001 Video

[hearme]

[Cersei has practiced this speech, carefully planned it and learned it off by heart. She is dressed as formally as she can muster, her crown in place, and a deliberate warm half-smile is on her lips.]

Dear people of Tranquility, I have created this visual message in order to ask for your aid. Some may already be aware that a man by the name of Robb Stark attempts to usurp my position and take my life. While I am not typically the type to ask of favours of others, I must request your assistance on this particular occasion. I have held the title of Queen uncontested for sixteen years. Nevertheless, upon arriving at this ship, I have been threatened with both the stripping of my position and my death.

While some call for a woman's head, I implore no such monstrosities. Instead I ask merely for protection from Stark and his violent men. Is there anyone in this ship who might be able to guard and protect me, increasing my safety? I am a woman and am thus unable to defend myself. There is enough turmoil and danger on this ship already. I feel that we need not add to it.

Comments

[video]

[circumitus]

How does being a woman make you incapable of defending yourself?

[Speaking as someone who's never seen herself to be a "woman" but a "soldier", always.]

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[hearme]

[Cersei smiles sweetly and nods.] Apologies. I am a lady. It is customary in my culture for women of my status to not be trained in combat. [It likely irks Cersei as much as it does the scarred woman she is speaking to, though the Queen hides her disgust well.]

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[chaineddog]

[Heine is on neutral terms with Robb if only because they share the same kind of brotherly instincts to protect, but that being said he's still not really swayed by the woman's plea and besides which, he knows what Robb and his family want and that wasn't her head. At least...not while on this ship.]

I think asking you to confess whatever kind of shit you pulled back home and taking your head are two different things.

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[hearme]

[Cersei raises an eyebrow at that, not that he can see it, and rolls her eyes. Is this person really that obtuse?]

Dear Sir,

Although Robb's request may seem small, he is in fact asking for far more than for me to simply meet with him or "confess" my alleged crimes. He is threatening me, my house and my life and carrying out his seemingly small request would make me vulnerable to his attacks.

[signatures]

I can only imagine no one's attempted to plop him into the brig already, with a threat like that.

It's a big favour to ask, playing bodyguard. Do you have any reward in mind? What can a misplaced queen serve up for someone willing to offer protection?

[hearme]

[Cersei's smile brightens slightly. At last.]

Financial compensation is not an issue for me or my family.

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[theguidinghand]

A Queen does not lay her weakness out for her enemies to exploit. I should think it so obvious that a Queen of sixteen uncontested years should know that.

[The voice at the other end has summoned up just enough disgust to mask how tired it sounds. Even the human Queens he's worked with don't call themselves defenseless.]

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[hearme]

[Cersei clenches her jaw for the briefest of moments. Very few would have noticed it.]

When certain situations arise, one must do what they have to in order to protect themselves. [With Lannisters and their penchant for switching sides, pride tends to come a very close second to survival.]

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[learnedtosmile]

You can learn to defend yourself, if you want.

I didn't see anyone making threats against your life, so if you've received a threat in private, you can bring it to security and we'll look into it. There's no need to hire private body guards - it's the security team's job to keep the peace. No one is going to kill anyone.

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[hearme]

My world has a long history of bloodshed. What may seem like a casual suggestion to you can be a strong threat in Westeros. My safety is very much hindered at this point in time. Protection would be invaluable.

[bruxisms]

[ the oft heard about, yet never seen (by Stannis at the very least) Cersei Lannister shows her face. He had long since misliked her even when she was Robert's lady wife (though perhaps something akin to pity might have occasionally crossed his opinion), but now, there was hatred in his eyes. If she'd only done her duty...

There would be no war. ]

There are others you should pay far more heed to than Robb Stark, woman.

[ Particularly the one man still left alive. ]

[hearme]

[Cersei doesn't like where this is going. Not another one.]

Brother. Do not tell me that you too side with the Stark boy.

[mansuetus]

[ The Queen, Lucrezia thinks and all at once, she is very curious. She has heard of this woman, imagined her many times as cool and distant with a secret hidden in her sleeve and another in her bodice. Yet this woman is not Juno, the queen of Gods nor is she Diana. She is golden and beautiful and she seeks help. Lucrezia thought she would be stricter, as rumor says Caterina Sforza is, unyielding and proud.

She tries to decide if she is disappointed or not and decides that she is not, for now. ]

A woman has many manners to defend herself as Her Majesty knows well.

