003 ♕ video

[wont]

[ Her father has inquired on the matter of coin and the ship's answer is clear enough: money has little weight aboard the Tranquility and so the counting of coppers must be abandoned for a different kind of ledger keeping. Favor is a kind of currency, though only the most clever know how to wheedle it to greatest yield and best effect. Petyr Baelish is one of those kinds of men — to what extent is hidden behind his genial smile, but Alayne has seen behind her father's mask and knows the true measure of his mettle.

Where names and lands and titles made the worth of a man in Westeros, the passengers of the ship must find their wealth elsewhere: in skills offered and objects bartered, in resources hoarded. In usefulness. Alayne looks to be useful but also looks to be wealthy, if not in object then in favor. It is better, her father teaches her, to be owed than to owe and such debts can be accrued in both the most meaningful and the most harmless of ways.

The smile she gives the Tranquility is modest and fair. She is in better health than her last appearance and her spirits seem much revived. With a dip of her head she bows and then offers to the camera: ]

My good Tranquility. It has become known to me that there are those upon the ship who are in need of the skills of a seamstress. I am not a tailor by trade, nor have I studied under the tutelage of any grand stitch-sewer. But I am skilled and there are those who have told me my embroidery is without flaw.

I may sew a dress or fashion a shirt or mend what has been ruined and torn. There is the matter of needles and thread, of which I have been provided plenty. Though— cloth is lacking, save bedsheets. I am also skilled in the stitching of sigils. Of finery and delicacy. [ Her smile broadens, grows sheepish and knowing. ] For ladies and lords that find luxury in smaller, more mindful details.

I, Alayne Stone, offer my skills to the ship, in exchange for trade or equal favor. [ A pause and then she considers, adding: ] And— if anyone has insights into the care of birds, please also send word.

[ Again a smile and Alayne dips a second time, neatly. ] Thank you.

[ ooc note; open to individual action threads for Robb, Bran and Petyr. ]

Comments

video;

[tumbleweeds]

[ Hi, don't mind the bruises or the healing split lip or the fact that she appears to be in bed for once. ]

What kind of birds?

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[wont]

[ Shocked medieval princess, +1. ]

Jaye, what's wrong with you—? [ Okay, so that might have come out a little rude and a little wrong, but her face. ]

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[teashop]

Generally, I find feeding helps. [ His smile is all cheek and some curiosity—but he continues, slightly less impudently: ] Have you got a cage for them?

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[wont]

[ You, ser, are not helpful. And Alayne's smile tells him so. ]

Yes, but feed it what? I give it a morsel of fruit, it caws at me. I offer it bread, it stares. If it had a nose with which to sniff at me disdainfully, I believe it would. [ She nods and then the camera pitches sideways to reveal a rather large cage with delicate latticework of gilt. Inside of which is a rather large white raven. ] The ship was ever so kind, [ Alayne says, a touch of irony in her voice. (Who is she to take care of a bird, and one as unwieldy as this one.) ]

voice.

[therangerking]

[ Softly: ]

I have not been here long, and I have little to offer. [ Beat. ] Yet if you have a bolt of black cloth and some white thread, I have a boon to ask.

voice.

[wont]

[ Alayne recognizes that voice, the manner with which is speaks. The stranger with the sword, the one named Strider, who had called her a lady and then relented only at her insistance. ]

The sheets may be dyed black simply enough. I've white thread and silver, though the silver is more precious. For there is less of it and it favors House Baelish's colors.

[ A pause, then gently: ] You are newly arrived and still need time to settle, and I would not readily take what meager belongings you have been given from home. A favor then, to be returned in the future.

video; ( locked )

[siring]

[Little wolf girl. He has a grin on his face.]

Birds now? Do all animals on this ship flock to you?

video; ( locked )

[wont]

[ Oh, it's that man who made her acquaintance over wolves. He isn't questionable or sketchy at all, nope.

Alayne smile is small and sheepish. ] It seems the ship deems it appropriate to leave them to me. This one was in my locker, cage and all. I've never seen one before.

text;

[majestyofthethrone]

Can you really sew? Can you teach me? I can teach you...well, I don't know if you have any need of higher math, but if you can find a violin, I can teach you that.

