Festival of Roses

The gardens had been filled with tiny lanterns that glittered and sparkled amongst the flowers, lending the whole area an almost mystical quality. As the night grows later, the gardens become quieter and quieter, the guests drifting away to the beds. Sitting in one of the many garden chairs scattered about, his feet up on the table, and picking his nails with the end of his dagger is Cortney, the stern-faced Stormlander.

Alicent was restless. Having gone to sleep so late, she still had quite a bit of energy left soon. She sighed and reflected that it would be hard to get to sleep. But as disrupted as it had been she might at least be able to... later, anyway. For now, she decided to pay a visit to the gardens, pulling her hair down into loose waves from the up style she'd had it in when she was in the hall. In the darkness, it resemble the silver of the moon lighting on ocean waves.

It was surprising to see someone else there so late, with the colors of the greenery and flowers less visible. She paused to curtsy politely to the man. "Good evening."

Cortney raised an eyebrow. He did not smile, but he had the courtesy to get to his feet and bow. He was clean shaven, unlike the majority of the festival goers, the beginnings of a rash showing either side of his adam's apple from having to shave in cold water, without the full luxuries of home. "Cortney Penrose," he offered.

Stone-facedness always threw her off a little, but she smiled at him anyway. "A pleasure to meet you, milord. Alicent Feyther. If I may, what brings you out to the gardens so late?"

Scratching at his jaw, "things were getting a little too stuffy for my liking in there. I suppose I must have lost track of time."

She nodded in agreement. "I admit, it was a bit the same for me... more in the number of people than the air for my own part. It can be a bit challenging to step out gracefully."

"Won't you sit?" he offered, "the air is cool, and you can hear the river. I find it quite pleasant."

"Thank you," she smiled warmly at the invitation and spreads her skirt under her to sit comfortably next to him. "It is nice out this evening, you're right." She closed her eyes. "It reminds me of listening to the ocean at home."

That earnt another raise of the eyebrow, "strange, that's just what I was thinking."

She opened her eyes and looked toward him with a smile. "House Penrose... That's... Parchments, isn't it? Almost straight across to the opposite coast," she mused thoughtfully. "It's a comforting sound."