genessia | video | first winter

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video | first winter

[ 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.]

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[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.]

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.

[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.]

Edited 2015-03-15 11:45 (UTC)

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.

[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.

[ 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...

[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.

[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.

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.]

Edited 2015-03-16 05:35 (UTC)

[ 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.]

[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.]

[ 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.]

[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.

[ 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.

[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.]

[ 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...

[Her shyness is impossibly endearing. But he considers what she says for a couple moments, and after a moment looks a little surprised.]

...Has it really been since the Ivory Tower?

[And even then, they were only nominally alone - as proven by both the voices in their head and her brother barging in on them.]

It has.

[ Sansa nods, finishing wiping his tears away. Tenderly, she places a kiss on both of his cheeks, and settles her head down against his shoulder. Things she's dreamed of doing, but hasn't done in a long time, between the bustle of jaunts.]

I know it's not for long, and that we'll have to return to your friends soon. But...

[Incongruously, Armin blushes at the kisses on his cheeks. They seem... almost more intimate, somehow. But he settles back with a small sigh as she lays her head on his shoulder, leaning his head gently against hers.]

Not too soon. And we'll have time again - there's no rush in this place. [He tilts his head a little to looks down at her curiously - an unusual perspective for him - prompting her gently.] But...?

[ She feels as if she shouldn't speak her true feelings here- it's too brash, too improper, too much like a story she knows couldn't exist in reality.

She does it anyway.]

... But I would like to stay here, alone, as long as possible.

[There's a moment of surprised silence, as his blush grows a little more pronounced, but then -] ...all right.

[That's it. He lets go of her hand in order to put his arm around her, leaning his head against hers once more. After a few long moments of feeling content but curious, he hesitantly breaks the silence again.]

Is there anything else you'd like?

Edited (what is formatting) 2015-03-16 21:38 (UTC)

[ Sansa stays where she is, happily curled up against him. It's a bit awkward due to the size difference, but she makes do, not stirring until he speaks up again. She glances up at him, giving him a bright and shining smile. ]

No. Not at all, this is perfect.

[He's content to stay like that for quite some time, but since they actually have privacy, a part of him is curious... and eventually, he gives in to it.

He pulls back a little, and, gently cupping her face in his hands, kisses her - tenderly, but it lasts longer than any they've shared so far. When they finally break, Armin bites his lip, blushing - then leans his forehead against hers, gently letting out slightly shaky breath.]

[ Sansa is no stranger to kisses. She's received and given her fair share- courtly kisses of respect from Lords and Knights, kisses of duty to her Lord husband and to swords. She'd given shy, but loving, kisses to Armin. But this is a new sort of kiss- the kind that fills her belly up with soft butterflies, makes her want to melt at how sweet it is. When it breaks, she already misses it.

She is ever a lady though, her eyes fluttering shut as he leans his forehead against hers, hands resting gracefully in her lap. ]

Perhaps I spoke too soon.

[He can't help but smile at her words, at the affirmation that she enjoyed that just as much as he did.]

Oh? So there is something else you'd like, then?

[He couldn't frown if he wanted to, lips curling in joy and amusement as he gently teases her.]

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