[That's Seraphim for 'I don't hold the fact that your wolf tried to kill me against you]

voice; DO THEY HAVE VIOLINS IN WESTEROS cries

[wont]

[ She was just trying to love you, Sera, honest! ....with her teeth. Unfortunately for Alayne, she has yet to learn that the little numbers mean that this is Seraphim talking to her and so she assumes it is simply a stranger offering— violin lessons? ]

Yes, truly, I can sew. And sew well, I think, if I am allowed to peek out from behind my own modesty. Though— what is a violin? You will forgive my ignorance, please. But I've learned there's much difference 'tween Westeros and elsewhere.

video.

[shoyu]

[ aw, what a lovely person! ]

That's quite a generous offer to make, m'lady. Can't say I have anything to request at the moment, but I'm rather curious about this bird -- may I ask what breed it is?

video.

[wont]

[ No, you! ]

If ever the need arrives in the future, I hope you will not hesitate to ask. [ Another dip of her head, another courtesy. ] It is a raven. White and quite large. And rather finicky when it comes to what it will and will not eat.

video;

[jilt]

Hello, my dearest. I spoke already to your father, but I must know what colors you favor.

video;

[wont]

Miss Irene. [ Warmth comes readily to her now, a brightness in her cheeks. ] What colors I favor? Is this the matter of the dress?

[video]

[userfriendly]

Sigils?

[ oh. this is relevant to ismene's mild case of homesickness interests. ]

I'm afraid I've not got much to trade—but I'd certainly owe you a favor, if you have the time for something small.

[video]

[wont]

[ Another new face. This proposition has proven quite useful, if only to provide Alayne with new acquaintance aboard the ship. Alayne dips in greeting. Hello, stranger. ]

Sigils, yes. Few seem to know of them here, but they've much meaning in the lands I call home. [ Her eyebrows lift in curiosity. ] Have you a sigil? I would be more than happy to emblazon one of your things for the promise of a future favor.

action;

[northerner]

[ and of course robb is at her side, but he steps away from the lens. this is his sister's broadcast, his sister's requests. robb has no place in them, nor does he wish to be. but he stays close, grey wind's massive bulk at his side, because he worries for his sister's saftey. while bran has summer, sansa only has lady, who is too small, too young to know how to go for the throat, how to rip and snap and snarl at enemies. grey wind does, however. grey wind's fangs have torn out the throats of dozens of lannister men, and horses besides. between him and robb, no one shall touch his sister. ]

They seem a strange thing to receive, Sansa. Did you have birds in Westeros?

[ wolves were fitting, but birds...birds robb could not quite parse, eyeing them suspiciously. ravens were useful, but songbirds were another thing all together. ]

action;

[wont]

[ Alayne Stone should be frightened of the beast. He is big and broad and as fierce as Robb's anger when it is stirred to a blistering boil, but Grey Wind knows the smell of Sansa Stark's skin and knows the song of her voice no matter what house colors she wears and no matter the hue of her hair. And so, Alayne reaches for the beast, says softly in a gentle voice (not a rallying cry, called across the field of battle): ] Grey Wind, Grey Wind, to me.

[ Her fingers curl into the fur of the animal's neck and Alayne smiles to herself before looking to Robb with a shake of her head. ] There were rookery crows in the Keep. [ And in the Eyrie as well, but she does not make mention of them. ] Just as in Winterfell.

And there was talk of a white raven, sent from the Citadel. But I never saw it, only saw the snows that came after. [ She looks at the raven which hops from its perch down onto the floor of its cage with a finicky flap of its wings. ] Does it worry you?

video;

[grndnpnd]

[ Is it fair to interpret this as a sign of Alayne finally starting to feel better? Deep down in his tiny, hidden little heart, Tommy hopes so. ]

Loose ends?

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[wont]

[ She is feeling better, yes. Day by day, by varying degrees. Alayne calls upon Tommy as often as circumstance and the Stark brothers and her father will allow, but it has been a while since her last visit to him or his visit to her and so she smiles. ]

I means to make myself useful. [ Something of a fib, she looks to see what her offer will earn her, if anything. But it is not wholly a lie and so Alayne does not feel bad telling it. ] Is it not wise to do so?

[video]

[yardbird]

You havin' trouble with your bird, Alayne?

