[network/video] @baelfire; day 011, morning [open] [cw: character death]

[jumpship]

[ the video opens shakily, the boy's face a little puffy and red, dark rings under his eyes like he hasn't slept over night. he's not entirely meant to turn the video on but he doesn't hustle to change it, either. it's early, maybe too early for most people to be up, he thinks. ]

What happens when someone dies? I... I have seen so many people come back, but how will we know if they will?

[ his voice comes out a little steadier than he'd thought it would, honestly. he takes a deep breath. ] How long did everyone have to wait before they came back? I... I think I'd just like to know.

And if they don't come back, what do you do then? How do you even get to say goodbye somewhere like this? Is there absolutely no way out when the doors are locked? When someone gets--

[ another deep breath. ]

Sorry.

Comments

[kingofthenorth]

North and beyond the Wall, they say there are beings called the 'The Others' or 'White Walkers'. I've not seen one with my own eyes, but they've been been defeated by the First Men over 8,000 years ago. Before the war, a man executed by my father for abandoning the Night's Watch spoke of one of these beings. I've heard whispers and stories from my own men that if you don't burn the dead bodies, they will rise and be pawns of the Others.

...For our sakes, I hope this is not true here.

[Robb didn't exactly believe the stories, but the look on the man's face will always stand out to him. He wished he could have spoken to his bastard brother about it more.]

[jumpship]

[ although Baelfire is mature for his age, has seen his own world of horrors, those things still sound terrible. especially if those creatures can control the bodies of the dead. it makes his stomach twist in fear. ]

Do... do you think it could be possible here? [ he's heard of people coming back, but they don't seem to be controlled or mindless in any way, and most don't look dead. they look very much alive. ]

[kingofthenorth]

[Robb's features softened, realizing poor Baelfire was making him think of his younger brother Bran.]

I haven't heard of any such things. No one has made it appear that this is true. I too have heard of people coming back, and if they seem whole, perhaps our greatest fears aren't coming true.

[jumpship]

[ forgive the big sigh of relief, because for a moment he worried that those awful stories might be true. ]

I'm sure everything is fine. I... it's strange for people to come back, but I'm glad they are. I... I think the more of us we have here, the better. I'll just keep hoping my friend will come back, too.

[ he frowns a bit, wondering how long he'd have to wait before he'd know if Hook was returning or not. ]

Those creatures in your world... they sound awful. Is much of your world like that? [ better to distract ones self, right? and besides, gathering information on where people are from might help determine what this place turns out like. ]

[kingofthenorth]

Aye, I've been fortunate to find my sister here, otherwise I've yet to come across anyone other than those I've spoken to on this tablet.

[At one point in time, Robb though solitude would be fantastic, though the more time he spends here, the more he realizes that he'd much prefer to be around people.]

No, it is not. There are rumors of blood magic and dragons, but I have not seen any of that myself. What is your home like, Baelfire?

[jumpship]

Oh, you have a sister? That must be nice, having her here. I mean, I know it isn't safe, but it is good at least!

[ because company out in the cold is definitely better than nothing at all. he remembers how lonely his first few days were. ]

There's magic where I'm from. But I wish there wasn't. I... was on an island for lost boys -- with a boy named Peter Pan, a dark spirit. I've been pulled to different worlds before, I just... don't know if this one is any worse than the one I was in.

[kingofthenorth]

She's the only family I have here; I've not heard anything regarding my youngest brothers or sister.

[They were dead, last he heard, but then again, so was he.] If you meet anyone with the family name Stark, perhaps they are kin to me.

[There's a shake to Robb's head.] You're not the first I've heard mention other 'worlds'. I've not known any of this experience, and yet wonder how I've arrived here myself.

[jumpship]

I will let you know if I do. If they're you're family, then they're my friends.

[ because somehow, Robb has gone down in his books as one of the good guys. it's nice to have adults that speak to him like an adult, like a person, and not a foolish little boy. ]

I... I don't know how we arrived, but where I'm from I was, well. Magic dropped me into two different places, really. So... so it could be magic that brought us here? But I'm not sure.

[kingofthenorth]

To me, that is the only thing that makes sense. However, this world has more technology than my own. These metal squares and water that comes out of the pipes is an entirely new concept to me.

[There's a half laugh.]

In ways, this is a luxury. Tablet communication is much faster than sending a raven.

[jumpship]

It... it has much more than my own, too. I think these tablet things are just magic.

[ he pouts a little, looking at the tablet as though it still confounds him. and it does. ]

W-wow! You sent a raven with messages? We just have messengers and men on horses. How did the raven know where to go?

[kingofthenorth]

They are trained by the Maesters of the each House or castle. Each raven has a designated destination, though some are smart enough to learn more. I've intercepted ravens during war...

[Robb realizes he's going off topic.]

Though if we had these, I'm sure the war would be very different.

[jumpship]

Oh, wow, it must be hard to train them, though. I want to learn one day, that could be very useful.

[ off topic or not, Baelfire is vastly intrigued, a boy with an imagination too large even for a place like Norfinbury. ]

I'm sorry you had a war. We had one where I lived, too. I don't understand why so many people have to fight all the time.

[kingofthenorth]

[There's a low chuckle.]

If you were ever to visit Westeros, Oldtown is the Citadel where the Maesters train and do their learnings. You would be an asset to anyone's House, Baelfire.

[Sadly, not to Robb's own, given the north was in shambles before he even had died, let alone what it must be like afterwards...]

[jumpship]

O-oh, do you think so?

[ well, he doesn't know what those Maesters do entirely, but it sounds like a very big honor, especially coming from Robb. he smiles, quite pleased with himself. ]

Well, if I ever did that, then I could send you messages all the times. Ravens can fly for a very long while, can't they?