snowblindrpg | [network] @RSTARK; Day 15; morning [open]

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[network] @RSTARK; Day 15; morning [open]

[Robb has stepped outside of the house to get away from Sansa and to let Grey Wind run free, or even run away, which wouldn't surprise Robb. He wanted to run away too. This place was driving him mad and he still felt the lingering panic deep within him between being confused as to what the hell was happening and a hunger that couldn't be quelled. Throughout the previous day, he had a headache that grew worse as the day went on and last night had driven him to madness. On top of that, he had a lingering paranoia that this was all just a dream; he must be in Lannister lands and had been captured. Perhaps he hadn't died there at the Twins, but has been drugged and starving these days and being made a fool of himself.

It disgusted him that he even teased the thought he couldn't trust Sansa, his own kin and completely innocent. It disgusted him even further that he had her pinned to the ground, trying to get answers she didn't have only to have Grey Wind being the one to stop him. Grey Wind, his direwolf stopped him and he had the bite to show it, his fangs pierced the leather of Robb's sleeve, breaking into his skin and pulled him off her.

With a sleeve rolled up, Robb plunged his throbbing forearm into the snow outside, wanting to calm the terrible pain and swelling, and with his free hand, covered his face and tried to slow his breathing down, taking deeper slow breathes though hot tears streaked down his face. He wished father was here to guide him, even to just hear his voice again would bring comfort or Jon, who had always been a better tracker than himself to hunt with. Even to feel Jeyne's fingers through his hair as she spoke softly of the sea and playing with her younger siblings.

Finally after a few minutes, Robb takes a deep breath and wipes away the tears before pulling his arm out from the snow and wrapped it in cloth they had found along the way before accessing the network. His eyes were probably still red and slightly puffy, but he ignores that.]

This is Robb Stark of Winter--

[He remembers Winterfell does not exist here and caries on after a sigh.]

My sister and I have been traveling southwestward to the camps some have spoken of. I tease the thought that we're growing near, but I must know something: is there food?

I have not been successful in any of my hunting attempts and our supplies are minimal. If anyone has even crossed a moderately successful hunting ground the information will be greatly appreciated.

…Thank you.

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[The headache and paranoia has eased, but the (mostly) sleepless, fitful night has left Quark too tired to even begin the notion of heading out of the home he's arrived in to try and explore Norfinbury. He blinks wearily at the new Network post. He doesn't have any new information to provide, so he's not so sure that he should reply at all, but it almost seems just as bad to ignore it. And, if he's being honest, he's starting to grow a bit lonely. Rubbing the tired from his eyes as best as he can and ignoring the bruises and scratches that throb along his scalp from where he fought the pain, Quark holds the tablet up to provide his response.]

Sorry, I just got here a couple of days ago so I can't help...but there are really camps? I had no idea! Do you know if there are a lot of people there?

Edited (I'm a notorious editor I apologize in advance) 2015-07-12 20:09 (UTC)

Aye, there are some who spoke of camps, though I am uncertain where they are exactly. I possess no map nor have come across one in my search.

I haven't heard or seen anyone speak about them in some time, though I've been told to go southwest-ward.

Southwestward...

[Quark doesn't pause the video feed when he gets up and goes over to a window to wipe as much of the frost off of it with his sleeve as he can, to get a look outside. He squints out into the morning sunlight as he brings the tablet back up.]

Is it hard to tell which way you're going?

[The sun is so different here from what he's used to, he's not so confident he'd be any good at telling directions. But he's starting to realize that he can't exactly stay put forever. His grandpa isn't coming for him. If he was, he would've responded to something on the Network by now. But then, before anymore thoughts of his own loneliness can set in, he remembers something that Robb had said in his initial message.]

You said you were with your sister. Are both of you okay?

[Last night seemed to have been rough on everyone. He hesitates.]

Sorry if I'm asking too many questions.

I assume the mechanics are similar in Westeros: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. That's how I've been traveling and I think correctly so far.

Aye, my sister is with me, and though very hungry, we're well... As one can be here.

...Forgive me, but how old are you? [Robb has picked up that he sounds very young and wondered if he was alone.]

That makes sense! Okay! Maybe I'll try and go that way, too!

[Come to think of it, he vaguely remembers his Grandpa mentioning that that's how things were done back in the old days. Way way before all the dust and radiation and junk in the air.]

