[video. after some effort. he's doing his best]

[learned_to_die]

[A video feed comes in, but .. it's a black screen. Sounds of fumbling, muttering, and other movements can be heard - but no one is seen.

That is, until about 30 seconds in, when Ned seems to finally figure out how to use the overwhelming and odd contraption he was given. He was told he could use it to communicate with a "network," whatever that might mean. He's been fiddling with the thing for hours, and despite the simplistically written instructions, he finds the technology a bit beyond his grasp.

The expression on his face is pleased, content that he's finally figured at least something out. He's in the room he was given in the strange inn-like structure he was told to go to, though it's understandably and expectedly bare - no need for personal trinkets if his stay is going to be temporary (not that he's come with any to begin with).

After some maneuvering, Ned seems to get the hang of it and finally begins to speak.]

Well met to .. whomever might be .. watching this message. I am Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and .. Hand of the King. [There is some pain etched in his brow at this admission of title, but he presses on.]

I know not why I arrived here or by what means, nor do I understand whether I might still be in the realm of men or of the gods, Old or New, but whatever knowledge you might willingly provide or share would be of the greatest assistance, and you would have my gratitude 'til the end of my days. [Something unspoken flashes across his eyes at this, his lips tightening into a line before he softens again and, with a slight nod of his head, cuts off the video.]

Comments

[Video]

[borntolove]

[Have a man with really fluffy brown hair - that stands up and a blue pinstripe suit]

Well - [Holds that well for a few moments] It's more like neither, to be honest.

[Ten pops his mouth for a moment]

More like a world between both those worlds. Between the Gods and man.

[learned_to_die]

[That .. is not as helpful as Ned would have liked.]

I am afraid I still do not understand; there is such a place? A world between worlds?

[borntolove]

You're standing in it.

Pocket dimensions are funny like that.

[Video]

[aurabble]

Hi Lord-- Mr. Lord? Lord Stark, sir. We haven't fully established what this place is yet, but we do know that each city has its own spirit, sorta like a god, in control that protects us some way. Sometimes gods show up but they have just as much of a decision as either of us do to be here. And it seems to have been built with science too. Probably.

[learned_to_die]

[He lets out a quiet, gruff laugh.] Lord Stark, if you must, but I am more than content with Ned.

I am afraid I am unfamiliar with this term, "science," but the concept of city gods is intriguing. It stands to reason that one must be selective in choosing an eventual stead, then, to call home?

[aurabble]

[He rubs the back of his neck and looks uncertain, but he nods and smiles.] Hi Ned. I'm Jaune.

Science is... Hang on, I know this. Science is basically a fancy way of saying people invented and studied new things. It's a lot of numbers and facts, so it's pretty boring. Don't worry about it. You can always move, but it's probably a good idea to do some research first so you don't end up somewhere you hate or where it's dangerous for a couple of months.

[Video]

[wonderland_vogue]

[She wasn't really going to bother with this network thing until she hears this whole lord and king nonsense. Sounds like something she might have some knowledge on. Until those names are completely and totally unfamiliar. Bummer.]

What King are we talking about? And I've never heard of this Winterfell, either. Unless humans have decided to create some new kingdom or city or whatever, admittedly it's been a while since I've bothered to look at the maps. [She's not even trying to be rude, but it's probably coming off that way.]

[learned_to_die]

[Ned has two young daughters, one of whom is quickly approaching womanhood. Or .. was, if she is still .. No, he won't travel down that path of thought just yet. Point is that apparent "rudeness" is not something with which Ned Stark is all that unfamiliar. One does not father five children without having learnt a thing or two.

His tone and expression are full of patience and kindness, more easily drawn up than he could have expected.]

The late King Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, if we are going for formalities.

The North can sometimes be forgotten by those from elsewhere in the kingdom, as we are often solitary and quiet. But it is there, and has been there for thousands of years, settled in and created by the First Men of Westeros.

[wonderland_vogue]

[Somehow his patience and tone is throwing her off guard, just a little bit. Probably due to having dealt with angry and vicious people day after day, year after year, who are always wanting her dead or some such nonsense. It's... a little bit refreshing, if not inherently off.]

I... can't say any of those are familiar in the slightest, still. Though I suppose the welcoming nonsense here did say something about other... worlds. Unless you happen to be familiar with, say, the Felicity Wilds, Goldcliff, Phandalin, or Rockport perhaps?

Not that Phandalin seems to exist anymore, but that's more of a blow to the people that care about that cesspool.

