House Avalon

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The wealthy and controversial inn, which was built two years ago on the site of the even more controversial Mally's, is the most luxurious and handsome rooming house in the city. Situated on Aegon's Hill, it is not far below the Red Keep itself, and it is known for having astonishingly lovely maids and cooks.

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Sixteen-year old Dacey was the innkeeper these days. She had been fourteen years old when Mally's was burned down and Mally herself was executed, and many of Mally's old girls had scattered, some to lesser brothels. Dacey had taken a job at House Avalon when the Black Bastards rebuilt it, and when the Black Bastards had been destroyed, Dacey quickly took over the running of the inn, along with three older women. She was a sharp, quick-minded girl, and had learned a keen business sense from watching Mally Avalon herself.

[sethgreyjoy]

OOC: Just thought I would point out that the Black Bastards weren't destroyed, only half of them.

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OOC: Sure, but now it's your job to finish the work and destroy the rest of them.

Dacey kept herself busy running the inn. She was a smallish, slender girl, with long soft red curls, and very pretty - if she hadn't been, Mally would never have taken her in at thirteen. The women ran the inn with the help of Joseth the armorer, who had married one of the girls. After the the gold cloaks had come down hard on the Black Bastards, the gangsters had left House Avalon alone and were no longer involved in it.

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Although she was staying at Bronzehall, Aranya Royce dropped into the infamous inn - she had finally learned who Mally Avalon was - and ordered a Courtesan, the drink House Avalon was famous for. It was made from golden brandy, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice and finally a small piece of the yellow rind of a lemon was twisted to release the oil.

Aranya sipped it cautiously, and found that she rather liked it. The innkeeper, young Dacey, came to greet her and the girl seemed polite and friendly enough. And sharp too, Aranya thought.

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Word of the arrival of a particular litter outside the House reached Dacey only a scarce two minutes before the litter's occupants came through the door. In this case, there were three: Emelia, Timm, and another Dornishman in guard's uniform. Only Timm bore an obvious weapon, but then, Dawn was probably more than he should be carrying in such a place anyway. The Princess began to step towards the bar, her face carrying only an unreadable hint of a smile.

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All heads turned as the Princess of Dorne entered House Avalon, and whispers broke out among the other guests, most of whom were nobleborn. Everyone knew the history that swirled around Princess Emelia and Mally Avalon.

Young Dacey hurried to greet the Princess, curtseying deeply. She was well dressed and beautiful, but seemed genuinely respectful. "We are deeply honored by your presence, Your Highness," the young innkeep said, bowing her head as she curtsied. "Please allow us to serve you and make you comfortable." She bowed her head to Ser Timm as well. Joseth the armorer and his wife, who also ran the inn, also hurried over to bow to the Princess.

Aranya hailed Emelia over. "Well, look who is here. Come and have a drink with me, Princess. They do them very well here."

"Let me escort you to the bar, my lady," Dacey said. Her voice was sweet and girlish, yet oddly mature - she sounded at once older and younger than Mally Avalon.

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia smiled coolly at Dacey. "Of course." She allowed herself and her companions to be escorted to the bar, and planted herself on the seat next to Aranya. She seemed completely unaware of the subtext around her arrival in House Avalon, but as she reached her seat she let out a deep breath. "I'll have whatever Aranya's having," she said to Dacey.

Timm and the guard echoed her request as Emelia glanced to Aranya, mustering up a smile. Her eyes bore the look of someone who had not had much sleep in the past few days.

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Dacey glanced at the bargirl, who took the hint and moved away to serve the next customer. Dacey herself mixed the drinks for Lady Royce and Princess Emelia, and for Ser Timm and the other Dornishman.

"You're all drinking Courtesans?" Aranya snorted. "It's the best drink in the house, apparently. But we should be adventurous. Dacey, what else do you have?"

"Whatever the Princess would like, my lady," Dacey replied as she served Ser Timm and the guardsman. "Our other popular drink is the Scarlet Harlot."

Aranya grinned at Emelia. "You want to try it?"

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia smiled wanly. "Certainly," she responded. "Just so long as it won't blast me out of my seat too fast. It wouldn't do to appear in Council tomorrow with a hangover." She nodded to Dacey.

She smiled at Aranya. "So how's Duskendale? Quiet enough after I turned this place upside down for you?"

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Dacey grinned impishly. "It was made with the fires of Dorne in mind, my lady. I don't think it would give you much of a hangover." She poured three shots of white rum, one shot of lime juice and pomegranate juice - which turned the drink dark as blood - and three dashes of angostura and some strange pepper. Then she slid the tumbler over after garnishing it with a mint sprig.

"I don't know about Duskendale yet," Aranya said as she drank. "I mean to head back soon, now that I am free again. But Rhod told me of the betrothal between my asshole coz and your sister. I was happy to hear it. I've told Rhod often that I've long wanted a friendship between your family and mine."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia sipped the drink carefully, her lips puckering but otherwise not changing in expression. "Not bad," she responded to Dacey as she considered the taste, her other ear listening to Aranya's statement.

"I was aware you and your dear cousin weren't on the best of terms, but then..." She smiled. "I suppose Jon would have been desperate for any wife he could get, and I was likewise interested in seeing the Royces become my kin in fact as well as in heart." She brushed silver hairs back behind her ears. "Especially with another family of my kin in such tatters. Though Randal has made an impressive comeback, I must say."

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Dacey smiled at the compliment. "It's on the house, Princess." The company was served a platter of skewered meat in the Dornish fashion. Each skewer had swordfish, lamb, chicken and pork, grilled, lightly seasoned and basted in olive oil, and separated on the skewer by Dornish bell peppers, as well as onion slices. Aranya took one and signalled for another drink.

"My dear cousin," Aranya smiled. "He's not such a bad boy, really, just an arrogant one. He is capable of deep love, you know. Many years ago, when he was about seventeen - seventeen! And now he's twenty-seven - he fell in love with a common girl named Taena. Apparently Allard Lannister raped her, and Jon never forgot that. He wanted to kill Allard, he had such deep anger over Taena, but then Miles Oldflower robbed him of that pleasure.

"I think he would show your sister the same devotion, especially if she's anything like you. Jon is a fool for strong, aggressive women."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia nodded to Dacey, beginning to nibble at one of the skewers. She chuckled at Aranya. "'fraid to disappoint him on that score. She's a much sweeter darling than I ever was. But then, I imagine she'll still be more aggressive than most of the women who've had him. And probably better for him than Anya."

She sighed at Aranya. "Though I probably shouldn't insult Anya so. She's also not a bad sort...better than most of those present at the Council."

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Aranya laughed. "My friend, I'm sure Doria is worlds above Anya, especially if she is as sweet as you say. She'll do my dear coz a world of good, I imagine."

"What's wrong with the council? I haven't had a chance to visit the war room with these injuries, although I am much better of late. I expect there have been...disagreements. And you look tired."