002 -- video;

[northerner]

[ robb's face is like stone, his voice like ice, and the mask of kingship just barely hides the undercurrent of fury in his voice. in his tone there dwells bared teeth, raised hackles, all just barely contained. for all the kingly restraint, the viciousness of it shines through. ]

There is a man upon this vessel named Magneto, who has done a great harm to my brother's companion, a lady named Alayne Stone. I call upon you to present yourself to answer for your crime, ser, and save me the task of hunting you down.

[ there is a moment's pause, as if he would say more but thinks better of it, and then disconnects. ]

Comments

[northerner]

[ no robb is still so skeptical. because what in the world is this, what is happening, what even.

but after he finishes frowning at it and the empty corridor, he'll pick up that little paper airplane and bring it to alayne. because what harm can a scrap of paper do? ]

[wont]

[ And so, the note is brought to Alayne and though she asks after its sender, Robb can offer no answer. Before she opens it, she studies it carefully, passing her fingers over each fold and seam, as if trying to devise the meaning within. Such a strange shape, how much like a bird. As if it meant to be a raven, only with stiff and stilted wings. ]

[doggedly]

[And as she opens it, that's when it all changes.

No note like this has ever been received--not that Alayne will know that, but it was important for Sirius when he was working out the spells. How to charm a really fit girl? And an injured girl, a girl with some sort of guardian who will likely be observing the opening of said charming note--and the answer is: easily.

As her fingers pull at the crisp folds, the folded paper suddenly lifts out of her fingers, taking flight, inflating slightly like a paper balloon--unfolding, unfolding out, the plane becoming a paper flower in midair, twisting and crumpling into a stem, the body of the rose slowly puffing into actual shape--and just as it swells to a realistic size, it bursts into glitter and sparkles that hang in midair. The smell of a rose lingers too, strong, and the stem falls away, withering--only as it withers, it changes too, unfolding, and there's a hard little lump nestled there.

It's a little wolf, a little pink wolf, carved of wood--warm to the touch, still smelling faintly of roses, should you bring it to your nose. And that's it. No note, no nothing, just a wooden wolf, just as Alayne was promised: neither bird nor flowers for the lady. Just a wolf.

There. That's how you charm a girl.]

[wont]

[ She is not looking to be charmed — no, in truth, it is the farthest thing from her mind. The letter comes as a curiosity, a token from a stranger, and when the paper begins to blossom Alayne thinks at first it is the professor who has sent it. After all, had it not been Remus who'd met her in the oxygen garden just a few days earlier, and during that time he'd set the blooms to dance around them, to show Alayne that magic was not in fact dead. (No, it lived within him, and wasn't that an amazement?)

But then, there is the wolf, small and pink, and something about that faint scent of roses makes Alayne suspect—

The gesture itself is not modest nor humble, not as Professor Lupin had been in all of his displays of craft. No, this is a spectacle, albeit on a small scale, and who does Alayne know that is fond of spectacle and of tricks? For a long time, she does nothing, though her mouth crooks a meager, watery smile. At length, she looks for the speaking box and then sends a message, writ to one 'Sirius Black'. ]

Brother Black Sirius,
Was it you?

-Alayne Stone.

[doggedly]

[Of course this isn't modest or humble. Who ever won any girls with modesty? He doesn't answer her straightaway--that would be bad form!--but there's no denying that he's pleased to see her message.

So, after a few minutes of purposeful silence (not too long, not so long as to indicate disinterest):]

if my lady asks for wolves, my lady will receive wolves
did you like it?

[wont]

[ At first she thinks she is mistaken (after all what meaning could his silence hold). But then, the device chirps in her hands and Alayne fumbles awkwardly to retrieve whatever message her question as earned her.

No, she had not looked to be charmed but now here she was— charmed nevertheless. ]

Sirius,
Yes. Very much in fact.
I find myself moved by your kindness.
Is that what you had hoped?

-Alayne Stone.

[doggedly]

[He's quicker to answer this time--not so quick that he'll appear somehow desperate, and that's an important balance to maintain.]

my lady alayne:
it was exactly what I had in fact hoped
so you can imagine I am glad to hear it worked
tricks are good for more than just tricking


-S. BLACK

[wont]

[ There is part of her that is pleased to see his language change. He adopts a tune more keeping with what her ears are inclined to hear and although Alayne knows this is more trickery and charm, she feels a part of herself lulled by it. (For what girl, having known such sadness, does not wish for such kindnesses to visit her?) ]

Sirius,
Still copper, perhaps.
Though better polished.
But it would be a lie to say it did not have a lovely shine.

-Alayne Stone.

[doggedly]

[Her critique honestly makes him laugh. Sharp, he thinks first, with a bit of admiration. Lady Alayne is not some girl to be so easily won over. Or is she?]

to the lovely lady Alayne (who is far too critical by the way),
harsh!
it just was a small demonstration!
not to be mistaken for something real
something REAL would be better than any copper or gold
and should i be given the opportunity i'd be happy to prove that
if only to make you smile
which is a reward better than copper/gold/jewels/gems/&c.

-S. BLACK

[wont]

[ No, not easily won over. Her pride — meager as it is at times — does not wish her to be so easily bested by such obvious tricks. ]

Sirius,
You are a bold boy.
Looking to pour a girl a cup of honey
when she still is still ailed.
And would dare not consider to turn away
even the smallest token of well-wishing.

But I will not be colored so ungrateful,
as to not say thank you.

- Alayne Stone.

[doggedly]

my lady alayne,
what I want is not thanks
nor is it to trick with tricks
it's just to make you smile
to help an ailing girl in the smallest of ways
which is sometimes a good way
but if it is an attention that is unwanted
say the word (or write it)
and I will admire you only from afar
with my heart twisted
tears in my eyes
&c.

-S. BLACK


[....a little dramatic, perhaps, but that never hurt anyone really.]

[wont]

[ A little too much on the nose, Mr. Black, but this isn't anything beyond what Alayne expects out of him. ]

Sirius,
You say that as if you do not already.
Admire from a far, that is.

You've yet to loose your mummer sheen,
but your efforts do not go without reward.
When next we speak, you'll have your smile.
Though I make no promises.

- Alayne Stone.

[doggedly]

[Well, that's a start, especially with someone playing as hard to get as the Lady Alayne is. Minor victories have won major battles, after all!]

my very dear Lady Alayne

there are many different afars to admire from
should you ask i would remove myself to the most afar
(but i hope you do not ask)
(may i go so far as to say please do not!)

though perhaps i need not ask?
because if there is a "next time"
that implies my closer afar
i will find you & get my smile
and that IS a promise


see you soon!

-S. BLACK