Oh, I'm ten. I don't mind telling.

[Quark thought better of pretending to be twenty. Nobody ever believed it, anyway. Besides, ten wasn't so young! He sure felt like an adult.]

Ten...

[Bran's age. Robb couldn't help to be concerned.]

Have you found anyone to accompany you? The elements are very harsh, even to the most experienced rangers with the thickest of fur coats lining their clothes.

[He certainly wouldn't want Bran to be on his own, cripple or not. Though he's of the thought that Bran was dead anyhow.]

Not yet, no. I'm still by myself. I haven't tried to go outside yet.

[He looks down at himself, thoughtful.]

My coat has a little bit of fur...but that's probably not enough.

[Although Quark knows he needs to leave his shelter eventually, he still can't help hoping that his Grandpa, or someone from the Nonary Game, or at least somebody nice will show up. He's pretty confident he can do well on his own; it was what his Grandpa raised him to be able to do, after all, but the weather is still so foreign to him, he's nervous to risk it.]

Perhaps there are things you can take from the house? Did you find anything?

[Robb can't imagine Bran being out by himself, let alone little Quark.]

Move westward, perhaps there will be more people if you go on that direction.

[her face hurts, her head hurts (although the blinding headache from the night before is gone)... a lot of her hurts, actually. If it weren't for everything hurting, it would be easy to convince herself that last night was just a nightmare, brought on by isolation and fear.]

[when Robb's message comes through, she's slumped on the kitchen floor against a cabinet, alternately taking sips of melted snow out of a jar and dabbing at the cuts on her face with a damp cloth. She quickly sets both down to pick up the tablet, and notes privately that the human guy on the screen looks as bad as she feels—and maybe worse, by the look of his bandaged arm. She carefully selects the "audio" option to reply.]

Haven't covered much ground yet, but the hunting's been no good for me, either. No sign of any animals—no tracks; nothing. Not even birdsong.

["no sign of any animals," says the rat girl, without a hint of irony.]

[Robb had noticed that too, not a single raven in the sky or any other bird for that matter. He lacked arrows to shoot at them, even if they were here, though there was a chance Grey Wind would be fast enough to catch one, perhaps.]

Aye, I've searched and searched, but I have no found anything other than what is in the houses we come across. But it is not enough to feed three.

[Robb believes that is why some of this his happening. It simply did not make sense otherwise.]

This place confuses me, but if I had more food, perhaps it wouldn't be as daunting.

[he can't see her nod, so she gives him a "Hm" sound.]

Isn't that the truth. We're in enough danger here already, without starvation to worry about on top of it all.

[that thing he said about finding food for "three" catches her interest, and he'll hear fabric shifting as she sits up straighter.]

...You've got company?

My sister and direwolf. [There's a sigh]

I can't help or provide for the three of us. I've tried hunting every day to no avail. I am unsure of where to go next, to be honest.

[it takes her a moment to remember: oh, right; he had mentioned his sister. She sighs back, sympathetic.]

I am, too. Well, I'm headed west, but there's no telling where the hunting's better—or if there is any to be had at all.

Er, how are Direwolf and your sister faring?

[she wonders absently what kind of tough-guy nickname "Direwolf" is, but decides that she's heard worse. It doesn't occur to her that it might not belong to another person...]

Grey Wind...

[Robb looks to his poorly bandaged arm for a moment, though she can't see it.]

Is faring the best one can; he longs to be more in the wild to run free. Trapped nightly in four walls isn't something he handles well, nor is accustomed to.

My sister is holding up the best she can.

[okay, that phrasing sounds kind of weird. There's a lot on her mind, but she has it in her to start wondering just what kind of being Grey Wind actually is.]

Mm. My sympathies to all of you. At least you have each other for company. [well, aside from the "increased risk of starvation" thing.]

...Beg pardon, but, Grey Wind—what sort of person is he?

Not a person at all. He's a direwolf, a large wolf. They are the sigils of my House. My brothers and I found a litter of pups that we've kept and raised ourselves and he's been with me ever since.

I've not seen any animals or birds that could be hunted, so it could be that the environment is just too harsh to support anything at the moment. I think our better chances for food are to scavenge what we can find from the houses.

[It's a shame, because Al is capable of hunting and would happily do it to aid in the survival of everyone here.]

