deernet | video; un: lady, dated 5/19

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video; un: lady, dated 5/19

[sansa looks just as fashionable and polished as ever, but there is something tired in her eyes. she wears a long-sleeved grey dress embroidered with silver dragonflies and a wide leather belt with a small bottle of vileblood threaded through the thin inner strap. next to her sits lady in a matching embroidered collar, almost a head taller than she was in sansa's first video some months before.]

Hallo, for those who don't know me, I'm called Alayne Stone. I make fine clothing for Night Walkers, by trade, and I'm glad to make things for my fellow Sleepers as well. Of course I would be glad to alter anyone's clothes to accommodate any physical changes they've experienced this month, though I should like to have my blood hound Knight check you for corruption first. He can remove it from your blood, and it's quite painless. He's a gentle beast.

[sansa pauses, frowning slightly. she'd hate to be wrong about this, but she's already worked out her own curse with the help of her friends and omen, and she really would like to help...and perhaps bausphomette will stop turning her into stone if she's more open about her experiences?]

I know that my own curse served as a sort of moral lesson, and my omen was able to work some of it out. Perhaps you might consider what lesson could be taken from yours, and try to learn it. Likely you'll have to do something important that you wouldn't have done otherwise. You might like to discuss it with Bausphomette; they can be found very often on rooftops at night.

[sansa-as-lady wasn't not going to talk to the giant white wolf exuding comfort and emotional availability...]

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It has been a time. I can't quite recall if we've spoken before. I am Vira-Lorr. It is a pleasure. I might actually wish to engage your services at some point. Thankfully, they stock a supply of my preferred sort of clothing in town more or less, but alterations can be a pain and it was never my stock and trade.

[She leaned back, the ao dai that she was wearing clear enough. She favored darks or reds, but today she was in a white, pale number. One hand went up and rubbed her temples, not far from the third eye, which closed as she seemed lost in thought.]

I find that I don't often wish to receive moral lessons from the Pthumerians. I much prefer them from humans. Our understandings of morality are more similar. Still, all considered, Bauphomette's lesson this month was simply disturbing, not violent or deadly.

[the seers in tales are always very otherworldly, and sansa herself often struggles to remember whether she learned something in her own form, or from another, so she only nods her head gently.]

You gave me very good counsel when I asked after the crops, last month. I am grateful, and I would be glad to alter your clothes.

[she draws a breath.]

I think perhaps the Pthumerians can't understand what it feels like to be powerless. Bausphomette seems so much like one of us, at times, that it can be easy to forget. I would much rather hear a lecture from a septa, but I can't say that humans never choose to teach other people quite cruel lessons, and they do it knowing the pain they cause. That makes it worse for me, I think, though of course I would rather be left alone.

[but then, she would never bemoan the pthumerians where they could be listening.]

Edited 2022-05-26 05:15 (UTC)

Oh yes! That's right, I remember the conversation now. I'm glad it was helpful. There's so much to learn in this place as is. It's a bit overwhelming at first, and I appreciate it.

[She listened, settling back and nodding to herself. Her tone was a little more guarded than Sansa's, and there was a pretty obvious air of someone holding back a great many thoughts. Like her? She was aware that the Pthumerians were very much near at hand, and so speaking on the omni carried potential risks.]

They do not remember that, no. I think you're correct, though in my experience I do not think that they have an easy time understanding what it is to be mortal or human, much less other races. Their way of looking at the world is ... different. They see it through very small lenses, ones focused upon a single aspect of the world.

For instance, the Doorway seems to see things in terms only of loyalty, of bonds, of relationships. She does not seem to notice whether the bonds are healthy, only that they are there. It... is a different way with which they view all things. Nothing like our own. Sometimes it is very beneficial.

[Sometimes not.]

[sansa's mouth curves to one side.]

The Doorway could be the patron of the Seven Kingdoms, in my world.

