ᴡɪɴᴛᴇʀ ʟɪᴠᴇs ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴏɴᴇs

[wolfchild]

[ She stumbles into snow. The cold slices into her. Soaked, filthy, with travel-stained clothes turned almost to rags on her skinny frame and matted, tangled hair only just growing out again, she looks little like a girl, much less like the missing younger Stark daughter.

She sniffles and wipes her nose with the back of her hand. Her face is uncomfortably hot yet she's freezing. Her shivering near knocks her off her feet as she clambers up the steps. ]

My mother…

[ Arya feels her eyes fill with tears. She was going to find her mother and her brother. She was almost home. It wasn't fair. ]

Comments

[wolfchild]

[ There's a part wants to go immediately to her. To just curl up in her mother's lap like she was three not almost three-and-ten. But another glance down at herself and she knows it'd be best to bathe. Despite the warmth, her wet clothes are cold. And they're hardly the sort of stuff her mother would be glad to see her in. ]

Can I change first?

[wilder]

Of course.

[he moves to stand, offering a hand]

C'mon, you can use the bath in my room.

[wolfchild]

[ She stares at the hand before gingerly grasping it. It's almost a surprise when it proves solid. She half-expects the Hound to kick her awake at any moment. ]

[wilder]

[He catches the hesitation, it hurts to see and it's so surreal. Just the other day she would've taken the chance to jump up on him in a hug. And now suddenly that girl seemed so far away]

[But he'll make sure his grip is firm on her hand and gives her a small squeeze before leading her towards the elevator- since you know the quicker they get there the better ]

[wolfchild]

[ Once in the elevator, she lets her head sag against his arm. She's just so tired. It feels like someone scooped out all her insides and left her empty. She traces invisible patterns on his wrist and the back of his hand to keep herself awake. ]

[wilder]

[He lets her do so. All while trying to figure out what could have possibly caused all this and who he needs to kill. Finally the elevator ride will end and he will lead her down the hall to the room- unlocking it and walking in. It looks the same as ever. Like the default room, but purple. ]

Bath's through that door, pull the curtain on it so I can leave you fresh clothes.

[wolfchild]

[ You know Zelos.

You could.

Ask.


A nod and she slips into the bathroom. Once she figures out the water, she strips and climbs in. She huddles underneath the spray. The water is too hot, but she bears it without complaint. ]

[wilder]

[Hell no he doesn't have enough liquor in the room to handle that answer. Bring a keg and he'll consider it]

[He meanwhile wishes for some clothing that of her size and style that he remembers her wearing before, leaving them on the counter of the bathroom before sitting in a chair in the main area, pretending to read when not getting a word in]

[wolfchild]

[ She exits some time later, dressed and barefoot. The skin on her feet looks closer to leather, so callused both are from abuse. Her hair is still tangled, but it's cleaner and dripping water on her shirt. She hesitates at the door. ]

Is there something to eat?

[wilder]

[he's taking note of all this, storing away to debate asking about later]

[...And honey he doesn't eat unless he feels like it, what do you think]

I can wish for something, what'd you like?

[wolfchild]

[ Give her a break, a year in Westeros kicked most of her Paradisa memories' collective ass. ]

I'll eat anything. [ She sniffles. ] I've not had anything but cheese and hard bread for days.

[wilder]

Gross.

[But he'll wish for a plate of paella and put it on the table in the room, along with some utensils. What it's a good quality meal in his world ok]

Here you go.

[wolfchild]

[ Arya clears roughly half of it before she abruptly sets her fork down. She stares at her plate, chewing on her lip. A tear splashes on the table. ]

[wilder]

[ ! ]

What is it?

[wolfchild]

[ She shakes her head. He'll think her a child. ]

It's really good. Really, really good. I can't remember the last time I got to eat as much as I wanted.

[wilder]

But?

[Honey you are a child, just accept it he loves you]

[wolfchild]

That's it.

[ She doesn't understand anymore people being nice to her without wanting to ransom her off later. ]

[wilder]

Alright...

Well, eat all you want. It's yours.

[wolfchild]

[ She shakes her head. Her appetite disappeared. ]

I want to see my mother.

[wilder]

If you're sure.

[He gets up from his chair]

C'mon, let's go.

[wolfchild]

[ Pushing the plate away, she slips off the chair to follow him. She worries the hem of her shirt. ]

[wilder]

[He meanwhile nudges her and offers his hand again. It's okay bb ;; ]

[wolfchild]

[ Look, Zelos, you're the first to get something of a smile out of her. Good job.

She takes it when it's offered this time, keeping closer to him than she had. ]

[wilder]

[Whoo! This is why he's the great Zelos Wilder!]

[And he gives a small smile back before leading her out of the room and back to the elevator]

[wolfchild]

[ When the elevator doors open, Arya tugs on Zelos' hand. ]

Zelos?