( CLOSED ) and an open cage

[unprays]

Who: sansa stark (unprays) & a buncha people
What: holiday ball & january plot things
When: december & january
Where: olympia, the south outpost, somewhere around wyver
Warning(s): your standard game of thrones warnings apply, just in case

( individual starters in comments!! feel free to either write up a starter for us, leave a blank comment and wait for me to write us something, or poke me @ celen for more specific plottings!

just as a heads-up, i'll be in japan from dec 21 to jan 5, so tags will be very slow going until i'm back! please bear with me in the meantime ♥ )

Comments

[unprays]

[ a smile blooms on her face immediately as she sees who is approaching her, a smile that mingles with some confusion when Claire hands the bag to her. ]

But why? It's not even my nameday! [ still, there's still some of the girl who used to love pretty dresses and making up her hair with the newest styles that she opens the bag carefully — only, when she picks up the pendant, it's with wide eyes and an exhaled, ] Oh, it's lovely...! Claire, I can't possibly accept this.

[nineteenfortyfive]

In my world, it's tradition to give gifts around this time of year to those dear to us. I thought this would look perfect on you. May I?

[She'll take the necklace and step behind Sansa to clasp it behind her neck. That done, she moves back in front of her, smiling warmly.]

It's very rude to refuse gifts during this time of year, too.

[She's serious, but there's a teasing tone to her voice.]

[unprays]

[ she hums thoughtfully at the mention of tradition — it may not be a tradition she is familiar with, but she can understand wanting to follow the traditions you are used to, keeping a part of your home alive through them.

and so she nods at Claire's question, looking down once the necklace is fastened, her fingertips brushing over the pendant. ]

It's beautiful, [ she breathes out, before looking at Claire solemnly. ] I would never want to be rude, not to you. Thank you. But... I don't have anything to give you in return.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Your friendship and kindness is all I could ever want, Sansa Stark.

[She reaches out to briefly touch her cheek, smiling. She's given her a home, and people to fill the silence left by her family being in stasis.]

[unprays]

You'll always have that, [ she says with a smile that starts small but brightens quickly into something that is rarely seen on her — a true, happy smile.

to stop her eyes from burning at the gentle touch (a mother's touch, she thinks, and feels a pang in her heart), she breathes out and asks, ]

Will you walk with me? I haven't really seen much of this gala yet.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Of course.

[Claire's always glad to get a smile out of Sansa. She moves to her slide, looping their arms together.]

Have you seen the food yet? That's the best part.

[unprays]

[ it's a comfortable way for her to walk — she recalls walking like this with Margaery, and it brings her joy to be able to do the same with Claire. ]

No, [ she shakes her head, her eyes bright. ] Do you think... there might be lemon cakes?

[nineteenfortyfive]

Lemon cakes?

[She laughs, caught off guard by that hopeful little inquiry.]

I'm not sure, but is that something we should keep in the house, then? Away from the men?

[unprays]

[ she doesn't answer, not immediately, but the hopeful glimmer in her eyes speaks enough on that — if there's one food she's missed, it's surely the lemon cakes. ]

You think we could hide them? I don't think Father would eat them, but Jon might.

[nineteenfortyfive]

We can make Jon something else. The lemon cakes will be yours. [It's said in conspiratorial whisper.] If you like them that much, there's no reason why you can't have as many as you can handle.

[Not her usual logic, but Sansa deserves to make herself sick on sweets if she wants. Be a young lady.]

[unprays]

Jon will like most things, [ she says, matter-of-fact, like it's obvious. ] I don't think they ate all that well at the Wall.

[ that makes her frown, and so does what she thinks of next. ] I do like them. They're very sweet... the last time I had them was in the Eyrie. It's been a long time since then. [ Lord Baelish had made sure to bring lemon cakes for her... and her aunt had hated her for it. ]