driftfleet | 002 ➳ audio + action.

Entry tags:

002 ➳ audio + action.

Who: Nyssa.
Broadcast: Fleetwide audio.
Action: On the planet.
When: When the Fleet makes planetfall.

[ Briskly, ]

I am leading a hunting party. One companion is ideal; I will take no more than three. Bring your own weapons and dress for the cold. We depart at sunrise, from the lodge at the foot of the mountains, and there will be trips every other day beginning tomorrow.

[ Beat. ]

If you wish to come and learn, you are welcome, but if you cannot keep up, you will be left behind.

[ ooc: action prompts in comments. let me know if you'd like a custom starter. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sansa.

[ She matches the warmth. ]

I believe they are bears, or larger. The people keep calling them monsters.

[ bears are rather monstrous. ]

What do you intend with their pelts? [ she prepares herself for disappointment. doubtless, nyssa will trade them. sell them. do something better with them than help feed sansa's nostalgia. ]

I intend to trade my share, and keep a few for myself to cure and use.

Would you like one?

Yes. Please -- so long as it's no trouble to you.

[ she wants it for her bed. she misses sleeping on furs. ]

Then I will find one that pleases you. Perhaps by the end of the week?

I wish I had something -- anything -- appropriate to offer in return.

I require only the pleasure of your company.

[ Not entirely untrue. Although — ]

If you must, there will be time for it later. I am patient.

[ be cautious of those who want only one's company, she thinks. for what profit is there in hers? she'd falter, perhaps, except that she so completely craves nyssa's company in turn. ]

I would like that. [ very much. but: ] I don't hunt -- but I would see you after your excursion, mayhaps. And toast to your triumphs.

Yes, I would like that. I will see you at the end of the week, then. Be well, Sansa.

[ and (indeed) come the end of the week, lady sansa is well-prepared for her guest. a more specific time is given in the days following, and at that hour she makes a point of providing nyssa with a respectable place to sit together and to share their company.

sansa is no servant: this is something she's made quite clear. but alayne stone, at least, had been a cupbearer for lord baelish. and so she knew the basics of setting a proper table, although the huntress left much to be desired in the way of fine dishes. for now, she makes due with fragrant and floral tea.

a guest must have their bread and their salt, after all. sansa wrings her hands while waiting for nyssa, no matter how routine their get-togethers had become. ]

[ A week on the dot and Nyssa sweeps into the room, having (largely) dusted the snow from her hair. The cloak gets neatly folded and put on a chair. Following her are small local couriers, each carrying various cured skins. ]

Sansa.

[ A nod. ]

Where might I put these?

[ bless her, but she can't help but smile when she sees nyssa. this has been an association made in haste and in desperation, and sansa looks at her like the bizarre older sister she's never had: a stand-in for robb's power and bravery, but as composed and sharply wise as margaery tyrell. nyssa is a story come to life, and she feels in her bones that aligning herself with such a creature might prove to be a clever tactic in the longer run.

sansa rises from her chair -- fingers tangled together -- and curtsies. ] A-anywhere. [ she stammers, quick to accept such kindness. ] Let them lay their burdens on some spare chair or surface. I do not care which.

[ the furs are welcome. nyssa more so. ]

A spare surface then, that you might examine them.

[ She gestures, and the couriers lay the goods out on a table, overlapping. A surly one approaches and Nyssa pays him. All of them murmur agreeably, and then leave. ]

You may take as many as you wish, to keep or sell. I have no shortage of supply.

[ she watches -- wide-eyed -- when nyssa handily pays for all services. she wants to know how, but sansa knows it's not appropriate to talk coins at a moment like this one.

so, instead, she stammers: ] Was your hunt a good one, Nyssa? Did it satisfy you?

Greatly.

[ She punctuates with a satisfied smile. ]

There are many beasts, all with their own habits. I was not left wanting.

[ oddly dutiful -- and behaving as a host would, and not a servant -- she pours two generous cups of tea. having no honey and not yet understanding the value of sugar, sansa appears apologetic as she leaves both cups black. ]

There must have been moments of great achievement and wonder. I would like to hear about them, if you'll share.

[ She laughs. ]

Truly? I am no storyteller.

[ impossible, she thinks! she can't fathom such a simple, straight-forward deficiency in the woman she's built up to be like a myth in her mind. sansa shakes her head, almost as though to disagree...

but then: ] It's -- it's alright. If you don't want to share or tell.

[ that must be the real reason behind the modesty. ]

[ She laughs again, softly. ]

You need not protect me, Sansa. I have no skill with weaving or singing.

[ well, this comes as a surprise. she doesn't hide how she's bewildered. ]

Were you never taught?

I was taught to appreciate, but never to produce. I have always been required elsewhere.

All ladies of noble houses learn the gentler arts -- in Westeros, they do. We paint and we sing and we dance. We stitch and -- some of us play the high harp, if we are good enough.

These are pleasing things, not suited to one raised on the sword and bow, I'm afraid.

Any kingdom in need of swords must also be in need of songs, Nyssa. How else will anyone hear of gallantry? Of victory? [ ... ] My lord father's guard used to sing. But I never liked their songs.

[ too rude. too ribald. ]

I fear I have misrepresented myself to you. Though it is true I have an army, and men who would kill and die for me, I have no kingdom, nor lands. Rather it is that I acknowledge no power higher than my heart, and all lands are open for me to travel. Any victory is to be swift, small, and whispered of, if spoken at all. To be what I am, to say I protect and guide, and boast freely of my deeds? I do not believe that is the path I should walk. Do you?

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