The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

Cersei falls silent when her aunt turns to Jaime. She knows what she’s implying, and the thought alone makes her uncomfortable. Cersei is very well-aware of what is expected of Jaime: a wife, children, a respectable marriage for a respectable man who’s about to inherit a very large fortune, as well as a title.

“Jaime doesn’t need to get married,” she bursts out before she can stop herself.

There is an awkward silence around the table, following her outburst. She looks at Jaime, who has a curious expression on his face, then she turns to Genna, who’s looking positively confused. Or suspicious. She hopes it’s the first.

“That’s what you were talking about, isn’t it?” she resumes, trying to look unaffected. “He should broke free of Robert’s grasp and get married, and have children because of the title and everything that comes with it. Well he doesn’t have to,” she adds quickly. “We tried the family marriage once, and look how the Lannisters ended up. Tied up to the Baratheons, on the verge of disgrace.”

Her voice is urgent, the grip on her fork growing tighter by the second.

“Would you have him married to a Martell? Or worse, a Tyrell? And then risk it all again?” She swallows, and turns to Jaime again. “The estate can go to Joffrey, when the time comes. Or it can go to Lancel. There’s planety of proper Lannisters who can inherit, in the future. Why must it be Jaime’s children?”

Maybe her aunt would think it was a desperate attempt at saving the whole expanse of the Lannister estate for her own children, but the truth was that Jaime could not get married.

Not until Cersei lived.

Jaime ground his teeth at Genna’s obvious attempts to wound his pride. To anyone who didn’t know him, he supposed it appeared as if he was infallible in his loyalty to Robert but that wasn’t true. Not that it did him any good to say so.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little annoyed by now, but I’m not leaving unless I’m sure it’s the right decision.” He stated, but he knew how empty those words were, and that Genna knew the same. Leaving Robert wasn’t an option, never really had been with Cersei in the picture, and now with what he’d been asigned to do, he was in far too deep.

Cersei’s outburst surprised him - she was the one who was always going on about how they were supposed to act inconspicious, after all - and he turned to look at her with a confused look while Genna’s gaze flickered between the both of them questioningly. It was true, in a way. He didn’t need to get married, but it was expected of him.

He chuckled nervously, sending a warning glance in his twin’s direction when Genna wasn’t looking, before shrugging. “Well, I do enjoy the life of a bachelor, and I’m getting a little old to be desirable. Any woman I married might be too old to give me a child. And it’s not like there aren’t people who can’t keep the title in the family.” He thought of Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen, and wondered briefly how much of a claim they had to Westminster.In truth, the have the best claim, but that’s not exactly something we can bring up…

He waved his hand dismissively before looking across the table at his aunt. “I know you don’t much care about my preferences, aunt, but I’d rather we move on from this. Marriage isn’t a subject I feel like talking about today.” Or any other day.

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

Her time was running short, she knew she must be back at Downing Street in no longer than an hour, so she decided to make the best out of the little time that remained. “Do you think Robert will lose the Parliament’s confidence, Aunt?” she asked. “Tell it all, and tell it true, I’m tired of people telling me everything will be okay as if I were a sixteen year old. What is going to happen next?”

She turned to Jaime, and her anxiety over her brother doing Robert’s dirty job was clear on her features. She didn’t care much for war, she didn’t care if the people were sick and tired of RObert, and she didn’t care if they hated her almost as much as they hated her husband. She just wanted Jaime to be alright, and if the increasing protests were to be taken as a symptom of a greatess disease, she didn’t want her brother to be in the middle of it when it finally blew up in their faces full force.

Jaime didn’t know if he should be feeling quite as amused at watching his sister squirm under Genna’s harsh gaze as he was. Obviously he still felt sympathy for her, being caught in a rock and a hard place as she deliberated over their aunt’s conditions, but he discovered that Genna’s anger was quite funny when it wasn’t directed at him.

He watched, slightly amazed, as Cersei managed to acquiesce the older woman. If it had been him negotiating with their aunt she would have shot down all of his demands. Genna didn’t like his twin anymore than she did him but there was grudging respect between the two women. Respect he’d never quite managed to earn.

Cersei’s questions caused him to look down guiltily, taking a bite of his food that he had been subconsciously playing with. He’d been one of those people lying to her, trying to hastily clean up the mess Robert had created so that she and her - their - children wouldn’t have to deal with it later. And so, she turned to Genna, even though she knew exactly how Genna would answer. She was a woman who spoke her mind no matter how harsh her opinons might be and she never had a particularly high opinion of Cersei’s husband.

