ａｕｄｉｏ + ａｃｔｉｏｎ.

[wolfchild]

[ she begins without preamble, speaking clearly and surely. ]

I have things to trade in the cafeteria. There's hams and cheeses, doughnuts, and juices. Socks too, and wet wipes, toys and jewelry. I've got books too for those who want them and markers in lots of colors. There's a lot more too. I'll be here all day or until it's all gone.

[ she took over a section of the cafeteria for her use. her direwolf lies beside her, guarding both her and the cart.

her wheeled cart ( commandeered from the clinic ) is full of items: the top has a tray of finger food from the promised cold hams and cheeses to oysters and shrimp packed in ice with sauces alongside, even cooked mini pizzas. below are assorted vending machine goods in their wrappers, sacks of ground coffee and hot chocolate, and a dozen fresh doughnuts. she has a pitcher of lemonade and a half-gallon of fruit punch.

in the drawers are assorted items such as wipes, hand sanitizers, socks and scarves, toys including a stuffed bear that moves and talks when you press its stomach, a few books and papers and markers.

hidden inside a bag at the girl's feet are a few cartons of cigarettes and small bottles of whiskey and wine for those who can pay a little extra. ]

Comments

[wolfchild]

[ once she's pleased with the result, she hops up onto her feet. arya guides robb to the floor where she can more easily get to his hair. she wraps a towel over his shoulders to catch whatever she cuts, then combs her fingers through his thick red hair. ]

How short do you want it?

[wolfskin]

[ he pauses, brow furrowing in apparent thought. ]

As short as it was the day you left for King's Landing. Do you remember?

[wolfchild]

[ her hands still in his hair. ]

Yes.

[ then she continues brushing it out. it's soft to the touch, thick and strong, and a color she always envied, the only one of lady catelyn's children without the tully red hair and blue eyes. ]

It was snowing. There was snow in it. Here. And a lot of it here.

[ arya points out the areas combing her fingers through them. she takes care not to pull and wonders if peace always tastes of grief. ]

[wolfskin]

[ if she tugs on his hair too tightly he does not show it, he sits still and lets her comb his hair with her fingers. ]

Was there truly so much?

[wolfchild]

[ she makes no answer. not when she cannot speak for fear of saying something she should not. arya measures a lock of hair with her fingers and cuts the excess.

sometimes she remembers and she would claw at her own memories to remove them.

was it a knife that did it? a blade no bigger than the scissors that come so close to his neck now? a bolt from a crossbow could bring down a man, but robb has always been so much stronger. the young wolf that cannot be killed.

red curls settle on his shoulders and on the floor. arya continues cutting. when she is almost finished, she comes around in front of him. she sweeps her hands through his hair, checking that the sides are even. she never looks him in the eye. if she does, she might scream.

when she is satisfied, she moves back. ]

I'm finished.

[wolfskin]

[ he reaches before she can move too far away, trapping her tiny wrist in his larger hand. he can read her mood, can see the way her shoulders tense ever so slightly. something was said that stirred up a sadness in her.

robb tugs her towards him, until he settles in her his lap. caring little about the strands of hair laying about his shoulders and the floor around him. his arms wrap around her and rests his chin on top of her head. ]

You have my thanks, little sister. [ he presses a kiss to the top of her head. ]

[wolfchild]

[ arya lets him position her as if she were a doll. she tucks her chin into her chest. her fingers twist themselves into the laces of his leathers. when he thanks her, she tugs on his beard. ]

You haven't even seen it yet.

[wolfskin]

I have faith in you. [ he smiles down at her. ] I know you did a very good job.

[wolfchild]

[ it earns a little smile. she tugs on his beard again. ]

You still have to get this trimmed.

[wolfskin]

Must I? [ mock pout. ]

[wolfchild]

Not if you want to look like a fuzzy bear.

[wolfskin]

I do not look like a fuzzy bear.

[wolfchild]

Not since I cut your hair. Now you are only a bear.

[wolfskin]

Lady Mormont would find that pleasing, if it were the case.

[wolfchild]

[ who the hell is lady mormont, does she need to shank a bitch.

arya's mouth twists. ]

She can't have you.

[wolfskin]

[ he laughs and shakes his head. ]

I fear Lady Maege Mormont has no interest in me aside from protecting my life. She is my bannerman, Arya.

[wolfchild]

[ it does little to settle her. arya retains a sour expression. the joke managed to strike a negative note in her. some ugly emotion twists in her chest. ]

She still can't have you.

[ arya crosses her arms over her chest and glares at the floor. ]

[wolfskin]

Arya. [ he cannot help his smile. she is jealous of a woman who treats him more like a son than she does a king. ]

She is still in Westeros, you have nothing to worry about.

[wolfchild]

[ she fixes him with an indignant glare. ]

I'm not worried. And I don't care where she is because I don't have to be worried!

[ if she knew what maege mormont sounded like, she would be mocking her right about now. ]

[wolfskin]

Is that so? [ his lips press tightly together. it does little to save him. ]

[wolfchild]

...I am going to shave your head.

[wolfskin]

Arya! [ NOT HIS PRECIOUS HAIR. ]

[wolfchild]

[ she sticks her tongue out at him. haha she wins! ]

[wolfskin]

[ cruel little sister. robb laughs anyway, shaking his head. ]