Aye, to an extent. I would much rather show you than explain it right here.
[ Although it's not like it's too much of a surprise. A few people know about his ability to transform. ]
My wings are not the same as yours, but they are usable nevertheless and have helped me escape peril. So I do believe learning how to utilize yours would be a wise thing in this vast and dangerous world.
It would probably be best in person. Also, I do believe we had plans for dinner?
[ Sansa didn't know but she is intrigued now to see what his power is and how it's similar to hers. Which she finds interesting too. ]
I think so too which is why I'm determined to learn how to fly and to fly well. Also, I feel like it could be freeing. I wouldn't have to rely on cars or any other transportation.
There is nothing quite like taking to the sky. Once you've had a taste for that sort of freedom, you'll find yourself craving it.
[ It does make him smile a bit that she has recalled their plans for dinner. That she is still willing to dine with him. ]
But yes, you are right. We did make plans for such with no specific date in mind. Would it be too short of notice to ask for your company this evening?
Would 9pm be too late for you, my dear? I've no idea if your family keeps you on a curfew.
[ It's a tease as much as it is serious. Sansa is living with her parents and they could very well keep tabs on her comings and goings in the dark of night. ]
[ The bite isn't lost on him. He's seen Sansa and been on the opposite end of Sansa's displeasure before. But the important thing is that he carries on being respectful. ]
[ She doesn't respond since it won't be long before she sees him again.
True to her word, Sansa shows up in the downstairs dining area of the Camelot-To Casino just moments before the agreed upon time. Standing just inside the entrance, she reaches up to draw back the hood of the cloak that she is wearing before scanning the area. He would recognize the cloak from their travels together, back when she had dyed her hair dark and embraced a different style. Her hair is still red tonight, though, and pinned back from her face to fall in soft waves over her shoulders. The cloak is still tied close but a peek of pale fabric peeks through when she moves, causing the cloak to part around her feet when she takes a step forward. ] Lord Baelish?
[ Baelish was early, of course, making sure that the arrangements were kept and that no one would be in that dining area. So he is there when she enters, rising to his feet from the chair he had occupied. ]
Sansa...
[ He greets in response, reaching a hand for her own so that he can press a kiss to her knuckles. ]
We can sit wherever you'd like. The room is ours. I hope you did not meet too much trouble on your way.
[ Sansa relaxes when she spots Baelish moving towards her and even allows herself to smile faintly when he reaches her. ]
I had no trouble at all. I don't think anyone even noticed me.
[ She pauses, watching as he holds her hand for a second but draws it back gently after he is done with the kiss. She reaches to untie her cloak, letting it fall open to reveal the blush colored dress underneath. While it's still a full-lengthed dress, it is definitely more modern than her style of dresses back home. ]
I am pleased to sit wherever you wish but perhaps as far from any door as we can get? Then we don't have to worry about anyone listening to us as we talk.
[ Petyr compliments, his eyes tracing the neckline of her somewhat sheer dress before he averts his gaze respectfully. Baelish may not have been able to fully keep his desires from the surface, but he had been able to award Sansa respect -- never pressing too far and never staring at her lustfully the way most men were prone to do. ]
This way.
[ He guides them toward the very back of the dining area, near the window which allowed them a picturesque view of the city lights. Petyr pulls out a chair for her, extending his hand to take her cloak so that he could hang it nearby. ]
Though I hardly tend to believe that no one even noticed you on your way. You are impossible not to notice.
[ Sansa lowers her gaze at his compliment but it isn't out of shyness anymore. She merely does so to hide her thoughts and to pretend like she doesn't notice his eyes dropping lower than they should while he studies her. At one time she had told him that she knew what he wanted and it's apparent that some things haven't changed. Still, they are both very careful in their strange interactions with one another.
Following him to the table of his choosing, she slips the cloak from her shoulders to have it ready for him to take when he brings her to her seat. ]
Thank you. [ Her gaze is steady as she watches him hang the cloak nearby but turns at the last second to look out the window when he turns back to her. ] The view is beautiful, I can see why you like it.
[ He replies, noticing the shift of topic away from her and her beauty and following suit. Petyr moves toward a hook on the wall to hang her cloak, sparing a glance toward the window. ]
It can be ruthless and dangerous, but at the same time, there's still beauty to be found here. I cannot clean it up entirely. But I can change it into something reputable. And here in this world, I finally have the chance rather than having to serve kings and hope they take my advice on matters.
