eachdraidh | first bull ( video )

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first bull ( video )

[When first brought here, she would swear it all a dream. All that they said and all that they have her on the feast could only be a parting gift from the gods, Bacchus' treats, Ceres' grief of losing a daughter, Diana's farewell for losing a maiden soon enough. But she wakes in her bed, rises and dresses. There is no man that lies with her, there is no parting.

So here she stays alone, save for those she's had the good fortune of meeting. One certain knight she least hopes to see again, though the dream has broken and with it holds the reality, her reality.]

It seems we are in no dream, for I have pinched myself enough to believe it real. I am Lucrezia Borgia of Rome, a place I have found little have heard of. Nor even of my name who I once held with Pope Alexander VI before he was called to be the Shepherd of all men's souls. [She still cannot call herself Sforza. That taste is too bitter in her mouth.]

I address this-- locket [Yes, it is even strange to her, and she must back up a little to see better now.] as a means of addressing this war. I know little on the matter of strategy and battle. My brothers have been taught the skill of the sword, and yet here I am in their place.

A friend-- [For she would consider all those kind to her the night of the feast a friend.] --relayed the thought that perhaps those like I are here for morale, but truly this many ladies?

I shan't sit around. [Lucrezia may not be the Harold of charities she will become, but idleness here does her little.] I wish to make myself of use, though for what I am unsure.

I do truly hope to meet you all, and already call myself fortunate in those I have met. Good day.

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In that case? We have our agreement.

[ as pained and protracted as it might look to others, this is (for sansa) truly the simplest and most comfortable way of communicating. she retains ample space upon which she might back-tread, and it does not lead to voicing too many strong opinions, for which she might suffer retribution. ]

It is decided then. [To reiterate though she smiles well and broad.]

I shall see you in an hour. [If Lucrezia could, she would touch her hand from excitement. It does her well to be with ours her age.]

[ sweet farewells are made; promises are given. and sansa calls her fae servant to help her pin her hair into place. she doesn't know how she would manage were she alone in this task, though she doesn't trust the creature. if she is to remain here for any length of time, she may need to plumb the lengths of their new population for some other helping hand.

preening takes time. dressing takes time. but she has a few minutes left to spare for breaking her fast: apricots and honey in porridge. not excessively dainty, but it was flavourful and it was hardy. better than most winter fare in the vale. and all these preparations leave her feeling energized when she stands by the bailey's entrance. her blood hums, and she longs to be out by the sweet new grass and the budding trees. a part of her will miss winter, but it's hard not to welcome the promise that comes with spring. ]

[It takes her nearly as long, needing a faerie to help her into her own dress. It is not as elaborate as her wedding dress, but the reds in it highlight her beauty even more. She is used to the weight even if it is to be warm out. A noble lady such as herself knows summers in robe in her dresses well enough.

She is not late to the bailey, arriving a minute or two after Alayne. Hands cupped and over her stomach, she approaches the girl with a kind smile.]

I hope I have not kept you waiting.

No. [ .. ] Not long.

[ sansa suspects she should do what well-bred ladies do when they want to express some gentle delight and companionship: she should loop her arm with lucrezia's and commence their walk like two birds flitting and flying in tandem. margaery had always been good at that -- sliding sweetly into place and offering sansa tokens of her affection. by contrast, sansa feels only like a statue. stuck on her feet and waiting for lucrezia to make any further decisions.

her passivity keeps her still. ] You look beautiful. [ though she doesn't so much care for the red of the dress -- paired with the blonde hair, it makes her fit to tremble. ]

What it is, Alayne? [And she does move in alongside the other girl, having no reason not to enjoy her company so. However the dark haired girl looks even less mirthful than usual, and that is alarming in itself since she is often so timid.]

It's nothing, sweet Lucrezia. [ a timid smile. the other girl's concern near forces sansa to put up a better show, and so she does reach for lucrezia's arm. she hooks it gently. ] I only think that there is a dear friend of mine you ought to meet. Some day.

Any friend of yours I am endeared to already. [She perks right up.]

Is she here?

