Minisa Stark stood still in her place in line beside her siblings as the Royal procession poured into the courtyard of Winterfell. She was the eldest Stark sister and younger than her twin Robb by twenty minutes. She had her mother's eyes but her father's hair color and nose. She was envious of Robb's natural curls, often having to accidentally burn herself trying to use curling rods to achieve a curled look. Naturally, the twins had different interests but still had that unique bond that twins tended to have.
The King stood solemnly in front of her father until she heard him say, "You've gotten fat!" She exchanged a glance with Robb, and they pursed their lips to avoid smiling or laughing. After embracing their father, the King moved down the line, hugging their mother, then rustling Rickon's hair playfully. He stopped in front of Robb and Mina, looking at them back and forth. He shook Robb's hand and then pinched Mina's cheek playfully.
"These two look nothing alike for twins. It looks like Robb has both of your looks, whereas poor Mina has only Ned to resemble!" Mina's smile must have dropped since the King quickly added, "Those are your mother's eyes, though! Pretty girl!"
Mina elbowed Robb when the King quickly continued down the line, as he was shaking in silent laughter.
"How's it feel to get a pity compliment from the king?" whispered Jon from behind her. She turned and glared.
"Your nose does resemble Lord Stark's," said Theon from beside him.
"Your nose is bigger than your cock," hissed Mina. Theon secretly shot her a rude gesture with a smirk. Arya and Bran witnessed it, cackling in amusement along with Robb and Jon.
"Really, Mina! Theon!" Sansa protested.
"Quiet, all of you!" Ser Rodrik scolded from his place behind them. "Mind yourselves!" Everyone straightened up until they were dismissed.
Soon the royal procession dispersed, and the visitors started getting settled. Mina decided to check up on her dire wolf, Lycoris. Her wolf was the most ginger-colored out of the whole litter. Mina named her after the flower that she kept seeing the last time her parents took them down to Riverrun. She spotted the red wolf lingering around the stables, which was rather unusual behavior. She usually was off annoying Grey Wind or Ghost.
"Oy, are you spooking the horses?" Mina said as she reached the wolf. Lycoris was looking intently at something in the stables, wagging her tail.
"No, I'm putting away the horses," said a gruff voice from inside the stables.
Mina laughed silently at the misunderstanding, petting Lycoris on the head. "Come on, let's get away from here."
"You want me to go somewhere with you? I wasn't aware they let whor-" The tall armored man with the hound's head helm stepped out of the stables and immediately stopped talking upon seeing her. "You're talking to the damn wolf."
"Yes," said Mina, bowing her head in embarrassment.
"That thing's been following me since the courtyard," said the man.
"You're the Hound, aren't you? Perhaps she likes your helm," said Mina in a slightly flirty tone. "I think it's quite nice as well." Lycoris approached the man, her tail wagging and tongue hanging out as she looked up at him.
The man let out a sound that wasn't quite a laugh, more like a huff. He bent and patted the wolf on the head, and Lycoris looked overjoyed.
"I doubt you'd say the same once this helm comes off, my Lady."
"Of course, I would. The helm would still look the same," said Mina smartly. The Hound took off the helm in one fluid motion before holding it against his chest, almost like a shield. Lycoris craned her head to sniff at the helm.
Mina couldn't stop the flinch that came out when she saw his scarred right side. He watched her, the expression in his eyes cold.
"Well?" He challenged, a snarl in his tone.
"What would you have me say?" said Mina quietly.
"Don't I scare you, girl?" He asked mockingly. Mina suddenly didn't like the way he was looking at her and dropped her gaze from his.
"Lycoris, come," she said sternly. The wolf turned from the Hound and went to her side. "You'd better rest for the feast tonight, Ser Hound." Mina forced a polite tone before turning from him to head back to the courtyard.
"I'm not a Ser," he called out.
"Not surprising," she called back before hurrying away.