[ there is no question there. She wears her smile and helplessness as an armor, collects men that would guard her for who shall refuse a pretty, warm looking lady? A pang of sudden dread hits her when she realizes, I have done so as well and shall do so again. I have already made my allies, I already whispered to some of my good lord Sforza so they shall keep him from me if he indeed arrives and I shall continue doing so. She wonders if that makes her cool and cruel too; No, for I love them all dearly. They are not my armor, they are friends.

It makes her feel somewhat better. They are both fair and golden but they are not the same, or so she would like to think. ]

[hearme]

[Cersei smiles slightly. The girl seems sweet, if a little naive. She looks almost of Lannister decent and, whether subconscious or not, it causes Cersei to be slightly to warmer towards her.]

One must use all their resources when under attack.

[abrahamic]

Erica would eat you alive for saying women are weak. Feminism is serious.

Why is someone so angry at you, anyway?

[hearme]

They are frustrated that their father was given a high profile, potentially dangerous, yet highly prestigious title. Their reaction is excessive. My own father held it for many years.

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[puppydogeyes]

Would've stepped in already if he'd threatened your death. And your title means shit here anyway.

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[hearme]

Perhaps you misunderstand our culture? To a person from the Seven Kingdoms, Robb Stark's threat is unmistakable.

[cl_cl_claudius]

[Here's someone who can do you no good whatsoever when it comes to physical threats - less even then Tyrion. He's old and he stammers and twitches and most people in his own world take him for a fool. He won't be especially surprised if Cersei does, as well.

Claudius is a little trepidatious making this offer (aside from finding beautiful, highborn ladies playing political games rather intimidating, who names their daughter Circe? That's just asking for trouble) but it's only fair, and he does have a small remaining streak of gallantry in him.]

Q-queen Cersei, I have m-made an offer t-to the man you call y-your enemy, and it seems only j-just to put it also before y-you. I d-do not mean to interfere, as I have little kn-nowledge of and no c-connection whatsoever to the troubles of y-your land, but only to aid the cause of j-justice and peace aboard this vessel.

I, T-tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, am a m-member of the Imp-perial Family of Rome, whose business it has been to settle dynastic disp-putes in our c-client kingdoms for several g-generations now. I m-myself have made some c-considerable study of the law and its p-practices. If it w-would be of help to have an imp-partial arbitrator involved in this disp-pute, I would offer my assistance.

[hearme]

[Cersei doesn't exactly call that gallantry. She calls it attempting to get the best seat at a spectacle.]

Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, I unfortunately doubt that the Starks are open to reason. I have already explained that I have not wronged them, yet they insist on seeing me harmed.

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[unparental]

Well, since apparently my gender would make me about as capable as a wet dishrag and I'm definitely not that-- speaking as one of those 'violent men' of his? Nice try with the nobly suffering victim act, better luck next time.

[ the 'she and her son killed and victimized my family' from robb was bad enough; the women are helpless thing just seals jenna's oh-so-modern opinion. ]

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[hearme]

I hate to have offended you. I am merely reflecting the views of my society. [Yeah. That apology? Not exactly genuine. Gtfo, Jenna. Cersei doesn't want you anyway.]

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

[His voice is restrained. He doesn't have so much sympathy for her, having heard some of what she has done (will do?), but he knows well his duty.]

Madam, if you feel you can demonstrate a viable threat, then the security team will assist in ensuring your safety.

[voice]

[hearme]

Thank you. It is greatly appreciated. I feel that against such a vicious man, I need all the aid I can acquire.

[ video | locked ]

[hostage]

[He'd nearly offered the other day, when he heard Robb's threats. Now... Of course he's not going to ignore a woman asking for protection. He knows what it's like to be made a villain, and no one should have to die here for mistakes made in another place and time.]

I'll help you.

[ video | locked ]

[hearme]

[Cersei lets out of a soft, grateful sigh.]

Thank you. It is greatly appreciated.

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[rickon]

stop telling lies to every one
robb is good
you are a mean witch

[hearme]

[Yeah. Cersei's not going to reply to that because you are RUDE, little Stark boy. Make sure to stay away from windows.]

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[teashop]

[ oh, lovely. political unrest. ]

Sorry, I know you're very into the— [ he makes a face ] —whole victim thing, here, but correct me if I'm wrong: If you're worried about violence being done to your person, don't you think you should be asking why Stark's upset? Or are you just gonna gloss over that bit?

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[hearme]

Robb Stark has made it very clear that he thinks me villainous no matter what I claim. If he thinks me a scoundrel, no reason will convince him of otherwise.

[theyalldieforme]

[Oh dear lord.

His mother as a blonde.]

What did you do?

[hearme]

As I have said, I have done nothing to hurt him or his family.

