Daenerys stood stiffly behind the door of her chambers with forehead pressed hard to the wood. She stare down at the white shoes popping from under her azure gown unblinking and almost void of all thought and feeling. Slowly she pulled her hands to either side of her dress; the lace was soft and fine between her fingertips. She grabbed small handfuls between them, squeezing so hard she feared the delicate fabric may rip between her nails. But even that fear wasn't enough to stop her grip from tightening and in the moments her hands clench like a noose around her neck... she knew if she didn't hold it together she would break.
It was only the warm coarseness of Ghost lapping at her whitened knuckles that caused her breath to steady and her mind to rest. Later... she reminded herself. Once her breathing evened she pulled her head from the cold wood, sliding one hand to rub the space she pressed forcefully to the surface. With the other hand she let the back of her index finger drift the length of Ghosts snout affectionately.
"You're right." Daenerys whispered as she looked to Ghost; he replied with an excited whimper and a tilt of his head. "Don't look at me like that. I'm going, I'm going…"
After another deep breath in she straightened her posture and pushed the few down curls on either side of her face over her shoulder- placing her slender fingers around the doorknob and pressing them open with a small nudge. Immediately as they free themselves of their lock, a wave of sound engulfed her body and mind. The muffled voices from before cascaded her near silence with a melody of happiness, music and a slight air of dread. As Daenerys ascended the stairs with long train dragging behind, golden trim and embroidery flickering in the candlelight; she scan the drawing room cautiously, sliding her eyes to each face she pass offering kind smiles and soft nods.
Searching for several things at once, and nothing at all. Her brother, Viserys; her dearest friend, Sansa Stark and her... nothing.
Each click of her slow footsteps were erased by the shuffle of dancing feet, the gleeful roar of people alongside the clash and clanking of silver on crystal. And as she inspect those around her, she couldn't help but smile. There was always something warming in seeing those moments of pure joy and finally she began to forget what haunted her.
"You must be Miss Bennet… I would recognize that silver hair anywhere."
Daenerys turned quickly towards the unfamiliar voice that called her by name. Her smile and pair of friendly eyes were met by a tall lean man in his late 50's. As she scan his attire she noticed the deep red velvet of his trim, and the small golden lions decorating the buttons of his dress jacket… The stranger was rather handsome with bright blue eyes and a sternness to his face that he didn't wear lightly. When he finally met her eyes, he wore the strangest of expressions and oozed with overconfidence.
"Yes, Ser, you are correct." She paused momentarily, gathering her thoughts. "I feel you have me at a great disadvantage though… You know who I am, but I do not know of you." Daenerys was smooth in her reply as she grab a glass from a server passing without breaking his gaze once. A smile slipped her lips as she pressed the cup to her mouth patently awaiting his reply.
After a hearty laugh the man tilted his head and pulled his arm around the woman standing slightly behind him. He slid her forward resting an heavy arm on her shoulder with the widest of smiles. "Of course, where are my manners… My name is Tywin Lannister. This…" He looked towards the woman, whose hair was golden blonde and placed in a charming updo. "is my daughter Jamie Lannister."
Daenerys bowed to the both of them more formally at their introduction as she look over her new acquaintances more carefully. This time she noticed the creme color of Jamie's long silken gown; the bright blue of her eyes identical to her fathers, and the most delicate gold chain around her neck— with the same golden lion resting softly at her collarbone. Dany knew that lion from somewhere…
After her inspection had finished, she pulled the chilled glass to her lips taking the smallest of drinks. Daenerys straightened her posture once more and started again with slightly more hesitation in her voice— attempting to remember where she'd seen that lion… "If you do not mind in my asking, Mr. Lannister— how is it that you came to know my name? And my silver hair as you so put it."
"The Targaryen's are most famous for their locks, are they not? And I knew your mother," He replied suddenly with not a thread of tact present in his voice or upon his face. "before she died."
Daenerys noticed in her peripheral as Jamie pushed her elbow lightly into his side sending him the slightest of glares as she whisper towards his feet. Her own face was still, calm and collected. She was more shocked than anything, and held just a hint of curiosity behind her lilac eyes. Mr. Lannister was right about the Targaryen's though- and this wasn't the first time that she'd been recognized by her hair alone. But she had never met anyone that knew her mother, and that was enough to peek her interest.
"Did you now? And my father as well I would presume." She asked appearing unfazed by his confession as she take another absent sip from her glass, scanning the room over the rim in search of her escape. Maybe she didn't want to know about it after all…
Upon first glance she couldn't see anyone she knew better than in passing, but seconds into her search she spotted Jon. He was standing in the corner near the flutist with several other men she'd never met before. As usual he had one arm propped up above his hip and the other held a glass like her own: he screamed of wealth and elegance.
