![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Hey, Miss Stone. Alvin here--from a few weeks ago, remember? [He sighs.] Looks like my bakery guy went back to the sea before I could fish a cake recipe out of him, but I've got the other stuff you've asked for and a hell of a lot of fruit, besides.
The Hunters gave me a whole leather coat you can alter. That's easier than starting from scratch, right?
The Hunters gave me a whole leather coat you can alter. That's easier than starting from scratch, right?
[she was wondering why you hadn't come in for a fitting.]
Oh! Please, call me Alayne. Lady Alayne, if you prefer. That should only take me a day or two. I have found lemoncake recipes, but I could use some help in deciphering them, and of course your expert judgement.
Oh! Please, call me Alayne. Lady Alayne, if you prefer. That should only take me a day or two. I have found lemoncake recipes, but I could use some help in deciphering them, and of course your expert judgement.
Right, my expert judgment as a man who likes pies. You're in Cellar Door, right? The building with a tree growing out of it.
They're no more complicated to eat than anything else, at least. In any case, I'm just off my patrol shift, so I'll be there in a jiff. See you soon, kiddo.
[And in the promised jiff, Alvin does find the Rookery, sack over one shoulder, coat on his back, and broadsword buckled on. He offers a salute at the door.]
Alayne. How've you been?
Alayne. How've you been?
Good day, Miss Stone. [ he has a light male voice, with a diluted British accent. Scottish? ] We spoke last month about making a coat that could withstand fighting in?
I've gotten all the materials that are needed I think. [ with -- assistance. lots of asking assistance from some kindly older women running one of the textile shops. lots of literally bleeding for it. ] Would I be able to stop by for the fitting you mentioned and drop them off?
If you're still working on orders? With, ah -- the month being what it is.
I've gotten all the materials that are needed I think. [ with -- assistance. lots of asking assistance from some kindly older women running one of the textile shops. lots of literally bleeding for it. ] Would I be able to stop by for the fitting you mentioned and drop them off?
If you're still working on orders? With, ah -- the month being what it is.
[sansa smiles as she opens the door. she wears a fashionable grey gown with silver scale mail pieces nestled within the embroidery at her collars and sleeves. lady of course has a collar to match. and there's a new addition, a stoic bloodhound in a leather harness carved with branches to match his antlers and his name, 'knight.']
It's good to see you, Alvin.
[she closes the door behind him before visenya the batkitten can make a dash for it. she's still too little to be let out without the supervision of sansa's omen.]
I've been well enough. I hope you can say the same?
[she considers telling alvin her real name, but he has declared himself a sellsword, and until she has no need to be alayne stone under any circumstances, she'd better not risk it. it might be easier to look into the necromancers without the stark name attached.]
Could I get you anything to eat or drink? I have managed to purchase some biscuits from the store.
[this is an understatement. she has purchased a LOT of sweets.]
It's good to see you, Alvin.
[she closes the door behind him before visenya the batkitten can make a dash for it. she's still too little to be let out without the supervision of sansa's omen.]
I've been well enough. I hope you can say the same?
[she considers telling alvin her real name, but he has declared himself a sellsword, and until she has no need to be alayne stone under any circumstances, she'd better not risk it. it might be easier to look into the necromancers without the stark name attached.]
Could I get you anything to eat or drink? I have managed to purchase some biscuits from the store.
[this is an understatement. she has purchased a LOT of sweets.]
Oh! Of course. It's much better to sew than to sit around and worry.
[she had not been permitted sewing supplies in king's landing, except when she was able to use the tyrells'. it had been horrible and deathly boring.]
You might come by for a fitting any time before five o'clock. I can't promise I'll be around much after that, as I have lessons in the evening.
[she had not been permitted sewing supplies in king's landing, except when she was able to use the tyrells'. it had been horrible and deathly boring.]
You might come by for a fitting any time before five o'clock. I can't promise I'll be around much after that, as I have lessons in the evening.
[ He honestly couldn't agree more with that sentiment. It's half why he's a little anxious about the coat -- something is on the air, and he doesn't like sitting idle or unprepared. ]
Lessons? [ It's a politely thoughtful hum. ]
That's no problem, I can be by shortly. You mentioned before that there's a lamp location, right?
Lessons? [ It's a politely thoughtful hum. ]
That's no problem, I can be by shortly. You mentioned before that there's a lamp location, right?
