I said I didn't want to join the polar bear club

[catchallthecats]

WHO: Arya Stark
WHERE: Fountain/Fountain Park
WHEN: Evening, Nov 18th
OPEN TO: All
WARNINGS: Horrible wolfchild and her feral non!manners and probably some cursing.
STATUS: Open

---

It wouldn’t be the first time someone had hip-checked or shoved her off of a bridge. Certainly the first time in a while though, Arya had learned the signs to watch for in anyone competing for customers, trying to pickpocket, or simply someone inattentive when things were crowded. But she was quite certain she’d been nowhere near any bridge, nor was she near enough a ledge to be shoved off for whatever reason.

However she could worry about that when she reached the surface, kicking furiously towards the dim light that indicated surface. Scrabbling for something to grab hold of once she breached the surface, the gasp for breath becoming an almost offended noise at the cold that hit her when she hit air. Luckily it was simple enough once she’d gotten hold of the ledge to haul herself up and over onto the paving stones, sloshing water along with her as she hit the ground.

It was far colder than it should have been, which in itself was alarming. But what was even more worrying was the lack of any familiar architecture. Wherever she was, it was definitely nowhere near Braavos. And the clothes she was wearing were certainly not what she’d been in before, and weren’t nearly good for the cold wind that had her pushing to her feet, scowling at her surroundings like they’d personally offended her.

She needed to find somewhere inside where she could get out of the cold and get dry. Then she could worry about finding out where she’d wound up.

Comments

[andrend]

Ren has only had three days, barely even that, in the town of strangers who were uncomfortably familiar with his face. Most of that had been spent in or near the Inn that had provided sanctuary for him when he arrived. Now he had bundled up in layers of clothing, with the long black peacoat wrapped firmly around his body, and traveled back out into the familiar cold of the air.

He was studying the fountain from nearby when Arya emerged, and he could read the scowl off her with a familiar enough emotion to remind him of his own offense and anger at this forsaken planet he was now trapped on, even if temporarily.

He could have left her to her own devices. She would either make it indoors or die of a chill, and either way it would have been no more his problem. Instead he moved with a small scowl of his own and approached the stones around the fountain, avoiding the water itself for the memory alone. He had acquired an illness from the chill, too mild to keep him indoors when there was potential of something to distract himself with.

"I know of at least one building here with a heat source if you cooperate." He didn't offer the friendliest of a welcome, but his voice was calm and steady with a touch of a winter rasp.

"You can deal with your questions from there, or you can wait here for someone else to come along while your clothing turns to ice."

[catchallthecats]

The scowl on the approaching stranger’s face didn’t seem to soothe her in the least, her own deepening when the hand that set habitually at her hip didn’t come in contact with the hilt of a blade. Letting out a hiss of displeasure she let the hand drop again, studying Ren a moment.

She didn’t trust him in the least, but at the same time she knew that the longer she wandered lost, the more likely she’d fall ill, or die of exposure. Head tilting slightly, suspicion not something she was bothering to hide in her expression or her tone. It would be stupid, insane to simply take someone at their word in this situation after all.

“Cooperate how?” What did he want for his help? Better to find out now before letting him lead her anywhere, though even with suspicion her tone wasn’t as angry as it could be. Upset about what had happened, but she was willing to hear him out. He seemed just as displeased as she was, which meant it was possible he’d wound up here the same way. Or that he was simply annoyed at being sent out after her. It was hard to say, and the lack of knowledge of the situation was galling in it’s own way, as hard as it made it to make a decision.

[andrend]

"Follow. Don't try anything stupid like pulling a weapon on me." He was terse and short with her, but his own hands held no weapons, and none were easily visible on him. He was out of sorts from his lack of weaponry and the dwindling power at his fingertips.

"I doubt there is anything else of use I could get from you and you can;t get me off this rock any more than anyone else here can." Not having just arrived at least. Even if she was a genius mechanic in hiding she couldn't build him a ship from nothing.

