video | first winter

[canbebrave]

[ Something feels off about this time. The lack of the psychic connection, the absence of her fellow Travelers, and most importantly, the welcome package. It's all puzzling, but she's willing to put aside her confusion to switch on the video feed.

When the feed starts, it reveals a solemn looking young lady, holding herself as regally as possible. When she speaks, it is with deliberate politeness.]


Hello. This is the Lady Sansa Stark of Winterfell speaking. I seem to be your newest arrival. I must deliver my kindest thanks for the welcoming gifts, as well as the communication device. The materials inside proved to be most helpful.

I, however, am not quite sure what I am expected to do from here. I would be more than happy to assist in anyway I can, as it seems newcomers are expected to do. I would also like to get to know all of you.

Thank you for your time. [ She bows her head, then curtsies politely, and the feed finishes.]

Comments

[neverfeltthatway]

Things can be confusing when you first arrive, so directions would be hard - and I know exactly where you are.

[Plus, as evidenced by the sudden whistling of the wind on his side of the connection, he can move a lot faster than she can.]

...I'm glad too.

[canbebrave]

Allright. I'll wait.

Please be careful.

[Action]

[neverfeltthatway]

[It takes a several more minutes, since Nova City isn't exactly close, but Armin makes about the best time he ever has on 3dmg - and he keeps the line open, just in case. He all but sprints into the Bay - only to freeze when he sees her.]

Sansa...

[Time seems to stand still, but then the moment is broken, and he's running to embrace her.]

[Action]

[canbebrave]

[ He doesn't have to run very far- because she's rushing to meet him, flying into his arms. He needed her before, with the absence of Eren that Mikasa mentioned to her, with the fact that he was in a new strange place for a month... and she hadn't been there.

But she was here now. Her head rests perfectly atop of his, her arms instantly wrapping around him to keep him safe against her. She wouldn't let him feel frightened or alone. Not while she had a choice. ] I'm here.

[Action]

[neverfeltthatway]

[He holds her tightly, burying his face against her and crying - and even he can't tell if they're tears of joy or tears of sorrow. Losing her had been bearable only because Eren and Mikasa had been returned to him. Then he had lost Eren too - and for the time before she came he hadn't been sure he would be able to handle it without either of them here.

He just holds her, and when he finally lets go he can't tell if it's been one minute or twenty. It doesn't matter, though, and he gives her a tremulous but unquestioningly happy smile.]

You're here. Let's go home.

[canbebrave]

[ She doesn't let go until he does, not worrying about his tears against her chest, just worrying about keeping him close. There's a chaste kiss pressed upon his head, then she draws back, smiling back at him. ]

Let's go. [ There are so many questions she has for him right now, but they all can wait until he's in a better place. For now, she'll let him bask in his happiness, reaching for his hand. ]

[neverfeltthatway]

[He takes her hand gladly, simply happy she's here, happy he has her back. And in a place safer and calmer than either of their homes or their life as Travelers.

He walks slowly - now that he's with her, there's no rush.] When... when are you from?

[canbebrave]

We were in Liminal Space, after Harrogate. The day after we... [ Her cheeks light up with a soft blush, and she focuses on the sidewalk before them. ]

...after we slept, beside each other. Together.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin blushes faintly at her words, even as he feels a slight trill of fear at the mention of Harrogate. He looks at her in obvious surprise.]

W-we... [Oh. He looks away, biting his lip, response quiet.] I n-never made it past Harrogate.

[canbebrave]

[ For her, his fear and anxiety after Harrogate is still fresh. So when those words spill out, she frowns, and tightens her grip on his hand. ]

You didn't want me to leave you alone, after it. So...I didn't.

[neverfeltthatway]

[It's not exactly fresh, for him. But it's not distant, either. It's certainly still poignant, leaving a pit of fear in his stomach whenever it's mentioned. He still shrinks back in terror when someone moves too suddenly toward his head or neck.

His hand tightens in return. And even though he wasn't around to experience it...] Thank you.

[canbebrave]

I told myself that night, that I'd....never leave you alone at night again. [ Her words are hesitant, and she feels foolish as she speaks them, but she figures it's important for him to know. ]

If you want me to, though, I can. We don't....have to.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin stops and turns to her, eyes wide, but it takes him a moment before he can manage to say anything.] Sansa...

[Words don't seem to suffice. He closes the distance between them and, standing slightly on his toes, kisses her deeply, his other hand on her cheek. After a long couple of moments he breaks the kiss, but doesn't step back.] I love you, Sansa.

We don't have to do anything you don't want. But I'll never turn you away. [He blushes a little, though not as much as one might expect, and continues to look up at here sincerely.] If you want... y-you're more than welcome to stay with me at night.

