-So I usually only say something at the end but I wanted to let you know that there will be three new POVs in this chapter and it will be slightly longer. I am not giving you any hints as to who appears as new characters. You will just have to read and find out. But as a hint 2 of them are males and one is a female character. Oh and there will be some "vulgar" language in this chapter as well. Heads up. -
Arya
She had never been more uncomfortable in her entire life. Sitting in the chair at the hair dressers at the salon was the strangest place she had ever been. She had never been to a place that she had her hair done. She had always just had one of the kitchen girls trim her hair. It is either in a braid or a messy bun. Her dark brown hair was almost to the small of her back. The owner of the establishment had fawned over her until he saw the state of her ends.
She looked over to Sansa and saw the pure look of bliss on her sister's face. She had a face mask of some kind on, and one of the girls was giving her a manicure while her hair was in curlers. She was chatting away with the nail girl. It was a very interesting sight. Her sister was so beautiful that she didn't need all the extra stuff that she put on herself.
They had already been shopping. They had been out since two and it was nearing five. Her mother had let her pick out her own dress for the evening, on the condition that it was in fact a dress. She picked put out a knee length strapless dress with a fitted bodice and a slightly puffed skirt. It was a deep purple and off set her skin and eyes. Her mother was not a fan of the color, but she said that the style and the cut flattered her very nicely. She was forced to get 3 inch heels at the least her mother had said. She chose a pair of strappy silver sandals. Sansa was very surprised that she found something that matched the dress.
"Well young lady we have to decide what to do with your hair. Now that it has been washed and conditioned properly." The hair dresser said. She was young, 6 months out of school but full of promise the proprietor of the salon assured her mother. "Do you want a cut as well as a style?"
Arya had been flipping through hair style magazines for the last 45 minutes. She had decided to get it cut. She knew that it was not what her mother had said, but she figured that her mother would be pleased that she did something with it.
"Yes I would. I was thinking of layers and some sort of sweeping bangs. Maybe sweeping over my left eye?" Arya asked her voice uncertain.
"Yes I can see how something like that would look good on you. I would like that. And for the evening I will give it some sweep and volume. Yes, yes, that is what I shall do."
Her mother had made her get her nails done earlier in the appointment. They had matched the polish to the dress. Her toes were done as well. She marveled that she had done something so girly. This would certainly draw attention to her.
"How long before my mother and sister will be done being pampered?"
"Oh an hour at least. They are going to be getting their makeup done as well. Would you like to have yours done too? I could do it for you after I am done with your hair. This will not take long." The styles said and she combed and snipped.
"Yes I would like that. I would like that a lot. And could you suggest what make up would look good on me and how to apply it?"
"I most certainly do that my dear. I can also tell you how to do your hair and how to style it." The stylist told her with a soft smile on her face as the worked on her bangs.
Sansa
Shopping was therapeutic. There was something about trying on clothes that made her think she was another person. She secretly felt like she was a spy when she went shopping. Trying on different outfits to use to infiltrate the under world of crime was what she felt like when she shopped. That evening she had picked out a dress that was a deep scarlet one shoulder thing with small flowers along the base of the ribcage. It flows out to form the skirt. Unlike Aryas dress the material is flowlly and moving. Her sisters was tight and shows off the curves of her body. Sansa wanted to hide hers. Her chest was not overly large but she wasn't by any means small.
She helped her mother choose her dress. It was a deep blue and her hair looked splendid with it. It was not as short as her dress or her sisters; it went a little past her knee and was pelted. There was a matching jacket to go along with it as well. Catelyn made Arya get a jacket and she picked a silver one. Sansa was amazed that Arya picked it out on her own. The jewels on the small shrug matched the shoes and they matched the small jewel detail on the bodice.
She had consulted with her mother about her hair and make up for the evening. After her mother had approved of what she had chosen she allowed the stylists to pamper her. She had her hair set, a mask applied and her nails done. She felt one hundred times better then when she had gotten off the plane that morning.
