InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "GO MEAT"

unbowedprincess (unbowedprincess) wrote in agos,
@ 2008-07-28 02:54:00

Entry tags:

elia martell, hester arryn, toria lannister

elia's rooms - visiting allowed.
Who: Elia Martell, others
When: Day 18, afternoonish
Where: The Red Keep
Rating: pg
Status: OPEN

Elia was exhausted. She had spent the last two days violently ill as Lazralene had insisted she begin taking a new poison. Building up immunities was never a fun exercise and this one had been dreadful. She was now a couple pounds thinner and still paler than she would have normally been, but the worst was over. The rest of the dosing would hardly cause such a reaction. At least, she hoped so.

Still weak from the "illness" which her maester had blamed on her visit to the halls of healing, Elia was remaining in her rooms for the day, but at least now she could receive visitors. Her mind was revolving on Jaehaerys, how to see that he made it into the Red Keep so no one would ask any questions... There was also the fact of her brother's witholding information. She was going to wring his neck the next time she saw him... And then her thoughts turned to Thomas Tully's offer. She still wasn't sure whether he had been in earnest. She didn't doubt he wanted to bed her, but wed her? And what would the Prince of Dorne say?

She sat down the book she had been attempting to read and slumped over the head of the fainting couch her maids had placed in the main room while they cleaned her sleeping chamber. Had they been in Dorne, she would have simply received her guests in her bed, but that was hardly the thing to do in Kings Landing, unless one wanted to appear ill. Elia had no intention of that. She had far too much interest in gathering the younger nobles around and having some diversion or another... Perhaps a night of gambling? An excursion to that lovely bar? The idea of Hester and Toria setting foot inside the Water Dancer was enough to elicit a giggle. That would have to wait.

"Princess, you have a visitor." The maid's voice was quiet but Elia heard her. She hadn't even heard a knock. Ah well.

"Show them in then." She arranged the folds of her gown and the blanket which covered her to look a bit more graceful and sat back against the pillows as she waited to see who would enter. Two days of seeing only Lazralene, her Maester and servants was more than enough to make her welcome anyone else.

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lionessofsong
2008-07-29 03:16 am UTC (link)

"Princess Elia," greeted Toria with a warm and concerned smile. "I attempted to call on you two days ago, but I was told that you were ill. I hope you're feeling well enough for some company?"

In addition to being concerned for Elia's health, Toria wanted to ask her about poisons. Specifically, she wanted to know what the odds were that Gwyn's illness was due to some sort of poison rather than the plague. Toria was no maester, but she paid attention to symptoms of illnesses. A maester's work could be made easier by an observant third party who had seen the onset of illness. Gwyn's symptoms did not match any sort of plague or fever that Toria had ever heard of. Especially not now.

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unbowedprincess
2008-07-29 03:55 am UTC (link)

Elia grinned as Toria Lannister entered. "My maester claimed I must have caught something in the halls of healing in the city," she said with a shrug. "But he has declared me well enough to receive guests. I can't tell you how happy I am about that. Another day of silence and books and I might have gone mad just for something to do."

She relaxed into a more comfortable position, and gestured to the cushioned chairs. "Please, have a seat, and tell me all that I have missed while the Maester tried his best to make me miserable."

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lionessofsong
2008-07-29 05:58 am UTC (link)

"Well, I went for a walk in King's Landing the other day," said Toria. "The smallfolk seemed to appreciate the charity I offered them, and I've got a new caregiver for the Lannister hunting birds now."

She took a seat on one of the cushioned chairs that Elia gestured to.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you," she said quietly. "It's not a very pleasant subject...but most people I might ask would tell me to stop worrying my pretty little head over it and then send me on my way."

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	unbowedprincess 2008-07-29 06:04 am UTC (link)
	"A very productive day, then!" Elia said with a warm smile, which faded as Toria became quiet. She sighed. "People have the strangest ideas of what is allowed to go on in pretty little heads." She looked closely at Toria's solemn expression and nodded. "Ask away, Toria. I will answer you as best I am able." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

lionessofsong
2008-07-29 06:35 am UTC (link)

"He's quite a clever boy. Even at the tender age of nine, he was too proud to beg."

