Post by Kit on Mar 4, 2010 21:35:23 GMT 10
Title: Curses and Hopes
Rating: PG
Length: 317
Round: 2/D
Competitor: Alanna
Summary: The aftermath of Page Keladry (and Lady Alanna's) first test.
The mirror was old, now, and battered. It flaked roses across the floors of the Swoop, and cheap gilt stuck to her fingers, sweet stains of inappropriate gifts from well-meaning, best-loved six-year-olds. Alanna's face, when she was caught there, was haggard.
"You'd best not do that, my girl."
Her husband's voice, sympathetic and blurred, stroked her. She flinched. "Don't make me try and feel better, George."
"Ah, Alanna," he said. "When have I ever tried to do that?"
Nothing to say. Waves on the rocks. Seals fighting and groaning half in and half out of land. Creaking doors and wind through wall and window, catching at hair and fireplace and any paper not weighted down. "No contact..." the insufferable voice that must, somehow, be suffered, all because of a patronising hand on her shoulder and a King's command.
"If y'scry her, someone will know," said the Spymaster's second. "Let me, if you truly must, but--"
"--of course I was going to help her, George!" the words were out, scratched and small. "Of course I was. One girl--a proper girl, braver than I was, that way--in with all those idiots? Haven't we all progressed," the word dripping scorn, "Enough to be able to have help? Not weapons help or magic help, but...arm muscles! And...and...you taught me to fight properly--"
A slow smile. "Improperly."
"--as I said, and of course she will prove them the sort of wrong that has the dead walking, and she'll get off that appalling cursed probation and won't need me at all, really, but to know you're alone, and friendless, from the very start?"
She turned around, and George took the mirror from her hands and held them in his. "I know, lass."
"It's not right."
"I know."
"And," said Alanna, sniffing. "I was actually looking forward to taking a Squire."
George pulled her properly into his arms, and did not question why, suddenly, they were both laughing.
Rating: PG
Length: 317
Round: 2/D
Competitor: Alanna
Summary: The aftermath of Page Keladry (and Lady Alanna's) first test.
The mirror was old, now, and battered. It flaked roses across the floors of the Swoop, and cheap gilt stuck to her fingers, sweet stains of inappropriate gifts from well-meaning, best-loved six-year-olds. Alanna's face, when she was caught there, was haggard.
"You'd best not do that, my girl."
Her husband's voice, sympathetic and blurred, stroked her. She flinched. "Don't make me try and feel better, George."
"Ah, Alanna," he said. "When have I ever tried to do that?"
Nothing to say. Waves on the rocks. Seals fighting and groaning half in and half out of land. Creaking doors and wind through wall and window, catching at hair and fireplace and any paper not weighted down. "No contact..." the insufferable voice that must, somehow, be suffered, all because of a patronising hand on her shoulder and a King's command.
"If y'scry her, someone will know," said the Spymaster's second. "Let me, if you truly must, but--"
"--of course I was going to help her, George!" the words were out, scratched and small. "Of course I was. One girl--a proper girl, braver than I was, that way--in with all those idiots? Haven't we all progressed," the word dripping scorn, "Enough to be able to have help? Not weapons help or magic help, but...arm muscles! And...and...you taught me to fight properly--"
A slow smile. "Improperly."
"--as I said, and of course she will prove them the sort of wrong that has the dead walking, and she'll get off that appalling cursed probation and won't need me at all, really, but to know you're alone, and friendless, from the very start?"
She turned around, and George took the mirror from her hands and held them in his. "I know, lass."
"It's not right."
"I know."
"And," said Alanna, sniffing. "I was actually looking forward to taking a Squire."
George pulled her properly into his arms, and did not question why, suddenly, they were both laughing.
from day one, I loved him.) But *this*, this display of emotions in the proper setting and with the proper words and without the tetchiness but just sheer frustration is wonderful. It reminds me that there was a time I loved being in Alanna's head.