(no subject)

[song_of_ice]

WHO: Jon Snow and you!
WHERE: Training Center and Maurtia Falls
WHEN: 2/23 - 2/24
WHAT: Preparing to play the Game of Thrones Politics
WARNINGS: None

Training Center

[There were no more excuses to keep him from adjusting and learning about the powers he received. Time had passed and he was beginning to settle in (much to his chagrin.) Whatever the reason he was here, he wanted to at least control what he was given, both sword and powers.

Having left home at dawn, Jon spent most of the day at the training center. Ghost had followed him, needed as he attempted to strengthen his warging abilities. It was becoming less subconscious, but still just out of his reach. As was his emotional influence. When his mind became tired, he returned to the sword, practicing with his blade as he used to at the wall.

Needing a break, he took a seat at the side, drinking deeply from the water that he brought. He glanced at the person beside him.]

Do the powers become any easier to control?


Maurtia Falls

[Jon had responded to Baelish's call for assistance, genuinely intending to help see the building up and running. Once it was, he fully intended to make use of the selection. There were things about this world that he wanted to learn and know. Whether or not Baelish would have the information he was looking for, he couldn't say. There would at least be a history of this country, which would make a difference.

In between helping with construction, Jon purchased a few books on the politics of America at a nearby shop. He wasn't a great reader, devouring books with the same enthusiasm as Sam did. However, he had no advisers here. He had to rely on himself.

Seated on a bench, he began to slowly work through his books, listening to the sounds of the world around him. It was at least something to help him focus, something he needed with the difficult subject. Never before did he think he would be returning to lessons, it was only a shame that Maester Luwin wasn't here to see it.]

Comments

Maurtia Falls.

[trouvaille]

( the next time that jon sees gwen, she isn't alone; this time there's a dog on a leash at her side, an oversized thing with wolfish features that he may well recognise as having almost certainly been bred from actual wolves. he shows signs of being due to grow into his great big paws, rather justifying the inquiry of the last person to meet him if she found this great big beast at a zoo.

he slightly dwarfs her, little thing that she is, but appears content to keep her pace, constantly checking for her. for her part, she brings them to a stop across the road from the construction site, wrapping putin's leash around one hand and using the other to begin taking pictures of the project.

there's a slight pause when she registers she knows one of the faces; she weighs it a moment, but when she catches his eye, she waves. )

[song_of_ice]

[It's not the first time he has seen a young woman dwarfed by a large wolf. Even he, who is of no small height, seems small next to Ghost. The direwolf looks at Putin with interest, but remains at Jon's side, as though he can't decide what to do or how to respond.

Jon smiled at Gwen, glad to see her under better circumstances, looking far better than she did before. Hesitant, he approached her, still a bit out of his comfort zone when speaking to strangers.]

My lady. You are feeling better?

[trouvaille]

Yeah. Yes - I am, thank you.

( only a little bit awkward, and mostly because, you know. that was awkward, in the first place, and if it could maybe never happen again - or be mentioned - that would be just fantastic.

it could've been worse, though, and it wasn't, and she's not ungrateful. uncomfortable, but not ungrateful. )

Thank you for taking me home, I really - I did appreciate it, I don't remember if I said.

( she'd been a little distracted. )

[song_of_ice]

[He nodded, not about to ask or raise the subject further. It was awkward for her and it was awkward for him as well. The night had been awkward altogether, not just with her but others too.

Losing control in that way had been far out of his comfort zone.]

It didn't need to be said.

[Or mentioned again.]

Have you come to help with the library as well?

[trouvaille]

( on that subject they're speaking the same language, and it is a relief - a momentarily visible one, before she settles on smiling and reorienting her attention on the construction work going on - to find they're in agreement on what does and absolutely fucking does not need to be discussed.

he does, upon consideration, seem like the kind of guy who probably doesn't want it shouted from rooftops that he was holding a girl's hand. someone better introduce him to old spice before he starts wearing axe body spray. )

I wanted to take some pictures of the "in progress", ( by way of confirmation. ) Ambassador Baelish sent me one of those letters, I'd like to help with fundraising. My father and I do a lot of that at home.

( she's not quite at 'speaking in past tense' on the home front. )

Maurtia Falls

[reek]

[ Regardless of how many times they’ve come to blows, it seems like they’re always doomed to meet. Theon hasn’t seen Jon since seeking him out at the farm, and he’s just fine with that. He’s been angry and sore and not quite in the mood for looking at Snow’s face again.