"There are people at the inn who for whatever reason seem interested in helping the half drowned." He gestured to the fountain as he spoke and then pointed over his shoulder back toward the inn, where a fire had been burning when he left. "They might have some food or some dry clothing. At the least there's a fire." He didn't consider himself one of them but he slipped off his jacket, far too long to be sensible for her and offered it to her with the frown still in place. If she wanted warmth she could take it. If she didn't he could at least claim that he offered some form of help in return. She wasn't immediately an enemy of his, so he had no real issue with her other than her inability to help him leave.

[catchallthecats]

“Fine.” It was simple enough of a request, even if she didn’t trust that she had nothing he wanted. All it took was one Lannister agent for her to be in trouble, after all. But why would he show himself if that were the case? Better to slink off and report her location if he was.

“I take it I’m not the first then.” At least so far as was being claimed. The idea of a fire was tempting, it was doubtful she’d accept any food. Who knew what could have been done to it. But the coat would be accepted, not bothering with anything beyond wrapping it around herself like a cloak, less likely to be caught up if someone grabbed her by it that way after all.

She’d feel better if she had her knife or even better if she had Needle but… she would simply have to make do with what she had available. Surely an inn would have things that could pass as weapons in a pinch. Even if she was hoping it didn’t come to that. Not that she was afraid to shed blood, but she had more important things to be doing than brawling.

[andrend]

"Good." His response was short as hers was. He was no more interested in trust than she was, and he had yet to feel comfortable even sleeping at the inn. He fully intended to find a secure enough place to lock himself safely in when he found a means of doing so and keeping it warm.

"You're not. I arrived in a similar way a few days ago. Presumably everyone here arrives the same way in the same clothing." Something that made him uncomfortable, but also a bit relieved. Her appearance meant it had not all been a lie, and the fact that others were there made it both more confusing and less likely Luke was involved unless he had taken to just exiling all his enemies.

He started the short walk in the direction of the inn, keeping his head turned enough to keep an eye on her and still watch where he was going. His face was marred by a scar that traveled from the middle of his forehead, down his face and disappeared under the collar of the shirt he wore. It was a large scar that made him quickly recognizable from anyone else in the village.

"No one seems to know where here is, either." It annoyed him that even staring at the sky gave him no clues as to where he was in the Universe.

[thekittenqueen]

Among the influx of new arrivals, there had never been someone so young before as the girl that crawled out of the fountain, sopping wet and clearly frozen. Having come to the edge of the woods to collect kindling, Margaery heard the sounds of water splashing, indicating that someone new had been pulled into this realm.

To see a young girl was enough to push any chores from her mind and draw her back into the familiar realm of concern and nurturing. She removed her wool cloak hurriedly, offering it out to Arya. "You must be freezing. Put this on. We need to get you to a fire."

Arya's shock and likely confusion was brushed over for now in Margaery's head. What was tantamount to her was making certain that the girl did not catch ill. "There is an inn nearby with tea and broth. Let me take you there."

[catchallthecats]

As suspicious as she was, Arya knew better than to turn down the offer of that cloak, bundling it around her shoulders to keep out the chill. Everything Margaery was saying was correct, was certainly what she needed at this point. Enough so that her wariness simply rose, scrutinizing the woman. Her accent was familiar, not of Braavos but definitely of home. Westeros, but not Northern.

“Where are we?” She wasn’t going anywhere with the stranger without some idea of that. The whole thing stank of a trap, even if she was uncertain what the goal was. If she’d been subdued to move here, then why bother with the ruse? Unless this was…

Was it some form of test? The thought had her paying more mind to the woman urging her on, brows drawing thoughtfully. But if it were a test, what was she supposed to do? What was she learning?

“Who are you?”

[thekittenqueen]

That was the question she hated the most. What exactly could she say to it? There were no answers in this world, only mounting questions and confusions. As far as she knew, they could be dead. She at least was, along with Robb. Reason, however, did not accept that response nor did she wish to frighten anyone. It did leave her frustrated that she couldn't offer anything in the way of explanation.