He could feel his sister’s gaze burning into the side of his head and he had to stop himself from letting their eyes lock. He could feel her concern over what he was doing for their family - not Robert, not the Baratheons, never for them - and he knew that if he let himself take in her worried features he would do something stupid like kiss her to try and remove such an expression from her face. He remained silent as Genna responded, barely registering the food he was slowly devouring.

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

Cersei was four when Joanna had died, and her memories of a motherly figure where scarce: Genna, however, had always been the next best thing. So she felt an outburst of pride when the demanding woman agreed with what she had said.

It was not like Genna’s approval was something she had ever sought: the only support Cersei had ever actually wanted had been her father’s. But still having someone in your corner didn’t hurt, in times like these. She knew she could always count on Genna to give her an honest opinion about the Baratheons she loathed so much, and even though it may not be always a realistic account, her thoughts were always somewhat refreshing.

She was so different from Tywin, who had been vehement in his support of Robert, and her marriage. Where Genna had spurred her to get a divorce, she knew Tywin would have frowned and told her to stop being stupid and fight to keep the union afloat for the greater good. But Tywin had lost sight of that greater good a long time ago, and she had seen her father’s certainties burst like a bubble of soap over the years. She had expected him to do something, to divorce himself from the cause if he didn’t want her to divorce from it. Instead he had done nothing.

She turned to Jaime and lifted an eyebrow, childishly showing off her being right over his being wrong. “Sorry darling,” she said, patting his hand as if she were talking to Tommen or Myrcella. She let her fingers linger briefly over his, before retrieving her hand. She realized she couldn’t wait to get back in that car and be alone with him.

“I’ll have the office working on the invitations as soon as I get back to Downing Street,” she continued, retrieving her Blackberry from her purse and typing quickly in order not to forget anything. “I will also need you to speak to Dad and tell him we’re gonna need Eaton Hall for, say, June the 2nd. That gives people enough time from Martell’s wake not to think we’re feasting over his corpse.” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing how authoritative she had sounded, and remembering who she was talking to. “Please, Aunt?” she added quickly, tilting her head to the side and batting her lashes.

Jaime gives his aunt a withering glare - one he hopes she doesn’t catch - when she barks an insult at him. It’s true, he’s never had much of a taste for politics despite being involved in them almost all his life. He quickly grew tired of the intrigue and backstabbing he saw - and took part in - but being a Lannister meant that he would never truly be able to escape it. He figured that at least if he can’t abandon the game, he might as well try and play it. Genna reminding him how hopeless he was at playing his part was not appreciated.

He clenched his hands into loose fists under the table and forced a polite smile in Genna’s direction. “You’re right, I’m not as well versed in this world as you two are.” But I still know things, he thought bitterly, I know things and I’ve done things that would make even your skin crawl, Aunt. If you really want to get rid of Robert, I might be your best asset.

He turned towards Cersei when he felt her hand lightly against his knuckles, rolling his eyes at her raised eyebrow. The tone she used was the same as a mother telling their child that the toy they wanted for Christmas wasn’t coming. She needed this, he realised. She needed this victory over him, even if it was only small. They were close for siblings, but just like any brother and sister, they had their rivalries. He smirked slightly as he felt her hand linger over his longer than necessary, reaching his fingers out to brush against hers as she pulled away. He would accept defeat, for now.

Nodding along with what Cersei said, he took a sip of his tea - cold, but he drank it anyway - and glanced at her once she was done. He bit his lip to stop from laughing at the slightly panicked look she wore after she realised just who she was talking to. Even his sister, the lioness of Downing Street, was not immune to their old aunt’s intimidating aura. He turned back to Genna, raising an eyebrow as he waited with Cersei for her reply.

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

“I’ll tell you something,” she exclaimed, her eyes shifting from Jaime to their aunt. “Let’s invite the Targaryens as well. Show people we are above the political fractions, and we’re just doing this for the charity… but instead we’ll give the Targaryens a show of just who they’re going against.”

The excitement bubbling up in the two women causes a small smile to come to Jaime’s face as he sips at his tea. When Cersei had asked him to come with her to see their aunt he thought it was going to end in an arguement. He definitely hadn’t expected for Genna to act amicable. The evening’s still young. He told himself as he placed his cup down.

At the mention of the Stark’s, the younger twin couldn’t help smirking at the idea of getting one over on them. Their families had never really been hostile towards each other but they had never been particularly friendly either, even when Cersei had married Robert. “I won’t say no to showing up Ned Stark.” He chuckled. When Jaime had left the Targaryens to join Jon Arryn, Ned had been the first person to voice his concern at his sudden change of heart. His input had made it even harder for Jaime to prove he had completely abandonned Aerys, and after that the scot still didn’t trust him. Not that he blamed him - if Jaime had been in his position he wouldn’t have trusted himself either - but he still held a grudge against the other man for making his transition to Labour more difficult than needed.

