(fourth lemon cake) voice ✧ open to both courts

[steeledskin]

Fellow Shardholders. [ of either court! ]

I would speak to a man of law -- should any find himself amid our numbers. [ such a profession is unknown to her, but stiles has explained some occupations and tenets of his world and this one in particular piques her interest. sansa stark could make use of such a man who might be bound by her confidentiality. of course, she does not quite understand the ins and outs of the arrangement.

but that's why she asks today: to learn; to plan; to piece together little patches of her defence. ] Anyone who would call themselves lawyer. I would speak with you. That is the word for it, yes? [ lawyer. ] My apologies if I've gotten it wrong; I'm only a simple girl and I am unwise in these matters. I want to learn about the things that are mysteries to me.

[ like whether a lawyer's strange binding powers of argumentation would even apply in these lands. once her conversations are finished, she snaps the locket shut and can be found in the library -- where she organizes books she doesn't care to read, because the practise soothes her and distracts her mind from its darker thoughts. or else come the evening she sits in her chambers, and allies of hers are welcome to stop and knock. ]

Comments

[steeledskin]

In his own words, he is not the sort of husband young girls dream of. [ and then -- quite sadly: ] But also is not Joffrey.

[impeaches]

No, he is not. There are not many that could be worse than Joffrey, I imagine. [ He shakes his head. ] I... Know what it means to not be the husband that most dream of, my lady. I will do what I can to aid you.

[steeledskin]

No, my lord. [ she shakes her head. ] I imagine you would make a perfect husband.

[ it is a sad commentary on how far sansa has fallen in her esteem of the marriage institution: an ideal husband might indeed be one that would be happier ignoring her for another, even if that other is a man. ]

[impeaches]

I think you mistaken, my lady, but I thank you for the compliment.

[ He smiles at her, as benevolent as ever, before he stands to pour himself his own glass of water, swallowing it with a careful motion. ]

I can speak to the monarchs for you, if you wish.

[steeledskin]

Please. I would be so very obliged.

[ she does not note that her father does not know -- like as not, she doesn't have to. she would not be here talking to lord renly if she had her father's confidence to indulge. but sansa wants the matter settled before lord eddard hears a single word of it. ]

[impeaches]

Then I shall do so on your behalf.

[ His glass is placed down and he moves and settles himself back in his chair. ]

It would be honour to aid you, dear Sansa.

[steeledskin]

And as with so many of our conversations, my lord, I would beg you to keep it between ourselves and Their Graces.

[impeaches]

Of course. I would not mention it to anyone else.

[ The only person he would dare speak to is gone, after all. ]