[ The door to the icebox is shut, the unnatural chill swirling about Alayne's feet disappearing only moments after. It's her wish to remain attentive to Tommy, but experience has taught Alayne that people are more truthful whenever they believe themselves to be unobserved, and so she begins her hunt for plates and forks — opening this drawer and shutting another, her skirts swishing as she moves along the countertops. By all outward appearances, Alayne seems preoccupied, though she keeps her inner gaze fixed upon Tommy.

There is part of her that thinks she should feel more wary, that she could be mindful of keeping the company of a man who could easily hurt her if he was so inclined. But there is a larger part of Alayne that cannot see past his awkward gestures of politeness, the uneasiness that seemed to come from being with himself as much as with other people.

Alayne glances over her shoulder, then returns to the business of cupboards. ] We've no means to repay you, [ she tells him, and it is not the first time the matter of payment has arisen in conversation with Bran and his companion Alayne. In fact, they seemed somewhat preoccupied by it, always wary to accept a favor without understanding its ultimate cost. ] Save sewing, of course, though you'll pardon me in thinking it is not a skill that holds much use to you.

[ A pause, Alayne's hand on the handle of a cupboard. ] Do you miss it? Your home.