Yes, you can ask the lantern imps for the Rookery.
[hers are all wearing elaborate outfits. she's not sure why he's asking after her lessons, and hopes it's because he's looking for some of his own. a pause.]
I take lessons in magic. It is rare where I come from, and I was not taught to wield it, before.
[hers are all wearing elaborate outfits. she's not sure why he's asking after her lessons, and hopes it's because he's looking for some of his own. a pause.]
I take lessons in magic. It is rare where I come from, and I was not taught to wield it, before.
Ehh, magic?
That's a very useful thing. Good luck!
[ Nope, it's entirely because he's just being friendly. It's just how he is. ]
I'll be by soon.
That's a very useful thing. Good luck!
[ Nope, it's entirely because he's just being friendly. It's just how he is. ]
I'll be by soon.
[ Custom? He blinks slightly at that, but gives a bright, quick "Mn!" before he leaves it at that and goes to collect all the materials before he heads over.
The outfits on her lamp friends are certainly hard to miss, and he blinks for a moment before smiling and giving them a small wave before stepping off and up to her door; like it's customary for him to.
She runs a business but it also looks like a residence; makes sense for a seamstress. Is it polite to knock first? Regardless, he's going to go with that. ]
Hello? Miss Stone? [ He has a large pack strapped to his back, and another smaller bundle under one arm. Stark white hair with a delicate-seeming scar or tattoo carved through the left side of his face and a bright red, beginning with what looks like a pentagram or a star on his forehead. The winged creature clinging to the back of his shoulder is a bit of a stand-out as well, bright gold with a faint sort of glow not unlike the eyes of an omen, and peering forward with an intense sort of curiosity despite not seeming to have eyes.
...and wearing a dark oilskin coat that's in absolutely tatters. The boy, not the omen. It's been amateurly mended what looks like many times, but... it might be more patch and mending than coat in some parts. ]
It's Allen Walker. [ did.... did he tell her his name before? Oh my god. ]
The outfits on her lamp friends are certainly hard to miss, and he blinks for a moment before smiling and giving them a small wave before stepping off and up to her door; like it's customary for him to.
She runs a business but it also looks like a residence; makes sense for a seamstress. Is it polite to knock first? Regardless, he's going to go with that. ]
Hello? Miss Stone? [ He has a large pack strapped to his back, and another smaller bundle under one arm. Stark white hair with a delicate-seeming scar or tattoo carved through the left side of his face and a bright red, beginning with what looks like a pentagram or a star on his forehead. The winged creature clinging to the back of his shoulder is a bit of a stand-out as well, bright gold with a faint sort of glow not unlike the eyes of an omen, and peering forward with an intense sort of curiosity despite not seeming to have eyes.
...and wearing a dark oilskin coat that's in absolutely tatters. The boy, not the omen. It's been amateurly mended what looks like many times, but... it might be more patch and mending than coat in some parts. ]
It's Allen Walker. [ did.... did he tell her his name before? Oh my god. ]
[A kitty! A... weird bat-winged kitty, but a kitty nevertheless. Alvin brightens a little when he catches sight of Visenya, but first things first. He has a gracious host with whom to exchange pleasantries--and goods and services.]
I'll never say no to a biscuit, Lady A. I'd be much obliged.
[He puts his bag o' stuff down near the door and takes his sword off as well. Just seems mannerly.]
I'm doing okay, yeah. I see you've expanded your furry coterie since last we spoke.
I'll never say no to a biscuit, Lady A. I'd be much obliged.
[He puts his bag o' stuff down near the door and takes his sword off as well. Just seems mannerly.]
I'm doing okay, yeah. I see you've expanded your furry coterie since last we spoke.
[it's more of a studio than a shop, for now, with only a dressform displaying one of her fashionable black dresses and a credenza with some samples of cloth and her embroidery. she's hung a large filigreed oval mirror where a portrait of minette the batcat once hung (it's now in her back room).
only lady is with her when she opens the door, but the ravens in her eaves chatter amongst themselves. she's smiling, and fashionably dressed. lady has a fancy embroidered collar to match.]
Please come in. Could I get you anything to eat or drink?
[guest right is a habit that she isn't looking to break. her night walker client base tends towards broadway and is generally delighted by her manner of service. she eyes the coat.]
