Who: Olenna and Margaery When: Mid oct Where: Mall What: Costume hunting Rating/Warning: Low/None Status: Complete
Margaery was waiting outside the mall for her grandmother, she’d had a quick look round and there were a number of costumes which would fit their theme. She had been so pleased when Olenna had suggested they go to the Stark Industries party and even more pleased when they had happened upon a costume idea.
With Tywin back in England, paying a visit to Cersei and Robert, Olenna hadn’t been sure whether or not he’d be back in time, or if he’d even be interested in attending the Stark Industries party, so Olenna had decided to ask Margaery to accompany her. She thought it would be a good chance for her and her granddaughter to spend some time together. The idea for their costumes had been an easy decision once Margaery mentioned wanting to be Alice.
Once that was taken care of, they had decided on a day to meet to look for costumes, Olenna had made arrangements with the town car service she used to get around most of the time and now the town car was pulling up to the outside of the mall where Margaery was waiting.
Smiling brightly at her grandmother as she got out of the car Margaery moved forward to hug her, "How are you grandmother?" she asked as she took her arm and they entered the mall.
“I’m well. And how are you, dear?” Olenna asked hugging her granddaughter back when entered the mall with her, arm in arm. She had noticed that too many people were afraid of any type of physical contact these days, but Olenna was glad that none of her grandchildren had ever shied away from hugging her or had ever pretended they weren’t together while out, “How is your coursework going?”
“I’m good” Margaery replied, “Coursework is going well, I’m still not feeling overwhelmed like I thought I would, so many people rant about how much the work increased in second year but so far it is fine” She had never been an overly emotional girl but with those she cared about she was tactile, happy to hug and walk together wherever they were. “Thank you for asking me to the party, I was thinking of mentioning it to Loras and Renly. I’m not sure if they have Halloween plans or not”
“I’m glad to hear it. We will have to have dinner soon so you can catch me up completely.” After all, today wasn’t for talking about schooling, but to spend an afternoon together looking for costumes. “Even if they do, mentioning it to them wouldn’t hurt anything. If they don’t have plans then they might be interested in going. You should mention it to your brother.”
Margaery nodded, “That would be lovely” she said, “I could cook for us” she offered. “I will” she confirmed, “It would be fun if they were to come too. Have you asked Tywin Lannister if he’s attending?” she asked innocently.
“That sounds perfect, dear.” Olenna smiled, already looking forward to dinner with her granddaughter. “Tywin is currently in England for a little while. I’m not certain when he’ll be returning actually.” Olenna still had no idea why Margaery and Loras had reacted the way they had when she’d told them about herself and Tywin. She still had no idea that Tywin played a part in her dreams or that her grandchildren had been dreaming and knew much more than she did.
Margaery was looking forward to it as well. She enjoyed spending time with her grandmother and she hadn’t cooked for anybody in too long and she did enjoy it. “Oh, I see. Well I hope he comes back soon for you” she may not like Tywin Lannister in the dreams, rather detested the man actually, she had come to realise that people weren’t always the same as the dreams and if he made her grandmother happy then she shouldn’t judge.
Whether the dreams would change her opinion of Tywin was yet to be seen. She didn’t even know if Tywin had been having the dreams yet and was uncertain whether or not she should bring it up. She probably would when she had another dream, “I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He went to speak to his son-in-law, so he can’t be gone forever.” Olenna smiled as they reached the costume shop.
Hearing that Margaery couldn’t help wonder if he'd return with news that Robert had been involved in an accident but forced her mind away from such things. This wasn't like her dreams. "This place looks promising" she said as they entered, there were certainly a lot if costumes anyway.
This particular costume shop was little more upscale than the usual commercial stores so there was a better chance of them finding what they were looking for there. “It certainly does.” As they entered, Olenna began looking at the racks of costumes, “So, tell me, have you met any young men lately?” While Olenna knew that Margaery could take care of herself and didn’t need a man in her life, Olenna was still her grandmother and would always ask that particular question.
Margaery looked through the racks as well, having an image in her head which she was sure must exist in reality somewhere. She glanced at her grandmother, “Actually I have” she replied, “A lovely man called Finn, but he is just a friend grandmother, do not get excited” she added quickly, not wanting her grandmother to get the wrong idea. As lovely as he was she did not think he was interested in her, but he would hopefully become a good friend.
For a moment Olenna thought Margaery was going to tell her that she had a boyfriend, but no. “Friends can become more, you know.” She said, giving her granddaughter a bit of a smirk as she glanced at her over the top of the rack of costumes. “Have you seen anything you like?” She was talking about the costumes now, but it could have been taken either way really.
