the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

*Alanna should know better than to eat an apple right before she falls asleep; they give her odd dreams, not to mention a bruised posterior when she slips on the core the next morning.*

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Thom, you are late for practice again. *Alanna creeps along a row of tables, eyes locked on a shadowed figure along the back wall with its back to her. Lip curled in a sneer, she swings a practice sword in a wide arc at her side.* He gave me full permission to dunk you in the fish pond if you aren't there five minutes ago. *Snarling, she leaps out at the figure, sword raised high and chin stubborn. The sword slowly lowers as she spies a young girl about her age.* You're not Thom.

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The little girl in question is sitting with a book, and turns her head around, standing and raising an eyebrow. "Um, no. I'm not. I'd actually appreciate it if you didn't swing a sword at me." She looks around. "And this isn't my bedroom."

*Alanna looks at the book and barely manages to resist rolling her eyes. This girl isn't Thom, but she might as well be; Thom is probably hiding in a dark corner with a book too. Sighing dramatically, Alanna lowers her sword.* My deepest apologies. Knights should not go brandishing swords at helpless maidens. I need to keep these things in mind. *Eyes flashing with determination, Alanna glances around.* No, I suppose it's not... and it's not Trebond either. *She pokes at the table, then the chair, with her sword.* Seems real enough though.

"Yes, odd." She looks around, blinking. "One doesn't just move places while one is reading a book." She sighs. "And I have a column due in an hour and a half." A sigh and a glare. "Peter is going to kill me."

*Alanna glances up sharply, her eyes alert.* Nobody's going to kill you. Who is this Peter person anyway? I won't let him. *She nods, flopping ungracefully into a chair. Seconds later, she straightens as if a voice in her head had just delivered a scathing opinion of her posture.* I'm Alanna of Trebond. Who are you? Are you from the convent?

Val chuckles, raising an eyebrow. "Peter's my brother. He has ambition, and if I get in his way, he'll kill me. That's just the way of things." She pauses, leaning against the wall, book still in her lap. "I'm Valentine Wiggin, and sure as frell am not from a convent." She blinks. "Convents aren't allowed."

*She rolls her eyes.* Brothers. Hmmmm... *Alanna taps a finger against her lips.* I have ambition, but I would never kill anyone for getting in my way. Maim them perhaps, but not kill. Or just use my head and find a way around their objections... anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you Valentine Wiggin. What an odd name. Wait, convents aren't allowed? *Alanna lunges forward and grabs Val's hands.* Where are you from? I must move there straight away.

Val looks up, and blinks, chuckling a bit. "I'm from Greensboro. It's a boring place. Really." She wrinkles her nose. "Although, it might be fun to have another girl around who's not all giggly and stupid." She grins. "I like the way you think, Alanna." There's a mischiviuosl twinkle in her eyes as she looks around the bar. "I wonder if we could get something to eat around here. I'm starving."

*Alanna occupies herself trying to dig the dirt out from under her short nails. She's not very successful.* Trebond isn't so bad, except in the winter. By the Gods, I swear I'm not warm once between October and April. It's horrible. *She makes a face and looks around.* Giggly and stupid would certainly describe most of the girls I know, and they aren't even nobles. I shudder to think what the girls at the convent will be like. No, I will never behave in such a fashion.

*Leaping to her feet, Alanna gives Val a measuring look.* I like the way you think too. Excellent. You will be much more fun to play with than Thom. *Stomach growling, she sniffs the air.* Food? Something sure smells good. I wonder if it's pie.

"I would so hate to have to be around some of the rich girls in my area. All they care about is what's cool, or what's new." She shakes her head. "No interest in anything worthwhile." She stands, grinning at Alanna. "Come on, my lady knight. Let us go raid the kitchen in pursuit of that poor lost food which smells so good." And she starts off, following her nose.

I'm supposed to care about being ladylike, learning domestic tasks and finding a husband. *Her flat tone indicates that nothing could be further from the truth. Grinning, she sheathes her practice sword and trots after Val. She can't resist racing ahead at the last moment and charging through the kitchen doors first. Skidding to a halt, she stares at the rats.*

What the... rats? *Frowning, she moves around the kitchen, snagging a stray apple, and wondering why it seems like no one can see them. There's a man near the door, and she jumps up and down in front of him. No recognition. Alanna's eyebrows shoot up and she stares at Val.* Does this mean we can eat anything we like? I like this place. Thom will be so jealous.

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