[Open] Light Atop the Tower

[chainedqueen]

WHO: Alicent Hightower
WHAT: Catch-all, arrival
WHEN: After arrival
WHERE: Castle Thorn, Horizon
WARNING: Nothing so far, will update

[If you want a specific prompt, you can pp me at ladylils]

Comments

[a_better_man]

I've always been pleased with what they've given me.

[Mat shrugs. He doesn't see anything wrong with taking things like clothes and books and things like that. May as well get what he can, while he can. He feels no debt owed to Thorne - if anything, they owe him all of it anyhow. For abducting him and keeping him holed up like they are.]

And we call'em Gleemen. Though I'm not a proper one, I was in training but it was...interrupted. I know enough to keep them in good spirits in the taverns, though. Bit of music, bit of juggling, bit of clever hand tricks, storytelling....

[A general mixed bag of entertainment. It does well enough here, and songs from his own homeland are still a novelty around Thorne. That helps.]

And I would, my lady! Light knows I get bored easy and there's only so much to do around here. It'd be a welcome distraction for me.

[chainedqueen]

[She says nothing to that. It's a sentiment she often carries, as she has been given all that she has. There is contentment in it, save for when you are pulled on your own in a strange world.]

I should like to hear your stories and perhaps, if you allow it, a song or two. [She was shy in this offer:] In my Horizon, I have been trying to fill the rooms of my Hightower. I thought to add a music room, for those that are inclined? I have no talent of my own, but I love to listen.

[Over time, she would find the means to pay him, if he allowed.]

It would be my pleasure to be such a distraction. Perhaps we could begin now?

[a_better_man]

Come on down to town any evening and you can see the whole show! I am quite the talent.

[Mat can never resist an opportunity to make himself sound good. And he is talented. He has a good voice, and quick clever hands, and he's young and handsome. Being young and handsome always helps an entertainer.

Particularly when it comes to lovely young ladies who like music.]

And why not? I'm not doing anything else right now and we're in the woods. You ever handled a long bow before? Just so I know where we're starting from.

[chainedqueen]

You would not be a proper bard if you did not believe yourself to be so.

[After all, the trade depended on self promotion, so she isn't put off by his declaration. It certainly was refreshing. His speaking voice was soothing and comfortable, his stories at least would be gripping in that way.]

A long bow? No. I understand you need a certain amount of strength for that?

[a_better_man]

Strength can help, but anyone can use one. Here, there's a clearing just this way, that'll do us.

[At least the sort of bows they use here shouldn't be a problem. They aren't the full body length sort - those would likely be a challenge. Mat can't see any reason why Alicent couldn't manage. It's not as though she looks sickly or anything.]

Most of what you'd need the strength for is drawing it. But I've got a little trick for you to start with! Now the classic way is to hold the bow in one hand, string and arrow in the other. But you can sit on a stump or a rock and use your foot instead. This is just for learning, of course, and building up strength to draw it proper.

[It's the way he'd learned as a child, when he'd been barely bigger than a bow anyhow.]

[chainedqueen]

[He's surprised her by that, making her a little nervous that she'd embarrass herself in an effort to draw the bow, showing how little strength she possessed.]

Many hunters would laugh at my feeble attempts.

[Which, of course, reveals how much she's worried about looking foolish.

Glancing nearby, there was a stump that she could sit on. There was no cloak or cloth to cover it, so she would have to accept that she'd get muddy attempting this.]

Will you help me?