(fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

[steeledskin]

Fellow Shardholders. [ what follows is a rehearsed speech, likely written beforehand and committed to memory. sansa stark (better known by most as alayne stone) sits before her locket in troichean beinn. she has, pinned to the shoulder of her fine silk dress, a direwolf. every instinct in her body tells her she should not say what must be said. should not announce what must be announced. but before his absence, her father had been giving her gentle instruction in how to meet these responsibilities. it makes her weep to imagine disappointing him -- yet she is far out of her depth. she needs help. but the speech she must do on her own. ]

With a heavy heart I tell you that Lord Eddard of House Stark -- Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, and a Keeper of Cothromach -- has left these lands. H-he is gone. [ she does not elaborate upon the very grief of his absence, but the cause cannot be too difficult to surmise: else why should anyone's heart be heavy for a man returned to his own world? ]

Yet if Lord Stark has made you promises or oaths of any sort, no matter your court, I wish to see them honoured and fulfilled. [ it takes tremendous will not to beg for the opportunity. she swallows hard. ] And if any have in turn have sworn service to him, I tell you now that I am his eldest daughter and the noble city of Cothromach has deemed me heir to his title. And to his duties. I would be humbled if those sworn to him would consider entrusting me with those same vows -- though I understand asking you to put your trust in a daughter of his house is not a thing easily done.

Likewise, if any in these lands wish to take refuge or make their homes in Cothromach, I would speak to you. My Lord Father wanted to see the city built up to its proper glory, and any Shardholder willing to join us in the task will be welcomed within its walls. For now, Lady Meera Reed sits as castellan while my family travels. Once my efforts in Troichaen Beinn are finished, I look forward to to returning as Sansa of House Stark.

[ by now her voice is shaking and it was a challenge merely to say her true name. it had been a lie, of course: she does not look forward to being herself once more. she knows such honesty runs against every lesson taught to her in the south. honesty leaves her open. vulnerable. but in the south she'd not had jon. nor arya, really. nor any manner of true ally -- none like those allies who have helped her in these lands.

it is for those sweet supportive souls that she speaks her final piece. it is the most difficult thing to ask, and it isn’t hidden behind rehearsal. it is not courtly. ] To those who knew and cared for the girl Alayne Stone: I apologize for my falsehoods. I swear I meant no harm. Please -- forgive me.

[ this confession is done. and so too was alayne stone. ]

Comments

[steeledskin]

Promised to him! But--

[ it is my father's. only she cannot think in these terms. ] Tell me, my lord. What errand is this? And with what strength will he attempt to take the city?

[gordianknots]

Regarding the second part, I genuinely don't know.

[As for the rest, Waver at least knows.]

He's seeking a vampire, to bring him back to the Unseelie court. Then Morla will give him whatever he needs.

[steeledskin]

A...a vampire?

[ is this a person? a thing? a treasure? whatever it is, sansa wonders if she can find someone to take it first. ]

[gordianknots]

Er. Back home they're mythical creatures - humans that have died and then become the living dead. They drink the blood of the living, and turn others into vampires too. Mostly they're in the tradition of various horror stories.

Anyway, this one seems to have information Morla wants.

[steeledskin]

[ they sound awful. unreal. but she cannot spare heart or gorge upon the creature.

she cannot waste her breath on sighs. ]

Is it too much to hope you might know the nature of this information?

[gordianknots]

It came from the person carrying out Morla's request.

[steeledskin]

...Does he put his trust in you?

[ as i do? ]

[gordianknots]

I only had our one brief conversation, and he seems to be skilled in the political arena. I can continue to keep my ears out for further information, but I won't have a direct line of communication.

[steeledskin]

Did he tell you where he sought this vampire? It may be I could spare my city this headache.

[gordianknots]

He was guarded with that information as well, unfortunately. [The fact that they're actually both in Treun would make Waver furious if he knew.] I think it may well be in a similar area, but I can't confirm or deny anything.

[steeledskin]

My lord. I do not mean to cast any doubt upon your friendship. And yet--

[ it was different when she was just a girl and he a friend. a source of information. a mentor of sorts. but now she has a name and a city to care for. ] Perhaps it is this fresh title that causes me concern, but...

Would you visit me in Cothromach when I am returned there? [ and in person perhaps some certainty of their alliance can be made clear. ]

[gordianknots]

I can come at the end of the month.

[He may as well tell someone about this now. He's close enough to going through with it.]

Around the seventh of next month I'm opening a coffee house, with the expressed purpose of encouraging discussion about neutrality. I need to be there for at least a little bit of time, to ensure that it is operating as I envisioned.

[It will also afford him great opportunities to gain more information, but that will always go unsaid.]

[steeledskin]

[ all of this is well and good and she is pleased to hear a commitment of time from him.

but. but. ] House Coffee? [ she mistakes the intent. is waver establishing some house family? some dynasty? an alternative to the courts? ]

[gordianknots]

Think of it like a pub or tavern, but serving coffee.

I've found enough literature of court critiques that I can make a small library of it as well.

[steeledskin]

[ she doesn't know what coffee is. but if it's served in something like a tavern? well. she assumes it is not for her. ]

Where will you place your house, my lord?

[gordianknots]

[He's going to just bring her some and demonstrate it. Although that might go interestingly.]

It's under construction now, in Nimh Gleanne where the Southern Road and the Eastern Road meet. I wanted good roads, and a nearby faerie ring.

[steeledskin]

O-oh! My Lord! That is not so far from Troichean Beinn. But by the time you return there I imagine I will be on my way to Cothromach--

[gordianknots]

We'll figure out a schedule. It may be better for you to get to Cothromach, settle, and see what you're truly taking on. You'd have the advantage of knowing more about what's expected of you there, and where potential problems might lie.

It'd also give me time to see if I can find out any other information for you.

[steeledskin]

Y-yes. [ she is so scared. of this responsibility; of failing her father; of ruining her family. ] Troichean Beinn will not be at a dead end, at least. With your warning I can now approach the dwarven king for a firmer commitment to his city's sister-settlement.

[gordianknots]

That's a very wise idea. Perhaps they might be able to give you an idea of who to speak with and trust as well.[The hesitation with the yes suggests that he should maybe give business a break. Besides, it has been a while since they've spoken, and he's clearly missed a lot.]

Actually, having never been, what is Troichean Beinn like?

[steeledskin]

[ a lot. yes. but most of it sad. she does not want to think too hard upon it. so she seizes upon the opportunity to talk about something inconsequential. ]

The chairs are all too low. As are the ceilings. [ she is not a short girl! ] And so it is difficult to be...graceful.

[ she's hit her head a lot. ]

[gordianknots]

--I would share the same struggles as you then.

[Waver can only imagine how often he'd be standing up only to introduce himself to the ceiling.]

Is anyone in your party not having that problem?

[steeledskin]

-- Arya. She's only a little girl, yet. Though she will tell you otherwise if you ever speak to her.

[gordianknots]

For her this may be the only time the word little's an advantage. I hope she takes full advantage of it.

[steeledskin]

I sincerely hope she does not. My lady sister is a handful, my lord.

[ and more rebellious than ever it seems now that their father is returned to his death. ]