He still doesn’t seem to be especially happy, but when he comes across Jon sitting on a bench with his nose in a book, he still can’t stop himself from coming up with a smart quip. ]

I didn’t think you knew how to read.

[ That’s ironic, considering the ironborn are the ones who aren’t much into reading. ]

[song_of_ice]

[It's exhausting to deal with Theon Greyjoy. For all of his delight to be reunited with Arya and Sansa, even Lady Catelyn to a degree, it didn't remove the one person he hated seeing in this world.

Jon doesn't look up, not wanting to see that smile that always seemed to grate his nerves. He hadn't forgotten how their last meeting went and had little interest in fighting again.]

If Maester Luwin were here, he'd take offense at that accusation.

[You remember, Maester Luwin, Theon? What happened to him?]

[reek]

[ Oh, Theon remembers. He can’t even find it in him to hate Luwin. He had pushed the old man’s counsel away, but the maester had only wanted to help. If Theon had acted more quickly, perhaps he would be at the Wall by now, rather than in the clutches of the Boltons. ]

Maester Luwin isn’t here.

[ His tone is sharper than he intends, empty of jest, and he struggles to mask his guilt. He saw what become of Luwin. A Bolton knight planted a spear through between his shoulders as Winterfell burned. No man of Luwin’s age could survive that, but Theon knows better than to try to explain. It’s likely that Jon already knows. ]

I can say what I like. Bastard.

[song_of_ice]

[Bastard. It's enough to make him want to laugh. The word had nearly lost all of its meaning. Ramsay had used it repeatedly, trying to make some point or rankle him with it. He had enough jabs and comments in the Watch to soften the pain that word used to cause.

He knew he wasn't a true Stark. Tyrion had said it best, it couldn't be used to hurt him now.]

What happened to him when you took Winterfell?

[The comment is said in a cold tone, clear distaste laced within. He only knew what happened after, to Sansa and to Winterfell. Never to those that had been like family to him.]

Did you hand him over to Ramsay Bolton or were you the one to kill him?

[reek]

[ “Bastard”. It’s weak, but it’s all Theon has. Jon has risen high in the world, whether Theon wants to admit to it or not. He’s a far cry from the miserable brat Theon knew in Winterfell. Now he’s a miserable but successful adult, while Theon has sunk lower than he ever has. ]

I never harmed Luwin.

[ Jon’s comment visibly stings, causing his mask to falter once more. He can’t save face this time, and a much as he loathes to do so, he has to sink down beside Jon on the bench. The images of Winterfell burning are still too fresh, and they weigh heavily on his mind and his shoulders. ]

A Bolton knights drove a spear through him when Ramsay took Winterfell. Whether he died then or later, I can’t say. I can't remember anything more after that.

Maurtia Falls

[fridgeflower]

[ Laurie's come up to Pennsylvania for similar purposes. The idea of somebody building a new library isn't one that she's going to turn up her nose at. Of course, staring at a construction site isn't very thrilling, but she'd also been able to look around a town that she didn't get a whole lot of looks at. Plus, it was a good chance to scope out public opinion, check out schools, maybe answer Mr. Baelish's letter with a visit to his office. Maybe. She hasn't fully figured out if she's prepared to talk business, even if the business of charity isn't a tough one.

Talking to somebody she knows, though? About something that's not business? Well, when she happens across Jon Snow reading a book, she feels much more prepared for that. She stops in the path on the sidewalk, holding up a hand in greeting. ]

Oh. Hey, you. How's it going?

[song_of_ice]

[The familiar voice caught Jon's attention, pulling him from his book as he nodded at Laurie. It hadn't slipped his mind what happened when they ran into each other during the black out. Her power hard to forget, especially the way that it had turned him so complacent and relaxed.

He nodded at her, setting the book to the side.]

I'm well, and you? [The urge to use formality was still there, calling her "my lady" on the tip of his tongue.]

How did you manage the rest of the blackout?

[fridgeflower]

[ Since a conversation's happening, it'd probably behoove Laurie to get out of the middle of the sidewalk. She approaches the bench, then, though she stops short of sitting down just yet. Even as she's grown more used to interactions with people over the years, she's still automatically wary of personal space and invading others'. ]

I'm all right. I got a little scraped up near the end of it, rolled my ankle, but no lasting damage was done, and... Well. I never got remotely close to being cut open at all.

