The White Spool

[The Smith]

Streets behind the Market Square a small building shows a white chained sign that reads 'The White Spool'. The building is the tailoring shop of Edgar White (or, Edgar the White) and his love, Layla Potter. White and off-white linens as well as gray linens lined with black hang from the wall. The decorations are simple, but with a strangely home-like sense to them. The man is a baseborn tailor, and his wife, a minor noble who inherited enough money to buy a small shop.

[The Smith]

A knight makes his way into the shop and begins to look around at the wares. Instead of purchasing an item though, he turns to the owners and introduces himself as Ser Collen Coldwater.

[The Smith]

"I don't believe we've met, ser", says Edgar, bowing deep and respectfully. "I am Edgar, and this is my beautiful wife Layla. Do you have a question concerning our wares?"

[The Smith]

"Not so much a question about your wares as a question concerning your service, ser."

[The Smith]

"I'm flattered by your compliment", spoke the tailor, "but I am no knight, and surely this is my only service".

[The Smith]

"How much for your sword, ser?", the Vale knight questioned despite the tailor's previous answer.

[The Smith]

"My sword? That one over there?", Edgar said pointing at a sword and belt laid flat on a table across the room.

[The Smith]

"Don't treat me as a fool, ser. I request your sword on behalf of the King, Aemon Targaryen VI."

[The Smith]

"Surely you jest, Ser Collen? I cannot be hired but for tailoring...", he said as customers milled around him and the knight from the vale.

[The Smith]

The conversation is finished in a back room of the shop, with the doors pressed tight and locked. When the two emerge, Edgar says nothing and the Vale knight simply smiles to Layla and leaves.

[Bunny-Rabbit]

Entering the shops Ser Vikter Jast holds the door open for Aerie. Jast then begins to circuit the exterior of the shop looking at the wares on display, while paying close attention to interaction between Aerie and the shopkeep.

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie traveled towards the pale sign that declared ‘The White Spool’ quite a bit ahead of the squirrelly messenger, her face becoming increasingly bemused and tense with curiosity with every lofty step of her courser. “Now I’m being summoned by tailors,” she whispered softly into the stallion’s flicking ear, which promptly swiveled back to tilt attentively in her direction. She rubbed his blood-red neck affectionately as she halted him before the door. She dropped to her feet, waiting for the others to do the same. Moving towards the messenger, she thrust the reins of her mount towards him distractedly, muttering a half-formed, “If you don’t find just taking him for me,” as she motioned for Ser Jast to follow her into the shop. She almost felt pity for the man as Anarchy began his habitual dance away from his restrainer. “Do you know anything about this place?” she asked Jast when they stood at the entrance. “Who wants to meet me here?” Suddenly, she scurried back to her horse and untied the sword from its saddle. Simply feeling the hilt firm inside her hand comforted her greatly. Then, she entered through the door Ser Jast held open for her. The shop was humble and pretty and made the knot in Aerie's stomach want to loosen, but she held it taut, her eyes bright with vigilance.

[The Smith]

Layla Potter, humble and happy, smiling big spotted Aerie from the other side of the store and slowly passed by guests to greet Aerie warmly. Still smiling wide, Layla said, "Your reputation precedes you! I have heard reports that you are just as skilled with a sword as your brothers! Would you do me an honor and let me train you?" She spoke fast with obvious excitement and her husband, who was standing nearby filled in, "If you've heard of 'Gray' the legendary swordsman...well she's a swordswoman and she's standing in front of you, young Aerie."

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie’s chest seemed to have frozen over with disbelief, squeezing all the air from her lungs like an iron fist. This was the Grey, whose prowess with the sword surpassed that of men and women alike? She was a legend among knights, the woman who put all to shame. A fissure ran along the glassy surface, cracking the ice and allowing her to breathe once more. Her face broke into an eager grin, her fingers tightening on the hilt of her sword until they shone bloodless and white. “I—,” she gasped, fumbling for the words, “It—it is an honor to be in your presence,” she managed to breathe, her features softening into humbleness. “The honor would be mine, Lady Potter. I would be honored above all for the privilege to train with one such as yourself. If you will have me,” she added meekly.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement and elation, a summery warmth blossoming within her and suffusing her soul with its radiant light. But…She looked to Ser Jast, who was patrolling the shop with disinterest, but she could tell he was listening attentively to their conversation. She could not let this interfere with her work. She would not. She could balance them both equally. This was a magical opportunity to finally reach her potential, growing under the care instruction and guidance of a legendary swordsman who also happened to be a woman, like her. Words could not explain her joy and relief. The links to a chain were falling into place, each piece bringing her closer to the realization of her dreams.

[The Smith]

"Great!", the tailor exclaimed as she grinned further, "Will you room here at the White Spool? My husband may be able to teach you a thing or two as well...he's nearly as skilled as I am", she said with a wink. Edgar put his arm around Layla and said to Aerie, "So?"