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

[cutting_edgex23]

"I heal. Fast."

X considers how to explain this.

"Re-attaching severed limbs is not difficult, either. Explosions are also not problematic."

[harryhotspur]

"O, wondrous!" Harry cries. "A goodly magic, that!"

[maid_of_tarth]

"Can you share this magic with other people, or teach it?"

Brienne's asking for reasons.

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is not magic," X says, after a momentary pause.

"It is what I am."

Beat.

"I cannot teach people to be pale, either. Or to have black hair. Or green eyes."

[harryhotspur]

"A just reply," says Harry, though the ability to heal any wound still sounds a hell of a lot like magic to him. "But what more, madam, is to be done?"

[cutting_edgex23]

She is silent for a minute, watching both Harry and Brienne unblinkingly.

Then --

"I will think about how best to test you. In the field. In a way that will be useful."

Beat.

"Then I will tell you. When I know."

This pause is shorter.

"It will be soon."

[maid_of_tarth]

"Very well." Brienne does well at tests, if they're just; still, she is not looking forward to this one. She doesn't know what to expect from it. "Will this test require preparation?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"No."

X's response is swift.

"You will not have preparation for what Security business will require of you, either."

Beat.

"Sometimes that is annoying."

[harryhotspur]

"I mind it not-- a battle is often so," Harry says. "We shall await your word."

[maid_of_tarth]

Brienne nods. "You can leave a message for us with Bar, I suppose."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I can find you."

It's the truth.

"Sometimes notes are slow."

Beat.

"And we can talk now, too. About help. If you want it."

Later is also acceptable.

[maid_of_tarth]

"Yes," Brienne says immediately. "I thank you for offering. I only have one trustworthy ally in my world, and he's just a lad of twelve or thirteen. Any help would be most useful."

She hesitates. "My world is very different from Milliways. And probably from yours."

[harryhotspur]

"If there is aught that I may do, I will gladly do it," Harry adds. He knows Brienne is a fighter, but a woman, with only a child as a companion? No gentleman could let that stand.

(It's probably for the best that he leaves this thought unvoiced in the present company.)

[cutting_edgex23]

X approves of Harry's get-up-and-help spirit.

She may be dubious about the reason behind it, if she ever hears. So it goes.

But as it is --

"It is likely. But I have been to many other worlds. From here."

Including Ambergeldar, where she is known as the Comtesse d'Exe.

"I am used to strange. If you will explain?"

[maid_of_tarth]

"A most kind offer, ser," says Brienne, who would consider Harry's sentiment honorable enough but totally unnecessary in her particular case.

To X, she says, "My world doesn't have all this...science. It's simpler in some ways, and harsher, and...more ignorant, I suppose. And it's ruled by lords and kings, not by...whoever runs this place."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I have friends who are kings. And queens. That is not strange."

Beat.

"They make it difficult for you? To do your work. There."

[maid_of_tarth]

"Well, yes," says Brienne. "The older girl I seek--the queen regent has accused her of regicide."

Did she leave out that detail before? Well, she's declaring it now. Never say she isn't honest.

[cutting_edgex23]

X considers that.





Eventually --

"They will kill her if they find her?"

[maid_of_tarth]

"That's the penalty for killing a king. The queen regent's brother--he helped me. He gave me a sealed charge from the king, who's a child, saying I search for Sansa at the king's behest. This helps. But if someone else found Sansa, Jaime--the queen's brother--he would be able to do nothing to save her."

[cutting_edgex23]

"You can," X says, just a little forceful.

"Even if someone else finds her. If they do not kill her right away. And you can get here. From where she is."

X is just saying.

[harryhotspur]

Harry nods agreement. "If it is good for naught else, this place makes a fair sanctuary."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is a good place to get help, too."

X is watching Brienne, now.

"People that will not be recognized on your world. So that you will not be who they look for."

Just in case.

[maid_of_tarth]

"I'd thought to bring her here as a sanctuary, yes."

Or die trying.

"That's why I wished to join Security in the first place. But I hadn't thought anyone would offer help. I'm most grateful. Some already know I'm looking for her, but if I were seen actually in her company, that might help her enemies track her down."

Brienne isn't exactly inconspicuous-looking, and knows it.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Most people do not suspect me," X notes. Carefully.

"In other worlds."

Beat.

"Even when they do not think I am stupid."

It's her lack of affect, she's come to learn. Ah, well.

[maid_of_tarth]

Brienne looks at X. "You would certainly draw notice. But...you can defend yourself."