❈ | 031 | Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[With all these people graduating lately and all her wardens gone off, Arya has been doing a lot of thinking. She's wormed her way into the CES - she always seems to find a way - and is sitting against Nymeria, using the direwolf as a pillow. She's wearing a modern looking zipper hoodie over her usual threadbare attire; the zipper is open, but the hood is up, and on its top are two fuzzy, gray wolf ears. There's dirt on her face when she clicks the feed on, in a swoop from her cheek to her jaw; on the other side she's managed to accumulate a couple scratches. She doesn't seem to notice either.]

There's no one left from Westeros, besides me. Tyrion's gone. Viserys used to be here; I don't think there are a lot who remember him. Jon Snow was here, too. But he left.

[They all left is what she doesn't say out loud. She scratches at her jaw, somehow missing the dirt.]

I've been here a long time, though. I checked - it's two years, now. [She doesn't pause; she's already let that sink in.] Your worlds are all different from mine. You treat people like babies till they're old; you call them kids until they're eighteen, twenty. In Westeros, and Essos, and all over in my world - a girl is grown when she's flowered. [She makes a face, because it's a dumb euphemism, but it's ingrained.] My brother was a king when he was fifteen. He wasn't a boy, he had a beard and led men and killed his enemies. [And he died.

She pauses for a moment, looking up as a shadow passes over her, presumably a cloud.]

When I was littler, I wanted to know if I could build castles, or be a High Septon, or be a councilor to a king. He said I could marry a king, and my sons could be Septons and builders and knights and lords. Well I'm not getting married, and I'm not having sons, not ever.

Is that what it's like in your worlds, too? I don't mean, do they say no and you do it anyway, that's not any different. Are girls allowed to be rulers and builders and fighters where you all are from?

Comments

Re: Video

[tis_disapproval]

By ignoring fools - and teaching them lessons.

Not all lands afford equal footing to women, of course, but Ferelden is not absent of female icons from its past. 'Tis only a shame so many need reminders of them.

Re: Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

There are more men doing great things. In Westeros, people forget that Aegon the Conqueror fought with his two sisters. They helped him conquer.

Re: Video

[tis_disapproval]

All the more reason to personally address the balance, no?

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

Yes. I like that. Personally address it.

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[tis_disapproval]

Men are forever willing to believe two things of a woman... One, that she needs protection. And two, that she finds him attractive.

Remember this and you shall go far.

Re: Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

What help is that?

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[tis_disapproval]

You can think of no ways to turn this to your advantage.

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

I...I know how to pretend. I know how to trick people. But I'm not going to be a whore.

Re: Video

[tis_disapproval]

If that's what you take me for, I said nothing of the sort. Merely, that these are the inherent weaknesses of men. Assumptions exist to be taken advantage of.

Re: Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

I suppose. [But she's still wrinkling her nose; she equates flirting with brothels. It doesn't appeal.]

Re: Video

[tis_disapproval]

What is it that you want, child? To ask permission from society? You cage yourself by following such a belief... Prove that others are mistaken by deeds, not speech.

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

I don't want to have to ask permission. I don't want them to make me wear a dress or teach me to sew if I don't want to!

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[tis_disapproval]

And what prevents you refusing? Why commoners do not rise up against their betters has often been a mystery to me...

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

I never said I didn't.

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[tis_disapproval]

'Tis simple curiosity, then? In that case, as I say, yes. They are certainly allowed. At least, in Ferelden. But they still must be careful of the assumptions of men.

Re: Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

They make stupid assumptions. [Frustrated agreement, more than argument.]

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[tis_disapproval]

Some things never change. At least, not without a great deal of nudging.

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

Then more people should nudge.

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[tis_disapproval]

[Oh, good! A child who isn't just a collection of snot and rags! One who has actual potential! Morrigan smiles - a little, anyway.]

Yes... Yes, they should.

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[If Morrigan asked her, Arya hasn't been a child in years.]

What's Ferelden like?

Re: Video

[tis_disapproval]

I come from the Korcari Wilds... A wooded area amidst swamps. Was not until much later, however, that I was given leave to travel. 'Tis one thing to dream of mountains, seas, farmland and more - quite another to experience them.

For the most part, I suspect I did not see them at their best. Mighty battles were being waged, scorching the land and heaping the dead. 'Twas only after that I could truly appreciate where I could journey.

Re: Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

War ruins a lot of things. I saw a lot of different places, during one. Why did you need leave to travel?

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[tis_disapproval]

To aid one who sought to defeat a great evil. Not of my choosing, but, nonetheless, a worthy endeavour.

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[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

What evil? Why didn't you choose it?

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[tis_disapproval]

Darkspawn - though, I do not assume your world has familiarity with them. I was content to remain at home and observe things from afar. Never did I think I would be so directly involved in its thwarting...

Change often comes in the form least expected.