[D1 EA] Unfavoured

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya strolled along Market Row, the hem of her red dress brushed against the ground with every step, dirtied from the mud earlier that day. Young women were gathered in small knots about the various stalls and shops, giggling to each other and cooing over the ribbons and lace and trinkets, discussing hair and dresses as the merchants tried vainly to flag their attention long enough to part them from a few coppers.

She paused, picked up a piece of lace and examined it thoughtfully. Like all noble girls, she had been taught to sew and embroider, she could make simple needle lace, and spin thread. Kaliya preferred to use the cut and colour of her dresses to make a statement, rather than embroidery and embellishment. Her current dress was a fine example, crossed golden ribbons providing the structure around a plunging neckline and revealing open panels.

The young woman pursed her full lips, put the lace down again and continued on.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

A ways down from Kaliya, Kaelyn allowed the kind merchant a look at her custom leather, laced arm pieces. They had been crafted back at The Burrow after the vein in Septa Ydris forehead nearly popped over yet another dress being torn to shreds by Dahlia’s talons. As Kaelyn and the Gyrfalcon were nearly inseparable, there was simply no use trying to keep up with the endless mending. Shoulder pad, upper arm, and lower arm leather pieces fit in surprisingly well to the pink and purple dress that Kaelyn had chosen once she changed from her riding gear.

As the merchant studied the design, Kaelyn cast a glance around for her brother, spotting a woman in a beautiful red dress down the aisle that seemed familiar.

[Tomas Flowers]

Tomas was there, looking at... something. Too many people. Too many he didn't know. So, he focused his attention on the merchant's wares.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn came up behind Tomas. "Do you see anything you like, or are there just too many people?" She smiled kindly at him, sharing his aversion to crowds, even if not to the same extent or for the same reasons.

[Tomas Flowers]

He didn't like the crowd. But he didn't want his sister to worry about him. "Oh. No. I always wanted one of those." He points to a random item on the table. He looks and realizes he is pointing to a small cooking pot. Redbark is sitting there, but very interested in all the new smells.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya drifts closer. Her interest in the market stalls is pure consumerism; there is nothing she needs, but the desire to purchase something leads her to examine several brightly coloured ribbons. As the nears the pair, she realises that they are the same youths she had seen that morning amongst the pavilion tents. The Lord Commander didn't have any children touched by greyscale and, as she observed the two interacting, she wondered who they belonged to.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn moves a bit closer to the woman in red. She was obviously Dornish, making Kaelyn wish her mother had been able to come since Father had taken ill on the way to the Tourney. She was nearly certain that she'd seen this woman at Dunn events. Were they related? Kaelyn was far too shy to simply come out and ask. Perhaps she would make the approach?

[Tomas Flowers]

Tomas looked to see what his sister was looking at. He liked what he saw. Then, realizing he was staring, he blushes and his attention back at the cooking pot.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya chuckled to herself, the girl's shy, like a girl should be, not that Kaliya was that much older. Perhaps being married off so young had aged her a little prematurely, mentally anyway. Her exotic golden skin was fresh and dewy and youthful, and she was in good shape, not athletic by any means, but good for a Lady whose primary form of exercise was embroidery.

Moving closer, she smiled and gave a little curtsy, just a polite bob, her dress swished, the fabric flowing elegantly with the movement, "well met," she addressed both of them, "please allow me to intrroduce myself." Her accent was as thick as the day she left Dorne, "Lady Kaliya Rredding, though you may call me Kaliya."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn curtsied with practiced ease. Her Septa had been relentless in getting her to perfect the technique. "Pleased to meet you, Lady Kaliya. I am Lady Kaelyn, and this is my brother, Tomas."

She wet her suddenly dry lips, stroking Dahlia's feathers for encouragement. "Forgive me if this is forward, but your accent is Dornish like my mother's. Have you come from Dorne to attend this event?"

[Tomas Flowers]

Tomas bows at the introduction. He tries to keep his gaze towards the woman's face. It is a hard fought battle.

[Kaliya Redding]

"Not forrwarrd at all, dearr," the mention of Kaelyn's mother piqued Kaliya's interest. "Trruthfully, I have been away frrom my home forr much longerr than I would have liked. But my grrandmotherr told me that the blood of Prrincess Nymerria herrself rran in ourr family, so I will always be of Dorrne, no matterr how long I am away."

She smiled warmly to both of them, "and well met to you as well, little Lorrd Tomas." She was not oblivious to the boy's discomfort, from the looks of him he was of that awkward age, it probably didn't help that he was eye-level with her ample chest.

[Tomas Flowers]

"Um... I'm no lord, Lady Redding. I am Tomas Flowers."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"I should have mentioned that; my apologies. He is my half brother, but it's easy to forget. My mother Elyse is very accepting. After all, as they say in Dorne, he was born of passion." Kaelyn places her un-leathered arm around Tomas.

"You said Princess Nymeria?" Kaelyn's interest overrode her shyness. "I have read so much about her. I believe House Dunn boasts an artifact of hers. A spear, I believe. Lord Thaddeus is very proud of it."

[Kaliya Redding]

Laughing warmly, "with that mop of golden currls, I would not be surprrised if people mistook you forr for a Tyrrell." Responding to Kaelyn, "I would not rread too much into it. Everry family in Dorrne says they can trrace theirr lineage back to ourr warriorr prrincess. Prrobably that most of them can, a hundrred times rremoved."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn breathed a sigh of relief that she was sure the woman before her noticed. If there was one thing she learned about the Dornish from her mother it was how perceptive they were.

Lady Kaliya seemed accepting of Tomas which brought a genuine smile to Kaelyn's eyes. "Are you looking for anything in particular, my Lady? I thought perhaps to find a more... Elegant set of riding gear. The sets I own are more for function and less for showing."

[Kaliya Redding]

"No," Kaliya answered with a wistful smile, "I was simply feeling nostalgic for when I was youngerr. When I still wanted rribbons forr my hairr and I still believed that a handsome young knight might ask my favourr before a tilt. But I know what you mean, I brrought only the one rriding outfit with me, and I miss all the ones I left at home."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"Oh, I hadn't even thought of ribbons for that purpose. Perhaps I should get something. You should as well, my Lady. I'm sure there are many here that will find they desire your favor! You certainly look as though you are more than young enough to be asked."

Kaelyn dipped her head. "Please excuse me now, Lady Kaliya. It seems I have more shopping to do than I first anticipated."