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[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire looks a little tired. Maybe it's due to the recent trek through the jungle, but more likely it's because her husband's returned to stasis. She could talk about that--with anyone, really--but instead she'd much rather focus on this. So, here she is, mustering up a pleasant smile.]

It's a belated thank you, but I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone that helped during our last crisis.

That said, I have noticed that quite a few of you have some interest in being helpful, and not just when it comes to fighting. You'd like to help the ill or injured as well. However, there's not always time to walk newcomers through something such as sewing a wound or changing the bandages on someone bedridden. So, with the help of Dr Watson, I'm hoping to make us better prepared in the future.

Every other month we'll be holding first aid lessons. Basic skills, answering questions, clearing up any misconceptions. Consider it a health class. Take notes, record it, whatever you'd like. If you have anything about medicine or anatomy that baffles you, please attend. Of course, we're always available for general questions.

We'll be offering two sessions. One will be on the station on the morning of the 9th, in the simulation rooms, which we encourage everyone to at least try once if they're interested. If that makes you uncomfortable, I suppose we can hold the other in Olympia in the evening.

[Her place is now an option, but she's not going to announce that bit to the whole network. Claire hesitates before deciding to end the feed.]

Thank you, and we hope to see you there.

[OOC: Class is in session! Feel free to answer a roll call here, even if your character plans on only attending once. The actual lessons will be handwaved but feel free to use the "classroom" time in your own logs.]

Comments

[bruxisms]

[ an... excellent (?) choice. ]

Once, there was a woman named Argella Durrandon. She was the daughter of Argilac the Arrogant, the last Storm King. Her father had offered her hand in marriage to Aegon Targaryen, soon to be known as Aegon the Conqueror. But Aegon already had two wives, and had no desire for another. Instead, he offered the hand of his closest friend, advisor, and rumoured bastard brother, Orys Baratheon. Argella took this as a slight, and her father cut off the hands of Aegon and Orys's envoys, with a warning that those were the only hands Orys would ever have.

[ a pause ]

Do you follow so far?

[nineteenfortyfive]

[UHHH maybe she should have expected something like this--]

Um. Yes. Baratheon--is that a relative of yours, then?

[bruxisms]

Yes. One of my ancestors.

[ black hair and black eyes, or so the tales told. the opposite of Aegon Targaryen, and yet, his truest friend. ]

As Aegon's forces moved across Westeros, he sent Orys to conquer the Stormlands. Having heard tales of the Targaryens and the might of their dragons, Argilac rode out to meet Orys, leaving his daughter to guard the castle. Their two great armies clashed, while a storm raged all around them. In the end, Argilac was slain in single-combat by Orys.

[nineteenfortyfive]

What happened to his daughter?

[It sounds like some great work of fiction, but at this poin, Claire is willing to suspend her disbelief. Especially after seeing dragons. Though she's fairly certain she's been in some form of shock since then.]

[bruxisms]

[ funny how such stories go, isn't it? ]

In her grief swore to avenge her father, and fight to the last man, even as dragons circled above her. Her guards had other ideas, and instead delivered her to Orys naked and in chains. When he saw her, Orys dismissed the guards, wrapped his cloak around her, and gave her food and wine. Throughout the evening, they spoke of her father, and how bravely he fought.

In time, she married him, and in turn, he took her house colours, banner, and words. All of House Baratheon has her blood flowing through their veins.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire was bracing herself for some terrible end--naked and in chains usually ends as such, as she unfortunately knows from experience--but that's surprisingly... uplifting.]

Was it love, then?

[bruxisms]

Perhaps. Together, the two of them ruled the Stormlands fairly and justly. Likely, if there was no affection, she may have lost her head or burned in dragonfire, as so many other lines did at the time.

[ not that he knows much about love in marriage. his parents had loved one another, but neither he, nor his brothers had married women they truly loved. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Pleasant.

[Claire makes a face. Talk of marriage and relationships always makes her think of her own, even as painful as it is right now.]

Best to hope for the best, then. My marriage was arranged and I didn't love my husband when we were first wed, but I grew into it.

[bruxisms]

You are fortunate. Ofttimes, such a thing never happens.

[ it is plain to see that he's speaking from experience. Selyse was not the worst wife one could have, but they had little in common. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Are you married yourself, Stannis?

[Just checking.]

[bruxisms]

I am. My lady wife and my daughter both still sleep aboard Thesa Station.

[ he'd say Claire probably would not get along at all with Selyse, but that would be too rude, even for him. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

I see. I'm sorry to hear that. My husband recently returned to stasis, back asleep with the rest of our family.

[Jamie, on the other hand, is fairly easy for most to get along with. It's a shame he was awake for so short a time.]

[bruxisms]

She will likely be happier asleep until I procure larger accommodations. It may be difficult for her to adjust to a life where she is not nobility.

[ another difference between the two of them. but, seeing as she actually seemed to like her husband... ]

You have my sympathies, Claire.

[nineteenfortyfive]

I suppose that would be an adjustment. You seem to be taking it... fairly well, if I do say.

[Or at least she hasn't seen any giant tantrums.]

[bruxisms]

I have dealt with many a challenge in my life. Prior to arriving here, my army was in the midst of a snowstorm, and our supplies were beginning to dwindle. The conditions here are far more favourable, and I would be a fool to complain.

[ it certainly was a slight step above eating rats. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Wise. Hopefully your family would catch on quickly upon waking and following your example.

[bruxisms]

I have no doubt that Shireen, my daughter, will.

[ notably, he says nothing about Selyse. he supposes that she cannot help it, though. it is not her fault she was born a Florent, after all. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

How old is she?

[bruxisms]

Eleven. She is... a good child, and fond of reading.

[ though through her life, she had few friends. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

My boy up there is around the same age. Hopefully we'll both get them down here some day and they can entertain one another, though he's far more interested in sticking his nose into places it shouldn't be than reading.

[That requires sitting still.]

[bruxisms]

Such is ofttimes the case with boys, I am afraid, or at least it had been with my younger brother. My elder would ofttimes try to get me to accompany him on pointless ventures, but I would refuse.

[ perhaps that was why they misliked each other. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

He's well behaved for his age and upbringing, but boys will be boys. [He'd instigate a lot of those sorts of ventures, Claire imagines.]

[bruxisms]

I suppose. I have never had a son, but my younger brother was some twelve years younger than me, and after the death of our mother and father, I would help Maester Crssen with him on occasion.

[ for all the good that it did. ]