[color=#9966ff]"The Flightless Pegasus,"[/color] Torielle echoed softly. [color=#9966ff]"Expensive and out of the way. Hmm. Perhaps Your Majesty will pay enough that I could afford it."[/color] It was supposed to be a joke, but her tone didn't support it. She turned her eyes to the ground as she realised how regretful a thing it was to say.

The heat of the building forced Torielle to turn her head further, bracing herself against the extreme difference across the threshold. As the doors were closed behind her, she shifted her scarf away from her face and head, revealing herself as she looked around with feigned interest. Her eyes swept across the interior, noting the polished stone and perfectly laundered linens that surrounded her.

More impressive than the outside, at least; but not nearly as impressive as the frozen water.

Her gaze continued sweeping as she followed the old guard, searching for something new and exciting. Finding nothing, she took a deep breath as she was led into the hall, a gaggle of strangers waiting for something to happen being their only greeting. Torielle shook her head as she looked each over in kind, careful to avoid eye-contact with anyone.

The guard apologised kindly for the delay; Torielle turned her attention back to him. [color=#9966ff]"Forgive me, sir, but my tea?"[/color] She had better control over her tone this time, and smiled weakly, trying to exude a polite kindness in turn, but still pushing for that small comfort that was promised to her just moments before.