[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]

(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.]