[ Ambition was not always a terrible thing. Petyr wanted to better himself and his standing, but he always did enjoy taking on a challenge. Finding a solution to nearly impossible problems. It stretched the limits of his intelligence and benefited both the city and himself. ]
But you'll see its beauty for yourself even more when we take to the skies.
[ She states honestly, moving to sit down in the chair finally and shifting it closer to the table. She turns her head to watch him again, knowing full well how ambitious he can be and so she understands why he enjoys the city he has claimed. ]
What are you going to do to make it more reputable, though? I can imagine you have quite the list.
[ Then she nods at the mention of flying, seeming to perk up a little. ]
[ Petyr opts for a non-answer initially. He is well aware that he needs to be cautious around Sansa only because of her ties to Jon and Jon's ties to Lucy. He would not want Lucy to take his ideas and turn them into her own. She had lost his council the moment she decided to kill his bird.
But he does respect Sansa and because too many people in her own family have chosen to leave her in the dark, he can afford to give her a bit more insight into his own plans -- only because he hopes to establish a channel of trust between them. ]
But I've said from the beginning, to change the nature of crime, you cannot simply punish the criminals. You have to find the root cause. And I believe the lack of education speaks for itself. So, it is my primary focus to improve all things meant to enrich minds and better the younger generation so that they may grow up to not make the same mistakes of their parents. Crime pays well. But intelligence...
[ Sansa gives him a quiet look because it isn't that hard to guess why he is being cautious in revealing his plans to her. She knows that it's not just because he is a cautious man but also because he worries about her ties to Jon which is almost amusing since Jon worries about the same in reverse.
She is patient in waiting, though, because she has learned the need to be. Folding her hands in her laps, she waits until he speaks again and starts to nod when he reveals what she figures is the safest part for him to reveal. Considering all that she has seen him accomplish since her arrival, she figures this is all public knowledge or could be. ]
That explains the library. [ She smiles softly. ] Which I did explore a little when it first opened. It's a wonderful place, Petyr.
[ Yes, she used his first name without prodding. ]
[ He had been so busy, but not necessarily with people he had wanted to spend time with. He had prepared for Sansa's presence there, of course. Most especially with lemon cakes. ]
I am glad you liked it. You will not find a better library in any of the other porter cities.
[ His words are as much bragging as they are honest. Petyr made sure to secure as much information in the building as possible. ]
For the schools it's hard to say. What I know for certain is that more money in the budget needs to be directed toward funding them. And we should have an option for furthering education. A community college of sorts. But I digress. This is all rather boring conversation.
[ And he most certainly didn't want to discuss public education on his date with Sansa. ]
The reason we're here is for more personal reasons.
[ A waiter brings in a bunch of appetizers of a wide variety for them to pick at for now, dropping a bottle of wine at the table before departing. And Petyr opens it, pouring a glass for Sansa before pouring one for himself. ]
The reason I know first hand about flying is that one of my abilities allows for me to transform into a mockingbird. It's been incredibly useful when it comes to escaping danger, I will confess.
I knew that you would be busy with everything going on but I still wanted to see what you had accomplished with my own two eyes.
[ It was true, she hadn't expected to see him but she had noticed one thing. ]
I did find the lemon cakes, though. Thank you for that.
[ She falls quiet again as he speaks, hearing the pride that most would take as bragging. She gives a little nod when he answers her question about education but he switches the topic before she can linger.
She takes notice of the waiter then, tracking his movements out of the corner of her eye until he reaches their table and sets down the appetizers in front of them. She continues to sit back, still waiting until she is alone with Baelish again and only then does she lean forward to look at the food.
Pausing in the middle of taking something, she looks up. ]
Really? That is definitely useful and less obvious than just sprouting wings out of your back. [ She sits back. ] And useful for spying, I'm sure.
[ Petyr plucks up a few of the appetizers himself, picking at it slowly. He's always been one to savor his food. A habit he adopted from childhood when they had little. He would try to make his meager portions last as long as he could. And his slower eating had led to him never being able to finish a full plate of food at the Tully's -- much to Edmure's furthered teasing. But Petyr also takes his time in answering Sansa, shaking his head. ]
It's too dangerous to take the form of a bird to spy. There are predators to account for. But also some have taken to hunting mockingbirds for sport. Lucy and your brother have killed a number of my birds.
[ And Petyr seems to be affronted by it. Men could die, and he wouldn't bat an eye. But to kill his birds was cruel and unnecessary. ]
But truth be told, the easiest means of spying is the very communicator we have been given upon arrival. People do not tend to take the necessary precautions they should when speaking on it.
