[center][h2]Pageantry and Procession[/h2]
Vanq with [@Danvers] [/center] 

The Princess sat silently, a goblet pressed between her lips, soft lilac eyes stared absently in the distance. In her youth, she was shamed for her appearance, yet she had aged finer than the vintage she sipped at now. Or at least, that’s what men said. Her brow furrowed at the errant thought. How much of their lives had been lived at the whims of men. Baelor, Aegon, even Daeron...Daeron, who, though he knew her worth, would not name her to his small council directly. She prayed that her fool of a husband would not undo her work in her brief absence. 

Perhaps that alone was the reason she had invited Shiera to speak with her in her tourney box. Maekar and Baelor had made their invitations, yet she preferred having control of who would join her. Bloodraven’s consort had set off waves of rumors with her entrance, sufficiently enough to pique the aged princess’s interest. So much of Shiera reminded Elaena of herself at a certain age. The bastard was known to the princess for many years, she saw potential in the woman, if she would only grasp it fully. 

The princess had been given a young kingsguard as her escort. Perhaps they thought she would appreciate having the handsome young man in attendance, but Elaena had never been one to be drawn to youth, even a pretty one. As Shiera entered though, the princess spared a glance to see how her guardian would react. The Seastar was a beauty, perhaps one to even rival Daena in her youth, and like Daena, Shiera knew it. Though today the woman seemed less herself. 

[color=7bcdc8]“Ser Leyton, my my.”[/color] The Lyseni dragon took in the white-clad knight before her. [color=7bcdc8]“The white still complements your blush so well.”[/color] Leyton Tyrell, a young savant of a swordsman when he took the white, Shiera had often taken to teasing him in passing in King’s Landing. She did so to toy with Brynden, but the young flower’s responses only ever served to spur her on. She placed a hand softly to his elbow as she teased with a sensuous smile. She could not help herself, no matter the mood she had been in. [color=7bcdc8]“It’s been too long, I hope you have not missed me in my absence.” [/color]

Leyton nodded politely as Shiera entered, one hand resting on his sword's hilt, the other held strictly at his side. Yet his ease of bearing was promptly interrupted by her blatant flirtation and he instantly blushed, mortified as she pointed out the contrast between his cheeks and cloak. [color=f6989d]"Of course I have my lady."[/color] He smiled awkwardly, anxiety written plainly across his features. [color=f6989d]"Not that I should have reason to! Simply that you are always a welcomed sight in King's landing." [/color]Leyton added, maintaining his tall stance as he spoke, eyes watching any entrance ways, if only partly to avoid looking at the woman. 

[color=f6989d]"I don't mean to say I care only for your looks. I do not!"[/color] He tensed as he began to dig himself deeper. [color=f6989d]"But, well they are very pleasing, I am sure. Many must like looking at you! Though- though I do not, of course!"[/color] The words tumbled out of the young man's mouth with an alarming rapidity and his flushed cheeks only worsened the more he spoke, blood heating his face. He fixed his gaze downward, busying himself with the droll task of ensuring his scabbard was secured properly, which of course it was. He would never dream of protecting the princess without being fully prepared. 

[color=bc8dbf]“Shiera, leave the poor boy be. I cannot expect him to guard me if he is ogling your breasts.”[/color] Having let it go on long enough, Elaena called the woman over, though her chastisement was mixed with a hint of mirth. The boy [I]was[/I] a rather pleasant shade of red. [color=bc8dbf]"And, Ser Leyton, perhaps you should learn less is more. Back in my more youthful days you would have been taken to task for a tongue wagging like that."[/color] At last a small but throaty laugh erupted from the princess. [color=bc8dbf]"Besides, our dear Seastar is quite aware of her pleasing looks. Men seem unable to not remind her of this fact." [/color]

Shiera's eyes narrowed at the reproach. Elaena was well known for her sharp tongue and brusque nature. The great bastard was never sure if it was jealousy or respect she felt for the princess. Perhaps both, though times like this, it was a bitter draught to swallow. 

