Meet the new boss

[cutting_edgex23]

X, Security badge pinned to her belt, is settled comfortably at a corner table, contentedly munching her way through a sandwich.

She may be on her second root beer float.

And, of course, she is keeping an ear -- and a nose -- out for anyone who might be approaching her.

It is only polite.

Comments

[harryhotspur]

Here is someone approaching-- or approaching the bar, anyway, with his usual noise and bluster.

"We are seeking Mistress X," Harry Percy declares (perhaps a little more loudly than strictly necessary). A note appears: he picks it up, then looks down the bar towards X. Oh! Well, then. He bows. "Madam."

[cutting_edgex23]

"X," X corrects, matter-of-factly.

"Gender is not relevant."

And the name you choose is the most important thing.

"Hello."

[maid_of_tarth]

"Good afternoon," says Brienne, from next to Harry. She hesitates, looking at the not-very-big woman. "I'm Brienne of Tarth, and here with me is Harry Percy. Pardon me--but are you Head of Security?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X's response is prompt.

"Now."

A pause, and she tilts her head while the studies the two of them.

"You have questions?"

It seems likely. Somehow.

"Or complaints."

[harryhotspur]

Harry glances towards Brienne before answering, "A question. And it may be, a request. But have you some leisure now?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X shifts so they can both see the badge on her belt.

"I am working."

Beat.

"This counts. You can sit."

[maid_of_tarth]

Brienne, feeling awkward, sits across the table from X.

"We were both--wondering--if you are accepting new officers for Security, and if so, how someone might prove their worth and join."

Brienne has some hazy idea of being asked to fight something to prove she can.

[harryhotspur]

Harry, taking a seat beside Brienne, nods along to her explanation, adding only, "If it please you."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It will help if I know you," X offers, after a moment of thought.

"And if there are other people who know you. That can tell me what you are like."

Beat.

"They do not have to be on Security."

It's a start.

[harryhotspur]

"Feuilly," Harry says at once. "--a Frenchman here about the bar. And-- Thor, perchance."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay," X says, absorbing the information. "I will not forget."

Beat.

"You can tell me about you, too. It will be useful."

[maid_of_tarth]

"Also Bahorel, another Frenchman," Brienne adds (what? Bahorel's a GREAT character witness, as far as she's concerned!), "and Sonya Blade, a woman warrior here."

She pauses. "What would you like to know about us?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X makes more mental notes. She is good at those.

"What you do. And why."

Beat.

"Here. And at home."

[harryhotspur]

Harry's brow furrows. "My home is here. Now. In England I-- was-- a soldier, and a knight. I defended the border of the north, for it was my family's charge. I died in fighting the lawless claim of an unjust king."

[cutting_edgex23]

X absorbs that silently, then turns to look at Brienne.

Her head tilts very slightly, and there is no expression on her face at all.

[maid_of_tarth]

I try to act like a knight, though I'm not really sounds impossibly brazen. Instead, Brienne says, "I'm a trained fighter--I was sworn to the service of King Renly, and after his death, to Lady Catelyn Stark, and now, after her death, I search for her daughters, who are lost."

[cutting_edgex23]

There is a momentary flicker in X's expression.

"You will want help? Finding them."

Beat.

"The daughters."

[maid_of_tarth]

Brienne's eyes widen. "I...wasn't seeking it. I've been coming here to get provisions, and take rest without letting time go by in my world--but I thought I would have to go back for them alone."

...but she would never say say no to help, if it were reliable.

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am very good at tracking," X offers. Carefully. "If that will be useful."

She is also excellent at killing things and people, and not dying.

"And you are both good at fighting. And protecting people."

According to what they say, anyway.

"That is not terrible. You are good at knowing when not to fight, too?"

[harryhotspur]

....um.

"I will do what is honorable," Harry says. That's an answer, right?

[cutting_edgex23]

X just looks at him, unblinking.

"That is not always sensible."

But Thor and others are fond of it, so it is not necessarily incompatible with things.

A pause.

"You are good at keeping your tempers?"

[maid_of_tarth]

"Tracking," Brienne says, slowly, "that might help..." She's still staring. She hadn't expected any such offer. "And yes, I am. In my land--many insults are offered to women who fight. If I didn't keep my temper, I'd have no time for food or sleep, but would constantly be at war with all about me."

She does not answer this question for Harry.

[cutting_edgex23]

"I can try," X says. "If you want. I like being useful."

It is only the truth.

And then --

"And it is good. To stay calm. Fighting angry is stupid. And dangerous."

And you, Harry?

[harryhotspur]

....um.

"I have spoken sharply to those I think foolish, I will not lie." He goes on, fervent: "But put me, lady, to any test or trial, and you will find me apter than any to face it."

[cutting_edgex23]

She appreciates the lack of lying. Not that it would have helped him if he tried.

"I will. You do not have to worry."

A pause, and she studies them again for a few moments, one after the other.

"You can ask me questions, too. If you want."