[video]

[wolfdreamer]

[The video feed is shaky to start with--a view of a corridor floor, to start with, and then the walls--a flash of grey wolf fur before it comes to fix on the ceiling-- There's whispered conversation in children's voices as well, one more irritated than the other. Whoever is handling this video is not accustomed to doing so, but eventually it straightens out enough to fixate on the subject of the video: Bran Stark, who is, impossibly, standing.

...and also wearing triangular orange sunglasses as well, but it's the standing that ought to be most astonishing.

He doesn't realize that the camera has finally found its focus, not at first. He is looking beyond still, at whoever is making the recording--but then he smiles, and glances self-consciously down at his legs.]

I don't want to make a very long speech. But--I'm Bran Stark. I have been aboard this ship for some months, so I have seen the threats and the dangers that lie on this ship. But I think it is important for people to remember that there are good things as well. [He bites at his lip, aware of how childish this might sound. He pushes his fingers through the thick ruff of fur at Summer's neck. The direwolf is standing beside him, and somehow the contrast of their size--a boy, and a direwolf nearly the size of a small pony--is even greater now, though Bran is standing.]

When I first came here, I was crippled, but as I have come aboard this ship, my friend Dirk Strider has made these robotic legs for me. [The way he pronounces the word is enough to prove that he is yet unfamiliar with it, and he smiles awkwardly to acknowledge that before he takes a deep and steadying breath-- and then he takes a step. It is a little uncertain, but he does not falter and, concentrating, he takes a second step, and then another, and he laughs, so pleased with his own success--he has practiced for this moment, but there is a difference between small steps in secret and a display such as this. His momentum is too great, and he knocks against the wall--Summer is there, pushing against him, and he steadies himself between the direwolf and the wall, his grin exhausted and exuberant all at once.

He gets in a breath to try to recover, but he is still grinning hugely, unable to banish the expression from his face.]

It isn't showing off--it's only proving that there are good things to be found here, too. And it's a surprise--I wanted to show everyone at once, in some way. [This is an unspoken apology, to Robb and Alayne and Jon especially, and he looks down with a little touch of shame, though not enough to quite overtake his smile.] And that's the end. Thank you.

[And with that, with his final little smile, the video turns around toward the ceiling again, shaky--there's a clatter, and it switches off.]

Comments

[ video ]

[hostage]

[Oh wow. Jesse has been feeling tremendously awful for his own reasons, but this makes him smile and he has to say something. He remembers this kid from like his first day here.]

Hells yeah, little man! Check that mad cyborg swagger, yo!

[ video ]

[wolfdreamer]

[Only some of that makes sense, but cyborg, that is a robotics word, and anyway Jesse's happiness is enough to feed Bran's own happiness, so he replies smiling, just a little embarrassed.]

They're wonderful, aren't they. I will have to practice walking before swaggering, I think, but--it is a good start.

[wolfinthesnow]

Bran.

[wolfdreamer]

Jon, where are you--I can come and find you. I wanted to show you, but I wanted it to be a surprise--

[His words come out in a tumble--he's far too excited to try to put some order to them.]

video;

[theshabbiestofmen]

They look wonderful, Bran. Congratulations. If you don't mind my asking, how do they work? By which I mean: are they braces, or--?

video;

[wolfdreamer]

Thank you, Remus Lupin, but--I don't really know--not for certain, anyway. The glasses help them to work I think. They are very strange, and they change the colors of everything, but they aren't unbearable. And there are attachments at my legs as well, but they aren't like splints.

video;

[ringbearer]

[ frodo stares in quiet amazement as his young friend takes his steps. he has never seen such work done, or made, and nor does he know the strange lenses he wears over his eyes. what he does see, is bran stark walking, and he stares riveted at the sight.

there's pride in his face, because bran stark always seemed quite strong for a lad his age, and something else that is rarely in his face: genuine happiness. frodo is smiling widely, as he quietly applauds from his feed.

his voice is very fond indeed. ]

Oh, dear Bran. You're walking! I don't know how, but you are. This is happy news!
[ and for a moment at least, all the shadows are gone from his face, because there is no room there but for joy. ]

video;

[wolfdreamer]

[Frodo's happiness--an actual and true happiness, of which Bran has only seen glimmers of before--shines brightly, even through this device, and Bran's smile grows in return. He is sitting down by now, resting--the walking is not too great a strain, but it's certainly taking getting used to.