If you like the fit of your coat, I can cut a new one from the pieces.
only lady is with her when she opens the door, but the ravens in her eaves chatter amongst themselves. she's smiling, and fashionably dressed. lady has a fancy embroidered collar to match.]
Please come in. Could I get you anything to eat or drink?
[guest right is a habit that she isn't looking to break. her night walker client base tends towards broadway and is generally delighted by her manner of service. she eyes the coat.]
If you like the fit of your coat, I can cut a new one from the pieces.
[she follows his gaze, from visenya to knight.]
Oh! Yes, Lady made a friend. He's called Knight. He feeds off blood pollution, which is quite helpful as long as everyone remember to come in for treatment.
[she walks towards the kitchen door and opens it.]
He's not much of a house creature, but you can pet him if he sniffs your hand first.
[batkitten visenya seems much more interested in the new visitor, though.]
Oh! Yes, Lady made a friend. He's called Knight. He feeds off blood pollution, which is quite helpful as long as everyone remember to come in for treatment.
[she walks towards the kitchen door and opens it.]
He's not much of a house creature, but you can pet him if he sniffs your hand first.
[batkitten visenya seems much more interested in the new visitor, though.]
[ A dog? Wolf? He blinks for a moment, before smiling wider and raising a hand partway to Lady in greeting as he steps inside. Good girl. ]
Ehh? Only if it's not any trouble. [ Though he did obviously brighten at the offer of snacks, but that could also be that he just really appreciates that she's kind enough to offer. ]
And, oh--! Actually... there's something I used to have that I was hoping you might be able to approximate. A uniform. [ And he fishes around in his pocket for a moment, switching the small parcel to under his other arm. He procures a colored sketch on a piece of paper, which he presents her with. ]
Here.
[ It's beautiful. ]
Ehh? Only if it's not any trouble. [ Though he did obviously brighten at the offer of snacks, but that could also be that he just really appreciates that she's kind enough to offer. ]
And, oh--! Actually... there's something I used to have that I was hoping you might be able to approximate. A uniform. [ And he fishes around in his pocket for a moment, switching the small parcel to under his other arm. He procures a colored sketch on a piece of paper, which he presents her with. ]
Here.
[ It's beautiful. ]
[lady sniffs his hand and butts her nose against it. sansa shuts the door and examines the picture.]
Would you like me to make you everything in this picture?
[did he...draw his own hair? is he bleeding from the leg?? she smiles.]
Why don't we discuss it in the kitchen, over biscuits?
[she moves gracefully in that direction.]
I can't make the boots, you know.
[her tone is light and teasing. she doesn't seriousy think he'd ask a dressmaker to do a cobbler's job.]
Would you like me to make you everything in this picture?
[did he...draw his own hair? is he bleeding from the leg?? she smiles.]
Why don't we discuss it in the kitchen, over biscuits?
[she moves gracefully in that direction.]
I can't make the boots, you know.
[her tone is light and teasing. she doesn't seriousy think he'd ask a dressmaker to do a cobbler's job.]
Mn! That sounds great, thank you. [ She's so kind. If only he could appreciate the full extent of it since he's oblivious to his own terrible art skills. He tried his best.
It's definitely the offer of snacks that had him though, because he brightens at the mention of biscuits and perks up. Though he's also a little enchanted at Lady's acceptance, giving her a very small scratch between the ears if she'll let him. Definitely a dog person. ]
And oh, no, it's fine...! [ He's quick to reassure, sheepish if she might feel he'd expect so much on her. He's Victorian! He understands the difference...! ]
I was just trying to remember what it looked like myself, honestly. [ Which he -- did not, in all honesty. He combined how he remembered two different uniforms he had. Fuzzy memories are great. ]
It's definitely the offer of snacks that had him though, because he brightens at the mention of biscuits and perks up. Though he's also a little enchanted at Lady's acceptance, giving her a very small scratch between the ears if she'll let him. Definitely a dog person. ]
And oh, no, it's fine...! [ He's quick to reassure, sheepish if she might feel he'd expect so much on her. He's Victorian! He understands the difference...! ]
I was just trying to remember what it looked like myself, honestly. [ Which he -- did not, in all honesty. He combined how he remembered two different uniforms he had. Fuzzy memories are great. ]
Edited 2022-04-06 04:58 (UTC)
[lady accepts his scratches and makes a small happy dog noise. sansa opens the kitchen door and allows him to go through before fetching down a tin of chocolate chip cookies. they seem the most popular with her customers and she gets to keep the iced lemon shortbread for herself. she manages to stack two small plates on top of her tin, and sets them down on a sturdy oak(??) table with rather ornate legs.]