The shops that they had gone to had been the best she had ever been in. She had loved shopping in Seattle but the stores in L.A. were much better. She was starting to think that it wouldn't be to bad living in the South. If the shops and salons were like this she could get used to it.
She looked over at Arya. She was getting her hair cut. It was about time. And she was getting a style as well. Thank the gods. She had felt some trepidation upon entering a new school with her drab sister. Then she noticed that the stylist was putting foil in her hair. The kind that they used for coloring. She was sure that their mother was going to be very angry when she was that Arya had put a color in her hair without her permission. It would be like the time Arya had pierced her ears with a sowing needle.
Sansa smiled as they washed her face and applied her expert make up. She looked at her phone. There were over a dozen texts from her friends back home. They all demanded to know what the new place was like, what she was doing. Had she met any movie stars yet? Sansa sighed. She decided on a generic mass text.
The house is actually cool. There is a pool. We went shopping and I am at a salon getting worked over. There is a party tonight for the family at the Baratheons house. I will let you all know how it goes.
Within moments she had six replies. They all pretty much said the same thing. Send us pictures. Of everything. She texted back via another mass text that she would post some pictures on Facebook. That appeased her friends. Her time in the beauty chair was drawing to an end. She saw that her mother was almost finished as well. Arya seemed to be concentrating on what her stylist was telling her, taking it all in. Sansa couldn't see the color that she knew was hidden in her sisters' hair. But she was amazed at how she looked. She was not the same girl that had walked in two hours ago. She was a groomed lady. Except for her clothing. All the Stark ladies were not in their best.
"I think we will have to change here dears." Catelyn said as she looked at her watch. "We won't have enough time to do it at home."
"All right mother." Sansa said and went to get her garment bag from where she had it hanging. She was very lucky that she had shaved her legs that morning. She went into a curtained cubicle that her stylist directed. She heard Arya follow into one close by.
"Shit"
Her sister was not pleased about something.
"What is it Arya?" Sansa asked.
"I don't have the right bra for this dress on." Arya grumbled.
Sansa smiled to herself. She had on one of the convertible bras, so she had nothing to worry about.
"Let me see." She said.
"Trust me it has straps." Arya snapped from behind her partition.
"Let me see anyway." Sansa snapped back.
She came out from her cubby and went into her sisters. As she suspected her sisters' bra was like hers and you could modify the straps.
"There now, all better. Wow Arya you look really good. Beautiful even."
"You don't have to sound so shocked. I always knew that I cleaned up nice. I just never wanted to." Arya said.
"What made you change your mind?" Sansa asked.
"Jon told me that I had to let people see the me that I am on the inside. And Theon made some crack about my hair being the reason why I never had a date, so I decided to try something new." Arya mumbles as she looked at her feet. "Would you mind zipping me up please?"
Sansa was amazed that her sister had shared with her and was now asking for help. She jumped at the opportunity. Despite their close age they were not close and she had always wanted that with her sister. Doing this small thing for her was something that truly lifted her heart.
Once they were both fully dressed they left the dressing area and went in search of their mother. She was standing at the in her dress talking into the phone. They knew it was their father she was talking to. Her mother always had a small slight smile on her face whenever they talked. Her parents were truly in love.
When she heard her girls she got off the phone and turned to them.
"Oh girls you look lovely. Sansa your hair looks so good with that dress. And Arya what did you do to your hair! It isn't bad I am very happy that you finally let someone besides the kitchen maid trim it." Catelyn smiled and just looked at her daughters. "So we are to go to the new house. There we will get our jewelry on and collect your brothers and father. There is apparently a limo coming to collect us."
"Alright. Let's get this show on the road." Sansa said, looping her arm with her sisters and followed her mother out the door into the warm fall evening.
Bran
The Stark men were lucky that all they needed was slacks, button up shits and a jacket. Ned wore a tie and had one for Bran as well. Rickon went without the tie. They had their clothes with them. And unlike the female Starks they didn't need to get their hair done or shop. Bran helped his brother dress.