He almost rolled his eyes at the dissapointment lacing Cersei’s voice as she mentioned Doran Martell’s memorial. But her increasing enthusiasm made him smile slightly. Royal, she said. It was obvious she didn’t plan on sparing any expense when it came to the gala.

However, when she mentioned the Targaryens he tensed, frowning down into his food. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” He muttered. At Sansa’s birthday he had caught glimpses of the family but he had avoided being cornered by any of them. He didn’t think he would have such luck at an event hosted by his sister. “I mean…” He searched for a way to try and explain himself. “we all read the interview Viserys did. I doubt his family took it any better than Robert took yours. We don’t want their family problems overshadowing the event.”

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

She needed a change of subject.

“Aunt, speaking of influence,” she began, sipping the last of her tea. “What would you make of a charity gala? We could hold it at Eaton Hall, in the grounds, on behalf of the Organization. We could make it so grand people will be talking about it for weeks before, and weeks after. If we can’t save the Party, we can at least try and present it under a different light. Who could ever say no to a large cheque?”

His cheeks burn indignantly when Genna scolds him, placing the glass back on the table and pushing it away to avoid temptation, instead turning to his tea. If it weren’t for the shame he felt at being told off like a child in public, he would’ve replied with some sharp quip or snarky insult but he refrains. If he can’t get drunk enough to ignore the majority of the conversation, he can at least keep his mouth shut so as not to put his aunt in an even more foul mood.

Besides, he promised Cersei he would play nice.

He can’t help the slightly somber smile that spreads across his face when their aunt mentions Eaton Hall. Cersei is a prideful creature, all of the Lannisters are, and he knows she wouldn’t be able to bear the shame of crawling back to the estate after a failed marriage, even if Tywin would take her in. When Jaime came to inherit it, he wouldn’t judge her if she eventually did decide to leave Robert and would welcome her with open arms. He didn’t care that she would resent him even more for it.

The withering glance he gives in his sister’s direction went unnoticed. He understood the reasons behind her animosity towards their younger brother. The loss of their mother had been harder on his twin than it had been him, losing the only female she could really look up to in her youth, but the blame she placed on Tyrion had never been something he could fully condone. It was one of the things they differed on, and that knowledge only made him feel further seperated from her.

“That’s not a bad idea, sis.” He muttered, taking a sip of his tea and offering her a smile. He let himself stare a little too long than was safe, until he remembered Genna sitting across from them. Averting his eyes, he cleared his throat slightly and straightened himself in his seat as he hastily remembered his manners. “It will help take people’s minds off of the interviews, we might even be able to make Robert a few new friends.” He shrugged, although if he’d done his job right by hiring that Bronn fellow, it wouldn’t be necessary.

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

“I don’t want to file for divorce,” she said, looking up at her aunt. “It would not be dignified to do that in this moment of crisis. I don’t care for Robert, but I won’t give anyone a chance to say I jumped off the train just because it was about to derail. I’m a Lannister, I don’t back off.”

She never once looked at Jaime, but she hoped with all of her heart and soul he would understand the reasoning behind her words. 

Jaime was more than a little surprised at Genna’s rather blunt suggestion of abandoning Robert. It wasn’t like the thought hadn’t crossed his mind, or Cersei’s for that matter, but it was the first time he’d ever heard someone else voice the option.

Of course, he would be more than willing to give evidence of Robert’s affairs, but one look at Cersei told him that it wasn’t going to happen. Not while she had any say in it.

“I don’t want to file for divorce.” The words stung more than they should have. He knew that he shouldn’t have expected anything more from his sister. She liked the power she had as First Lady, in a way, she needed it, more than she needed her freedom from Robert or Eaton Hall. More than she needed him.

He ignored the tea that was poured and sitting next to his food, reaching for his wine glass and taking a swig that he knew would cause Genna to turn her nose up at him, but he couldn’t care less at the moment. “It’s an option worth considering,” he chipped in, unable to stop the hopeful glance he sent Cersei’s way from the side of his eye. “but not now. If Robert can somehow regain his power and influence, he’s still of use. If, however, he does crash and burn, I don’t think anyone would judge us too harshly. The media will still crucify us, whether we cut our ties with him now or later.”

For a moment, he almost felt like Tywin. It had been a long time since he felt like his father, and even longer since he had wanted to. “The political side of it is only one aspect.” He continued, taking a more reserved sip of his wine this time. “Robert still has friends in court, if Cersei left him now, whatever evidence we present to nullify the prenup could be easily overturned.”

He nawed slightly at his lip as he considered his next words carefully, flicking his eyes between Cersei and Genna and hoping this reason might be enough to sway Genna over to his sister’s side. “There’s also the issue of the children. Robert isn’t much of a father but he might try and gain custody just to spite Cersei.” He sat back and waited for their aunt’s response, glancing over at his twin to make sure he hadn’t upset her by bringing up the topic.

