the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

*Every morning, Alanna woke up and wondered if it had all been a dream. This morning had been no different. The sight of her shield and the scrapes on her palms were always enough to disabuse her of that notion.

Sir Alanna of Trebond killed the king's cousin, they whispered.

Sighing, Alanna stares at her reflection in the mirror and wonders why it seems so unfamiliar.*

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*Thom slips through the door without knocking.*

Getting vain, are we?

No. *Alanna doesn't look away from the mirror.* Please, do come in.

*She blinks as if coming out of a trance and looks at him, smiling belatedly.*

Hello, brother. I'm not yet used to a knight's garb.

It suits you.

I certainly hope so. I've worked long and hard for it.

*She turns, hands clasped loosely before her.*

Your robes suit you as well.

Worked for those, too.

*He hesitates only briefly, a smile fluttering at the corner of his mouth, before striding forward to embrace her.*

Of course you did.

*Stiffening for a split-second, she swallows and wraps her arms around him.*

I can't quite get over the fact that you are here. *long pause* The entire court's talking about what I did, aren't they?

Most girls'd love to be the talk of the court.

Not because they are girls. And certainly not girls guilty of killing the king's cousin. *She wrinkles her nose.* Perhaps guilty isn't the right word.

Really, it should be part of your title.

'Sir Alanna of Trebond -- Professional Girl and Slayer of Evil Dukes.'

*After a moment of silence, her lips twitch. Pulling back, she ruffles his hair.*

Oh, I like that. I'm quite sure that will silence my critics. Do you think we can fit liar and demon in there as well?

I'm sure we can, but it does get a little long . . .

Sir Alanna is all the title I need.

*Squeezing his hand once, she moves away. She is obviously anxious, pacing back and forth by the bed before throwing open the lid of her trunk.*

Even so, I wonder what they would do if I appeared in a dress.

*Thom giggles.* Choke on their own foul bile, maybe.

It could be an effective new military strategy.

*She lifts her chin proudly.* I have one, you know.

I don't know, Thom. The Lady Of Eldorne is enough to make any commander afraid.

*Relaxing, Alanna smiles at him.*

I must confess that I'm curious.

About the Lady of Eldorne?

*Alanna makes a face.*

No, not about her. Believe me. I've had enough of her the last a lifetime. About the dress, of course.

Why don't you try it? I'll be nice.

*She quirks an eyebrow as she pulls a dress from the trunk.*

Promise? If you aren't, I'll have to tell everybody that you were once bald.

*He snorts, folding his arms over his chest.*

It's not a secret.

It's not? If only I could have seen it.

*Smirking, she moves behind the changing screen.*

How do you like Corus?

It's certainly better than the alternative.

The City of the Gods? I doubt you spent much time in the city itself. Or did you mean Trebond, my Lord?

*The dress is mostly on as she leans her head around the screen and flutters her eyelashes at him.*

I don't know quite what I meant.

*Thom waits, trying not to look amused, for the rest of her to emerge.*

*He doesn't have to wait long. The back of the violet dress is done up in a rather haphazard fashion, but other than that, it fits rather well. Alanna smooths her skirt and coughs uneasily.*

If you laugh, I will toss you in the first available fishpond.

*He takes one look at her and claps his hands over his mouth in a rather feminine attempt to disguise the fact that he's about to burst something, he's laughing so hard.*