[ Sansa could understand the wariness to spy as a bird when he mentions predators that would serve as a threat to him and his life but then she frowns. ]
They have done what?
[ She can understand wanting to take steps to protect oneself against being spied on but she wasn't sure she could feel comfortable with the idea of killing a bird like that. Giving an inward sigh, she wonders if she can get answers from Jon later without giving away where she was tonight. ]
I didn't know. I must have missed any mention of it.
[ Reaching for her wine, she hums with a little nod. The tip of her tongue peeks out as she wets her lips before taking a small sip from the glass, her eyes flickering up to him again. ]
I can see that, which is why I avoided using the devices as much as I could at first and why I learned to set it to private when I wish to talk to someone without others listening in. I still have the phone you gave me as well but you're the only one who knows about it.
I can speak to mockingbirds. Lucy knew of this. I gifted her one and told her that were she in trouble, it would find me. It had even helped me to save her when she had been kidnapped. As soon as Jon and Lucy joined forces, not much longer afterward, she shot my gift to her with an arrow as well as killed any others in her sight. One did escape and told me of this. Others have been found dead near your home as well.
[ Petyr cuts into a small piece of stuffed cabbage, chewing slowly with a frown. ]
They are my eyes and ears, of course. But they also serve as a means of protection. Jon cannot protect you and your family from everything, Sansa. The fact that you are here with me now means you know this deep down, and you are building your own safety net.
[ When he looks at Sansa, it's with a sort of pride. A proud father and mentor. Which, at times, he is. Other times, those lines got a bit blurred with desire. But above all, Sansa had been Petyr's protege. She learned and is still learning from him. And the same mistakes of Westeros would not be made here. ]
Which is why I'm glad to hear you've kept our phone a secret. It may someday be vital in you and yours escaping a threat.
[ It surprises Sansa to hear what Lucy had done because she would have never imagined the other woman being capable of such a thing but she reminds herself that she really hadn't known Lucy all that well. That and she knows that people are not always what they appear to be.
Sipping her wine, she tries not to be further troubled by the voice in her head that whispers about Jon being the one to kill the birds. There is a good chance that it had been him if someone was, in fact, responsible for killing the mockingbirds.
Lowering her glass back to the table, she leans forward to move a couple of appetizers to her plate while he points out the fact that she is there because her family can't protect her. But, truth be told, he can't protect her from everything either. She needs to be ready to be on her own but she doesn't see a reason why she can't use all the resources available to her when they are, in fact, available.
Focusing on him again, she can see the pride on his face and smiles a touch in response. Yes, there are times when the lines blur but there is a lot that he can teach her. There is a lot that he already has. ]
That and I'm sure it brings you some relief to know that I haven't revealed it to others. Especially with my parents now being here.
[ Because she knows that he had to have been worried about where they stood with each other now that both Catelyn and Ned Stark were alive in the same world as them again. ]
[ Petyr keeps his expression carefully controlled as Sansa speaks, trying not to betray his own displeasure at the appearance of Ned. Why did the porter keep dragging in these Starks? It could have simply left well enough alone with only Sansa and Catelyn. But Petyr dissects a chicken wing carefully with a knife and fork, bringing a piece into his mouth. ]
I had no doubt that I could trust you in that.
[ He offers her a faint smile, reaching out for his glass of wine. ]
But it's been going well at home? Since you've been reunited with most of your family?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Although it's not like it's too much of a surprise. A few people know about his ability to transform. ]
My wings are not the same as yours, but they are usable nevertheless and have helped me escape peril. So I do believe learning how to utilize yours would be a wise thing in this vast and dangerous world.
no subject
[ Sansa didn't know but she is intrigued now to see what his power is and how it's similar to hers. Which she finds interesting too. ]
I think so too which is why I'm determined to learn how to fly and to fly well. Also, I feel like it could be freeing. I wouldn't have to rely on cars or any other transportation.
no subject
[ It does make him smile a bit that she has recalled their plans for dinner. That she is still willing to dine with him. ]
But yes, you are right. We did make plans for such with no specific date in mind. Would it be too short of notice to ask for your company this evening?
no subject
[ She hums when he asks her about her plans for the evening. ]
Not at all. Where should I meet you?
no subject
[ One of the benefits of still maintaining his managerial position with them. ]
no subject
I will be there. What time?
no subject
[ It's a tease as much as it is serious. Sansa is living with her parents and they could very well keep tabs on her comings and goings in the dark of night. ]
no subject
[ There is a tiny bit of a bite to her words before her tone goes soft again. ]
I will be there.
Switch to action?
