[Handset] (Audio) ❅ The Third

[stonebird]

(Encrypted to Valdis)

May I speak with you privately about a certain matter...? (Her voice is prim, proper and to the point. She is hiding her hope in case she is destined for disappointment.)

(/)

What stories are common in your world? Were you raised with tales of adventure? Romance? Or tales meant for teaching?

(Books were an important part of her life at Winterfell - and she passed much of her time in King's Landing and the Eyrie with them as well. When Joffrey and Sweetrobin weren't bothering her, that is.)

Do you believe them true? I used to believe heroes existed and that all evil was punished. (Her tone is heavy with satire, though it is directed at herself.) Children are foolish.

Comments

audio;

[stonebird]

Why not? Everyone deserves the opportunity. (He has the better position - being a male.) Adoption would be admirable. There are many orphans in my world.

audio;

[michaeljangelo]

[He laughs weakly]

Where I'm from the only people encouraged to have kids are rich people. Everyone else is just mooching off the system.

audio;

[stonebird]

That isn't fair. What if you fall in love? I'm sure you would find some way to provide?

audio;

[michaeljangelo]

Love kind of wasn't really a card we ever thought we'd be dealt, let alone be able to play...if you'll excuse the metaphor.

audio;

[stonebird]

But you're kind. You deserve to be loved by someone.

audio;

[michaeljangelo]

[Mike goes uncharacteristically quiet.
This might be the nicest, and...possibly most cruel, thing anyone has ever said to him.]

....thank you.
You...you have a beautiful laugh, and the world should hear it more.

audio;

[stonebird]

(Some part of her is still searching for love. Maybe it exists. Maybe it's not for her. Which means that it should be cherished all the more by those that find it.)

I...I do? (She isn't used to compliments anymore. The beatings at King's Landing and the cruel reality Littlefinger paints have left her unsure.) You might hear more of it if you tell more jokes.

audio;

[michaeljangelo]

Oh? Is that a promise? Okay. Okay lemme see what I've got in the hopper, joke wise.
I'm not used to being asked to perform on demand, so...I can't promise a full belly guffaw.

[As luck would have it his mind blanks, and the first thing to surface with any clarity from the void is a little ditty about a man from Nantucket.

NOT APPROPRIATE!

Because of this the very next joke that comes to mind is the one he tells, if for no other reason than to keep himself from saying the first one.]

So a man goes to the movies, and when he sits down he notices that there's a turtle sitting a couple of seats away from him.

Surprised, he turns towards the turtle and asks him, "Are you a turtle?"
"Yes," says the turtle.
"What are you doing at the movies?" the man asks next.
"Well, I really liked the book," the turtle replies.

audio;

[stonebird]

I will do my best. (Promises are difficult - impossible - to keep, but she does want to laugh.) All I can ask is that you do your best.

(Her lips are already twitching at the edges. His concern is amusing - and sweet. She appreciates the effort if nothing else.)

The...movies? (Is it uncommon for a turtle to be at the movies? She has no idea. And what do movies have to do with books?)

audio;

[michaeljangelo]

[Mike whines a sound of self-inflicted frustration.]

Why do I keep forgetting that not everyone is from a place like mine?

Okay, movies are like plays? Are there plays? Like the theater?