Twenty-Seventh House of Westeros ♛ Action ♛ Well Meant Lies

[songsandstories]

[She's kept to herself mostly the last week, save for trips to Lady Catelyn where nothing much was said anyway. She doesn't want to open her mouth for fear of betraying all she's built here. Sansa wants to curse the castle for doing this, knowing it is trying to make her suffer. But she has suffered in silence more than it could ever make her.

This week is nothing new to the redhead.

It's only when she comes out for food. She's been lucky the few times she's gone to the kitchen. If there are people, they don't care or notice her. She likes it that way. If she stays lowly, keeping to the humble attitude of Alayne Stone, a bastard, she may just outlive this, yet.

Never making something that takes too long, she has a bowl of porridge and a few pieces of fruit as she tries to slip back to her room.]

ooc: this is the last day of her truth loss. if you are one to visit Cat's rooms, feel free to bump into her there as well.

Comments

[savethedarkness]

[M hasn't been out much herself, since Carson won't let her have free wander of things until her wounds have healed sufficiently. she does make trips to the kitchen, mostly for the change of scenery, and to sit by the windows and take her lunch or breakfast. she's seated there today when she sees the girl, and something about the speed of her actions and the look in her eyes makes the older woman frown in concern. she may not be a mother by blood, but she's been one in bond enough times in her own way to know strife on sight. it's no business of hers, surely, but she still can't help but offer a word, even if only in support. she's got a feeling that sort of thing might be in short supply]

Alright, there?

[songsandstories]

[When spoken to, Alayne stops to look at the older woman. She nearly reminds her of the Queen of Thorns, but she knows she isn't Lady Olenna Tyrell by the look of her. Dipping her head, she acknowledges her question.]

Pardon my if I bothered you, my lady.

[savethedarkness]

[if she knew Queen Tyrrell, she'd be flattered by the comparison. instead, she nudges out a chair near her own with her foot, an unspoken invitation to share the table, meant to reinforce her words:]

You're not bothering me at all. Why would you be?

[songsandstories]

You noticed me. [She answers, having to. There's a moment where she wants to bite her tongue, but says nothing on the matter. Telling people she must answer them can be just as damaging. Alayne eyes the chair for a moment before taking a sit. The woman clearly won't take 'no'.]

[savethedarkness]

[good girl. M's gaze is no-nonsense, without being cold]. The thought that you'd bother anyone just by being present is a ridiculous one, if you ask me. Whoever put that kind of idea in your head?

[she sips at the glass she has at hand, two neat fingers of bourbon with ice. it's a bit early in the afternoon for drink, but she's got her reasons: coping with a magical castle not the least among them. especially since it's hardly enough to put her off her senses]

[songsandstories]

Petyr. If I'm to be seen, it is how I should present myself. [It is easier to go unnoticed if it is believed that she is the bastard of a lord.]

[savethedarkness]

Oh, that load of bollocks that women should be seen, and not heard. Ridiculous. [she bristles at the thought] This Peter, your husband, I'd guess. Is he here?

[if he is, his antiquated arse is getting a very sizable piece of her mind]

[songsandstories]

Petyr is not my husband, and he isn't here. It is less that I am a woman who shouldn't be seen and more that not being seen may save my life. [If anyone recognized her as a Stark she could be hauled in front of the Lannisters, and then surely her head would be lost as her father and brother's were.

As for being here, she would rather no one notice her and forget her name altogether should anyone else appear. Like her real husband.]

[savethedarkness]

[well, that's not any better, but it's not any worse, either. M frowns, giving the young girl a thoughtful, assessing look. she's dressed plainly enough, even if it's old-fashioned. but she's seen enough people by now who dress the same, here. she checks to make sure her journal is still sitting where it belongs: closed, beneath her plate; handy should she need it, but mute]

I'm sorry to hear that you're in danger, on top of all else this place seems to be. I'm hardly about to ask you to trust me, you've no reason, and it'd be foolish of me. But at the least, if anyone asks me, I never saw you. [she nods toward their food.] Please... Take your time.

[songsandstories]

[She picks up her spoon then and slowly takes a bite. After Alayne dips her head and smiles gently.]

That is kind. [Though none are currently here who would seek her out. She has worn the name Alayne long enough that it wouldn't matter anyone. No one will look for Alayne save Petyr.]

[savethedarkness]

It's only decent. [she'll let the girl eat in peace for a moment, gazing out the window at the grounds to avoid being rude. M knows a thing or two about grace in wretched situations, and she won't pry. it is what it is.]

Call me Emma. [she offers it neutrally, in a way that suggests she doesn't expect reciprocity] Most everyone else here does.

[except Bond, but he's an exception. he's always her exception.]

[songsandstories]

[She isn't afforded the option to tell her her name is Alayne, so she continues to eat for a moment.]

It is well met, Emma. [She doesn't know what else to say.]

[savethedarkness]

[no name, no problem. she nods, just as polite as though she'd gotten a name in response.] You dress and speak like people from long ago in my country's history. ... Would it be a danger to you if I asked where you're from?

[assassino]

[Most people might keep to themselves, but not Ezio. When he sees her slip from the kitchen, he whistles playfully to get her attention.]

Where are you slinking off to so secretively?

[songsandstories]

My room. [She's forced to answer. He is not someone she wishes to see right now. Especially him.]

[assassino]

[Not that she isn't reserved normally, but she seems rather withdrawn to him, in this moment. His voice takes on a touch of concern.]

Are you well, dolcezza? You seem... quiet.

[songsandstories]

[He asks if she is well. That is different than if she is actually doing okay.]

As well as I ever am here. [Which is the absolute truth.]

[assassino]

Forgive me, but that does not sound so reassuring.

[He comes closer and reaches out to take her tray of food for her.]

Here. I will walk you to your room.

[songsandstories]

That is kind. [Though he doesn't have to. Still he already has her tray, and she resolves herself to keep walking. She tries to play the part of the girl he knows, but most of it is a face she wears here. After her talk with Lucrezia, she's realized just how lonely it is being as guarded as she is.

She walks slowly, hands in front of her with one over the other. She walks in silence for fear of still betraying who she is.]

[assassino]

[She seems so... so sullen. Ezio carries the tray with ease, but he keeps glancing sidelong at her, to try and read her face and understand what has caused her to act this way.]

Has something happened, Alayne?

[songsandstories]

Yes. [She answers quietly. She prays silently this curse will end here and now, but she has never been lucky with the gods before.]

[assassino]

Would you like to talk about it?

[songsandstories]

No. [Well he asked, and she answered truthfully.]

[assassino]

[He nods.]

Whatever pleases you, piccina.

[songsandstories]

Thank you. [She walks quietly before looking at him for a moment.]