[but not, perhaps, hers? she had been so alone, before. every time she thought she had made an alliance, littlefinger ruined it for her.]

Some of the Sleepers I've met here have very different perspectives to my own, but they all seem...balanced. The Pthumerians often surprise me with their ways of thinking. I take classes at Mutter's School, to learn more about them, but I find I still know so little of how they truly are.

Complicated relationships in your world, I take it? [She chuckled a little sadly.]

As you say. Sleepers are balanced, even when they are not. The most driven and single-minded of us is not as driven or singularly focused as the most diffuse of the Pthumerians. Their way of thinking can be hard to imagine.

Perhaps the Moss King is the easiest to understand, but personally? I wouldn't trust that one's games.

[sansa smiles tightly. she doesn't want to reveal too much of her feelings about relationships on her world or the moss king.]

The Moss King does remind me of people I know, but I found it very pleasant to talk with Bausphomette. They seemed no stranger than many Sleepers I have met. I was very surprised to learn they were responsible for my curse. We did talk, after, and their reasoning was sound enough. I suppose there must be a limit to how well you can understand that which you can't feel yourself.

I have not spoken much with that particular one. [She paused and considered for a moment, wondering about something. It was something that seemed so particular to a few of the Pthumerians, that they were more ... approachable. More understandable. But she opted not to bring it up yet. She wasn't sure enough as of yet.]

It is probably at least partially how you put it. If they cannot experience it themselves, it fascinates them and they focus on it, but they do so in a way we do not. some are more ... benevolent about it than others at least.

Lady and Knight, huh? [ Sharon smiles. The names people give their animal companions tend to say a lot about them. Alayne must love stories of Kings and Queens and lady's loves. It's sweet and suits her. ]

Do you think you could teach me how to mend clothes? I'm awful with a needle and I think it might be a useful skill to learn.

[sansa smiles.]

Well, Lady was the one that took him in. He likes her better than anyone; I thought he'd like the name, too.

[she pauses. adaine's mending spell is a small but steady source of income, and she's not sure she'd be able to teach any of adaine's spells to anyone else. but she owes sharon this much.]

I'll do my best. I'm always happy to help my friends with their needlework.

The names suit them, I think. I bet they're quite the pair together.

[ Luckily, Sharon doesn't have an interest in learning any mending spells; her powers are all for destruction. But when Alayne calls her 'friend', Sharon smiles to herself. Oh. Friend. She likes that. ] My needlework is... kind of nonexistent, honestly. I took a short class in middle school but my fingers were always bandaged. I wasn't much better with a sewing machine, either.

[sansa laughs.]

Yes, I've pricked my fingers so many times I hardly notice it anymore. It does make some things easier, here.

Mabel taught me to use the sewing machine, but I've found it's only really good for seams. It would be well to have one, but it would be better to have an apprentice who could run it for me.

[she pauses, considering.]

I could teach you embroidery, too. It's much more fun than mending.

Edited 2022-05-26 22:23 (UTC)

I could never manage a straight line with a sewing machine. My teacher said I was too impatient. [ There's something of a laugh in her voice. She can be very impatient. It's why sewing was difficult for her. ]

You know, I've never embroidered before in my life but I'm willing to learn. I've seen some people use embroidery to add texture to their paintings and... I think that could be a lot of fun.

[sansa smiles.]

You paint? I have wanted to try, but we could never get the paints, before.

[it wasn't something traders brought to winterfell, and she hadn't thought to ask her parents to try and find some. she had hoped she might have had the chance to learn in highgarden.]

I could bring you some of my paints and a canvas or two if you'd like. Even teach you some techniques I've learned over the years. [ It seems like a good way to repay Alayne. ]

[sansa nods once, gracefully.]

I would like that very much.

[she smiles!]

Of course I have fine cloth and threads you can use for embroidery. And I could show you how to put it on clothes, if you like.

[beads are a little harder to come by, but sansa will wait and see if sharon even wants to use them. it is a little fiddly, and you do have to switch needles.]

