Sansa
When she had been at Winterfell she had never felt uncomfortable talking to people. It was partly because she had known them since she was a child and the second was that they were like she was, a Northerner. The followed the same logic she did. They knew the same places she knew. They were familiar and known. When she entered the Red Keep she finally realized she would have to meet new people. Sansa's palms grew moist and a faint flush started to creep up her cheeks. She slowed her steps and was the last one to approach the door to the large imposing house. She stood there on the steps breathing evenly and collecting her now fanatic and scattered thoughts.
Her solitude was broken by the rumble of a car. She watched as a valet scurried from his hiding place and went to the door of the car. A tall figure was unfolding from the small confines of the vehicle. Sansa didn't want to be caught all alone, there by being forced to meet someone on her own. If she was with her family there would be safety in numbers. She had just slipped into the house and then she heard a knock on the door. The door man looked at her. She just stood there, her breath rate speeding up. There was another knock at the door, this time a little louder. Still she stood there. The doorman cleared his throat and she looked over at him. She took a slight step the side to allow the man to do his job.
"About time." A harsh voice grunted.
Sansa shrank even more to the side of the small area. The knocker entered the house. His arm brushed her arm and he stopped moving. He looked down at her. She held her breath. Her face was mask of shock for being in the very situation that she wanted to avoid at all costs. A look of surprise crossed the newcomer's face, which he quickly schooled into a mask of cool indifference and boredom. He didn't move and neither did she. They looked at each other.
"Sansa! What the hell are you doing at the door?" Her sister's voice broke the trance Sansa and the stranger seemed to be trapped in.
Sansa was thankful that her little sister had no tact at this one moment in her life.
"Um, I was…" Sansa stuttered.
"She was introducing herself to me." The hulking figure beside her said, coming to her rescue. "Sandor Clegane." He turned to look her fully in the face for the first time.
Sansa's eyes grew a little large and the look of shock on her face returned. One half of his face appeared to be scared. The perfection of his non-scared side stood out in perfect contrast with the reined side. She finally remembered her manners. She felt like she had been looking at his face longer then was polite, when in actuality it had been less then a second, and stuck her hand out to shake his.
"Sansa Stark." Sansa said in a soft voice.
She released his hand. For someone with his size and obvious strength he had been very gentile with her hand.
"Arya, her sister. Do we want to move this little meet and greet we have going on here away from the door? That poor man there looks like he wants to shut the door." Arya said.
Sandor and Sansa nodded their heads and both stepped away from the door at the same time. Their arms were still slightly touching. There was a tingle in Sansas arm where they were connected. Arya had already turned away from them and went to the small group in the center of the room. They followed, a bit more slowly.
"I'm sorry for at the door." Sansa said, looking at the assembled group, noting the new faces and her palms grew sweaty yet again.
"What are you blabbing about?" Sandor asked looking down at the top of her head.
"I was standing in front of it. I didn't want to move away and have to meet any new people." Sansa was shocked at herself for having told this stranger that.
He chuckled and asked "What were you planning on doing? Staying in front of the door all night so no one could get in?"
Sansa smiled up at him. "Something like that."
They walked the rest of the way to the awaiting group of her family and the Baratheon and Lannisters.
"There you are Sansa. And who is the young man that you seem to have found?" Her father asked.
"Father this is Sandor Clegane."
Sandor shook hands with Eddard. Ned didn't react to his scars the way that her mother did, Sansa noted. There also appeared to be a slight flex in both her fathers hand and Sandors as well.
"About time you get here Hound." A slightly high pitched male voice intoned. Sandor let go of Ned's hand, and looked over to the owner of the voice. Sansas eyes followed.
The voice belonged to a taller then average youth. She assumed that this had to be Joffery Baratheon. He was in black slacks and a blood red button up shirt with a jacket on over it. He had blond hair cut short to his head. There was a nasty sneer on his face that made her slightly uneasy. She unconsciously moved slightly closer to Sandor. There was just something in the eyes of Joffery that was more off putting to her then the scars on Sandors face. Even though Joffery was good looking he seemed to be trying too hard to hide who he was, and it escaped out of his eyes.
"Sansa you missed the introductions to the Baratheons." Catelyn was saying to Sansa.
She tore her gaze from the boy in front of her and looked at her mother.
"This is Robert, Cersie, Joffery, Tommen and Myrcella Baratheon." Sansa looked in turn at each person indicated. The only person of the group that seemed to have kind eyes was the girl Myrcella.
"How do you do?" Sansa said in greeting.
