A Holiday by Decree
~~ Day 5 ~~
They walked along for a moment while the tide whispered in and out over the sand.
"Through my excitement, I'll admit I didn't didn't think that far yet. " Sansa admitted before suggesting, "Perhaps some food and drink might help?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea," Tyrion smiled, and they made their way back up the beach.
It was a bit before they picked back up their conversation though; when they arrived in the grand dining area, musical entertainment had awaited. A long stand with a set of (they learned from talking with the staff) twenty-one lacquered, wooden bars was set up in the lounge area adjacent to the table.
Dining, Sansa and Tyrion listened with fascination to the foreign instrument's mellow tones. Played by a musician from a seated, cross legged position, the instrument emitted beautiful notes of graduated degrees when struck with a pair of mallets with fabric wrapped ends. A second musician accompanied on what looked like a pair of small metal cups that were percussed, open ends together, to produce a clear, higher-pitched bellsong.
To Sansa and Tyrion, who admired the performance, which started more lively before going into more relaxed rhythms, many of the tunes seemed to have similar melodies. Still, they both agreed it was hard not to feel a sense of entrancing calm listening to the dreamy music while being surrounded by the salt air on such a warm afternoon.
It was after the meal, another delicious type of white fish, this time pan-seared and flavored with butter, citrus and herbs and served with flavorful, fragrant boiled grains, that they got to talking again.
Sansa, sat holding her iced mint tea glass to her cheek and watching the musicians play a gentle tune. In reference to a few disconnected comments they had exchanged while they had finished their dishes, Tyrion asked, "Have you considered adopting an heir?"
"Yes, it seems that will be the plan. Since I found out, I have been thinking about how to approach Arya. I won't lie: I've been hesitating though," she said glumly, still gazing at the performers before looking back at Tyrion. "She has been showing an interest in Gendry Waters, who as you know has recently declined a Lordship from your Queen - Whether that was wise or not is neither here or nor there, but it makes it easier if they were to one day wed and consider putting forth the Winterfell heir… However, you have met Arya: I think I hardly need to tell you how young she still is. Despite the seriousness she gained and the closeness we got from the years of the war, she can still be brash, insensitive, and petty. I don't know that I can predict or even bear to face the consequences of laying this kind of pressure on her just yet."
Tyrion looked back at her sympathetically. Hearing her talk reminded him of Daenerys and, at times, Jon. They were all so young, facing such difficult decisions.