002 -- video;

[northerner]

[ robb's face is like stone, his voice like ice, and the mask of kingship just barely hides the undercurrent of fury in his voice. in his tone there dwells bared teeth, raised hackles, all just barely contained. for all the kingly restraint, the viciousness of it shines through. ]

There is a man upon this vessel named Magneto, who has done a great harm to my brother's companion, a lady named Alayne Stone. I call upon you to present yourself to answer for your crime, ser, and save me the task of hunting you down.

[ there is a moment's pause, as if he would say more but thinks better of it, and then disconnects. ]

Comments

video;

[darkholme]

What, but- Magneto wouldn't, he- [ Well, maybe he would. But not for no reason. ]

What happened? Is she alright? The woman.

video;

[swagneto]

[ Shit, not the response Erik needed to hear from her right now. ]

I'll explain later. [ His tone is curt, not apologetic in the slightest but it's better she hears from him rather than anyone else. ]

voice;

[20mentholkools]

Unless you're gonna blame the man for a demon's crime, you've got nothing left to hunt.

voice;

[northerner]

If he is blameless, I would hear the truth of it from him.

ACTION | PLACEHOLDER | OPEN to ROBB, BRAN and PETYR

[wont]

[ She does not let them leave her sight, one must be with her always. Although she has died and been risen again, Alayne has yet to be as she once was. (Perhaps she will never be the same again.)

Warily, she sits at the foot of his bed as he issues his declaration. He may be young, younger than the Robb she remembers hearing stories of during the war, but even pups have maws. (And the Young Wolf does not hesitate to bear his fangs on her behalf.) Only when she is finished does she reach for him, extending a tentative white hand.

He has kept her secret. Another debt owed. ]

ACTION YES GOOD

[northerner]

[ the only thing that has kept robb in check is his sister, his sister who won't let him leave her, who is pale and silent and carries a new-made scar across her stomach. she does not wish to be alone, so he sits at her side and watches and waits and when his hands shake it's from anger, not fear.

she reaches for him and he takes her hand immediately, slides close enough to put an arm around her. he does not fool himself and think this is what will heal her. (time, she needs time, he tells himself) but he holds her as if his arms are stone walls, as sturdy and familiar as winterfell itself.

i'll kill him, he wants to say. the words are there in his throat, burning like fire, but he swallows them down and stays silent. for the moment, the young wolf isn't snarling. ]

[ not here FOR NOW ]

[grndnpnd]

[ But Tommy's watching this post and making little fists. ]

[ action ]

[puppydogeyes]

[Taylor notices those fists, just like she noticed his response to the other post. She hasn't looked at the network herself this time, but she can guess it's a follow-up, and it's not good. She hadn't said anything about the first - there'd been nothing to say, really, and they still had demons to hunt and devil traps to paint. Taylor didn't know the girl, had only talked to her the once. But Tommy did.

She steps back from the trap she's just finished painting on the wall, like all she's doing is checking she got the symbols right.]

We could head back.

video.

[verylittlesugar]

[Mattie scowls at the screen for a long time before finally sending a reply.]

What did he do, and are you certain it was him?

video.

[northerner]

He put a knife in Alayne Stone's belly. It was his name she said when I asked who had done it.

video.

[swagneto]

[ There is no point in trying to hide himself right now, when after Mattie's post and the conversations floating around regarding the supposed demons, Erik puts two and two together, realizing just why this has occurred. He remembers what went down, the little pieces between his possession that he put together, Alayne asking for mercy, Erik's control slipping, and the memory that wouldn't exactly fade away that this was entirely his fault to begin with.

He's never been one to back down from a challenge, not when it's deliberately targeting him, Erik's issues with sorting things out between the people he trusts momentarily forgotten - sorry Raven, Charles, and Alex - pressing matters to attend to. Turning on the video, there is the barest acknowledgement of any emotion on his face, short of mild irritation at the situation unfolding. Robb's address is public and as such Erik returns the favor, when hiding has never been something he's been fond of. ]

That is a matter between myself and Alayne. It is none of your concern, Stark.

video.

[northerner]

[ anger is choking him. there's a moment of silence, struggling to force it down. it would not be kingly to lose control of himself and scream the way he wants to, to snarl and snap out threats before throwing aside the device entirely and going to hunt the man down himself.

( i'll kill them all. every one of them. he'd said once, and strange how those words had followed him even here. ) ]

It is my concern when someone causes harm to me and mine. She is a member of my household.

