#brusco

You’re very welcome, and, well, remember that every person in Braavos has some kind of relationship with the Faceless Men.

“If the day comes when you would find me again, give that coin to any man from Braavos, and say these words to him—valar morghulis.” –ACOK, Arya IX

For Jaqen’s promise to be true, every single Braavosi must be taught from childhood that if you are given an iron coin of the Faceless Men and “valar morghulis” is spoken, then you must answer “valar dohaeris” and do whatever that Faceless Man requests. (And the captain and sailors of the Titan’s Daughter did believe that Arya was already a Faceless Man, as they gave her gifts and made sure she remembered their names so that she could never be the one sent to assassinate them should they ever be “chosen by the Many-Faced God” for that fate. Why they thought a Faceless Man was traveling in the guise of a little girl, we may never know… though perhaps the Waif is not unknown to some Braavosi.)

And why this is so… well, it’s very probable that there is more to the story of the founding of Braavos than just what was related in TWOIAF. We’re told that slaves from a large convoy of Valyrian slave ships rebelled, took over the ships, and escaped to the lagoon that would become Braavos– but if a Faceless Man or two were not involved in that “bloody rebellion” I would be surprised. The Kindly Man did promise Arya he would teach her more of how the Faceless Men brought the gift of death to the slave masters of Valyria… and while that probably refers to the Doom of Valyria, it’s likely that the story of how the Faceless Men came to Braavos is part of that too. Which is why it’s not in TWOIAF - (a) spoilers, and (b) why should a Westerosi maester know that story when he knows so little about the Faceless Men to begin with.

Anyway. Whatever connection the Faceless Men have to Braavos’s founding or not, it is certain that the Braavosi have a deep respect for them… or perhaps a deep fear of them would be more accurate. As for the fishmonger Brusco – there’s a couple of options. The service that every man from Braavos must provide to the Faceless Men could include the potential to host their novices-in-training. (This would also apply to Izembaro, the mummer king whose troupe “Mercy” joined to learn acting and make-up/disguises.) Or possibly Brusco owes the Faceless Men more than the usual because he needed to use their services once (same with Izembaro). Though why a fishmonger would need an assassin for anything, I don’t know, so I’d think it’s just something all the Braavosi know they need to do when required.

And it’s notable that the Faceless Men made sure it didn’t really put Brusco out to provide room and board for “Cat”. She had learned enough of the Braavosi language before she was sent to him to make herself understood (though learning it fluently required full immersion, which was the purpose of her going to Brusco in the first place), he didn’t have to deal with a Westerosi girl who only knew the Common Tongue. She was sent to him to work for him, not for herself or the Faceless Men, to help sell his fish. And while she did return to the Faceless Men for training and to tell them what she had learned on the streets of Braavos, it was only for three nights of each month, during the new moon.

“The moon will be black tonight,” she reminded him.“Best you pray, then.” Brusco shoved the boots aside and poured out the coins to count them. “Valar dohaeris.”

–AFFC, Cat of the Canals

Also, when Cat returned to Brusco after her stint as Blind Beth, he and his daughters were surprised to see her, so it must be whatever service the Braavosi are expected to provide, normally when it’s done, it’s done. And most importantly, when Arya was going to assassinate the insurance agent, the Faceless Men knew it would bring trouble to Brusco and his family if Cat were to be connected to the murder, so they made sure to give her a new face and life while she did the deed.

But yes, if there is one thing to show Brusco’s relationship with the Faceless Men, it’s this:

So the next day she returned to Brusco and his daughters in the house on the canal. Brusco’s eyes widened when he saw her, and Brea gave a little gasp. “Valar morghulis,” Cat said, by way of greeting. “Valar dohaeris,” Brusco replied.After that it was as if she had never been away.