eachdraidh | (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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Would you like to be a page again, Anthony?

[ she doesn't trust him. she trusts so few. but her keep will need pages. and the more shardholders she can slowly convince to her cause-- ]

[Another flicker of - something, but it's negligible, and his response oughtn't be construable as negative, small nod.]

I would -- if it would do any good.

I pray it does. [ for either of them. ]

[He blinks wider for a moment.

And pulls it down - his brow skewing, pulls a thin, politely-meant smile. Dips his head again - that seems settled, and if so, he's grateful, but if so, it seemed decided rather quickly...]

-- As do I, my Lady. [Silent swallow to pause for thought - ] Does that -- mean I should come to Cothromach, presently...?

I am not yet there. Some business keeps me afield. But my bannerwoman holds the seat in my absence-- [ a soft breath. these are strange things to claim. she is not used to the responsibility. it makes her feel faint. ] Lady Meera Reed. Should you find yourself in that city before I return, you ought to present yourself to her. But there is no need for haste.

Lady Meera Reed. [Quick mumble to commit to memory.]

I understand. It was my plan to attend the Royal Audience at Caer Glaem, I've -- information to inquire upon. If I'd not be staying too long, then er - I'll leave for Cothromach at once afterwards to present myself to - you, or to your bannerwoman. I am, uh -- graciously honored by the opportunity. My Lady.

[On his end it's been literal ages since he's done this - an honor it is, if it all proves to go right...]

Please. Take your time. And I swear to you -- you need not take any oaths until you are satisfied with what is offered to you.

[ sansa has taken no oaths of fealty from anyone -- unless her husband counted, but she is not certain of that. but she knows her father has. and she can prevail upon meera to teach her the words. ]

[He edges toward saying that she needn't swear anything - but that is a thing to be appreciated, isn't it. Whoever's looking for what, underneath a course everything lends to a cold layer of uncertainty.

Unsticks from that with a very quick and silent light throat-clearing - ] And I should hope when I'm compelled to that you're satisfied with what service I can offer, in kind.

-- It would not be for me to ask your trust or faith through anything but proving.

I can at least assure you that Cothromach is a pretty place, though it lacks for sunlight.

If - if it isn't lightless. My Lady.

[Meant to be with a little humble humor, though he's inwardly wincing, hoping even that wasn't out of line.]

She has light! [ sansa is quick to assure him. ] And if she didn't, light would be my first order of business. I would hate to live in the dark.

[The humor's not anchored back by a wince, now! Though now it's at least as sheepish as everything else has been - hint of awkward rue.]

-- It-it would be maddening, wouldn't it.

[And oh-ho, it'd be all the more so to live that way a second time!]

-- And I hope you'll forgive me if I'm being out of line, my Lady. [Soft, quick, and creeping down, but not half-hearted, simply deferential.] Er -- talking like this, I mean.

You've spoke with only courtesy. Indeed, more courtesy than many have.

[ titles are not a popular feature of so many shardholders' words. ]

[Bit of mousy dry humor.] I would say I'm surprised, but --

[He does have an inkling it isn't out of lack of real respect - it's lack of etiquette, or perhaps not even lack but different understanding. Apparently it is consistent to an extent in different realities, but even evidence of two people having come from comparable backgrounds or stations frequently does and fails to turn up.]

Still - er, pleased to hear it. If so., my Lady -- And again I'm honored.

My Lord Father told me it is us -- [ the rulers and the children of great houses ] -- who are honoured by the service of others. So. Thank you.

[Again, a thought of a lord, indeed. And an according flash of regret.

But... what and who there may possibly be to attend to now.

A small and solemn smile, bows. A beat.]

Is -- there anything else it'd be prudent to know, or discuss? Or -- until we might speak again, for the time being?

I...I don't believe so. [ gosh all this responsibility is terrifying. ] Except that you may take the words of a man named Jon Snow to hold equal weight to my own. He is my brother. I will pass your name to him.

[Certainly nervousness at the prospect of having someone to follow as well, on his end.

Nods.] Jon Snow - I understand. -- And thank you, My Lady.

May you go with the Gods, Anthony. And please, should you ever have need to speak to me -- these lockets prove themselves so effective. I beg you not to hesitate.

[ but that seemed like a weak request. more supplication than certainty. in mild shame, sansa shuts her locket so she might stop herself before she made it worse. ]

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