paradisalogs | ʏᴏᴜ ғᴜᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ sᴜɴsʜɪɴᴇ

[ She had seen the mansion before. It had always been from a distance. Arya does not know who lives there, though it does not seem occupied.

Today she decides to go close. With Nymeria running beside, she turns Aemon towards it. His cloven hooves clatter against pebbles as they stop before the doors. Nymeria continues, sniffing at the steps in curiosity. Arya does not slide off the unicorn's back yet. She swats at one of the butterflies and calls to the wayward wolf. ]

Nymeria, to me!

[ Oh my god, a unicorn is precisely her thought when Lucrezia spots Arya from one of the windows, quickly calling for one of the maids to go stand by the door to welcome the unexpected guest.

She thinks announcing her presence too soon would only drive the girl away, and that fear is not without reason. The servant would say nothing aside from Welcome if she sees the girl, walking off quietly to lead Arya through the many dark halls and stairways to the room where Lucrezia is playing with kittens, ribbons and fabrics, and sparkly hairnets. ]

[ it's the gates of hell

]

Lady Lucrezia.

[ Arya bites her lip. In dirty breeches, she curtsies, out of necessity rather than courtesy. It would be unseemly to run out, but she would actually prefer it. ]

[ NO, IT'S PEARLY AND SHIT.

Lucrezia looks up with a laugh, as if expecting her, and stands up to set the fabric aside. She has fancy greetings in mind, but didn't the girl say she cares not for decorated words? ]

Arya. I saw your steed when you came in through the gate.

I'm sorry if I interrupted. I didn't know who lived here.

Joshua and myself.

[ She reaches a hand for her so she can lead her back to the couches with all the frilly materials. ]

The place is too big for two, so I like having company.

[ Arya lets herself be led. She eyes the couch and takes a seat on the very edge, more out of concern for ruining it in her state than simply discomfort. ]

Who built this?

You could ask him.

[ She wouldn't even mind dirt on her things. She can always get new ones. Speaking of, Arya should get new breeches if only Lucrezia can find something resembling it somewhere in her pile of new dresses and things. She pulls out a pair of white cotton pants to be worn under the dress when riding, meant for Matilda, but they are both just as small! ]

How about this?

For—? [ She understands a little late and emphatically shakes her head. ] I'm fine, my lady. You must have those for someone else.

You are the only one I see.

[ She isn't taking no for an answer, stepping over to offer it to Arya. ]

And no more of this my lady nonsense. You know my name.

[ After a moment of hesitation, Arya takes it from her. ]

Thank you, Lucrezia. Where should I change?

[ Progress! She gestures to a set of screens in the corner of the room. ]

I would do it there.

[ Arya moves behind the screens. She scurries into the white riding pants quickly. They feel good against her skin, but the color… She makes a face imagining what color she might return them as. Her breeches are draped over her arm as she steps into view again. ]

Where should I put this, my—Lucrezia?

[ She clasps her hands in approval. The girl wouldn't clean up bad. ]

I can have it washed and returned to you later. Otherwise, you may put it anywhere. [ She can't care less when she is already moving to find her a clean shirt from among her trove. ]