"What the perfect little lady." Joffery said stepping forward to offer her his hand.
"Thank you." She said shaking his hand. His grip was harsh and like a vice. She winced and was a spark of happiness light his eyes.
"Children why don't you go out to the mar key and see if it is all set up out there." Cersie said.
"I don't want to go to the big tent mother. I want to explore." Rickon said looking up at his mother.
"What a splendid idea Rickon. Why doesn't Tommen show you to the arcade?" Robert boomed. The two young boys looked at each other and both made a run for the stairs.
"This way my lady." Joffery said. He offered his arm to Sansa. She felt obligated to take it. She knew that the only way to get in with the popular crowd was with this creepy guy, so she took his arm and held her head high with a smile lighting her face.
Bran
The house was magnificent. He knew that Stark Manor was larger and older then this Red Keep, but it was still impressive. He followed his parents. Ned and Catelyn were holding hands. Rickon was clinging onto Arya. Bran was looking around with interest. The décor was superb. He looked at the stairs and there were six golden haired people and one large dark haired man. He assumed that this was the Baratheon clan. At first glance he assumed that there was an extra child present. Then he realized the person he thought was a child was Cersie Lannisters younger brother Tyrion. And the golden haired man was Jamie, Cersie twin brother. The offspring of Robert and Cersie were together to one side below their mother. Robert was in a suit and looked blotted and slovenly. The rest of the group looked pristine.
"Eddard Stark you son of a bitch." Robert bellowed. "It has been to long. Come here and give me a hug." Robert stumbled down the stairs to Ned.
Ned walked up to his friend. They embraced and gave each other the manly slaps on the back. They had a fast conversation. There were nods between the two men.
"Catelyn that dress is stunning. And Arya isn't it? You look beautiful. May I introduce my children?" Cersie said walking down the stairs. Her children followed like a line of ducks behind her. "May I introduce Joffery, Myrcella and Tommen." When each name was announced the owner of the name stepped up and nodded in hello.
"Pleased to meet you all. May I introduce Rickon, Arya, Bran and Sansa?" Catelyn said.
"You seem to be missing a daughter Catelyn. It appears that Sansa is not with her siblings." Joffery sneered.
Bran glared at the fool for the tone he used when he addressed his mother. Then he looked behind him and saw Sansa at the door. A large figure beside her.
"I will go get her mother." Arya volunteered. She went off to fetch their sister.
Tommen and Rickon were already in conversation. Giggles were heard coming from them. He heard a soft pat of feet approaching him.
"Are you interested in architecture?" A soft voice asked him as he was looking at the celling. Bran looked down from the top of the room. A striking girl was in front of him. She was in pale pink and had a small smile tugging at her lips.
"I am. I like to know how things are made and how things work. This area is room is perfectly balanced."
"Oh Bran I hope you are not lecturing Myrcella already." Aryas dry voice said from behind him.
Myrcella gave a small chuckle and Bran decided that he liked this girl. The three stood together while Sansa was caught up with who was who.
"Children why don't you go to the mar key and see if everything is ready?" Cersie said.
Bran watched as the younger boys scampered away. He watched as Sansa took Jofferys arm and walked to the door leading to the back of the house. The guy named Sandor followed close behind.
"Come on you two. There is a great band playing tonight. In fact they all go to school with us." Myrcella started after her brother and Brans sister.
"We are right behind you." Arya said.
Bran was curious to note that she sounded chipper, almost eager.
Sandor
The sniveling worm was leading the vixen around the house. His chest was puffed out like he was the reason all the wealth was there. Sandor wanted to smack that look off the creeps face. He had seen that look on Jofferys face before. He wanted something from the girl. She was probably as stupid and blind as all the others that Joffery used and abused. Once he got what he wanted he would throw her away. He heard the other three children following.
Part of him wanted to slow down and let them catch up with him and join in their conversation. He had always liked Myrcella. She was the only real one in the entire family. And the best part was that she didn't put up with her worm of a brothers shit like everyone else did. He always defended the girl. The two other Starks seemed to be alright. The boy seemed to see everything and analyze it all at the same time. He was one of those people who kept one foot in the real world and the other in one of his own creation, but he was fully aware of what was going on in both. The other Stark girl was something different. She didn't know what she wanted to be. She had a tough exterior and a quick wit that she used as both a weapon and a defense. But there was more to her, she just had to find it.
