[text + bonus 30 second wolf video]

[wolfdreamer]

[The post begins with a direwolf, peering with sharp curiosity into the device. It is a short video; it lasts only for about a minute, just long enough to take in the sheer size of the direwolf--large enough to fill the frame until he shifts to sniff at the device, and then you can see that he's very large indeed, and not only because of the perspective. But he's friendly-looking, for a wolf, ears pricked, eyes bright--and then the video ends.]

--

This is a direwolf, called Summer. There are six direwolves aboard this ship, and they are all of House Stark. They are not a threat to anyone save to those that might mean threat to the Starks. They are not pets and they are not tame, but they are not wild either. They will not bite you without reason. If they cause some mischief, you need only inform any of my House, and we will make right whatever they have wronged.

People are often afraid of direwolves. You need not fear any of our six. You may be wary but do not attack or provoke them and they will do you no harm. They are rarely apart from us so there should be no reason to do so. But I thought it should be said, as there are new people aboard this ship.

I am Bran of House Stark, and by my word, Summer will not harm you. If you would like to meet Summer, you may.

[SO THERE. And Bran might end there, all that having been said, but... a few seconds later, and he adds:]

I have some questions, too. I am looking for someone that might perform a wedding. And I am looking for people that might know of [--and this is more delicate to say--] transformations.

Thank you.

Comments

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Who on earth needs to be married?

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[wolfdreamer]

There are many people aboard this ship. There might be someone that requires a marriage. And I wondered if there were those that could bless marriages. There are many groups of people assigned to tasks but I do not think that there are any priests or septons aboard this ship.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

I think a captain is qualified to do so as well. I'm not certain if we have any of those (other than the obvious one, but he hardly ever gets in contact with us), but they might work as well.

That's rather thoughtful of you.

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[wolfdreamer]

Do you think that all captains can bless marriages or must they have some special training? We are more likely to have captains than septons I think.

I think I am more curious than I am thoughtful.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

All captains, I believe. It comes with the position.

What got you thinking of it?

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[wolfdreamer]

Then I will make my search for captains too. Thank you for telling me.

I heard other people talking of weddings. And when I speak to other people of their worlds, everyone has different customs. It was interesting to me.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

At least someone appreciates the differences between cultures. It's quite fascinating, isn't it? What have you discovered thus far?

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[wolfdreamer]

I do not think that there are any priests aboard this ship. And I think that most weddings are the same with different customs. Are you interested in weddings?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

I'm interested in anything, really. Anything that makes us different and similar to one another.

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[wolfdreamer]

Are there more people similar to one another here, or have you found that everyone is very different?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

I haven't asked about marriage, truth be told, but as for cultures: oh, yes. Look at our own: I have a feeling yours is far more concerned about honor and warfare than mine is.

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[wolfdreamer]

Not always warfare. We do not like having wars.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Well, no, I should imagine no one does. But honor can be won from battles, can't it?

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[wolfdreamer]

Yes. But there is honor in doing many things. My father was a man of honor even after the war. Everyone knew him to be a great man and lord.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Will you tell me of him?

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[wolfdreamer]

What do you want to know?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Whatever it is you wish to tell me. What's he like?

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[wolfdreamer]

[There's a short pause before his reply this time.]

He was a good and just lord. He liked spring snows. Ser Rodrik had charge of training us at arms but my father would sometimes give advice or join us in the yard if he was not very busy. He was usually very busy. He was always fair.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[Carefully he notes that past tense, but doesn't comment on it.]

He sounds quite noble. Someone you'd be proud to have as your father.

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[wolfdreamer]

He was. I am proud that he was my father.

What is your father like?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[A pause.]

He's a good man. He cares about people. He has a love of literature.

[A beat.]

I don't . . . I'm afraid I don't know him very well.

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[wolfdreamer]

Do you live apart from him?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

For most of the year. I go away to school in Scotland, and he lives back home, obviously.

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[wolfdreamer]

And Scotland is very far from your home. [It is a bit like being a squire, Bran thinks--different, maybe, but similar enough. And perhaps it is asking too much, but he is fond of Remus Lupin, and he is curious, and so:] Do you wish to know him better?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[A bit of a pause.]

Yes.

[Another pause.]

I think he feels guilty for my being a werewolf. It isn't his fault, it's not as if he knew one was going to be near, or that I shouldn't be outside, but-- I think that's why he doesn't quite like to talk to me as much as we used to.