the_lioness | (no subject)

Similarly dressed, and indeed having no trouble in the dark, Faith looks around.

"I can probably carry them," she says, eyeing the stairs. "I mean, how much do horses weigh?"

*Alanna's eyebrows shoot up.*

As I've never contemplated lifting one, I've not thought to ask. Too much would be my normal answer, but knowing you? *She grins.* Come on, let's be on our way.

*Still whistling, Alanna tromps up the stairs and into the main room of the Dove. Thieves litter the room, and at least two choke on their ale as the two women enter. Alanna's smile grows wider still, and she revels in the fact that she no longer feels she must hide her identity.*

Morning, gentlemen. Faith, welcome to the Dancing Dove, den of thieves and jolly good tavern. It's George's place. *She automatically flashes the sign of the Rogue and looks around for Lightfingers or Rispah.*

"Glad you know you have such...er, Faith...in my abilities, Alanna."

Faith snickers all the way up the stairs, and when they're in the room, she looks around, interested. "Interesting. What's a person do in a tavern? Beside drink?"

*It's possible that Alanna pauses for a moment on the stairs to lightly knock her head against the wall.*

The Dove doubles as the court of the Rogue. George is the recently retired King of Thieves, you know. *Alanna grins wickedly* Personally, I prefer the relaxation of this court to Jon's, not that I would ever admit that. Actually, deep down, I think Jon would agree. We both spent a good bit of time here in our youth.

*Faith is being leered at by several thieves without full sets of teeth. One man, sprawled inelegantly in George's chair by the fire, moves his leg over the arm and gestures for them to join him. Alanna snorts, and tugs on Faith's arm.*

I'll bring you back to drink with the thieves another time. They know many interesting songs, but I warrant we could both drink them under the table. *Alanna suddenly feels a need to exaggerate her capabilities. Grinning, she steps out into the sunlight and takes a deep breath... and coughs.* The lower city is not smelling particularly sweet today.

*Several men on horseback ride by, more than one turning to look at Alanna's bright hair and sword. She smiles slowly, and sets off at a determined pace.*

Faith follows, not reacting to the smell of the city - she's smelled much worse things than this, after all. She also doesn't react to the leers, 'cause, well, used to that.

Men, it seems, are pretty much the same everywhere.

"So you and your king guy hung out in the slums when you were kids? I think I'll like him."

We did. *Alanna smiles fondly.* Gary and I met George first. I imagine it was something like fate, as I don't think I could have kept up my charade without him. He's an amazing person, and one of my very best friends. As is Jon. *She blushes slightly.* Anyway, George helped me learn some new fighting techniques to deal with a bully, and before long I took Jon to meet him. Of course, Jon was a Prince then, and disguised his identity too. He was just Johnny at the Dove.

*They near the bustling marketplace, and Alanna stops to purchase an orange from a fruit seller.* Want one, Faith?

Faith notes the blush, and her lips twitch slightly, but she doesn't comment. "It sounds like I'll like George too...yes, please, thanks."

She continues to look around, smirking slightly at the way people are staring at them. "Alanna? Do these people know who you are or are they all just staring at your ass?"

He's a bartender now, so I'm sure you will see him around. Er... it might be wise not to mention exactly why we came to Tortall, but do tell him you've been here. He'll enjoy talking about it.

He's going to kill me, I just know it.

*She tosses Faith and orange and nods to the vendor before looking at Faith in surprise.*

They know who I am, although most of them only think of me as the Lioness, I'm sure. *She grins cheekily, tries to glimpse her own ass and turns around in a circle like a dog chasing its tail.* Or maybe not. After all, it's a fine ass.

*She immediately looks horrified.*

At least you've not yet heard the ballads.

"Oh, he's at the bar? I look forward to meeting him, then."

She smirks, amused. "It is a fine ass, indeed," she agrees, and then, after a second's pause, "You...have ballads?"

*She digs her nails into the orange peel and looks thoughtful.* He is, which makes things... a touch tense. I'm glad of it though. He's a part of me.

*Alanna groans and cover her face with one hand, forgetting that it's covered in orange juice. She absently licks her palm.*

Several, unfortunately. Just promise me you won't laugh when you hear the one about the Lioness being ten feet tall? They missed by almost a full five. *Snickering, she pops a piece of orange in her mouth, bows to Faith and continues on through the colorful market. People crowd the square, negotiating prices of fine cloth, fruit and other goods. Alanna stops to look at a pair of riding gloves and grins.* Is there anything in particualar you want to see? I'm in no rush.

"Oh, I won't laugh," Faith promises, grinning. "I'll be too busy trying to learn it. For the next big party, you know."

She looks around, glancing at the gloves without any real interest. "Do they sell shiny sharp things?"

*Alanna's mouth drops open, and she makes a strangled sound.*

Goddess, no. No, no. Please do not learn it. Those damn songs are the bane of my existence, if for no other reason than they give Thom fodder to tease me with.

*She snickers.*

Of course, Faith. This is Tortall. We specialize in shiny and sharp. *Eyes dancing, she leads her over to a stall displaying a wealth of weapons. Alanna eyes a broadsword with an expert eye and shakes her head.* It does tend to be overpriced. Gary was right.

Faith grins "I do like to sing, you know. I'm not the best at it, but I enjoy it."

Her eyes light up when she sees the weapons, but her face falls when Alanna says 'overpriced.' "Oh pooh. Well, I guess it's not like I need any more, really..."

This does not stop her from looking, though, and when the seller won't stop staring at Alanna, she decides to distract him the only way she knows how.