[ So she made out pretty good, comparatively. ]

Are you taking a break for this world's action with some light reading?

[song_of_ice]

[It was for the best. Since the recent incident at the swearing in ceremony, he pulled back, uncomfortable with the proximity of others. He had difficulty showing emotion on his better days, what had infected them had only made matters worse.

She had escaped with less injury than he did.]

You managed better than a number of us.

[He looked down at the book, as though seeing it for the first time.]

I'm trying to learn more about this world and how it works. It's a bit of a heavy read.

[fridgeflower]

[ Laurie nods in agreement. Calling it light reading had been nothing more than a typical joke. Slogging through something like that, especially as someone unfamiliar with modern history if not the history of a whole other world...

Yikes. ]

Have you looked into text books? You can probably find something a little less dense and more structured, especially if you start with a lower level. Then you can work your way up.

Or you could take a class. I bet the local college would love to have another imPort around.

@ training center

[canaria]

[Sara's been here too, working on her own as much as she can - her loud scream. She's still not going all in with it, but she's working herself up to it. However, she is taking a break now.

She offers the man a half smile.]

So I've been told. Some easier than others, too.

[song_of_ice]

[He nodded, having seen her practicing her own as well. The scream had been unsettling, but he was becoming used to such things.]

Did it take you time to master yours?

[Assuming she did master it.]

[canaria]

I don't think I have yet. [Her smile turns a bit shy.] I know I'm holding back, 'cause you know, I don't want to break eardrums. Mostly I'm trying to see what else besides a noise I can do with it, if anything.

[A short pause.] I'm Sara Lance. [She figures an introduction is nice.]

[song_of_ice]

That was holding back? [He chuckled, a measure of surprise in his expression.] What else can you do with it, besides shattering eardrums?

[It went beyond the simple powers he had seen before.]

Jon Snow.

[canaria]

Yeah. [Accompanied by a short laugh.] If I locked myself out of my house, I could shatter the glass to get inside. Not that I have yet. [Knowing her though, it may be a matter of time...] I guess most things that could be affected by sound waves?

[She then offers a hand for him to shake if he wants.] Nice to meet you.

Training Center

[catchallthecats]

Honestly Jon how would I know? I only just got here.

[For all the words might be chiding, they were honestly said with far too much amusement to be serious from the girl who as it seemed was becoming a habit, had slipped in without any sort of noise heralding her arrival. Unnerving to companions, but Arya herself could definitely see how it could be useful, especially with her night-sight.

Needle at her hip, Nymeria settling in at her other side, head lifting as the direwolf absently investigated the smells of the place from her spot.]

[song_of_ice]

[He splashed some of his water at her, grinning at her playfully.

Life had become pleasanter since she had been brought to the city. There was a light that had been missing from his life, lost when he had been taken from his siblings. Seeing Arya and Sansa, it felt as though a weight had been taken from his mind. Even as he worried for their safety in this place.

He nodded at the sword.]

Have you gotten any better at wielding your needle? Maybe you want to spar with me?

[catchallthecats]

[She sidestepped the water with a smile that just turned into a burst of laughter when it left poor long-suffering Nymeria to get the faceful of water droplets, the direwolf shaking herself emphatically as if in protest of the treatment.]

I've been practicing but finding a sparring partner wasn't something that happened often. [Her hand settled lightly against the hilt, fingers curling a bit against the pommel, as if reassuring herself that the blade was still there.] I'd like sparring with you.

[song_of_ice]

[Ghost looked up from his place beside Nymeria, sniffing her quietly, as though he were confused where the water had come from. Satisfied there was no danger, he rested his head on his paws once more.]

Good, then you can learn what it is to fight an opponent.

[He closed his water bottle and collected his sword and pommel, having removed it during his training.]

Let me see your stance first.

[catchallthecats]

[Rude, Jon. Nymeria isn't sure what she'd done to deserve that. But seeing that her person is content to stay, she will just be throwing herself to the floor with a long, melodramatic sort of sigh near where Ghost is resting, only pausing to stick her nose against his neck and snuffle briefly before seeming to settle as well.]

I've fought opponents before. It's just not been sword against sword. [Sword versus knife, staff versus staff, blade versus nothing, but not sword on sword. But she'll move away from the benches into the wider space it was to the side of, drawing Needle free and settling into the stance she'd learned to be most useful when using the thin blade. Body held to the side, behind the blade, the tip held aimed for heart or throat. Legs slightly apart to aid in moving wherever she might need. ]