It might help the both of us if you could tell me what each piece is meant to be. I've found there are often pieces to the suits here that I never knew on my own world, and it helps me to learn a little of their function and where they're meant to go.
[she sets down the tin and fetches two glasses, which she fills with water. lady curls up a polite distance away from the table, so as to not be mistaken for begging for food. sansa sets down a glass at each seat, in front of the plate, and opens the tin before she sits down. she smiles again.]
Have you been very busy this month? I was expecting you a little sooner.
[her tone is light again. she herself has been busy training a blood hound.]
It might help the both of us if you could tell me what each piece is meant to be. I've found there are often pieces to the suits here that I never knew on my own world, and it helps me to learn a little of their function and where they're meant to go.
[she sets down the tin and fetches two glasses, which she fills with water. lady curls up a polite distance away from the table, so as to not be mistaken for begging for food. sansa sets down a glass at each seat, in front of the plate, and opens the tin before she sits down. she smiles again.]
Have you been very busy this month? I was expecting you a little sooner.
[her tone is light again. she herself has been busy training a blood hound.]
[ While she fetches the tin and plates, he takes a moment to set the parcel down on the table to the side and removes large bundle he had strapped to his back, setting it down with a somewhat heavy but soft thmp.
He takes a seat then, peering with a briefly childlike interest into the tin when she opens it to see what it is. Sometimes he still acts like the teenager he technically is. Aaaa, cookies. ]
Ah, yes -- sorry about that. [ He scratches at his cheek for a moment with a gloved hand, his smile lopsided and somewhat apologetic. ] It took me some time to be able to find [ moreover afford ] the sort of materials I was looking for...
[ Speaking of. He pats the larger bundle beside him. ]
It's a special sort of blood-treated cloth. Like the robes they first give us, because I'm usually around beasts and blood pollution a lot. The uniform I had back home... it was similar to that. The material was special, lightweight and more resistant.
[ He smiles, but this time it's softer and a bit more distant. Nostalgic. ] I was an exorcist. Although... not like how most people imagine it.
[ But he moves to take the small parcel he brought with him and slides it over to her. It's wrapped simply and with a soft leather string. ]
Anyway, they also told me you need special tools to be able to work with it properly. The ladies there were very helpful. [ They even helped him figure out how many yards were needed from his terrible sketch and everything...!
When she unwraps it, there's a small wooden chest with engravings on it. Inside are a number of various sewing tools, scissors and needles and bodkins and thimbles, nestled in a deep purple velvet. They're all beautifully cut shimmering white stone. Like the vanity sewing chests of old royalty, but made of paleblood that's exquisitely cut. Leather or velvet interiors and wraps where someone's hands might be, to reduce the potential bleedover effect paleblood can have. ]
I hope you don't mind. I figured you might need a set, since you mentioned you only recently woke up.
He takes a seat then, peering with a briefly childlike interest into the tin when she opens it to see what it is. Sometimes he still acts like the teenager he technically is. Aaaa, cookies. ]
Ah, yes -- sorry about that. [ He scratches at his cheek for a moment with a gloved hand, his smile lopsided and somewhat apologetic. ] It took me some time to be able to find [ moreover afford ] the sort of materials I was looking for...
[ Speaking of. He pats the larger bundle beside him. ]
It's a special sort of blood-treated cloth. Like the robes they first give us, because I'm usually around beasts and blood pollution a lot. The uniform I had back home... it was similar to that. The material was special, lightweight and more resistant.
[ He smiles, but this time it's softer and a bit more distant. Nostalgic. ] I was an exorcist. Although... not like how most people imagine it.
[ But he moves to take the small parcel he brought with him and slides it over to her. It's wrapped simply and with a soft leather string. ]
Anyway, they also told me you need special tools to be able to work with it properly. The ladies there were very helpful. [ They even helped him figure out how many yards were needed from his terrible sketch and everything...!
