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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And she does well for herself? Your friend?

Extremely.

[And it takes an awful lot of strength not to utter we went to war with the mage government on her lands and won]

Do you help her, my lord?

Less so these days, but we're in constant contact. She's usually got plenty of input for me too.

She does? She must be very clever.

That, and our perspectives are just different enough that we catch each other's oversights.

[Waver imagines Rin would be raking him over coals for some of the decisions he's made in the Drabwurld thus far.]

Which I suppose brings me to the next question: do you have anyone else you plan on bringing in?

Aside from Jon Snow? [ her cheeks puff. it is a difficult question. ] I have Lady Meera Reed, the daughter of one of my father's most loyal bannermen. There others I would call upon but I have not...

[ asked them. ] I am not certain they would accept.

[Waver nods. He spoke to Meera briefly, and imagines that the loyalty will be an asset in the future.]

You should find out, when you feel comfortable extending the invitation.

There are some who knew my Lord Father in passing. They seem eager...[ she wets her lips. nervous. ] They admired him. It was not a difficult thing to do. Most found themselves numbered among the Seelie.

[ and yet she would not mind if those from caer scima chose to ally with her. ]

[The Seelie part doesn't surprise Waver at all, although it might make some matters seemingly one sided.]

Eager is good, but at the risk of sounding too calculating, what sort of experience do they bring with them?

Not enough.

[ because sansa herself knows enough to know so. ] Gods, but if Alayne's father were here...

[ she talks about that girl as though she is a real person. was a real person. ]

[It is an interesting way to treat an alias. Waver has half a mind to ask how long she lived in that role, but it isn't the time or place.]

It'll have to do. The present residents of the city should also be drawn on. They will have a level of insight that is essential.

They must be integral. [ a nod. ] I don't care to alienate them.

Good. Having an internal affairs council might be something to consider. It'd supplement what you have already.

-- Internal affairs, my lord?

That was my jargon, apologies. But essentially, you'd be looking at a council that is able to reach out to the local community organizations, like guilds, and understand what they want and need on a within-the-city basis.

...Made up of -- perhaps -- the sons of lords and tradesmen from within the city? Respected men. [ men whose prides need calming when their keeper's daughter takes his seat. ]

And women.

If they have hereditary rights, then that means they need to be included.

A-and women. Dwarven folk and elven folk and humans, too. [ because she now holds a city of mixed make-up. ]

--Exactly so. All groups being represented might be a bit of a headache at times, but it increases your access to information and understanding the mood of the populace at large.

Will the headache ever end?

During peace, it'll change topics. War, at least, is unifying.

[ unifying. ]

My Lord. I have one last question for you. You must answer as honestly as you can, please.

Go right ahead.

Should I have refused the seat? [ ... ] Is it reckless not to surrender my inheritance to someone else?

[ anyone else. ]

(no subject)

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