>>FROM:@AEGONNER >>TO:@ALL [backdated to ~a week after BASE arrival]

[northerndragon]

I have two things to speak on today.

The big white wolf is a direwolf. He's mine. His name is Ghost.

Dogs don't like him, horses don't like him, and he can bring down deer and elk. Not just can — will. He's half-wild, maybe more than half, and you won't hear him coming. He's never shown his teeth to a friend, though. If you're good to him, he'll be good to you.

The other thing — if you want to go out there, or you've been out there, and you're not used to the wilderness, time was when I was a kind of ranger. I have to tell you that I'm not used to this wilderness, but I'll help you if I can.

And if any of you want to train with swords, I'm your man for that, too.

If you're new to COST… well, ask Chiron which one I am, but looking for Ghost should give you an idea of it. I'd be pleased to meet you.

[OOC: Jon has his own log post over here for any and all recent BASE stuff, including interactions specifically with Ghost or with both of them, Jhashch training, camping (which I am pretty late on due to illness but would still love to do). You can probably have most any top level you want, if you give me a nudge -- PM, detectivefiction, or detectivefiction#1669 on Discord.]

Comments

[widow_of_the_crag]

[She's uncomfortable, it shows on her face as she slowly approaches Jon and Ghost. Her eyes were fixed on the large wolf, uncertain how he would respond to her. He seemed to be consumed by his meal, but she knew how quick they could move.

She shuffles around them, keeping as wide a girth as she could.]

Is it safe?

[northerndragon]

[First his expression brightens in welcome; then his gaze shifts between her and Ghost, then back to her.]

Safe enough for a time. Don't get between him and his food.

Sit down, tell me of your brother. Or get yourself something to drink first.

[There's already a cup of something at the table -- some sort of juice that he's been drinking. He'd asked for apple, and it's only approximately apple.

The room is otherwise deserted. He wouldn't bring Ghost in here when it's full of people.]

[widow_of_the_crag]

[She took that advice seriously, giving Ghost an even wider girth. If she could get a table between the direwolf and her, she would be a bit more at ease. How Raynald managed to get so close to these things, she'd never understand.

She peered over at the juice, deciding to collect something for herself as well. Tea was the best, it might keep her calm in this really frightening situation.]

Raynald would make fun of me for this.

[northerndragon]

[He watches her getting her drink, and keeps an eye on Ghost, who seems no more than vaguely interested in her presence.]

It sounds like your brother was brave. I wouldn't make fun of you... I know Ghost isn't an easy animal. And he's used to running around by himself, north and south of the Wall.

But he helped save Lord Commander Mormont from a wight once. And when I was injured, he hardly left my side.

[He doesn't mean the arrows -- Ghost was cut off from him then. He means the knife wounds, the one in his leg from Karl Tanner, and then... the other wounds.]

[widow_of_the_crag]

[She scooted awkwardly back around the wolf, giving as wide a girth as possible. When she took a seat, she made certain to put the table between herself and Ghost. It wouldn't do much to stop him, if he wanted to lunge at her, but it at least felt like some form of protection.]

You have a deep bond with him. Your siblings must have had one with their wolves too. I wonder if it's my fault that Robb was so willing to keep Grey Wind in the kennel when he visited the Twins. He grew used to doing that.

[Lady Catelyn seemed to disapprove, but she didn't seem happy about the marriage at all.]

My brother was a good man and his blood is on my mother's hands.