Encrypted 100% |

[certainproclivity]

[There is no lie that doesn't have a kernel of truth in it. He's been following Stark's post out of boredom. What little there is speaks to a woman much more than she appears. He has no interest in being a protector for a sniveling weakling.

A queen with a sharp mind who knows how to play to her own strengths, however... That he can manage.]

This channel is private. Not a one of them will be able to see this. I am not an ally of Stark, nor do I throw my loyalties in with anyone on this ship.

They've thrown an awful lot of accusations around, my lady. I would much like to hear what you have to say. As much of the truth as you'd like- be that as it may, I have no use for a woman who hides behind bodyguards. Do me the favor of presuming I possess even an iota of intelligence to know you're hardly weak, if you want my assistance.

(Totally tagging along with that encryption if Cersei can do it too.)

[hearme]

[Cersei pauses for a second, hesitating before replying.]

There is tension between our houses. The Lannisters have harmed the Starks in the past, though most of those wrongdoings have either been settled or the Starks are still unaware of them. With such offences, however, I have never had a direct hand in it or harmed them deliberately.

I would, however, have no qualms about doing so.

[She's surprised by how honest she is and wonders quite what prompted it. Perhaps it's because of how refreshing it is to finally be blunt and not have to carefully manoeuvre around each issue multiple times. Maybe she just likes talking to blonds.]

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[nooneiseversafe]

[The hair was wrong, but the facial features... She knew them quite well, given that she would swear that they were her own.

And yet different. So very different. Sarah doesn't particularly like it.]

Robb Stark. The one with the wolf?

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[hearme]

[Is that a stutter, Cersei? It's definitely a hesitation as she stares at her screen, dumbfounded.]

Yes.

[Is this the reason why Cersei is getting into trouble? Is this the one committing her crimes?]

You know of him?

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[ripstides]

Some might call for a woman's head but Robb Stark isn't one of them. [ at least not unjustifiably but he doesn't tack that on. he's not that ignorant. ] His message was clear. He wants a confession.

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[hearme]

As I have said, there is nothing to confess.

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[resurgent]

If nobody volunteers, you should consider learning how to defend yourself. We're in a different time here.

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[hearme]

I am in my thirties. I think it will be difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.

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[notevenagirl]

You might be surprised what a woman can do. [She tilts her head.]

Why's he threatenin' you? I've heard the name a few times, but don't know'im all that well. I can offer to keep an eye for you if you need it.

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[hearme]

He has an unreasonable, unquenchable bone to pick with me which has yet to be settled.

Your gaze would be most invaluable. [Because Cersei without spies is like a guitar player without a guitar.]

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[cargojet]

No offense, but you and Stark and everyone else haven't got a damn position to be stripped of. He may be a King in spirit, and you can be the Queen of Sheba for all anyone here cares, but you look bloody stupid with that crown on; there's no kingdom for you here.

I know Stark. I know if you somehow pissed him off then you gotta've done something pretty damn awful. But he's got no more lawful right to kill anyone on board for something they did at home than any of us do. I should know. That said, nobody should have to fear for their lives. So cut the crap and maybe we'll talk.

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[hearme]

["No offense?" Really? Cersei can't tell if you're being a complete bitch or offering to help her. It's probably a mix of the two.]

Have you been accused of a crime which you personally have not committed?

[video]

[falsehoods]

In your arrival you have already been stripped of your title, dear lady.

[video]

[hearme]

And you yours? [Because that sounds a bit bitter to Cersei.]

( voice )

[purrfectlycute]

Oh goodness.

I'm not quite sure of the purroblems between you two, I'll do what I can to calm him. Not harm him, certainly, but... bloodshed is like a catalyst. And I'd want neither for him to travel down that path nor fur you to get your head chopped off, ma'am.

[ pause. ] Though I hardly see what being a girl has to do with anything! If anything I would purrsume you are far more equipped to deal with this sort of thing than a boy.

( voice )

[hearme]

[This girl's voice is ridiculous.]

I am not equipped or well-versed in combat.

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[theredchampion]

[ Now you see --

Niall isn't on anyone's side, particularly. He is on the side that is the most interesting, or the most fun. That is all a matter of perspective, of course, but you are sorely outnumbered. If you are outnumbered that means that battle risks being short.

Now that would be boring. Much more fun if things are more evenly matched. ]

And where is the profit in helping you, pray tell? What is it that you can offer when we are trapped so? Currency is of little use as it stands, and offers of titles mean nothing when -- as you can plainly see -- they cannot be enforced. I am open to bargaining, but I know not what you have to bargain with.