( 003 ) - audio

[accusedjonah]

[Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

...And that was a pained sound. Animal, probably...]

Blast.

[...That was definitely an animal snarling.

A very large animal by the sound of it.

Bang.]

E-excuse me.

I... may need some assistance.

[He sounds a bit out of breath.

But at least alive. That's a plus.

Right?]

Comments

( video! )

[practiced]

[ Enter stage right: an extremely distressed and worried looking Sansa. ]

Shipman Hollom! [ She's so concerned that she almost trips as she climbs down from the wagon. Where she's going - she has no idea. ]

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

Miss Sansa! It's all right!

[He almost swore at hearing her, and the sight when he looked at the cuff was worrying. He hadn't meant to frighten her, certainly. ...He hadn't meant for the cuff to come on at all, actually.]

It's all right, Miss Sansa.

( video! )

[practiced]

[ She gives her head a fretful shake. Her hair has come slightly undone and with a hand she tries to catch the braid as it threatens to unravel, but the the gesture is absent, as if she is not paying mind to it much at all. ] I heard a great beast, clear as day, and not one but four calls of your rifle.

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

The first two shots were for geese, Miss Sansa, which had not yet flown south for the winter. I... had thought to roast them for supper tonight.

( video! )

[practiced]

[ The worry does not temper, nor fade. ]

-and the later?

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

...I disturbed a bear.

( video! )

[practiced]

[ She gasps and looks around quickly as if she can somehow divine where he is at that moment - which, of course, she can't. ]

Are you hurt, should I send for help?

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

N-no, Miss Sansa. It's quite all right. I promise. Two shots stopped it.

( video! )

[practiced]

[ She should not question him; shipman Hollom has promised. Though there is part of her that niggles away with further worry. ]

Are you- [ It would be improper to ask whether he was frightened when others could hear her question. ] You've not befallen great injury but still- it's best you return to camp, I think. In the least, it would go to great lengths to put my mind at ease.

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

I will return presently. [Another promise, even if the words are not tacked on.]

Might you permit me long enough to get assistance in carrying the meat back, Miss Sansa? There are scavengers enough out here, I imagine, and I would not like to leave supplies for them when we might use them ourselves. Then I'll return at once.

[And yet, if she insisted he return immediately, he would do so. His voice made that clear.]

( video! )

[practiced]

[ His request is more than reasonable, Sansa knows. And she also knows she should not deny him the demands of his responsibilities. She was not the only duty he was charged with and Sansa did not wish to be selfish. She nods, more certain than before, though still with a tentative air. ]

Yes, of course, shipman Hollom - I do not mean to squander what has been gained from such a harrowing encounter. Should I look to the others in camp and send those who are willing to come to you?

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

If it is not any trouble, Miss Sansa. I have told Mister Pullings my location already, and I believe he will be assisting me in bringing things back to camp, at least.

( video! )

[practiced]

Then I will see to it once. [ She nods and then turns to switch off her cuff, only to pause at the very last moment, considering. When she speaks again it's with a low voice, her face dipped down close to the wristlet, as if somehow it would make her voice carry less clearly. ]

-are you certain of your wellness, shipman?

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

I swear it, Miss Sansa. Not a scratch.

( video! )

[practiced]

[ Tentatively she nods again. ]

And you will call upon me when you have returned?

( video! )

[accusedjonah]

I shall present myself at once.