[He's no birdman expert with them, but he's been doing what he can to get by with his own.]

[video]

[wont]

With more difficulty than I imagine you are having, I suspect. [ A brief smile. ] Have you all of them now?

video;

[cheerioless]

[ quinn totally wouldn't mind some new clothes, but she has no idea what she can give in return. if they were back in lima, she'd easily be able to come up with something. then again if they were in lima she wouldn't even be worried about this. ]

What sort of trade or favor would you be looking for?

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[wont]

[ Oh. Alayne gives pause because, really, the girl's hair comes as something of a surprise and she's never seen such a thing before. Her mouth forms an amazed little 'oh' shape before it spreads out to a tiny smile — polite and well-meaning. ]

Have you skills of any kind? To cook or to teach, some knowledge you might share. [ A pause and then, considering: ] Or perhaps— a book? My father misses the feel of paper in his hands and the weight of a solid binding. I know some people have been lucky to receive a volume or two amongst their belongings.

Are you among them?

video;

[inspirited]

[Alayne Stone— that name was all too familiar to her. The girl that was Ned's friend and also the one he told her he'd brought brought back to life again just a few weeks ago. Chuck wasn't sure what to think when Ned first mentioned her, but had been wanting to meet Alayne, so now was as good a time as any, right?]

Sewing? That's really nice of you to offer to everyone here.

video;

[wont]

[ The woman who's picture appears on the small metal device is unfamiliar to Alayne and she wonders if that is because the woman is nearly arrived or because Alayne has been so preoccupied that she has let her monitoring of the communications on the ship all to the wayside. Either way, she feels a small blossoming of disappointment with herself, though her expression remains polite and eager. ]

I've met many who come from lands where such a skill is no longer taught. And the ship provides such meager vestment already, I thought it best to offer. It seems such a simple comfort, to be able to wear familiar clothes. But even simple comforts can be luxuries in an unfamiliar place.

text;

[puppydogeyes]

Thought you had wolves.

permavoice;

[wont]

I am responsible for the direwolf Lady, yes. Though the ship has seen it appropriate to gift me with a raven as well.

video;

[stimulations]

Not a tailor and you haven't studied, yet you're gifted with flawless embroidery? If you don't mind my asking, how does one realise such skills without tutelage or craft?

video;

[wont]

[ Another stranger. Alayne dips in greeting, the gesture shy (or the affectation of it). ] It was not official study, [ says Alayne, adding delicate emphasis to mark the distinction. ] That is granted only to highborn ladies, who are taught by their septas. Or to artisans who take up apprentices in their craft.

But I was raised by the sisters of the Faith, the women who would one day become Septas to great houses. And so in learning how to teach young ladies, I was taught in turn.

video;

[signatures]

Accessories for everyone, yeah?

[ BEMUSED. POSSIBLY SLIGHTLY PATRONIZING. SORRY NOT SORRY :c ]

video;

[wont]

[ CONGRATS, YOU HAVE CONFUSED THE MEDIEVAL PRINCESS WITH YOUR FACE.

Alayne's reaction is not wholly obvious, but to a person like Eames, the way her expression shifts is clear (a pinch here, a tightening there, quickly followed by a smoothing out). Because it is her custom (and it would be wrong to single him you straight away), Alayne dips her head and her chin and herself in greeting to meet the stranger.

(He has Tommy's face, and his voice, but not his tone. He is not Tommy, but perhaps they are blood. Or perhaps he is a stranger altogether.) ]

If— if that is how the people choose to employ what meager skills I have, yes.

voice.

[swagneto]

What sort of sigils?

[ Not that Erik has one to begin with, but he's curious. ]

video.

[wont]

[ Oh, hello, Magneto. Where once there would be trepidation in Alayne's voice there is a cautious sort of care. Tentatively she hazards a smile — proof of her attempts to hopefully make amends. ]

All of the noble houses of Westeros bear a sigil — a symbol of heraldry that is boren into battle by the banners and that is worn by the men sworn in fealty to the house's lord. The Lannisters have their golden lion and the Starks have their direwolves. But some houses have no animals at all, but seashells or lightning or even flowers. [ Alayne pauses and touches the silver bird pinned there at her throat. ] The symbol of House Baelish is the mockingbird.

text;

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

A raven? [Yep spying on your other conversations, nbd.]

