I am both cheered and saddened to receive word from you. I had not known you were counted amongst us. As for Lady and I, we are both in good spirits and good health and are adjusting as well as one might. There are so many new faces, but many familiar ones as well. It is a comfort in such an unfamiliar face.
Tell me, are you well? Did home deliver good news and do you return with good tidings?
[ Lara can hardly help the smile that blooms when she receives Alayne's message. The girl was sweet, and Lara can't help but think this girl could talk anyone into just about anything with her words. ]
I'm glad to hear that the both of you are well. I worried about the two of you while we were gone. [ Lara, once she'd finished off Himiko, had worried about everyone from the Charon. She had been so certain it was the last she would ever see of them, a part of her had grieved. ]
I'm doing all right, just adjusting. Going back was hard, doing what I had to was harder, but everything turned out relatively okay. [ No one else died, save for Whitman, but she had no pity for him; he was willing to sacrifice them all for more fame, and glory. ]
While part of me wishes you had not worried, there is another part of me that is grateful for it. Worry is a thought born out of care and for you to worry means your thoughts are ever my companion. Though I'm sorry to hear that your return home was met with certain hardship. I am cheered by word of resolution, however. Many are plagued with unfinished business and it makes their time with COMPASS unbearable.
As for my adventures with the Doctor, they were in a word adventurous. Perhaps if you find yourself with a spare hour we may exchange stories, you and I. Or attempt to make sense of this strange new world we've found ourselves in.
How I have missed your words. My day is brightened by them.
The kitchens are hardly fit for a feast, though they offer far more than the larders of the Charon ever did. Perhaps, if it suit you, we could sup together and share our tales over a meal.
Yours, Alayne.
[ She doesn't say that she would rather not venture off campus for fear of whatever might be hidden down shadowy streets. Perhaps if they were to go walking out in the daytime — but there's nothing in the streets that hold interest then, so she offers a meal instead. ]
In the afternoon, when the light has begun to fade.
[ It's either very early or late in the year — winter by all accounts — and so the light goes fast and quickly darkens into night sooner rather than later. ]
[ Alayne makes sure to be punctual, as is polite, arriving earlier than the decided hour. This kitchen is new to her and so it would take some time to find the things that she needed. Her skirts swishing as she moves about, Lady dozes in one corner, snoring wolfishly to the tune of clattering pots and pans.
Nothing fancy, of course, but with more effort than mere modesty. It is the least she can do for Lara's benefit. ]
[ Lara arrives only moments before the designated time, and though she still wore her familiar torn clothing from the Charon, she was clean of both dirt and blood.
As she steps into the kitchen, she can hardly help the smile upon her face at the sight Alayne. ]
[ Lady quirks her head at Lara's voice, though she doesn't raise her long nose from where it's been laid out along her paws. Alayne, for her part, sets a pot down with a clatter, abandoning it on the stovetop to rush to Lara's side. Wiping her hands on a rag she makes sure her fingers are spotless when she takes the other woman's hands in her own, squeezing them tightly. ]
[ Lara lets out a soft laugh, returning Alayne's squeeze with a short one of her own. It was so nice to see her again, nice to see any friend from before. ]
Is that such a surprise? [ She teases. ] I can clean up. [ In all honesty, it was a nice change from the muck and grime she had to live with previously. Back aboard the Charon, whenever Lara was able to get clean, she felt it took only a day before she was dirtier than before. ]
I didn't mean—! [ Alayne has already begun her stream of apologies when she realizes that Lara only means her admonition as a joke. Silly, that she could dance around some of the greatest liars in Westeros and yet cannot see the occasional jab for the friendly teasing it ultimately is. Perhaps it is because Alayne has grown so unused to happy times that she sometimes cannot recognize them for what they are: harmless.
Leading Lara by the hand, she steers her around the counters towards where their food sits half-plated beside the stove. ] Come, we shall put those clean hands to work. You shall rue ever having offered by the time I am done with you.
[ Lara lets out another laugh as Alayne leads her to the counters. ] I'm already regretting my offer! Next time, I shall take a cue from Lady, and watch while you work.
[ But, Lara, despite her words, immediately sets to helping, doing whatever Alayne asks of her with not a single complaint and a smile on her lips. It's been a good long time since she got to work in a kitchen. ]
Lady's seat may seem lofty now but just you wait and see, [ Alayne declares craftily. ] She shall have no choice but to pull her weight with time.
[ Hot air mostly. Everyone knew that Alayne spoiled Lady terribly, a symptom of having lost the direwolf once and not wanting to ever lose her again. True, she was tasked with Alayne's own safety but that was nothing compared to how often she fawned over the beast, sometimes skimping her own meals to make sure Lady was happy and properly fed.
On the counter there are some vegetables still warm from the stovetop. Lentils bubble away in a pot which Lara is welcome to spoon out onto the waiting plate. ] The fare here is worlds beyond that of the Charon. [ Which was to say: no creamed corn, thank the gods. ]
[ Lara begins dutifully spooning the lentils onto the plate, smiling to herself. In the face of this new place, Lara feels this small sense of normalcy standing here next to Alayne, plating food. It's almost as if everything was all right, and they weren't back in COMPASS' clutches. ]
If I never have to see creamed corn again, it'll be too soon. [ a beat ] This smells fantastic, by the way.
[ Alayne's mouth pinches in an attempt not to grin so openly. There is something sisterly in the way she moves to Lara's side and allows their elbows to bump one another's. Gentle but sweet. (If only Arya would indulge in such things rather than grabbing her food and scampering off to places elsewhere in the dorms—) ]
You only say that because it is not creamed corn. My skills are modest at best. [ Back home there were cooks and servants to see to the meals. The only thing Sansa ever learned to make with her own hands were lemoncakes, and lemons were in short supply here. ]
You sell yourself short, Alayne. [ She turns her gaze from the simmering pot to the sweet young woman beside her, feeling a wave of affection. Alayne is all sweetness, and modesty; the very image of the perfect young lady, and Lara feels this need to keep her safe, to ensure that no one takes advantage of that sweetness.
