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

[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.

[canbebrave]

[Sansa lets out a little sigh of relief, using her free hand to fiddle with her hair.] I can live with that. [She could use a break right about now, and as annoying as those things sound, they're nothing compared to some of the horrors the jaunts had held.]

...I'm just glad you're with me to deal with it all.

[neverfeltthatway]

Me too.

[Armin quiets at that point, content to walk the rest of the way back simply holding her hand, without conversation - except for occasionally pointing something out along the way, or explaining something he'd learned that was different from what they were used to.

Eventually they made it back to their too-small apartment that had too many people staying in it. And eventually, all the introductions were finished and they finally managed to escape to Armin's room. It's not that he minds spending time with his friends - but this has been an incredibly draining weekend, and right now he just wants to relax and spend some time with Sansa.

He closes the door with a sigh.]

[canbebrave]

[ Sansa handles it all with her typical slightly rigid politeness, all small smiles, basic conversation, and polite nods. They're all so new- Armin's friends, and she is desperate not to make a foolish mistake, half-terrified of making a poor impression.

The door closes, and she's amazed by the instant privacy and quiet. They have never been truly alone- not since Brooklyn. Even at times when it seemed like they were alone, their heads were filled with the voices of other Travelers.

Now they're alone, and Sansa visibly relaxes, embracing Armin once more.]

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin relaxes as well, happily returning her embrace. After coming here, he's been getting used to having actual privacy for the first time since the fall of Wall Maria - it still feels alien to him. But he was already so used to it by the time he became a Traveler that he doesn't quite realize this is the first time he's been truly alone with Sansa.

He holds tight to her, almost clinging, shaking a little now that everything has a chance to really set in. Eren's gone, and once again he can't know whether he'll ever see him again - but at the same time, Sansa's here. She's here, she's real, he has her back and it's not just a dream.]

[canbebrave]

[ Sansa holds Armin close against her, slowly guiding him over to the bed so he can sit on the edge, and they can be more on level with each other. A hand runs through his hair reassuringly, as she attempts to comfort him as best she can, and she presses another soft kiss to the top of his head.

It's easier to be affectionate when you aren't worried about your dead brother, or the knight your brother knighted for you being just around the corner.]

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin lets out something that's half laugh and half sob, allowing Sansa to guide him to sit on the bed, and shivering a little at the kiss. Eventually he lets himself draw back, and though there are tears on his cheeks, he wears a smile, and he's not crying now.

One hands runs almost disbelievingly through her hair and down her cheek, soft hesitation and wonder in his eyes. His voice comes out in a whisper.]

You're really here.

[canbebrave]

[ Sansa draws back slightly, just far enough that she can lift her other hand, and gently wipe the tears from his cheeks. And when she speaks, her voice is soft and honey sweet, a tone reserved just for him.]

I'm really here. I won't leave you.

[neverfeltthatway]

[His smile grows surer at that, and at her tone.]

I won't leave you, either. We'll take care of each other.

[He leans forward and kisses her again - hesitant, almost, more gently, but curious too.]

[canbebrave]

[ She only finds time to nod, before his lips are upon hers. She responds with a soft, gentle kiss of her own, before drawing back and letting out a soft laugh, and looking away shyly. ]

We haven't been alone in so long...