001 | video

[wolvesremain]

[ When the feed begins, only the side of a boy's face can be seen; blue eye wide but drowsy from lack of sleep, pale skin, and a peek of a mess of auburn hair. He looks young, but weathered. His attention isn't on the camera, though, and when he speaks, it's to address someone else entirely. ]

That isn't yours. [ The camera jostles as he reaches

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( video/action/IDEK )

[practiced]

[ Ever since Arya's arrival, followed quickly by that of Jon Snow, Sansa has made a habit of checking her bracelet several times a day - twice in the mornings, once when the sun is highest, three times in the afternoon as it darkens into evening. She is not foolish, or at least that is what she tells herself; she will not hope beyond hope for Robb's arrival, or mother's.

But still she checks, which is why it is not long after Robb posts that she finds herself scrambling - yes, unladylike - from the back of her wagon. She had known that voice and that blue-beyond-blue eye. Grey Wind, he had said and so that's what Sansa calls, her skirts twisting about her as she forgets all courtesy long enough to shout over the sound of the carts: ]

Grey Wind! Grey Wind, to me!

[ It had worked when Jon Snow arrived. Surely, it would work now. ]

( action! )

[wolvesremain]

[ Whatever Robb was expecting, it wasn't that. When Grey Wind hears someone calling him, his ears perk to attention and it isn't long before he takes off in the direction the voice originated from. Startled, Robb only really has moments to react and follow the direwolf, duck all but forgotten.

It's when he catches sight of that familiar Tully fire hair that his heart speeds up and his own composure all but melts. Grey Wind gets to her first, of course, happy to see her, but not quite so happy as Robb. He hesitates once he's about ten feet away in sheer disbelief before he closes the distance. His sister, his little sister, in one piece and surely far from the Lannisters.

He doesn't wait to gather his own words before he moves to pull her into a fierce hug, the air in his lungs all but evacuating. Grey Wind busies himself by returning for the duck Robb dropped. ]

( action! )

[practiced]

[ It takes Sansa a moment to catch sight of that familiar shadow ducking between ox and horse and cart alike. But when she finds it she refuses to lose sight of it again, refuses to blink even though the dust has kicked up into her eyes, making them water and sting. ]

Grey Wind, [ she says again, the name spoken like a memory only now just returning to her. Sansa thinks to stoop low to greet the large beast but she stops herself just short of bending, realizing that no, Robb will be here soon, and when I see him again, I must not be upon my knees.

Hastily, she smooths her skirts, rumpled from her descent from the cart. She touches her hair, she straightens her back; she tries to look poised and composed and a lady. It will make him happier to see me, Sansa thinks. It will make him proud, even if I am unworthy of it.And so, when Robb finds her moments later, Sansa is waiting, her hands balled into tight fists at each side as she wills herself to stillness. A lady would not run, would not throw her arms about him and squeeze

( action! )

[wolvesremain]

[ Sansa could be layered in dust and dirt and Robb wouldn't be less happy to see her than he is now. He hadn't thought it possible after all that had happened; the war, the politics, the mistakes. And yet, here she is, in front of him and in his arms.

He feels her sob - how could he not? - and pulls back, lifting a hand to tug off a leather glove so he doesn't dirty her skin by touching her with it. The glove falls to the ground and he touches her cheek.

You're real; soft, warm to the touch, and solid. Bone and flesh. I'd thought you a ghost or a dream.

He'd had dreams of their reunion too many times, but none of those dreams could compare to the real thing. And when he smiles, it's for her and a smile that hasn't graced his face since Winterfell. ]

Are you well, dear sister? [ He pulls back enough to look her over for any injuries, for anything out of place. ]

video;

[protectify]

We've had a major influx of wolves lately, seems like. Um -- Hi...