"I don't know." Margaery told her honestly. "The wilderness. There are others here as well, pulled in by the fountain." The girl had a Northern accent, but Margaery didn't want to jump to conclusions about who she was.

"I'm Margaery Tyrell." She turned, pointing down the road. "Do you see in the distance there? That's the inn."

[catchallthecats]

Tyrell. Arya’s gaze skipped towards her, grey eyes sharpening as suspicion simply rose at that detail. A Southern highborn lady out in the wilderness? That just simply didn’t happen, especially not with how calm she seemed about everything. A lady out with no escort, in a strange place after dark was not normal in the least. It screamed trap, like how some bandits would send out children to lure unsuspecting victims into an ambush.

“How many others?” Completely ignoring that it was generally expected to respond to someone giving their name with an introduction. Not that she’d be telling her a real name if she asked. It was a good thing she’d been getting better at the game of faces. “Who’s responsible?”

Assuming Margaery even knew. It was entirely possible that she didn’t. Not that Arya would believe her answer without investigating herself, but it was a good idea to ask anyways, to know what the ‘general story’ was. It was hard to find the truth of the matter if she didn’t know the whole of the lie she was looking to pick apart after all.

[thekittenqueen]

"The recognition in her eyes was enough to confirm Margaery's suspicion that this girl was from Westeros. Her accent also narrowing down the realm. She was of a Northern house, either a bannermen of the Starks or... a Stark herself? Margaery knew that Robb had another sister, one that had been presumed dead, having gone missing from King's Landing.

It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that she would come to this place as well. Given Sansa's recent arrival, the odds that the other sister coming were increased. It wouldn't be shock if the entire Stark clan came to this place. They seemed destined to find each other again.

"Several," she said, unable to give an exact number. "I don't know who is responsible for this. There are no answers, I'm afraid." She told her gently. "Come and get warm. I can try to help once you are somewhere dry."

[womanofvalue]

Peggy hears the familiar sound of activity in the fountain, but even then, it doesn't prepare her for the young woman that comes out of the fountain and into even colder wind. It's just a touch too cold for Peggy to willingly give up her coat, but she's quick to get to the girl's side, eyeing her up and down warily. "You'll catch pneumonia," she warns, "let me get you somewhere warm, somewhere with food."

She's going to freeze, won't she, small as she is.

[catchallthecats]

She'd stood to one side, out of the wind while she took stock of herself, wringing as much water from her shirt as she could. When the stranger came closer, she glanced over to her, arms crossing, hands tucking under them to keep the cold from seeping too deep into them. It took a long moment for her to study Peggy before she finally nodded, with a grimace.

"That's... probably a good idea." She admitted finally, even if it was highly doubtful she'd accept any food offered just yet. Once she'd figured out warmer clothing she could find some food on her own, that wasn't at risk of having been tampered with. But first warmth, dry clothes, and answers were on the list.

[womanofvalue]

Peggy is beginning to wonder if maybe a sign outside the fountain advertising warmth and food and shelter is a good idea, but for now, she's more than happy to play guide and help the girl along. "Here," she says, keeping her voice softer as she keeps some distance (bearing in mind, of course, that despite good intentions, she's still a stranger). "We'll get you dried up and then I can try and tell you where you are."

Not that Peggy thinks she'll be believed, yet, there's always hoping that one of the new arrivals might believe her - or better yet, have some answers.

[catchallthecats]

The woman keeping a respectful distance made Arya feel a little better. Sure it could still be some form of trap but it was harder to catch her if she had a distance to work with, even a small one. And as much as she'd rather run off on her own, she knew better than to do so when it was cold and dark. A good way to get lost, or trip in an unseen ditch or pothole and get hurt.

"Some answers would be more than welcome." Stepping away from the fountain but ranging to one side, keeping herself out of arm's reach of the stranger for now. "Lead on."

