[Console] (Video) ❅ The First

[stonebird]

(She waits until she is sitting primly in a chair, her back straight and her hair braided neatly over one shoulder. Appearance is everything - or so she has learned time and time again. No matter how uneasy she feels, she cannot show it. Alayne Stone won't break.)

I am new to the kingdom of Keeliai, but I have been well-informed. (A small smile - one which doesn't reach her eyes - follows before she continues:) My name is Alayne Stone and I am from a world called Westeros. Should my world sound familiar to anyone, I am eager to speak with you.

(Though perhaps not meet. The fact that is standing on her own hasn't escaped her. She no longer has Littlefinger's protection.

The next part is strange to word, so she decides to just say it.)

Is it true that we are on the back of a giant turtle? I find that hard to believe. Even the largest of turtles are not spacious enough to hold a world, surely?

(What happens when the turtle turns the wrong way?)

Are there other creatures of such a considerable size? I should like to avoid the predators.

(The turtle should avoid them too.)

There are items which I will eventually need. Where might I procure them? Is there a market and some sort of currency?

(Yes, she knows she needs to focus on the things she can control. Otherwise... Otherwise...

She will lose the hope she has been able to retain.)

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

[Almost as though he doesn't realize he's speaking aloud:] Some turtles are bigger than you'd think...

[More normally:] The kedan gangs are what you most need to watch out for. The catch is they can look like anything.

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[stonebird]

(She backs away from the console, one hand clutching her throat. So much for composure!)

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[stonebird]

(But, after a moment, she comes to the conclusion that she has met far scarier monsters in the guise of men and women. Maybe this...other turtle...isn't so bad? There is something pleasing about his voice, at least.

She collects herself, rights her chair and dips her head in greeting.)

Forgive me, ser. I did not know the truth behind your words.

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[stonebird]

What do you mean by "they can look like anything"? The limitations of this world seem to be few. (Yet her mind rebels against the idea.)

[i_speak_softly]

[Yeah, he gets that a lot. Still discouraging, but he decides to ignore it.]

They're shapeshifters. They can change their appearance at will.

[royalguard_style]

Of course the turtle isn't that big. There's other things floating around in this ocean, you know.

[Yep, he missed the point.]

But that's the only big thing around here anymore. At least, I'm pretty sure there isn't anything that big around these parts anymore... It's kinda boring, really.

[stonebird]

(She visibly deflates, clutching the fabric of her skirt in her slender hands. No, overcome your fear. You need information even if the truth is frightening. You have endured before. Though, to be fair to her racing heart, she had never been in a situation like this before.)


Are they a danger to us? (It seems likely that they are.) Do you really find that boring, ser. To me, that is a relief.

[royalguard_style]

The other turtles? Nah. They're the sweetest little...[Wait, that's wrong.] big guys anyone's ever seen.

It's a relief, sure, but the occasional monster can be fun sometimes. Nothing that could actually hurt anyone, of course. Just something big enough to make things interesting.

[Yes, he is insane.]

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[wintershepherd]

[ Hi Alayne, have a very pale, very blue eyed guy looking extremely thoughtful. ]

Westeros, I could have sworn I've heard that before. Give me a second, it'll come to me.

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[stonebird]

(She stares back with equally blue eyes, expectant despite her determination to stay in control.)

I am most curious to hear.

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[wintershepherd]

[ It does take him a minute, and then he snaps his fingers excitedly. ]

I remember! The dragon lady said she came from there, the one with the huge string of titles. And there were two other guys too, a knight and a king. Your world has an awful lot of royalty, by the way.

[ Then his gaze settled into something more serious. ]

But they've been gone from here for about a year and a half now.

[highprofilerichkid]

Actually, the turtle isn't holding a whole world - it's more like a small continent. We're still on a regular planet. There's an ocean on the planet and a turtle on the ocean, and we're on the turtle. [Tony flashes a smile, trying to appear friendly and reassuring.] We haven't run into any continent-sized sharks yet, so I think we're safe.

There's a market, but money's a little tight these days. The other foreigners can probably lend you stuff if you need some things to help you get on your feet, though.

[stonebird]

(It makes sense - the explanation is clear and concise - yet she finds herself at a loss. She has nothing to compare this world to; nothing to prepare her for the dangers it might bring. Swallowing her uncertainty, she tries to smile, faintly.)

I should hope we avoid them completely. (Now onto more domestic issues.) I have only one dress and one set of undergarments. I should like to stay clean.

[highprofilerichkid]

Don't worry, it's extremely unlikely than an M-class planet could support the physiological and metabolic requirements of a predator big enough to eat Tu Vishan, [Tony cheerfully assures her.]

I'm sure we can scrounge up a couple juulan to get you some clothes. There's laundry and food here at the hotel, too. And Anton will give you a room if you can do some kind of work to pay for it.

