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

Entry tags:

(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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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. ]

No harm done unto me and mine, donna Sansa. I could not read my papers of title even were they so gifted unto me, for I am but a lowly courier, and my kind is not taught our letters and our numbers.

But have no fear: I am the most learned of my peers, and such is the faith don Lorenzo holds in me that I alone have been entrusted with boots that want lacing, and by the grace of God I apply myself to this task in earnest two hours each day at the wake of dawns. My horse, of course, must still knot the bows.

[ he would make her laugh if he did not elsewise anger her so. the wit and slyness of his counters puts her deep in mind of how she might stumble during her own riposte. sansa hums -- and breathes out through her nose. one long sighing breath. ]

Forget your don Lorenzo's thin favours. When I finally find a message worth your good efforts, I will reward you with a dozen pairs. You will not want for lacing. [ had she the backbone, it would sound like a threat more than a promise. ]

Will you have me trussed?

[ only if necessary!

but she does ignore his wit in favour of another question: ] Do you intend at all to visit Cothromach? Perhaps I ought to spare my breath for other decrees.

[ It's enough to wipe the slate of his teasing. A moment, then another, and he thinks the matter over, before returning a sober verdict. ]

You have need of me there?

[ he antagonizes her. he pains her. but in his own dishonest way, valentino has been dreadfully honest with her about the world they inhabit since the very outset. for that alone she must consider him carefully. ]

I might. I may. I -- [ need to speak with my half-brother. ] Would you come if asked?

I don't - [ How far is her citadel? How poorly defended? Will it join the war? Work for or against them? Hold neutral ground? Would it keep Lucrezia well?

He bides his time, proceeds with measured words. ]

I am false friend to romantic deception. I shall not make you promises I cannot keep. I have... a mistress here. If her word and her needs do not bar me from journey, I shall come. But I am hers before I am yours.

A mistress! [ news to her. except: ] The lady to whom I delivered your flowers, Valentino?

It's of substance?

It's of substance to me if she is your mistress, yes.

If you'd like.

[ oh you little--! ]

What can you mean by this? If I'd like. Either she is or she is not your mistress -- my likes have little to do with it.

[ please. ]

And what does my mistress have to do with you?

If she is that same girl to whom you had me give your flowers, then I would say she is my friend. [ a word used by lucrezia and not sansa. sansa still fears friends. ] Surely, she then has everything to do with me.

[ indeed sansa intends to invite the girl to cothromach as part of that small court -- though she holds little hope the glittering young lady will accept. there are better places to be. ]

[ To speak or not to speak - that is the question. Inevitably, the answer falls in every way short. ]

It is her, the lady. Donna Lucrezia.

...She has not mentioned a Valentino to me. [ hmm! ]

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »

private »