(no subject)

[wintercat]

[Cat needed a place to think and she needed it badly. These past few weeks have been harder on her heart than all the others in her time here combined. So many from her world and all at once. All with so much news. Everything has changed. And she just needed a place to deal with it all, away from any expectations of who she should be and how she should react.

The chapel was her first thought, but there was no chance that it would be empty. She would have to explain, to talk, to account for her presence there. So she started with a walk around the grounds. That’s how she found Alexstrasza’s tree.

It was comforting, somehow. Perhaps the Old Gods had taken pity on her. She keeps the Seven still, but here…she could almost understand how her husband had felt in the Godswood, why he had sought solace there. She kneels at the base of the tree and begins to speak, though it is not to any god that she directs her words]

I don’t know what to do, Ned. I don’t know how to do this without you. [She chokes back a sob, resting her head in her hands.] How do I help them?

[Unless she’s interrupted, she’ll just sit there for quite a while, finally allowing herself to weep openly, as much from sheer frustration as from sorrow.

By the time she returns to the castle, she will be composed again, the mask slipped firmly back into place, ready to face whatever this world may throw at her. And sometime later, she’ll compose a filter. Whatever she feels, there are things that must be done.]

[Friends, Allies, and Friendly Acquaintances]

I feel it only fair to warn you that the Stark name is no longer free of danger and urge you to be cautious in your use of it. Two enemies of my House have arrived here.

The first is Viserys Targaryen, son of the Mad King my husband helped depose. We have yet to meet, but, understandably, he bears no love for House Stark.

The second is Ser Jamie Lannister, the Kingslayer. When last I saw him, he was a prisoner in my son’s war camp. I have been told I released him, to be exchanged for my daughters… [That’s beside the point.] Regardless, he is not to be trusted. It is because of him that my Bran will never walk again and because of his family that all my children are fatherless. Our Houses are at war and any ally of mine may be seen as an enemy of his.

[ooc: takes place after this thread]

Comments

[peeta_bread]

[Peeta was going for a walk, exploring the land a bit more, when he comes across the woman. His first instinct is to hug her. But she is a stranger. And maybe she wanted to be left alone.

So Peeta tries tiptoeing away. But of course, Peeta has no stealth skills so Cat can probably hear the CRUNCH CRUNCH of sticks under his shoes.]

[wintercat]

[She does indeed hear that and her reaction is nearly instant. the tears stop and she stands, wiping her face dry and making an effort to compose herself.]

I apologize, ser. [What she's apologizing for isn't exactly clear. That he saw her like this, perhaps.]

[peeta_bread]

Oh! Uh... [Oops. He hadn't meant to be caught. He walks back over to her.]

You don't need to apologize! And I'm just Peeta. Are you okay?

[wintercat]

I am unharmed. [Whether she's okay or not is a more difficult question. She doesn't really know yet.] I needed time to think, that is all. [Just...ignore the fact that she was crying, Peeta.]

[sixguns]

[When he isn't helping his sons in rebuilding the church, Noah is often out walking the grounds. It's taken longer for him to heal from his wounds than he'd admit to anyone, and subsequently longer for him to explore the city. It's been a joy just to be among family again.

[Though his heart isn't a stone, he's not one accustomed to giving comfort. When he hears the woman weeping, he settles himself on a stone bench not far away, partly out of respect for her grief. He just doesn't have the heart to walk by, let alone bother her directly.]

[wintercat]

[As soon as she notices that there's someone nearby, her demeanor changes dramatically. The tears stop (though her face remains a little red) and she straightens, hardening almost.]

Forgive me, ser, I did not realize... [She's embarrassed, ashamed to have been caught in a moment of weakness.]

[sixguns]

Whist, dear. You're not botherin' a soul. Places like this, they're for such things. I come out here often.

[His voice is gentle, though an undertone of strength is apparent.]

's my apology that's needed. I wasnae lookin' to disturb ye.