[video]

[gathersnomoss]

[have a person who appears to be made of blue stone]

So far, there doesn't appear to be any large ocean predators. The turtle we're on appears to be the largest living thing in the ocean.

There used to be patches of shell exposed, but they aren't very common any more. It's a good sign; that means the land is recovering.

You might have to borrow things for a while; the kedan are a bit mistrusting of us, so it'll be hard to find a job.

[video]

[stonebird]

(She should be prepared for anything. Every time she repeats that litany in her head, she is proven wrong. She's not prepared. Why does he look like that? Thank the Seven for her foresight in sitting down.)

I have never held a job, per se. I am skilled in knitting and other domestic arts. (How much help will that be while they are on the back of a turtle?) Do you think the turtle knows of our presence?

Re: [video]

[gathersnomoss]

[Zel's used to discomforting people with his looks, sadly enough. If anything, his time on the Turtle was an unexpected break that let him relax a bit.]

Those are useful skills. A lot of the Foreigners here don't know a thing about where clothing comes from beyond 'something about fabric'. Even I really only know mending.

The turtle... it's hard to say. We thought so, but it was something else masquerading as the turtle in dreams. We defeated that last year, but we don't know how much of the turtle is left. Mentally speaking; he's still alive.

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[inkulcation]

[Appearance is, if not everything, then certainly a good portion of it. China approves of that composure, at least, though the girl could use a little more practice. Even so, it's enough to make her at least passingly curious, enough to respond.]

The turtle holds only a city, my dear. You may see the edge of the shell, if you're curious enough to make the trip.

But he appears to be unique, so there should be no need to fear for the predators. I understand the only entity that could pose a threat to him was killed about a year ago.

[A pause. China tips her head just a little, offers Alayne a kind smile.] There are both markets and currency. Has no one been considerate enough to explain things to you yet?

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[stonebird]

(Too much has happened - seemingly all at once. Her Aunt had been pushed to her death not that long ago and she was only beginning to adjust to her life in the Eyrie as "Alayne" before she was deposited on Tu Vishan. China's voice catches her attention - though she can't say why. There's something interesting about it and she leans in closer to the console.)

I fear I lack the bravery to do so presently. (There is no lie in her words. Her pale features give her emotions away.) I do not think many worlds could sustain another creature of his size.

(She wonders what he looks like from above - far above.)

It must have been an impressive predator. How was it killed?

(With the way Dante had spoken, she has a feeling the residents had something to do with it.)

I have spoken to...some. (Truthfully, she had fled from everyone at first.) I do not mind working, but I have never done so before. My father saw to my care.

(Both fathers, actually. The real one and the fake.)

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[gistful]

Greetings, Lady Stone. I am Anton Shudder, proprietor of the Midnight Hotel. I have a small collection of donated clothes available should you need them, though I'm afraid I cannot guarantee anything as to their sizes.

[Most of them are forfeits from people who tried to break the Hotel's rules or skip out on payment, and most of those tended to be men; but still, something may be possible until she can find the means for others.]

You should be able to find seamsters in the Earth Sector, however.

As Master Stark has told you, I have rooms available in exchange for work. I've a number of helpers for cooking, but you say you knit and sew? I would welcome the aid in linen and upholstery repair, and will of course reimburse you for any overtime.

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[stonebird]

(She smiles in welcome, having been informed of him by....Tony Stark? The name makes her heart clench, but she holds herself together. The Starks no longer hold any meaning in her life. She can be Alayne Stone here without any fear of being discovered.

Unless, of course, someone arrives from Westeros. But that's a worry for another day.)

It is a pleasure to meet you at last, my lord. (Her head tips forward gracefully.) I do not have need of a seamstress. I could make another dress from spare fabric should you have any on hand.

(Her eyes widen slightly and she nods.) I would be glad for such work. You have my gratitude.

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[wrathfulkhan]

Welcome to Keeliai, miss Stone. Though I wouldn't call it a kingdom in the earshot of the kedan. They're not overly fond of the former Emperors.

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[stonebird]

What should I call it, ser? I made no mention of an Emperor. To me, a King or Queen rules a kingdom.

[video]

[theideaguy]

[Sokka starts off rather conversational, as if this sort of conversation has been had many times before.]

You know, I felt the exact same way when I got here, too. I mean, a giant lion turtle might have been somewhat easier to swallow. But a giant turtle? This place has the craziest things.

[It should be obvious that Sokka's primary concern isn't the size of the turtle.]

But hey, I guess welcome to Keeliai. Just make sure not to upset the local populace... which unfortunately seems easier to do each day that passes.

[video]

[stonebird]

(She looks bemused by his answer.) How is a giant lion turtle any different from a giant turtle?

(Granted, she has no idea what a lion turtle is or what it looks like.)

They will not take kindly to yet another outsider. Their mindsets are petty, yet I have seen behavior of that sort before.