❅ Eleven (Text)

[stonebird]

I have a delicate matter I need to discuss with a lady; preferably one who comes from a modern era. (Since her era has been called "medieval" more than once. Surely humanity has progressed in this...?)

I thank you in advance for your time. I would also like to -

(This is more difficult.)

A great Elf has left us. He was very dear to me and I will miss him for the rest of my life.

Comments

[private text]

[stonebird]

(Any help is appreciated. This matter is only discussed in passing - and in private - in her world. Sansa has a lot of catching up to do where knowledge about her body is concerned.)

More particularly the pain associated with menses. (Help. is there a hotline for this?)

[private voice]

[madambutterfly]

[This is a subject more easily spoken about - and demonstrated - in person. Maeve's voice comes over the line, aristocratic and soft.]

Where are you? I can help you better that way.

[private voice]

[stonebird]

(She is embarrassed and her voice is soft, somewhat unsure. But she realizes she needs help.)

I am on the South island in one of the larger houses. I can meet you on the shore if it is easier.

[private voice]

[madambutterfly]

[She must be young. Afraid.]

I'm already on the island in question. I'll meet you outside your house.

[private voice]

[stonebird]

(She isn't as young as she used to be, but there are topics that are woefully unaddressed on her world.)

I will wait for you.

(Outside of the house, sitting in the sunlight. The warmth eases her cramping muscles a little.)

[action]

[madambutterfly]

[Maeve was never an adolescent.

She has "memories" of it, as she does of an entire other life that she is still parsing through, but nothing so severely detailed as to warrant names, occasions, or events. Mr. Sizemore never wrote those parts for her, because they were never necessary.

The can only be so many young women standing outside their houses today and so Maeve assumes that the girl with the red hair and the delicate face is the one she was looking for. She doesn't rush, but neither does she take her time.]

Hello. I'm Maeve.

[action]

[stonebird]

(If only those parts weren't necessary! Sansa understands the need for them, at least, so she weathers the pain and discomfort with as much patience as she can muster each month. But it would be nice to have some help if it is available.

She stands when she hears Maeve's approach, her features paler than they would otherwise be for several reasons. Perhaps they can ease at least one of them with this meeting.)

Thank you for coming. (She gives a small curtsy, unable to forget her manners even as her back protests.) My name is Sansa Stark.

[madambutterfly]

[The propriety is adorable. Maeve flashes a quick, close-mouthed smile and can already tell that she is hurting. Looping an arm in Sansa's with the deft elegance of a woman who has done so thousands of times, she gestures to the house.]

Show me inside, Sansa.

[A funny thing, she thinks, to give a synthetic person knowledge of a biologically human trait. A few of the hosts - her girls - had done it before, felt the soreness, agonized in it. Maeve would hazard that some guests of the park liked the blood.

Made them seem more real.]

I have a few tricks that can mitigate the pain.

[stonebird]

(She is left with the sensation that she is in the presence of a great lady. Sansa has a sincere admiration of great women and she is curious what she can learn from Maeve.)

Of course. (Her posture and steps are elegant as she leads the way up the path. The door is partially open, so all she need do is give it a small push.)

I will appreciate anything you can teach me. (She glances at the other woman, a little nervous.) My mother didn't live long enough to inform me.

[madambutterfly]

[While she may possess the bearing of someone with high socioeconomic standing, Maeve has the mouth of a sailor and the blunt attitude to match. The girl at her side possesses a genteel nature she isn't sure will last long in a place like this, but she's seen more impressionable mooncalves before and they got on all right.

Mother strikes something in her center mass, and Maeve only covers it by clearing her throat once they are inside.]

We have precious little here in terms of medicinals, but-

[Extricating her arm and moving across the parlor space, locating the room she was looking for, Maeve opens a door that - luckily - leads to tile floors, a sink, and a tub.]

-I always start with a hot bath.

[stonebird]

(Mooncalf was an accurate descriptor when Sansa was 11 or 12. But King's Landing broke her of most of her naiveté and what was left over was crushed by Baelish, Bolton and now the ominous threat that is traveling quickly from the North. She knows how to survive - perhaps not as well as her sister, Arya - but her time in various worlds has better equipped her in that respect. For example, she can use a sword and a bow. She will even learn how to fire a gun.)

The heat would be relaxing. (She agrees, staying where she stands, her hands crossed before her.) I will hardly abandon you to take one now. I wouldn't be a very gracious host.