The cozy workroom of the Royal Tailor, with a wide bay window
facing west and a warm fireplace on the east side.
Sixty clothes are lying near a tall wardrobe. A tall wardrobe
and a tailor are standing near a tall wardrobe. Eight clothes
are standing on a tall wardrobe. Martel and Punzel are standing
near the north door.
Martel smiles to Punzel.
Punzel bows respectfully to Martel.
Punzel smiles.
Punzel says, "Good day, ser."
Martel says, "How are you this day, good Bard?"
Punzel nods agreeably, "I am well, ser. And you?"
Martel says, "Well enough. I was going to see if I could get a
green tunic to match my cloak."
Punzel nods, "I have looked at the tunics, ser. I believe they
come in only grey, brown, and white."
Punzel gesture at [her] white linen tunic.
Punzel nods apologetically.
Punzel says, "Ser ... if I might ... something you did say some
days ago has nagged at me ..."
Punzel blushes.
Punzel glances at a tailor.
Punzel glances at Martel.
Martel says, "Of course. Please ask away."
Punzel nods gratefully.
Punzel begins hesitantly, "Well ... 'tis not truly a question, ser ..."
Martel nods questioningly.
Punzel adds quickly, "... and I do not want you to think that I
do renew the troublesome attentions ..."
Punzel blushes intensely.
Punzel continues nervously, "... but you did say something about
my age, ser ..."
Martel nods slowly.
Punzel continues, "... and I would say that ... we know not what
age I truly am, ser ... and so I would not have you judge me by
my appearance ..."
Punzel continues, "... please ... if you will judge me, please ...
do so based on who I am ... rather than my youthful face ..."
Punzel blushes.
Martel says, "While we may not know how many years it has been
since you or I was born ..."
Punzel nods hesitantly.
Martel continues, "We can see how many years our bodies think
they have."
Martel says, "Look to Corbin, old and gray, or yourself, flush
with youth."
Punzel insists, "Yes, ser ... but I have cut off my hair, and
dressed myself in loose men's clothing!"
Punzel blushes.
Martel blushes slightly.
Punzel admits sadly, "... and I am skinny, it is true."
Punzel says sadly, "I do think that causes me to appear very young ..."
Punzel admits, "... but I do not know my true age, as my memories
are so hazy."
Punzel glances at Martel.
Martel says softly, "Do you feel yourself to be of an age to wed? or ..."
Martel frowns, "Um."
Punzel blushes.
Martel blushes.
Punzel admits, "I know not, ser. But I do believe myself to be of
a similar age to Sera Katherine ..."
Punzel says, "... though, I think ... somewhat less ... silly ..."
Punzel blushes.
Punzel says, "... though she is my best friend and I mean her no
disrespect!"
Martel smiles, "Some here are sillier than others, that is true."
Punzel nods.
Martel says, "I am sure she would not take it as such."
Punzel smiles, "You are probably right, ser."
Punzel insists, "But ... if I am of an age with Katherine ... and
she and Ser Felix ... well ... they do not do ... that ... but
they are ... close ..."
Martel nods slowly, "Yes, I know. "
Martel smiles, "Maybe you would seem to be older if you felt
better. More confident."
Punzel nods sadly to Martel, "Yes, I am trying ... I did stand up
to Ser Thanos yesterday ... I did defend a lady."
Punzel glances hopefully at Martel.
Martel ponders
Martel nods to Punzel, "And you were valient. I think you could
carry a sword, no matter your ..."
Punzel says slowly, "Ser ... I do not ask that you feel
differently toward me than you do ..."
Punzel continues hesitantly, "... I ask only that you ... suspend
judgment ... until you know me better ... and not dismiss me as
a child."
Martel gazes compassionately at Punzel.
Punzel nods earnestly to Martel.
Martel sighs, "That is a request I can grant. I apologize if
I have judged you too fast. "
Punzel smiles gladly at Martel, "Nay, ser ... I meant no
criticism ... but I am happy that you do agree."
Martel smiles, "It is alright to criticize if you are correct,
and it is gently told. And you were correct."
Punzel blushes, "And I am glad that you did think well of me in
the courtyard yesterday ..."
Punzel blushes intensely, "... it was hopes of your good regard
that did give me the courage."
Punzel smiles, "I do respect you ... even as a friend ... most
highly, ser."
Martel smiles, "You have courage in your heart good Punzel. Of
that I am sure."
Punzel blushes gladly.
Punzel asks hesitantly, "Ser ... do you think ... shyness ... a fault?"
Punzel glances worriedly at Martel.
Martel frowns, "In some cases, no. But as a life choice? I am
afraid I think people need to stand for themselves sometimes."
Punzel asks stiffly, "Do you think I do not stand for myself,
ser, even in my discomfort with strangers?"
Punzel insists, "I do stand for myself more than ... more than ...
more than some whom you hold dear!"
Punzel nods.
Martel says comfortingly, "Nay. You do. Your poem was very
well received, for example. .."
Punzel nods slowly.
Martel continues, "It is like Watchman Philo and blushing,
sometimes the others will bait him simply to watch."
Punzel nods slowly.
Punzel admits slowly, "I think I see ... you do distinguish
between shyness and ... some other strength that determines
sureness of oneself?"
Punzel explains, "... to make one not seem young ..."
Punzel blushes.
Martel nods firmly, "One can be shy with a reserve of
character. But to be always seeming awkward ..."
Martel frowns, "Words are starting to fail me."
Punzel nods embarrassedly.
Punzel says, "I do apologize, ser ... I have put you in an
uncomfortable position ..."
Martel gestures, "Nay. I am just not the word smith you are."
Punzel smiles apologetically, "I did only want to better understand."
Punzel smiles.
Martel says, "Let me try to look upon you with new eyes, and
consider my responses. Then we can talk again. Is that allright?"
Punzel nods, "I do not ask even so much of you, ser ... but I am
happy to have spoken with you."
Punzel smiles gratefully at Martel, "It takes a weight off of my heart."
Martel smiles warmly, "It is no trouble. I wish to see you
fullfill all that you can."
Punzel bows respectfully to Martel, "I will let you to your
business, ser ... and I to mine."
Punzel smiles warmly at Martel, "And I do thank thee."
Martel bows to Punzel, "Always a pleasure"
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