#✧ 𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞 ﹠ lady rhea . .

[xdiviinity]

melisandre's   lips   curled   into   a   soft   smile   as   she   approched,    her   humming   a   gentle   accompaniment   to   the   whisper   of   the   river   and   the   distant   laughter   of   highgarden’s   festivities.   "oh,    lady   rhea,   forgive   me," she   murmured,   her   voice   as   light   and   sweet   as   the   melody   she   carried.    " i   did   not   mean   for   the   intrusion   of   your   solitude.   i   assumed   all   would   still   be   partaking   in   merriment.   and   the   sun   was   bright   and   warm   so   i   slipped   away   for   a   moment   to   enjoy   it. "    her   eyes   twinkled   with   a   playful   warmth   as   she   set   down   her   own   basket,   a   little   further   away   from   rhea's.   for   the   lady   of   sunglass   had   a   melody   rooted   in   her   mind,   she   needed   a   moment   to   get   it   down   before   it   slipped   away.   as   it   was   often   to   do   when   distracted   with   dance   and   festivities    surrounding   her. 

"perhaps   the   maiden   have   led   me   here,   to   share   in   this   serene   afternoon   with   you , "     she   continued,   reaching   into   her   basket   to   produce   a   small,   delicate   pastry   wrapped   in   cloth.  "one   of   the   kind   folk   gifted   these   to   me,   it   would   be   a   shame   to   enjoy   such   delights   alone. "    she   offered   the   treat   with   a   graceful   gesture,   her   fingers   brushing   against   the   cool,   green   blades   of   grass.    " please,   take   one.   i   couldn't   possibly   consume   them   all   myself.   amidst   all   the   gaiety   i've   scarcely   had   a   moment   to   eat   a   thing. "    she   paused   thoughtful   as   she   spotted   the   wine   bottle.     "  i'm   positive   the   berry   tarlet   will   pair   lovely   with   your   wine. "     her   voice   was   soft,   like   the   rustle   of   leaves   in   a   gentle   breeze,   inviting   without   presumption.

open starter with: rhea and anyone! location: outside the walls, along the river Mander time: mid-afternoon

The rumble of music and laughter echoed in the distance as the current inhabitants of Highgarden came together for another afternoon of revelry, but the laughter was faint next to the rush of the river, and no music could match the beauty of the birdsong in the trees. Rhea had snuck away from the festivities, blanket and basket in hand, and was lying in the long grass, the sun warming and enveloping her in a mid-afternoon bliss. The open basket held a partially drunk bottle of wine, an abundance of grapes that Rhea absent-mindedly picked at, and an old book that she’d taken to press flowers in, rather than read. It had been so long since she’d taken a moment to be honestly, truly alone, so the sound of approaching footsteps in the grass was unwelcome. Rhea’s hand itched toward the dagger on her hip, but instead she propped herself up into a seated position, looking over her shoulder at the intruder, and deeming them not a threat- for now. “I can’t imagine why you saw me alone, perfectly happy, enjoying the afternoon, and still felt you should approach.” Her words came out colder, harsher than she’d intended, but it was impossible to take them back now. “Well,  you’re already here. You may as well sit if you’re going to stay.”