❆ | 041 | Video

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[When the video comes on, it's not focused on her face. Instead, the picture shows snow, snow everywhere, and in the distance there is blurry movement, a direwolf running through the banks. From the angle, she's up high, sitting in a tree.]

Last year, when this happened, I spoke to my lady mother. And my lord father. Just for a moment. [She pauses, swallows hard and continues.] There was my brother, and my sister too.

[She's claiming them, making them hers again. She has been, she's taken back her name, but never like this. Never where anyone can hear.]

I spoke to a Dothraki Khal, the last time this happened. I've spoken to a lot of people I've never met. [And more Lannisters than she ever wanted to. When she turns the camera around to her face, she's chewing on her lip. Her hair has grown plenty since she arrived, bald-headed. It's past her chin now, brushing just above her shoulders. She looks like a girl again, though maybe that's because she grew when she last was home. She's only twelve or thirteen, physically, but she feels so much older than that. She's been here for years. Years and years, away from everything she knows. She stops chewing her lip.]

I'm Arya, of Winterfell. Arya of House Stark.

[There. It feels like a weight off her shoulders. She's said it before, she's meant it before. But every time this glitch has happened, Jaime Lannister has come to remind her of her name. Now she can remind him.

She even smiles, a little, at the corners of her mouth.]

I had other names too, for a while. When I had to hide to be safe. Arry, and Weasel, and Nan. Salty and Nymeria and Cat and Beth and Mercy, even. I don't know if anyone who knew those girls will hear me. But I miss some of you, and if you want to talk, then so do I. That goes for anyone. I like meeting new people.

Comments

[yeahscience]

You talked to your folks? I never knew that.

[Of course he's there. He's practically there before she even finishes talking. He's been waiting for her, and to see her like this, so grown and healthy-looking, smiling... He looks a little older, too, a little different, but his eyes are shining like the sun.]

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[Her smile widens when his is the first face on her screen, and she's so glad he is. As much as she misses her family, they will never understand what it's like here, not the way Jesse will. He's practically her brother any way, close enough to one that she doesn't care if their names are different. That never mattered to her anyway.]

Not for long. It was a while ago, anyway. How old is the baby?

[yeahscience]

Two. It's been forever. [He'd say I missed you, but he's pretty sure that goes without saying.]

You look... [He trails off and shakes his head, grinning.] It's awesome to see you.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

He's not really a baby any more. [He kind of is, but.] Can he walk?

[yeahscience]

Yeah. He can even talk a little.

[cassel]

[ Qurl what you talkin bout with all them names he's never heard you go by any of those what up with that ]

And in that long list of names, you've forgotten the name you are best known by, my lady. Arya Underfoot.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[omg

this is

what does she do

Mostly she's just surprised. Okay, shocked. Astonished? Whichever has the strongest connotation, that's what she is, all big eyes and staring. And smiling a little, because she hasn't hear Underfoot in a very long time.]

Jory!

[cassel]

[ What does anyone do

what do they do with their hands

what is this

Jory doesn't know, but he smiles at her astonishment. He's always had a soft spot for the Stark children and plenty of smiles and japes to share. ]

When did you have the opportunity to speak to a Dothraki Khal, my lady? Your father would never condone that.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[She wishes he was here. She was to jump at him, to throw her arms around him and pretend for just a few seconds that everything is as it was when they first arrived in King's Landing. Her family is mostly whole, her father is alive, Jory has both his eyes.]

I spoke to him from very far away. He asked for my blessing.

[cassel]

[ From where Jory stands, things have only begun to change, but every member of the Stark household is still safe and well and alive. The fact that the Arya he's speaking to looks several years older than little Arya Underfoot and her pastime of chasing cats is most curious indeed.

Obv he isn't going to mention it. ]

Did you give it to him?

[fire_punk]

Arya! [He can't help his grin.] Wow, you got hair again!

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[She can't help but smile when she sees him.]

Hair's funny like that. It keeps growing.

[fire_punk]

Yeah, but last time I saw you, you'd shaved your head. You look better with hair.

How's Nymeria?

another jor 4 u

[dishonouring]

[ It's been a long time since Jorah last set eyes on a Stark. It was long before the exile, and Arya had only been a few years old. He would have never known her if she hadn't given her name. ]

You are Eddard Stark's daughter. The eldest?

[ Because gods they have so many kids. Jorah can't even keep up. Excuse him he's not going to introduce himself bigger fish to fry ]

This Khal you spoke to--who was he?

yes good I love you my darling

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

No. That's Sansa.

[He's from her world - from Westeros, she can hear that much, but she doesn't know him.]

He said...[She frowns, brow wrinkling as she tries to remember.]

It sounded like dragon. Who are you?

ye i know at least you finally admit it

[dishonouring]

Khal Drogo has been dead for two years. He never once left the Dothraki Sea.

[ He furrows his eyebrows, puzzled more by the fact that the Khal could possibly have spoken to a girl from Winterfell than by the fact that he is speaking to a girl from Winterfell. #priorities ]

I was one of your father's bannermen, once. [ Dun dishonored everyone, won't even share his name unless forced. ]

damn I forgot to consider the ego

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

He said he was going to go to Westeros. [She's a little disappointed, but not entirely surprised. Still, there's a little smile on her lips.] He thought he could pull down the Wall with his khal - khalasar.

[Good priorities Jorah v good. Although his answer certainly earns her interest.]

What's your name?

[therearenomenlikeme]

You know, I do recall actually naming you Arya Stark, and you rebuffed me.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

That's because I don't like you.

[Dead pan. Straight forward. You're the worst Jaime.]

Why do you always come?

[therearenomenlikeme]

Don't look to me for that answer. From my perspective, you're the one who's called me.

Still stuck in the same place I left you last, I see.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

For now.

[Because for the first time in a long time, she wants to go back. And she thinks she'll do whatever she has to to make that happen.]

And I wouldn't call on you.

[deadliestviper]

I remember Cat, but I remember Arya better.

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[Oh. She smiles, tries to swallow it, and can't quite manage.]

Good. Cat was a girl who sold clams. I'm more than just her.

[deadliestviper]

That much, I always knew.

[That's a much better reaction than Bea anticipated. As she did when she'd left, she bows to Arya.]

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

[She's been so angry at people leaving her, and she's still angry, still harboring it in a small place in her heart - but she's glad to see Breatrix again. In the end, that's what wins.

She hesitates for a moment, then hops up off her bed to mimic the bow.]

I still have your sword.