milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

The door opens... and it seems Sharpe wasn't expecting it to open here right this moment, because he's not alone when he walks in.

He's going slowly and carefully, for reasons that become clear when he gets all the way in... and so does the very small boy clinging to his hand and toddling after him.

Welcome to Milliways, Patrick Lassan.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The boy latches onto his father's trouser leg, for reassurance, but doesn't run away. He watches the dog with interest.

"Aye. First and only son, so far, though Lucille's expecting again so who knows?"

Jon suddenly has a vivid image of his own father-and the pride the man felt as each one of his children were born.

There's a sick look on his face, but it passes quickly.

Ghost wags his tail again and sets his nose between his paws, looking up with what his owner could only describe as an "adorable" expression.

Jon grimaces, "Ghost-"
Direwolf's going Soft.

Patrick reaches forward to him, tentatively. Sharpe keeps one eye on them, with time for a quick look of concern at Jon.

"You all right, lad?"

Jon shakes his head, "...My sister's here. My sister Sansa. She's stuck here and I can't leave-"

His honor won't let him leave.

"...until she's allowed to go free." Jon rubs the back of his neck, "...Men of the watch are used to staying outside, but I think last night I slept on a tree-root."

He winces.

Ghost looks up slowly, offering the child a tentative sniff. The wolf gets to his feet quickly and wags his tail.

"...now, why would you go and do that, lad? There's perfectly good rooms here."

Patrick giggles, delighted.

Jon stiffens a bit, "The watch makes little ser." He shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable and staring at his feet, "-I can't...and I want no man's charity. I'm comfortable outside."

He smiles, "I'm...used to it."

Ghost takes a tentative step forward and Jon notes the child's giggle, "...Ghost-sit boy. Be still."

The direwolf does as he's told, head up straight and proud.

"...He's good with people." Jon says, "He won't bite if I'm here."
Ghost wouldn't bite anyway and the look he gives his owner demonstrates that.

"...tell you what, lad. Would you be prepared to leave here for a few hours at a time, until your sister can go home, and come straight back after?"

It's purely speculative. For now.

Jon stares at Sharpe for a few moments.

"...Sir." Jon swallows, "I hope you won't think less of me but..."

He winces, "-In my world I'm likely to be imprisoned if I return. I'm considered...a traitor ser. People belive that I have betrayed my oath of service."

"...I've been in your shoes, lad. No, I don't think less of you. But I didn't mean for you to go back to your world, when I mentioned you leaving for a few hours."

Jon blinks, "...oh!-Outside the bar ser?" Jon peers, "-Gladly my lord. What would you have of me?"

Ghost sits back on the floor. The conversation of people boors him after a while.

"My wife's expecting again, as I said, and with the little lad to take care of already, she can't work the farm the way she used to. And we're neither of us exactly rich, so I'm the only hand she's got just now. We could use a strong lad for a few hours' work a day, if you were amenable."

Patrick plops down on the floor near the direwolf, babbling to himself.

"-The old bear always said that I was good with animals." Jon's voice holds a hint of pride, "-It comes with the territory for a steward of the watch to take care of the pack animals and the animals we eat." He's grinning, "I can put in as long as you need my lord."

"Then you'll not sleep outside again", Sharpe says firmly. "Consider it your wages, your board here."

Jon grins, "It'd be my honor my lord." He patted Ghost, "...What should I do with Ghost while I work? He doesn't work well around the pack animals of the watch."

"We've only the one dog, and I think Ghost's already met him. How does he do with herd animals?"

"The Garrons get spooked around him." Jon says a little seriously, "Whenever I'm ordered to work with the horses or the other animals I usually just let him out into the haunted forest."

"Hm, and he's too big a dog to leave cooped up in a room, if that was proper treatment of any animal... could your sister take him while you're working?"

"...An excellent idea sir." Jon said, "Sansa'd love that. She misses her wolf Lady."

"There you go, then." He grins.

Jon nods, "-Just point me in the direction of your fields my lord." Jon stands up a little straighter, "-I can't tell you how thankful I am."

Because it means warmth and an actual room. The last time he was warm....

He probably couldn't remember without concentrated thought.

"No need, lad. I wasn't going to leave you to freeze."

Jon smiles, "...The men of the watch are tough my lord. I'm no Green boy." It's a boast, pure and simple.

"...I can hunt, cook, fish-What sort of animals do you keep my lord?"

"Chickens. A goat or two, a few cows and sheep. The farm's not big, really. And an extra man for hunting wouldn't go amiss."

Patrick has drowsed off against Ghost's flank, by now.

Ghost curls a bit around the child, He's getting used to this. His tail wags.

"...I'm an excellent hunter my lord." He smiles, "-Ghost can help too if it should come to that. He brings down game for my brothers and I."he scratches ghost's head, "...Good boy."

"Then you'll be a godsend, the pair of you. I'm a good shot, but it's always easier as a team."

For what game nobody else gets to first, but that's the benefit of having a reasonable-sized estate.

(no subject)

man-ofthewatch.livejournal.com - 2006-04-26 23:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

and-far-away.livejournal.com - 2006-04-26 23:44 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only