Sansa was someone he wanted to get to know. When she told him that she was afraid of new people he felt pleased that she had opened up to him. Because he was in fact a stranger. And to top it all off he was damaged. His looks could be said to leave something lacking for most people. But she looked at him. Really looked at him. His arm still tingled where they had touched. He had never felt that before. He had had his share of experience with the opposite sex. He knew all about the bodies reactions when arousal was involved. The gods knew that this girl caused that reaction in him. That dress that she was in should be illegal. There was a definitely something very ridged about him that was not so unyielding half an hour ago. There was more to her then just the response that she was causing him. He felt the need to protect her. He would do that, no matter what happened or who got in the way.
"Hound keep up." Shouted at him from over his shoulder.
"Why do you call Sandor that?" Sansa asked.
"Why don't you answer that one Dog?" Joffery said to Sandor.
"I would rather not. You made this name, not me." Sandor said. There was no infliction in his voice.
"I call him that because he is as faithful to me as a well-trained dog." Joffery laughed to himself.
Sandor saw a look of disgust cross Sansas face when she looked at Joffery. Hope surged in Sandors being. But then he watched as the sweet simpering look reappeared on Sansas face. She was a good actress. She had an agenda that she wanted to keep. She had a goal. She was calculating something in her mind. He needed to find out more about this girl if he was going to protect her. He would protect her even from herself. Watching her he knew that this was going to be harder job then he wanted.
Arya
Arya was really starting to like Myrcella Baratheon. She was spunky and smart and said what she was thinking. They really didn't have anything in common. They liked different music, movies, books. But they were starting to form a connection. Bran was watching her as she and Myrcella chatted about clothes. Myrcella offered to take her shopping and Arya found herself saying yes. She even suggested taking Sansa along too. Brans eyes almost popped out of his head and he choked on air.
"Bran are you okay?" Myrcella asked, concern coloring her voice.
"I was just trying to imagine Arya shopping. I have never seen her shop before." Bran stuttered.
"What do you mean? She had to shop. Didn't you?" Myrcella turned and looked between Arya and Bran.
"Well I kind of stole my brothers clothing. I don't really have anything that is made for girls except for underwear." Aryas face colored a bright pink.
"You have to be kidding. I can't believe that it's true." Myrcella was shocked.
"I would be surprised if she picked out this dress." Bran said. "Sansa probably picked it. And you should have seen her hair. She used to only let the kitchen maid cut it."
Myrcella was looking at Arya as if she had two heads. Arya was used to getting looks like that. She was getting ready to have the budding friendship that was developing between her and Myrcella to come to an end now.
"We will just have to remedy that. You have fifteen years of shopping to make up for and I am just the girl to help you do it." Myrcella said.
Then she threw back her head and laughed. Arya joined in with the laughter. It was Brans turn to look confused. They made it to the tent that the actual party would be taking place in. It was decorated in crimson and gold. Sansa matched the parties' décor. She saw Sansas face when she realized that she matched the parties themed coloring. There were fifteen to twenty round tables with eight to ten chairs at each. The end that Sansa, Joffery and Sandor were at had a bar. Both boys had glasses on their hands. Arya suspected that they had booze in them. On the opposite side of the bar there was a guys were setting up musical equipment. Myrcella waved and dragged them up to the stage.
"Myrcella you look great. I have never seen someone look so good." One of the guys 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 sometimes . 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 looking all the nice specimens of a cross section of what the male population looked like at Kings Landing. The singer was nice to look at, but there was something to soft in his eye. The one Hot Pie kid was pudgy and he had a big smile plastered all over his face. Thoros was muscular and nice, but not Aryas type. The last two, Aegon and Gendry were more then pleasant to look at. But they couldn't look more different. They had the same body type. Tall, muscular, sexy as hell. But their coloring was completely different. Aegon was light from his hair to his eyes. Gendry had dark hair and dark blue eyes.
"Arya." She finally choked out. She had her eyes locked with Gendry. Then she flicked them over to Aegon. She looked at her feet.
"So what are you going to be playing tonight?" Myrcella asked.
"A little bit of everything." Beric said. "The official set list is a surprise." He wiggled his eyebrow at the girls.
Gendry
Gendry watched as Myrcella led her guests to the opening of the tent. Other people were starting to arrive. Gendry couldn't keep his eyes off Arya. Aegon came over to him, he was absentmindedly playing his base.
"She is really something. I noticed that she took her time looking at you. But I noticed that she did the same thing with me. What do think?"
"I think we need to start playing. Let's just do the job we are paid to do." Gendry snarled.
"All right. You don't have to bite my head off. I get it, you wanted to get lucky tonight. Who knows you might. This is a party. But I am calling dibs on Arya." Aegon said as he walked away from Gendry.
