merycm

[merycm]

"That is fine.", she assured Lady Blackwood. "There's plenty of time for a small talk." Meryem was not as familiar with those who resided beyond the confines of the reach. She had consistently maintained her residence in Oldtown and restricted her social circle to her home. Although the conflict was a terrible event that had befallen Westeros, it still afforded her the opportunity to interact with individuals with whom she would not have had to. "I concur. It is always beneficial to breathe in fresh air. There is scarcely any activity available anyway", she added. "How do you fare, my lady?"

"Oh? You were? Forgive me, I did not mean to keep you from going home. I do not mean to keep you." Daella offers the other a shy smile but not looking her in the eyes. "I have-- I have been cooped up indoors for far too long. It is best that I spend some time outside in nature from time to time." @merycm

[merycm]

@fyrebrandd

Meryem was intent on establishing a relationship with the woman who would soon become her goodsister, while the rest of her family appeared preoccupied with the war. The fact that the woman in question was a princess was somewhat beneficial. No matter the rebel actions of House Velaryon, the Targaryens had a strong claim to the throne due to their long-standing rule over Westeros. The addition of a princess would certainly increase the prestige House Hightower enjoyed in the reach.

"Are you certain that the princess confirmed her presence?" Meryem inquired of her handmaiden as they awaited Helaena's arrival. The handmaiden had extended an official invitation to the Targaryen princess, expressing her lady's desire for them to break fast together in Meryem's chambers that morning.

[merycm]

After taking a short stroll, Meryem was making her way back to her quarters. After the sun went down, she felt uncomfortable being outdoors. Lady Hightower halted her feet to greet the Lady Daella the moment she caught sight of her. "I was actually on my way back," she confessed with a slight nod of her head. "Have you been for long here, my lady Blackwood?"

open to all in kings landing

location: the gardens

The legs of the butterfly gently tickled Daella's hand as she let it walk across her fingers and palm, and a smile on her pink lips faintly appeared. Daella has spent most of her days cooped up inside reading books about old Valyria or playing the harp that she has had since she was a little girl, all in an attempt to distract herself from the conflict between her family. It is late in the evening and the sun sets; she analyzes the winged creature's-colored wings. Movement caught her attention, and she turned her attention to whoever was coming. "What brings you out here so late?", she asks out of curiosity.

[merycm]

( devrim lingnau , twenty-five , female , she/her ) : ANNOUNCING !! lady meryem hightower of house hightower hailing from oldtown. they are known to be affable & benevolent but also, mealymouthed & phlegmatic across the realm. there are faint whispers that they support house targaryen alongside their house.

Bio:

Lady Meryem Hightower is her father’s second biological child. Though merely a half-sister to her elder brother Emir. Her mother is Lord Nickolas’ second wife, who became a widower following the death of his first.

The lord and his second lady wife had no further children, which strained their relationship over time. The “spare” that the lord had hoped for was rather a shy, reticent girl. The marriage would get so contentious that the lady of Oldtown would decide to leave her husband. Not in front of the Seven, of course, but she couldn’t take his presence any longer. As a result, when Meryem was only ten, her mother left Lord Nickolas and returned to her maiden home. She had hoped to take Meryem with her; her father did not love her that much, but in his fury and derision, Lord Hightower dispatched his men after his wife’s wheelhouse to retrieve the small child from her mother’s arms. He had his servants bring the word to his wife that it was his daughter. Meryem belonged to him solely.

Because of her early age, she was easily manipulated, and her father would tell her lies about her mother in order to ensure that Meryem never wanted to reunite with her. While never actually forming a true, close, loving relationship with her father, the girl would still listen to him and do as she was told. She was obedient during her lessons and kept a respectful social behaviour, though she would rarely ever travel outside of the reach.

Meryem, now a full-grown highborn lady, is known for her benevolence, kindness, and piety. The last being heavily impacted by an accidental encounter.

It was a few years ago when her carriage broke down duright nightfall. The driver was feeling tired and lazy, he didn’t wish to continue driving throughout the night. Meryem was on her way to a friend at a different part of the reach. The man pointed to the whorehouse which was right in front of them. He tried to convince his lady to spend the night, just to sleep, nothing more. As no inn was in sight. Meryem stubbornly refused. She didn’t even wish to come out of the carriage. She would go on to say that she would rather stay in the middle of the road, than to share the same space with lewd and shameless women.

The madame of the brothel had come outside to welcome them, along with a couple of the girls working there. She saw it as a way to earn some good coins, by hosting a highborn lady. One of the girls took offence to Meryem’s behavior, and she brazenly walked up to her and shared her story. The girl would go on to tell Meryem that she had no parents to raise her, while her relatives did not wish to take her in as she was no more than another mouth to feed. The brothel had been her only chance of survival. Meryem felt pity for the girl. So much that she decided to postpone her trip and instead took the girl to the motherhouse by the Starry Sept. By making a generous donation, Meryem convinced the Mother to accept her as a novice and teach her to read and write. As word spread about what the lady had done, other poor, young girls approached her, wondering if she might help them become eligible to study for septas. It was better than what they had had until then. This garnered her the support of many people who dedicated their life to the Seven. She finally became acquainted with the High Septon and had regular written correspondence with him until the war.

Her reputation of piety only arose in recent years, while kindess and benevolence had long followed her, though they do have their limits. She does not offer help, unless approached and she judges people for their past actions, based on how “repentant” they are.