[ 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.
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» 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.