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

The wine arrives shortly after that, and the waitress pours it in their glasses; Cersei notices her hands are trembling slightly. As soon as the young girl is out of sight Cersei leans against the table, lowering her voice so that no one but Jaime and her aunt could hear.

“The situation is going downhill faster than I’d foreseen,” she says. “Euron greyjoy is out for blood, and if something drastic doesn’t happen in the next 48 hours, he might just have it. Robert will not step down quietly.” She sips from her glass before continuing. “I’m afraid things will have to get much worse before they get better. And there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Jaime watches the server leave, half pitying and half amused. The girl was an unfortunate victim of Genna’s frustration because she happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it didn’t make it any less funny.

He chances a furtive glance at Cersei when their aunt brings up the children. Joffrey and Tommen, specifically. Although more Joffrey, it always seems to come back to Joffrey, the ‘troubled child’ of the trinity of Lannister-Baratheon kids. If Cersei weren’t there he would’ve voiced his hesitant agreement that the eldest of his sister’s children can be a bit difficult at times, but then he doesn’t really have a right to judge. He did worse at Joffrey’s age.

He can’t help the smile that twitches the sides of his lips up and he’s thankful for the wine being poured, picking the glass up as soon as it’s filled to keep himself occupied and stop the grin threatening to split his face. Cersei’s answer left him feeling more than a little smug and sitting in the Savoy with their aunt watching them like hawk is really not the time or place to be thinking about how his twin’s children are more than mostly Lannister.

When Cersei lowers her voice, he lets out a sigh into his wine glass as he lowers it and clasped his hands infront of him on the table, leaning forward. Robert. He had expected the conversation to turn to the Prime Minister but he still approached the subject reluctantly.

Especially after Monday. Especially after what he had been asked to do.

“Euron is no real threat.” He muttered, shrugging slightly as he leaned his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his clasped hands. “But we all saw this coming, even if we didn’t think it would come from the Lib Dems. Robert doesn’t have the supporters to come out of this gleaming, unless he does something spectacular.” Or illegal.

The princess is here [May 23rd, closed to Jaime and Cersei Lannister] 

cersei-lnnstr:

She was furious. She didn’t wait for an answer, deciding that storming off would be better, or she would physically attack each of those people. She didn’t even bother checking if Jaime was behind her, too angered for words. She made her way to the bar, ignoring the hotel director who personally welcomed her to the Savoy. When she reached the tearoom she found Genna immediately. She stood out from the crowd, for her aura of superiority. Cersei wondered if that was what she would become.

She turned to look for Jaime, who was standing right beside her, and with a deep sigh they approached the table.

“It’s a jungle out there,” were the first words that came out of Cersei’s mouth.

It felt a little strange, to be sitting in the back of one of the escort cars for ones. Jaime was used to guarding, not being guarded, and it made him more uncomfortable than he would have liked to admit. He glanced at his watch and grimaced slightly at the time displayed. 3:02. Genna Lannister had always been a stickler for manners and puncuality, and despite his upbringing Jaime found it hard to be polite to people who disliked him and on time to events he could care less about. Tea with his aunt fell under both categories.

The camera that clattered against the window caused him to snap his head up and let out a weary sigh. He felt Cersei’s eyes on his back as he straightened his jacket and the car came rolling slowly to a stop. He had hoped, for once, that he could go somewhere he wasn’t forced to fend off paparazzi. Worse, was that Robert wasn’t there to overshadow him. His picture would more than likely end up in the papers along with his sister’s and aunt’s.

He stepped out of the car, doing his best to shield his sister from the flashing bulbs of cameras and microphones being shoved past the wall of guards lining either side of the path up to the Savoy. The questions shouted at them from all directions blurred together, and he did his best to block it out, but still all their voices buzzed around him like locust.

He saw Cersei dash ahead of him and into the relative safety of the building, following quickly after her once the guards managed to keep the rabble at bay. As soon as he entered he was greeted by his sister’s voice echoing around the lobby of the hotel, feeling slightly sorry for whoever had been the subject of her wrath as he jogged slightly in the direction of the tearoom, catching up with her just before she entered.

Their aunt caught his eye immediatly, and he couldn’t help the resignated sigh that escaped him. He never really got along with anyone in their family other than his siblings and family gatherings such as this were always a thorn in his side.

He followed his sister to the table, keeping silent as he pulled a chair out for Cersei to sit in before sitting down himself, chuckling a little strained at her observation. “You’ve got to admit, this is quite the spectacle.” He mutters, flashing his best grin at Genna.