CALLING A MEETING | LOCKED TO SEELIE | FORWARD TO 6/02

[fatherlordandfool]

Lords, ladies, knights, and other honoured guests of the castle... I am Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, who joined your company as of the feast day which passed only days prior.

[ He looks a little haggard, dark circles grown under his clear eyes; but much improved from the worry-pinched figure who had spent much of the feast hunting for his family. ]

We have been brought from many disparate worlds for the purpose of this war, the War of the Shards; expected to cast our lots in the fighting at the behest of generous but poorly-evidenced monarchs. And the castle staff itself, while similarly generous and no doubt goodhearted, can offer us only so much information or direction. I have requisitioned the library and some of the attached study-rooms to hold a great conference of us, beginning at midday tomorrow. At this conference, I mean to make an accurate and detailed accounting of:

Our names, talents, and intentions regarding residence at the castle and regarding the war. It's my aim that all of this be made public knowledge, so that those of like mind can easier meet and plan with each other. Some of the study-rooms in the library will be marked for this purpose; for those wanting to remain in the castle but abstain in the war, those willing to make war all together, and also a room for those wanting to depart the castle.

[ He exhales a breath, frowning a little. ]

I've commissioned a clerk who I will be posted with at the door, who will record the information of those willing to give it as they enter. By no means is anyone obligated to breathe a word about themselves, or to attend. Those who desire a copy of the final manuscript may request one at their leisure.

For myself, I distrust this place and its people; what manner of monarchs call upon untested children, even girls, to battle in a war they have no stake in? Pulls them sleeping from their beds?

[ His jaw clenches, but he'll tamp back on the tirade in the interest of efficiency. ]

Having been brought to the castle in the manner as I have, am for a short while reliant upon its goodwill. Given our shared circumstance, I believe that there are none we can afford to trust as much as each other. So, if you're willing, I beg you attend, if only to add your name and intentions to the lists, that others who intend likewise may reach out to you-- and you to them. There are few men or beasts that live long or successfully relying only upon themselves.

Good day to you.

Comments

video

[courtly]

Lord Stark.

[ He bows his head slightly in greeting. He's no longer surprised at the ability of these creatures to bring the dead here, but Ned Stark was an interesting choice, to say the least. ]

You been busy.

Re: video

[fatherlordandfool]

[ Loras is a famed knight, and Ned bows his head in due respects, though his brows lifted towards his hairline. ]

I understand the war's been brought to the walls already.

cries i didnt see my typo

[courtly]

[ Loras considers him neither friend nor foe-- or rather, he didn't, until now. Strong alliances among those of the same court were crucial, if the last two assaults had taught him anything.

And considering he'd been merely a tourney night before this, he's learned a lot. ]

Yes, my lord. The first assault was against creatures... monsters, more like. We were able to drive them back successfully, but I fear such magical creatures may be an even larger threat than the Unseelie court.

[ At least those in the courts were human-- err, human-ish. ]

Re: cries i didnt see my typo

[fatherlordandfool]

[ Ned's brow lowered over his eyes to hear that, and his lips thinned. ]

Aye, and I'd heard that there was great fighting within the walls, nut a moon's turn ago. A battle proper.

Do you mean to lend your sword to the cause of the monarchs here?

[courtly]

There was. I have confidence it won't be the last battle we see.

[ He looks at Ned solemnly. He was a proud youth, but Lord Stark was a man deserving of respect. Even without consideration of his return from death. ]

I intend to fight to protect our loved ones, my lord. My loyalty and cause lies with them, wherever we may go.

[ Protecting the stronghold of the monarchs was only a side effect of that-- for now, he, Renly, and Margaery were calling this home. So he would protect it. ]

[fatherlordandfool]

[ 'Our'. It's a distinction significant to Ned, and when he ducks his chin, it's a low gestures. Humbled. ]

Your cause and mine are alike, then.

[courtly]

It surprise me as well, Lord Stark.

[ He looks away. ]

Much has changed in Kings' Landing since your passing. [ and elsewhere. ]

video;

[aliased]

I want to come. [ annnnd she's ready for him to say no.]

Re: video;

[fatherlordandfool]

And you should come. You have a stake, same as any other of us. If enough come, likely you and I might go over the lists, and pick together someone who might continue your lessons.

