  with  the  larger  act  looming  over  them,  it  was  because  of  their  lineage  that  forgiveness  would  draw  short.  from  alysane,  from  their  mother  ---  and  they  would  be  right  for  it. aelyx's  gaze  diverted,  trailing  toward  the  nearby  window.  nothing  of  the  scenery  fully  registered.  any  trace  of  past  smile  quickly  faded.  "i  know,"  they  quietly  replied.  "but  in  this  case,  the  reprimands  do  fit  the  crime.  whether  they  are  fair  or  not  matters  little.  and  i  have  no  right  to  deem  any  reprimands  unfair."

[regalxpoise]

“I understand the need to be ruthless with oneself, but if the Tyrell’s can’t weather a small crack in the family façade, they aren’t going to last very long with a house of dragons.” Aelora shrugged, “But it’ll be different, when we’re all out of here.” She sighed heavily, glancing at the parlour room around them, “No one will remember a flashpan decision. So don’t brood so hard.” Her brow arched slightly alongside the advice, “Too many glum dragons is a recipe for disaster.”

[ravasz]

"I suppose we're all left to fend for ourselves, then." No wise maesters or elders around with advice to follow (or not to follow, in Martyn's case usually), the two of them would have to make their own decisions, right or wrong, and bear their consequences. For someone like the second born Stark, it brought a sense to adventure, of thrill, a flutter of heart in the face of the unknown. For the youngest Castamere Targaryen, however... he could not know. Though he would've liked to help.

And then, the next words she uttered almost sounded like the thoughts pulled right out from his own mind. He felt like treading on thin ice, not wanting to sound out his own frustrations against the crown, lest he pull Aelora down with him. He put on a smile instead. "Who would I tell?" His own volume lowered as well. "Shall I walk up to her grace the queen and tattle? We're such good friends, after all."

[regalxpoise]

She knew he was joking, of course. If anything Martyn Stark was full of jests. Still the very idea of the northerner interacting with the Queen of the Realm at all rattled Aelora’s nerves more than she dared showed. The younger Stark was not her responsibility or burden anymore, and she wasn’t his in turn.

Aelora pinched him lightly on the arm in exchanged teasing, “You wouldn’t dare.” A soft glint returned to her eyes, “Not only would you be putting yourself in harms way, you’d be incriminating and embarrassing me.” She pressed a hand dramatically to her chest for a moment before it fell back down at her side, “Please spare me the additional trouble.”  

[ilthoriatm]

curious  eyes  fall  upon  younger  sibling  and  with  a  tilt  of  her  head,  the  castamere  lady  wonders  why  her  sister  reads  into  it  all.  "  I  do  not  think  it  was  with  ill  intent  they  chose  it.  "  she  muses  unaware  of  the  questions  which  could  arise  because  of  it.  in  truth,  she  did  not  think  much  of  what  hidden  message  could  be  behind  such  choices  all  she  knew  was  that  she  enjoyed  her  evening,  with  family,  friends  and  loved  ones.  "  sometimes  I  think  you  overthink  too  much  aelora  ⸻  don't  you  think  they  chose  the  song  for  a  calm  ending  of  the  night  ?  "  eyes  of  middle  child  focuses  on  her  fingers  as  she  is  once  more  lost  in  thought  and  the  world  beyond.  she  would  rather  not  linger  among  the  living  if  the  world  was  frightening.

[regalxpoise]

“I don’t.” Aelora exasperated, “I don’t think they picked the closing song without a thought in their heads.” She withdrew from Maesella’s side, arms crossed over her midsection defensively. Overthink. Overthink could quickly turn to paranoia. It was far from the deepest cut Aelora had received over the years, but from Masella it burned more. It was almost as if all of the reality her sister refused to acknowledge was stacked upon Aelora’s shoulders instead.

She gulped down the lump in her throat. “I’m glad you enjoyed the evening. I suppose ignorance really is bliss amongst courtiers.”

[ravasz]

The squeeze on her hands only loosened once she chuckled, the sound lifting a weight off Martyn's shoulders, relieved to know that his words helped, even if it was only for a moment, even if he could only chip one stone away from the castle of her worries, it was going to be worth it. After all, he supposed that one or two of those heavy stones had his name on them, responsible for some of the stress put on the lady's heart. There was an air of understanding between them, and yet Martyn felt himself wary of his own actions, worried about crossing the very boundary on which he so enjoyed dancing when it came to others.

Perhaps one day he would learn not to cling to self-deprecation in order to bring someone relief in hard times. He leaned back, hands slipping out from hers as he kept smiling. "Of course not. Revenge is only sweet when one plans for it. Not in the heat of the moment. One must savor it. Once again, my lady, do not take my advice."