[ the lie sticks in his throat, but it is necessary, he knows it is necessary even if he hates it. in public he must say alayne stone and never, ever sansa stark. ]

( comment not here. )

[besiege]

[ Cat's watching this post like a hawk, though she has no comments to offer. You're rather an interesting character, Robb Stark. ]

( comment not here. )

[northerner]

[ hi cat, enjoy watching robb threaten people's lives :3 ]

[not here]

[syllogism]

[ /popcorn.gif

That's really all there is to say on the matter. Dirk's keeping tabs responses to this network entry. The accusation that Magneto had harmed Bran's companion doesn't sit well with him.]

[not here]

[northerner]

[ enjoy that popcorn, dirk. ]

video.

[ohhdeer]

[ there's a primal part of asa that is very, very unnerved by this man-- but he knows it's only the 'other' part of him, and anyway, he's here about alayne. ]

Is she-- Is she okay? Alayne.

video.

[northerner]

She lives still. In time I hope she shall recover.

ENCRYPTED | 95%

[wiretap]

[ She's gone through the post. She's read the responses. ]

alayne stone is dead.

[ Aberdeen's ears don't lie to her. And after Petyr Baelish's call had gone out over the Networks, she'd focused and listened and knew the outcome of that particular tragedy. (Little girls don't deserve to die.)

If only she'd listened a bit longer— ]

ABERDEEN WHAT IS THIS ROBB DOESN'T EVEN...

[northerner]

[ lol as if robb stark can manage encryptions and texting. the king in the north has figured out the video function and left it at that.

but regardless, her insistence catches him off guard. perhaps she had seen littlefinger's post and assumed the worst, but robb's voice is cautious when he replies. ]

She is alive, my lady. I can swear to it.

voice;

[butwedonot]

[ His response is quiet, almost tentative, vowels softened by his accent, ] Dare I ask what he did? [ He wants to refute it, but as things stand-- after that last conversation, he doesn't know if he has it in him to do so. Instead he will inquire politely, trying to gauge the severity of such 'crimes'. ]

voice;

[swagneto]

Charles. [ He doesn't say anything more, because there a number of things that went down, a series of explanations he'd afford only Charles in private, not over a communications device Erik doesn't trust. Everything you need to know, Erik would offer it up freely, making it five - six? - times he's offered Charles everything he needed. ]

You should ask.

NOT HERE.

[fly_like_pie]

['We make choices and we live with the consequences. If someone gets hurt along the way we ask for forgiveness. It's the best anyone can do.'

Right, now if he could actually say something, or even show his face in circumstances that do not involve Alayne dead on the floor. But this need for bloodshed is unsettling, sitting in a soapy mix of "wrong" and... "just really wrong."

But no, the Pie Maker will choose to hide away with his secrets and personal griefs. Good god, someone else must have died and that doesn't make him any better. So, he will watch.]

[not here]

[doomhoops]

[ As much as Alex's favorite hobby is bitching about Erik, he's keeping his mouth shut here. He knows hostility where he sees it, and regardless of if this is true or not, he's not going to encourage it. As much as he dislikes him, he doesn't want Erik hurt, and more so, he doesn't want someone trying to go after Erik and getting hurt themselves.

He'll ask Erik about it later. Or maybe he'll just stalk all the conversations here for the story. ]

Video;

[theblogger]

You're the brother of... Bran Stark, I take it?

[ It's hard to say what expression John is wearing. Weary, perhaps. Guarded, maybe. Grave. ]

My name is John Watson. I'm one of the doctors in the medical wing and I... knew Alayne briefly.

[ Something flickers in the former soldier's eyes, but he swallows and carries on without a tremor. ]

We're sorry for your loss.

[ Because someone is going to have to answer for the lack of care from the ones who purported to give it. And no one else is here - it's just John. ]

Video;

[northerner]

Yes, Bran is my brother.

[ a doctor, something like a maester, as robb understands it. there is a pause before he replies. ]

I thank you for the sentiment, but Alayne Stone lives yet.

voice;

[unparental]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey. He did-- are you sure?

[ her first instinct is GUN BLAZING YELL AT THE ASSHOLE WHO INSULTED HER FRIEND OR WHATEVER ERIK IS but then again... demons. ]

voice;

[northerner]

I would not make such accusations if I were not.