"You are quite right, Miss Bennet." Tywin paused sending an eerie smile towards her, lightly gritting his teeth behind closed mouth before continuing. "The Targaryen's and Lannister's have been friends for a very long time."
"Have we now?" Daenerys' reply was flat and lined with weariness as she felt his gaze heavier than the hair atop her head, but still she didn't shift her eyes once. She knew what he was doing, why he was doing it however posed a different set of questions. "Why is it I'm only now having the pleasure of your introduction, Ser?"
Tywin laughed again as he pull his glass to his mouth knocking back the remainder of the liquid in a quick gulp. He bared his teeth at the strength of his mouthful and shook his head after he swallow it whole. Dany just watch with brows lowered and eyes locked in place, squeezing her own glass tightly between her fingers.
"Oh, we have met, Miss Daenerys. A very long time ago… I do not suspect you remember such a time." Tywin let out a light sigh as he smiled dryly at her. For a man who spoke very vaguely he insinuated a lot with his voice. "You have even met my daughter before…"
"I am quite positive I would have remembered such a pleasure." Dany smiled sincerely to Jamie, catching the sweet look she sent back as she returned the smile in full.
"Father, I assure that Miss Daenerys is not the only one guilty of a child's mind at the time. If not your confession just now, I'd have believed this was our first introduction." Jamie grabbed her own glass of crystal as a server pass, smiling over the brim at Dany.
Tywin just laughed a hearty chuckle as he shake his head and mumble about how he should have seen their responses coming. He seemed a hearty happy man, but something in the sea of his eyes told Daenerys that he was much different on the inside.
"Well," He started still wearing his close mouthed smile. "I know when I am unneeded. I shall leave the young to their business. Miss Daenerys." With a bow he turned leaving the two in an momentary awkward silence.
"You must forgive my father. He's not exactly— good at this sort of thing." Jamie sent a sympathetic smile with slight embarrassment behind her crystal eyes.
"What sort of thing? A civilized conversation?" Dany's voice was high and playful as she sip her drink and smile playfully. She was ready to be done with it but could see from Jamie's expression that she still felt ill about it. "Oh please, there is no need for such apologizes… It is quite alright— and I assure you my brother is far worse." She laughed alongside Jamie as her eyes met with Mr. Snow's again before she continued to her new acquaintance. "Actually, I could think of a few who are."
Jamie laughed and after a moment noticed the direction Daenerys had been staring at her admission. Her eyes perked with curiosity as she followed their purple gaze ending on their target. "Ah… Mr. Jon Snow. Yes, I've heard a great deal of him and his family... From my understanding he's rather disagreeable, but I've yet to have the pleasure of an introduction." She ended sarcastically still watching him in the corner.
Daenerys felt embarrassed in that moment as she look to her half emptied glass deciding in which way to respond. "Consider yourself lucky then, my new friend: for he is the most dreadful of men. Vain and—"
"Wh-he's coming over here..." Jamie's voice was silvery as she spoke through a side smile, watching each footstep bringing Mr. Snow ardently towards them and as his eyes transfixed on her new friend…
"Oh, gods— why is he doing that…" Dany whispered half to herself as her nerves began to prickle and bubble within the confines of her warm skin. Her initial instinct was to run as silly as it were, but instead she just watch him maze through the mess of bodies. Each breath in was short, hurried and by the time he reached her she had completely forgotten to breathe at all.
"May I have the next dance, Miss Daenerys?" Mr. Snow's voice was smoky behind his dark amber eyes. He was wearing a deep gray jacket of velvet, so dark in shade that it was almost ebony. His vest was a warm silver and his cravat was dark as night.
The breath she had locked in place released as she opened her mouth to reply nimbly, "You may."
The reply had been so sudden that she wondered if she had even thought about her answer before offering it… But it was far too late to retract, so she just stare up at him with wide eyes full of astonishment. After the slightest of hesitations he bowed low then returned to his post along the newly arrived Bingley twins.
Jamie opened her mouth letting out a quick cackle that hardly resembled a laugh as she turned eagerly towards Dany. She didn't speak a word but she sure enjoyed the show her new friend brought forth and awaited more.
Dany's face however was not as amused, and looked more like mortification than avidity. "Did I just agree to dance with Mr. Snow…" She looked towards Jamie with bewildering eyes— truly not knowing the answer. She wished that Sansa were here instead of a stranger, but she was glad that at least she was not alone.
"I dare say you did. He may be rather dreadful as you put it, but he is quite the agreeable dancer from my knowledge." Jamie smiled as she plucked two more glasses from a passing server handing one over to Dany, their unfamiliarity slipping away with each second. When she went on her voice was evocative and quiet. "Be careful, Miss Daenerys… I fear you may enjoy it."
"Well that would be rather inconvenient considering I have sworn to detest him for all eternity…" Daenerys' face was sullen at first, but in a flash she and Jamie laughed a roar as loud as lions.
