001 || video.

[ladymother]

[The screen shakes for a moment before steadying. Cat looks slightly uncomfortable, not because of the fact that she's addressing the entire network, but because she is so utterly unused to this form of communication. Even the people are foreign, and she has already seen how different their beliefs and practices are.]

Firstly, I plead you bear with me as I learn the ways of this ship, for they vary greatly from Westerosi customs. I will not be offended if I am informed of any missteps I may commit. [She's not going to threaten to behead any people, she means. But she's not above having them hanged.]

[And now, onto business.] My son has already announced my presence on this ship, but I would introduce myself. I am Lady Catelyn Stark, mother to Robb, Arya, and Bran. My children have been here far longer than I have, and I thank the residents of the Tranquility for ensuring that they are safe and well-cared for. House Stark owes you its gratitude.

[She pauses for a moment, carefully constructing her next words.] I understand there are those here loyal to my House, and friends besides. I would have you introduce yourselves, if it please you. If we are to live together amongst the stars, then it is best we are familiar with each other.

Comments

( voice. )

[carbonite]

Lady, I feel real sorry for you if your kids are here.

( voice. )

[ladymother]

They may be safer here than they are in our home. [She just arrived, okay. Let her hope.]

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[tumbleweeds]

[ There is nothing but blue eyes for a moment, freckles and short blonde hair (growing back, after it had fallen out), a tilted head that accidentally shows off a silver earring (a wolf and a feather). Then Jaye nods, just once. ]

You do look like Sansa, [ she says, and it's as if saying the words relaxes her entire body; she settles back, smiling a little. ]

I was her banner, first. She's been gone from here for a while now, but she had asked me to look after her family for her, and so Robb holds it now.

[ Beat. Headtilt to the other side, eyes glazing over for a moment before they snap back to focus on the communicator. ]

Jaye.

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[ladymother]

[Catelyn returns the smile, hesitant but genuine. The fact that Sansa was here and she wasn't able to see her is painful, but it is not something she should dwell on.]

I thank you for your service, Jaye. [The name alone sounds bare on her lips, but as far as she can tell, there are no titles here. And because she does miss Sansa terribly, she can't help but continue on this line of conversation.] My daughter must have been fond of you.

[wolfinthesnow]

[He considered not saying anything. He really did.

But it's complicated. This is not home],/small>

I hope you are settling well, Lady Stark.

[By all the Gods, let this remain civil.]

[ladymother]

[Their relationship: It's Complicated.]

Well enough, in these circumstances. Your concern is appreciated, Jon Snow.

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[suddenlycaptain]

[ Carolyn has engine grease on her face and is next to a shuttle and gives exactly 0 fucks about her appearance. She's given Arya time off from her volunteer position to spend time with her mother, though; she may as well introduce herself. ]

Carolyn Fry. Captain of the Hunter-Gratzner, back home; I've ended up running the shuttle bay here.

[ And she'll explain that sort of thing, if she has to. Might as well; it wouldn't be her first time. ]

Arya -- well, she called herself Cat -- has been helping us out there when she's not helping in Engineering.

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[ladymother]

[Yeah, Cat has no idea what a shuttle bay is. But she puts two and two together -- context clues, man.]

I have no doubt this ship is in good hands, if you had been a captain in your home world.

[And it is a testament to how strange she finds one particular detail that she sets aside the fact that Arya's already on her way to giving her a headache.]

Cat? [The question is accompanied by a confused frown.] Why would my daughter call herself by my name?

permatext.

[culver]

Hello Catelyn. My name is Nill. I am friends with Robb and Bran.

permavoice.

[ladymother]

[Forgive her, Nill. Cat hasn't gotten the hang of all this ~technology~ yet. She settles on the voice function after a few futile attempts at typing at a reasonable speed.]

Lovely to meet you, Nill. It is always a pleasure to meet a friend of my sons.

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[chambermaid]

[ she's heard of house stark from lucrezia. and she's met bran.] My lady-- [ she tilts her head because, after all, catelyn is a lady.]

My name is Guinevere. I have met your son, Bran. [ and she knows about robb but... yeah, she won't say that.]

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[ladymother]

[Bran has always been kind, able to touch the hearts of anyone who's had the fortune to meet him. Catelyn smiles at Guinevere, recognizing the tone of someone who is used to titles on her lips.]

He has made many friends on this ship. It is a pleasure, Lady Guinevere. [It is not a question, but Cat leaves her address open enough for correction.]

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[unparental]

Jenna Sommers-- is Lady Catelyn all right to use? Robb mentioned it was on the informal side, but the honest truth is I'm awful with titles.

[ nervous about not meeting parental approval, jenna? nooooooooo. ]

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[ladymother]

[She nods to acknowledge Jenna's introduction.]

Lady Catelyn is fine. Mayhaps a bit too familiar, but a friend of my son is a friend of mine.

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[therangerking]

[ Catelyn. Cat. ]

Forgive me, my lady, but do you know a young girl named Cat? [ Pause. ] She has bright grey eyes and dark hair, and is oft accompanied by a wolf named Nymeria.

[ He'll talk about the rest of your kids later. First your baby daughter who is weird. ]

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[ladymother]

[Cat again. She really needs to ask Arya why she has taken her mother's name for herself.]

That would be my daughter, Arya. Nymeria is her direwolf. [She pauses, wondering whether to divulge slightly personal information to a stranger.] "Cat" is a name I am called among friends. She introduced herself to you this way?

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[wolfdreamer]

You are doing very well so far, Mother.

[Like she could be anything less than perfect and clever but still he's going to compliment her.]