[canbebrave]

[ She tilts her head down just slightly, to help ease the distance a little, turning even redder at the kiss. She can't help but feel a little disappointed as it breaks, but also, still a little embarrassed. ] I love you too. [ It's little more than a whisper when she replies, but the smile on her face says the words much louder than her voice. ]

Thank you. I'd rather not be alone either. This is....new.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin gives a tiny, contented sigh hearing the words come back to him, then takes her other hand for a quiet moment.] If you don't want to be alone, then you won't be. I promise. [It's as simple as that.]

[He lets go of the second hand, turning to continue on their way, before pausing and turning back to her, a little uncertain.] Ummm...

W-we won't be alone, at least at first. We're looking for a bigger place, there are too many of us there right now. And... I've been s-staying in a room with Eren and Mikasa. Eren's g-gone now, and... even if we had the r-room, I d-don't want Mikasa to be alone right now.

[canbebrave]

[ She feels the twists of jealousy in her stomach as he explains that to her, and tries to ignore it. She wonders how long Armin and Mikasa have been staying in a room together, alone. She wonders if Armin had begun to forget her, focused instead on his friends from home. Sansa swallows these feelings down instead of voicing them- jealousy is too nasty a feeling to be voiced. ]

I understand. I talked to her, for a little bit, before you came. She's beautiful.

[neverfeltthatway]

[You're fine, Sansa, they've only been alone for two days - and Mikasa's family. Maybe not by blood, but she's family nonetheless. Besides, Armin would never forget her - and she should know that.]

Thank you. [Armin can't help a small sigh of relief - though he tells himself it was silly to think she might not be understanding. This is Sansa, after all. He wears a bit of a fond, sad smile.] She is.

[canbebrave]

[ There was definitely a time when Sansa would have been less understanding about the entire situation, but she is travelworn and weary now. The fact that she can be together with Armin as herself, out of danger, is a seemingly impossible luxury. She will have to find a candle to light for The Maiden in thanks, later.]

Do you think we could be friends? Her and I?

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin looks up, surprised - though whether at the thought that she wants to be friends with Mikasa, or at the thought that they might not be is unclear. Then he looks down again, thoughtful.]

I think you could. I certainly hope so. I... don't know what I would do if you did not get along. [The thought is extremely distressing - much moreso than Eren and Jean's constant bickering and rivalry. Sansa and Mikasa are the two most important people left in his life.]

[canbebrave]

I think we will get along alright. But there's a difference between getting along and being friends.

I was worried we might be too different.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin nods - he hasn't really thought about it, but she's right. It's a different thing. And they are very different. Still... surely they can be friends? Armin's not really too similar to either of them, and they're both more than friends to him.]

...I think so. You're very different, it's true - but I think you'll both find something to admire about each other. And I'm sure you have something in common.

[He squeezes her hand in gentle reassurance.]

[canbebrave]

We have you in common. [ ...And, as far as Sansa knows, that's it. Mikasa is brave, beautiful, and at times fierce, and Sansa is a mild Lady. Still, she shouldn't worry Armin about these things, and smiles and nods. ]

I'm sure that'll be enough for us to get along.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin actually blushes a little at that, a little embarrassed at the thought of them talking about him. Surely there was something else? He was hardly something to base a friendship on...

He doesn't say anything about it, though, glancing around as they come to the archway to Nova City.] W-we're almost there.

[canbebrave]

[ There are many new sights for Sansa to take in here, and she takes them all in, examining everything carefully as they walk. There is a puzzle here, a mystery, something she doesn't quite grasp yet. She wants nothing more than to piece it together--

after she spends some well deserved time with Armin, of course. ] Is it really as quiet here as they say it is? [ Not meaning anything in terms of noise or danger, and everything in means of world changes and unspeakable horrors. ] I can't imagine staying in the same place for long...

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin squeezes her hand a little, understanding the question perfectly.]

I've only been here a little over a month, so it's a little hard to say. It's quieter than being a Traveler, certainly. It's mostly safe. But there are still things that happen from time to time.

Shortly after I came, there were these arrows that, if one of them pricked you, you'd fall in love with the first person you saw. It didn't last very long, but even so... More recently, a labyrinth appeared covering one of the towns, and there were any number of dangerous creatures inside.

[He frowns, thinking. He doesn't mention - at least not immediately - that he'd been caught up in both events at the time.]

That's all in the time I've been here. I guess... it almost seems more like the liminal events that used to happen. Not as serious or threatening as a jaunt, and not as common, but still strange, and a little worrisome.