𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘐, 𝖢𝖧𝖠𝖭𝖦𝖤 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖯𝖱𝖮𝖯𝖧𝖤𝖢𝖸 : 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗌 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗄𝗒, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗌 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝖽𝖾𝖾𝖽𝗌 ?
with a newborn targaryen comes a reptilian egg in their cradle - and with her highness brought out from the seclusion she’s lived in since birth, the time of choosing has come. from deep within the dragonpits come five keepers, dressed in cloaks of charcoal and scarlet thread , their eyes downward cast and lips sealed. these special few who hold the secrets of the winged beasts sacred in their minds, passed through the generations and never shared beyond. of the five, three carry with them jewel toned eggs - larger than any other known to man and just as rare.
the first is rough, with a golden shell and black swirls - covered in sharp quills that would pierce the keeper’s hands were his hands not gloved. the second is gentler, seemingly fitting the ocean more than the fires, with a smooth pearl white shell and pale pink freckling all around it - it’s spikes dulled and it’s surface smooth to the tough. the third is as bright as the most brilliant of jewels - glossy and smaller than the others - a midnight sapphire with stormy grey shading and covered in dull barbs.
in an act of ceremony by birthright never before seen to the eyes of court, but rather done so ordinarily by the targaryens and their ancestors in private, the queen’s youngest child, the princess viserra steps forward - dark lilac eyes resting upon the reptilian egg with interest. her hand lingers above each, lingering over one more than the others - it’s gleam calling in a way the others dared not. this egg, this dragon, would be the right one for her niece. ornate egg taken from the keeper, viserra cradles it within her arms as gently as she'd held the babe - before approaching the princess’s bassinet and placing the pearl white egg with it’s pink freckling within.
the egg finally placed within, servants begin to pass out favours in the form of fabergé eggs of all colours, some scaled and others marked with jewels and metalwork. the princess would receive a gift, and so too would her guests.
as the last is distributed the queen rises and the room falls silent. so let it be known. her grace begins, tone sharp as she accesses the scene. ❝ the last of my father’s great dragon dagho’s eggs has been claimed for my granddaughter. may the gods bless her and the fires warm them through the night. ❞ her speech ended, dragon queen does not sit once more but rather her queensguard circles her as she moves, offering her court little more than a passing glance before she takes her leave for the night with little ceremony. the queen’s closest that remain appear just as shocked by her sudden departure as the court, the music beginning once more as they meet eyes across the room - her grace had not been pleased at the choice.
servants begin to make their rounds - pointing out to the guests that linger still the secret clasp upon the side of the eggs, and at once they begin to toy with the edges of their favours until it can be found and the great eggs draw open. a stream of light shines out, bioluminescent butterflies escaping and flooding the room with delight.
but not all guests had remained for the enchanting display, leaving early as partygoers are want to do. young lovers in the halls doing so little to be discrete in their affairs - lieges arguing with bruised necks and swollen lips. others find their passions elsewhere, in terrors and acts of bloodshed.
so busy are the guards with maintaining their rounds despite the revelry that they do not spot the scene until the morning. painted red as though sparkling ruby collars - eyes wide in abject horror - three keepers of the dragonpit lie in pools of their own blood at the entrance to the catacomb,. sapphire egg lies broken by their side, the form of a reptilian hatchling who’d hatched too soon crumpled among the carnage - dagger of riverland craftmanship remaining in it’s chest.
only two eggs are accounted for, one within the infant-princess’s throne, one tragically hatched then slain upon stone floor. the third, guards note with great trepidation as they inform their queen - could not be found.
a dragon slain, an egg missing - the queen refuses to let the knowledge be known for fear of the message it may send. ❝ they will find the culprits, ❞ she states, ❝ and they will face the punishment of not only the throne but the gods themselves. ❞ fearing the consequences of their own failure, the master of whispers declares a great search be done, their little birds flocking in to share what they remembered of the night prior:
maekor targaryen was spotted in golden finery stained crimson returning to their rooms.
amos tully was seen leaving the party early, fabergé egg yet unopened.
odette mallister was seen returning to their rooms well past the party’s end, the front of silver garments darkened blue.
raya stark was found by the guards wandering late into the night, and escorted back to their rooms.
sabriye martell did not sleep through the night, according to their attendants, spending the night pacing their chambers. ( a guilty conscience, perhaps? )
roryn greyjoy had bruises upon their hands and arms come morning, noted by their servants.
olyvar paege's rooms were empty in the morning, and a search led to the discovery of them asleep in the gardens with no recollection of how they’d arrived there.
gwayne hightower was caught leaving chambers that were not their own in the morning.
elowyn harlaw left the party early, failing to even receive a fabergé egg.
rhys dondarrion seen carrying two eggs within the hall.
oberyn yronwood dropped their egg before it could be opened, coating them in golden dust.
OUT OF CHARACTER: FIGHTING DRAGONS WITH YOU
and with this we bid our opening event 'adieu'.
butterflies, theft and murder, oh my ! the court has had a busy night.
save for the queen's council and queensguard, the general court is unaware of the murders and of the missing dragon egg. those who know are sworn to secrecy, and her fury is sure to rise should it come out.
while nobles have free reign of the city, any who step out of. the keep might notice they don’t do so alone, with the queen's servants and guards insisting upon extra protection for her court.
current threads may continue, though new ones are recommend too.
those who had suspicion cast upon them may slowly notice their alone time lacking, with servants and maids seeming always around. though it would not be super obvious. we may reach out for further involvement.
