06 ❆ "Who are you?" he would ask her every day.

[needlebearer]

Who: Arya Stark and YOU
Where: The main entrance to the mansion
When: March 21
Rating: PG at first, will update if needed
Summary: Arya returns to Wonderland, without her vision
The Story:

The sounds of the bustling Braavosi street abruptly vanish, as does the mixed scent of exotic fruits and spices and human filth. At the same time, Arya's memories of Wonderland come crashing back into her, as though someone has pulled back a curtain in her mind and put them on display for her. Logically, it makes sense that she's back there once again. But Arya isn't sure whether she's just finally going mad.

She's hunched in the main entrance, tattered rags hanging off her frame, her cheeks pale and a little gaunt from lack of food, a large cut under her lip, mud and bruises scattered elsewhere. Her hair is longer than before, reaching to her shoulders, and her milky white eyes stare blankly ahead of her. A wooden bowl containing a couple of the square coins of the Iron Bank of Braavos is nestled in her lap, and she grips it as though terrified that even that meagre amount of money will be stolen from her at any moment.

She jumps whenever she hears footsteps, unsure if the person passing by will take pity on her and give her some food or coin, or whether it's the Waif ready to beat her again, and gropes blindly around the floor to find the staff she had to defend herself with.

Comments

[felineavenger]

The Judge begins to purr, and lies down where Arya can keep petting him if she likes, neatly tucking his limbs underneath his body. Despite being a cat, he has the greatest sympathy for children. Their suffering can create astonishing things, as sad as it is to admit.

[needlebearer]

Slowly, Arya begins to relax her stance, still keeping on the alert for anyone approaching but feeling her muscles unwind and almost allowing herself to feel a modicum of safety. She keeps petting him, running her fingers gently over his ears and down his back, enjoying the feeling of his purring under her palm.

[felineavenger]

Poor thing, to be so young and yet so wary of her surroundings. The Judge does not move to avoid startling her, but there is only so long this loquacious fellow can stay quiet.

"Excuse my interjection, when you are petting me so nicely. I do not wish to frighten you. But what is a girl with a gentle hand like yours doing in such a wretched state?"

[needlebearer]

Arya jolts with surprise when she hears a voice come from very close by. She's more than a little confused to realise it comes from the cat, as the only place she's encountered talking animals before is in Wonderland -- which makes her realise that all her memories of Wonderland have returned as though someone has just drawn back a curtain on that part of her mind.

Her hand freezes on the small of his back for just a second, before she begins petting again.

"A girl cannot say."

Less that she cannot, and more that she's certain she'll be punished if she does.