xialigreenleaf

[xialigreenleaf]

starter for @devanitoland !! two mischievous friends reunite in the west and struggle to remain on their best behavior.

seldom does the opportunity to walk beside waters warm to the touch and xia-li has every intention of spending her day soaking up the western rays. she probably should have waited for the men her brother sent to keep her away from trouble, but knowing herself, she'd attract it just by standing in place for much too long. that's why nimble feet manuever quickly, closer and closer to the soothing sounds of moving water until the soft sand can be felt at their soles. this feeling is paradise, no matter where its located.

alcoves that she crosses paths with are given inquisitive glances, but not necessarily explored to their fullest extent. she would save that for the caves filled with smuggled wonders if she could seem to find them. a glimmer of hope (and a hint of the inevitable trouble) appears to her in the form a familiar dornishwoman who'd chosen the ocean as her destination. it seems like ages since they'd meandered around the makeshift markets and dens of yi ti, and despite the endless chiding from her brother upon return to fir hold, she regarded it as the most fun she'd had yet.

"is that-? it couldn't be. the devani toland gracing the shore of casterly rock. i should probably let the other nobles know to hide their finery... but we both know how much i love to see them scramble."

[xialigreenleaf]

"you wouldn't be the first to do so." amused hum prefaces words in a similar cadence. many agreed with her departed sister over herself more often than not during her time amongst them. xia-li had too many questions, toed too many lines for those who shared their religion to see her as a voice of logic when it came to the deities. not when she was notorious for finding the smallest of loopholes to excuse whatever indiscretions she couldnt bury. theres no secrets to hide on this visit to pray to her favored figure. in fact, she finds herself searching for the truth behind the events that took place that fateful day. but she wont press for it. maiden willing, he'd find his way to her understanding on his own. "she is more than the flicker of a flame, my lord. she is within all of us and whether or not she lights your candles, she will make herself known to you."

the next inquiry causes a brief silence when she passes by him, kneeling to give life to the candles arranged before her effigy. "don't we all?" sad excuse for answer, but it'll have to suffice. she'd rather stray from the topic of her own worries than display the vulnerability it took to admit them. "it is a simply gesture of my solidarity as a descendant of yi ti as well a kindness that i believe you're being robbed of. i understand what they all speak of," gestures vaguely towards the threshold she passed on her way in that lead to the droves of gossiping mouths. "but i've yet to hear it your account firsthand.. and i'd like to. perhaps the maiden might come to listen to it as well."

There was a subtle shift in his stance when he saw it was the Greenleaf lady who entered the temple. Thought perhaps it was before her, both a fellow Northern subject and one of YiTish heritage, that he ought to have appeared as composed and steadfast as possible. She had come to him with a request not long ago, an underlying sense of subtle vulnerability in her words, in her demeanor. It was Ren who appeared to have taken that role this time.

The soldier turned lord, the prince turned outcast, didn't say anything when she stated she would like to join him. Ren simply smiled softly, a ghost of a smile upon his lips, and nodded. “I must admit I take your sister's side on that, my lady,” he offered in a low tone, “If I light the candles myself, how will I know if the Maiden-made-of-Light is with me?”. Some would say it was a matter of faith, of needing no proof. But when a goddess could gift them such a reassuring confirmation of her unique, rare presence, why not be willing to accept it?

Renshu remained on his spot, standing with both hands at his back like a soldier at ease, watching the lady get the torch. Her words caught him off guard somewhat, for he'd never considered the point of view she offered now. The candles were for his deity only, not for him to touch, not for him to use. That was the belief he'd grown up with. He never considered they could become something else, a sort of beacon to guide the grace of the Maiden-made-of-Light —from the foreign realm she inhabited after being disappointed by mankind too many times— to meet the lost souls who needed her comfort, her light. “Do you need her divine presence, my lady?” he dared ask, meeting Lady Xia-Li's eyes for a moment. “Or is this a kindness you offer to me?”. She had heard what had happened. The whole North knew what had happened by now.

[xialigreenleaf]

When nobody wakes you up in the morning, when nobody waits for you at night, and when you can do whatever you want, what do you call it, Freedom or Loneliness?

