rebirth's decline 9 | orb 3

[ladysarmour]

Good day to you all.

[ It seems a proper way to begin this, to people she does not know how to address. "My lords and ladies," she might say, but are they? "Fellow heroes," she could say, but she doesn't feel like a hero. Other epithets come to mind - refugees, exiles, pilgrims - but none suit. ]

I am Alayne Stone, a princess of Schwanheim by the King's grace. I have been in this realm for two weeks, save one day, and I know too few of you. It would bring my heart great joy and honor if you would join me this day, if you are otherwise unoccupied. [ in other words, if you aren't taking part in whatever danger Loki warned her about ] There is little I might promise by way of diversions, but there will be food, and I would be most pleased to hear of your homes, if you will share the tales.

[ Her heart races. She does not want to do this, but she feels duty-bound to do so. If Cersei Lannister can hold court in the midst of a siege, Sansa Stark can do the same here during less.

Even Alayne Stone should. Must. And Alayne here, unlike Sansa ever was, is a princess. The king is away, and this is a princess's duty. ]

Lady Sif, might I speak with you?

Comments

[consultmybooks]

[...really, in a great many ways, this was probably feeling like home for a lot of them.

Certainly for Giles. Monsters in their midst, the imminent end of the world...and here, wonder of wonders, he can finally hit the books. Research is one thing Giles always feels confident about contributing.

Maybe, hidden in one of those books, is an explanation for what's happening to him, and that can be one less thing hanging over their head.]

I thought I'd check out the library, actually. Um, did you want to join me, Alayne?

[ladysarmour]

If you don't mind additional guests as well, then we should be glad to.

[consultmybooks]

Oh, not at all. Actually, um, I thought it would be a bit odd, researching with just myself. It's been...well, rather a while since I've had to.

Who else was thinking of coming along, then?

[ladysarmour]

At least five others, of various ranks. I hope you do not mind mixed company [ of various classes ].

[consultmybooks]

Provided they're, um, not terribly noisy...and, um, of course provided that they can read...I've actually found that, that there might be few things more beneficial to a research attempt than mixed company. S-Someone's bound to see something that, um, that the rest of us miss, after all.

I look forward to it, Alayne.