[ The bite isn't lost on him. He's seen Sansa and been on the opposite end of Sansa's displeasure before. But the important thing is that he carries on being respectful. ]
To action!
True to her word, Sansa shows up in the downstairs dining area of the Camelot-To Casino just moments before the agreed upon time. Standing just inside the entrance, she reaches up to draw back the hood of the cloak that she is wearing before scanning the area. He would recognize the cloak from their travels together, back when she had dyed her hair dark and embraced a different style. Her hair is still red tonight, though, and pinned back from her face to fall in soft waves over her shoulders. The cloak is still tied close but a peek of pale fabric peeks through when she moves, causing the cloak to part around her feet when she takes a step forward. ] Lord Baelish?
\o/
Sansa...
[ He greets in response, reaching a hand for her own so that he can press a kiss to her knuckles. ]
We can sit wherever you'd like. The room is ours. I hope you did not meet too much trouble on your way.
no subject
I had no trouble at all. I don't think anyone even noticed me.
[ She pauses, watching as he holds her hand for a second but draws it back gently after he is done with the kiss. She reaches to untie her cloak, letting it fall open to reveal the blush colored dress underneath. While it's still a full-lengthed dress, it is definitely more modern than her style of dresses back home. ]
I am pleased to sit wherever you wish but perhaps as far from any door as we can get? Then we don't have to worry about anyone listening to us as we talk.
no subject
[ Petyr compliments, his eyes tracing the neckline of her somewhat sheer dress before he averts his gaze respectfully. Baelish may not have been able to fully keep his desires from the surface, but he had been able to award Sansa respect -- never pressing too far and never staring at her lustfully the way most men were prone to do. ]
This way.
[ He guides them toward the very back of the dining area, near the window which allowed them a picturesque view of the city lights. Petyr pulls out a chair for her, extending his hand to take her cloak so that he could hang it nearby. ]
Though I hardly tend to believe that no one even noticed you on your way. You are impossible not to notice.
no subject
Following him to the table of his choosing, she slips the cloak from her shoulders to have it ready for him to take when he brings her to her seat. ]
Thank you. [ Her gaze is steady as she watches him hang the cloak nearby but turns at the last second to look out the window when he turns back to her. ] The view is beautiful, I can see why you like it.
no subject
[ He replies, noticing the shift of topic away from her and her beauty and following suit. Petyr moves toward a hook on the wall to hang her cloak, sparing a glance toward the window. ]
It can be ruthless and dangerous, but at the same time, there's still beauty to be found here. I cannot clean it up entirely. But I can change it into something reputable. And here in this world, I finally have the chance rather than having to serve kings and hope they take my advice on matters.
[ Ambition was not always a terrible thing. Petyr wanted to better himself and his standing, but he always did enjoy taking on a challenge. Finding a solution to nearly impossible problems. It stretched the limits of his intelligence and benefited both the city and himself. ]
But you'll see its beauty for yourself even more when we take to the skies.
no subject
[ She states honestly, moving to sit down in the chair finally and shifting it closer to the table. She turns her head to watch him again, knowing full well how ambitious he can be and so she understands why he enjoys the city he has claimed. ]
What are you going to do to make it more reputable, though? I can imagine you have quite the list.
[ Then she nods at the mention of flying, seeming to perk up a little. ]
I am looking forward to it.
no subject
[ Petyr opts for a non-answer initially. He is well aware that he needs to be cautious around Sansa only because of her ties to Jon and Jon's ties to Lucy. He would not want Lucy to take his ideas and turn them into her own. She had lost his council the moment she decided to kill his bird.
But he does respect Sansa and because too many people in her own family have chosen to leave her in the dark, he can afford to give her a bit more insight into his own plans -- only because he hopes to establish a channel of trust between them. ]
But I've said from the beginning, to change the nature of crime, you cannot simply punish the criminals. You have to find the root cause. And I believe the lack of education speaks for itself. So, it is my primary focus to improve all things meant to enrich minds and better the younger generation so that they may grow up to not make the same mistakes of their parents. Crime pays well. But intelligence...
[ Petyr points to his own forehead. ]
That pays far better.
no subject
She is patient in waiting, though, because she has learned the need to be. Folding her hands in her laps, she waits until he speaks again and starts to nod when he reveals what she figures is the safest part for him to reveal. Considering all that she has seen him accomplish since her arrival, she figures this is all public knowledge or could be. ]
That explains the library. [ She smiles softly. ] Which I did explore a little when it first opened. It's a wonderful place, Petyr.
