[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

[stonebird]

Kind of you and I am grateful. (She knows an evasion when she hears one, yet she's not in a position to press him further.) Lord... Tony showed me the Seamstress's shop and I'm afraid I forgot all else. The rest of Keeliai is unknown to me.

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene starts snickering.] 'Lord Tony'? Oh, please don't call him that to his face. That'll just inflate his ego, and I'll have to be the one dealing with it.

Anyway, it's no trouble at all. I have some errands to run myself.

I guess you haven't seen the main market then, huh? Or...well, one of the foreigners, Iroh, used to run a pretty nice tea shop, but it's changed hands recently. [Recently in his perspective, anyway.] If you like, we can stop in a kedan-run one.

[stonebird]

I made the mistake of calling him Lord Stark and he corrected me. I am not accustomed to using first names. (Social problems - how important are they?) I would be happy to accompany you on said errands.

(She smiles at the offer.) That sounds like a nice end to a strange day.

I just realized he hasn't actually introduced himself I am SO BAD about that

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene nods.] You might have to get used to it. Most foreigners are from societies where we're pretty lax about our manner of address. Though I feel like some might like the flattery, others may not react so well.

Actually - where are my manners? I don't think I actually introduced myself in our earlier conversation. I'm Gene. Makes things a little less awkward if everyone knows who everyone is.

Haha it's okay!

[stonebird]

I think I embarrassed him. (She worries the inside of her lower lip.) I shall try to be less... (What is the right word? Polished? Polite? Noble?) I should hate it if people were uncomfortable around me.

(Her expression warms and she muffles a laugh behind her hand.)

Unless you propose we carry around signs with our names on them.

[wrathfulkhan]

[He smirks a little.] I have to say, that might make things a little easier.

Don't worry too much about it, though. We all have our quirks. People will get used to it or they'll ask you to stop.

[stonebird]

My world has different classes and those of the noble class never forget their manners or various titles. I know my father would be disappointed in me if I got a title wrong.

(Not that she would care, but that's another story.)

I can adapt.

[wrathfulkhan]

That's good. Being able to adapt is pretty important around here.

[He knows her pain about the parentals, though. He shrugs.]

We're bound to disappoint our parents, eventually, [he says. It's perhaps a credit to him that his voice doesn't waver. The subject of his mother is still raw.]

[stonebird]

Life has taught me that talent. (Thoroughly and without relenting.) I...

(A lump forms in her throat and she feels her eyes burning with unshed tears.)

...yes. We will. (She did. She does. And that's something that will never give her peace.)

they need to get together over coffee and talk about their shitty pasts

[wrathfulkhan]

[Oops. Well, now he feels bad for alluding to his manpain like that. He shrugs, tucking his thumbs into his pockets.] But they're not here, so who cares what they think, [he says, maybe a little too flippantly.]

You want to get that tea now?

if he can coax her into sharing her secret. ;n;

[stonebird]

(She gives him a shaky smile, hoping to give him the impression that all is well. Neither of them are in a position to help their parents.)

You care. (And so does she.) I would, thank you. Do you know if they offer lemon-cakes too?

answer: get them hammered drunk and talk about how awful their adoptive dads are

[wrathfulkhan]

[He frowns, and then says, very quietly,] I wish I didn't.

[Then, at a normal volume, as if he hadn't said anything at all:] You know, I've never checked. We can see. And if not, we can probably make our own.

[Does he know how to bake? NOPE! It can't be that much different from non-baking cooking, right? Right?!]

ahhh Sansa has never been drunk before... She'd spill the beans and then some.

[stonebird]

It would be easier, wouldn't it. (She bites her lip and gently takes his arm.) Are we going to become bakers too? I know how to cook a few dishes, but most of the baking was left to the servants.

trollface.jpg

[wrathfulkhan]

[Whoa what whoa why is this girl touching him. He's a little confused, but then he remembers she's from Ye Olden World and thus is probably accustomed to this. And, what the hell, why not. So he gamely strides forward, trying to be sure Alayne can keep pace with him.] I'm sure that would be another useful skill to learn.

[stonebird]

(It's meant more as comfort than anything more confusing. The Starks were an affectionate family and she grew up accustomed to gentle touches and hugs. Most of that has been eroded away by the Lannisters, but she can sense he's in pain.)

I shall have to keep track of all the skills I learn. It would be nice to know I could live on my own if it came down to it.

[wrathfulkhan]

[That is, perhaps, even more confusing. Physical affection is not so much something he's used to, even though he's been trying to acclimate himself to it. It hasn't been easy. He'd reflexively punched Tony several times due to an unexpected touch, but at least Tony could take a hit. Even if Gene did feel horrible afterwards.

And people trying to help him when he's in pain? Hahahahaha forget it.

You're an odd duck to him, Alayne. But he likes you.]

That's always a good feeling to have. I like being independent. Or at least, as independent as I can get here. [Annoyingly, he does still have to rely on others here. And, even more annoyingly, he was starting to not mind it.]

[stonebird]

(One of his punches would level her - in more ways than one. But Alayne is tentative about her movements. She doesn't latch on or act like he should put up with her touch. He's welcome to pull back at any time he wishes.

Despite her oftentimes polished noble pride, she is still awaiting a blow for even one misstep.)

I've never been truly independent. (She has been lonely before; she imagines that's not the same thing.) I wonder what it would be like to only depend on myself?

(Nice? A relief?

But lonely too. Always lonely. Her pack is gone.)

You must be strong.

[wrathfulkhan]

[OH GOD HONEY NO HE WOULD NEVER HIT YOU HE DOESN'T HIT GIRLS. UNLESS THEY HIT HIM WITH LASER GRENADES FIRST.

He shrugs a little bit at her judgment of his abilities.] I do what I have to do to get by. Independence is survival. At least, that's what I've found.

[The next few words sound a bit...melancholy.] But...it's nice to be able to depend on people, too. Even if you don't have to.

[stonebird]

(What is a laser grenade? She would be doing good to throw a rock at him...and not miss. So he's safe from physical harm in her presence.)

What would you do if the only way to survive was to conform? (Independence hasn't meant survival to her.) I was told once that the more people you love, the weaker you are.

[wrathfulkhan]

Then I'd conform, [he says, shrugging, happier talking about it in the hypothetical rather than dwelling on how he'd had to survive life with Zhang. He'd hated the man - still does - but if he'd been any more impudent and any less useful, he wouldn't be here right now.] For as long as it took for me to escape the situation. There are worse fates.

[Gene gives a bit of a start at her other words.] Now that I've found to be true, [he says wryly.] Cynical, but true. But it's worth it, I think. You end up weaker in some ways, stronger in others. [When you love, your heart is vulnerable, but you gain someone else to help you protect it. Those walls are stronger, in the end.]