oh sunshine in an empty place ( ota )

[persequor]

Who: arya and you!!
What: arrival + wandering
Where: emerald sanctum + silverglen retreat
When: pre-kidnappings and post

a. emerald sanctum

[ for having been recently abducted to an entirely different world, arya stark is handling it remarkably well. joy had replaced her fear when she found nymeria returned to her. the direwolf is no longer a pup and had bowled her over, licking her neck and face while arya laughed and hugged her.

following the reunion, girl and wolf had taken to exploring. arya had tried climbing a tree, but the canopy was up too high and nymeria worried. after so long separated, she is loath to leave her wolf’s side. but there is plenty to see on the ground too. strange broad-leafed plants their green so dark and rich and beautiful flowers the like of which arya has never seen.

and the dragons!

she drew to a stop when she saw the first one — only for a moment before it vanished again among the green. her mouth dropped open into a perfect little o, her eyes wide and unblinking. dragons! real, living dragons!

even faced with such beasts, her fear feels like a distant thing. there are no guards and she has needle and nymeria and a thousand places to hide. she wanders in a state of half-curiosity, half-awe. giggling, she grabs a branch and swings herself back and forth. ]

b. silverglen retreat

[ she was warned of the dangers outside. still, arya awakes one morning and sets off after she and nymeria have eaten to the town. she has both her swords at her hip, needle gleaming and sharp and syrios’ heavy wooden blade, and a quiver of arrows and a bow at her back. she debated long moments whether to take a crossbow; she finally settled for the promise that she would practice with it when she returned.

on the way she practiced shooting at nearby targets. arya would grin after the arrows hit and run off to recover them. at the town, she and nymeria both got their fair share of looks, but nothing compared to how arya stared at the night elves.

they’re purple. it was all she could think and she made the mistake of voicing her observation. she apologized profusely and tried not to stare at anyone else once she was allowed in but—

they’re purple.

it has to be dye. but arya doesn’t ask. she wanders the streets, trying to keep her eyes on the houses, the shops, the wares. whenever her eyes slide over another elf, she drops them quickly to the floor. nymeria remains at her shoulder, growling at any that strays too close. ]

c. forests around silverglen retreat

[ make your own adventure! or ask me for a starter :') ]

Comments

[wilder]

That so?

Hmm, alright. Little Lady it is, then.

[And he'll go take a bite himself. Of course he didn't do anything to it, but still!]

[persequor]

[ loads the shotgun. ]

I am not little! —And I am not a lady! [ her voice trembles. too late, she remembers she gave that away earlier.

the hope for her mother had been so strong— arya is furious at herself for being so stupid. ]

[wilder]

[Wow. Such rage. So anger]

You sure? I dunno, you look small to me. You're- what? Not even five feet tall?

[He won't touch the lady thing]

[persequor]

Only because I'm nine! I'm still growing!

[wilder]

So? Still means you're little right now.

[persequor]

Shut up!

[wilder]

Haha, now now, Little Lady. No need to get all pissed off.

[persequor]

[ she is going to punch him.

in fact she's swinging for him right now.

tiny fist to his arm, wow, much hurt. ]

[wilder]

[And it's a direct hit! He winces, but frankly he's wearing mail armor so don't hurt your hand there girl]

Ow! Heeeeeey! Don't hit me!

[persequor]

Then shut up!

[wilder]

Jeez....

I don't see why you can't just give me your name.

[persequor]

[ her jaw tightens stubbornly — and fear rings her eyes. ]

[wilder]

[He spots that look. Oh, does he know that one well. He makes a tch sound]

I'm not gonna hurt you. There's no benefit to that.

[Okay, maybe he could've put it nicer BUT STILL]

Even a fake name's fine! It's not like I'd know.

[persequor]

[ she holds the stick with the meat tightly in her hands. nymeria whines softly and licks arya's knuckles. the girl chews her lip. ]

Why do you care? If I am no one to you, what does it matter?

[wilder]

[You're not no one to me- but he doesn't mention that]

We're both Sworn, right? Even if we're different flights, there's a chance our paths will cross a lot.

[persequor]

[ he's lying about something, she thinks wildly. she doesn't know what. arya runs over their conversation, but she's not as skilled as she will be. her only teacher has been syrio.

see comes his voice in her head. he doesn't look like a guard; he doesn't act like a guard. he called her by her mother's nickname, though he says he doesn't know either. he's been kind in a brusque annoying way — not the oily sycophancy of the red keep.

and then there's her name, both her most prized possession and a danger. ]

Arya, [ she says in a small voice. ]

[wilder]

[What no he's totally not lying! About except you know- everything! But unlike King's Landing, it's not lying out of malice or ill intent.]

[He's relieved that she picks a name he already knew. Less chance of slipping up and revealing anything. Still, he keeps his expression neutral as he nods]

Arya. Alright.

Now eat up, your food'll get cold.

[persequor]

[ not yet. ]

You can't tell anyone.

[wilder]

What? That your name's Arya?

[persequor]

[ she nods. ]

It's— [ her words jumble and all she can blurt out is, ] You just can't!

[wilder]

O...kay?

[Weird girl. Even for a paranoid one]

Fine, I won't bring you up.

[persequor]

[ even with the reassurance, she can't relax. her appetite is gone, but a month starving taught her to eat even when she doesn't want to. the meat sticks in her throat. she has to swallow with difficulty.

arya stares at her fingers, struggling not to cry. ]

[wilder]

[Well, looks like he messed up this one. He eyes her for a moment, before returning to his own food. It's awhile before he finally speaks up]

My birth name's Zelos.

[persequor]

[ eyes flitting toward him, arya wipes her cheek with the back of her hand. she frowns a little before asking, ] Why are you telling me?

[wilder]

It's a name I'd rather people didn't know.

[It was easier to be Kaneis. To let his past remain in his grave. He gives a shrug]

But a name for a name? It's only fair.