There Must Always Be a Stark at Winterfell Farm

[song_of_ice]

WHO: Jon and YOU!
WHERE: De Chima and anywhere!
WHEN: Feb 5th
WHAT: Repairing, refurbishing and readying his farm
WARNINGS: None

After having received a farm from the city, Jon didn't hesitate to pack up what little belongings he and Sansa had and immediately move them from the city. The crowds, the noise, the tall buildings were too much for him. Rather than encounter so many people wanting to ask him questions and fawn over him for being an imPort, he was near desperate for the quiet of the countryside and a place that could at least seem like home.

The farm wasn't ideal, though. It needed a great deal of work and repairs. It wasn't any great hardship, given that he lived in worse conditions at the Wall. He knew how to fix most of the issues, though he would need supplies.

As much as he hated to, he had to return to the porter cities to acquire the materials he needed. Given how small his finances were currently, he was forced to travel outside of De Chima, looking for a better bargain than he might find in his city. Maurtia Falls had plumbers that didn't cost more than he could afford and Heropa had timber stores that were offering actual discounts (whatever those were, he wasn't about to complain). When everything was collected, he carried it all from the porter station through De Chima back to the farm.

For as long as he had sunlight, he would work at repairing the holes and patches in the roof and siding. With any luck, he and Sansa could actually stay there during the night.

Comments

let's get ready for a babyfight

[reek]

[ It’s taken Theon a few days to track Jon down once more. A question here, an inquiry there: eventually it all leads him to a ramshackle farmhouse away from the noise of De Chima. It’s a long trek, but Theon doesn't care. He has a bone to pick with Jon, and he doesn't waste any time. He stomps over to where Jon stands patching a hole in the siding and seizes him by his collar, dragging him to his feet. This is beginning to become an extremely regular thing, isn’t it? ]

What makes you think that you have any right to play with my mind like that?

[ His teeth are clenched, fire blazing in his eyes. He’s clearly angry, but something on his face show that he's genuinely upset too. His mind has been meddled with before, in Winterfell. Ramsay played his mind games, subtly twisting Theon’s thoughts and telling him all the things he wanted to hear. He doesn’t intend to fall victim to that again. ]

What give you the right?

BABYFIGHT

[song_of_ice]

[Ghost had disappeared in the woods, hunting and exploring as he used to beyond the Wall. This was where they both belonged, away from the towering buildings and crowded streets. They were more at home in the quiet and the vast expanse of wilderness.

There was no warning as Theon stomped behind him, only the sudden feeling of being yanked backwards and onto his feet. His hammer fell at his feet, his heels slipping in the mud as he whirled around to look at Theon.]

What-

[His powers! He had nearly forgotten.]

I don't control my abilities, Greyjoy!

[reek]

But you certainly knew how to control me, didn’t you?

[ He snarls, but there’s a slight quaver in his voice. He’s finally begun to crack at the seams. Before Jon can respond, Theon hurls a well-aimed punch at the other man's face. This is the most upset he’s been in his time as an imPort, and it all stems from a place of fear and grief.

Jon is not Robb. Being forced to behave as he once had in Robb’s presence leaves him feeling ill, and knowing that his mind can still be so easily toyed with frightens him. ]

You didn’t even try to stop it. You would have let me stay that way! I'm not your loyal little soldier, Snow!

[song_of_ice]

[Jon stumbled under the force of Theon's punch, dropping to one knee as he clutched his jaw in his hand. His eyes flashed angrily at the man, tempted to lunge at him as well.

He had a point at least, Jon had accepted his power's influence, preferring to use Theon to his advantage.]

You're not a loyal soldier at all. At least this time you were actually useful!

[reek]

[ It takes all of Theon’s power not to strike him once more, but it may not be enough if he remains on edge. His teeth remain clenched and his hand curled into a fist, wild-eyed and threatening to go in for a second punch. ]

Useful to whom? To you?

[ He snarls, shaking with his rage. ]

That isn't for you to judge! As if you’ve done anything to earn my loyalty!

[song_of_ice]

[Giving in to the impulse, Jon charges to his feet and lunges at Theon, knocking him into the side of the house.]

