when she was just a girl

[persequor]

Wʜᴏ: Arya and you
Wʜᴀᴛ: Exploring
Wʜᴇɴ: Today
Wʜᴇʀᴇ: Everywhere a curious kid can get into. You can set up the scene, just let me know where we're at!


[ Had it been anyone else but her mother explaining where they were and what to expect here, Arya would not have believed them. The concept was hard to understand much less swallow. But if there is someone in the world she still trusts wholeheartedly it is her mother. She would not lie to Arya. Not about something like this.

Thus after she found a moment to wander away from Catelyn, she decided to explore the castle, Needle at her side. If she was to be here for a while, she needs to know what can be found. She had always enjoyed discovering new places, talking to new people. Maybe a day to tire herself out was all she needed to sleep through the night again. ]

Comments

[wilder]

Sure. [He didn't name it! But he'll shrug and shift his position so he can pull it out of the scabbard, showing the sword to her]

[persequor]

[ She sets the flowers carefully on the table and reaches with both hands for the hilt. ]

[wilder]

[He contemplates, then lets her do it. It's not like it's cursed anymore. It's probably surprisingly pretty heavy for a one handed sword]

Careful now.

[persequor]

[ Arya takes it with both hands. She makes a face at the weight before she adjusts. She isn't strong enough to wield it, but with both hands she can at least keep it off the floor. ]

It's a weird design. It looks ceremonial.

[wilder]

[a shrug]

That was it's former purpose, I guess. But it's much stronger than most blades.

[persequor]

[ She tests the balance and tries to slide into a Water Dancer's stance with it. It's too heavy for her, however. She holds it out for Zelos to take. ]

You must be very strong. It's almost as heavy as Ice.

[wilder]

[He snorts as he takes it with one hand and sheathes it. He'd make a crack about of course he's stronger than a 12 year old girl...but then again there's Presea...]

I'm guessing you mean a sword and not frozen water. [he shrugs] It's one of my heavier blades, but I guess I am pretty strong. ♪

But now what is a young darling girl like yourself doing knowing about swords? [At least his tone sounds more amused than judging]

[persequor]

[ Ice is the greatsword wielded by the Lord of Winterfell, she doesn't say. Her father who was so strong could only lift it with both hands. As wide as a man's hand and almost as tall as her eighteen-year-old brother. It was forged in Valyria so it never needed to be sharpened. Her father had used it in battle and to execute the condemned—and then it was taken from their House and used to execute their lord, her father. She doesn't say any of this. It's too raw, too personal to share. She shrugs instead. ]

I've always liked them. I used to watch my brothers practice with the Master-at-Arms. I was learning how to fight—I was getting good!—but…

[ She trails off. Her father is a ragged, bleeding wound, which hurts so much she cannot close her eyes for fear of seeing it happen again. But she still aches for her teacher. He was so brave and he taught her so much and he protected her and refused to run at the end—but she cannot remember him. Not even a name. He's just her "dancing teacher." At least she still has the memory of her kind and handsome father, to polish and fret over and tuck away somewhere no one and nothing may ever tarnish it. All she has left of her teacher are his words. ]

[wilder]

[The grief is easy enough to read on her face. Ah. This must be Arya that the Lady Stark was speaking of last night. Coincidences, how they may work out]

[But he knows a good way to deal with grief for a parent: distraction]

Yeah? Mind if I see your sword there?

[persequor]

[ She draws it out, but doesn't relinquish it. ]

Its name is Needle.

[wilder]

[he holds out his hand. If he had to hand over Soul Eater, you have to dot he same]

Any story behind that?

[persequor]

[ She pulls it closer to her. ]

I hate needlework.

[wilder]

Ah. [he chuckles at that explanation. The hand stays] I'm not gonna harm it.

[persequor]

[ Her concern lies closer to it being stolen than broken. After consideration, she sets it delicately in his hand. ]

It won't hack a man's head off [ she repeats what Jon had told her when he gave it to her, ] but it'll poke him full of holes.

[wilder]

[yeah because he seriously needs another weapon, he only has 23432 of them. But he'll test the weight and balance. It's extremely light, but well crafted. Perfect for someone her size]

A well place hole will do the same job as a beheading, anyway.

[After taking a couple practice moves while still sitting, he hands it back to her]

[persequor]

[ She sheathes it carefully. ]

I saw you this morning. From my window. You move well.

[wilder]

[an amused noise as he crosses his arms. So that explains that. She's not approaching every dude with a sword...almost]

Why thank you, my little darling~

[persequor]

Could you teach me?

[wilder]

Whoa- hold up.

What?

[persequor]

[ She speaks quickly as she tries to convince him. ]

I already know the basics. I'm good. I take my lessons seriously. I practise every day. All day if I can. But I need a teacher so I can get better.

[wilder]

Darling- kid-

[Jeeeeez]

That's great and all, but you don't even know my name. What makes you think I can teach you? There's a lot of swordsmen in this place.

[persequor]

You move like a Water Dancer. That's the style I was learning.

[wilder]

A what?

[persequor]

The Braavosi Water Dance. It's a style of sword fighting. Elegant and sudden. You move like they do.

[wilder]

Uh, right.

That still goes back to the part where you don't know me. How do you know I can even be trusted?