ataraxion | 004

Tranquility.

[ It's with a warm sort of politesse that Petyr addresses the network this time around, a crimson sash draped over one of his shoulders and a new set of robes upon his frame. Visible next to him, at the fringe of the image, is a girl with chestnut brown hair and her hands folded in her lap, who should prove familiar to at least some upon the ship. ]

I inquired some months ago as to the existence of a physical library, and was informed that the ship lacked such a facility. As such, I have taken it upon myself to begin one for the sake of those who would prefer the feel of a solid page than the, ah. Furnishings that the ship provides. My collection is meager, but it is more than what was available upon my arrival. Should you care to take advantage of it, I can be found upon the fifth level, next to the quarters that Alayne Stone — [ at the mention, the girl sitting next to him smiles prettily and offers up a wave ] — keeps as a seamstress. She has offered her help in my endeavor, to care for the books in my absence.

That said, should you be willing to part with them, we would greatly appreciate any spare books that you might have. This service is without charge, and meant simply for the comfort of those upon the ship.

I have taken the liberty of attaching the list of the books collected so far, and hope that some of you, at least, will find some use in it.

[ And, with a duck of his head, the feed cuts out. ]

ATTACHMENT.

ooc: feel free to talk to petyr or alayne or both!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Her eyebrows lift, curious and almost childlike. ] Are there grumpets or dragons or giants? [ She thinks of Old Nan's stories and how much Bran loved them as a child. ] Do magical things happen in the woods?

[Stop that, Alayne! You have found Murphy's ~~many~~ one weakness!]

Some of 'em actually do, yeah.

...You interested?

[ If you can dig yourself out of prison using only a spoon, I can uncover one of your ~~many~~ weaknesses!

An eager nod, eyes bright. ] Yes, very, though I am afraid the ship will be left waiting to borrow it, since I will allow the first perusal to be my own. [ A beat, still girlish and young. ] Oh, won't you tell me of one of the stories? Your very favorite, if there is one.

That would please me best.

[She's already doing it with that look she's giving. It's so refreshing to see Alayne actually looking and acting like a kid, despite her formal approach to things. But he can't really expect any different, coming from her.]

By all means, it's yours to peruse. [He pauses when she asks him his favorite, eyes shifting briefly.] Mn, well. I kinda used to like Hansel and Gretel... that one's pretty well known. [Murphy just wasn't so fond of being actually part of the story itself once upon a Silent Hill.] But if I had to pick one of my favorites when I was a kid, I'd, uh... I'd probably have to go with The Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was, maybe.

[ With all of her manners and her courtesies, with her courtly dress and her hair done up in full, it is easy to forget that Alayne is still a girl — a woman by Westerosi standards (both flowered and wed), but young and impressionable and still clinging to the very edges of her girlhood (once, she'd clung desperately, but not anymore).

Attentively she nods. ] The Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was. [ Alayne's voice is hushed and reverential. ] It sounds like quite a tale. Harrowing, is it? Was the boy brave? [ It's obvious from the look in her eyes: she'd like a retelling, if he can manage one. ]

Well, yes and... not really. [He waves his hand a bit; an idle gesture when he's trying to think of the right words. Not really the best kind of person to ask a synopsis from, especially since-] It's, uh. It's been awhile since I've last read it, but from what I can remember... the boy doesn't understand fear, so I dunno if you can call that actual bravery. He does go out to learn how to shudder, and that's when someone suggests he visits this haunted castle and--

[He pauses.] Y'know... I could just read it to you sometime, if you'd like.

[It'd be easier than trying to remember the whole story from the top of his head.]

[ Oh, how readily Murphy offers what Alayne would have asked after. Pleased, she smiles. ] That would please me very much, thank you. I am grateful for your offer, and am both humbled and charmed in its receipt. Though—

What dangerous a thing, to not understand fear. Fear is what tempers rashness to caution, what makes a man brave by shouldering it despite pause.

Great. I'll stop by sometime with the books, and you can keep 'em afterwards. [Pause.] For the library, of course.

[Of course!]

Pretty sure that was the point of the story, in a way. Much as it's unpleasant, fear can be a... a helpful response in some situations. [God knows it's helped Murphy more than he could count, because haha -- adrenaline...]

[ Alayne's smile echoes that of course. He was such a strange man to her, Murphy Pendleton. So awkward and yet so well-meaning. It is endearing, after a fashion, though she thinks it would embarrass him to say as much.

She lifts her eyebrows in earnest curiosity. ]

And does the boy learn? Or— would it ruin the telling to ask of it readily?

Alayne, you should know better than to ask how a story ends before you've read the whole thing.

[It's good to be endearing for a change. Refreshing, in fact.]

004 » video

[video] the derp or the manpain or BOTH cries these aren't good powers murph

[video] BOTH and he can also dig himself out of prison using only a spoon. totally a superpower

[video] WOW I'M TOTALLY NOT REGRETTING MAKING YOU A BANNERMAN NOW!!!! i mean

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