Deer Country Network

Do you think it's possible to be in love with two people at once?

I can't be the only one this has happened to.

[Edited to add!]

One of them is here, the other is back home.

[Rose sits calmly on a boulder in the back yard, trees and flowers surrounding her already showing the signs of autumn. she looks more solemn than usual, but that's because she's been thinking things over carefully]

Even with...all of this [she waves a hand around as if encompassing all of Trench and its peculiarities] how many of us want to stay? Because we like it here better than home, because we don't have a home to go to, any reason really.

I'm curious.

[sansa's usual raven tapestry background has been replaced by one of her direwolf sigil framed by weirwood leaves and branches. a matching version is emblazoned on the front of her charcoal dress, the branches wrapping around her leaves and over her shoulders, where they are joined by raven feathers interspersed with silver scale mail pieces and sweeping around her neckline, cut just low enough that the dark bloodstone buckle of her needle necklace rests against her skin. lady wears a matching collar at her side sewn with little weirwood leaves and chips of amethyst and pale bloodstone, joined by tiny black feather pieces at the back. her hair is braided back and gathered into her usual half-ponytail; her expression is solemn, a little wistful and sad. for once her white raven omen rests on her shoulder, her hounds in the courtyard sleeping peacefully among the mushrooms.

sufficient time has passed to prove that people are no longer possessed by whatever made them so difficult in july (some of them even came by to apologize for an incident involving vi and a basement). she has already told some of her friends that she means to reveal her name when it's safe enough, and that certainly seems to be the case this first week of august.]

Hallo, most of you know me as Alayne Stone, but I'm afraid that's not my name. I am Sansa Stark of Winterfell, the rightful Lady Protector and Warden of the North in the Seven Kingdoms. My enemies in that realm murdered my Lord Father when he was Hand of the King and seized the Iron Throne. They have taken everything from me–my home, my family, my wolf, my name. They held me hostage while my brother and mother waged war in order to avenge him and rescue me. They will hold me hostage no longer.

I had been hiding as Alayne Stone for over a year before I came here. The Queen Regent thought I helped to kill her son, the cruel and unlawful king who murdered my father in the first place, and she has had a bounty placed on my head. Know then that I am innocent of that crime, and my blood on your hands will drive you to madness even as I crawl out of the sea, and you will not see even one of the golden dragons she promises.

[sansa pauses and glances down at her lap, briefly and sorrowfully, and then back up at the omni camera.]

I never wanted to deceive any of you. [...this is probably not true, depending on who's watching.] I can only beg your forgiveness, and offer in exchange what protection I am able. The words of House Stark are "Winter is Coming;" they serve as a reminder that trouble will find us as certain as autumn turns to winter. I've found that is as true here as anywhere, even if they call it the season of bone. I have done my best to fortify the Sanctuary and my home against all danger, be it corruption or starvation or the cold, and I will always offer guest right to any who seek it at the Rookery. And I will continue to aid the city of Trench to the best of my ability, whether or not any of you choose to forgive my deception. It is my duty as a Stark of Winterfell, and I will uphold it no matter where I happen to be. I would swear it on the Doorway, if it would give any of you any comfort.

[she means it. she smiles, wistful again.]

Thank you for listening to me. I shouldn't expect anybody here to care about the politics of my realm, and I won't burden you with them any longer. If any of you have need of any clothes or what bloodstone I can make, you can find me here at the Rookery, or at the Sanctuary often enough. I am very sorry that I lied to all of you.