the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

Apologizing to horses is something Alanna prefers to do alone, but after a few hours of fussing over Mithros, she's more than ready for a two-sided conversation. Still, it's a beautiful evening, and so she pauses by her favorite tree before returning to the bar. Propping her sword against the tree trunk, she stretches and stares at the lake.

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This probably isn't the person she wanted to have a conversation with, but tough shit.

"Feeling better?" Comes a voice from behind her.

War's leaning against the tree, her arms crossed. She looks comfortable.

The tiny hairs on the back of Alanna's neck and down her arms stand at attention. She doesn't turn around immediately, squinting as if trying to see something on the opposite shore.

"Yes. Yes, I am." The answer is long in coming. One foot crossing over the other, she looks at the woman. "And how are you feeling?"

"Fan-tas-tic," she says, slow and sarcastic, not moving from where she is.

She cracks her neck. "And Adam?"

Alanna arches an eyebrow. There are any number of polite responses, but every last one sticks in her throat. One deep breath, and then another. She tries to recall how she swore to handle herself should this present situation become a reality and not a product of her fevered imagination.

And Adam?

Worried. Sleep deprived. Badly in need of a drink.

"As well as can be expected," she replies smoothly. "I hear you paid him a visit not long after our first meeting."

She shrugs even though Alanna can't see it.

"I may have. I'm a busy woman."

"Aye, of that I'm well aware."

Hands clenched together behind her back, Alanna takes a step towards the tree. Her gaze wanders over the woman's face. A quick glimpse of her eyes, and Alanna glances at the lake once more.

"I suppose most people in the bar are aware of my injury and subsequent illness."

It's almost a question.

"Perhaps," she says simply.

A small rustling of grass and she's sitting next to Alanna.

"You know the rumour mill around here."

A curt nod. "I confess, I'm curious how you learned of it."

Alanna bites her lip, feeling as if she just laid all her cards on the table.

Another shrug. "I'm very on the up-and-up when it comes to these types of things."

Alanna feels her breathing quicken, her face flush.

"It happened two days after we... spoke."

War, War, War: it's like an endless litany in her head, a battle cry of a different sort.

"So did a lot of things."

"Things of which you had firsthand knowledge?" She asks, trying to keep her voice light.

"I have firsthand knowledge of all things like that. It's what I do."

The toe of Alanna's boot digs viciously into the dirt, displacing a patch of grass. Cursing her own nerves, she gives War a level look.

"You knew," she spits out. "Of course you did. Was it more than mere knowledge? Are you also responsible?"

Adam will kill her.

She curses once more under her breath, eyes flashing.

"Define 'responsible.'"

"There was a challenge issued that night," she says by way of an explanation until she thinks better of leaving it there. "Did you have anything to do with the two arrows striking me?"

"I wasn't holding the bow, if that's what you're asking."

"No, I didn't think you were." She laughs a laugh full of frightened amusement. It trails off quickly, sounding strangled at the last. "You would have been a much better shot."

She grins.

Simply: "Yes."

The grin makes her shiver.

"He asked you to stay away from me, didn't he? Is that why?"

She laughs; it's feral.

"You're not much of a duel challenge with arrow wounds, are you? Then again, you probably weren't before that."

Pride pricked, Alanna pulls herself up to her full height, her fingers itching to reach out for her sword.

"I concede that I'm not at my best," she says through gritted teeth. "But given your nature and business, you know what I've done with my life. The Ysandir said much the same."

She shrugs.

"Am I to be impressed?"

Bristling, Alanna shakes her head.

"No. I wouldn't expect you to be impressed sight unseen. I've no problem with proving myself."

Looking over at Alanna, she raises an eyebrow. "Is that so?"