He received a text from Sansa asking if he could go into her and Aryas rooms and get some earrings and two necklaces for them? Ohand two clutches from har room as well? He trudged into their rooms and located their jewelry boxes. Arya had less of a selection. He picked a black lace choker with a deep purple crystal in it. The earrings were small silver hoops that had small diamonds on them. Jon got them for her on her last birthday. Sansa's jewelry took a little longer to pick. He picked a pair of gold earrings that dangled with a diamond at the end and a matching necklace and just for the hell of it he nipped some gold bracelets as well. He pulled out the two clutches he had been instructed to get for the girls and went to his parents' room.
"Hello father. Almost ready?"
"I can't find the earrings that your mother wants. She said to get her the sapphire ones. I don't see them."
"Let me look father. I am sure that Rickon is getting dirty without someone watching him." Bran said to his father.
"You are right son. You are a life saver."
Ned left the room. Bran rifled in his mother's jewels. Her sapphire earrings were with her necklace in one box at the bottom of the case. There was also a brooch that he had seen that he felt would be appropriate. It was of a wolf with a blue stone as the eye. He grabbed it and left his parents room.
The limo was already waiting for them. Ned had Rickon by the hand. The SUV that his mother and sisters were in pulled up as he had gotten to the car. They all jumped out and hurried over to the limo.
"Thank the gods you are already dressed." Ned said in greeting as he gave Catelyn a fast kiss. "Girls you look so good. Arya is there something different with your hair?"
Bran looked at his sister and didn't recognize her.
"There will be enough time to gawk at the girls in the car. Let's go. Ned did you get the jewelry that I asked for?" Catelyn asked as the ushered her family into the limo.
"Bran did. As well as the girls. And the handbags to boot." Ned chuckled as he helped his wife and daughters into the limo.
Once inside Bran handed out what he had selected to the ladies. His sisters thanked him over and over again. His mother said thank you and kissed him on the cheek. Ned noticed the wolf brooch and smiled as he pinned it onto Catelyn.
They arrived at the Baratheon estate. It was a large house, as large as Winterfell. The property was large as well. There were lights everywhere. The Starks piled out of the house as a man came to greet them.
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Stark, children. This way to the party."
Myrcella
Myrcella Baratheon stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom putting the finishing touches on her outfit. She was in a pale pink dress with thick straps and a boxy neck. Her hair was pulled up and there were selected curls escaping from her up do. The hair dresser had placed small roses in her hair that matched her dress. She was not wearing heels but ballet flats. She was tall for a girl and did not want to tower over her older brother. He was a real shit when she did that to him. So she decided to not give him an excuse.
Her uncle Jamie knocked on the door and let himself into her room.
"My gods you look so beautiful Myrcella. You look better then your mother."
"Thank you Uncle Jamie. I know that I could never look better then mother." She brightened and blushed at the compliment anyway.
"I have something for you to wear tonight. It was your grandmothers and I feel it fitting that you should wear it." Jamie pulled out a jewelry box from his jacket pocket. He opened it and took out a slender silver chocker with pink gemstones fixed along it cut into roses.
"Oh Uncle Jamie it is gorgeous!" Myrcella breathed.
"It is platinum and pink sapphires." He said as he fastened it around her neck.
She looked at her reflection one last time. The necklace was the perfect touch to finish the outfit.
"I had best go find the others. The party is set to start soon." Jamie said.
"I will come with you uncle."
They left her room and Tommen came barreling around the corner into them.
"Tommen slow down." Myrcella exclaimed, thankful that she was not in heels after all.
"Mother and father are fighting and I wanted to find you and Uncle Jamie. One of the servants said he was with you." Tommen said, bent double gasping for breath.
"Well then by all means Tommy lead the way to them. And let's walk not run." Jamie said.
The three walked down the long halls of the Red Keep. It was the largest house in the area and it was easy to get lost. Myrcella had lived here her whole life and still took the wrong turn every now and again.