Lady Margaery Tyrell. [ emotion and affection suffused her answer. ] And she is here, certainly. I would be lost without her. Only -- [ only margaery was more than just a lady, wasn't she? a queen in her own right. but sansa isn't certain how many developments she should be revealing to near-strangers. not when men like renly knew so little. ]

Only-- [She begs for more, wanting to know what has this girl tied even more. But she realizes she is prying and leans a little away from Alayne so that she feels not so closed in.]

My apologies, Alayne. But if we are to be a group of ladies who make themselves stronger... I only wish to help you if I can. It is not my place to ask though.

Queen Margaery. I ought to be calling her Queen Margaery.

[ she makes the correction partly because lucrezia has handled her so deftly -- giving her space, speaking to her gently. ]

I had not known you were friends with a queen. [She is both impressed and shocked, wrinkling her nose a bit as she looks back to the dark haired girl.]

You are much a mystery, Alayne, and I would be pleased to befriend any friend of yours.

I am no mystery -- [ she says, perhaps a little too quickly. but to temper her protest, she gently taps her new friend on the wrist and assures her: ] Perhaps you are simply too imaginative.

[That only makes her laugh lightly, thinking of her brother's words.] You sound much like my brother Cesare. He has said so a time or two.

Or perhaps I am on to you. [She turns to give her a look, to take her in and judge her so, but it is all a joke before she smiles again. Though in truth Gendry had mentioned a forlorn girl with dark hair, and Alayne is the only one Lucrezia could think of, though she internally questions why the ruse? Clearly it is not done maliciously, and Lucrezia thinks her to timid and too kind for Alayne to be tricking her. But then for what gain if it is true? She must speak to Gendry again.]

...On to me?

[ she tries to laugh it off; partake in the joke alongside lucrezia. but a panic shows in her eyes. perhaps it does not matter much -- she has renly to look after her. but it troubles her that her initial lie might be so easily dispelled. ]

My lady, I am as guileless as you. Of that I am certain.

[Her nose crinkles.] We all lie, dear Alayne. I would not say I am guileless. [In the matter of her wedding she is not.]

But I can promise on our budding friendship that I shall never lie to you maliciously.

Never? [ her brows raise; she seems surprised and startled and charmed all in one expression. ] Are you certain that's a thing you can promise?

What friend would I be if I could not? [She raises a brow with a knowing smile.]

I mean to call you friend, dear Alayne, in a place where I know none. What good would betraying you do? You have no querrel with me or mine, our worlds vastly different.

[ and yet -- she thinks -- there are camps and factions into which another person might find themselves. friendship, especially fledgling, meant so little in the face of allegiance. but lucrezia seems so earnest!

sansa covers her hand with one of her own and smiles. ] You're right. I apologize. It was unkind of me to doubt you.

No. It was cautious and wise. [She does not want Alayne to feel bad on her part, and Lucrezia is only just learning how naive she truly is.]

Perhaps I should learn from you, though my words still remain just as genuine.

[ learn? from her? sansa seems stunned by the suggestion. she offers a little shake of her head. ] I'm only just learning how to be cautious myself, Lady Lucrezia. And I'm far from wise.

You should not put yourself down so, Alayne. It is not unwise to be cautious here, with so many you do not know. I admire that about you, and I can already hear my brother telling me to heed your words. [But Cesare was older and already entwined in their father's machinations where Lucrezia is just learning just what one must do for the family.]

...You have a brother?

[ she asks with a wan smile, biting back on grief and envy. ] You must tell me about him. Is he gallant? Daring? What is his name?

I have three. Cesare, Juan, and Geoffre. The latter is younger than I. I speak of Cesare though. [And her first blooms.] He is a godly man, and indulges me sweetly. I have seen him with a sword, and I would fear for any who oppose him. He is sharp, and yet all too kindly to me. I kiss him so.

[ something about one of the names gives her pause -- just a minute flicker of concern -- but she recovers, smiles prettily, and does not let it hurt her. ]

He sounds every inch what a brother ought to be. [ says sansa, though she understands alayne ought not to be do generous with her empathy. ] You must miss him so much.

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