[regalxpoise]

“Good advice seems to be in lacking supply amongst Highgarden walls.” Aelora lamented. She wiped the rim of her glass with her finger before pushing it away. Hands returned and hidden in the green fabric of her skirts she slouched more noticeably in her seat. Manners and decorum was not exactly something that needed to be fretted with around Martyn, they knew one each other past such things.

“But you do speak from experience.” She pointed out, brow arching gently, “Which is certainly more than I can say. For now, I suppose.” Aelora ruminated on her next words, whispering almost conspiratorial like, “This court is ugly and deceptive the more I’m stuck in it, but you must promise not to tell anyone I said so.”   

[cursebrcken]

"what  is  clear  is  we  are  woefully  unprepared  to  navigate  this  lion’s  den."  from @regalxpoise

"before  we  arrived  here,  i  would  have  disagreed  with  you."  a  plate  of  tarts  sat  between  cousins,  though  it  had  been  left  untouched  by  aelyx.  leaning  back  in  their  chair,  they  slowly  sighed.  “now?  a  different  story.”

[regalxpoise]

Unable to resist a sweet, Aelora collected and began to tear at a tart as she sat with her royal cousin. “If I didn’t think so highly of you Aelyx, I might even say I told you so.” Aelora shook her head to further dismiss the comment, “It is like something overtakes all of us.” She chewed on a section of the pastry, ignoring the slightly stale taste. “Reprimands don’t always meet the crime. You do know that right?”

[cuntyarmand]

Jodie Comer + that purple eyeshadow

[ravasz]

Violet hues swam in a sea of tears and a storm of red as two tired eyes gazed up at the Stark liege. Their heart nearly broke at the sight, though unfortunately more familiar than they would've liked it to be. She kept expressing the very feelings he himself had been battling for months, feelings he made certain to suppress as much as he could, so that no one would hear his wails behind closed doors in the dead of night. As soon as they heard the crack in her voice they leaned in closer, hands clasping over hers. "It's alright! It's alright to be tired. Sometimes it all just catches up with us, doesn't it?" The dark circles under his eyes could attest to that. "Anger, however... I'm afraid I can't advise you upon its management, for I'm rather poorly at it myself. Have I..." He smiled to himself, squeezing at her hand. "Have I told you about the time I fell off my horse chasing after revenge? My sister still brings it up at times... she finds it hilarious. And... well, she's sort of right, I was a fool."

[regalxpoise]

“Yes, I think you’re right about that.” A small chuckle escaped between Aelora’s words.  Her eyes were still focused on his hands covering hers, hoping she could hide her emotion long enough from sight until it subdued again. Indeed, Martyn’s temperament was hardly a helpful template, Aelora would likely never forget – and it was amusing to hear him admit it. The ache in her chest eased slightly, that seemed to be a talent of the Stark’s; no matter who he was with. Aelora could only wonder how much of a toll it took on him, especially when his tired gaze looked back at her.

She lifted her head again, “You are a fool Martyn, but I’m not sure that sort of story makes me feel better about it.” Aelora sighed, knowing grievances and uncertainties, embarrassment even - was easy to recall with Martyn Stark, but she’d hardly wish a horse riding accident upon him. “Well, was it worth it?” She inquired, curious about the story regardless. “Your revenge.”

[dearorphic]

[...] Another humourless chuckle at the statement given, one that was more kind than he deserved, but appreciated, nonetheless. "Tragic? That’s generous of you, Lady Aelora." He knew himself well enough to know he wasn't as spirited as his youngest brother, or even half as interesting as his sister; not when he cut himself off from the North as soon as he was able, making homes in people who were unlike him, and damned if he didn't find in them something to envy. He understood her notion of second-hand hobbies, to pick up what others leave behind.

Her mention of a journal piqued his curiosity, though he didn’t let it show too openly. He exhaled softly, as though weighing whether to accept her offer. " Flattering bouquets and a companion amongst the spiders..." he mused, a slight chuckle escaping him. " I think I could do with both this morning, Lady Aelora. Besides, I could use a fresh perspective, and yours seems sharp enough to know what is well-suited for remedying my clumsy errors. " Motions to the haphazard stack of flowers behind him, " In truth, I wasn't too sure what the plan even was. "

[regalxpoise]

Aelora returned a quiet, empathetic glance to Antony Arynn. Sometimes silence spoke further than words. When her company was further accepted, she clasped her hands together low behind her back, mind finally set on a course. “We won’t find better blooms here.” She turned on her heel to continue down the path.

“The language of flowers is easy. Forgiveness is more complex.” Aelora stated,  “A bouquet can be a beautiful gesture, but it does not absolve any wrong doings.” The ground scattered with leaves and pebbles crunched underneath her silk slippers, “It takes humility and ownership. It can be difficult. I think it is supposed to be.” She paused and crouched down low to observe a small patch of lilly of the valley, before picking a few and handing them to Antony.

