[Intro] With flag unfurled

[homely_sonja]

Comments

[daddyissuesjnr]

Brienne might bump into Melou later. He's currently out in the grounds, not too far from the Mansion. He has his sword with him, but he's more playing than seriously practising, just swinging it about and watching the sun glinting off the blade.

[homely_sonja]

At least he's not a grown man - it helps. And Brienne, having, we might assume, somehow got OathKeeper back, and a measure of calm, pauses, observing the lad's practice.

He's not bad - but he could be better. Something about the emotion in his technique... and well. Sheer strength and size, too - both an asset and a liability.

For now, Brienne only observes.

[daddyissuesjnr]

Melou can tell he's being watched, but he doesn't give any indication that he's noticed. He puts more purpose into his swings, like he's seriously practising instead of just messing around. He's careful not to overdo it and make it obvious that he's showing off, but he is showing off, just subtly so.

[homely_sonja]

Brienne isn't very intent on adressing him. At the same time....

She needs information on how to get back. Find Podrick (and deal with Hyle, augh) and resume the quest, damn it.

She's going to wait until he takes a break.

[daddyissuesjnr]

It's not long till he takes a break, because he hasn't received any awed compliments, so clearly the showing off isn't working. He doesn't say anything, just lowers his sword and looks over at Brienne.

[homely_sonja]

She hesitates. Takes a breath. "You fight well," she says after a moment.

She's got her own bag of insecurities that hinder her own communication skills.

[daddyissuesjnr]

Ah, much better. That's the sort of thing he was looking for.

"It would not serve me well in battle if I did not," he replies, haughtily.

[homely_sonja]

Well yes. That's kind of obvious. "One would hope so." She looks at him a moment and tilts her head.

"Who is your sword-master?"

[daddyissuesjnr]

"The king does not have a sword-master," Melou replies. According to Melou, the king has nothing but servants, servants, and more servants.

[homely_sonja]

"King Joffrey had the Hound," she says without thinking. "I do not know who teaches King Tommen. Why do you ask?"

Yay for quiproquos. Gotta love them.

[daddyissuesjnr]

"I was not speaking of King Joffrey, or of King Tommen," Melou says, looking a little confused. "I have never heard of either of them, or of their realms."

I'm the only king who matters, anyway :|

[homely_sonja]

Brienne blinks. "What of Robb Stark, the king in the North, or King Stannis of Dragonstone?" It hurts her to say it, but she has to ask, "What of King Renly?"

[daddyissuesjnr]

"I've heard nothing of any of them."

[homely_sonja]

"-- whence come you, then, that you have never heard of the Seven Kingdoms?"

[daddyissuesjnr]

"Britain is the name of my realm," Melou replies.

[homely_sonja]

Ah. Never heard of it. "Forgive me then, Your Grace. I have never heard of Britain until this day."

She's polite, but wary. Brat kings do not, on Brienne, a good impression make.