It's probably no big deal - he's just as hungry as the rest of us, probably, so like... I dunno, offer to fix a wagon wheel sometime if they get mad? Most people are really friendly.

video;

[wolvesremain]

[ It takes Robb a few moments to realize the voice is coming from the strange thing on his wrist. He hits the correct button long before he knows it's on and squints at it. ]

There are other wolves here? [ If he looks surprised, it's because he is. The whole situation is a bit surreal, after all. Not to mention there's the fact she's addressing him from the thing on his wrist. So, he'll focus on that as she gets a decent view of Grey Wind's nose. ] Are you... trapped in there?

video;

[protectify]

What? In the -- the watch-phone thing? No! No, this is just how people talk to each other over long distances here. I'm a real girl - flesh and blood and not an image. Um - I'm probably way ahead of you travel-wise, though, so this is... probably the closest you'll ever see me unless you need help and we wait for you, which - I guess, if I can talk Giles into it -- [ STOP. Stop talking, Buffy, shut up. He's new. He cannot handle your word barf. She pauses and shakes her head. ] Not important. I'm Buffy, I'm not trapped inside your watch, and yes. I talked to someone a few days ago who had a wolf, too.

video;

[wolvesremain]

[ Congratulations, the word barf actually manages to stun Robb into a few moments of silence. He extracts the important parts of what she said, thankfully. He isn't bothered by it, just overwhelmed. ]

A pleasure, Lady Buffy. I am Robb of House Stark, King in the North. [ A pause and a polite smile. ] Might I ask for the name of who you spoke with?

[video]

[wolfinthesnow]

[Jon is out doing his, you know, job, when he checks his strange little wristlet thing to make sure that Sansa and Arya have not called for him.

Instead he sees Robb.]

Robb Stark.

[Why yes, that is a smile. Ghost takes off in search of a littermate]

[video]

[wolvesremain]

[ What even, Jon. Ghost finds Grey Wind a few beats before Robb can figure out how to reply. When he does, it's with a grin. ]

Jon Snow. With the talk of wolves, I should have known.

[ He spares a glance for the wolves. ]

It seems Ghost has found us, but you're nowhere in sight. Has the Wall made you slow?

[ And he's right back into teasing. He'll find Jon instead if he has to. Ghost will lead them to him, he's sure. ]

[video]

[wolfinthesnow]

They're likely the only wolves around for miles, now.

[He is packing up a few rabbits]

No, it's simply given me a healthy appreciation of food and silence, when I can find it. I'll be there in moments.

Have you seen our sisters?

[Our, because for the last few days, it's been....relatively peaceful. As peaceful as these things can be, when Arya and Sansa are in the same cart.]

[video]

[wolvesremain]

Something to be thankful for, I suppose.

[ And he almost responds to Jon's new appreciation of food and silence until it clicks that he said sisters instead of sister. The our is also a good sign. ]

... Arya is here as well?

[whistleconcert]

[The sight of the wolf seems to have perked someone else, and despite Blues' attempt at watching quietly, Tango has other ideas.

Congratulations, Robb, there is a green robot cat meowing curiously at your wolf, sitting in the lap of a man in sunglasses.]

[wolvesremain]

[ Grey Wind looks more confused at the display than Robb does as the wolf's eyes train on the green robot cat. Robb knows better, though, and soon chides the wolf in an effort of precaution. ] Stay, Grey Wind.

[ With that, Robb turns to the man. ] My apologies.

Permavideo, whoops.

[whistleconcert]

No need to apologize. Tango's never seen a wolf quite that large, and I admit, I haven't either. Though I've heard there's at least one other giant wolf around.

Thank you for keeping him from mauling my cat, though.

permavideo.

[wolvesremain]

Direwolves are scarce even in Westeros. I've heard mention of that as well. He arrived with my half-brother, Jon Snow.

May I ask what sort of cat that is? I've never seen one of its likeness.

video;

[cowboy_newsie]

Is that a direwolf?

[A beat.]

Oye, oye, are you a-- d'ya know a girl named Sansa?

video;

[wolvesremain]

It is, yes.

[ The last question earns him a wary look. ]

... How is it you know my sister?

video;

[cowboy_newsie]

She's here. She's been here, she's-- oye, which brother are you, then?

video;

[wolvesremain]

Robb Stark, King in the North. May I ask your name? [ And why you're not calling his sister 'Lady Sansa', sob. ]