First Snowfall ❄ video;

[starktomboy]

[The video feed clicks on and for a second Arya hesitates, unsure if it is actually working due to lack of familiarity with such technology still. She has a question, for any interested parties. She would continue hiding, if not for the fact that it's become apparent there are so many who know who she really is. She has yet to see any Lannisters here either. It seems safe enough to her, to ask that someone help her continue her training with the sword?]

I was wondering, should anyone be capable and willing, if there was anyone who might be able to find time to practice sword fighting with me? I trained some back home and have some experience using it in practice, but I don't want my skills to fall into disuse here.

[With a lack of people to assassinate. Unless someone wants to teach her that.]

I thank whomever might be interested.

[Without much more to add than that, she ends the video there after a few seconds of fumbling with her bracelet.]

Comments

Video

[samantha_grey]

[That familiar feeling. This time, it was with a clearer view of her face. she'd met Arya again earlier, upon her return, but hadn't quite recognized her. The connection didn't quite come to her at the moment. The whole thing had been a little awkward, but otherwise uneventful. And now, she was standing there, visible. She looked a little older, maybe a year or a few months. It was really hard to say.

The video feed turned on and the red-head's face was quite visible, looking as shocked as possible.]

A...Arya?!? Is that you?

Video

[starktomboy]

[Arya had expected an onslaught of more people recognizing her, when she thought to make this post. She wonders idly how often she spoke to people on here. Shouldn't she have been trying to stay out of sight? It would have been dangerous.]

Yes...? You are the woman I met when I arrived. I remember you.

Video

[samantha_grey]

[She blinked. The shock seemed to mount in her face, along with consternation.]

I saw you? When? Arya, why didn't yo...

[And, just then, Samantha looked like she was about to be physically ill. She crumpled a little and sighed. Arya didn't remember anything, and there was a good chance she might take a while remembering when they'd spoken last. She didn't remember, and she'd been obviously keeping her head down somehow to avoid people noticing. The red-head had an inkling about why.]

It really doesn't matter, I guess. You don't remember me from when you were here before. You might be better off.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

My friend's running a place for weapons training called the Citadel--you might have heard of it from other Travelers. The sword is one of the weapons they teach.

If you're not interested in lessons, I'm sure some of the students there would be glad for some more practice.

[Video]

[starktomboy]

I have not heard of it, but it sounds interesting. Is there anyone experienced in Water Dancing? [Which... belatedly she realizes they might not know what that even is.]

Or if I need to learn a new technique that is fine. I don't mind taking lessons, if the teacher is competent.

[It will be difficult to be a better Dancing Master than Syrio, in her eyes.]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

If you've already know how to handle the sword, Arthur will probably give you a test to see where he'll place you.

[He beams, proudly.]

Arthur's the best, where I'm from. You'll have no trouble with him.

video; private

[affranchise]

[She's so young.

There's a bittersweet feeling of déjà vu, here. Aveline's face is somber, yet serene, and just the sky is visible behind her.]

I could be of assistance.

video; private

[starktomboy]

[Arya had never thought on her age, only that she wanted to do something to go against her mother at first and then it became a necessity to survive. It felt wrong to leave Needle to be cast aside like a decoration instead of what it was meant to be.]

You could? You know of how to use a sword? [There's a tone of surprise because where she is from women are not permitted to carry swords or to fight.]

video; private

[affranchise]

And more, but a sword is a good start.

[The surprise earns Arya a gentle smile. More women were learning to defend themselves in Aveline's time, but it was still a rare accomplishment for them. And many mistook Aveline for a soft noble, instead of someone capable of holding her own.

All for the better.]

And I haven't been able to get in much practice myself, so if you would like...

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[upheld]

[ Brienne remembers you and your sword, she is no teacher - she had tried to teach Pod and he had done well enough, though. She considers this before turning the device on to reply. ]

If you have had no other offers before me, I would teach you.

video

[starktomboy]

[Arya, already excited from her previous offer from Aveline, is more than happy to accept Brienne's as well, though she doubts she'd be able to hold a sword as large as Oathkeeper.]

Yes, I think that would be fine! Though it will be a bit different since my sword is small compared to yours.

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[upheld]

I will have a look around, perhaps I can find something a bit more practical to use for this. [ she is not even used to it, yet. ]

Brienne of Tarth. House Freya.

Video

[sparkling_eyes]

I can teach you what I know.

[Lyon never turns down a willing student in this place.]

Video

[starktomboy]

What sorts of things do you know?

[She's also trying not to sound surprised but almost every offer has been from a woman and she's sort of internally beyond excited by this. Clearly women have more free will in worlds that aren't Westeros.]

Video

[sparkling_eyes]

Well, I'm trained as a knight and a bodyguard for royalty, so I can teach you how to use a sword and also how to use it to protect and defend others.

