Backdated to towards the beginning of the expedition

[wintercat]

[Catelyn has reached a state of near panic. It’s not unusual for Arya to disappear for a time. Cat had learned that it was best to give her space. But she always reported in. Because Arya knew Catelyn would worry if she didn’t. So when Arya doesn’t check in, she doesn’t even bother to filter. If it embarrasses Arya, perhaps she’ll speak up to make her stop. If it catches the attention of someone who knows where she is, so much the better.]

Arya Stark, you will tell me where you are this very instant.

[And while she's at it, she'll toss a a filter she's been meaning to for some time.]

[Danaerys Targaryen]

I am well aware my daughter has been enjoying her time with you. I have no reason to see you as an enemy here. I hold nothing against you and so I have allowed it. But know that if any harm comes to her while she is under your care, you will not find me merciful or forgiving. Is this understood?

[ooc: The first part is utterly unfiltered, so anyone is free to reply to it. Be helpful, heckle, whatever. I don't mind!]

Comments

[wintercat]

[Of course, her entire family seems to be being picked off one by one, so five is a...overly optimistic number.]

I am. [And there's a smile here too, even if it's somewhat sad.] My Lord husband was quite proud of all his children.

[commandsthewind]

[... Five is better then her father's... three. Look how that turned out.]

I am sure he would be, if Arya is anything to go by. They would do any parent proud.

[wintercat]

She seems to have made quite an impression. I will admit, most are not so taken with her initially. [Largely because she's a little terror, but that's neither here nor there.]

[commandsthewind]

She was quite helpful to me, brought me wine and showed me how these journals work. In fact I think she even scolded me for not looking after myself. It was sweet, as far as it goes. [Still not completely sure about how the wolf goes.]

[wintercat]

That is...quite unusual for her. She must have taken a liking to you, your grace. [Nymeria is the best. Cat was skeptical at first, but when one saved her son's life, she became the biggest fan of direwolves.]

[commandsthewind]

It seems that way, you need to not worry about her in my care, should she ever wander into it. I am fond of children. [When put that way, Elizabeth just wants one of her own.]

[wintercat]

I am grateful. [Her children are her world, especially now. And if anything ever happens to one of them, the person responsible will regret it very much.] Do you have children of your own, your grace?

[commandsthewind]

[There's a pause.] No, no children. I am far too old for that now. [She tries not to take it to heart or care about it very much.]

[wintercat]

[Welp. That pause made it awkward.] Forgive me if I have been impertinent, my lady.

[commandsthewind]

... It's no importance... it's just a little odd for me. I'm used to my own infamy. It's a arrogance kept to kings, I suppose. [she laughs dryly.] I am known as The Virgin Queen by my people. I have no Lord and Husband but my country.

He, sadly, keeps a empty bed. [Which yes, a woman and queen all in her right. She waits for the usual remark of either shock or disapproval.]

[wintercat]

[There's shock, but not disapproval. If anything, Catelyn has become more frustrated with the fact that it's a man's world since Ned's death. She loves her eldest son and she will gladly stand at his side, but there is so little she can do in her own right. And she's filled with such rage and bitterness that she finds it infuriating. She can't even protect her own children.

A woman with power in her own right? She can only envy. So instead of the usual remark, there's a small, startled laugh.]

No wonder my Arya has taken such a liking to you.

[commandsthewind]

[Well she's glad to not hear the usual question as to why she's not married. It became grating after awhile.]

She longs to never be married then?

[wintercat]

[Cat is far too diplomatic to ask that sort of thing outright.]

She is only twelve, that may change. But she would prefer to act under her power. That will not. She is too much like her father for that.

Have you met Nymeria? Arya named her for a warrior queen of legend. [Meanwhile, Sansa named hers "Lady"... Still better than Rickon's "Shaggy Dog," though.]

[commandsthewind]

[She says nothing to that, because she remembers well when she was that age, watching Anne of Cleves being discarded like nothing, and her cousin beheaded. She'd sworn the same.]

There are worse faults for a child to have. Far worse. She could... well, be as many young women are want. Which is neither their fault either I suppose, more bitterness on the men that use them. [Oh poor cousin Kitty...]

I did, I... couldn't remember seeing a better hunting animal in my life, I can say that much. [She smiles though.] Has strength on her mind, then?

[wintercat]

She has had to grow up far too quickly. [Which is in answer to both the first and second parts of this discussion. It's only natural that Arya have strength on her mind, after everything.]

[commandsthewind]

So do we all, my lady Stark, when there is work for us to do. Pity though it is, perhaps here... awful as this place is, it affords an opportunity.

[wintercat]

That is more true than you know. [Her poor broken family. How pathetic it is that this place is their last chance to be all together.]

[commandsthewind]

I think it it is true of us all. [she laughs for a moment.] Perhaps you might understand it better then others. But I have been told by man that 'if I am Queen, why do I simply not take a holiday if it's so tiring?'

This place is the closest I will ever have again to being free of my duty.

[wintercat]

[A little amused scoff.] Clearly, they have not had many dealings with royalty.

[commandsthewind]

Or anyone with a duty to fulfil. It's most odd. Such things are so common, mundane even where I come from. [she laughs quietly.] Here they seem to think it's novelty.

[wintercat]

It's difficult for them to understand. Their eyes glaze over when I speak of Houses, alliances, and politics.

[commandsthewind]

Very much so. It feels as though speaking another language sometimes.