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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Wildlings. [ but then there are jon's tales-- ] Others. Giants. Ice Spiders. Gods know what else lives in the Lands of Always Winter.

[he doesn't recognize about half that list of dangers, but it isn't worth questioning. if he's learned anything from his dealings with the demons, it's that the things people fear should always be taken with a grain of salt.]

Is it ever winter elsewhere?

Winter has come. [ she speaks the bastardization of her family's words with a shiver down her spine. ] And it's likely not to let loose for years to come. Westerosi seasons are not like those enjoyed in these lands. Nor like any other land I've heard tell of since I've arrived.

[she makes it sound more ominous than a normal winter warrants, but he goes for levity anyway.]

I'd honestly prefer something like that right now. It's too warm here, and my country was always on the cooler side.

Even here, winter will come. We ought not necessarily wish for it to come any faster. [ she cannot imagine making cothromach in time if the winter comes too quickly. and how will she be certain each person has enough food in their larder? her head aches; how did her father ever manage with the entirety of the north, let alone one settlement? ]

It's hard to not be impatient when the weather is this uncomfortable. But then, I suppose you've had more than your fill of winter at this point, so I can't blame you for not sharing my enthusiasm.

I confess I used to mind it more. But where I come from even the prettiest summers see snowfall. And so I suppose so long as it does not interfere too dreadfully with the act of everyday living, I will not mourn the first inevitable snowflake.

Then you make me look like a horrible complainer. Our springs and summers had very mild weather in my country, even if it was never particularly hot. But of course, you're right. I'd prefer it to be colder, but not to the extent that anyone should suffer.

What is the name of your country, if I may ask?

[ and soon his name will be requested as well. ]

Small Shimaron, but I doubt there's an equivalent where you come from. It's not as if there's a Westeros in my world.

...Is there a Large Shimaron as well?

[it's not an unexpected question, but there's an unhappy twist to his mouth regardless.]

There is. The two were once one country, but Small Shimaron seceded long ago. These days, due to Large Shimaron's military power, Small Shimaron is something of a vassal state.

Edited (ignore me i suck) 2014-09-29 00:29 (UTC)

Might I ask why it seceded?

[ the north had howled for secession and did not achieve it; she wants to know the gestures and actions of one who did break free. ]

You could, but I'm not sure you truly want to. There are a thousand and one reasons why, all of then entirely dependent on the political and economical situation of a different world, and an extremely old situation at that. Most of the contributing factors have changed now -- there have actually been pushes for the countries to rejoin with each other, as they were long ago.

How strange. The Seven Kingdoms suffer the opposite affliction: once separate, they're now under one crown. And many long to rule themselves once more.

I'm not surprised. These things change with the desires of each new ruler -- or the desires of their lords and advisers, if their ruler is particularly weak-willed.

[ she sucks in a soft breath. ]

It cannot be so weak of a ruler to depend upon his council.

It isn't. But there's a difference between getting advice and being used as a puppet.

[ or a playing piece. ]

Who are you? I would know the name of the man who speaks so wisely about rule.

My name is Saralegui. And I wouldn't claim to be particularly wise, just experienced. [his smile turns a bit self-deprecating, and he shrugs.] Where I come from, I rule a small country, and I've dealt with more than my fair share of self-serving advisers.

[ it is him. sansa's jaw tightens -- but aside from that she does a remarkable job at remaining impassive. almost stoic. moons below joffrey's tyranny have taught her when not to let her emotions show upon her face. ]

Well met, Saralegui. Or should I call you your grace? Something else, perhaps? [ after all, he claims to lead a whole country. ]

[at least she's polite. politically, she might be in danger, but he wouldn't be surprised if she flourishes socially.]

Please, just Saralegui is fine. I hardly have any claim to a title here where my country doesn't even exist. It wouldn't do to have a lady of your new status addressing me in any special way.

[ she could argue further: that there is nothing special about giving a stranger their due honours, even in the absence of their land. but that is a courtesy she would give a true stranger. and not the man whose very works threaten her father's fresh legacy. sansa says nothing at first. and then she nods. ]

Saralegui, then. [ what a mouthful! but she does not stumble over it. had she worried she might, she would never have said it in the first place. ]

[she manages just fine, but he's become accustomed to those little signs of hesitation, speaking carefully as if afraid of making a mistake. yuuri had been the same way.]

You can just call me Sara, if you'd prefer. I don't mind.

I would not prefer.

[ she cannot let herself be so familiar with him if they are to perhaps be enemies in the end. ]

Edited 2014-10-01 18:37 (UTC)

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