baetiful | IC CONTACT POST

Watered down broth? My lord, you should contact me in such cases!

[She sits, spreading her skirts prettily; her poise is not new but it is certainly being done with intent. To show respect, to give him manners. She wants to tuck her feet under her chair, but instead she stays still,does not fidget.]

Well, we all must do what we can, and I could do so much.

But I was safe enough. Lady Hawke, you must know, is quite formidable.

I knew you already had quite a bit on your plate, your grace. I did not have to eat in luxury so long as many others were being fed. I'd like to believe not a single mouth went hungry in our city thanks to the efforts of my team and also those of other imPorts including RISE.

[ And that was really what mattered. Even if most people tended to focus on what damage had been done and the number of bodies turning up. Petyr settles beside her on the couch, reaching out to unfold a couple of napkins so they could place their sweets upon them. ]

I do quite enjoy Lady Hawke. She is wild and humorous, but her heart is in the right place. You are fortunate to have her as a part of your guard. But I digress. Was there something you wished to discuss?

[ Because Lucy's demeanor is not indicative that this is merely a social visit. ]

Oh, how wonderful! It seems as though you're quite well stocked and well policed, with RISE.

[Starting there.]

Healers, sir.

What of them, my queen?

[ He gingerly removes one of the sweet rolls from the box, prying off a piece and popping it into his mouth. The look on his face is one of approval. ]

I should care to send you some.

And, if you have need, I should think that our imPorts can reinforce your policing. For I have heard tell that you are suffering heavily on that front.

[She kicks her feet a little, it makes her look very charming.]

For we should pool our resources, should we not?

It's very kind of you to offer, Your Grace. But while it is beneficial to pool resources in a sense, it is the imPorts' choice which city they decide to aid. Some may enjoy how lively this city is, but others may not. And I would not want to force that on anyone.

[ His tone remains light as he cleans the sticky residue from his hands. ]

Oh, I by no means condone force. More volunteer. In the case of emergencies, as we have found so clear here.

As I must assume you are in deep need of aid, if you are asking my imPorts to come to yours. And so here I am to offer.

[She doesn't sound annoyed or even like this is anything but genuine.

Which.

It kind of is.]

[ Ah. So Lucy shows her hand. Something he finds to be a most unprofessional display of personal feelings.

Baelish wears a weary smile, shaking his head. ]

I am fond of you, Lucy. So please take what I say next as a form of genuine counsel and not anything meant to offend.

None of these imPorts are yours. These people are not your subjects, but your peers. And you house no claim to them. You especially house no claim to those who come from my own world. Imagine I approached you to have the same sort of conversation about your brother Edmund. You would, as kindly as you could, put me in my place, would you not? And I would deserve it.

[ He waves his hand idly. ]

I am not in need of your imPorts. I merely offered an opportunity to Jon to be among familiar faces from home while fighting for a good cause. The choice is his to make.

Oh no, sir, you misunderstand me.

His grace is most free to do whatever he should like. My concern is less that he is mine, so in that I must say I misspoke. Mine is that you are in need.

But perhaps I am mistaken.

[She keeps a very level head.]

You do not have a place I could put you in, sir. My royal brother is most his own creature, as well.

I am afraid I did. You have my apologies.

[ A long, pregnant pause in which Baelish takes a moment to draw in a breath of contemplation. ]

Whatever Lord Snow has told you was to be a private conversation. It's not indicative of the desperate need of my city as seems to have been implied. We are a rougher sort. That is undeniably true. And I believe we could only benefit from imPort presence. But I would much rather that presence be permanent than on rental. We need people who will choose to live here, see the problems at their root, and help to destroy that root. We need more Doctor Chiltons or Major-General Armstrongs or Count Dookus. We need more idealistic individuals like Ken Kaneki or Percival Graves. We need strong business leaders like Bela Talbot or James Patrick March.

Surely that is something you understand, Your Grace. De Chima has so many strong and prominent leaders, yourself included, and look at how smoothly things run for the most part.

Well.

Should you find a need for some additional forces, De Chima is most happy to help you, sir.

[She tilts her head up just a little. Lord Baelish.]

I cannot help what his Grace said to me. As you know, very little is private in matters of poltics.

Oh, I do not believe politics has anything to do with it, Your Grace.

[ There's a crinkling of amusement behind his eyes and he pours himself a cup of tea. ]

These are matters of the heart that loosen his tongue to you.

Edited 2017-02-09 17:21 (UTC)

Oh, my lord, you're far too much of a flatterer! I think you have a higher idea of my beauty than is true.

[She genuinely....does not realize.]

Oh no, my queen. I simply see the look behind his eyes when he speaks of you. It's unmistakable. He is a good man. A bit serious and stoic, but those Starks often are. It would do him well to have your friendship.

[ And probably more. He knows how these young romances seem to go. They work out for everyone except Baelish himself!!! ]

Ah, well. Of course, we should be friends.

[That's for certain. Lucy won't even consider any more.]

I am glad to see you forming connections with those of us from Westeros. Your presence is a bit of summer sun against the winter chill from home.

Well, they are most comforting as friends!

[Because they're more like her in terms of knowledge than they are like those who come from this land.]

But, this is not a productive line of discussion. And so: I must insist that you have my support, on measures of increased health and safety, at your discretion, my lord.

I do appreciate your kindly offer. And should there ever come a time when I have need of it, I will certainly call on your aid. Is this all you wished to discuss, Your Grace?

Unless you have a matter to bring up?

[ He shakes his head and rises to his feet to see her out. ]

Only that you be careful, sweetling. When it comes to those of us from Westeros, there are some dangerous sorts. As more and more of us keep porting in, I fear you may start to be swept up in personal family wars and politics.

Ah, of course.

Thank you for your care, Lord Baelish. I should be so hard pressed to find someone as considerate of my safety. Please.

Do not hesitate should you need things, and I will certainly take care, sir.

[She stands and takes his arm, carefully, but she's smiling softly the whole time.]

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