[Carpe] For Brienne - Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain...

[sandman_slim]

Stark has been ... bored lately. There simply hasn't been much to do for a guy like him (aside from picking friendly fights), and he feels like he's in a bit of a rut. He's found himself standing out on a porch, finishing off the last of a rare cigarette. He's noticed that his drinking and smoking have started to happen less and less often and

Comments

[homely_sonja]

Brienne is always willing to lend you company, Stark, though she's a shy puppy. It's getting better with time, though, and when she spots her friend love interest?, she'll pause and lean by the railing.

"Something is eating you," she says quietly by way of greeting.

[homely_sonja]

Brienne blinks, the glance has turned into a stare of shameful ignorance.

"... toddy?" And then. "Oh, yes. I know what that is."

She has no idea.

And no zombies!

[sandman_slim]

This look? This is the look of 'yeah, sure you do...' that Stark's giving you Brienne. "Yeah? I didn't think you drank much."

He's not calling her out, but perhaps offering an invitation? Stark doesn't need much encouragement for a drink.

And the animals are all nice and lacking in senseless hostility.

[homely_sonja]

Brienne is leery of drinking things of which she is ignorant.

But she isn't leery of Stark, so...

"Huh huh," is all she offers.

She... might be... oh dear, is she flirting?

Gentleness is a good thing in this world of brutes.

[sandman_slim]

Stark smirks lightly. "Right. Want one? I don't think it'll be as good as my friend's, but it shouldn't be bad."

Flirting? Perish the thought!

And adorable. We need more of that.

[homely_sonja]

That's a squint. She's flirting. Not very well, she's unlearned in those things, but... oh dear, she's in trouble, isn't she?

"Will you be as gentlemanly as ever, Lord Stark?"

Yes, yes indeed. Thank you for being a safe space. I needed that (and you).

[sandman_slim]

He smirks, the expression honest if not terribly attractive and offers her his arm. "Of course. As if I could be anything less My Lady." Vague memories of Medieval Times and old tv shows helped a bit here.

<3 If I can be, I'm happy to be there for you. ^^

[homely_sonja]

There's the slightest - perhaps even coquettish hesitation, but Brienne does slip her large, inelegant hand onto Stark's arm. "Lead the way then," she replies.

She's tempted to say something about not wearing a dress, and realizes how odd that might sound.

You're lovely, as always.

[sandman_slim]

He doesn't find anything inelegant about her hands. They can hold a weapon with skill and that's more important to a man like Sandman Slim.

"To the kitchen." Which is exactly where he'll take her.

The company brings out the best in me.

[homely_sonja]

Brienne is led, and when they're in the kitchen, she'll ask, helpfully, "Is there something useful I can do?"

She's always so desperate for relevance...

Company blushes.

[sandman_slim]

"You can boil some water if you want?" Stark can understand that desire, though he tries not to give too much voice to it if he can help it.

"Maybe two cups? Two and a half? It doesn't matter."

Gallant bow

[homely_sonja]

Brienne simply nods and sets to it with the usual dogged efficiency that is characteristic of the shieldmaiden.

After a bit...

"It's boiling..."

♥

[sandman_slim]

Stark rummages while the water boils for the rest of the ingredients and mugs. Nothing fancy since that's not what he does, and he doesn't want to knock Brienne over on her butt with anything too strong.

"Go ahead and fill these ... half full with water. Then I'll pour over the rest and mix it up."

♥♥ hope the meeting went well.

[homely_sonja]

Brienne does exactly as instructed, with dogged hesitation. She'll dutifully turn the mugs over to Stark.

"Is that alright?"

She might seem a touch desperate to do well.

It went okay! I think. :P Can't remember which one it was.

[sandman_slim]

Stark smiles and nods. "Yeah, you got it." He doles out the rest of the mix, adding a bit of cinnamon to the drinks before pushing one mug over to her. "Gonna be warm, but go ahead and take a sip when it's less likely to burn you and tell me what you think."

I'm sure it went great. ^^

[homely_sonja]

Brienne nods, smiles just a little. "Thank you," she says before she blows softly over the drink, so as to cool it a touch.

"It smells good."

She likes cinnamon, though it's new to her.