Northstar Vale Let's just hurt tonight

The giant caught her pouty gaze that followed his retreat somewhat by accident and it fostered something in him he had not felt in some time — with Keet gone and his estranged relationship with Brienne, he had not the chance to really care for anyone in recent times.  It felt ... good?  Yes, good.

He was even more pleased when the girl stepped in his (gross) mixture to ease her pain, but when she complimented him he was again unsure of how to respond.  And then she rattled off more questions at him, rapid-fire.  One at a time, girl.  From my mother when she was alive, then I treated my sisters for some time.  That was adequate, right?  She surely did not want his entire life story, not that there was much to it anyway.

His expression lay flat but his discomfort was shown in a flick of his whiskers and another shift in weight.  No, he didn't know Genie.  He did not know anyone other than those who had come to the borders and met him; he had not been in the Vale very long and had met very few of its wolves.  No, he mused, trying not to let on to his discomfort. I don't know many.

Wow, more words than anyone but Brienne had gotten out of him in his entire stay in the Vale.  Congratulations, stranger.  Perhaps he could warm up to this dainty girl (so much like Keet), if only because he didn't know how else to respond.