D2 EA (Stroll)

[Maester Simon]

"That and curiosity, Septa. I've spent the last fourteen years in Oldtown. Figured I'd look around, now that I've had an excuse to travel." his eyes followed hers. "Not that Oldtown is particularly foul place, but it's only a place and the world's vast."

"But I also miss the quiet of my chambers, the grounds are awfully busy."

[Septa Gwyn]

"Not enough people appreciate quiet. It is a pleasure to meet one who does. Maester Hubert certainly didn't come away from the Citadel with that lesson." Her tone was flat, nearly as expressionless as her face.

[Maester Simon]

"Each to their own, I guess." Simon muttered, recalling his colleague. Feeling he ought to defend him, he added. "Some tend to find solace in the company of others. Hardly a personal fault. Well, unless they don't know their manners I guess." Hubert had been mostly polite, at least.

[Septa Gwyn]

The septa's mouth tightened, "one can hardly hear the guidance of God if they do not shut their mouths first." She gave Simon a hard look, "though I don't suppose you're interested in what they might have say."

[Maester Simon]

"Do the gods speak often to Septa, then?" Simon asked before biting his lip. Unfortunately, social graces was not something the Citadel cultivated. "The gods tend to do what the gods will. We focus on the earthly matters and leave the matters of faith to those dedicated to the Seven."

[Septa Gwyn]

"I do not believe that God speaks to us in voices," she answered primly, and touched the crystal, the scattered light seemed to twinkle as the pendant moved. "But if we live good lives, then why should it matter if we don't hear their words?"

[Maester Simon]

"I suppose it doesn't?" Hadn't she just said she preferred quiet to hear the voices. While Simon understood that the fabric of faith was necessary to keep the society together, he had some issues with how esoteric some of the people of the faith were. "Awfully hard though, to live well. Maybe less so for people like you and me - detached from the worldly struggles."

[Septa Gwyn]

Had he voiced his thoughts, she might have elaborated. "I suppose if it were easy, then we wouldn't need Septs and septons and septas," she replied, "but we must each do what we can to guide those who don't see the path so clearly."

[Maester Simon]

"Aye, I could see that." Simon chuckled, mirth glimmering in his eyes. "But the Meadows are good, faith and law abiding people, no?"

[Septa Gwyn]

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Simon, "does something concern you, maester? It is a strange question to be asking. Is there trouble in the House of Tremaine?" The septa knew full well of the troubles that had transpired that year, but she was intently curious to hear what Simon might have to say on the matter.