Standing again, she looked at Lord Arynn somewhat expectantly, “But a man does not truly need to be taught about forgiveness. If you could help me separate fact and fiction Lord Antony, my advice may be put to better use. I am practiced in the art, but I cannot make my words dance around the obvious all morning.”

[morewoe-archive]

"Not  all  that  well,  in  truth.  Every  story,  there  seems  to  be  some  kernel  of  tragedy,  even  in  the  stories.  We  have  just,  as  a  collected,  decided  to  look  to  the  endings,  and  not  the  pain  that  brought  them."  But  was  that  not  also  true  for  history?  A  hundred  hundred  tragedies,  each  house  bathed  in  blood,  and  they  each  seemed  to  either  forget  them,  or  wear  them  as  a  badge  of  honour.  Did  they  not  play  "The  Rains  of  Castamere"  at  every  opportunity?  Was  history  itself  not  a  story,  being  told  by  the  victors.

"The  truth  is  what  is  made  of  it,  Lady  Aelora.  Who  knows,  perhaps  one  day  in  the  distant  future,  our  descendants  will  read  about  the  events  in  Highgarden,  or  in  Kings  Landing.  If  they  do,  I  can  only  hope  that  future  Liege  Tully  recognises  where  they  got  their  good  looks  from."  He  paused  dramatically.  "And  by  that,  I  mean  my  wife,  Lady  Syrena."

[regalxpoise]

“It does seem like a high possibility.” Aelora agreed, though she wasn’t sure if she was fond of the idea or not. The Highgarden gathering being remembered in future years meant that a great triumph or tragedy would soon have to follow. Of course such a large group of nobility was a rare occurrence, but that hardly stamped history. Aelora believed Fate would decide between triumph or tragedy in Highgarden,  all they could do was wait. “Hopefully when we have a chance to tell the events of time passed the future generations will listen.”

She laughed delightedly at Amos’s next comment. “I’m sure they will. If not, you’ll simply have to remind them. Brain and brawn are best together.”

[rihtuals]

arching  a  fair  brow  at  her  words,  selyse  took  another  gander  at  the  board  before  it  could  be  pushed  further  back,  to  be  forgotten  until  another  happened  upon  it  ─  the  lady  of  coldmoat  was  not  one  to  look  too  deeply  into  superstitions,  believing  that  only  the  weak  of  faith  bought  into  such  practices,  but  she  could  not  deny  that,  should  the  sojourn  in  highgarden  end  on  a  sour  note,  she  would  be  thinking  of  the  missing  king  and  dragon.  knowing  better  than  to  share  the  beginnings  of  her  discomfort,  selyse  shook  her  head  in  light  amusement,  forcing  a  half - genuine  smile  upon  her  features.  ❝ another  sticky - fingered  child  or  a  sore  loser,  perhaps.  the  heavy  horse  was  always  my  favorite  piece  to  take. ❞  all  the  better  to  clobber  a  sibling  with,  she  remembered  with  some  fondness,  but  her  gaze  refocused  on  the  woman  before  her. ❝  oh,  i  am  being  terribly  rude  !  yes,  i  am  newly  arrived  ...  lady  selyse  webber.  ❞  knees  dipped  into  a  quick  curtsy,  slipping  into  the  practiced  act  of  a  courtier  with  ease.  ❝  i  must  admit  to  being  familiar  with  highgarden  from  my  youth,  so  this  is  more  so  a  meaningless  stroll  to  take  in  the  remnants  from  the  ball  than  a  quest  with  any  true  purpose  ...  i  was  sorry  to  have  missed  the  festivities.  do  you  know  who  emerged  as  victor  of  the  jousts  ?  ❞

[regalxpoise]

Aelora snickered at the other woman’s comment; it was easier to agree with her, than continue to be lost in her own thoughts, “Yes, it seems entirely too likely.” It was also entirely too obvious that a Targaryen would take extra interest in the dragon pieces, but Aelora remembered taking and looking after them as a young girl; shielding them from catapults and trebuchets until dragon iconography became what it really was. Just marble and ivory.

“Pleasure to meet you Lady Selyse,” She bowed her head in a more formal greeting, smile brightening naturally. “Oh, I’m sure you will find plenty more amusement in Highgarden, regardless. Knowing it’s halls and gardens from childhood gives an advantage against plenty lords and ladies here.” Aelora squinted her eyes for a moment, trying to recall the joust victor. It felt like so much had happened since then.  “Alaric Mormont. I hear it was quite a dramatic victory.”  