I had no idea you could embroider on clothes. I always thought it was just like... little fabric pieces in those round wooden holders that you hang on the wall with words like 'live, laugh, love'.

[Min-Gi's spoken of Alayne before - he's mentioned wanting to get costumes made for their shows, and that's initially what draws Ryan's eye to the post. Maybe he should have thought about this before he hastily ripped big holes in his shirts so his wings would fit through - she probably would have done a much nicer job.

What makes him respond though, is everything else. Mention of a lesson to learn makes his stomach bottom out. When he appears on camera she'll be able to see his large brown wings behind him, and trails of feathers lining his face and neck. He also doesn't appear to have ears anymore, just little tufts of feathers where ears probably should be.]

Wait, wait. Wait. So...you're saying this doesn't just go away on it's own? We have to learn something to get back to normal?

[Ugh, he's so sick of learning lessons.]

[lions. hm. sansa's mouth twists into a half-smile; she's a little surprised she wasn't turned into a bird. perhaps it would have been too easy for her to be a bird, or perhaps being a little bird had never been the problem in the first place.]

Well, I don't know if it will go away on its own, but I do know that I was turned back once I learned my lesson.

My omen helped me work it out. Perhaps yours could help you, too.

I...don't know about that. Tomo's not always--

[You'd think with a username like that Ryan's omen would be a majestic lion, but as if they heard they were being talked about, suddenly there's an otter face right up in the camera to soak up all the attention. Yes, hello, they're here in all of their adorable glory.

Ryan isn't amused. He scoops them up and sets them back down on the floor.]

--the most helpful. I guess it's worth a shot though? It's better than, I dunno. Other ways to learn lessons. Or getting stuck as a siren forever.

[He's had to learn a number of magical lessons before and it isn't his favorite thing. But at least this isn't dangerous or traumatic...probably.]

Edited 2022-05-29 17:41 (UTC)

[sansa smiles at the otter and lifts a hand in greeting.]

My omen likes very much to be right.

[winter also generally supports anything that pushes sansa away from alayne stone and towards, well, winterfell. he is currently minding her rowdier animals, but he and sansa seem to know what they say about each other regardless of who's in the room.]

I don't think I've heard of a siren.

[is it a kind of bird?]

[Ryan has mixed feelings about Tomo, or rather what Tomo says about him as a person. Frustratingly, Min-Gi thinks it's a perfect match. But Sansa is reassuring, and Ryan laughs a little.]

Tomo's like that too.

[It's said more fondly though. He can feel Tomo nuzzling against him just out of frame.]

They're mythical creatures where I'm from? They're like, half-bird and they lure people in with their songs. The story goes that they live on rocks by the sea and hypnotize sailors into crashing their ships. Oh, and sometimes they're mermaids instead of birds, I guess?

[He didn't actually get very far in looking up anything, if he's being honest. It's not his strong suit.]

But yeah, if you ever hear someone call something a siren's song it means it's like, totally irresistible and lures you in, even if it's not great for you. It's...also not a great creature for a musician to turn into.

[sansa can't think of much to do with that information that wouldn't be at the very least hugely overstepping. it occurs to her this may be a common problem. well, she did tell them how to find bausphomette for advice. instead she smiles.]

You're a musician? Do you play very much here in Cellar Door?

[He lights up at the question. It's more than just small talk for him - music is his livelihood, the thing he's wanted to do more than anything else.]

Yeah! I'm the guitarist for the best band in town - Chicken Choice Judy! We play at the Racoon Room every Saturday, plus some other gigs here and there. You should check us out sometime!

( Even though he was hazy and odd then, wrapped up in a padding of various things, Peter recognises the young woman he'd stumbled across at the birthday party. At that house with all the death, and the strange feelings. ...A lot has happened since then; it feels as though it was so much longer ago. Some slightly unpleasant dream. )

Hey, again. ( Peter's smile is the same shy and awkward one, like he's always a bit uncomfortable in himself. But at least his eyes are clear this time. )

Can you make... any kind of clothes? Even stuff that isn't like what they wear around here?