He pushes the queer strange glasses up his face, though they do not hide any bit of his smile.]

Thank you, Frodo--I wanted to show everyone as soon as they were brought to me, but I thought it better to practice with them first. And I have been practicing for weeks now. They are easier than I thought they would be to use, even if I do not understand them.

But we can walk together now!

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

That's -

[He struggles a moment, trying to express his true sentiments but not quite certain how.]

Very remarkable, Mr. Stark.

[voice]

[wolfdreamer]

They're wonderful, Miles Edgeworth. They work through these glasses, somehow--it's almost exactly like walking. They're like magic, but they aren't magic. They are robotics. Only that seems to be very much like magic, I think.

[Chattering on and on like this is childish, but Bran is too happy to censure himself overmuch.]

[video]

[the_vishual]

I'm glad.

[video]

[wolfdreamer]

Thank you, Chase, I am glad, too. I think there are many dangers here aboard this ship, but-- there are good things. I want people to remember that.

video;

[soothing]

Oh, Bran.

[ She is so happy; unlike their last conversation, where everything had been worry, there's nothing but joy. ]

I'm so happy for you.

video;

[wolfdreamer]

[He draws himself up, gathering his composure--though his smile is still there, threatening to slip out.]

Thank you, Betty. I think it will be much easier to come and visit you now, so long as I have my brother's leave. Everything will be much easier.

permavid.

[culver]

[her eyes are so wide. she can't help the grin spreading over her face though, and the way her wings are almost flapping behind her back. she just looks so happy for him.]

[wolfdreamer]

[He laughs, first--not at her, but at seeing her so happy, at the fluttering of her wings and her smile. It's infectious, in its way, so his own grin is wide enough to match when he replies.]

Now I can bring pies to you, Nill! Once I have practiced with these legs, we can walk together.

voice;

[motioned]

[She recognizes the boy, and there's a short bout of embarrassment that she hadn't realized he'd been unable to walk, but it's quickly overshadowed by her wonder and fascination - along with excitement.]

Wow, that's amazing! Do you know how it works? How did he make them?

voice;

[wolfdreamer]

Dirk Strider called them robotics--they work through these strange glasses, though I am not sure how.

[He touches the frames a little self-consciously, still unsure of wearing them or what their actual purpose might be--but they work, surely that is all that he needs to know.]

He can make anything, I think. He is a prince with many titles and skills, and he built these legs very quickly. I think he has made some similar, before.

[syllogism]

Hey, it looks like you're doing good, lil man.
I was wondering when you'd be ready to let the cat out of the bag with this super big reveal.
But I guess there wasn't anything to worry about.
Looks like people are really impressed.
Glad I was able to get those running for you despite the various setbacks.
I think it's well worth it.

[wolfdreamer]

[As soon as he sees Dirk Strider's message, Bran breaks into a smile. He is quick to respond, so pleased by his friend's work as he is.]

Thank you, Dirk Strider, for all of your hard work. Everyone is asking about the work that you did. I do not know very much of robotics so they may ask you instead.

It is more than worth it. It is amazing. My house is at your service, Dirk Strider.

[ACTION]

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[She'd promised she would help Bran with the surprise - and she'd made him swear not to say any of her names while she did. There were too many people who were good at listening and watching, and she wanted to be careful.

But she also wanted to see her daywolf walk.

It didn't make her remember things that weren't hers to remember - how could it, with strange legs and those glasses? - but it did make the hole in her chest tighten, and she even allowed herself a smile when he took those quick steps with Summer.

Bran was walking.

When he was finished, she fumbled a little with the video, keeping well away from it until she could figure out how to shut it - then she turned to Bran, trying and failing to stop her grin.]

They work.