Charles Bukowski

[xialigreenleaf]

"almost." answer is short, but far from simple and based in the observations she's made since her arrival. while the arduous journey brought on a bought of fatigue that the lady couldnt seem to shake, it wasnt so much that she missed the look upon aleks' face. not saddened, yet far from satisfied. she hardly expected a bright, toothy grin from a man whose familial roots were planted as deep in the north as their royal family. he had received such an honor, though, and here he is tucked away watching others have the fun she imagined he would be indulging in.

"this feast was supposed to be a celebration," hand grips the elusive yitish bottle and she mutters a sarcastic 'thank you.' before shes indulging in it herself. "you, however, look as if you're mourning. care to share why?" its not so much of a question even if its structured that way. she would get it out him one way or another.

who: @xialigreenleaf where: in a corner of the feast hall at greywater watch

Aleksander was well aware he'd been hogging the bottle - but it had been a gift, hadn't it? With one arm slung around it, he threw a glance over at Xia-li. The feast was still in full swing, boisterous laughter, noise and yelling. All the while the two of them were sat at the side, passing a bottle of yitish ale back and forth. Well, mostly. Aleksander was doing a fine job of trying to keep most of it to himself.

Smacking his lips, he took another swig before passing it back to the Lady. "I'd say this was a success so far, wasn't it?"

[xialigreenleaf]

"worry not, my lord. i do not wish to disrupt your prayers." soft cadence doesnt have enough bravado behind it to reverberate off the freshly constructed walls of the temple. boisterous personality presents itself in every other setting aside from one like this. she felt as if she had an agreement with the ancestors, gods and goddesses that looked down upon her in the sacred space. so long as she came to them quiet and respectful, once out of her day, they would continue to smile upon her as they had for most of her life.

or perhaps she was led here for another purpose. she's heard talk of what went on between the lady meera and the defeated lord who stood a few paces from her. rumors that she caught the tail ends of struck a chord in her mind from tales told to her as a child. typical behavior from xia-li would see her bluntly searching for the truth, leaving little time between inquiries to give her an answer that would suffice. this situation is far from tyoical though, and so she opts for a more delicate approach. "i would be happy to join you, but only if we can brighten it up a bit in here. its too nice a day to dwell in darkness" brief attempt at eye contact when she makes her way towards a flickering torch upon the wall beside them. back is turned for a moment before she turns carefully with two lit candles in either hand.

"yanlin used to snap at me when i lit the candles myself. 'those are for the spirits, the gods to light, not you, shǎ hái zi!'" impressions of her sister elicits a grin from the lady of fir hold and she bridges the gap between herself and the newly appointed lord of sea dragon point. "but there are so many souls that cry for their help, for their guidance. whats the harm in guiding them to the ones who need it most?" one might think she's referring to herself when she extends a candle towards him, but her gaze paints another picture. the heaviness in his being speaks almost as loudly as the empathy her tone holds.

Open starter (0/3) Setting: Following the killing of Lady Meera Karstark, Jin Renshu remained in the North while others travelled south for the coronation of King Jaehaerys of New Valyria. This is set once the Northern people have returned to their realm, and Ren hosts a feast in Sea Dragon Point to welcome back his king.

The temple for the Maiden-made-of-Light had been finished little after the civil war in the North came to an end. A sanctuary that was set just in time for the Lord of Sea Dragon Point to seek solace and guidance within it. He'd heard the words, he'd found all the signs in Lady Karstark's mad ramblings, and before he knew it his blade had met flesh. His actions had been certain then, justified, but now, with some weeks of separation from the fact, the lord doubted himself more and more.

Guests had arrived at this land that he now called home, a land he could call his. Ren found himself in the temple, knelt down before a painting of the revered goddess, surrounded by cold, unlit candles. She was not with him.

Ren heard footsteps of someone entering the temple, certain that it was one of his soldiers, a hailong, so he may go to the great hall. The feast was about to begin. The lord had to be there to greet his guests. “I'm coming,” he said in a low tone, getting up. As he turned around, however, he saw it was no brother-in-arms of his who came to look for him.