( Like... oh, say— exactly what he's wearing now. Peter pinches the front of his shirt and lifts it slightly in gesture: a black tee-shirt with "RAMONES" on the front. ...A band shirt. Peter gives a small smile. Fitting in here is a process, and he's still not comfortable wearing Gothic Victorian. Maybe... someday... )

I uh, don't exactly think I suit the kind of clothes that Trenchies wear. So I've just been wearing my old stuff from home over and over...

[oh, it's the boy from the party, who was getting into fights on the network while she was talking to lady luna about the dogs. sansa smiles faintly, trying to look reassuring.

this is not the first time sansa has heard of boys wearing their clothes from home over and over. it sounds terrible to sansa; she would hate to stand out as unfashionable in that way. while she's not comfortable going around in trousers like some of the girls here, she's adjusted her hemlines, necklines, and sleeve shapes enough to fit the fashions of trench, and even taken to wearing leggings instead of petticoats after being dropped into the catacombs without warning.]

I can make a great many things. I could certainly make you some clothes like that. It would be easier if you had any I could take apart for patterns.

I'm afraid I don't have the means to print pictures on fabric right now, [she definitely doesn't know how to do it, either] or commission fabric with pictures woven into it, but I could embroider something nice for the front, if you like.

That's okay, they don't have to have any of the logos or anything on them. Even just plain tee-shirts or sweaters would be really great. There's not exactly a mall around here to get stuff like that...

( A soft laugh. This place is so far beyond his comfort zone in... literally all ways. Being able to dress how he's comfortable is maybe the only way he can really still feel like himself.

...Especially with his... demon being able to find plenty of clothes around here that suit his much more elaborate, fancy tastes — golden things that jingle, embroidered and dazzling. Peter's feeling slightly choked out of himself. )

...And I'm not even sure they have stuff like denim around here for blue jeans...?

[the thick blue cotton twill that feels like canvas. it is very popular with sleepers, for some reason. what she has isn't anything like acid-washed or possibly even dyed with the indigo plant, but it seems close enough to her. he's also not the first person who's mentioned a mall, which she assumes is some kind of store where they get all their mysteriously premade clothes.]

If you don't like the cotton twills and canvas that I have, I could take a swatch to Shiver sometime. It would be well to have denim in stock, you're not the only Sleeper that's asked after it. Many of them have been content with canvas trousers, though, and it would take much longer to have the denim made.

[she really doesn't understand what's so special about this specific cotton twill...???]

Oh. I mean... I guess I could try those. Canvas trousers. ( The way he says it is kind of like someone who's never said "canvas trousers" before in their life — probably because he hasn't!

But he's not against trying out some different materials. Maybe... he can find gentle ways to try some new clothes, inbetween the stuff he's more used to? He just... doesn't know much about it. )

Do those... come in different colours? Like black?

[sansa says things like 'internet' and 'website' much the same way he says 'canvas trousers.' she doesn't take much notice of it, and smiles.]

Everything comes in black, here.

[it hides bloodstains very well! plus a lot of people seem to want to wear it on the outside because that's how they feel on the inside.]

If you have an old pair of jeans you could give to me, I could cut you some to the same pattern.

[see, there it is, with 'jeans.']

( There's a laugh at that — very quiet and soft, more the ghost of a thing, the way Peter's laughs always are — but there's still a genuine amusement. )

Good point. ( Black does seem to be on fashion... which comes in handy for His Aesthetic (morose demon-riddled teenager™). But Peter's actually perking up a bit now, because finding a Sleeper around his age who can help him with clothes is really, really cool. He's.... still woefully intimidated by the Trench natives. )

That'd be great, thanks...! I guess I do need to like, eventually assimilate to what other people are wearing around here. It's just... This place isn't like my world at all.

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