Winterfell's Trap Heir [Sallin_Kari]

[Firehead]

Getting a small retinue together, you make your way out touching base with representatives of as many of the noble houses as you could. Many of the houses expressed sympathy, but wouldn't make any offers of resources for the project. Some of those that held territory near mountains could be goaded into offering you some help, but they still tended to want to focus more on keeping a defense rather than sending soldiers out to hunt these things out where they're hiding. Altogether, it was disappointing what you were able to get.

[Sallin_Kari]

While this went exactly as I planned, it still is frustrating. Still, it is probably a good thing for the overall plan. If they gave me money and resources, that means they would require some level of control over their investment. No, instead I will publicly milk their tacit refusal to help, before... hopefully, giving an inspiring speech about how this is a blight on the beauty of our nation, causing several young hotblooded nobles will jump at the chance to prove themselves. Such volunteers don't require any such investment that would come with raising troops, and will allow me to solidify my control over this new knight order and ensure loyalty is to me and not any 'investors' before any vultures try to weasel control out.

[Firehead]

You'd been at it for several hours rubbing elbows with influential figures of your country, so it suddenly occurred to you that you were feeling rather exhausted. It also was starting to get late as well. There had been snacks available during your chats, so you weren't too hungry, but it might still be a good idea to get a real dinner in you though perhaps you could be forgiven for just having a meal delivered to your room and taking it easy for the rest of the evening. Whatever you decided to do, you had big plans for tomorrow, and it was probably best to be well-rested.

[Sallin_Kari]

I suppose it's best to call it here. Save the announcement for later. Let the rumors propagate over a day or two before I call for volunteers. Best to have a quick dinner in the royal quarters, see if my sister wants to talk over food, and if my mother has wandering back in from where ever she has decided to disappear to this morning.

[Firehead]

Arriving at the dining chamber of the royal quarters, you find your sister sitting over a meal. The way she stuck her knife into her salad looking more like a spearman running a man through in its aggressiveness. At the head of the table, your mother sat looking rather much more placid as she took a drink. Your mother raises an eyebrow, "Raalis, so good of you to join us. Apologies for starting without you." Your sister upon hearing the greeting is quick to hide her frustration.

[Sallin_Kari]

"Rough day?" I ask my sister as I sit down across from her. Turning to my mother with a polite smile, "It is not something worth concern, though your disappearance this morning, mother, did cause much among the maidstaff. Was that entirely necessary?"

[Firehead]

Your sister looks away a moment before looking back to you with a much less fractured expression. "Oh, you know how rough sudden surprises can be." Your mother holds back a chuckle. "Yes, but responding to the unexpected is a skill that needs to be practiced. It didn't have to be today, but it can be difficult to get a much-needed break otherwise."

[Sallin_Kari]

"I'm sure that you got to avoid such difficulties is just a coincidence," I reply with a smile before turning to my sister, "So, I had to prepare for an Avian ambassador arriving within an hour... what surprise were you saddled that has you looking like you're ready to kill, dear sister?"

[Firehead]

Your mother gives you a smirk, "Well, I don't always get to avoid such surprises." Your sister gives you a look. "Yes, well, I had to prepare and host a lunch feast for many of the noble families. I had a very...thrilling conversation with Lady Avarius Darion. Seems she's been having trouble finding a hairdresser for Anaira."

[Sallin_Kari]

I simply return the smirk as I turn my attention to my sister. "Well, you have been courting her favor as of late, so I would thought you would be more happy for the opportunity. After all, your brazen youthfulness of past years have put you in something of disrepute with the high nobles. Though, if you still need to find a hairdresser for Anaira, then I might be able to help point you in the direction of a few that would fit with their preferences." While a genuine offer for help, it was, unfortunately more calculated then simple benevolence on my part. First and foremost, it would help me judge my sister's attitude. Ideally she'll be still favorable to me, and not consider me an opponent. I would love to retain our sibling closeness despite the contest, and hopefully this will help assure her of that intention. Besides, the Darion family is more of a poison fruit for me. While their position of power and current support for me is great, should the inevitable happen and my gender come out, that will become a venom. I need to be able to earn the throne despite Lady Darion to truly win.