To someone other than yourself!

[He pushes away from Theon, breathing heavily as his anger mounted inside him.]

I don't want your loyalty. You have none to give, not to your family or to Robb!

[reek]

[ Theon hits the side of the house hard. It knocks the wind out of him and makes him wince terribly. That will bruise, but he’s not intent upon being beaten so quickly. He stumbles forward, trying to aim get another punch at Jon. ]

Do not speak of him! Do not speak about what you don’t know!

[ His voice quavers, whether it be with fear or anger or just plain emotion—or perhaps all of them at once. He continues to shake, still teetering on the edge. ]

I was loyal to Robb, then I did what I had to do for my family! You don’t know anything of it, Snow. You've never had to choose!

[illuminescent]

[She knows she has new neighbors; she knows because she has eyes, because she saw the for sale sign that had been up go down. But still, while Lucy was going to go introduce herself soon, she was taking her time.

As it is, she's in the woods, for once not on a horse, unaware that as she clambers and thinks to herself, she's cross the line between her land and the neighbors, at least until she comes into the clearing and sees Jon Snow chopping firewood, or some other kind of wood, for another purpose. She did not expect such a thing.

She looks around, like maybe she's lost, or perhaps he is.]

I do not think you unable to navigate.

[She has not forgotten that kiss, but for the moment she is willing to not bring it up.]

[song_of_ice]

[At the sound of approach, Jon had expected to see Ghost racing up with a bird in his mouth, having caught it during his exploration of the forest. The quiet of the woods was a balm to his exhaustion and frustration.

Things seemed to be shifting for him, actually offering him a bit of happiness. Which was why when he spied Lucy, he didn't shrink away or have fear in his eyes.

He had removed his tunic and shirt, needing to keep them as clean as possible as they were the only things he was willing to wear in this world. Sansa was still working to make him some more clothes, but until then, he had to take care of what he had.

Jon tossed a few of the logs into the pile he was creating.]

I haven't wandered too far. My farm is just that way.

[He pointed in the direction she had come.]

How are you?

[illuminescent]

[What she is is not used to seeing men without their shirts on if they are not in a sick bed, Jon Snow. She realizes she's staring, and then she's blushing, bright and furious, and turning to look in the direction that he's pointing.]

Ah, of course, then you are my new neighbor!

[Her voice is high and just a little bit too fast for it to be natural. Look. Her last relationship was with a lady, and shirts may have come off at some point, but that was after a while. Lucy is still a little bit old-fashioned, and a teeny bit too modest.]

Well, that is most fortunate, then, isn't it?

[song_of_ice]

My sister is here, as is her lady mother. The city gifted me the farm at the right time. I don't have to worry about either of them being alone.

[He only realizes then that he was half dressed. Lodging the axe in the stump, Jon pulled on his shit and tunic.

There was still no mention of the kiss, but it was on his mind. Sansa's advice having cut through his uncertainty and guilt.]

Would you like to see it?

[illuminescent]

Oh.

Yes, I did meet your sister. She is so pretty, and very kindly.

[That's not in order of importance, Jon. She sees him move, in the corner of her eye, and then she nods, finally turning to him. Oh. A shirt. That's much better.]

Yes, if you should have the time.

[song_of_ice]

[He's not exactly the brightest when it comes to these things. He managed too often make matters worse, as Lucy saw.]

She is. You have a bit in common.

[No, he's not dancing around the subject at all.

Once he was appropriately dressed, he gathered an arm full of the firewood, nodding at her to follow him.]

Sansa and Lady Catelyn are in the city, but I can show you around.

[turned_to_steel]

Do you need help?

[Sansa stood a couple feet away from where he was working on some of the siding, looking a tiny bit unsure about what she could do but determined to help anyways. Even if all she did was hold something, that would be good enough for her. Especially since he meant for this place to be a home for all of them. ]

[song_of_ice]

Not with this.

[Even if he did, he wouldn't subject Sansa to this work. She could handle herself and endure many discomforts, but it was difficult for him to shake the mentality he had been taught as a boy.]

I wouldn't mind your company. What do you think of it?

[turned_to_steel]

Why not with this?

