Once Upon a Time [Aerion & Lysette]

Aerion pauses as if he's not sure how best to respond, and then nods his head. "Indeed I am. I squired for the Lord to whom we both are guests, and I spent many days down here, usually with smuggled food." he says with a chuckle, and then realizing that he just met this woman, speaks at a slightly quickened pace so as not to linger on the thievery of his childhood.

"And then I began to read while down here. It is much more enjoyable when it's not at the behest of anyone. There are books on almost any topic, and some say the collection here is only rivaled by that of the Maesters in the Citadel." he says, thinking back to his studies when the septas in charge of his education. "I was headed there to walk down memory lane, a reprieve from all of the fake smiles and forced laughter. I would be honoured if you would join me, I can give you a tour if you would like?" he offers his arm for her to hold on to if she would like to accompany him.

Aerion allows her to take his arm, and at her recognition of him and her touch, he was suddenly feeling as a boy of 14 upon receiving the touch of a girl he fancies. Blood rushing to his ears, he gives her a nod to her inquiry on his name and begins to guide her toward the library.

"We could spend weeks here showing you all that I know of its secrets, and many years likely discovering those which I do not."

He makes some small talk about the basics of the library, such as it's founding, and leads her down a side hallway lined with colourful if not faded leather books, most of which are thankfully devoid of dust. He notes that the servants take very good care of the library.

"This is the history wing. Here you'll find stories great and small, some detailing the rise and fall of vȳs, others giving insight into the crop patterns of farmers. What topics interest you most? We can go there next."

As she looked up at him, he was momentarily stunned. Enthralled, more like. It took him a moment to look away before answering, unsure himself if he could find words while still looking in her eyes.

"The Starkwoods are of a good kind. Being out of the way, they aren't often found as the main characters to the grand stories, but there is a history there of chivalry and nobility. More importantly, to your question, the family today does justice to their forefathers."

"My mother was from house Starkwood, although she is no longer with the family. My sister, the Seven bless her, unfortunately lost her husband and they were kind enough to take her in along with my nice and nephew. It should speak volumes that they have done everything in their power to help her, and have asked for nothing in return." Aerion speaking about his mother is clearly a sore spot for him, and he is almost shocked that he has opened up so freely to a relative stranger. Maybe this woman is indeed the Maiden after all?

"I myself have only spent a handful of years there in my life, most of which were as a small boy before being legitimized by my father, king Aegon." he watches her to see if she reacts to him being a Great Bastard.

"Those who have joined us at these events I can speak nothing but good things, as uninteresting as that may be. Ser Mikel is of low born birth but makes a better knight than many here. Lady Ashara is dutiful and intelligent, and House Cordwayner should consider themselves lucky to have her. Sadly I admit to knowing little of Ser Clayton, though his acceptance by Lord Ulbert lends itself well to his character."

"And of course there is my sister, Lady Laena Pyre. An amazing woman and an even better mother." he says lovingly, though nothing beyond that of a brother.

As if realizing he's been speaking for a while, he poses a question to the lady to learn more about her. "And what of yourself? From what I have heard you are to inherit the lands of your father. Between that and your unearthly beauty, any man here no doubt would seek your hand. These events must seem burdensome as much as they are fun, even without all the current political tides, churning as they are."

Aerion nods in approval. "Far too often are marriages for duty rather than love. And worse yet are those who trap the unwilling. That your father allows you a say is a sign of a wise man, and likely a loving father."

"My lady surprises me. You have half the reach here willing to move mountains for your favour, and yet all you ask of me is for an introduction to my sister?" he asks incredulously. Then suddenly putting on a sarcastically serious voice, he holds a hand to his heart and asks "What sort of knight would I be if I couldn't even do such a thing?

"I would be more than happy to make an introduction on your behalf, Lady Lysette. But now on to more immediate concerns. Would you like to see one of the real secrets this place holds?" he asks with a sudden hint - could that be mischief? - in his eyes?

"A good thing too. It would have been awfully difficult to have to move them." he says cheekily.

As they come to stand in front of a nondescript bookshelf, Aerion looks to her as if considering something. "What I am about to show you has been a closely guarded secret since I was but a boy. Please take that into account when you think of sharing it."

He reaches out to the side, behind a stack of books that looks near enough to toppling over that the slightest breeze would spell it's downfall. Expertly fingering around without being able to see his hand, a slight clicking could be heard, before pulling it back empty.

"If you would stand back, my lady. I wouldn't want to ruin your dress with any dust. This likely hasn't happened in years." with that he gives a slight tug at the shelf that appeared to be against the wall, only to have it swing forward freely and silently. From inside the opening, the outline of a small room can be seen. Aerion takes a lamp from the wall outside, and leads Lysette in behind him. 

Inside is a small oaken table that has what looks like decades of various oil and ink spills. Along the walls are several more books, these ones covered in dust and looking neglected. The shelves are devoid of the organizational systems present in the main library, and there is a small section where it looked like there once was a small fire. About two feet high of the ground, there were carvings in the wood of what might be horses or knights, though an by artist they were not.

"I think this was once a private study, but it must have been ages ago; there hasn't been a new book in here in at least a few hundred years I'd say. With the door closed, it is all but soundless for the outside world. A useful place indeed!"

A deep laugh erupts and he looks like he's ten again and was caught trying to steal an apple pastry from the kitchens. "Not quite the stuff of legends, eh? And that.. Yeah.. "

He looks closely at the charred shelf and is brought back to his childhood. "I had come here one evening when I was quite upset. This was my safe haven. My secret castle that was safe from any seige. But other than singing, which I was of no mood to do, and carving these... Well, I opted to pretend to be a knight, as in all the stories, slaying dragons and rescuing maidens."

"...well, lets just say, that playing knight in such quarters with an open lamp nearby is not the best practice for a boy of nine." he picks up a page that was barely holding together,so charred that it was clearly close to the ignition point.

"A wonder I didn't burn the whole library down!" he says, shaking his head with a smirk and turning back to Lysette.