[Firehead]

Her visage remains level as you speak to her. "Are you probing me, or do you have some specific actions in mind with regard to the Darions?" She returns her attention to the food taking another bite. "While I appreciate the offer of help, but I don't know if you recall Anaira and her hair. Wonderfully fine but requiring a delicate touch to manage." The way she spoke made it clear that that description was one she was told rather than her own words reminding you that Anaira had notoriously bad hair though her mother tended to blame lack of skill of various hairdressers. "If I'm going to take any suggestions, I'm going to want to see them in action myself just to be sure." She stops to think for a moment. "Perhaps we could make a day of it. We go to see a couple of these hairdressers. You, me, and a few other gals. We let each one do up each of our hair, and if any of them catch my attention, I pass their name on to Lady Darion. What would you say to that, sister?"

[Sallin_Kari]

"Come now, we both know that the Darions are a double edged sword to me. I would hope you would trust me a little more," I reply sad at her suspicion, "But yes I do remember her and her hair." Pausing I consider her offer. While I probably do need a break. These last few days I've been running on all cylinders with hardly a moments rest, there is a reason for it. Could I afford an entire day off? "I'm unsure about making an entire day, but I certainly wouldn't mind say half a day?"

[Firehead]

Your sister sighs looking apologetic, "I didn't mean to insult you, sister. I've always been cautious of recommending someone without seeing their talent myself. Yes, a half-day would probably be fine. How many hairdressers do you know that could fit the bill? Shall it be just us and our respective retinues, or should we invite others? It may be a bit much to get our hair done up again and again for several hours."

[Sallin_Kari]

"I wasn't suggesting you didn't see for yourself. I was merely offering leads," I point out before pausing, "I have two I think would work, and a couple more maybes. But yes, I think we should bring some others... I really only have Celeswyn to invite... Unless you want my maids to get their hair done. Regardless I think we probably should aim for a multiple of four so we can have each of the hairdresser have an equal number of examples to prove themselves... Still, you remember the hairdresser that did my hair into that dragon... 'sculpture' for my 15th birthday? I have been keeping in touch, and she is probably the leading option, though she is highly sought after, so actually convincing her might be difficult. I am certain I can at least get you to talk.

[Firehead]

Your sister nods. "Yes, that should work. I can invite another guest, and if we each bring a maid, that will make eight of us getting our hair done in total. That just leaves figuring out when. How about we check in with our respective guests and set the date over dinner tomorrow?" Your mother had been quiet thus far but couldn't hold back a large smirk as she watched the two of you plan a future partial day out. "I'm glad to see the two of you aren't letting a little competition break you apart. I've seen too many rivalries go a bit too far and lead to infighting. I'm proud of you girls." She takes one last sip of her tea. "Now if you'll excuse me, it has been a rather long day." She stands up apparently readying to retire for the night.

[Sallin_Kari]

I nod, " Excellent. I will send along a message to Celeswyn so she will be ready tomorrow." With my mother's observation I simply laugh, "As if I would let her! If she tried to distance herself from me I'd just follow her around like a puppy until her heart melted."

[Firehead]

Your sister gives you an odd smirk. "You need to learn you're antics are not as adorable as you think, sister. Good night, mother." There was a hint of amusement in her tone betraying a sense of playfulness in her admonishment.

[Sallin_Kari]

"Yet you always seem to make time for them," I smile back at her, before joining her in her bidding of mother good night. After watch mother leave I pause before turning to sister again and ask, "So we haven't had much time together lately, with everything going on, and I know we are amending that tomorrow but perhaps we could get an early start tonight?"

[Firehead]

Your sister rolls her eyes as you tease her back before the both of you watch your mother leave for the night. She finishes eating the last of her own dinner as you talk about getting a early start on mending the strain the competition has put between you two. "Sure, what did you have in mind?"

[Sallin_Kari]

"Well, it's been a while since we've spent time at night just chatting. We don't need to sleep together or anything but I wouldn't mind spending some more time together, shedding any worry about the world or politics," I suggest.