[video]

[daddyissues]

[Connor hesitates, but after a moment he turns his own video feed back on to respond. Skills falling into disuse is something he initially worried about, as well. If only because he knew he'd need it back home and is terrified his abilities won't return when he leaves. Which isn't relevant to the young girl asking... but it's on his mind. And heading to talk to Arthur with another newcomer might make it easier.]

There are classes at the citadel. I was going to check them out soon, if you wanted to tag along.

[video]

[starktomboy]

[Arya nods, having received this information once already, but still filing it away.]

I can tag along. I don't know where it is, but you can show me? [She's sure there's a map function on her bracelet but she still struggles with figuring all of the options and features out. She's learning though.

( VIDEO )

[robb]

[ watching this post like a hawk, because the last arya had a trainer - a close friend of his maya - but now that she's gone too - he's going to have to make sure that whomever arya chooses is worth his attention. but it's always been something that piqued his curiosity. since he never asked the last arya. ]

And whom let you hold a sword?

[ and okay so maybe she's a little bit better than bran but he's allowed to play older brother - sometimes. ]

( VIDEO )

[starktomboy]

[She makes a face at Robb, as if to say 'I do what I want, brother!!' but then smiles ever so sweetly. She won't out Jon to him. She is going to lie through her teeth. Thank the gods for the House of Black and White's training her to be deceptive. Two years ago she would have been terrible at it.]

Father did. He let me have lessons from a Bravoosi Dancing Master when we were in King's Landing.

[Which was technically true, but also it was not outing Jon for a lecture from their brother for having the sword made. Jon, of course did not know their father knew of it either.]

video;

[starkbastard]

[It's hard to wipe the soft smile he has on his lips at this, despite the words she's using, because, well, this is Arya and if Jon is honest with himself, this is exactly that sort of things he expects from his baby sister. He might as well just give her a bow, grey goose fletched arrows and a sheep furs: there's no doubt in his mind that she'll be a spearwife as good as Ygritte.]

'Trained some' and 'have some experience using it'? Should I be concerned you've taken your first lesson to another level, little sister?

[Despite the heaviness of her words and his, Jon's tone is mildly teasing. Though his expression sobers lightly]

I would offer my help, but I fear our dear brother might try to have my head for it. And I happen to like it quite where it is right now.

video;

[starktomboy]

[Internally she flinches at his question because oh she definitely had the experience at killing a man. Needle had been bloodied once or twice. He had no idea the horrors she or Sansa had suffered after their father's death, though she still did not know what sorts of things their sister suffered either but she had some measure of sense to guess and not ask.]

I've... [She can't lie to him. She's fine lying to Robb about who gave her the sword, but she isn't sure she can lie to Jon about using it and so she picks more neutral territory, like with Robb.] I got to train some in King's Landing. Father hired a Bravoosi man to teach me Water Dancing.

[She laughs a little, recalling happier times.] I didn't mean for him to find out about Needle but you know how Father is. He wasn't angry though, don't worry.

video.

[singlehandedly]

[Well, there's a familiar face. Malik doesn't often speak to people over the bracelet, but this seems like something to comment on, even if he won't openly advertise his own skills. He's sitting somewhere indoors, with a bit of noise in the background, perhaps a store, or an inn. Somehow it's barely a surprise that a child with quiet footfalls, a quick mind and good instincts would also know a thing or two about fighting.]

I am sure your teacher would be pleased to know that you are continuing your training. Have you found someone yet?

video.

[starktomboy]

I've gotten several suggestions for a Citadel? There are lessons there and others have offered to help me too.

[Arya feels like she could learn a lot from this one in particular. He reminded her more of what her training with the House of Black and White had been, however short. The way he moved, however quiet, and she remembered noting that his presence itself felt familiar to it.]

You use a sword? [She pictured him more of a dagger sort.]

[ video ]

[pratentious]

[ As usual, Arthur checks the earlier responses before formulating his own. She doesn't remember her previous stay. Not rare by half, but perhaps a bit ... saddening. The young Stark was something of a friend once before; perhaps it shall be so again. ]

If I'm not mistaken, Arya Stark, you are fairly well learned in the arte as is. Quick feet, light as a feather.

[ A soft smile, acknowledging talent one swordsman to another. ]

There are those that have spoken to you of the Citadel. I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot and owner of said establishment. You trained there once, not long ago. You are more than welcome to do so again, if it please you.

[ video ]

[starktomboy]

[It still unnerves her people know her name and speak to her so casually - friendly even - and aren't about to turn her in to the King's Guard and put her head on a spike. She gives him a small smile, nervous but friendly.]

Pendragon, so then you are whom my brother Robb spoke of then?

[She sizes him up a bit, as much as possible over the video feed. He said she was quick on her feet, so they had obviously traded blows before? She wondered how good he was. The urge to make a sarcastic remark and ask if she'd ever beaten him is on the tip of her tongue. He's no Gendry, of course, so making fun of him probably would not do.]