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

What's a Hand of the King? I know of something' called an Emperor's Hand...my sister in law was one, once. Do you kill people who turn against the king? And what king...is it a planetary thing or one of those things that's just part of a world?

[It sounds like Mara to Han, after all. And where he's from, royalty usually rules the entire planet.]

Anyway, um, I'm sort of a helper around here..they call it a deputy. All we do know is that it's called Genessia and there're a couple cities to pick from. No one is sure why or how we wind up here, only that weird things seem to happen a lot.

[learned_to_die]

[That is .. quite a lot of information to throw at a newcomer, Han. Still, Ned does his best to remain pleasant and grateful, despite not completely grasping all of what the strange man has said.]

The Hand of the King is an important post, considered to be the second most powerful in all of Westeros, aside from the King himself. There are many duties involved, but some include commanding the king's armies, drafting laws, dispensing justice, and managing the day-to-day running of the kingdom. The Hand may also act on the king's behalf when he is indisposed, as well as sit on and run the small council if the king is not present. [There is a strange mix of tone in what Ned says: something along the lines of pride mixed with sorrow and regret. He does not feel the same about the position as he once had, prior to being asked so many moons ago.]

There is a saying, "What the King dreams, the Hand builds." [There is a significantly less-flattering saying that Ned refuses to repeat, often favored by the low-born.] As far as .. the rest of your question, I'm afraid I do not understand. A .. planetary thing? If you wouldn't mind clarifying ..

How does one choose a city? Is it based off of allegiances or occupation?

Video

[clevermind]

Hello lord Stark. My name is Belle.

[She's dressed like she's from a small farming town though without the signs of dirt on her clothes. Living in the city has done interesting things to Belle's out look but it has yet to change her style of dress.]

I'd be happy to assist you if I can. It's very strange waking up here and some of the technology can be hard to get used too.

[Belle doesn't know what he's used to but judging from his dress it might be a world with little technology.]

[learned_to_die]

Well met, Belle. Please, Ned is more than fine; there is no need for my title here, as we are far from Westeros, I gather.

[He nods his appreciation, offering a soft and subdued smile.] I would be forever grateful, if you were to extend such a kindness. The instructions, for as simplistic as they seem, I still find confusing. I am afraid we had nothing of this ilk where I am from.

[Video]

[youfool]

Good evening, Mr. Stark! I'm Ted. Welcome to the world: Genessia!

Well, there's much trivia to tell, though I shouldn't like to overwhelm so soon. Anything you especially want to know in particular?

[learned_to_die]

Please, there is no need for the use of "Mister," though I appreciate the formality. Ned is more than adequate.

[That is a weighted question. Ned has many questions all piling up at the back of his throat, but he supposes there is one more pressing than the others:] Is there any determination of who is pulled here and who isn't?

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ There's a blond lady on the screen, looking stern but just a hint of faintly amused. She seems to be standing in some kind of tavern. ]

I remember my initial problems with these devices, Lord Stark. Well met. My name is Eleanor Guthrie, of the Guthrie Trading Company. Welcome to Genessia.

What is the name of the king you serve? I've never heard of Winterfell. [ Or of a lord called Stark, but it can't hurt to be cautious. ]

[learned_to_die]

Please, there is no need for the use of my title. We are far from the shores of Westeros. Ned is more than adequate.

[Still, he is pleased that there are some here who still adhere to something like tradition, and he nods his gratitude.] Well met indeed. Do you prefer being called Eleanor or are you Lady Guthrie?

His full title is King Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.

As for Witnerfell, it is a stead to the far north and the ancestral home of the Starks. It is a month's ride from Winterfell to the Wall at the northern border of Westeros, and over a two months' ride to King's Landing, the capital of Westeros, to the south.

[video] (brace yourself, eddie)

[spacepeterpan]

[...it takes the Doctor a moment to respond. Frankly, he'd lost patience and spaced out waiting for Ned to get the video going right. When he does come on, Ned gets this baby-faced fellow in a bow tie and tweed.]

Oh, there we go, was wondering when you'd get it right side up, hello, Eddard, really, Eddard, though? What about Ed, Eddie, maybe, hello, Eddie, no, sorry, forget Eddie, Eddard's fine, hello, Eddard, I'm the Doctor, and whew, a lot of knowledge, might want to narrow the field a bit, for starters though, bow ties, very cool, and never let a ginge tell you otherwise, also, in case you missed the hologram, welcome to Genessia, probably not any realm you've heard of, so much, but I'm guessing by the lovely cloak and the lack of familiarity with smartphones that answers like "telepathic barrier" and "pocket universe" won't get us very far, so let's start off the other way 'round.