But I've found a store where there are supplies that seem to keep replenishing, it's a few days walk from the west wall and near the north one.

[There's a sigh.]

I too have found food in each of the houses we have come across, but it is not enough to support the needs of three, let alone barely suffice for one. I am well versed in hunting, but I have not been successful.

What does the store look like? Perhaps I'll shift the journey if it is enough to stock up.

It's just a normal sort of building, it doesn't look like anything special from the outside, but I've been making a rough map since I woke up here which might help you find it.

[There's about twenty seconds of silence while Al remembers how to send the file, as this technology is still not intuitive to him. Eventually, however, he sends over this.]

Have you taken any photos? I've just learned to do this myself on these metal squares.

[Tablets. They're called tablets, Robb.]

I am traveling with my direwolf and sister; food shortage for three can be difficult. [Robb offers a self depreciating laugh.]

Yeah, a few, they're all on that report that I sent you.

[Maps, photographs, and clues, all hidden away together.]

Not of the store, though, we were there when... yesterday.

[When everyone was going crazy.]

[Yes, yesterday. It was a wild ride, and one Robb would prefer not to think about.]

I appreciate the shared information. Forgive me for not having anything sufficient to provide in kind. If I could hunt, I would gladly share the food... With anyone, really.

Thanks, that's really generous of you.

[His voice is definitely warm with approval, there's not everyone here who would share limited food supplies if they could.]

I guess you haven't even found any tracks or evidence of wildlife around?

No. My direwolf hasn't picked up on any scents, either. This place is a queer one at that.

[There was only going to be so much time before they most likely starved to death, not to be defeatest or anything.]

[Queer is definitely an understatement, but that's the second time Robb has mentioned that particular word and Al can't breeze past it again.]

Your direwolf? What's that? You have a pet here?

[Because a direwolf sounds a lot more helpful, if less cuddly, than Mochi the fat freeloading cat.]

'Pet'?

[There's a low chuckle from Robb at that.]

I suppose he is, but he would detest the thought of that. His name is Grey Wind, a large wolf you might see around here. Direwolves are the sigil of House Stark.

[Only because Robb saw him run off before he sent out this message and there isn't any signs of his return at the moment.]

If he's not a pet, is he safe to be around?

[It's not that he doesn't appreciate that this enormous wolf is a sigil of the house this person belongs to, but.... vicious creature on the loose is also a slight concern.]

I wouldn't want him or someone else to get hurt over a misunderstanding.

[Rob couldn't help to look at his arm, bitten by said animal.]

He is. He is a good judge of character and is protective of those he loves. He's been by my side ever since he was a pup when my brothers and I found his litter.

[He'll have to take Rob's word for that, and he hopes that the direwolf will be as discerning as he's made out to be.]

You're only the second person who I've spoken to who has an animal companion here, I wonder why there are so few...

I dunno; it isn't something I've thought about, if I were to be honest. But then... I haven't met many others, either. Especially not face-to-face.

Grey Wind isn't so much a pet rather than a companion and protector, my sister have one. Or had, I should say.

Your sister that's travelling with you?

[Well, that certainly raises some interesting questions.]

I wonder why you have been allowed yours, but she hasn't? It doesn't make any sense!

Hers was killed back in our world.

[Which only made the situation even more confusing, given Robb's death was right before his entrance here. Although it hadn't been confirmed, he could assume Grey Wind was killed as well.]

I don't know the details as I wasn't there and preoccupied with duties.

Oh, uh, sorry.

[Although that does beg the question, why was it not brought here anyway? This place seems to play fast and loose with the laws of mortality, even reviving people many months dead in their own worlds.]

Even if she doesn't have her pet any more, I bet she's really glad she has her brother here.

I... don't know about the south west. There is a school, it might have some? We looked and found a can of soup. If you're near, maybe I could bring you some?

[ he's not feeling great after the injection and the night before, dark circles under his eyes, young face looking quite worn. ]

But my friend and I haven't really found anything, either. I don't know where to hunt. I'm sorry. Are... are you okay? [ because tears have a lasting effect on the eyes, that and Baelfire does just worry about this man. ] I'm glad you found your sister.

Aye, my sister and I are fine.

[Robb is lying, though his features remain neutral in the conversation as he placed a hand on top of the bandages, pressing lightly to try and block it from view.]