[xialigreenleaf]

closed starter for @yxuna !! xia-li invites her cousin to her chambers to spend time and chat over a meal during the festivities for the coronation of king jaehaerys.

delicacies of the crownlands left little to he desired for the yitish lady. despite her acceptance of the decadent meals provided by the royal court, she found it lacked the ability to fully sate her hunger and theres no doubt that the cousin she'd sent for a few hours earlier shared the sentiment. its the very reason why she requested that those accompanying her brother prepare dishes that were more familiar to their palettes. she was far too busy reading through the parchment brought within her belongings to find the passages that might mean the most to yuna.

eager eyes scan over the options covering the stretch of wood they would be seated at. succulent dumplings and fluffy rice enveloped in a steady rise of steam are sat next to two bowl, filled to the brim with broth, noodles and vegetation imported from the lands their ancestors once inhabitabed before settling amongst the westerosi. it took every bit of self control she could muster not to touch the tempting bowls of tangyuan and trays of wagashi that had made friends alongside each other at each end.

only when she hears the footsteps of her most cherished family member, does she snatch a flower-shaped sweet from its place on the table, ready to present as a welcome gift to her guest. "any longer and i might have eaten all this myself." said with jest as she wraps an arm around yuna, giving a tight squeeze before ushering her towards the enticing aromas.

[xialigreenleaf]

Kate Baer, from And Yet: Poems; “Idea”

[Text ID: “I will enjoy this life. I will open it like a peach in season, suck the juice from every finger, run my tongue over my chin. I will not worry about clichés or uninvited guests peering in my windows. I will love and be loved. Save and be saved a thousand times. I will let the want into my body, bless the heat under my skin. My life, I will not waste it. I will enjoy this life.”]

[xialigreenleaf]

"...that’s the paradox here: vulnerability is the last thing i want you to see in me, but the first thing i look for in you..."

• xia-li greenleaf • esfp • bold, impulsive, outgoing, witty, ego-driven, observant •

influences:

• summer roberts (the o.c)

• kenna de poitiers (reign)

• drea torres (do revenge)

• ty lee (avatar: the last airbender)

[xialigreenleaf]

ANGELABABY FOR TIFFANY AND CO (2023)

[xialigreenleaf]

Angelababy for Schiaparelli SS24 show at Paris Fashion Week

[xialigreenleaf]

farley lewis spring reverie (2022) \\ @stardustemotions

kofi

[xialigreenleaf]

anticipative gaze is fixed on the lord as he reviews what shes managed to scrounge together. xia-li thought it once to be undecipherable scribblings of a woman boiling over with rage, but he validates the work shes put towards her endeavor instead of handing the faded parchment back to her desperate grasp. "i had some assistance along the way." and while its true, she cant ignore the pride that twinges the corners of pressed lips. shes done all but set out on foot herself to compile her list, though the thought crossed her mind if ren were to decline. vengeance is worth more than any title that weighs on her shoulders.

"he has been searching for a long while and the north contains far more land than his men can cover. the way i see it, if we have more feet on the ground, then it leaves less places for these rats to burrow away." spoken swiftly, as if she's gone over it a thousand times before this encounter. the utmost care has been devoted to this matter and when he speaks, she has hope that its not in vain. "my brother has spoken highly of your accomplishments, my lord. it brings us great pride to see yet another from yiti rising to such heights." theres a sincerity in the way she speaks. she holds their homeland close to her heart, much more so now that shes begun learning more with her cousin. now that ren has gained his own lands, she's confident that sea dragon point will become a place that her family will find a familiar comfort. "your consideration of such a task is worth more than you know, whether or not you find yourself willing."

[xialigreenleaf]

@dancingshores

[xialigreenleaf]

𖥸 starter for @rosaaaryn, set in winterfell during relief efforts 𖥸

shes been here before. the sense of urgency, anxiety, and uncertainty that comes with times of war. xia-li was much younger when the dance began. a wide-eyed adolescent, who knew nothing of the threats loomimg in darkened skies. she'd lived her life in a rose-colored bubble for so long that when conflict struck the north, she could hardly make sense of the chaos that had ensued. shouldnt she be more prepared now that shes a woman grown? she's been here before. so why does she feel as shaken as she did then?

time to dwell on personal afflictions is few and far between for the lady of fir hold. there are refugees to tend to, people whose own fears far outweighed the ones that keep her hands in a subtle shake and a queen that depends on her help to comfort them. "your grace, a word if i may?" the ladys request is rushed, but she still feels relief in rosalyns presence. a particular picture had been painted for her of what a lady-in-waiting should be, one burned into her memory by parents and siblings alike. she was fully prepared to put on the same facade that she was forced to adorn when in the presence of her peers. that was until the discovery that her queen preferred who she truly was to the mask she'd broken and pieced back together so many times that it was nearly unrecognizable. she feels like herself in winterfell, she feels at home.

