Standing waiting for the elevator at the base on the training floor after a good workout, Rose was nodding her head to the song that was playing overhead. It took her a moment to realise exactly what it was, smiling a memory of being in college with her friends belting it while standing on a bartop came to mind. She didn’t exactly have a great voice but at least it wasn’t hideous either. It started under her breath as she slowly got a little louder as she sang along while the memory came to mind.
“My loneliness is killing me (and I) I must confess I still believe (still believe) When I'm not with you I lose my mind Give me a sign Hit me baby one mor-”
It wasn’t until she was nearly done with the chorus that she felt the presence of someone standing near her, turning she could feel her face flushing. “Sorry about that,” she said with a smile. “Old song, old memories, got the best of me.” Rose looked at the elevator door willing it to open but it just didn’t appear to want to.
“Time?” he offered amused.
It wasn’t something anyone who met him would have believed he’d know about, but Jaime had spent time in Kansas and it was almost impossible not to know that particular song. He very much disliked it, more so now he thought about it. The lyrics were annoyingly confusingly a reminder of his sister.
“There is no need for apology Miss Freeman. It reminded me of another place like this, another war entirely.”
He’d leave the other reminder out.
“It kept being played at parties.”
Laughing she nodded as he finished the lyric she'd dropped off.
"Brittany Spears and war, you know usually those things don't go together, or shouldn't, but..." she let the thought drift.
"Rose, please," she added with a smile. "It's annoying. The song, not my last name." Rose clarified.
Jaime had to laugh, it was just one of those situations. A passing moment. But it was not a song he’d expected to hear much.
“I’ve heard worse songs in my time. Much worse.”
He’d also lived in a place where he’d spoken only in song lyrics so this was not the worst thing.
“You have a good voice even if it is a rather overused song.”
“Oh yeah?” She asked curiously what he’d label a worse song. Okay, she could think of a few too.
Smiling she raised an eyebrow with a tilt of her head. “Well, I think you’re being too kind, but I appreciate it.”
“Dirges. Or Bards who think they’re hilarious. Rarely are. I’m not the barding type. I find it dull, or used to brag. I’ve had to sit through 30 verses about how wonderful my House is. It’s not by the way, at all.”
He smiled wryly.
“And no my Lady. I’m speaking only the truth. It’s brightened up my day immeasurably.”
It took her a moment to catch on to exactly what he was talking about. "I'd probably want a bottle of wine or two on hand to put up with that." She offered with shrug. There was no way she'd put up with it.
"Well, thank you," Rose meant it. "I'm glad it didn't offend anyone."
“Or seven if you were my brother. I mostly just drifted off and thought about duelling,” he said amused.
“You are quite welcome. I don’t see how anyone could be offended by it at all but I promise you I wasn’t. Actually, it was an interesting way to run into you.”
“Well, maybe someday I’ll have to challenge you to a duel,” Rose meant it too, she could always use a good work out, and keep her skills sharp.
“Oh yeah?” She asked mildly wondering if he’d been wanting to run into her.
“I’d be delighted. I admit I’d held a firm belief women couldn’t fight as well as men but a woman named Brienne taught me otherwise. And of course, travelling this...multiverse taught me that too.” he said. “I’m assuming not duelling with a sword?” he said curiously. “Though you could be quite good with daggers.”
It was an interesting turn the conversation had taken.
“I didn’t expect the singing, but around here, I always should.”
“It’s good to know you’re willing to learn women can fight,” tilting her head she paused before answering. “I know some sword work, but hand to hand and a dagger I’m stronger with.” She wasn’t going to give everything away after all.
Laughing she nodded. “Well, I wasn’t expecting to sing myself, but you’re right, around here you never actually know what’s going to happen.”
As the door opened she smiled. “Well, I’ll see you later, hopefully not singing Brittany Spears.”