o2; video

[choseherownway]

[Lena is sitting cross-legged on her bed with a sword balanced across her knees. She scowls down at it]

Why are these...apartments so white? [The way she says 'apartment' makes it clear the word is unfamiliar] It's almost enough to give a person snow blindness.

I need to get some air. Is there anyone out there with some familiarity in using a sword? Or...who doesn't mind facing off with someone using one, for that matter. I need practice against more than just people using the same weapon as me. [She shoves a hand back through her hair] Especially in this place.

Comments

voice

[choseherownway]

Not really. I'm out of practice.

[implying]

That hardly sounds like a problem to me!

[choseherownway]

You have clearly never come face to face with a troll before.

[implying]

On the contrary, my dear, I've flirted with a troll before.

[choseherownway]

There wasn't really time to give that a shot when it was trying to beat me into the ground.

And I'm not your dear. My name is Lena.

[implying]

Well, better luck next time then, Lena! Perhaps you don't have the right touch with trolls.

And I'm Vanadi, by the by.

[choseherownway]

I would really rather there wasn't a next time. Trolls are animals in my world, and stupid ones at that. They tend to process any noise as a threat.

[implying]

Terribly sorry to hear it! I think you're missing out, to be quite honest. They have the most lovely gray skin here.

[choseherownway]

Lovely and grey skin aren't two words I've heard in the same sentence before. They're forest creatures in Orandin, their skin blends in with the trees. And is almost impossible to cut through.

[implying]

Orandin, is that where you're from? Quite rolls off the tongue! I like it-- even if it has unfortunate trolls.

[choseherownway]

It's the name of my - it's the name of the kingdom I'm from, yes. [Her tone becomes a little more guarded]

[implying]

[ which he doesn't miss! ]

Oh, come, none of that, now. I'm only curious! I'm from the kingdom of Aluthsa, myself, and now we're even.

[choseherownway]

Everyone in this place seems to suffer from an over-abundance of that. I really don't need to know where you're from when we're all here.

[implying]

Oh, need, certainly not! But it makes for a lovely way to get to know people, don't you think?

[choseherownway]

Not really. You say Aluthsa, and I know that you come from a place that's seven letters long.

[implying]

Well, I would be delighted to trade stories about home, if that's what you're after.

[choseherownway]

You're flattering yourself if you think I'm after anything from you.

[implying]

My dear, I hope you'll forgive me if I say that you seem a bit resistant to civil conversation. It's somewhat worrisome!

[choseherownway]

Does it show? [a beat] I'm still not your dear. Lena.

[implying]

My friend, then, will that work better for you?

[choseherownway]

Lena is fine.

[implying]

[ HEAVY SIGH!!! ]

As you like, Lena.

[choseherownway]

It's really so painful for you to use my name?

[implying]

Certainly not! It's quite a beautiful name. It's somewhat lacking if I should want to express some affection for its owner, though.

[choseherownway]

[There's a significant pause here, because what] You don't know me, and I haven't exactly been polite for most of this conversation. I think you'll be okay.