❅ Thirteen (Video)

[stonebird]

So a new land awaits us. (She is trying to take the next move in stride, but this one will be harder for her.) I didn't know I would love the sea as much as I do. I think I've walked the beaches every day - except when a storm was upon us. I've become quite good at swimming too.

What use will any of that be in a jungle or on ice?

(However this is Hadriel's nature and it might be worse than all the monsters and other random beasts.)

If I leave behind remembrances for those who have journeyed home, will they remain in our absence? Or will this land crumble to nothing in our wake?

Comments

[soldier_blade]

We're not just talking about swimming at this point, are we. [From her expression and voice, she's already certain of the answer.]

For the most part. Certainly of times when I wasn't nearly as jaded. [Either at the Academy or when she first enlisted. All those places had good as well as bad memories, but she didn't feel nearly as heavy as she did now.]

You able to come over and listen? [She can see it in her manner clear enough, and there's no reason why she couldn't-baring of course her living on another island.]

[stonebird]

No, I am talking about life. (In the water, in the snow, in the heat - it doesn't matter where. Tragedy can strike and leave a person with nothing.)

Are you jaded or experienced? I often have a hard time telling the difference. (Does jaded include bitterness? She does have a fair bit of that left over from Westeros.)

You wouldn't mind?

[soldier_blade]

Wouldn't have suggested it if I minded. [There was enough going around that they didn't need polite bluffs.]

Both, I've enough experience to accept that life likes pulling the rug from my feet. Jaded just means I've also become tired of it.

Come on in, I'll get tea ready.

[stonebird]

I understand being tired of it. The things that bring others happiness have the opposite effect on me. I wonder if I will ever change. (Ever heal.)

I will be there shortly, thank you, my lady. (She fulfills her promise, knocking politely on the front door before she enters.)

Hello?

[soldier_blade]

[Her expression shifts into something not entirely a scowl. What Sansa described, she knew the feeling all too well-had seen it for herself.] I'd like to think it's possible-with effort.

[Setting the record player in what she made the sitting room room, then getting water on for tea all proved a decent enough distraction. She always had a sneaking suspecion something dark happened in Sansa's life-just something about how the young woman spoke and carried herself as a sort of shield. The last few messages they shared just seemed to confirm it.]

[She was just pulling out sugar and creamer when she heard the door and the voice of who entered. Inwardly, she felt herself relax just a little.] Sansa, make yourself comfortable. I'm just getting the tea ready.

[stonebird]

...and time. A lot of it. (Time spent in peace, hopefully, otherwise the prior wounds will only be deepened.

Her life in Westeros had once been bright and wonderful; she hadn't a care in the world except marrying her prince charming. However her prince charming had turned out to be a tyrant king and, even after she escaped him, she had been tormented by a crazed aunt and then married to a vicious bastard.

But things have looked much better in the worlds she has visited. She has made a new family and surrounded herself with dear friends. They have helped her heal and regain trust in herself.

There is something about Sonya's voice that she likes - it feels kind - and she walks towards it, peering into the kitchen curiously.)

Would you like any help?

[soldier_blade]

[She turned her head when she heard her approach. The answer 'no' was on her lips, then she recalled that she didn't exactly have a tea tray-or anything resembling one.] Could you just carry these into the living room and set them on the table? I'll bring the mugs.

[She handed her a small jar she used as a sugar bowl as well as a container for non-dairy creamer (least, that was what she got by the smell and taste). Neither of the items were heavy of course, but it would've been difficult to balance them all in one trip.

The mugs and saucer she carried back with her, setting them on the table before going to the record player. The album The Head on the door wasn't one she had from home, but she'd listened to the band before and enjoyed their music. She turned on the machine and set the needle before going back to the table as the first song started to play.] I didn't know how you took your tea, so I just left yours black.

[stonebird]

(Sansa moves forward to take the jar and the creamer, cradling them with care. She is a tidy sort and the idea of dropping something like sugar or even the creamer would give her more stress than she needs. Once she is in the living room, she sets the items down and arranges them so that they are easily accessible from the various seats.)

Thank you, that's perfect. (She gives the other woman a smile as she accepts the mug. Since she has a bit of a sweet tooth, she does add sugar.)

What strange music. (The instruments are odd - she has no way of naming them accurately - and the lyrics are simpler than she is accustomed to hearing.) Their lyrics do not rhyme, but there is a rhythm to them.

[soldier_blade]

[At the small table, she only added a little creamer to her tea. Her coffee preferences tended towards dark with no sugar. The last thing she needed now was more stimulants; atleast tea was calming.]

They call it New wave back home, the music anyway. The actual band is called The Cure. I enjoyed..still enjoy it, because it's upbeat, but the lyrics aren't all about relationships.

[She was never into studying music the way some were, but she could tell that much. Growing up, the sort of poppish songs or country sounds she grew up with just made her feel more broken inside; New Wave atleast provided her an escape from all of that.]