They arrived at the entry way of the house and saw Robert and Cerise deep in an argument. Joffery stood leaning up against a wall and looked board. The yelling bounced off the walls and was magnified by the round room.
"Robert this is not what we had talked about. There were supposed to be fifty people coming. Now you tell me there is 150. There is no way I can make this work." Cersie yelled.
"Oh pipe down woman. I already have people on the problem. The tent is large enough to hold them all. And we have enough booze. The caterers will make it work." Robert bellowed back.
"This is not the point. It was supposed to be a small welcome party for the Starks. Not an exhibition of Baratheon money!" Cersie yelled.
"Mother, as father said things are being managed. Why don't you go with Uncle Jamie and calm down some." Myrcella said as she reached her parents side. "And father why don't you go into your study for a small glass of something to calm your nerves?"
"What a good idea my Myrcella. You always know how to fix a situation." Robert said, patting her on the shoulder with enough force to make her knees buckle. Robert stood into the rear of the entry way to his study.
"Mother are you alright?" Myrcella asked looking at her mother. Even with her barely controlled anger she was still the most stunning women in the world. She was in a emerald green dress that set her eyes off. With her rage they looked as if they were on fire. Her long hair was in an elegant French twist. Leaving her face bare and her strong cheek bones at the forefront to be seen.
"Yes darling. Thank you for stopping us before it went too far. The guests will be arriving shortly. They did not need to see us in that frame of mind." Cersie said looking at her daughter. "Is that mothers pink sapphire choker?" She looked over at Jamie.
"Yes it is. I thought that it would look good on her." Jamie said.
Myrcella looked into her mother's eyes. The anger was gone, replaced by tears and pride.
"It looks perfect on you darling." She kissed Myrcella's cheek and walked to Jamie. Together they left the entry way.
"And of course the baby had to go find St. Myrcella to fix everything." Joffery sneered, pushing away from the wall, at last saying something.
"One of us had to put a stop to that." Myrcella snapped.
"Why? They are so much more entertaining when they fight. And they had almost gotten to the point of calling each other names. I rather enjoy it when they do that."
"You are an ass Joffery." Myrcella said turning her back on her brother.
"What did you just call me?" Joffery demanded.
"I called you an ass. Are you deaf as well as stupid?" Myrcella shot back.
"You will be sorry for that you little bitch." Joffery advanced to his sister with his hand raised.
He was ready to strike but Myrcella stood her ground. Just as he got within range of hitting her there was a knock at the door and it swung opened. The person standing in the door took in the scene within moments.
"What do we have here?"
"Uncle Tyrion!" Tommen cried, hurling himself at his uncle. "Myrcella stopped mother and father from fighting. And Joffery was mocking her, then she called him a deaf ass and he called her a bitch and then you showed up."
Tyrion looked between his older niece and nephew. An event had indeed transpired. Myrcella felt her cheeks grow hot with a blush under her uncle's scrutiny. Then he flicked his gaze over to Joffery. Myrcella's eyes followed. Her brother was still angry. That was evident from his ragged breathing and his clenched fist.
"Is that true Joffery?" Tyrion asked.
Joffery scoffed at his uncle and walked away, probably in search of a drink. In that regard he was indeed his father's son.
"You know you shouldn't taunt him Myrcella." Tyrion said wearily as he walked deeper into the house.
"I know. But I did not say anything that was untrue." Myrcella defended herself.
"Be that as it may, I advise that you watch yourself. He will not let this slight go unpunished."
"I won't uncle."
Sandor
He didn't know what he was doing. Just because Joffery snapped his fingers he was off to some stupid party to introduce some wealthy friends of his parents from the stupid North to society in the South. He wouldn't be going but Joffery said that there would be free booze and food there.
What Joffery really wanted him for was as a whipping boy and intimidator. Sandor hated doing it, but he figured that if he didn't do it the little worm would find someone else to fill on those spots in his life that Sandor filled.
He drove to the Red Keep with his music blaring and he didn't give a fuck who heard him. He had been told to arrive early and so there he was fifteen minutes before the party was going to start. He knew that to Joffery this would not be early enough. But to hell with the worm. He could squirm for all he cared.