[flamedreamt-deactivated20250301]

“i  do  indeed.  it's  one  of  my  favourite  pastimes.  though  it  took  a  while  to  master.”  some  might  even  mention  a  game  such  as  cyvasse  could  never  be  truly  mastered,  but  she  would  not  be  herself  if  she  did  not  proclaim  such  a  matter.  twitch  of  brows,  having  (  for  once,  unintentional  )  approached  as  silent  as  the  eight  -  legged  might,  appearing  around  the  corner  when  she  was  in  search  of  something  else.  but  the  lady  targaryen  was  a  welcomed,  curious,  unexpected  sight.  “are  you  captivated  by  it,  lady  targaryen?  it's  a  strange  little  thing.  it  can  be  as  simple  or  as  complicated  as  the  players  make  it.”  she  often  compared  the  game  to  having  a  life  or  personality  of  its  own.

though  she  was  presumptuous  about  most  things,  she  did  know  when  to  pull  backwards  from  such  moves.  similar  to  the  board,  missing  its  pieces.  she  would  not  seat  herself  unless  she  was  invited,  and  instead,  stood  tall.

[regalxpoise]

“How refreshing.” Aelora breathed, “I know it is quite popular across the sea, but it seems to be divisive here.” She motioned to the open seat before finally taking her own, “Please. You’re welcome to join me. Though I’m not sure how far we’ll be able to play with missing pieces.”  Aelora smoothed the skirt of her dress as she thought further, tilting her head ever so slightly, “I have heard many Cyvasse enthusiasts make up rules as they go.” She chuckled at the thought, and how chaotic it turn out to be. “Perhaps you would like to try it?”

[regalxpoise]

"you cannot live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it.” From @ravasz

She looks up from her empty goblet, exhaustion so deep her violet gaze is dimmed to a murky color. The corner of her mouth quirks, nearly impressed with Martyn. He was right. “I’m just so tired.” Aelora murmured, “And not from the wine.” Her voice cracked, and the young Targaryen bowed her head slightly, Martyn would never know her restless nights, the constant ache of knowing and witnessing with no real to power to do anything. To understand anything. “Fear is easier to curb than anger.”

[regalxpoise]

"you cannot live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it.” From @sapphircd

“What would you have me do?” She exasperated spinning around to face Maesella, fear seemed settled in Aelora’s bones after twenty-five years after all. “How can I abandon all thought and live blissfully like so many other lords and ladies of court? Make no mistake, I do not relish in this. I envy them.”  Envy you, though Aelora couldn’t dare speak it. “I do not know what life is like without fear. But Gods, I’d love to try.” 

[regalxpoise]

“i guess it all depends on what you wish to believe.” From @hamart1as

She blinks in false surprise at Lord Euron, “Forgive me. I didn’t realize I’d struck such a nerve.” Religion is never a friendly topic of conversation. Aelora should have learned this by now. “Do not worry, my lord. Your secrets have nothing to fear from me.”

[regalxpoise]

"i guess it all depends on what you wish to believe." from @vi0light

“Belief and trust are not interchangeable.” Aelora states bluntly, for the first time not finding it difficult to hold her oldest sister’s gaze. The remark is draped in quiet challenge that screams at her instead. “I wish nothing more than to trust all my sisters.” She continues calmly, “I believe what I observe after that. The two have rarely aligned as of late.”

[ilthoriatm]

"  i  think  our  brother  does  not  think  much  of  dancing  ⸻  but  he  does  all  he  can  to  make  us  safe  and  happy.  "  smile  still  lingers  upon  lips  but  thoughts  of  brother  cloud  it  to  some  extent.  she  missed  him,  it  had  been  too  long  since  he  had  been  able  to  enjoy  days  with  them.  she  would've  loved  to  dance  with  him  as  well.  eyes  filled  with  adoration  for  younger  sister  shine  as  she  speaks  and  castamere  lady  wonders  where  these  thoughts  escape  from.  "  do  not  bother  yourself  with  what  rhaenys  says.  perhaps  you  haven't  met  the  right  one,  or  perhaps  it  is  not  time  for  you  to  do  so.  "  leaning  forward  she  pushes  a  lock  of  her  sister's  hair  behind  her  ear.  "  when  you  are  ready  the  right  liege  will  come  forth.  no  one  will  force  you  to  change,  you  are  wonderful  just  the  way  you  are.  "

[regalxpoise]

“Rhaenys is a force to ignore,” Aelora smirked at the thought, “But I’ll certainly keep all of that in mind.”  As much as she valued and adored Maesella’s reassurances, there were certain times Aelora wondered if they were a bit too…idealistic. In her refreshed moods her older sister seemed to look at everything with bright, unblemished lenses.

Aelora bit the inside of her cheek, hating to make even the slightest smudge. “Something has been bothering me…” The whisper was barely audible before the hatchling of Castamere turned to peer at Maesella again, “The Rains of Castamere. Why would Lady Tyrell and Her Majesty close such a festive gathering with a song so melancholy?” Herrenhal was the infamous haunted castle of Westeros every inhabitant and traveler knew that. But the walls of Castamere spoke too – to those that would listen.