eachdraidh | (fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

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(fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

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. ]

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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.

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. ]

Edited 2014-09-28 16:43 (UTC)

Most splendid and fair. He is likely to want.

Family will do.

[ 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?

Edited 2014-09-28 16:48 (UTC)

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

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. ]

And do you not?

[ of course she does!

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

Where do you want me to find trust for you, Eli - Sansa Stark? What realms shall I search, which temples shall I plunder? I have heard you speak and reason. You... will need advisers.

[ And softer. ] And they will take advantage of you and your weakness. And you must turn blind eye in the beginning, until you learn.

You presume I have not already learned this lesson? [ she will need advisers. yes. and she will welcome them. but she has seen the courts at play and she has witnessed the game. she may be no expert, but she decides in this moment-- ]

I know it is a game. Trust nothing else if you like. But trust in the fact that I know it is a game.

Knowledge does you little without application.

Who are your neighbours? Who mints your coin and minds your trade? Who looks after your taxes? Your local governance? Are there churches? Will you have to make appointments?

[ Hastiy - ]

No, I don't want answers. I don't care for the names, and you need not know them now. But best learn them within the day, if you have not, and search if these titles are all held by men worth their keep.

I learned near as much already before my Lord Father left.

[ ned had made certain of it -- seeding his daughter's mind with the pieces she would need. and only now did she realize he was preparing her for this eventuality. ] I did not waste the time we had together. Cothromach had been in his care some time before.

[ perhaps it is sudden to him. she only now realizes so -- that what was a hard fact to her for moons will be a surprise to others. ]

[ Absently, as if reviewing some mental checklist: ]

Good. Good, that should keep you the week. Pleas and threats will come, but your administrator will see to them - good. Passing standing. Good.

[ And the sum of decent news is apparently enough to summon something close to good humour. ]

Well, then. Felicitations. May fortune smile and you prove brave.

[ his constant berating prickles her. she wants to demand what right he has to pass this judgement, but she cannot summon the spine for it. instead, she swallows her ire.

instead of turning it into a challenge, she forestalls his farewell with a humble request: ] You have some experience in keeping a city's heart beating?

[ He does it too often, overplays his hand; it gives him pause now. ]

I have told you I am only a humble courier, Madam.

A humble courier with so much counsel to give! [ lessons. ones she's refused in the past because he in turn refuses to claim his authority in them -- whatever it might be. ] I agree. I ought to search out good advisers. Men familiar with the affairs of city-rule. I imagine every one of them would tell me not to listen to what a humble courier advises.

[ who are you. ]

[ So very prickled. ] With... certainty. I shall keep my counsel for the realm to which it is suited: the stables.

[ one has to dig to hear the acid in her tone -- but it's there, hidden under layers of sweetness: ] Of course, should the Keeper of Cothromach ever have a letter she needs delivered...!

[ Sickly sweet, the most obsequious: ]

I thank you, Your Grace, for the bounty of your business, upon my knees I thank you. Such a contract of delivery will fill my horse's belly for years to come.

[ he teases. he japes. she can tell that he does and it rankles her! but she cannot allow herself to be rankled.

and so she speaks as if he is dealing with her honestly and sincerely. ] Yes. Such gratitude will always be well engaged. Seven blessing upon you, good courier, for taking your reward in oats and not in titles. For I hear that demanding titles of a Lady is more the done practice.

[ his words chirped back at him. it's dreadful, really. she lets him get the better of her temper every time. ]

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was too fast for this!!!

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we can't stop here this is threadjacking country

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

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