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

[steeledskin]

( 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. ]

Comments

[steeledskin]

I deserved it -- in a fashion. [ a wave of her fingers. sansa is shaken, but she has distance between her and the knight. and she has her quest at heart. ] I asked a stupid question -- asked it of the Seelie court alone, so I imagine you never saw it. He responded as he ought to have responded; he wasn't to know my reason was far less stupid than my question.

[gordianknots]

I doubt that that sharp of a rebuff was really needed though, regardless of his ignorance.

[steeledskin]

[ gently: ] I've heard sharper. And -- tensions are heightened, are they not? I asked for stories. A soldier might hardly see their worth in the face of impending war.

[gordianknots]

I'd say heightened tensions are an understatement. But all the more reason that the response seems disproportionate from where I sit.

Besides, sometimes stories are perfectly timed, and help to not think about those tensions.

[steeledskin]

As you say. [ though her intentions are quite the opposite. the right story -- the right song -- could just as easily inflame a heart. ] I only regret my sister heard his words. She...

She has such spirit.

[gordianknots]

Spirit and loyalty. Although from everything you'd told me about her, she'd show that spirit to anyone who so much as looked at her funny.

[steeledskin]

[ a nod. a huff of agreement. and then: ] But how are you, my lord?

[gordianknots]

Taking on more than I can handle. [Which is true.] It feels lovely.

[steeledskin]

However it feels, I must say it sounds daunting.

[gordianknots]

No more daunting than what's demanded of you. Probably less.

[steeledskin]

Ah. Yes. [ she sighs. ] The Cothromach is a fine sponge-cake, my lord. And everyone wants a slice.

[gordianknots]

Well, you're the one with the knife and server. Best to deny them the slice.

[steeledskin]

-- And risk angering my hosts? [ her tone is dull. ] The Monarchs will not allow it. Two golden-cloaked knights came all the way to Treun to ask me for support.

[gordianknots]

[Waver sighs, and shifts a little in his seat. The inevitable catch.]

Let me guess. The monarchs believe themselves entitled to Cothromach's support?

[steeledskin]

My city's ties to Caer Glaem were forged long before I was ever born. Likely. Who am I to deny the heaviness of history?

[gordianknots]

True enough. [Of course, everyone's ties were forged to their court long before they were born, according to everything Alyosha's told him.] I hope that they'll be used sparingly.

[steeledskin]

Better, mayhaps, to court Seelie favour than leave myself once more wide-open to Morla's retribution. I was -- I was told she may yet try again.

[gordianknots]

That wouldn't surprise me. But it does beg the question of why she wants the city so badly.

[steeledskin]

She already has Mair. Certainly, the Cothromach would be next.

[gordianknots]

True, but the persistence is what makes me raise an eyebrow. There's other ways she could surround Caer Glaem. What makes your city so strategically important to her?

[steeledskin]

-- Mayhaps someone should ask.

[gordianknots]

Your trade minister springs to mind. If he doesn't have that information, I don't know who would, short of bringing the question to the feet of the queen herself.

[steeledskin]

Minister Tzilan will tell me I have angered her. And that is why. Sansa Stark has needled Queen Morla's pride and such needling will be avenged.

[gordianknots]

Mm, but that only seems like a part of the overall reasoning. She wanted it before you said no.

[steeledskin]

Oh. My lord. I agree with your doubts. I merely suggest that it befits my minister to adhere to this one reason, it seems.