[womanofvalue]

Peggy doesn't think she's going to be able to offer a great deal, but perhaps there's a chance that she'll have some information worth sharing. "I'm Peggy Carter," she introduces herself as they walk, tucking her coat a little tighter against her neck to ward off the chill that seems determined to seep its way down to her bones.

"What answers would you like to start with? I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee you'll like the answers."

[tooktheblack]

The weather had turned foul again, cold and dark and snow threatened again. The sky was heavy, clouds limned with the tell-tale heaviness of snow and Jon knew that it would be falling before the day's end. It didn't matter. Whether or not it snowed would not change what needed to be done before the light left them and part of his duties each day included checking the fountain for new arrivals; with the weather, he brought with him a blanket from the inn in hopes of keeping them warm.

It was a damned good thing. He arrived in time to hear a splash and see someone surface, a black head that was all too familiar. She was older now but, then again, so was he. Time hadn't changed the fact that he'd know her face anywhere, that he'd know his sister. Gods be good.

"Arya! Arya Stark!"

[catchallthecats]

Hearing her name sent a surge of alarm through her even in that voice, a familiar voice that sent daggers through her heart even as her reflexive response was a wary stance, ready to bolt as her hand fell to her hip, grasping for a hilt that wasn't there. Glancing around with wide eyes to see where the call came from, it wasn't him, it couldn't be-

Freezing entirely when her gaze found him, and despite the strange clothes, it was him. Older to be sure, but still familiar as ever, with that mess of curls and familiar Stark features that had an ache tugging at her. Thoughts of ambush, thoughts of tricks or the game of faces swept away in an instant.

"Jon!" Here was hoping he didn't mind getting soaked, because that would be Arya darting to him, all but diving to fling her arms around him in sheer relief to see him.

[tooktheblack]

Jon wrapped his arms around her before thinking about how she'd be wet and cold from the fountain and only belatedly did he remember that he'd brought the blanket with him. He lifted it, settled it around her shoulders and pulled her close yet again.

"Arya, I haven't seen you in so long," he said, voice strained with so much emotion that he could hardly keep it from cracking his voice. He had missed her so much, had worried for her the same he'd worried for Bran and Rickon and Sansa and now there was another part of his family safe and sound.

[catchallthecats]

She let him settle the blanket over her shoulders, grateful for the added shield against the cold, but still didn't hesitate to burrow right in on him arms tight around him. Still small for her age, slight of frame but there was definitely strength in that grasp.

"I'm so glad you're okay-" How ironic that of everywhere in Westeros, that the Night's Watch might be the safest place for a man. While it was true that Jon was a Snow, that he didn't represent the same level of threat as a full-blooded Stark, Arya couldn't help but fear that the Lannisters wouldn't hesitate to kill him anyways. To be thorough. "How did you get here? When? Have you been safe?"

As safe as one could be when kidnapped into a mystery town, that is.

[tooktheblack]

"I got here through that fountain, same as you. I've been here for about four moons now, give or take."

Had it truly been so long? He'd been here and adjusted to this place, had learned how to survive her just as he'd survived in every other place he'd been since he'd left Winterfell all those years ago. He'd always been a survivor, Jon, and he intended to carry on in the same way. In this, he felt Arya was similar.

"And you? Where have you been, Arya?"

at the house

[turned_to_steel]

Having been out for awhile, Sansa was completely unaware of what she would be returning home to when she finally made her way back. She had been out meeting people and trying to learn more about her new home while noticing the fact that it seemed to be getting colder all the time. That was why she was returning home with an armful of pelts that she planned to make good use of. Hopefully it wouldn't take her long to get enough cloaks for mostly everyone or at least for the people that needed to be out all the time like the hunters.

She was thinking about what design of cloak she wanted to use as she stepped into the house and shut the door behind her. Pausing for a moment to listen, she waited for a noise that would tell her if and where her brothers or Margaery might be.

