a dream of spring (OTA with locked starters)

[theladyofwinterfell]

CHARACTERS: Sansa Stark, Baby, Clary Fray & Others
LOCATIONS: Barred, Sansa's house, Sansa's garden, Infinitea
WARNINGS: TBD
SUMMARY: A catch-all for Sansa for March. If you want a different starter (Barred and Infinitea will be open) let me know!

Comments

steep me in hot water and make me new (infinitea; OTA)

[theladyofwinterfell]

( The idea that there's a whole store that caters to the selling of tea is fascinating to Sansa and she makes a special point to go and shop for new teas each and every week. The ones here are far more exotic than anything she's ever had in Westeros and she usually gets her favorites and one new one just to try. This week, she's waffling between oolong and jasmine. She looks to the person next to her, tilting her head. )

Have you ever had jasmine tea? How does it taste?

[frostedire]

[Loki had spotted Sansa through the window, but before she's had a chance to greet her friend and possibly explain the new circumstances of her appearance (and her unexpected her-ness) Sansa asks her what she thinks of jasmine tea, as though they're strangers. Loki can't help but let that continue, at least for a little while.]

It smells like night-blooming flowers and tastes like a spring day, Lady.

[Is that mischievous smile familiar, even on this new face?]

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa doesn't know this woman but her tone seems nice and her words are in the formal manner that Sansa herself is accustomed to so that puts her a bit at ease. )

Night-blooming flowers? How extraordinary. Do you care to have a cup of it with me, then?

[frostedire]

You are too generous. I would be delighted to join you.

[She is even a little too formal, because she's struggling not to start laughing. Is it cruel to mislead her friend with her new face? Perhaps, somewhat. But she feels she knows Sansa well enough to suspect that Sansa may guess her secret before she even reveals it.

But then, there has always been an edge to Loki's tricks, so she'd likely be doing this regardless of the possible outcome.]

A table by the window, to enjoy the sun while we wait?

[And she offers her elbow, just the way Loki always does when walking Sansa from place to place.]

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa takes the woman's elbow and cuts her a strange look, struck by how familiar she seems. Is this some sort of trick? She's not certain. She's fallen off her game as to recognizing tricks here in Cadelle - mostly because she hasn't had to do it. Still - )

I feel like I must know you from somewhere. We've met before, haven't we?

[frostedire]

So we have. Well-spotted, Lady.

[It's a woman doing it, but the elegant step to one side, to pull out Sansa's chair for her, a gracious gesture for her to be seated, it all looks the same. Her body language changes hardly at all from shape to shape, unless she concentrates, because she is after all the same person.]

But where might that somewhere have been?

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa takes the proffered seat and frowns a bit as she tries to work it out. There is some puzzle here, that much she knows, but she has no idea how or why this person knows her as well as she does. Unless... )

Could you have made a wish at the Wishing Well, possibly? Changed from man to woman?

[frostedire]

[The intent way Sansa is being watched might seem familiar too, but there's a bright smile at her question. Loki feels unexpectedly delighted that her friend has spotted it.]

Oh, I had no need of the well for this change. In fact, I had accidentally wished myself human on that wretched well, and when it wore off, in my joy at regaining my magic... [She sits back in her chair with a little shrug, as if to say, "This was the result."]

I'm sorry, I simply couldn't resist. But I am still Loki.

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa laughs when Loki reveals himself, feeling a bit ashamed she hadn't spotted it at the outset. It's obvious now in the tilt of the woman's chin, the glint of her eyes. Of course. )

You have particularly great magic. We don't have anything like that in Westeros except...well, my sister Arya can change her face. She's an assassin though. It's sort of necessary.

[frostedire]

There were few on Asgard who possessed the skill. It was not prized there. Few enough who would take on the role of assassin either. Asgard is not a realm that rewards deception.

[And so, contrary as she is, Loki had become very good at it. Now she presses her hand to Sansa's with a playful smile.]

If it is strange for you to see your friend thus, I can change once more, but I thought perhaps you would enjoy it, and I enjoyed surprising you.

[theladyofwinterfell]

It doesn't bother me. I have also had to play games with my identity. I haven't had the ability to change my face, of course, but I've had to be someone else for a time. I understand how it feels to slip on the mask of someone new and bury yourself beneath.

( Sansa's own smile is sweet and playful too. She's never seen anything like this and as strange as it is, it's interesting to her and it's still Loki. It's still her friend. )

Sometimes you have to lie to keep your head on your shoulders. It's a valuable skill even if those who prize honor despise it.

[frostedire]

[It all sounds so familiar, so horribly, ragingly familiar. The idea that Sansa had done the same thing through necessity, but had not even had the defense of disguise...]

Sansa, my friend, you and I would have been powerful allies on Asgard. And perhaps too in Winterfell. But you've kept yourself beneath all your masks, and so you've won. How does your sister Arya change her face? With magic?

[theladyofwinterfell]

It is a sort of magic, yes. She hasn't explained it to me but she worships the God of Many Faces from Braavos. I think she has a coin she uses to change her face.

( Sansa knows that she's seen Arya look as one person and then another in a flash. She's seen disguises in Arya's things, things that would keep her identity hidden for a long while. )

She is very, very different from me.

[frostedire]

Really... [God of many faces. That's an angle Loki hasn't considered. Something to fall back on, now that "god of mischief" seems to be falling short.] That sounds fascinating. If she arrives here, I shall need to inquire.

[But that isn't important now. Loki smiles and squeezes Sansa's hand before lifting her mug of heaven-scented jasmine tea.]

Well, I, for one, am glad you're here.

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa cannot help but smile at that. Loki is a friend to her and while he may not be a friend she'd have in Westeros, he's a friend in Cadelle and that is no mean feat. She lifts her mug to Loki. )

To new friends. Loki, did I tell you that my wolf came? Lady came here.

[frostedire]

She did? You have your Lady back?

[She can't help but look delighted, even looking around as though she's missed a wolf in the teashop.]

Where is she, is she here? Oh, I'd love to meet her, you've said so much about her.

[theladyofwinterfell]

She's out hunting at the moment but if you'd like to come along, I'm certain we can come find her.

( Sansa is beaming about Lady, honestly, because Lady is a part of her she thought lost forever. Having her again means having some of her childhood back. )