[He falls quiet a moment, thinking on this. A feeling. He thinks of wearing Summer's skin, the way a direwolf thinks, sharp, the way Summer can smell wrongness--]
I talked to the demon. Robb said that I should not, but-- I talked to her. I know it was wrong, but she was interesting and I think-- I think I could do what she did. I think I could wear another's skin.
[There is fear in him now, fear what Jon will say, so before he can speak, Bran adds, hastily:] I know it is wrong. Robb said she was an abomination, and she is, for wearing another's skin, so I will not do it. I am not like her.
[And even though they are not face to face, Bran still feels stupid for the way that his voice wavers, the way heat creeps into his face and behind his eyes so that his sight blurs--tears, like a stupid boy. He should be a man of the North, not a stupid boy who ignores his brother's command--his king's command--]
Don't tell Robb. I must tell him, myself--I will tell him that I talked with her, and I will tell him that I am sorry, and I will swear-- never to be like her. I'm sorry, Jon.
[Perhaps he should not need that reassurance--perhaps he should just know, for himself--but it helps, to hear Jon say it in that way. It means something deeper.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
[But there's....it's a gut thing.]
no subject
no subject
no subject
I talked to the demon. Robb said that I should not, but-- I talked to her. I know it was wrong, but she was interesting and I think-- I think I could do what she did. I think I could wear another's skin.
[There is fear in him now, fear what Jon will say, so before he can speak, Bran adds, hastily:] I know it is wrong. Robb said she was an abomination, and she is, for wearing another's skin, so I will not do it. I am not like her.
no subject
no subject
[And even though they are not face to face, Bran still feels stupid for the way that his voice wavers, the way heat creeps into his face and behind his eyes so that his sight blurs--tears, like a stupid boy. He should be a man of the North, not a stupid boy who ignores his brother's command--his king's command--]
Don't tell Robb. I must tell him, myself--I will tell him that I talked with her, and I will tell him that I am sorry, and I will swear-- never to be like her. I'm sorry, Jon.
no subject
Of course you're not like her.
There is no evil in you.
no subject
no subject
No, it's not the same.
no subject
no subject
We just know.
no subject
He takes a little breath, steadying himself.]
But I should still tell Robb.
no subject
I will not make you. You're a Stark man, and your choices are your own. I will not tell Robb what you have said to me.
no subject
Would you tell him, if it were you?
no subject
no subject
no subject