This must be what having a sibling feels like, though it lacks the bickering she's heard so much about. ] You're no top chef, that's true, but you're doing a lot better than most; I can only imagine you'll get even better as times goes on.
[ Better to sell one's self short than to oversell and leave a person wanting. By being modest Alayne found it possible to take certain people off-guard and to jog them (oftentimes pleasantly) into a disarmed state of surprise. Beyond that, it often won her praise and encouragement the likes of which Lara offers now readily.
And what teenage girl — medieval, fantastical or not — didn't long for praise in one form or another? ]
I've no doubt you would have faired better. Necessity has been my only teacher; in Westeros I would, to this day, have remained painfully ignorant of such things.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 1 ; day 4
MESSAGE: How are you and Lady doing?
[ She may not have seen Alayne yet, but she wants to make certain both her and the direwolf are all right. ]
no subject
I am both cheered and saddened to receive word from you. I had not known you were counted amongst us.
As for Lady and I, we are both in good spirits and good health and are adjusting as well as one might.
There are so many new faces, but many familiar ones as well.
It is a comfort in such an unfamiliar face.
Tell me, are you well?
Did home deliver good news and do you return with good tidings?
Yours,
Alayne.
no subject
I'm glad to hear that the both of you are well. I worried about the two of you while we were gone. [ Lara, once she'd finished off Himiko, had worried about everyone from the Charon. She had been so certain it was the last she would ever see of them, a part of her had grieved. ]
I'm doing all right, just adjusting. Going back was hard, doing what I had to was harder, but everything turned out relatively okay. [ No one else died, save for Whitman, but she had no pity for him; he was willing to sacrifice them all for more fame, and glory. ]
How were your adventures with the Doctor?
no subject
While part of me wishes you had not worried, there is another part of me that is grateful for it.
Worry is a thought born out of care and for you to worry means your thoughts are ever my companion.
Though I'm sorry to hear that your return home was met with certain hardship.
I am cheered by word of resolution, however.
Many are plagued with unfinished business and it makes their time with COMPASS unbearable.
As for my adventures with the Doctor, they were in a word adventurous.
Perhaps if you find yourself with a spare hour we may exchange stories, you and I.
Or attempt to make sense of this strange new world we've found ourselves in.
How I have missed your words.
My day is brightened by them.
Yours,
Alayne.
no subject
If you're not busy tomorrow, we could meet then?
no subject
The kitchens are hardly fit for a feast, though they offer far more than the larders of the Charon ever did.
Perhaps, if it suit you, we could sup together and share our tales over a meal.
Yours,
Alayne.
[ She doesn't say that she would rather not venture off campus for fear of whatever might be hidden down shadowy streets. Perhaps if they were to go walking out in the daytime — but there's nothing in the streets that hold interest then, so she offers a meal instead. ]
no subject
no subject
[ It's either very early or late in the year — winter by all accounts — and so the light goes fast and quickly darkens into night sooner rather than later. ]
no subject
» a c t i o n ?
Nothing fancy, of course, but with more effort than mere modesty. It is the least she can do for Lara's benefit. ]
» a c t i o n !
As she steps into the kitchen, she can hardly help the smile upon her face at the sight Alayne. ]
Need some help?
» a c t i o n !
Lara—! You look so very well.
» a c t i o n !
Is that such a surprise? [ She teases. ] I can clean up. [ In all honesty, it was a nice change from the muck and grime she had to live with previously. Back aboard the Charon, whenever Lara was able to get clean, she felt it took only a day before she was dirtier than before. ]
» a c t i o n !
Leading Lara by the hand, she steers her around the counters towards where their food sits half-plated beside the stove. ] Come, we shall put those clean hands to work. You shall rue ever having offered by the time I am done with you.
» a c t i o n !
[ But, Lara, despite her words, immediately sets to helping, doing whatever Alayne asks of her with not a single complaint and a smile on her lips. It's been a good long time since she got to work in a kitchen. ]
» a c t i o n !
[ Hot air mostly. Everyone knew that Alayne spoiled Lady terribly, a symptom of having lost the direwolf once and not wanting to ever lose her again. True, she was tasked with Alayne's own safety but that was nothing compared to how often she fawned over the beast, sometimes skimping her own meals to make sure Lady was happy and properly fed.
On the counter there are some vegetables still warm from the stovetop. Lentils bubble away in a pot which Lara is welcome to spoon out onto the waiting plate. ] The fare here is worlds beyond that of the Charon. [ Which was to say: no creamed corn, thank the gods. ]
» a c t i o n !
If I never have to see creamed corn again, it'll be too soon. [ a beat ] This smells fantastic, by the way.
» a c t i o n !
You only say that because it is not creamed corn. My skills are modest at best. [ Back home there were cooks and servants to see to the meals. The only thing Sansa ever learned to make with her own hands were lemoncakes, and lemons were in short supply here. ]
» a c t i o n !
This must be what having a sibling feels like, though it lacks the bickering she's heard so much about. ] You're no top chef, that's true, but you're doing a lot better than most; I can only imagine you'll get even better as times goes on.
» a c t i o n !
And what teenage girl — medieval, fantastical or not — didn't long for praise in one form or another? ]
I've no doubt you would have faired better. Necessity has been my only teacher; in Westeros I would, to this day, have remained painfully ignorant of such things.