(no subject)

[noble_at_heart]

Gwaine has settled himself on a bench to watch the swirling crowds, his amazement and joy evident by the steadily growing grin. He might have got lost in the castle's maze of corridors more than once when he first arrived but he's absolutely certain that this is not Camelot. Uther's health may be failing and Arthur not quite the uptight, pompous, hide bound little braggart of a Princeling he first thought him (he'll grudgingly admit that now) but even he would struggle to accept the multitude of strange beings and obviously magical artifacts crowding as far as the eye can see.

He tilts his face back towards the sun with contented sigh before picking up the bright paper he discarded beside him earlier and reluctantly continuing to read. It's not that he can't exactly, goading by family members determined that their poor relations bring as little shame as possible and later Merlin's patient if faintly teasing guidance mean that he's adequately literate, thankyouverymuch, it's just that there were a lot of very long and confusing words.

Eventually he reaches the end where the warning at the bottom of the page causes him some rather profound worry.

"What's a man to do to get a drink around here, then?"

Comments

The Inevitable Request

[brave_heart_verity]

[Before I tag in: Ver's got a truth-sensing curse stuck in her that she can't turn off. She knows when people are lying and she can see through illusions; she doesn't know what the truth is or have psychic powers. More details here. If you don't want to deal, let me know, I know it can get annoying.]

Re: The Inevitable Request

[noble_at_heart]

[Fine by me, the only person he's really likely to lie to is himself! Or possibly about how many drinks he's had...]

[brave_heart_verity]

[He may be getting The Eyebrow at some point, but I suspect a big strong knight can take it. :P]

Here, Gwaine, have one of those strange beings and magical artifacts. (You would not believe what her parents left lying around when she was a kid.) She's obviously a she, don't be fooled by the pants or the attitude. Ver's gaze flicks to the pamphlet, then she gives Gwaine a smile that's only lightly laced with pity. She's used to all this now, but she remembers the confusion when she first arrived.

"Depends on what you want to drink."

[noble_at_heart]

[He's lived through receiving this face more times than he can count. Bring it.]

Gwaine smiles appreciatively at the woman in front of him, while the trousers may be uncommon attire he's travelled widely enough and spent enough time in company of, it must be said questionable scruples, to know that occasionally the fairer sex resort to more masculine clothing. Especially if they need to get away rampaging armies of the undead led by their former mistress for example.

No, it's her hair colour that truly gives him pause, could she be some kind of fae? He'd heard all the drunkards tales of course, spun a few himself when things were bad and there might have been another tankard or a free meal in it for him, that some of the Sidhe still existed in far corners of the land but he's sure they were all described as being less appealing and more.....blue of complexion. Caution then, or as cautious as he ever is anyway.

"Well, some ale would be nice. And if it's not going to transform me into anything unexpected that would be for the best. I'm more open to new experiences than some but having one of his finest new Knights return as a purple woman would irritate Arthur to say the least and he's particularly tiresome when he's irritated."

Gwaine realises that he might have progressed into staring a little.

[brave_heart_verity]

If Verity notices the appreciation in his expression, there's little response. Only a flutter of something before her expression settles again, and the brief visitor was neither gratitude or a corresponding appreciation for him. It was something closer to wariness or weariness.

She'd be glad to know that there are exceptions, sometimes, for a woman who prefers practical attire. Not so much that there rampaging armies of the undead. Her world had its troubles, so many many troubles, but that was rarely one of them. A minor blessing.

The staring is met with an eyebrow arching upward in unasked question. The question being, because she's from Manhattan, 'The fuck is your problem?' Another minor blessing that she doesn't say that out loud. These old-fashioned types react so unpredictably to foul-mouthed women. "There's a place nearby with safe drinks. What would be wrong with being purple or a woman?"

[noble_at_heart]

Gwaine shakes his head sheepishly, perhaps there is something in all of Arthur's hissed admonishments to mind his manners accompanied by cuffs to the back of his head after all.

"Forgive me, nothing at all in themselves but were I to return to Camelot other than I am now. Well, the accusations of sorcery would start flying and with the punishments being as harsh as they are, I and anyone else who had more than brushed past me twice in the hall would find themselves on trial and condemned to burn at the stake in the courtyard before the next sunrise."


He rambles to a stop awkwardly, one hand rubbing at the back of his neck. Suddenly, more in need of that drink than ever.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh." The rambling had one good side effect, in that her expression is softening. It's not an unfamiliar fear. The desire, the need to keep one's head down and not get noticed is one she still fights. Even in this place. "Those things are usually temporary if it does happen. C'mon, I'll show you around a bit if you want."

Ver takes a half-step back then, expecting him to stand and not wanting to crowd him. "I'm Verity." Does he shake hands with women? Is it allowed? She'll offer hers and find out.

[noble_at_heart]

Have a relieved smile Verity, he's quite fond of how he looks. "Well, that's something at least. And thank you, it seems like there's more to learn than is written here."

Gwaine stands carefully, still not sure if the woman's apparently changeable temper indicates a non-human nature or not. He will take the offered hand though but rather than shake it he holds it an executed a small and not desperately courtly bow. "Gwaine".

He releases her hand but other things he just can't let go of, it's not meant maliciously, he's just the inquisitive type. "So, your hair is that temporary or is it typical of your ... kind?"

[brave_heart_verity]

Vanity is a sin, and aren't knights supposed to be above such things? Not that she can blame him, he's pretty cute. And she never dislikes when people are giving her those kinds of smiles. It's so much better than the fake smiles most people wear. "You're welcome. This place is kinda huge, so yeah, there's a lot to learn. Being a decent person is typically a good start, so I think you'll be okay."

The bow gets another raised eyebrow, a little surprised and a little amused (like she's anyone worth bowing to), but she's smiling when he comes up again. "Nice to meet you."

And then the question. It's not the first time someone's wondered, and she takes it with good humor. "The color is dye and I'm human. Where I came from, it was common for people to color their hair."