[He smiles brightly, casually sitting back in his chair, having apparently propped his phone up on something.]

Why don't you tell me a bit 'bout where and when you're from, and I'll see if I can't put things in terms you might find more familiar.

.... oh dear.

[learned_to_die]

... Yes, Eddard is my name. [Ned says this as though it is the most obvious statement he's ever made, and he finds the stranger's insinuations that this name is somehow inadequate to be highly insulting. There's a coolness, then, that seems to radiate out from Ned's video to the man.] You may not call me Eddie, no. If you must rely upon a shortened version of my full name, then you may use Ned.

[Ned's expression is mostly stoic, perhaps a bit icy.] Given that much of what you said already seems to be rather non-sensical, I am unsure of whether or not you might be able to alter you entire way of speaking to make it more "familiar" for me, as you say. Perhaps instead of me giving unnecessary information that might otherwise bore you, why don't you ask what you need to know?

video;

[innocent_royal]

[The image of young girl appears, regally dressed, but also simple and casual. She performs a curtsy in greeting for the camera.]

Good day to you, Lord Eddard. I am Anastasia, Princess of the Kingdom of Regnum Nivibus.

May I be of any assistance?

[learned_to_die]

[Although she is not a princess with whom he is acquainted, she is a princess nonetheless. He offers a deep bow to her, going so far as to disappear off-screen entirely, before standing upright again.] Your assistance is duly noted and appreciated, Your Grace.

Might you be able to tell me more about the different cities? It seems there is some great thought to be given when choosing a residence.

[Video]

[mikotwin]

[This one is young, but... something in her eyes is not quite as young and hesitant. She has experienced a similar experience before as well as been exposed to certain realities. She is one who was once a victim but has been enthusiastically learning how to be the opposite.]

I'm sorry, Stark-dono. Just like the world I found myself trapped in previously, there are few answers to your questions. Thankfully, it seems that the five cities here have some measures in place to prevent uncontrolled chaos.

[Oddly enough, it seems that some canine hidden behind her in the simple, white-walled background found the need to chime in with a rather affirmative woof. Minori's cheeks turned a slightly darker shade of pink but otherwise she didn't respond.]

[learned_to_die]

Please forgive me, little one, but - I am unfamiliar with this method of greeting. Stark-dono? It is nothing like what I have heard before. But please, Ned is more than fine for me. [He shakes his head, showing his ignorance. When it comes to speaking to younger folk, Ned is easily able to tap into his role as father to five Northern-born children, and everything about his person change to some extent - his expressions, his voice, his approach. They all soften to a degree and lose their harsher edges.] I am glad to hear that there are measures to help prevent this 'uncontrolled chaos,' as you said. Might you enlighten me as to what those measures are?

[The canine bark, and her bashful response, elicit a rumbling laugh from Ned, the kind that lives deep in the belly.] It seems you've a friend there with you. The sigil of my house is the Direwolf: enormous, ancient creatures similar to the domesticated dog, only wild and feral. I have a fondness for canines because of it.

Video!

[onlyvengeance]

[ This technology is woefully unfamiliar to Catelyn as well, and she is not entirely certain that she isn’t somehow communicating with a ghost. She should in all rights be one herself, after all. She recalls her own death clearly and her final conscious thought was of him, so it does not seem all that strange. Yet this is no afterlife she is familiar with. So somehow, they must live again. She will consider that in more depth later. For now, she gathers her courage and speaks, her love for him warm in the single word she speaks, past the tears she won’t allow to fall.]

Ned....?

/quietly sobbing in the corner

[learned_to_die]

[Her voice cuts through all of the residual clatter, both in and out of his mind, in an instant. His hands tremble, threatening to drop the device they so desperately clutch onto, but he manages to steady himself long enough to place the communicator on the small end table beside the bed on which he currently sits.

Tears prick and sting the backs of his eyes at the sight of her: the Tully auburn of her hair, the clarity of those eyes. It takes all of his strength to keep himself from crying out. Her face had been the last he'd seen behind closed eyes, the image of her so bright and fervent that it'd seared into his being before the blade came down.

He wished for her love, and happiness, and peace. He wished for her to love again and to raise their children with all of care she'd always shown them.

But how to say all this? How to convey all of these things now?

Instead, he clears his throat to dislodge the lump that's settled in, hastily reaching up to wipe at his eyes with his hand.]

It's me, my love. I'm here. Are you in the Commonspace?