Toria was glad that Elia understood. But then, being a noble with a sharp mind, she supposed Elia understood better than most would.

"I have heard that you've been educated in the matter of various poisons," said Toria. "My little cousin Gwyn...she still hasn't responded to treatment and none of her symptoms are like the plague or any fever I have ever heard of. I have heard of poison causing symptoms like hers, though."

The young Lannister woman frowned grimly. "I don't like to think anyone would harm my little cousins in order to harm my Uncle, but I can't deny that it's a possibility."

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unbowedprincess
2008-07-29 07:02 am UTC (link)

She smiled fondly at the mention of the boy. "He sounds like a good choice. We really ought to go hawking soon, and you may discover if you chose well."

At the mention of poisons, however, Elia winced. Just how educated she was was not something many knew but Dorne had long been fond of poisoned weapons and poisoned cups. "Every Dornish noble is taught something of it, mostly remedies and the signs of common poisons. We are not generally as viperous as the other kingdoms like to think." Not as a rule, anyway.

She pursed her lips and gave Toria a measuring look before she continued. She had said she would answer her, and perhaps Toria could do more to help if she better understood the possibilities. "I asked your aunt permission to examine her, or to let my maester see her when she first fell ill but Queen Kaelyn... was greatly displeased with the offer and offered no small insults in her refusal," she said softly.

"Without seeing her and knowing what she might have eaten or touched, what color her lips or mouth, or the scent of her breath when she first fell ill, it is almost impossible to say which poison, or if it is poison at all." Elia shook her head. "The problem is that if it is a poison, and we could find which one, it might be too late. Poisons which have these effects work slowly as they make their way through the blood and after a time, no amount of antidote will help," she said with regret.

"Though from what I have heard, Gwyn is holding remarkably steady and surely poison would have lifted by now." A lie, but kindly meant. There were poisons which bestowed a sleep from which one never woke, though they were forbidden even by Ashai tenets, and held in place by things which coiuld not be mixed or melded. The dress that Lazralene had examined had held something which seemed suspiciously like those compounds.

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lionessofsong
2008-07-29 03:46 pm UTC (link)

"I'd be delighted to," said Toria. "I haven't been hawking in some time...since before arriving in King's Landing. Perhaps we can invite some of the other noble ladies?"

It wasn't a terribly long time to go without but Toria would have gone sooner if Gwyn's health hadn't been so fragile.

"I could tell you her symptoms when she fell ill," said Toria. "I was there when it happened and I carried her inside myself. Poor thing. It was quite sudden."

She nodded as Elia explained that an antidote might not help. After this time, it was possible. But Toria had to try. She had to ask around, because a cure seemed to be eluding the Maesters. Quite possibly because they were treating a sickness, not a poisoning.

"As for my aunt...perhaps I can do something to persuade her that Gwyn could benefit from a visit from you. If your offer to examine Gwyn still stands. If she insulted you, I would not blame you for retracting the offer."

She didn't know exactly what Elia's education had been like, but her father was right - Elia was at least able to offer more than a pat on the head and instructions not to worry.

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unbowedprincess
2008-07-30 05:56 am UTC (link)

"A day of hawking would be welcome diversion. I can think of several ladies, and knights as well, who might make excellent companions, should you choose to form a party."

Still, she shook her head at Toria's suggestion. "I fear I would not be welcome, and your lady aunt has more than insulted me. Prosperyn no longer guards the royal family and rarely does he stand with William." She frowned. It was one thing to rebuke her for helping but to insult her family was something she found near unforgiveable. "Though I do want to help, I am not certain I could do anything. Were I to examine her and be helpless to make any changes..." she shrugged.

Elia sighed. Sitting idly by did not sit well with her, but neither did insults. "Tell me what you can. If I cannot help, I will try to seek out one who might be able."

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lionessofsong
2008-08-02 08:33 pm UTC (link)

"A party would be best, I think," said Toria. "A moderate sized group of nobles, perhaps."

