of cloudless climes and starry nights

[theladyofwinterfell]

WHO: Sansa Stark
WHERE: Her home in the residential section of Blue 21 on the map (if you've met her, feel free to assume you know where she lives), at the Agriculture Center, anywhere between the two points.
WHAT: This is Sansa's last post because she HAS THIS CHILD SHE HAS BEEN PREGNANT WITH FOR 1000 YEARS. So she is very large, trying to still be in a good mood, and really wants to not be pregnant anymore.
WHEN: 28 April - 4 May
WARNINGS: TBD



Sansa spends most of her time walking now. She walks from home to the city center, from the city center to home, and to each and every place in between. She tries not to go anywhere dangerous or with rough terrain; she is nowhere near as nimble as she once was and she fears falling and hurting herself or the child. Still, there's plenty of places she can go without pushing into anything remotely dangerous and that's what she does.

Her back only eases when she moves. It's contrary to what she's always believed as women typically took to their beds before birthing but perhaps women in Westeros are not correct about birthing. She's willing to believe that considering the number of women who die in childbirth - including her own mother by law. She doesn't worry so much about dying, though, not with Altair, and Wanda has said she will help with the birth. She's still afraid of pain but she's borne pain before and can do it once again.

In the agricultural center, she tries to tend plants as best she can without actually bending down or picking up anything heavy. It's a difficult task, actually, and Sansa is grateful for her height and ends up only tending those that hang in baskets in the air or those potted and settled on tables in front of her. It's good to have work to focus on, at any rate, and she's grown tired of sewing for this very moment.

By the time she trundles home in the evening, she settles in her chair with feet propped and works on sewing. Sometimes it's mending and sometimes it's some of the last baby things she can make before the child comes and she won't have the time to sew or do much of anything but be a mother. She believes whole-heartedly that Tyrion will help her with their son much more than most fathers in Westeros do and her friends seem to be gleeful at the prospect of a child but all the same, she will shoulder much of the burden alone.

Comments

[tallasaking]

Tyrion often accompanies his wife on her walks. Not that he is worried about her, or her health, or anything with the baby ... it is just that he is terrified, Truly terrified. He never had the chance to meet his own mother, as she died in childbirth. Sansa could very well fall into the same category -- although he did trust the doctors here more than he trusted any of the midwives back home. Still, he could not lose his wife, or his child. If he lost them together, he might in fact go insane and try suicide with more effective means than wine.

They are walking along the street where the shops are, and Tyrion is gesturing to them. "I think we should have one of these street stores. Perhaps they have enough room that we could also build our home here as well."

[theladyofwinterfell]

"Looking for something bigger? I think where we are is big enough for the babe and us just now," Sansa says. Still, she admires his looking toward the future and gives him a sweet smile.

"I'm not going to say no to future plans. Besides, I might want another child someday. How many did you have in your vision? Four? I have to get busy if I'm to have four children for you."

[tallasaking]

"Well, let us see if we can both survive one babe for now." Tyrion stated, his mis-matched eyes glimmering humor. "I do not want to get smug and then have this child beat us both in a game of skill and wit. Namely, being adorable."

He swung their hands together. "Regardless, I will find us a more secure place to live. Other spaces are opening up now -- and I want our child to be safe. For You to be safe."

[theladyofwinterfell]

"I suspect the child will beat us there and soundly," Sansa says, laughing softly. "And I understand your concern and share it. I suppose after he comes, we ought to have some sort of party, shouldn't we?"

Sansa doesn't know if she's up for planning such a party but she's certain if she asked Wanda or someone else to help her, they could arrange such a thing.

[tallasaking]

"If we do, I am planning it and hosting it." Tyrion stated firmly, squeezing her hand. "I want you to heal your body and rest as much as possible. Children are quite exhausting to parents within the first few weeks, especially the mothers."

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa colors a bit, almost shy at the idea that Tyrion wants her to rest instead of getting right to work. Women in Westeros, even noblewomen, are meant to bounce right back after giving birth and to resume their normal lives as quickly as possible. Tyrion seems to care so much for her that he wants her to rest and take care of herself, not see her as merely a body to give him an heir. It's a nice feeling.

"Well, I shall let you plan it, then. I just know a lot of people are going to want to see the baby. It's the first one - of anyone in the Fleet."

[tallasaking]

Tyrion nods his head in satisfaction at her agreeing so readily - he honestly did not think he would have a fight over it but at least he knew that Sansa trusted him with such details. Of course, he had organized his own fair share of entertainments so, perhaps this wasn't as much a surprise as he thought it was. As long as it was suitable for their baby.