He pulled his car into the drive. There was a limo in the drive way already. He switched the lights off on his car. He didn't want them to notice him. He saw a family disembarking the limo. The last person to get out of the car was the most stunning girl he had ever seen. He knew that she must be one of the Starks from the North.
He sat in his car and watched this stunning creature walk with her family into the Red Keep. His phone started to ring. It was the sound of a donkey braying. He knew it was Joffery, the tone of an ass for the biggest ass he knew, but he ignored it. He watched as the captivation vision walked to the house.
He got one last look at her and reached for his phone.
"Where the hell are you Dog?" Joffery barked before Sandor even said hello.
"I just pulled up to the house. Traffic was a real bitch." He said into his phone with a sour look on his face.
"Well get the hell in here." Joffery snapped then hung up the phone on him.
Sandor pulled up to the house. A valet was there to take his car and Sandor went to the front door. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door. He knew that he was going to see that vixen in the red dress.
Gendry
"This tent is a god danm sauna." Gendry grumbles as he and his band set up.
"It's not that hot. You are just in a foul mood because you had to bail out on a date. But this was a paying gig Gendry. So quit your bitching and set up faster." Beric barked at Gendry.
"He is right Gendry. Tonight should be the easiest 500 bucks that we have ever made. I think that I will make Myrcella a pie for suggesting our band to play tonight." Hot Pie said, more to himself then anyone in the room. He continued to set up his drum set.
Gendry went back to setting up the wires that controlled the mikes and the guitar and the base. He was pissed that he had to cancel on the date that he had been set up on by Thoros. It was his cousin and she was supposed to be very good looking. But 125 bucks was a good deal for four hours of music.
He was just finishing up when he heard people approaching. He looked up and saw the ass Joffery and a stunning girl that he had never seen before enter the tent. Next came Sandor Clegane, silent and hulking. Myrcella came next. She waved and smiled at him. He waved back. A boy entered next asking the person behind him a question. Then he turned to Myrcella. The last person to enter was the one that took his breath away.
She had curves in all the right places. Long legs and the dress that she was in made her glow. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Then he realized that she was looking right at him. He dropped the mike that he was holding giving him a reason to look away.
"Wow. They really know how to make them up North." Aegon said from next to Gendry.
Gendry cleared his throat. It had become suddenly dry.
"What? Um yes they do." He busied himself looking at what he was doing. He had finished setting up so he went over to his guitar and pretended to clean it. He watched the girl in the purple dress. She smiled and laughed and talked to Myrcella and the boy. He assumed he was her brother. Then the three of them were on their way over to the stage.
Beric stood up from untangling wires and approached the front of the stage.
"Myrcella you look great. I have never seen someone look so good." Beric flirted.
Myrcella's cheeks pinked up nicely. "Thank you Beric. I wanted to introduce Bran and Arya Stark to you all. They will be starting school with us on Monday." Myrcella said.
"Hi. I am Beric. The singer and song writer for the band here. And over there with the drumsticks in his hands is Hot Pie. The guy with the base is Aegon. The guy with the key board is Thoros. He also plays guitar. And our lead guitarist is Gendry. He is over there sitting on the speaker." Beric introduced his band.
"Brandon Stark. But I go by Bran." Bran stuck his hand out. Beric shook his hand.
"Arya" was all the girl in the purple dress said. Her voice was heaven to Gendrys ears. It was raspy and sweet at the same time. It reminded him of a wolf pack howling together. He realized that she was staring into his eyes as she said her name.
With that one word and that one look Gendry "The Bull" Waters lost his heart to Arya Stark.
-So this was long. If you are wondering why I am posting updates so fast it is because I won't be able to really write three months from now and I want to get it finished before then. So I have a limited time frame to get this whole thing written. I hope that the three new POV's were good. I really loved writing Myrcella and Sandor will have a longer one next time. I know that I put a lot of "new" characters in this post. There will be more of the party nest post.-