We have not been successful in any hunts, Grey Wind is well capable tracker, and he hasn't picked up on a scent in days.

[Robb looks off in the distance, wondering if Grey Wind would find something or even if he will come back.]

Where are you now?

I'm glad. This place is a little scary sometimes.

[ but he's glad their fine, even if he falls for the lie. he can't think much beyond the need to survive right now, otherwise he might catch on a little bit more. but he does see the hands shifting, and maybe the hint of bandages. ] I... are you sure?

[ he won't press the matter of course, but he is concerned all the same. he's come to care for a lot of people here, Robb being one of them. ]

Um, near the school I think.

[The face of the man who responds isn't much worse for wear, an eye swollen shut and the other red-rimmed and puffy, accentuated by the dark circles of sleeplessness. He's shaking lightly, unable to hold the tablet steady, and when he opens his mouth to speak, only a hoarse noise comes out, barely forming the words his mouth is trying to shape. He raises his free hand to his throat, gives another try, before the feed ends.

Soon after, a text reply comes instead.]

Are you certain the camps are here in the southwest? There are few houses here; I do not think a large number of us could stay here at once.

[A feeling of pity and sorrow filled Robb's heart when he saw the attempted video and the state the other man is in.]

I do not know; I am only traveling with my sister and direwolf, but being in a group would be more advantageous to us all rather alone.

Forgive me, but are you alright?

I will be fine, after rest. I've only lost my voice.

[And he's managed to give himself a black eye, but...details. That will heal in time too.

As for the camps...if they're heading southwest, they may find him, but he doesn't plan on camping here. Once he's rested, he's going out and heading back to the school. He needs to find out about that voice he heard.]

That makes yours more a group than mine. With any luck someone will find a place suitable for us to gather in larger numbers. It is lucky that you have found your sister. I am glad you have family here.

[Robb won't stay in the camps if the food supplies were too short for the group and if their safety is in question. He had a right to at least protect his younger sister... Though it begged the question if he could protect her from himself when these strange happenings occur.]

To be honest, I have not crossed paths with any others. We seem to be very spread out. One would think that would provide better odds, but these conditions are harsh even for the most experienced.

Do you have a safe place to rest?

I have this place I stayed the night in. It seems as if it's half-buried under the southern wall, but it is holding. That's safe enough. I don't think I could travel today if I wanted to.

[Not in this condition, exhausted in mind and body alike...if it had only been a night of sleeplessness he would have considered making some progress, but he wasn't so lucky.]

Are there any supplies you have found to aid you?

I have found a few various items, though... first aid, as some called it, seems to be lacking.

Nothing to aid my condition, but these injuries always heal in time. So long as I do no further damage, I should recover easily.

But now that you mention it, you're right. I've seen no medicines or bandages since arriving here, and I was among the first.

[There's toilet paper in every house with a restroom, but it's not durable enough when wet to make good bandages for use in constant snowfall.]

This settlement is more advanced than anything I am familiar with. Such technology by means of communication is entirely foreign to me.

[Not to mention electricity and running water.]

And that it appears the natives have completely disappeared is troubling.

I understand. With a few exceptions, this land is strange to me, too.

[Sure, he cheats a little, but he's from well before electricity too.]

Perhaps they did not completely disappear. Have you seen what @TW found a few days ago? I hope that doesn't account for everyone.

[He is going to take a while to figure out how to link things without Helel's help. The assistant can't respond to verbal commands it can't understand, after all.]

No, I haven't. I'm afraid I've been preoccupied with taking care of my sister and trying to hunt. She's been the one to monitor the metal squa -- tablets than myself.

[No worries. Robb just learned to take a photo himself.]

[Hunting? He lacks a weapon to hunt with in the first place and trailing something until it tires isn't feasible without cornering it inside a house to begin with, but all the same, he wonders if he's actually seen anything.

It's one of the first things he noticed about this place, the utter absence of other life. No insects, no scurrying of mice in the walls, no prints or feathers or fur, no signs of feeding, no hibernation burrows...]

Have you had any luck hunting? I haven't seen a single animal or evidence of one since arriving.

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[network] @RSTARK; Day 15; morning [open]

@Quark

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@crescent | voice

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voice only ID is LELRIC

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@baelfire; video

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@Enoch, attempted video/text

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