[ for all that robb is prone to flying off the handle, losing his temper and charging off swords drawn and snarling, he is a man of honor. the accusation was only made when he heard the truth of it from his sister's mouth. ]

[action]

[wolfdreamer]

[They cannot leave Alayne alone. That is unspoken. This is as much for their sake as it is for hers--Alayne is quiet and cold but alive, and they must guard this miracle to ensure that it lasts. If her life is a candleflame, then every draft of the ship threatens to snuff it out, and it is the job of her brothers to stand watch. Sansa's brothers. Not Alayne's. The line between the two has blurred ever more in this accident.

But even standing watch tastes slightly of some failure. Where were they before? And Bran knows that Robb bears most of this blame on his shoulders--he is the eldest and a king and whole; he will think it all his fault and absolve Bran of any blame--and that is an unbearable thought, too. So even as he listens to the fierceness of this message (a fierceness that he understands, a fierceness that he feels too), he knows what current runs beneath.

They are watching Sansa, always; they cannot leave Alayne alone. But there are times when she falls asleep (which is frightening, too, as if she will simply slip away again as soon as her eyes are shut), and these times must be used--so after he hears Robb's message, Bran waits for such a chance. Alayne is very close, but he leaves Summer with her and finds his brother alone. His wheeled chair makes him clumsy and makes his approach obvious--but Robb would know him even if he were able to walk quietly.]

Will you fight him? [It seems a silly question. The snarl is present on Robb's face even when he sits quietly. He will fight for Sansa. But a fight is a different thing, different than justice, sometimes.]

[action]

[northerner]

[ for his family, robb will fight whole wars. people often forget that, forget that robb stark set out from home with his banners to rescue his father from cersei's claws, wrench his sisters from the mouth of the lion. people forget how things started and only remember how they end, with crowns upon tully curls and bloody battlefields and direwolves ripping throats from lannister bannermen. but it was all done in service of his family, for the love of his father and his sisters.

and here it is the same. robb will put his sword through mangeto's throat if need be, if he finds his explanations lacking or the proof insufficient. this is the man whose hand ended sansa stark's life. robb isn't sure if there will ever be a convincing enough explanation for the hows and the whys of it, even if there are those who speak of possession and of reassignment of blame, as if even that can take away the scar from his sister's stomach and remove the pale hands of death from her face.

sansa had asked him something similiar, and robb has to breathe out a sigh, scrub a hand back through his curls. he must keep his temper. he must notbe rash and he must be fair and just and listen to all that is said before he passes judgement, even if his dearest wish is to retaliate, cut open magneto's throat for what he'd done. ]

If I must. I shall listen to his tale before I do, Bran.

[ because every man had a right to speak his case, before judgement is passed. ]

voice;

[starked]

[ betrayal. (how could you- you're someone i trusted- you were supposed to be my family-) the thing about tony is that ninety percent of what goes on the network is seen by him. this wasn't on the network though, and yet he heard (watched) them talk. that wasn't the talk of someone who would decide to stab someone. alayne may not be a stark (hes's not really even one but at least he has the last name) but she's important to bran and she's important to robb because of bran. and ergo, tony has to give some shit about her.

he's watching all of this that he can get his hands into. sorry everyone. he finally speaks after having a voice feed on for while. ]

How bad is the scar?

voice;

[northerner]

[ the strange southern stark, robb had wondered if he would speak. he had wondered if he should contact him, say a terrible thing has been done to our family and take the measure of him that way. but sansa had taken priority, taken up his time, and robb had not. there is a moment of hesitation before he replies. ]

She will not let me see it, but I...the wound was a grevious thing. I cannot imagine the scar is small.

video | private

[grndnpnd]

[ Not long after Robb's decision to let Magneto come for a chat, Tommy spends a few seconds figuring out how private messages actually work. ]

If he doesn't want to leave nicely and you need back-up... [ Tommy doesn't actually finish the sentence but the implied Call me is fairly obvious on his face. ]

video | private

[northerner]

[ hello greatjon ]

I appreciate your offer, ser.

[ there is a pause. ]

You care for Alayne. Would you keep her safe in my stead, were anything to happen to me upon this vesel?