"your audience is requested to address the influx of refugees arriving. most of them have been placed and fed, but his graces men need guidance with their rationing."

[xialigreenleaf]

"wǒ jiùshì, i'm okay," eases back into their shared language. it's as much a part of her as the lungs that take in shallow breaths between words, "bié dānxīn. dont worry." reassurance is woven into her cadence, though it feels disingenuous. she hasn't truly been okay since the passing of her bear island family. a piece of xia-li's vibrant heart rests with yanlins spirit, and vengeance festers in its place.

footsteps follow the silent request, eager to lead her to what she hopes is trustworthy help. theres been little development in finding the remaining culprits and her impatience grows each day that they go without justice. "my brother and his men, as noble and competent as they may be, have had little luck finding the other four men responsible for the heinous crime against my family." carries in her sleeve a piece of parchment, creased from nights spent folding it in and out of its ornate shape. its her most important possession as of now, and she finds it hard to pass it in his direction. "i took it upon myself to gather my own information and these are my findings. last locations, though some may be rather old..." fidgets with the edges before commiting to placing it in his hand.

"i understand if loyalty to my brother compels you to decline, you are a man of honor, but i need justice far sooner than he has time to accomplish. all i ask is for help in tracking them to a current location. the rest will be dealt with."

[xialigreenleaf]

cavalier and cool demeanor is quick to melt around the dornish woman, lips quirking upward at the playful response shes given. there's little need for such an attitude when zahras in her presence, not when they've known each other in such ways that facades are impossible to keep up. "no need for flattery, qīń ài de. i believe it was my mother who told me i move with all the grace of a wet sheep and im inclined to believe her." chuckle laces through a humored admission. its true, she lacks the poise that her sisters possess and had she given as much of a care towards her status as she did conversing with the woman she lingers an acceptable distance from, it might have struck a nerve enough for change.

"the wine and the views are divine, i must admit. the people however," tongue clicks against the roof of her mouth, a signifier of her distaste for the forced company. chance to lounge in temperate weather was truly the only factor in her decision to willingly join her family in the reach. that, and the chance to cross paths with zahra once more. "let us say that your presence is a beacon of light in my dim experience. i have the gods to thank for the journey that brought you here. i've been feeling a bit deprived of dorne and all its delights." offers a hand that passerby might construe as friendly towards her. "walk with me, tell me all i've missed."

zahra offered a smile to the person xia-li was conversing with before they departed, no doubt realizing the northern woman's interest had been long lost, and now shifted to the dornish dancer. she felt for xia-li in that moment, not quite sure what it was like to feel it necessary to maintain such relationships, to have to consider a lifetime partnership in every unmarried lord she might cross paths with. zahra did not necessarily think a lifetime with someone was impossible, but it was also not a thing she had to worry for for the sake of her family.

"none who can keep rhythm as well as you do." she offered a wink to the other, enjoying the little phrasing game that came between them whenever their paths crossed. she found the other woman to be captivating in more ways than tangled up in silks, so regardless of what their visits entailed, zahra knew she would always enjoy them,

she practically glided towards the other woman now to close more distance between the two so their conversation may be more private to any wandering ears nearby. one arm crossed over her chest while another hand reached up to her neck, finger mindlessly running back and forth through the golden chain and pendant around her neck. "how have you been liking highgarden? a visit to check off of your list?"

[xialigreenleaf]

raven is en route to witch isle, scroll and clear indicator of its greenleaf origins accompanying it on its journey. / @yxuna

dearest moon child,

has the time yet come for you come down from your enigmatic corner of the world to grace the north with your presence? our time at the reach ran much shorter than i'd have liked and when you feel its safe for you travel, i request your audience in the heart of winterfell.

it is not fir hold, where we could spend our times reading the stories of our ancestors, but i've gotten my hands on some scrolls that may be of interest to you. we must keep them pristine, or my brother shall have my head.

prosperity & blessings,

lady xia-li ♡