needlebearer | [Asgard] IC Contact Post

I apologize if you tried to get ahold of me the last couple days. I tried to escape this place, and it didn't exactly work well. Have you had any problems since you went looking for your house?

[This one was the one Samantha wanted to check up on most. The girl was a scrap of a thing, and she'd been more than just a bit scared and out of sorts, despite the talk of knowing her way around a sword. Best to check in.]

Samantha? I'm fine, I've just been at the Thor house trying to get my bearings a little. I found my brother, too!

But, you tried to escape? What happened?

Good. If you've found your brother, you're not alone in this place. You shouldn't have to be. As for my little escape attempt, that was a complete failure. I tried to throw my bracelet away and find some way out of the city. I lost track of what happened after a few hours, and came to when a guard found me and gave me my bracelet back. I vaguely remember being gray and dead inside.

Don't take that thing off outside your house or lose it.

Are you all right? That sounds awful.

I promise I won't take it off.

I'm fine now. It wasn't pleasant, but don't worry about that. I'm back to normal now, well as normal as life ever gets for me.

What about finding a way out without taking the bracelet off?

Nothing. I managed to go pretty much quiet. Nobody was paying attention to me, since there's some of these locals that have color again. But I can't find any obvious ways out.

I think I'll try mapping the city, a proper map of it and looking for anything that comes off as odd or out of place.

[Geomancy wasn't her strong point, but something about this place screamed a need for a study of it.]

That sounds like a good idea. I wonder if someone's already done a map that you could work from?

I only need a really basic map. The types of details I want to list aren't going to make much sense on a regular one with all the buildings on it. Maybe a street map would be good.

Might check the shops after I get some of the local money.

The library might have one, too.

You know, I might start by going there. I need to at least see what it is that they cover around here. Got to start somewhere. And what about you? You're pretty young to be getting work around here. Are you going to be trying to shake this noose off and get back home, or stay with your brother as long as you can?

I'd like to go there, too. I'd love to find out some more of the history of this place.

[She hesitates here. So much of the future of her country, her family, her home, is so uncertain right now. But what could she do there, anyway? Here she has a way of getting stronger, so she could go back later and fight if needs be. And she knew that she'd be all right as long as her brother was here, too.] I'm going to stay here with Robb.

It's something. I'm in no spot to judge that choice. I don't trust our caretakers, but there's going to be plenty of reasons to want to stay. I'd like to meet him at some point, your brother that is.

I think he'd like to meet you, too. He's really grateful to everyone who's been looking out for me.

I'm more glad that you haven't run into any troublemakers around here. I always worry about kids traveling alone in a place like this, even if they know their way around a sword.

Who the heck taught you that stuff anyway? You looked really young for that type of practice when I saw you the other day.

I had lessons from a Braavosi sword master, when I was in King's Landing. After that ... well, I've had to look out for myself for a while now.

This was after you were forced into hiding, wasn't it? [It was strange, but a child as young as Arya was a perfect way to cut past her defenses and suspicious nature as far as believing a story. It wasn't the sort of thing she expected most girls that young would think up.]

Yes. After my father was killed, it wasn't safe any more.

I... won't ask you to share about that. Not until you're comfortable. That's not the sort of thing strangers should force. I am sorry, though, that you've been taken from one war to another.

May I ask what ... let's just call it a gift Thor gave you?

I do trust you, it's just ... [She's not sure how to put it into words, she hasn't tried to compartmentalize these feelings before.] I've been hiding since it happened, I've not had time to deal with it, or to grieve for him. I know that soon I'll be able to talk about it, but not yet.

[Her voice brightens at this, she's very excited at having got a power.] Speed.

Arya...

[She paused, the thought of causing this little girl problems, hurting her or losing herself in a demonic rage near to her or to Conan terrifying to her to an extent. It made her swallow her pride, considering how to say what she needed to.]

You shouldn't trust me. Not yet. You really shouldn't, but it's kind of you to say that. Let me earn that trust before I ask you something that personal, ok?

And speed is good. A light weapon in the hands of someone extremely fast is deadly.

[She favored speed over strength herself, and really it was also good because it meant Arya could outrun her if she had to.]

[A sinking feeling has appeared in her stomach now.] But you said that you'd look out for me. How can you do that if I can't trust you? Are you going to hurt me?

I...

[she went silent for a minute, deeply uncomfortable. She quivered, fingers hovering above the video feed before pressing it. Her hand removed the hat from her head and she combed her hair back from the horns.]

I am very uncomfortable talking about this. I'm half demon, half monster, Arya. If you ask me, no. I would never hurt you. I would give my life before letting someone hurt a child like you. You shouldn't be here. You should be safe in a warm bed with your brother arguing with whatever boy wants to ask you out on a date, not fighting some god's war and not knowing who to trust.

But...

[She reached up and put her hands to her face. there was a tight, choked sound from her throat.]

I can't always control the other side of me, Arya. She's... she's not safe. So, please... if I ever tell you to run away from me, run as fast as your speed allows you. Please.

[Arya's eyes had widened at the sight of Samantha's horns. Not from fear, not at all, it's just that's the last thing she expected.]

You're not exactly what I expected a demon to look like. Isn't there anything that can be done, though, to help you?

[A pause.]

I promise I'll run.

You would have to be able to make me human. I was born this way, always was this way. I am simply what I am, and I have to be ready in case something goes wrong in my head because of my blood. It's nothing new, but thank you for asking.

[She settled back and grunted. Her tail emerged into view on the video feed, lashing about lazily while she ran a finger along the tip and sighed.]

I'm only half, and succubi and incubi look more human. It's... well, there's a reason, but I don't feel comfortable talking about at all. But we're supposed to look pretty normal.

And thank you, Arya. I won't hurt you, I promise. Whatever I do, I'll do whatever it takes not to hurt you.

[Asgard] IC Contact Post

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Video

Video

Video