Is that how a wolf came to a woman? [She's actually afraid that her night wolf might show up in a locker at the end of the month. That's terrible frightening.]

PERMAVIDEO.

[wont]

[ There is only one person that Alayne knows that calls her "a woman" and Lady "a wolf".

(Sister, she thinks, then banishes the thought.) ]

A white raven in a gilded cage, no doubt Citadel-bred. It was given to me by the halls of holding, offered in the nook along with my clothing and favors. Unlike Lady, who simply roamed the aisles and bayed when finally I came near.

ACTION

[wolfdreamer]

[For all that he has talked with Aberdeen of secrets, Bran still gives Sansa leave in which to answer her replies alone. There are secrets, and then there is simple intrusion. And though she may not know it, there are secrets that she holds of his--for no one else aboard the ship has been told of warging, not in the way that Sansa has been told. He must explain more of it to her, he knows, but he is yet uncertain of doing so.

Instead, later, when they are alone together, Bran wheels his chair to the table where the white raven's cage rests, and leans so close to study the bird that his nose nearly touches the bars--not too close, lest the raven find its hunger and bite at his nose, but close enough to mark its snow-white feathers.]

Do you think winter can come to a ship such as this one? [Even a child of summer knows the meaning of the white raven, especially one born of the north. And it is a silly question to begin with, but there will be more difficult questions later. Bran glances to his sister with a small smile.] I think snow would be strange to see in these corridors--or perhaps it would only fall in the Gardens.

ACTION

[wont]

[ It is, without question, a beautiful bird. Snow white feathers, a beak of coral-cream horn like the belly of a seashell, carved out of the most delicate and striking horn; its eye, pale blue, paler than the heart of glaciers and there's no wonder why the maesters chose these birds to represent the on-coming winter. Even their call seems colder, more cutting, as the bird opens its wings to give a petulant flap before settling itself back down onto its gilded perch.

Alayne, who has been studying herself in the mirror, is attempting to braid her hair (still a difficult task without a handmaiden to help her, but an exercise that she is slowly perfecting with added practice). When Bran speaks, she turns to look at him and then quickly reaches towards him with a waggle of her hand (the king of fussing that only an older sister can manage, a don't get too close, you'll hurt yourself and that's a good sign, isn't it). ] Winter can come in all manner of ways. Not just the snows, little brother, [ she tells him. Winter, war, strife, hard times. The Stark words are bleak but also wise because, in the end, time always proves them true. ] It seems to me strange that the corridors would snow. But the Tranquility sails from star to star — or so they say. Which is nearly as impossible, if not more so.

[voice] HEAPS ANOTHER TAG HERE because why not ;u;

[doggedly]

And what sort of bird are we caring for, Lady Alayne?

[video] GATHERS THEM TO ME AND LETS THEM GIVE ME STRENGTH.

[wont]

[ She is not amused by your antics, Sirius Black. Granted, you haven't started them yet, but soon, she knows. ]

I am caring for a raven, Sirius Black.

[allucinator]

Oh, darlin', I'll do anythin' you want if you'll sew me a half-decent pair o' pants.

[wont]

It's Alayne, [ she corrects, with a kind of delicacy that could only imply a certain level of why are boys so dumb. ] And you do realize that anything truly does mean anything?

video.

[defenestration]

[ It's fitting, perhaps, that Adrian would respond to Alayne's offer of mending, considering the reason he's in need of such assistance in the first place. ]

I would be pleased to work out an arrangement of some kind in return for a little mending. Unfortunately the powers that be didn't see fit to supply me with much of a wardrobe. If it's possible to track down a source for fabric, I might be interested in commissioning a full suit or two, if you're interested.

video.

[wont]

[ It had been an ugly situation and unpleasant for everyone involved. Petyr still bears his injury with discomfort and every time Alayne looks upon him and knows he will bare scars is a reminder of her own failures (even though it'd been Lady's teeth that had done the ravishing). Alayne lowers her gaze and dips in a curtsey (apologetic). ]

I would be more than happy to mend your clothes for you, and would not dare ask for recompense. If my work pleases you, and I am graced with a source of cloth, I would be more than happy to sew these suits for you.