[ACTION]

[wolfdreamer]

[He is still braced between the wall and Summer, his breath coming short--but only because he is so happy. And because the strain of walking is something he is no longer used to, yes, but above that is his happiness, a happiness he sees reflected back at him on Arya's face.

The night wolf, and the day wolf. Even having her here with him would have made Bran happy enough. But she grins at him, and her face is more familiar still.]

I knew they would. Dirk Strider said that he could make them for me--I knew they would work.

[He looks down at his legs--they look strange, standing strong as they are. The orange glasses makes everything look funny, even Arya's face--but he turns his smile back on her anyway.] Thank you.

voice;

[therangerking]

'Tis a great gift that you have been given, my Lord. [ Low and quiet. It's a familiar voice. ]

The Man who calls himself Di-Strider crafts such miracles?

voice;

[wolfdreamer]

[He smiles--it has been some time since he has talked with Strider, but he is yet pleased to hear him.]

Yes--a very great gift. My house is indebted to him--I think I am still more indebted, since he made them for me. But he is called Dirk Strider, and he is a prince in his world. I had wondered if he was somehow of your house, though he does not look like you.

text;

[kringlefuck]

Holy frig, dirk crafted those for you?????
I know i sort of take hits at his mechanic building capabilities but that is astounding!!!!

You look fantastic, mate! That was surely a nice gesture for him to do for you.

text;

[wolfdreamer]

[This manner of speech is somehow familiar in its confusion. Bran stares at the words for a moment, trying to make sense of them--much the same way he has to work to make sense of Dirk Strider's words.]

Thank you. I am very pleased with Dirk Strider's work. He told me that he would be able to build the legs but it is very different to have them.

Do you know Dirk Strider?

[statsraaden]

[At first, Stats didn't want to say anything, because he'd come to understand he would freak Bran out by looking like one of his deceased relatives. But he cannot help saying something.]

Oh, you can walk!

[He even almost laughs at Bran's clumsy attempts. Almost.]

[wolfdreamer]

[He recognizes this voice, the voice of the man who says he is a ship, who looks like his father--but he is too happy to be anything more than just a little uncertain right now. So his answer is quiet, but no less grateful:]

Yes. It's almost like some-- like some magic.

text; whoops.

[insufferableprick]

hey bran stark
sup
looking pretty fly with those shades and robolegs
my bro made them for you??
sweet deal

text;

[wolfdreamer]

['Fly'? More strange words and colored writings, but...]

Thank you. You are a friend to Dirk Strider as well? [And then--it will mark him as less than knowledgeable, but he has to know--] What does bro mean?

[withfireandblood]

[ Oh. A Stark. Brb being cautious, and accidentally leaving her video on so that he can see her watching curiously and cautiously - may be a child but the name Stark leaves her feeling... worried. Possibly threatened ]

[wolfdreamer]

[It's her. The lady with the silver hair, the Targaryen lady. She says nothing to him--and perhaps he should say nothing in return. But he is a lord and a prince and a Stark of Winterfell--and he has legs, he isn't a cripple any longer, which gives him newer and better strength.

His voice comes out a little quiet when he replies, but not for fear.]

They're only legs.

( video )

[purrfectlycute]

[ THERE IS VISIBLE EXCITEMENT ON HER FACE. If that wasn't enough, she lets out a giddy, girlish squeal when she sees Bran walking. ]

Eeeee! Bran, I'm so happy fur you! Don't worry about the shakiness, you'll get used to it quickly! It took my furiend Tavros a bit to get used to his own robotic legs but now he can walk purrfectly fine. Oh, just be careful of stairs! Now those are tricky to master, heehee!

I think this is just further proof how remarkable the Strider clan is.

( video )

[wolfdreamer]

[A little flush comes to his cheeks at all of her attention, but Bran smiles at the same time, too pleased by her excitement to be properly embarrassed.]

I will be very careful with the stairs--but there are the lifts, too, so I will use those when I am first learning. Were your friend's legs just as these are? Dirk Strider has made others, I think. He is very remarkable, and a very good friend to me--my house is in his debt.