Six daggers being juggled at Slayer speed would distract just about anybody, really.

I was actually once paid by a fellow page to stop singing. Thom has a decent voice, but I am not so gifted. *She grins, her gaze calculating as she examines the weapons.* Go ahead and pick one out, Faith. I've got money on me. You should have some sort of token to remind you of our adventure.

*She turns, intending to blast Faith with a determined smile... and promptly chokes. Eyes wide, she watches Faith, just as distracted as the rest of the crowd in the immediate vicinity. Eventually, she manages to chuckle.*

Perhaps we should purchase your new shiny and be on our way. I can't decide if they think you are a god or a devil.

Faith closes her eyes.

And keeps juggling.

After a moment, she opens them again, replacing five of the daggers and holding the last - a lightweght, fairly simple-looking piece, not as ornate as some of the others, but with better heft and quality - out to the seller, hilt-first.

"This one," she says, and turns to Alanna with a smile. "Thanks, I'll pay you back when we get home."

*Still chuckling, Alanna shakes her head and closes her hand around Faith's and the dagger. Lightly, of course, as Faith holds the sharp blade.*

No, it's a gift of thanks, for your help today. *She counts out several gold nobles and leaves them for the merchant.* Right! On we go.

*Winking at a group of small children, Alanna trots off. She had just seen several knights headed their way and would rather avoid questions, at least at the moment. They pass several stately homes and villas along Market Way, and Alanna beams as the winding road becomes Palace Way. Just as she starts to point out the Temple District, a group of women in armor march by and she stops short, watching them. They carry heavy axes, and she smiles, thinking of Mel.*

That's the guard of the Temple of the Great Mother Goddess.

Faith watches too, admiring - the weapons, and the armor, not the homes.

"...pretty axes," she says, quietly. "Your goddess, I take it, is not the quiet, retiring sort?"

*She snorts.* Not at all. Her voice alone makes you grit your teeth. She's the sister-consort of Mithros, the sun god and god of war. Crops, mares, children, women, she looks after us all.

Let's just say we have a unique relationship. *Smiling, she watches the procession head up the hill toward the largest of the nearly one hundred temples in the area.* The guard ensures that no man sets foot in the Great Mother's domain. I used to go to the Temple and study them whenever I could.

*Shaking herself, she turns and points up the hill toward the palace. The great City Gate looms before them, the palace's towers rising high behind it.*

But out path leads there.

Faith watches the procession too, for a minute, then turns and eyes the palace warily.

"...I'm not gonna have to wear a dress for going in there, am I? You wouldn't do that to me, right?"

*Alanna stares at her like she's grown an extra head and gestures to her own attire.*

Do I look like I plan on changing? No. You will undoubtedly get some odd looks, but you don't strike me as the shy, retiring type that might be bothered by such things. *She snickers.* We won't actually enter the palace, just the grounds. I thought we might stop by the practice yards, fluster the younglings a bit and then sneak off to the stables. That part will require a bit of... stealth.

*Shifty, shifty, shifty. After a moment, Alanna adds to this.* Of course, should you ever wish to attend a court function, I would take you. That would require a dress, yes.

Faith looks relieved.

"Thank you, Alanna...no, I don't have any desire to attend anything that requires a dress. Bad enough Nick asked me to stand up with him when he and Alex get married, he had that 'you are going to dress up' gleam in his eyes."

She shivers slightly, then grins. "Flustering people is one of my favorite pastimes. As you might have noticed."

*Alanna makes a face.* I hate that gleam. Truly. I dress up when I want to, but that's different. I can decide when, where and how much. Ceremonies are always different.

She grumbles something about weddings and starts moving again.*

I have noticed, yes, and enjoy it myself. Well, in relation to Peter and my brother, at least.

*She starts whistling again, moving quickly up the steep hill. The intricately carved gate is guarded by several soldiers, all decked out in Tortallan crimson and gold. Alanna smiles absently at the guards high on the wall and has a brief word with one sentry before motioning for Faith to follow her through. They enter a courtyard, the garden off to their left, and make their way toward the practice yards.*

Captain Sklaw is going to have a fit. Now, go easy should anyone decide to challenge you.

"Yeah, and the thing is...it's Nick. What was I gonna do, say no?" She snorts. "Like I could withstand the Nick-pout."

She follows, looking around the palace with interest, and pouts slightly at being asked to go easy. "Aw, Ma, do I haveta?"

Then she grins, cheerful. "Don't worry, Alanna, I won't break any of the little kidlets."

*Alanna glances over at Faith and smiles wryly.* As I could not say no to either Mina or Val. Now, Bigby had the right idea.

Good, I'm glad. I find myself protective of knights in training. It's not an easy life, and some of them could use all the friends they can get.

*She pauses for a moment, her head tilted as she listens. Nodding, she moves swiftly toward one of the open air fencing courts, where Captain Sklaw leads about twenty older pages through a rudimentary sword drill. Several squires and a few knights watch nearby, and Alanna grins in anticipation. The young noblemen are in for quite a shock.

She marches in, a devil may care smile on her face, and nods to Sklaw.*

Good afternoon, Captain Sklaw. My friend and I would like to practice. Don't mind us.

*He stares at Faith in shock.* Lioness, it has been awhile. Go ahead. Let's see if you are still in shape.

*Alanna grins recklessly and stretches briefly.* Oh, I am.

Faith salutes the Captain with one hand.

The other is gripping her left ankle, where it sits on her right shoulder, and pulling it slightly in a stretching motion.

"Pleasure to meet you, Captain."