(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]

-- 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. ]

[gordianknots]

How old is she?

[steeledskin]

Ten. Unless her nameday has somehow passed under this strange calendar, in which case she is one and ten.

[ she does not understand these months. ]

[gordianknots]

That would explain so much about being a handful then.

[steeledskin]

I fear our father's departure sits...fresher with her than it does for myself or my half-brother.

[gordianknots]

[Waver pauses before responding. He only had three years on Arya when his own parents passed. He didn't have the best coping mechanisms at that age either.]

Age means you approach tragedy differently. That may be what's at play.

[steeledskin]

So it's been said. [ by stiles. though sometimes sansa is blinded by a sister's impatience and she wishes arya could simply learn how to behave. ] Her strategy thus far as been throwing tantrums and eating far too much...chocolate.

[ is that how the word is said? yes. ]

[gordianknots]

Chocolate's a pretty good coping approach, all things considered. Tantrums less so.

[But thinking of ways to help address the problem in a useful way is harder. It'd be much easier if chocolate solved everything.]

Sitting and talking is probably not an option either. Are there any hobbies or pursuits she enjoys? Those might help channel her emotional energy.

[steeledskin]

Swordplay. [ sansa answers flatly; you can tell she's unimpressed. ]

[gordianknots]

[Sansa's tone does say everything, and Waver's not that surprised by the attitude either.]

As inappropriate as it might be back home, encouraging it here for purposes of self defense and letting her work out her grief might be something to consider.

[steeledskin]

I fear it endangers her. She'll think herself fit to ride out like her brothers and lay low every threat against us. She should not carry that burden.

[gordianknots]

That's a very valid point, and you have a better understanding of what she'd do with such knowledge than I do.

[steeledskin]

When Joffrey made himself known...! She nearly hiked the distance between Caers Glaem and Scima herself. My Lord Father said she had wolf's blood in her. Wild.

[gordianknots]

[Waver's trying not to smile at that, he really is. He can think of at least one friend back home who'd have a similar reaction, and she's a mage with more power than he could achieve in multiple generations.

But he regains seriousness soon enough, and considers the statement further.]

There must be some way of addressing this that makes such wildness a positive, and discourages reckless behaviour. Something that takes time.

[steeledskin]

[ ...father would know. ]

If so, it ought not come from me. I fear it's a gamble every day whether she cares for me or not.

[ that's not true. sansa knows there is love there -- somewhere, beneath the rolling eyes and spit comments. but it's hard not to strip herself of her strengths. she is going to have a hard time of it: ruling as such a broken bird. ]

[gordianknots]

Perhaps talk to some of your other family members and advisers, then? The more perspectives and thoughts the better, and they're going to have a much better insight than I do.

[Waver shakes his head at the last comment though, although he's not quite sure how to address it beyond a you know that's not true.]

Affection sometimes manifests in weird ways.

[steeledskin]

She loves our half-brother best. Jon Snow. [ and then, almost as if she's submitting the thought for his approval: ] I will ask him to be the Captain of my guard.

[gordianknots]

Both of those sound like very good ideas. [That's not quite a question, but Waver can read between the lines easily enough.] Especially having someone you can trust in that position.

[steeledskin]

He is older than me. [ ... ] If fate had been kinder, the city would be his and not mine.

[gordianknots]

Ah, but then who'd be his captain of the guard?

[steeledskin]

-- Lady Arya Stark, doubtless.

[ a bare smile. ]

[gordianknots]

A very fine captain she'd be.

[But hopefully the point has carried.]

Can I offer one small piece of advice?

[steeledskin]

[ a thin pause. she wonders -- ought she behave stronger before waver? can she let herself give in to that same old vulnerability? does he have faith in her?

the questions haunt the background of her voice as she answers: ] I welcome it, my lord.