[ Yes, she used his first name without prodding. ]
What about the schools?
no subject
[ He had been so busy, but not necessarily with people he had wanted to spend time with. He had prepared for Sansa's presence there, of course. Most especially with lemon cakes. ]
I am glad you liked it. You will not find a better library in any of the other porter cities.
[ His words are as much bragging as they are honest. Petyr made sure to secure as much information in the building as possible. ]
For the schools it's hard to say. What I know for certain is that more money in the budget needs to be directed toward funding them. And we should have an option for furthering education. A community college of sorts. But I digress. This is all rather boring conversation.
[ And he most certainly didn't want to discuss public education on his date with Sansa. ]
The reason we're here is for more personal reasons.
[ A waiter brings in a bunch of appetizers of a wide variety for them to pick at for now, dropping a bottle of wine at the table before departing. And Petyr opens it, pouring a glass for Sansa before pouring one for himself. ]
The reason I know first hand about flying is that one of my abilities allows for me to transform into a mockingbird. It's been incredibly useful when it comes to escaping danger, I will confess.
no subject
[ It was true, she hadn't expected to see him but she had noticed one thing. ]
I did find the lemon cakes, though. Thank you for that.
[ She falls quiet again as he speaks, hearing the pride that most would take as bragging. She gives a little nod when he answers her question about education but he switches the topic before she can linger.
She takes notice of the waiter then, tracking his movements out of the corner of her eye until he reaches their table and sets down the appetizers in front of them. She continues to sit back, still waiting until she is alone with Baelish again and only then does she lean forward to look at the food.
Pausing in the middle of taking something, she looks up. ]
Really? That is definitely useful and less obvious than just sprouting wings out of your back. [ She sits back. ] And useful for spying, I'm sure.
no subject
It's too dangerous to take the form of a bird to spy. There are predators to account for. But also some have taken to hunting mockingbirds for sport. Lucy and your brother have killed a number of my birds.
[ And Petyr seems to be affronted by it. Men could die, and he wouldn't bat an eye. But to kill his birds was cruel and unnecessary. ]
But truth be told, the easiest means of spying is the very communicator we have been given upon arrival. People do not tend to take the necessary precautions they should when speaking on it.
no subject
They have done what?
[ She can understand wanting to take steps to protect oneself against being spied on but she wasn't sure she could feel comfortable with the idea of killing a bird like that. Giving an inward sigh, she wonders if she can get answers from Jon later without giving away where she was tonight. ]
I didn't know. I must have missed any mention of it.
[ Reaching for her wine, she hums with a little nod. The tip of her tongue peeks out as she wets her lips before taking a small sip from the glass, her eyes flickering up to him again. ]
I can see that, which is why I avoided using the devices as much as I could at first and why I learned to set it to private when I wish to talk to someone without others listening in. I still have the phone you gave me as well but you're the only one who knows about it.
no subject
[ Petyr cuts into a small piece of stuffed cabbage, chewing slowly with a frown. ]
They are my eyes and ears, of course. But they also serve as a means of protection. Jon cannot protect you and your family from everything, Sansa. The fact that you are here with me now means you know this deep down, and you are building your own safety net.
[ When he looks at Sansa, it's with a sort of pride. A proud father and mentor. Which, at times, he is. Other times, those lines got a bit blurred with desire. But above all, Sansa had been Petyr's protege. She learned and is still learning from him. And the same mistakes of Westeros would not be made here. ]
Which is why I'm glad to hear you've kept our phone a secret. It may someday be vital in you and yours escaping a threat.
no subject
Sipping her wine, she tries not to be further troubled by the voice in her head that whispers about Jon being the one to kill the birds. There is a good chance that it had been him if someone was, in fact, responsible for killing the mockingbirds.
Lowering her glass back to the table, she leans forward to move a couple of appetizers to her plate while he points out the fact that she is there because her family can't protect her. But, truth be told, he can't protect her from everything either. She needs to be ready to be on her own but she doesn't see a reason why she can't use all the resources available to her when they are, in fact, available.
Focusing on him again, she can see the pride on his face and smiles a touch in response. Yes, there are times when the lines blur but there is a lot that he can teach her. There is a lot that he already has. ]
That and I'm sure it brings you some relief to know that I haven't revealed it to others. Especially with my parents now being here.
[ Because she knows that he had to have been worried about where they stood with each other now that both Catelyn and Ned Stark were alive in the same world as them again. ]
no subject
I had no doubt that I could trust you in that.
[ He offers her a faint smile, reaching out for his glass of wine. ]
But it's been going well at home? Since you've been reunited with most of your family?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)