"Hello?" She called out with a small smile, nudging off her shoes before heading into the living room. "I'm back!"

[catchallthecats]

Now that she'd finally gotten somewhere that she could settle, get dried, she was feeling a bit better. Still uneasy about the place she'd found herself, but some of her family was here, impossible as it could be or not, and she could feel only lucky that she was able to see them again.

She was in the small kitchen, just taking the time when things were quiet to explore their new home, strange as it all seemed. She heard the door open, but at first thought it was Jon or Robb. Until she heard the voice that spoke up, the smile clear in it's tone in a way that just had her freezing in place at first. Turning on her heel the next second to dart through the dining room, just avoiding tripping over one of the chairs as she bolted for the living room, skidding to a stop in the doorway, eyes wide as she took in the sight of her sister.

"Sansa!" Did she have her arms full? Too bad because Arya would only give her as much time as it took her to run across the room to get those pelts set down before skinny arms would fling around her to tug her older sister into a fierce, tight hug.

[turned_to_steel]

Sansa was moving to one of the chairs to put the pelts down when she heard the commotion behind her. It didn't make sense to her because she couldn't imagine Robb or Margaery running through the house and so she was already whirling around with a soft gasp when she spied the source of the noise.

The air that she had sucked in left her all at once in a rush, leaving her breathless and numb as she stared at her sister who stood only a few feet away. Even though she knew it was a possibility for Arya to show up since the rest of them were there, she hadn't actually been expecting it.

"Arya?" Her voice trembled as the pelts fell to the floor at her feet, her arms feeling numb as she took half a step forward. She didn't even notice that she was stepping on a mound of furs. Not when her eyes were blurring with tears and her throat felt thick with emotion. "Is that...."

She didn't have a chance to get the rest of the words out because suddenly her arms were full of her little sister. It took a second or two for her stunned mind to register what was happening but it didn't take her long to throw her arms around Arya in return, squeezing just as tightly as she choked back a sob. "It's you. It's really you."

[catchallthecats]

Arya could hear the sob out of her sister, hugging even more tightly, burying her face against Sansa’s shoulder as a tremor ran through her. Resisting the urge to start crying herself, only barely as she gritted her teeth against the urge, fingers curling tightly against her sister’s back.

“I missed you-“ Mumbled out, not trusting her voice to remain steady if she spoke any louder, uncertain she could keep from falling apart completely if she did. She hoped that her sister would be safe, that she’d get away from the Lannisters, from King’s Landing, but she’d also resigned herself to the idea of never seeing her again. But if she succeeded in what she’d set out to do, then she could accept that. Her hands would be too stained by that point anyways. The safety of what little family she had left was paramount, and Arya would gladly die to see them safeguarded.

But that didn’t change the guilt that clawed their way up into her throat when she saw Sansa.

“I’m sorry-“ Words spilling out before she could think better of them, it was either control what she said or stop herself from crying at this point. “I wanted to come back for you, I didn’t mean to abandon you there-“

[turned_to_steel]

"I missed you too." She murmured softly in return when she finally could get some control over herself and the tears that were still making her eyes burn. She closed them again because Arya's words stabbed through her and she thought again about how long they had been apart. Longer than they had ever been apart in their entire lives.

Swallowing thickly, she started to ease back until Arya started to apologize and she took a moment to look at her incredulously before shaking her head. "No! No, don't be sorry. I'm thankful every day that you made it away."

Not only because she had feared that Arya would get herself killed by not playing along but also because Sansa would have never wanted her little sister to see all the things she had gone through while being held hostage by the Lannisters. There was no doubt in her mind that Arya would have tried to do something to stop the abuse and humiliation or that she would have hated Sansa for doing everything she could to survive.

Pushing those thoughts out of her head, she lifted a hand to touch Arya's hair, brushing her fingers through the short length and tugging gently at the ends over her one ear. "What happened to your hair? Please tell me that you didn't use a sword to cut it."