[ They both know which ones. ]

video;

[aliased]

[ she's dumbfounded for a moment before she grins brightly.] Alright. Lord Renly offered to help me with Ser Loras but... I thought I ought to speak to you first. [ look! she's being obedient and everything!]

Re: video;

[fatherlordandfool]

[ Now that is a change! His brows inch still higher, but there's a glint of pleasure in his pale eyes, one corner of his mouth twitching up. ]

Of course, you're welcome to. But if you find your knees aren't gone all to rubber and you can stand to bear yet more learning, find me.

video;

[aliased]

[ enjoy it while it lasts, papa.] You'd teach me?

Re: video;

[fatherlordandfool]

[ He nods, shallowly. ]

Aye.

video;

[aliased]

I'd rather learn from you.

Video;

[of_the_lake]

Your endeavors are noteworthy, Sir. May they carry on with the best of luck.

Re: Video;

[fatherlordandfool]

You're welcome to come, ser, at your leisure, and add to efforts as you like?

Video;

[of_the_lake]

[The chuckle in his voice was ugly, distorted by his magic.]

No, Sir, I advise against it.

A beast has no place in the presence of better souls. It is as you say--few beasts live long successfully relying upon themselves, but in my case... There would be no loss if I were to fail.

Re: Video;

[fatherlordandfool]

[ Eddard's brows lift a little. ]

A man who speaks so has little in common with a beast, by my reckoning. Why speak you so?

Video;

[of_the_lake]

I was never truly a man. My sins gave birth to my current state.

Though, I surmise that it was my desire to be a man that had been the worse cause.

surprise action! you didn't have an ic contact post so i thought we could do this here.

[baseborne]

[Sigrid offered to bring Arya to him, but it's Jon who ends up showing up wherever Ned is waiting with his little sister in tow, eyes dark and a miserable expression plastered across his long face. So... about that whole nearly everyone in your family is dead thing. (Thanks Lord Renly!)] Father?

beautiful!!

[fatherlordandfool]

[ The place is Ned's quarters, which are a Lord's efficient double-roomed suite; a small office and sitting area doored away from the bedroom proper. The chair is pulled out from the desk, but Ned was pacing when he heard the voice beyond the door.

He opened the heavy door without hesitation, eyes red-rimmed, his features creased into deep runnels of pain.

He doesn't need to ask. He sees it writ across their faces. Instead, he casts his arms open for a wordless embrace. ]

:3

[aliased]

[ Its strange, how Arya wants to be around no one at all and yet, she needs the comfort of family upon hearing that her mother and brother are dead (she has yet to hear about her younger brothers). So it's with minimal dragging of her feet that she lets Jon take her to their lord father, mostly because she cannot be angry with him, there was no lie from him.

And when the door opens, her father opening his arms for an embrace, Arya feels her feet moving before her mind can catch up, her body moving to press into Ned's. No matter how much she's changed, how strong and stubborn she can be, she is suddenly a little, lost girl who just needs her daddy.]

[baseborne]

[Jon hangs back, watching the floor while they embrace. He had thought that Lord Renly had spared him bringing the news of House Stark's ruin to his father, but he had not dared to ask how much that Ned had actually heard, their first night. He had been too disbelieving, too overjoyed to see his lord father living, breathing, with a head. Now, he thinks, he pays the price for that. Lord Renly had indeed spared him that fate, but it had cost him Arya's tears and his father's reddened eyes. The swell of guilt rolling around his gut like a storm cloud.]

Forgive me, [is all he manages, hoarsely. Because he had known, and he had said nothing.]

[fatherlordandfool]

[ Eddard bent at the waist and pulled her to him, hugging perhaps harder than he meant to, a bone-creaking, bearlike embrace. He exhales a shuddering breath against her tawny hair; eyes shut tight against his pain.

Their pain.

It's Jon's voice that has him straightening, releasing his daughter a little, motioning for Jon to shut the door. ]

Did you know? Either of you?

[aliased]

[ Arya lets her father practically crush her into his arms, although a soft sound of agony leaves her lips that has nothing to do with his embrace. It is a surprise to her that Jon does not join the embrace but at the same time, she hadn't wanted the embrace herself until she was in it.

When he releases her a bit, she pulls back, quickly wiping away the tears that are not in her eyes. No, she isn't crying because only babies cry. At her father's question, she shakes her head, answering quickly and truthfully, barely glancing at Jon as if she'd just tattled on him and she was half-expecting him to get scolded for it.] No.