"Well, then we're going to have to have some sort of bassinet ready, so everyone can come by and see the little wolf."

[theladyofwinterfell]

"Absolutely. I'm sure between the two of us we can craft something. If nothing else, I can swaddle him and everyone can come peer at him in my arms. I'm certain Steve, Bucky, and Wanda are going to want to hold him. They've been clamoring for it."

Sansa laughs softly. "They've all volunteered to keep watch over this child before I've even had him. I suppose we'll have plenty of chances to have a break when we need it."

[out_of_order]

Walking takes up a good chunk of the padawan's daily activities. There's little other choice if one wants to get around, and with so many places to poke around, the real problem is deciding what area to explore for the day.

Today however seems to have included swimming as well, given Cal's slightly soggy state as he walks along the main street from the flood plain, his little droid clinging to his back as is his usual place.

He runs a hand through his wet hair, slicking back his bangs as he looks down the wide, empty street. Or maybe not so empty as he senses before catching sight of someone further down the way. Behind him BD-1 beeps, peering over his shoulder. Once they're within view of Sansa, Cal raises his hand in a wave in greeting.

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa greets him aloud and draws closer. She knows everyone's faces at this point even if she doesn't know names and while her walk is more of a waddle than a graceful stride, it doesn't take long to cross over to him.

"You seem as if you've half drowned. Intentional or not?" Sansa didn't know how to swim until coming to the Fleet and it still isn't an activity she seeks out very often. She certainly hasn't done it since she's been pregnant.

"I'm Sansa, by the way."

[out_of_order]

"Semi-intentional. Not that I'm unused to going for an unexpected swim like this," he admits, smiling crookedly. "BeeDee and I were exploring along the edges of the flood plain."

He doesn't seem entirely surprised when the woman introduces herself. His conversation with Tyrion feels like it's been a long while ago already, but there can't be many pregnant women here otherwise.

"Cal. And this is BeeDee-One," he says, grinning a bit as the droid hoots a greeting from his perch behind him.

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa has grown used to the presence of droids now so she greets BeeDee-One separately before she greets Cal himself. She's not been to the flood plains yet but she suspects she will once the baby's born.

"It's my pleasure to meet you then. I've had to restrict my travel to places where it's easy to walk but hopefully once the babe comes I can do a little more exploring. It isn't really my thing but I've grown a little more comfortable with it than I used to be."

[out_of_order]

Cal smiles a little at that. "Likewise. I've met your husband- although it was only through the communicators. He spoke well of you." Aside from how fierce she could be if he didn't manage to return safely home when he had been caught in the storm.

"I can only imagine how difficult it must be. How much longer?" He's not exactly an expert when it comes to babies and pregnant women, but Sansa looks well into her pregnancy. It doesn't take his feeling BD-1's shifting about behind him to know that the little droid is just as curious about the matter, his oversized head tipping to the side as he peers around Cal's arm.

[theladyofwinterfell]

"Hopefully, not very. A few weeks, I think," Sansa says. "Based on my calculations, anyway. It's never an exact thing, when a baby decides to come into the world, but I do have a general idea and it's going to be soon. Thank the Gods. I am exhausted."

Sansa hadn't known Tyrion had spoken highly of her to someone else and she smiles a bit. "Oh, well, Tyrion is a bit biased, I'd think, but I'd speak highly of him as well. He's a wonderful man and a wonderful husband. As boring as it may be to hear of such things, we're very much in love."

[out_of_order]

"You are doing things for two people now," Cal laughs. He's sure anyone would be exhausted. Bearing a child is no easy task.

"I can tell how much you two must love each other. It's not boring at all. I'm glad you're both able to be here together." This place seems hardly one to suddenly find yourself in the situation of expecting a child and having to care for it as well as yourself, but from what he can tell of Sansa and Tyrion, it doesn't seem like they're the least bit worried.

[theladyofwinterfell]

"I am as well. I could raise a child alone," Sansa says. "But I am glad I do not have to. I am glad he's here with me and that we'll be able to have a marriage and a family. We're very lucky. I wish for such happiness for everyone here though I know not everyone finds happiness in bearing children."

Sansa looks down and laughs a little. "I'm not certain I'm happy about it right now. I have reached the miserable state of this pregnancy, I believe, and I want to carry my son in my arms and not in my belly."