What little you do not know, you will learn quickly. There are many strange things here, but there are many wonderful things, too. We will show them all to you. Have you learned to make letters on these devices yet? There are people here who can write so quickly with them, as quickly as if they were speaking aloud.

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[ladymother]

I'm afraid that particular skill is still beyond me, Bran. [She gazes at the tiny keyboard ruefully, as if it's personally offended her by being so complicated.] I predict that I will miss my quill and ink soon enough.

[video]

[summerlord]

Lady Catelyn Stark. [He dips his chin in greeting. Not my Lady; he would rather meet on equal terms and find where they stand from there.] I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, and, though I am also newly arrived, I have been acquainted with one of your sons. It is an honor to meet you.

[video]

[ladymother]

Lord Elrond. [It gives her comfort to know that there are those here who conduct themselves similarly to the highborn of Westeros.] Which of my sons have you spoken to, if I may ask?

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[agenda]

I believe we've met, my lady. [ a little, amused smile. ]

But I did not count myself loyal to your kind family then.

[ now, however, is different. and her honesty remains hidden in a half-truth. ]

video.

[ladymother]

[Margaery Tyrell. Tyrell still, despite a marriage cut tragically short. Seeing her now, Catelyn is unable to suppress the image of Renly, drowning in his own blood.

Briefly, she wonders if the younger woman holds her to blame for her husband's death.]

Lady Margaery. [Whether or not she is loyal to the Starks now, Cat will determine for herself.] I am sorry that you, too, have been brought to this strange ship in the stars.

action.

[wolfchild]

Look what I made!

[ guess who is blessedly oblivious to some of the conversations happening right now? that would be the kid with a paper chameleon. it's not as good as rapunzel's, but dammit she gets points for trying.

yes, this is your tag. have fun. ]

action.

[ladymother]

It's wonderful, Arya. [She takes the paper chameleon, turning it over in her hands. There is a pregnant pause before she speaks again, in her You May or May Not Be in Trouble tone.]

May I ask you something, daughter?

[inafadingcrown]

[Like Elrond, Galadriel begins with a dip of her head in greeting.] It is an honor, Lady Stark. I am Galadriel, Lady of Lothlórien and I have had the pleasure of meeting your children here. [All of them present, now that she knows that Cat = Arya from other people's conversations...] You must be proud.

[ladymother]

As proud as a mother can be, Lady Galadriel. [Catelyn wonders if she is of the same land as Thranduil and Elrond, and some of the others who have greeted her in a similar style.] I am pleased that you have found my children agreeable.

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[mansuetus]

[ Well this is all sorts of oddly awkward which naturally means Lucrezia must be at her best. her silks are the ones she arrived in, pale blue and cream that fits the pearls in her hair. ]

An honor to be in your presence, Lady Stark; for us all surely. Lucrezia Borgia of Rome.

[ she will let Robb tell you all the rest ]

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[ladymother]

[She recognizes Lucrezia's garb, and Cat decides to address her the same way she did Gwen. After all, even if she is mistaken, thinking someone is a highborn lady is not an insult.]

The sentiment is shared, Lady Lucrezia. Am I wrong to assume that you are acquainted with my children?

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[thebreakingwave]

Despite the circumstances, it's very good to meet you, Lady Stark. I'm Harry Potter and I've briefly spoken with your son Robb.

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[ladymother]

Thank you, Harry. I have heard that not all is well on this ship, but the warm welcome I have received does well to abate my worry.

[expect]

At least you're not stuck here alone? — I mean, it's. Nice to meet you. Sorry. It's just easier with other people.

[ladymother]

I have not seen some of my children in a long time, and it weighed heavily on my heart. I have heard this ship may not be what it seems, but if nothing else, it has given them back to me. [She doesn't mean to wax poetic, but man, life hard in Westeros.] Do you have family here, as well?

NOT HERE.

[northerner]

[ just observing you know how kings do ]

[ladymother]

[HI ROBB. carry on with your stalking observing.]

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[bailedontheempire]

Having your children here must be a particular challenge.

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[ladymother]

I admit that it is the cause of some worry, but their presence here still brings me great comfort.

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[ringbearer]

You are Bran's mother?

[ an obvious answer he knows, but there's a blink at that. the hobbit is fond of his young friend, though he hasn't spoken to him in some time. he isn't looking too well; but there's a gladness in his heart, that the brave child he's known here will have more family to keep him company.]

My name is Frodo Baggins, I am familiar with some of your family, namely young Bran.

[ quietly ]
I am glad more family has come to him. He is one of the bravest lads I've met in my time here.

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[ladymother]

I know that Bran has been on this ship far longer than I have, so I am glad he has made numerous friends here. It is a pleasure to meet you, Frodo.

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[throwsdown]

Hi, Miss Catelyn, hi! I'm Takeshi -- I'm friends with Robb and Bran. They're friends.

[ROBB SAYS I CAN SAY HELLO SO HERE I AM.]

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[ladymother]

Hello, Takeshi. [He is young, younger than Bran was when she left for King's Landing. Her heart twists, for she did not know that this ship can bring in a mere babe.

Catelyn does not correct the way he addresses her, only returning his greeting with a smile.] It is lovely to meet you, child.

[andblockbuster]

Topher Brink. I was.. Ala- San..sa? I was her bannerman. Now I'm Robb's.

Hi. [AND THEN HE REMEMBERS. AWKWARDLY.] Lady Stark..?

[ladymother]

[Her eyes narrow slightly, if only because she caught his stumble there. If her elder daughter has been going by another name as well, she will have to set Robb aside and ask him Some Questions.]

It is always an honor to meet those who have sworn fealty to our House. [Or in Topher's case, Robb.] A pleasure, Topher Brink.