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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Ought you already know? [ some servant you are. ] And if you don't, I am certain it isn't my place to say.

And why not? Are we not two also only... gossiping?

We do not. This is not gossiping. This is you...berating. And I--

[ what am i doing? surviving, perhaps. coping. enduring. ]

...very well, then. I am poor at your sport. Teach me to - gossip.

[ her attention narrows. ] Do you ask in earnest?

Unless you have cause to think I will regret the knowledge.

I suppose I start like this: were you aware that the King of Westeros might yet be among our number?

[ careful, now. she does not want to discuss joffrey. but she knows that valentino knows things. he's clever and far too observant. perhaps she can spool out this game and knit some intelligence into her keeping. ]

Take me slowly: which is Westeros, and how will I know its man?

Westeros is my home, Valentino. And the man who claims to yet be its king is Joffrey Lannister. He's made himself known over these lockets. Have you met him?

...yes. Westeros. You've mentioned it before, haven't you? You m ust have. Mea maxima culpa.

And the man - if I have met him, I don't recall it. Why? You want to have him a message sent? You want him found for its delivery?

Gods, no. [ her answer is too candid. too quick. too certain from a girl who never seems certain about anything. ] But I would know if he was still here or not -- others have left, so why not him as well?

I don't know. Truly - I don't know of him.

[ hmm. ]

Mayhaps you weren't made for gossip, Valentino. [ you suck at it. what use are you! ]

...mayhap. Will you tell me what she speaks of, all the same?

Never. She kept my secret; I will keep hers.

[ Used for a fool and a tool, then - small wonder, he'd have done the same. But not an honest man, oh no. An honest man would, and this is where the shake in his voice come, know hurt. ]

You... you never meant to tell me, then. You only wished to learn of your... king. You made fine use of me.

I made no use of you at all, courier.

[ you'd have to be useful for her to make use of you -- but he'd had nothing to tell her. and so she remains uncertain as to whether her king's presence still threatens her stability here. ]

Of course. Whatever pleases my lady's conscience, may the good God grant.

And yet if you do hear of him--

[ the phrase goes unfinished. she never knows quite how to command him, or whether she can at all. ]

I shall remember that you asked of him.

But you will not remember to pass those thoughts on to Cothromach -- am I understanding right?

A wiser man would ask whether I will not recall to pass the thoughts of your inquiries on to him.

It would not matter if you did.

[ she has announced herself; if joffrey is still here, she knows he will come for her. she fears it. ]

It always matters to learn you are feared. It's how repute is won.

[ clipped and thoughtless: ] He already knows.

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