[ She can't help but ask, arching a brow at him along with a little frown. Then she glances at the siding. ]

It looks good but it would go faster if you let me help.

[song_of_ice]

It's hard work.

[Yes, he knows he is being ridiculous.]

It's a bit tedious as well. You wouldn't enjoy it.

[He reaches for another piece of wood. The day was passing quickly.]

If you want, you can hand me what I need?

[turned_to_steel]

Are you enjoying it?

[ There is something in her tone that suggests she didn't know that one had to enjoy the work to get it done.

Then she nods, glancing around. ]

I can do that.

[song_of_ice]

[Fair enough.]

Take that board and hammer.

[When she was near enough, he pressed the piece of siding to the house.]

You want to lay it like this, covering any holes. Then, you hammer the nails into the four corners.

You understand?

Somewhere, the gods are laughing

[onlyvengeance]

[ This was all some great jape of the gods; of that, Catelyn was perfectly convinced. How else to explain this particular series of events, this strange place in its entirety, and the double handful of irony that she was to humbly live with Jon Snow, of all people. But she would have done far more difficult and distasteful things to be with Sansa again. She had managed to grit her teeth and tolerate Jon for his whole life; what was a few more years against that?

Travelling from the cities to the countryside had been a relief all its own, she would have readily admitted. The noise and clamor of city life was not and never had been for her. When she catches sight of him first, even at a distance, he reminds her so of her lost children and husband, that a knot of tears catches at the back of her throat. It is a long moment before she trusts herself to speak, and when she does, her voice has an edge that she does not intend. ]


Jon.

[It is a bitter cup the gods have given her, yet she will take it with both hands, smile and ask for more, for Sansa's sake. And though it absolutely galls her to do it, for his father's sake, she will see to Jon's safety as well. ]

[song_of_ice]

[She at least used my name. It's a small thing, but means a great deal compared to how she has treated him for the whole of his life. Despite the harsh words and cold tones, he had nothing but respect for Lady Catelyn. After all she endured, she still maintained a strength that many would not find in themselves. She upheld the words of her father's house, while bearing all of the ferocity of a wolf.

She was what he wanted in a mother, but had never been able to find. Regardless of this, he knew that she deserved better than to be in the city. She and Sansa should be together and should be protected. He would endure a great deal, just so that he could treat her as she deserved as his father's wife.

He had only just returned from the city, carrying a pile of lumber in his arms. At her acknowledgement, he bowed his head to her.]

My lady.

Is the house to your liking?

[onlyvengeance]

[ They have never had the easiest of relationships. She can't help but see a stranger, a woman she didn't know, when she looks at him, and though it isn't his fault, still she cannot change her feelings. The gods know she used to try. And perhaps here, she will try again. Such seemingly small steps they take, and yet they are so large. The house at least is safe footing. ]

It is a lovely home. You have done...well for yourself. I appreciate your generosity.

[ look at that, polite normal conversation. ]

[song_of_ice]

[The home had come at a perfect time. Both Sansa and Catelyn arrived in quick succession. Having the farmhouse meant they could all stay together and be out of the city. This was how it should be anyway. It was how his father would have wanted it.

For him and for Robb, he would look after Lady Catelyn as though she were his mother.]

It is not mine alone, my lady. It is as much yours as it is mine.

[onlyvengeance]

[She is touched by his generosity, though she isn't very likely to show it as of yet. Perhaps she will learn. Perhaps this new place, where all is so different....but then perhaps some scars run too deep to ever heal. ]

That is a kindness you do not need to offer. I have had two homes in my life, and lost them both. It is enough to have a corner out of the rain.

[song_of_ice]

Even so, my lady, I should like you to make it as comfortable as you need.

[He is afraid to meet her eyes, a man grown but as afraid as he had been as a boy. However bad an idea this might turn out, he wouldn't rescind his offer or begrudge her her anger.

All he could do was offer her these gestures of kindness. Perhaps someday she would learn to care for him, but he held no false illusions.]

Until I am able to build a stable and purchase proper horses for you and Sansa, the ambassador, Queen Lucy has offered us the use of hers.

[A pause.]

I should like you to meet her.