( NOT HERE )

[seem]

[ Given some time, perhaps, the boy might not have made the worst of kings. But as he watches the network, now, he can't help but feel something akin to amusement. The communication is understandable but foolhardy, but unable to be undone, now. And so he does not chide the boy — he would not take well to it, he imagines — and so he does as he is told, staying to the margins and taking up a place by Alayne's side only when neither of her brothers are there to fill it. Robb bears him no particular good will and that is not a position that he seeks to exacerbate. ]

video;

[theshabbiestofmen]

There must be some mistake-- I know he was possessed not a week ago, could it not be the work of that demon?

[A beat, and then:]

How is she?

video;

[northerner]

She lives.

[ and she is pale and silent as the grave, but robb does not add that. ]

Magneto and I shall speak. If that is the case...

[ then robb doesn't know what he'll do. it will stay his blade, and that is perhaps the main thing. ]

( voice )

[purrfectlycute]

[ Gasp!!!! She may not know Alayne but she's vaguely familiar with Magneto. SHE IS SHOCKED AND APPALLED and at this point she should really be used to people suddenly turning homicidal. sob. ]

Oh no! I'm so sorry Robb, I hope she recovers soon! I know of Mr. Magneto, but I didn't think... I guess you really can't see these sorts of things coming.

[ Of course there's all the stuff with demons, but SUDDEN MURDER IS A MORE LOGICAL CONCLUSION. Story of her life. ]

Is there anything I can do to help? I'm not furmiliar with human anatomy so I'm not sure how useful I'd be with medical aid, and I'm not really one fur, y'know, hunting people, but if you need back-up in some sort of skirmish... well, it wouldn't be right to just sit by while people are hurt!

[ Equius would be so pissed about this. Seriously she needs her moirail to keep her from getting into trouble. ]

( voice )

[northerner]

[ oh nepeta, you forever inspire something protective in robb. ]

Are you well acquainted with Alayne, Nepeta?

[ for he could hardly take her with him if he were to fight, and perhaps the safest place for her was with bran and alayne if she wished to help. ]

text; private

[syllogism]

[Some time has passed, and Dirk has observed more than enough of the responses to finally formulate one of his own.]

I would hope any misunderstanding between you and Magneto has been clarified.
I cannot vouch for his innocence but would instead ask you if he'd spoken truly.
How is Alayne's condition? And your brother Bran, how does he fare?
It's to my recollection that he was not in Alayne's company at the time of her injury, so I hope that nothing untoward happened to him.
Might I visit when all of you have the opportunity after things have cooled down?

private

[northerner]

Bran is well, and stands vigil at her side, as does her father, Petyr Baelish. She recovers, but slowly.

Magneto and I shall speak soon. I will not act until I have heard him out.

[ his temper would hold. robb would not allow himself to lose it, even if he'd like nothing better than to do so. ]

When she is better, I am sure she will wish to entertain guests. I would be happy to have you come to her rooms, ser.

[text]

[doggedly]

[Alayne Stone, eh? Practically, there's no use in getting mixed up in a situation that (even at a cursory glance) seems quite mixed up, but at the same time who the hell goes about doing great harm to girls? And-- well, honestly, what sort of gentleman wouldn't feel something over such a grievous crime to such a fit girl.

So.]

great harm meaning shes all right more or less?

[And then, after a second of thought:] shes not receiving guests
but can there be presents

video because robb doesn't text 8c

[northerner]

She will recover in time, I am sure. She requires a great deal of rest.

[ a pause because suspicious ]

If you wish to send her a gift, I am sure she would not object.

VIDEO 1/2

[consulting]

[ Alright. Fake Vicar's outfit in place. Meaning he's borrowed a button up shirt and stuffed a card in the middle. He doesn't have enough for anything more elaborate. He'll open to the video feed and approach with a mournful and sombre expression. ]

I am so sorry for your loss, sir. I had known Alayne very well in her time and regret to hear of this news. I am a man of God, If I could see to her and offer prayer, it would do the utmost comfort that I could help her have a safe passing.

2/2

[consulting]

[ And then a few moments later, he'll take time to actually read the comments in the post. A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN TONE. ]

Oh. She's not actually dead yet? Well, contact me if she dies. I prefer to text.

[ just gonna casually remove that stupid card and unbutton his shirt. ]

audio;

[rebelled]

[Well, he's at least 90% sure that this is the same girl that Aberdeen had wanted him to revive. Which means that either Alayne wasn't as injured as she thought, or they'd somehow found another way to heal her.

Interesting.]

She is well?

audio;

[northerner]

She lives still. Given time, I hope she shall be well again.