[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

text;

[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.

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

Will you tell me of him?

text;

[wolfdreamer]

What do you want to know?

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

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

text;

[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.

text;

[wolfdreamer]

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

What is your father like?

text;

[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.

text;

[wolfdreamer]

Do you live apart from him?

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

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

text;

[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?

text;

[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.

text;

[wolfdreamer]

But surely he must want to know you better too.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Most likely.

[And then, rather too quickly afterwards:]

May I ask about your mother?

text;

[wolfdreamer]

[He does not wish to speak of his father. And so Bran will not press; it would not be fair to do so.]

What do you wish to know of her?

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

What was she like?

text; KATIE STARCH

[wolfdreamer]

[There is less of a hesitation at this question.]

My mother is Catelyn Stark. She was once of House Tully, which is in the riverlands. She is very beautiful and she is very clever too. She keeps Winterfell running in good order and she is good at sums which I think is not common in a lady. She likes any flowers that can be found for there are few that grow in the North. She can sing well but she does not sing often, only sometimes at night. And sometimes she tells stories too. She can mend nearly anything and she can skip stones better than my father could.

text; I miss Carl Drogo.

[theshabbiestofmen]

She sounds wonderful (although I do think being good at doing sums isn't a gendered thing). What sort of stories does she tell?

text; SERIOUSLY he was so nice to Kelly C!

[wolfdreamer]

I mean that most ladies do not study much of sums but my mother did because she knew that she would be a great lady and would have to keep accounts. And she does not often tell stories and she does not know so many as Old Nan does, but when she tells them to us they are stories of the riverlands. There is one of a river king and his daughters. Sometimes the river king can look like a great silver trout. He has a beard made of water and weeds and he has a great temper but his daughters are sweeter.

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

Will you tell it to me at some point? I'd quite like to hear it.

text;

[wolfdreamer]

You would have to trade me a story in return, I think.

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

It's only fair.

text;

[wolfdreamer]

Then I will come to visit you, Remus Lupin, and I will bring Summer. And we will exchange tales.

text;

[theshabbiestofmen]

Do you know my room number?

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[wolfdreamer]

Is it the same as it was before? I knew it once from you were here.