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[watchonthewall]

The baskets have stopped giving and the first snow has touched the ground. My lord father, with the help of my siblings and others, started preparing for this some time ago. But there have been many new arrivals and we should redouble our efforts while we still can

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[justicelobster]

You speak like a trueborn Stark, Jon Snow.

[ And he may very well have been a trueborn Stark... had he not done his duty. The fact that he would have very likely done the same in the bastard's place makes the grievance all the more personal.

Yet, this was neither the time or the place to think of such things. After all, he now knew two trueborn male Starks to be alive and well. ]

I would be of a mind to join you for a hunt as well.

[ It may have sounded something like an order. Though, he had a need to speak with the young man in more depth. And while the idea of hunting did not particularly appeal to him, it would give him the opportunity to do so at the very least. ]

[watchonthewall]

I remember winter and was told stories at the Wall. And I'm spoken to those here who are less than prepared. All of it good motivation.

[Jon arches a brow, a bit curious at the tone. But he did say all were welcome and he meant it.]

How soon can you be ready?

[Because if the snow keeps coming down and they get caught out in it...well, at least Stannis would have all the time he needed to speak to him.]

[justicelobster]

Of course. I would expect no less.

[ Old habits die hard. He grinds his teeth. ]

Soon enough. I will meet you at the entrance to the Outlander community block. Though you may not recall it, I am not a man who enjoys to be kept waiting.

[watchonthewall]

Then I will be waiting for you.

[A glance is given to Ghost, and soon man and direwolf are on their way. Northerners don't play around when it comes to winter.]

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[justicelobster]

[ And Stannis is determined to be there before the not-quite Lord Commander is. He wastes no time changing back into the clothing that he arrived in: all black, similar to that what the Night's Watch would wear and a thick golden cloak trimmed with black fur. Though he leaves the crown in its place.

It had no use to him here, save to serve as a reminder of his duties in Westeros.

He walks at a brisk pace to the entrance. ]

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[watchonthewall]

[It was always his color. Jon wears nothing else, keeps his vows close even though others have pointed out that this isn't Westeros. There is no wall, there are not brothers, save the ones with the last name of Stark.]

[So his choice of clothing calls out to Jon, drawing his attention even at a distance.]

Impressive.

[A touch of a smile. Looks like Stannis beat him after all.]

You haven't been here too long, I hope.

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[justicelobster]

[ He examines Jon silently before he begins to speak. Though his looks and general demeanor had not changed much, there was something distinctly different about this boy compared to the man that had offered him counsel at Castle Black. All the same, he was still very much 'Jon Snow', for better or ill. ]

You kept your word, though I would expect no less. I arrived not long before yourself.

[ There may just be a brief flash of something resembling a smile. But, it is gone quickly. ]

I assume you also brought sufficient supplies and know of a decent location?

[ His tone is distinctly authoratative. ]

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[watchonthewall]

[Jon is a master of quick smiles himself. The gesture is noted - and appreciated.]

How good is your marksmanship?

[He holds up the bows, the arrows slung over one shoulder. As for the location...Jon starts to lead the way, Ghost trailing a few paces behind them.]

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[justicelobster]

I am proficient enough with a bow.

[ Some would say that he was beyond proficient, however when one's elder brother is Robert Baratheon, it becomes rather easy to forget such a thing.

However, it had been sometime since he had been hunting. Not since he was Master of Ships in King's Landing... Which may not bode well for the beginning of the hunt, but let us not mind that.

He follows closely behind Jon Snow in silence, observing the route that they took. ]

You were quick to accept my [ order ] offer.

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[watchonthewall]

You were quick to accept mine.

[Not a contradiction or a correction. More of a 'one good turn deserves another' sort of thing. Jon looks over at him, studying quietly.]

Your interest in me. Is it because you know who I'll become?

[Or more correctly, what.]

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[justicelobster]

[ He nods. ]

That is part of the reason, yes. As Lord Commander you speak plainly and have given me honest counsel. There are few men tat woud dare speak to me in such a manner.

[ He looks Jon square in the eye. ]

I am also of a mind to know where your loyalty lies.

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[watchonthewall]

[So it was more about his honor and honesty and less his title. Jon finds reassurance in that, and his demeanor becomes slightly less stiff.]

Have you made plans for while you're here? Or are you just biding your time until we return to Westeros?

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[justicelobster]

[ He is quiet for some time, and it's rather clear that the question doesn't sit well with him. ]

At the very least, I have a duty to my elder brother here [ and perhaps his younger one as well... ]. I will have to locate employment that pays reasonaby well.

But for however long I remain here, I shall not forget my duty to my kingdom.

[ He imagines that even now, that is something Jon Snow can understand. ]

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[watchonthewall]

[He does understand. And he takes a moment to organize his thoughts, to express the duty he feels towards his own family here, but also to the bigger picture.]

Death waits for my brother and lord father. It isn't the same for me.

[He wouldn't blame Robb or Ned for wanting to stay here forever. Bran or his sisters either, for that matter. But Jon...there isn't an option, If he ever find a way back to the Wall, he must take it.]

Perhaps you could start your own business.

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[justicelobster]

No. In that regard, you and I are not so different. Though some might say that death woud be a kindness for the war that is to come in Westeros [ ...you know what he means ]. This world seems quieter, or at the very least, and allows us to see those that we never thought we would see again. And that in itself can be a dangerous thing for duty.

[ For brief moments, one could easily forget... and such a thing must not be allowed to happen. ]

What sort of business would you have me start, Jon Snow?

[ He asks the question the same way that he once asked him for counsel.

He also cannot help but notice that they have been doing quite a bit of talking... and very little hunting. ]

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[watchonthewall]

[Somehow he got the feeling that hunting wasn't at the top of the list of things that Stannis likes to do. It's more like a hike than anything.]

[Jon thinks about that question carefully, considers what this particular Kingdom needs.]

Perhaps a winery. Nothing here is as sweet as summerwine.

[He looks over and actually smiles a little. He doubts Stannis would partake of it as much as his older brother would. But Jon turns a little more serious and looks forward again.]

Or a rookery. Ravens are less confusing than forges.