When she unwraps it, there's a small wooden chest with engravings on it. Inside are a number of various sewing tools, scissors and needles and bodkins and thimbles, nestled in a deep purple velvet. They're all beautifully cut shimmering white stone. Like the vanity sewing chests of old royalty, but made of paleblood that's exquisitely cut. Leather or velvet interiors and wraps where someone's hands might be, to reduce the potential bleedover effect paleblood can have. ]
I hope you don't mind. I figured you might need a set, since you mentioned you only recently woke up.
Edited 2022-04-06 05:53 (UTC)
[sansa's eyes widen at the sewing kit. even the box is lovely. she reaches out to grasp it. having recently graduated from tiny, lumpy pale bloodstone beads to slightly larger, uniformly shaped paleblood beads she can certainly appreciate the amount of work that went into each piece. and the cost, such that it is. nobody has ever given her a present half as good. her voice wavers a little, and she looks at allen with new eyes.]
This is the loveliest gift anyone's ever given me. I don't know how to thank you.
[she touches each piece reverently.]
I won a sewing kit in the stupid darts festival. But this is...I've never had anything like this.
[her parents wouldn't have known where to get her something like this. littlefinger would, and he hadn't.]
I should tell you my name's not Alayne Stone. It's Sansa Stark. I've been hiding from the people that murdered my family. I haven't told everyone, but I mean to tell my friends first, and I'd like very much for us to be friends. And I truly hope an exorcist isn't some kind of sellsword.
[she should have determined that before she said anything. but this is...this isn't the sort of gift she gets. this is the sort of gift that she gets people. and that...must count for something. and if it doesn't, well, she has to be able to win people over, anyway.]
This is the loveliest gift anyone's ever given me. I don't know how to thank you.
[she touches each piece reverently.]
I won a sewing kit in the stupid darts festival. But this is...I've never had anything like this.
[her parents wouldn't have known where to get her something like this. littlefinger would, and he hadn't.]
I should tell you my name's not Alayne Stone. It's Sansa Stark. I've been hiding from the people that murdered my family. I haven't told everyone, but I mean to tell my friends first, and I'd like very much for us to be friends. And I truly hope an exorcist isn't some kind of sellsword.
[she should have determined that before she said anything. but this is...this isn't the sort of gift she gets. this is the sort of gift that she gets people. and that...must count for something. and if it doesn't, well, she has to be able to win people over, anyway.]
[ It's fair pay for fair work!!! he'd argue, because honestly as much as he hates spending money and has quite the complex around it... and he did literally bleed for this... a lot... he just couldn't sit easy with the idea of "paying" her just with the cost of materials. It goes entirely against his sense of fairness, especially when she's helping recreate something so precious to him, that uniform that haunts his memories.
He can't even remember all the reasons why... but it's precious. Like it's a part of him.
And he would argue that, even though he's so very touched and a little stunned that it seems to impact her so much -- so... happy, actually, to realize he made someone else happy -- except that she reveals that and his expression drops, stunned Not that... that happened to her and that's her life, although certainly that is horrifying, she doesn't seem all that much older than him, but...
But that she trusted him. ]
...N-no! It isn't! [ He blurts it out first, a little startled mostly just because he's still a bit awed. ] An exorcist--
[ He blinks, pressing his lips together for a moment lightly and composing himself. ]
...being an exorcist meant to cleanse someone's soul of corruption. Someone who had died, but had been brought back and turned into a monster. Something that only grieves what it becomes and lashes out because of it. That's what we existed for. To save them, and let their soul be at peace.
There isn't any pay in that. [ But... ]
He can't even remember all the reasons why... but it's precious. Like it's a part of him.
And he would argue that, even though he's so very touched and a little stunned that it seems to impact her so much -- so... happy, actually, to realize he made someone else happy -- except that she reveals that and his expression drops, stunned Not that... that happened to her and that's her life, although certainly that is horrifying, she doesn't seem all that much older than him, but...
But that she trusted him. ]
...N-no! It isn't! [ He blurts it out first, a little startled mostly just because he's still a bit awed. ] An exorcist--
[ He blinks, pressing his lips together for a moment lightly and composing himself. ]
...being an exorcist meant to cleanse someone's soul of corruption. Someone who had died, but had been brought back and turned into a monster. Something that only grieves what it becomes and lashes out because of it. That's what we existed for. To save them, and let their soul be at peace.
There isn't any pay in that. [ But... ]
Page 1 of 9