Filter

[wilder]

[jeez man, he goes away from the castle for one week and everything happens. And this could be a troublesome development. Zelos rather not get himself into the middle of warring houses. ]

Sorry to hear that, Lady Catelyn...but thank you for letting me know.

filter forever

[wintercat]

[Probably a good idea.]

Of course. I would not wish you to unwittingly endanger yourself.

and ever!

[wilder]

Heh, you don't have to worry about me, alright~? You got enough on your plate from the sound of it.

Catelyn Stark

[direwolfbastard]

I've spoken with Ser Jaime myself, when he arrived here. He seems unwilling to let go of Westeros, though separated from it. I can only guess that Viserys will be much the same.

When I hoped for more from Westeros to find their way here, this is not what I had in mind.

Jon Snow

[wintercat]

Fortunately, they are not the only people to have arrived. [If he mentions Sansa than she will. If not...well, she's not sure. She's still trying to figure out how to deal with her daughter's insistence on secrecy. She can tell him of Robb, at the very least.]

Catelyn Stark

[direwolfbastard]

I've noticed. I know Robb is here, as I spoke with him not long ago. There are others? [He hasn't spoken with Sansa/Alayne yet, but it won't be long.]

Action!

[squirrelhunter]

[Leaving the castle at the same time as Catelyn will be exiting it is a man who doesn't look all that happy.

... And has the expression of not wanting to talk about it. He'll have a crossbow over one shoulder and a bag over the other.]

[wintercat]

[She's rather inclined to leave him be, understanding full well the wish to avoid discussion. But, as chance would have it, she bumps into him. Literally.]

I beg your pardon [And that's when the thought that he looks awfully familiar crosses her mind and her statement turns into a question.], ser?

[squirrelhunter]

Hey! Watch it!

[He snaps, his crossbow clattering to the ground by the bump. He bends down and grabs it, before looking back.]

What?

Friends filter

[heloise]

[ Those two are her friends, as far as she's concerned. ]

What will you do with them, Lady Stark?

forever

[wintercat]

[You need better friends, Lucrezia.]

I will leave Viserys be, so long as he pays me and my children the same courtesy. [The iron throne stopped being her main concern a long time ago, to be honest, and here it's even less meaningful.]

As for the Kingslayer, [And her voice just drips with venom.] I should have his head on a spike or re-affix his fetters, at the very least. But I have not the authority here and, as I understand it, death is not permanent. I have to consider.

[heloise]

[ These are already better than the man who means to murder her father! ]

He said he is nephew to the king, not his slayer.

/filter to end, how did I miss this?

[spiritusaequitas]

[oh good, someone he needs to shoot in the head. two someones. he was wondering when he and Connor were going to get work]

You gonna be alright, Cat?

[wintercat]

[She...probably wouldn't stop you. Shame about that whole "death isn't permanent" thing.]

I will. I don't think either is likely to seek vengeance directly, though I could be mistaken.

filtered;

[songsandstories]

A Targaryen? [And so more pieces are added. This does not seem good.]

And yet you still think I should not be me? [It needed to be more than an act. She was Alayne Stone. It wasn't just a mask. Even her mentality had changed.] A Lannister and a Targaryen here.

filter forever

[wintercat]

[Oh, she doesn't have the energy for this right now. She just sounds tired when she replies.]

One man. He is one man with no access to his bannermen nor any of the resources he may have at home. And the Starks will look after each other. [And she is a Stark, whether she will admit to it or not.]

You should know that Robb is also here.

[excalibured]

[It's only by chance that he spots her, out on a quick walk from the city back into the castle, carefully trying to keep himself as hidden as possible. He's been looking scouting out the city, seeing how easy it is to get lost in the crowd and if any areas are better than others, but has had to quickly call it a day to avoid arousing suspicion.

And when he comes upon her, it's more because he's heard her, than he's seen her, lacking the sight in his right eye]

Lady Stark? [He's not going to bother asking if something is the matter, it obviously is, but he's not going to press it if she isn't up to sharing]

[wintercat]

My lord. [Give her moment. She stands and composes herself, trying to hide her embarrassment and regain some measure of composure.] Forgive me. You should not have seen me in this state.