The vein in Gendrys neck and forehead were bulging and pulsating. He wasn't aware that Beric had introduced the band. He was not aware that they had started to play. He was lucky his hands and body knew what he was doing. He played his parts, but he wasn't paying any attention. He had a steady chant going on in his head. It went along the lines of "I will not kill one of my best friends. I will not beat him to death with his base." He was acting irrational. He knew that he just couldn't help it. By the end of the first song the internal chant changed to "Don't look at her. Don't look at her ass, or her chest, or her legs, or her smile." His chanting alternated between the two the entire party.
Myrcella
The party was fun for a change. Usually she was stuck being around her brother's lackeys and clinger oners. She hated that. She didn't really have any true friends because as soon as her brother noticed that she was getting close to someone he would step in and taint the relationship and things would never be the same. She was happy that Joffery hadn't noticed that she and Arya and Bran were having a good time together. But she was also concerned. Because the reason for Joffery's disinterest was due to Sansa.
She wanted to warn the older Stark girl about her brother. But she was afraid that she wouldn't believe her like so many others before her. She tried to push it out of her mind. She was going to have one night of fun. One night where she was not the referee, or the peace keeper, of the saint of her family. She was going to be a 15 year old girl. Her uncle Renly and his not so secret special friend Loras showed up right before the band started to play. Loras' sister Margaery was with them as well. She made a b-line for Joffery and his group. She was in his class after all. Myrcella liked the girl and she hoped that Margery would watch out for Sansa.
"My darling niece you have never looked better in your entire life." Renly said as he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you Uncle. Have you met Bran and Arya?" She asked as she held both of Renlys hands.
"I have not had the pleasure of meeting these two Starks." He said turning to them. "I just met your parents again. I knew them when I was a child. And I have met your older brothers through college. Theon is a very interesting fellow. Very intense."
"He is. But if he was any other way he would not be the same Theon then." Arya said.
Myrcella looked from her little group to scan the gathering. There were not the 150 people her father had boasted about. Her guess was that there were around 75. She had a sneaking suspicion that he had just made up that number to get her mother angry. She looked at the stage. Her friends were playing really good. She knew that the list of songs that her mother had given them was not their normal sound but they were making strange pop songs from the 80's sound modern and cool. She noticed that both Gendry and Aegon had not stopped looking at Arya.
Myrcella was a little sad about that. She had a crush on both of them. But she was in the friend zone with the both of them. If they liked her new friend she wasn't going to hold it against her. There was a loud crashing sound from the direction of the bar.
"You blind fool!" Myrcellas heart stopped. Her brother was starting something. "You did that on purpose." Joffery shirked.
A waitress was on the ground surrounded by broken glasses form the tray that she had been caring. Joffery looked as if he was going to hit the poor girl.
"Do you know how much this jacket alone cost! More then you make in a year" He was starting to build into a rage.
Myrcella was making her way to her brother to try and quell his anger on a different tarter, her.
"It was not her fault Joffery. I saw what happened. She was bumped. I didn't see who bumped her. But it was not her fault. It was an accident." Sansa said, stepping between the girl and Joffery.
Myrcella held her breath, edging closer to her brother and Sansa Stark. Either Sansa was very brave or very stupid. When Myrcella was closer to them she noticed that Sandor had moved so that if need be he could intervene if things got uglier then they already were. To her shock, and everyone else, Joffery seemed to collect himself and his anger vanished.
"Well if you say it was an accident Sansa I believe you. No real harm done. Hound help the poor girl up from the floor. If you will excuse me Sansa I have to go change." Joffery walked out of the tent.
Myrcella was stunned that things did not escalate, that he had taken Sansas word and not retaliated on the spot anyway. That was not like her brother at all. She knew that he was up to something. She turned to follow him. The talk of the party had returned and the band started to play again. She again thanked the gods that she was in flats and that she was a dancer so she moved without a sound.
"I want that little bitch punished. I will make her pay for humiliating me that way she did. Find out who she is. I owe her some pay back." Joffery said to one of the Meryn Trant, one of his fellow football players. "I have to go change my fucking shirt. I hope that twit Sansa liked the show I put on for her." Joffery cackled with Trant up to the house.
Myrcella stood rooted to the spot. She couldn't move. She had to warn the girl, worn Sansa, she had to do something. But her body would not respond to her commands. So she just stood there. One night to be normal that is all she wanted. The gods couldn't even give her that. Two tears escaped her eyes as she stood in the dark with a party going on behind her.