Toria frowned a little at that. If her aunt didn't watch how she spoke to people who were not kin, she was likely to offend people as she had offended the Martells. Offending anyone from the great houses was unwise, but it was not always possible to avoid minor insult. One could try, though, through polite speech and generally diplomatic gestures.

"I am sorry my aunt was so harsh with you," said Toria. "It may have been the situation and lack of sleep that caused her to speak thoughtlessly, but I apologize on her behalf. I do appreciate that you are willing to help me in spite of all of that. Gwyn is a sweet girl, and if something can be done to help her, I would be grateful."

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unbowedprincess
2008-08-02 09:08 pm UTC (link)

"Then we will endeavor to send invitations to all those whose company you would enjoy, and we'll set a date... a few days hence perhaps?"

Elia sighed and waved away Toria's apology. "I thank you, but Kaelyn's actions I fear do speak more loudly. She has proven she views us as enemies unworthy of understanding, and treats us as less than vipers." Perhaps Toria could carry that to her aunt, who Elia hoped was only making mistakes out of thoughtlessness.

She paused for a moment, and a thought occured to her. As simple as tying a lace, the connection was made and she smiled. Of course. Such a simple solution. "There is someone who might be able to help more directly. A man named Jaer; if anyone in the city has a chance of identifying a poison within your cousin, it would be him. You can find him at the Inn of the Golden Hand, although he's been helping with the cleansing of the docks." Well, he would have Lazralene and Elia to help him, so it was true.

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lionessofsong
2008-08-02 10:38 pm UTC (link)

"That sounds perfect, weather permitting," said Toria with a nod. "I did not get the chance to speak to Hester Arryn at your party before, so I would like to extend an invitation to her. If I can call my brothers away from their personal business, they can come along. Though, Jeremy is only allowed to come if at least one of my older brothers come with us. He's a nice boy when he's not being troublesome, and having either Tymor or Tyronne with us will increase the odds he'll behave."

If Jeremy failed to act appropriately, Toria was certain that either Tymor or Tyronne would happily box his ears. Their family got along reasonably well, but they didn't tolerate Jeremy's pranks.

"I've been advised to avoid the docks," said Toria. "But I could go to the Inn with a knight as my escort."

Toria contemplated things a little. Her aunt Kaelyn would only leave Gwyn's side if a relative or someone employed directly by House Stark was by the small girl's side. So far, the relatives had been Toria, Hester Arryn, and occasionally Toria's lady mother. She would have to offer to sit by Gwyn's side for a few hours to allow Gwyn to be examined without interference. Perhaps she'd talk to her father about this as well. He at least believed it was entirely possible that Gwyn had been poisoned, too.

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unbowedprincess
2008-08-02 10:52 pm UTC (link)

Elia laughed. "I think Lady Hester would be most agreeable. Perhaps one of Lord Tully's sons, and Lord Tyrell's...?"

At the mention of the famous Jeremy she grinned. "I look forward to meeting your brothers, Toria. They sound as if they should be great fun."

She nodded. "Wise advise. The docks are not the most pleasant part of town. A knight however should be enough escort to get to the inn and safely conduct your business. Though I do not know what Jaer might ask as a fee."

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lionessofsong
2008-08-03 01:13 am UTC (link)

"That should round out the party nicely," said Toria. "I'll have the invitations sent out later today."

Perhaps she could talk to one of the Tyrells about gardens briefly. She'd planted three trees, as she'd promised Genna, but aside from watering them and letting them get some sunlight, she really didn't know if there was anything that should be done for them.

"I imagine you'd enjoy their company," said Toria with a nod. "They are gentlemen...but not so gentlemanly that they're positively stuffy."

Her brothers had Lannister wit and pride, and were generally good conversationalists. She imagined that Elia would get along with either o them just fine.

"Well, I am a Lannister, and the niece of the King Regent," said Toria. "Merely examining her can't be too expensive, and if she is indeed poisoned, I am certain my uncle would be generous in paying for an antidote."