“They can but I’m not sure if this will. He hasn’t shown an interest in me in that way” she explained before turning once more to the costumes, choosing to take the question that way, “Hmm no Alice so far, you?”
“Then he must be blind if he hasn’t shown any interest in a beautiful girl like you,” Olenna smiled at her granddaughter, deciding to let the topic rest for now. She knew that if and when Margaery found a boyfriend, she would be the first to know. “Nothing yet. Perhaps another rack.” She moved on to another rack of costumes that consisted mainly of dresses. If they were going to find something this looked like it might be the right spot.
Margaery smiled at her grandmother, but said nothing more on the matter. It would be nice to have someone show an interest but she was busy anyway with school and everything. That’s what she would just keep telling herself. “Oh I think I’ve found some” she said moving a rabbit and a mad hatter out of the way to pull out an Alice, “I think it’s maybe a little short. What do you think?”
Olenna hmmed as she walked around to where Margaery stood with the costume. As far as the older woman was concerned, Margaery could wear whatever she wanted. She wasn’t about to tell her that she couldn’t wear it, but at the same time, she didn’t want her granddaughter to be showing off too much. “If you stayed standing all night it might not be too bad, but once you sit, I doubt it could cover anything.” She turned back to the rack and moved aside a few more costumes before pulling out another Alice dress that was a tad bit longer, “What about this one?”
“Oh that’s much better, the petticoat underneath means it’s safer to sit too” she smiled, “Wonderful. Now let’s find you the perfect Queen of Hearts costume” she beamed as she began to hunt through the same section.
Olenna nodded, “It suits you much better too.” Why all the female costumes had to be so short and revealing, Olenna hadn’t the faintest idea. She was glad, however, that they were able to find a suitable costume for Margaery. She then turned back to the rack to continue looking for a costume for herself.
“Wow” Margaery said after pulling out yet another saucy Queen of Hearts costume, “Apparently the queen is even more revealing than Alice” she commented.
“It’s quite obvious that men design these costumes.” Olenna said as she continued looking through the costumes. A moment or two later, an associate approached them, having noticed that were having difficulties.
“Is there anything I can help you ladies with?” She asked, glancing at the Alice costume in Margaery’s arms then at the side of the rack they were on, “Doing an Alice in Wonderland theme?”
“It really is” Margaery agreed with a sigh, she was still hunting for something suitable when the assistant came over. “Well we are attempting to. Is there any chance there is a queen of hearts costume that isn’t so revealing?” she asked with a smile.
The associate listened to Margaery then smirked, nodding, “I think we’ve got something in the back. Give me a moment.” Olenna watched as the associate left them to go check the back of the store. She came back a moment later with a rather elaborate costume, which could have passed for something from a movie.
“Oh, that is perfect.” Olenna looked to her granddaughter, “What do you think?”
“It’s incredible, absolutely perfect” she nodded to her grandmother, “Thank you so much for your help” she told the assistant as she moved forward to touch the costume. It really was lovely.
“Now, I suppose we should try them on. Do you have a fitting area?” Olenna asked the associate who nodded in response and led them over to a row of fitting rooms. She told them to find her if they needed anything after giving them each a room. Once left alone, Olenna proceeded to change into the Queen of Hearts dress, which fit almost exactly and since the material wasn’t the flimsy fabric of most Halloween costumes, it would be easy enough to alter.
Coming out of the fitting room, she rapped lightly on the door of Margaery’s fitting room with her knuckles, “How are you making out, sweetheart?”
Margaery opened the door and smiled, “It fits surprisingly well” she said, stepping from the small cubicle to show her grandmother. It was shorter than she had thought she wanted but the petticoat underneath meant it was actually fine and she loved the knee high socks and little headband that came with it. She just needed a blonde wig and she’d be sorted.
“Oh that looks lovely” she said as she took in her grandmothers costume, “You look amazing”
“That fits you perfectly,” Olenna said as she took in Margaery’s costume, glad that it wasn’t too short. It was just right for a party such as the one at Stark Industries. Of course she wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see other women flashing too much skin there, but to each their own. “It’s not too cumbersome at all.” Olenna said of her own costume, but then again, she’d worn some very ornate gowns in the past so she would have very little problems getting around during the party.
Margaery smiled, “I think we’re going to have a wonderful time” she said, “I’m so glad you asked me, we’re going to be brilliant” Now she needed to see if her brother and Renly were doing anything, she thought it would be delightful if they too came in theme.