[color=7bcdc8]"Ser Leyton and I are old friends, he knows I mean no offense."[/color] She turned her head for a final glance in enjoyment of how thoroughly ruffled the knight was. Her tongue traced her lips teasingly before she returned her attention to the princess and took a seat next to her elder. Her skirts lightly pooled around her, cloth-of-silver paneled with delicate white lace. Elaena had been too accurate as well, the top of her dress barely obscured her chest, adorned by long but delicate strands of emeralds and sapphires.The necklace had been a gift from Brynden. Absent-mindedly, she traced a strand between two slender fingers. 

Elaena took a sip of wine, eyes trained on the woman before her. [color=bc8dbf]“You know, Bloodraven was really in quite a state when you departed King’s Landing.” [/color]

Shiera’s head dropped slightly, silver hair a curtain to shield her face. [color=7bcdc8]“Good.”[/color] 

[color=bc8dbf]“Oh child, one day you will regret taunting that man so much.”[/color] The princess waited but cleared her throat when no response came. [color=bc8dbf]“It was unexpected, I will give you that. No one thought you would seek out Bittersteel.” [/color]

[color=7bcdc8]“Nor did I.”[/color] Shiera’s lips were pressed together as she made her admission. [color=7bcdc8]“It was impulsive.”[/color] Like much of her life, if she gave a moment for self-reflection. [color=7bcdc8]“I love them.” [/color]

Elaena grunted softly. She had known love once, and fate had seen fit to tear him from her too early. [color=bc8dbf]“You play with fire. Do not protest yet, listen to me.”[/color] She raised her hand though Shiera had barely opened her lips to speak. The princess paused to appreciate a single man in the procession before them. A barely perceptible blush crept across her cheeks as his head turned and their eyes met for the briefest of moments. [color=bc8dbf]“We live and die by the men we bind ourselves to, surely you recognize this truth.” [/color]

[color=7bcdc8]“As you have bound yourself to the Lord of Parchments?”[/color] Shiera responded quietly but with an uncharacteristic bitterness to her voice. [color=7bcdc8]“I will choose who I wish, when I wish, and remain unbound.” [/color]

[i]Tsk[/i]. [color=bc8dbf]“Perhaps if you had chosen any other than your brothers who were fated to hate each other from birth.”[/color] Elaena attempted to mellow her words, she extended her hand to take Shiera’s. [color=bc8dbf]“You think you have a choice but it’s an illusion, girl. Do you not feel it? Daemon and his supporters - including your new love - put us on a dangerous path.”[/color] She sighed. [color=bc8dbf]“Bittersteel can only give you death and destruction. Whatever his faults, with Bloodraven you could have a life with at least half of what you long for.” [/color]

Shiera’s eyes narrowed again, her head raised in defiance. [color=7bcdc8]“And what is it you think I long for?” [/color]

[color=bc8dbf]“Respect.”[/color] Elaena let the word hang in the air. [color=bc8dbf]“To be recognized as an equal.”[/color] It was an unlikely thing to hope for. 

Once she had dreamed of such things, thought them within her reach. Shiera pulled her hand from Elaena’s and rested her chin upon it with a pout forming across her lips. She could not refute the princess’s claim, nor could she vocalize her agreement. [color=7bcdc8]“I will think on your advice. But I fear it may be too late.”[/color] She sighed deeply, her mind unable to let go of the images she had seen brought forth from the prior night’s ritual. Her life would not be the same, and soon, she felt it and knew it to her core. 

The quiet lingered as the procession of knights became barely more than a trickle and the men before them bore heraldry only the most astute would recognize. Elaena broke the silence. [color=bc8dbf]“I expect Rhaena to arrive soon. She is still a prudish bitch, you may wish to take your leave before she lectures you on the Maiden’s virtues.”[/color] It was offered as a suggestion but spoken as a dismissal. 

Shiera simply nodded in response. Of the Maiden Vault sisters, the bastard knew of Rhaena only by reputation. [color=7bcdc8]“Thank you for the invitation, Princess. I should return…”[/color] She paused, a moment of uncertainty. The statement hung in the air unfinished. 

[color=bc8dbf]“Just be cautious dear. Even a dragon can be burned and you are only half of one.”[/color] Elaena spoke without turning her attention back but waited for the sound of her soft footsteps to end. [color=bc8dbf]“Ser Leyton, have a page send word to Ser Michael of Kingsgrave. I’d like him to join me for dinner tonight, we have business to discuss.” [/color]