❈ | 029 | Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[When the video comes on, the view is skewed: if you look long enough, it may seem like you're looking at a small section of a blanket, possibly on a bed, and a fold of cloth to one sight. Up comes the camera after a moment and an in drawn breath, and the fold of cloth is one skinny leg, the blanket tucked on a bad. Only then does she turn the device around so she's visible.]

I'm-- [Arya Stark, she almost says, but she's afraid to. Last time there was Tyrion; last time there was Tywin. Better they should think she's dead. But there are people who she wants to know she's alive. She chews her lip a moment, and decides to forgo names all together.]

I'm looking for anyone from Westeros.

Comments

[ladysarmor]

He's helping me. He's... he'd married Aunt Lysa. [She hesitates then adds.] I'm Alayne Stone now.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[What.

What. None of this makes sense, at first, and she knows it should: different hair, different name, didn't she do the same? Didn't she?]

Stone?

[But that is the most mind boggling, more than having Littlefinger for an uncle. Her sister, Sansa, who loved her songs and her etiquette and her - her ladyness, took a bastard's name.

She wonders what Jon would think.]

[ladysarmor]

[Sansa's cheeks color. She'd mostly over the shame of pretending to be a bastard, but then again, most people she talks to don't know who she used to be. Her sister seeing her as so far below her station is just... shameful.]

It's better than pretending to be a boy. At least I still look like a lady.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

Shut up. Being a boy is easier than being a stupid little girl. [Most people don't put swords in the hands of little girls. Most.]

Why Stone? You're in the Eyrie.

[ladysarmor]

You are a girl, Arya. I'm sure you could even be good at it if you bothered to make an attempt.

[Ugh, not the point. If they ever are reunited, maybe Sansa can even force her into a dress again.]

The Eyrie's part of the Vale. So are the Fingers.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[Good luck with that. That face Arya's making in your icon? Similar face on screen right now.] I'm not either, I'm a sword. [She misses Syrio Forel, but she won't forget his lessons.]

I'm a wolf. [And she has to smile at that, because it's more true than it's ever been, here.]

But you're safe there, aren't you?

[ladysarmor]

[Arya gets her own special bitchface that really no one else can get out of Sansa quite so easily.]

You're also a girl. [And wolf, okay, she gets that, but sword? What is Arya talking abut?]

I'm safer here than in King's Landing. [She's not foolish enough to think she's completely safe. But she's not in immediate danger, so long as no one recognizes her.]

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[She just rolls her eyes and moves on; that Sansa doesn't understand isn't surprising in the least to her. Why did she miss her sister again?]

Then why do you have to be Alayne? [She doesn't care about Sansa using a bastards name, all the names she's taken have probably been a Stone or a Waters or whatever, it hasn't mattered.] Why can't you be - you?

[ladysarmor]

Because people are looking for Sansa Stark. [She says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world.] Petyr won't betray me, since he's the one hiding me, but you can't trust anyone. Not the servants, nor Lord Robert's bannermen. [None of whom particularly respected their little lord or Lady Lysa's second husband. They'd give up Sansa quickly if it meant receiving Lannister gold.] No one cares about a bastard girl.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

But if you're safe there-- [She cuts herself off, bites her lip, because really, she understands. She understands better than she wants to. She's jsut starting to wonder if there will ever be a safe place, if they'll ever get to really be Starks again. Maybe this will be the only place she can keep her name.]

You're sure Littlefinger's trustworthy?

[ladysarmor]

[She shakes her head.] I'm certain he isn't. But he's not a Lannister.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[She just earned a gazillion respect points there. Arya's a little more willing to accept it. At least it's not Sansa just being stupid with her songs again.]

Be careful. [She cares, shut up, don't point it out.]

[ladysarmor]

[SHE'LL POINT IT OUT IF SHE WANTS TO. By which I mean she gives her sister a warm smile, because Arya isn't the only one who cares.] You too. I... I hope you can be yourself again. Someday.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

When they're dead. [There's no uncertainty to be heard; maybe she's just grateful for Sansa's smile, and wants to give her something in return.] When they're dead, we can be Starks again.