Plant Time

[doubled_speed]

Listen, it's not often that Tommy goes out of his way to seek out Sansa. There's the wolf. Even after all this time since meeting the creature when they'd first been trapped together on the ship, Tommy had never gotten over the direwolf. Too dog-like. Even with the size. Yeah, he understood she was sweet, but he had been nervous anyway.

But now? Now he doesn't want to give distance. Tommy? He's a worrier, and as his Aunt Wanda's friend fussed about with plants, Tommy hovered around nearby, nervous. Or he did until he realized he was being stupid and probably stressing her out. So it was that Tommy moved to grab up a large, heavy pot from another area and carried it over to Sansa, putting it down on a nearby table in an easy place for her.

"How about you tend to this, and I make sure you have work between my work? I hate bending over to do the potted ones."

Which was an actual truth, no question about it. He liked the plants he could sit in the soil next to. It made him feel more connected.

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa knows that Lady makes Tommy wary so when he comes to help her, she sends Lady away. "Lady, go hunt. You're not to pester Tommy." Luckily Lady is well-trained and always behaves (except where food is involved) and is happy to pad out of the building and to open fields and woods. She needs a good run anyway since Sansa is barely able to walk her any longer. It's only after Lady's left that she starts working on the plant in front of her.

"I know she makes you nervous," Sansa says. "I didn't forget. She wouldn't harm you but our nightmares aren't so kind to us. She'll be just fine by herself for now and I would prefer that you were comfortable."

The division of labor is good for Sansa, who no longer has to bend down. "Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it."

[doubled_speed]

"Of course I'd help. Stupid to think you wouldn't want to be doing something right now."

Stupider to assume that if anyone told her to stop, she would. This woman was close to Wanda, and if Tommy knew one thing about his 'Aunt Wanda', it was that she was stubborn and probably surrounded herself with stubborn people.

"Thanks. I... I'll get better. I don't like making her suffer because of me."

[theladyofwinterfell]

"Lady is kind and protective," Sansa assures him. "She cannot talk, unfortunately, but I feel that if she could speak she would tell you that she cares more for your comfort. I care more for your comfort, too, and Lady loves the woods."

Sansa works a bit with the plant she has before her, trimming back dead bits and searching for insects that might be affecting its growth.

"How have you been? And Billy?"

[doubled_speed]

Tommy? Less of a fan of the woods. Woods were full of things a guy could trip on. But he'll nod along because that's how you conversation.

"I'm doing as good as I can be. Made some medals of achievement for our local droids. Moved in with my brother and his fiance. Had family disappear. You know, all the normal."

[theladyofwinterfell]

"Vision leaving has been hard on me as well," Sansa says, empathizing with him on that front at least. "He was a cherished friend of mine. I've known him since we were in the Fleet, where some of us came from before we came to be in this place. He was a good man."

She lets the words settle before speaking again. "Tony seems to think I should be spending more time with you, your brother, and your fiance than I do with my older friends. He seems to think we're more of an age. While I'm absolutely going to still spend time with Wanda, Steve, and Bucky I would also like to get to know you, Billy, and Teddy better."

[doubled_speed]

Vision was a good man. Better than the one back home. Tommy... didn't know what to do with that. With how acute the loss of him was. Not to mention Lorna. People who loved him, just gone.

"Wow, any advise Tony Stark gives is worthless. Guy's an ass," Tommy counters. Why should age matter? Ageist, anti-magic asshole. Still, he's a bit shocked. "I mean, can't see why you'd want to hang with me, but yeah, Bill and Ted are great. And with you being so close to Wanda, makes sense. Like, friends of Aunt Wanda have got to be good people."

Yeah, Tommy at least has taken to calling Wanda that, to make it less awkward, but still family.

[seeingscarlet]

Wanda's also out for a walk, or more specifically, Thistle is out for exercise and Wanda is tagging along. They're both happy to see Sansa and Lady, and the little dragon follows Wanda as she trots over. "Hello, and hello to you too," she says, kneeling to give Lady a good scritch behind the ears. Thistle, for her part, chirps happily at Sansa.

"How are you feeling?"

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa takes a moment to greet Thistle and is rewarded with another chirp. Lady is in bliss getting ear rubs and Sansa herself couldn't be happier to see one of her best friends.

"I would hug you but I do believe I'm so large now that we couldn't manage to actually do it. I'm feeling...tired. So very tired. I feel like I could sleep forever but I know that sleep is going to be something precious for me in the next several months. Babes don't care about sleeping."