eachdraidh | (seventh lemon cake) video ✧ (sorta) open to both courts

( SEELIE ONLY )

I -- [ hmm. sansa presses her lips together and wonders (briefly) whether it is a foolish request in the face of war. and yet she pursues it for an honourable cause. she wishes to gather certain tales for certain purposes. ] I want to hear stories. Stories of grand adventures undertaken by brave Seelie heroes. I cannot be the only one who's struck by such curiousity. Please -- share what you've learned.

[ and for every legend well-told and well-lauded she will make a point to include it within a very...pointed celebration in treun. perhaps encouraging even the shardless to think upon the bright bold tales of the seelie court will further endear that court to their hearts. it's a little like letting the right song be played at the right moment, falling upon the right ears. she wants to inspire treun -- or else certain parts of it -- to think more kindly on caer glaem. and she needs fellow shardbearers to help her. ] Tell me of the Seelie court's fabled champions and its well-mourned martyrs. What have you heard recounted by the hearth-side? Whispered on the road? Stories even the natives have told for centuries, mayhaps.

( BOTH COURTS )

[ some hours later in the day an 'accidental' feed broadcasts. it consists of the locket falling open and catching sight of a pile of books. sounds of rustling. a cleared throat. and at long last a mild: ] Seven have mercy. What a troublesome thing you are and how -- [ sansa addresses the locket she had flipped open on purpose, pretending to be clumsy. this is a quiet way in which to invite conversation with those she might not otherwise feel brave enough to seek out -- unseelie friends, soon separated from her by a roiling oncoming war. ] -- How stupid of me.

[ a novice ruse! however, she has such an earnest and gentle face it might just be worth believing by most, if not by all. ]

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I do? [ and sansa, happy to play into that appearance, does little to refute it. ] I confess there has been much to be distracted by.

[ oh no. she sees where that is leading. ]

If I may ask, does 'much' answer to a certain name?

[ WHO'S THE GUY ]

[ prepare thyself for an epic misunderstanding: ] Much does. And much is named Lady Lillian Fortuna.

[ her defacto host in treun -- and the wellspring of inspiration for this whole thing about the stories. ]

--- A Lady?

[ w-well. gwen will not judge. not when her fiercest loyalty lies with a lady and ok it's not the same but there are talks of girls practicing their kisses with other girls and - ]

I am...certain she is very beautiful.

She is -- in that lovely classical way. And her spirit seems indomitable. Her welcome and hospitality have been invaluable here in Treun.

Oh.

[ oh no. wait. ]

-- you are, returning, yes? I am certain she could come visit the city. Those matters do tend to take time.

[ DON'T ELOPE. ]

Oh! I hadn't thought to extend her such an invite but -- yes. I would want her to come. She showed such interest in the city.

In the city.

[ uh-huh. ]

Well, I am happy for you, my Lady. I am certain this can only bring us all closer.

She -- [ keeps knights. sansa wants to gossip, but wonder how she'll be received if she tries. ] She knows a handful of good stories. I thought I might ask for others.

So -

[ excited smile. ]

may I ask for one? what did she say?

[ she does wonder how women court other women. ]

Her great-grandsire fought a dragon. His name is known amidst the senior Seelie, I think. Ezekiel Jones.

That's very exciting.

[ and not what she wants to hear gossip about at all. ]

and - ?

And she said he knew the Lady Alyosha when she held Redgate. They may even have been dear friends.

--- did she?

[ gwen has no idea who is aloysha and what is redgate but ]

and?

[ dis face ]

I am pleased to hear you have such an interest in folklore, Gwen -- [ she talks wry. lilting. as though she's finally beginning to suss out the way in which gwen prods and pries with her questions. and how perhaps none of it has to do with the stories. ]

I do like stories.

[ usually. when there aren't more pressing matters. ]

-- I won't tell! I promise. I think it is...wonderful.

Gwen! [ she almost laughs. ] It's not a secret. Or -- well -- it is a little bit of one.

[ playful mystery sourced only in her desire to surprise the seelie court with a whole collection of great tales. ]

I will keep it, small as it is.

[ though she admits courting a lady would never be counted as small in her mind but different people, different realms, different norms. ]

You are... [ her chin dips. her eyes shut. she is pleased, for a ghost of a moment. not happy; but pleased. ] You are good to me.

[ gwen's heart, for a second, is filled with sympathy. she says it as if she's not used to such goodness and she cannot imagine why a sweet, young lady would almost sound surprised by such.

she doesn't ask, curtsies. ]

it is always my privilege and honor, my Lady.

I confess -- [ she swallows her emotions. packed them down tight somewhere deep below her heart. rattling at the bottom of her ribcage. ] In times like these, it feels as though the honour is all mine.

[ this is a fresh sentiment. one she would never have thought twice about back in westeros -- serving girls and household staff were almost ornaments surrounding her daily motions. at best, their agency had been defined by the possibility that they might yet double-cross her in the service of her enemies. but here!

oh, she has learned such love. ]

(seventh lemon cake) video ✧ (sorta) open to both courts

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