"And how exactly do you expect me to fight in one of these things?" Brienne stood with her arms out to either side as the master tailor ran a measuring tape up and down every part of her body.

"It isn't very restrictive, and the lightweight material will make sword play a breeze."

"It just isn't very protective is it? Can we just not go down to the blacksmith and get a new suit of armour instead? Or a sword, anything but this." She almost snarled at the man as he elderly hand crawled up the inside of her thigh.

"We've been invited a banquet that will be full to the brim of nobility and royalty. You need a dress, not new weaponry."

The old man popped his head around Brienne with an armful of fine silks and other exotic materials.

"I have all the measurements I need, come back at the end of the week with your payment. I promise it will not disappoint." He disappeared behind the thick curtains, allowing Brienne the privacy to get herself dressed.

"I'm not wearing that fucking dress." She clambered back into the sleek, ebony armour and ran her sword into the sheath.

"It's one night. Please. There will be a lot of opportunity to get some work."

"One night is all it takes to drop my guard and get stabbed in the back. These are volatile times Y/N, we can't take a chance like that, do you know how many people I've pissed off in my day? Far too many to be walking around in a fucking dress."

"That's the issue isn't it. You're too scared to let your guard down."

"If you put your guard down you end up with an axe in your shoulder, it's one of the first things they teach in fighting school."

"I'm not talking about fighting."

"I know, I'm not dim. I have no problems with opening up, ask me anything." She crossed her arms and looked away from you.

"Okay fine, what scares you?"

"Getting a sword rammed through my chest scares me a fair bit, it's the main reason I became so good at avoiding the pointy end."

"My point exactly. Far more must scare you than death, you're just too scared to tell me because you never open up."

"I always open up. I have no problem with sharing things, if it means that much to you I'll wear the stupid dress. Don't blame me if we end up getting attacked though, I don't think that thing has anywhere to properly fasten my weapons."

~*~

Written by Aaron.