(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

[caditquaestio]

How worthy! And do we not all, when justice and the letter, together in harmony, gift throne and crown?

[ And laughter. ] But I speak in haste. What can you bring your people that war and plague have not wrought? You will do handsomely.

[tensed]

Get rid of the tone.

[ gale doesn't know if these two know each other; he doesn't know cothromach; he doesn't know alayne or sansa.

he does know when someone's being a giant asshole. ]

[caditquaestio]

On pain of...? Take care, friend: threats are jealous masters. Do not leave them unfinished.

[tensed]

If you think I'm going to be afraid of a coward who mocks girls over the locket because he can, you're an idiot too.

Get rid of the tone, [ he repeats. ] Or shut up until you learn how to talk to others.

[caditquaestio]

I need your fear as little as I do your counsel, and I take it as well as I do your order.

disconnect.

[tensed]

I don't care how you take it. You can have your need for attention seen to by someone else. I'm done with you.

[ bye, felicia. ]

[steeledskin]

[ she cannot tell him that she would be happier without the weight of rule on her shoulders. that she knows she is ill-suited. but blood is blood, and she's betrayed it far too long to do anything but now make amends.

once she thought she would be a queen that the people would love. now, she will settle for holding together the patchwork legacy of an executed traitor. ]

I will do. Whether handsomely or otherwise? [ time will tell. ]

[caditquaestio]

You -

[ This is all that is wrong with this world in one reckless formation. The sheer absurdity of the turn is enough to heat exasperation - cast it to a boil - see it slowly simmer. ]

Name... [ Where do you even begin with this tragedy? ] Name a general. Take haste. You should not have declared without him. Now the world is knowing that you are wanting.

[steeledskin]

But I am not wanting. I have my Lord Commander. Would you know his name, Valentino?

[ this gives her a slight thrill. that he has tried to catch her on the wrong foot and perhaps failed. ]

[caditquaestio]

...yes?

[steeledskin]

Jon Snow. A good and dutiful man of the Night's Watch -- their Lord Commander, indeed, before he found himself here with us.

[caditquaestio]

A man of experience. Soundly chosen.

And you pay him in what coin?

[steeledskin]

Cothromach has coffers for the payment of its guard. [ and yet-- ] All the same, Lord Snow's faith and loyalty are not merely bought.

[caditquaestio]

I should hope not. The man who keeps your arms will want title and promises. He is new under your command: you will have to be generous.

[steeledskin]

He is blood. I would give him all the promises he wanted.

[ she would give him her own title if only laws would allow it. ]

was too fast for this!!!

[caditquaestio]

Most splendid and fair. He is likely to want.

Family will do.

[steeledskin]

[ and all my family wants is our patriarch returned. ]

Do speak as the one who wants or the one who is prevailed upon by the wants of others within your family, Valentino?

[caditquaestio]

I speak as the one who does not mean for you to lose a city.

[steeledskin]

No. You only speak as one who seems convinced I run that risk--

[ she fears it too. the inadequacy. the wrong step. the inability to function without ned stark's guiding hand. ]

[caditquaestio]

And do you not?

[steeledskin]

[ of course she does!

but-- ] You make it sound as if my risk runs higher than it ought to.

we can't stop here this is threadjacking country

[baseborne]

Aye, it will. [You know the rules about dating Sansa, Cesare.]

it's a direwolf, get in the car : (

[caditquaestio]

You are kinsman?

[baseborne]

I am Jon Snow. [So yes and no. It depends how you define "kinsman." Bluntly:] You are?

[caditquaestio]

[ Completely ignoring that........ ]

The Lord Commander. And you have seen battle, yes? Manned a citadel?