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 Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:11 pm
This is a private RP. Please do not post without permission. ||Summer Raven's Teepee||  
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:57 pm
Winter is coming.
Her father repeated that phrase her entire life, never bothering to explain to his young daughter what it really meant. Winter is coming - surely he couldn't have meant the season, for the season came, regardless. Every year, without fail, the temperature dropped and cold, wet snow fell from the sky. She thought it rather silly that her father would repeat such simple words to her siblings and she, with a jovial grin and a shrug of the shoulders. Nothing more - just those words, a smile, and a shrug. She would always reply with a stare and a snarky comment, much to the effect of, "winter always comes, father, can't you see?" And they'd laugh and laugh until their mother would call them back to the herd.
That was.....so long ago. Nowadays the winter still came, but she was no longer surrounded by her father, or siblings, or anyone else she didn't realize she cared about until it was too late. The young mare knew that some of them were long gone, dead - or disappeared - since the Great Herd attack, and there was no hope in ever finding them. She was tiny, she was young - and in reality, she needed some kind of help. But would she ever admit to that? Of course not - never. She was Arya Stark, of the Winterfell Herd, and daughter to the great Eddard Stark. She'd never admit she needed help. After all, she had Nymeria, and she had Needle - what more was there to ask for? Arya was tough, Arya didn't need anyone else telling her how to swing her sword, or how not to travel at night because she could catch a cold. No. She was alone, and she was a survivor. She could do this.
Her father's memory counted on it.
It wasn't until the very first snowfall of the season did Arya realize there was more behind her father's words. Yes - winter came. Winter always came, it waas the law of nature. But he did not mean it literally. She watched the glittering white flakes as they fell onto her face, soaking in her coat, and she couldn't help but feel as lonely as the day she fled. He couldn't have possibly meant it literally - it didn't make any sense. Well, in hindsight, she supposed, he could just been a father wanted to tease his young children, like most father's do......but Ned Stark wasn't most fathers. There was a meaning behind his words, and she was determined to uncover the truth. If Jon or Robb were here, they'd laugh and tell her she was reading into things, but she just knew it. In her heart of hearts, she knew it - and her intuition was never wrong. Ned had wanted his children to understand something - what it was, she was still in the dark. Eventually, she'd uncover the truth, and keep her father's memory alive, and stronger than ever.
Weeks had passed since that declaration, and yet Arya still felt like she was in phase one. She grew tired of traveling now, especially as the brutal cold hit her face so hard she felt like she was bleeding. It was something she was unprepared for - and it frustrated her. The goal all along was to find her family - yes, even Sansa - and reunite with them to rebuild their father's herd. Killing her enemies was just icing on the cake. And yet, Arya came face to face with a harsh realization - the world was bigger than she was. Much, much bigger. Every corner she turned, every face she searched and searched seemed just as similar as the last. She only spoke when she deemed it necessary, and even the facts she was given blended together. No one in these lands ever heard of her father, or her herd, or any of the other players in her little game. Was it all in vain? Was it all for nothing?
Blood had dried on her paws, and she found no reason or motivation to do anything about it. Her hair matted, her tail fluffed and dirty - she was a mess, but it didn't matter. In fact, she thought it quite fitting to her mission - if she was going to be intimidating, she might as well look the part. A pretty little girl, like her sister Sansa, would never get the job done. Everyone would coo and awe over how gorgeous Sansa's hair was, and how proper she kept herself, but no one would ever take Sansa seriously. Not like that. Arya was a fighter; a warrior. She needed to look the part.
So she fell into pieces, her mission absorbing her every thought. She'd lash out on anyone and everyone who stared at her funny, and she'd snap at those who crossed her path without a warning. She was becoming something even she didn't recognize, but she liked it. It made her feel strong. Worthy.
She was Arya Stark of the Winterfell Herd, and the youngest daughter of Eddard Stark. She'd find them all again, and kill anyone who got in her way - just watch her.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:35 pm
The most amazing, captivating thing in this entire universe was snow. Not only did it fall from the sky from seemingly nowhere, but every single flake had a different shape, size and design than any of the rest - all of them. They were all unique; each having a completely different story to tell. He admired the way it felt beneath his paws; he always has. Each crunch, crunch of the old and hardened snow was like a song to his ever beating heart. These lands had stories to tell, from good to bad, and from happy to sad, and the snowflakes that covered these once vast green-lands were just another piece to the puzzle. Another story.
Another adventure. Another thing to look forward to. Another discovery, another love, another world - what have you.
He never really meant to get so sentimental and connected to such a thing as snow, but he couldn't exactly help it, either. It just happened. As a foal, his father would take him out hunting with the rest of the herd, and he grew accustomed to the way the fluffy white stuff felt beneath his paws. He bounced in it - no, he dances in it. It was a game, eventually, he'd land in a giant mound of snow and disappear, giggling and popping out like a jack-in-the-box. It was something he and his father shared, and while he was never really interested in the hunting aspect of their playtime, he did very much enjoy the company of his father. Time after time, there would be a deer or an antelope - or whatever other creature his herd had followed that afternoon, and all you could see was little Yorick, bouncing from one snow mound to the next, always scaring away the prey. It was fun - it was what foals did, right? He took pleasure in knowing that the snow was there to catch him falling, and that it would always be there, until the temperature rose and it melted away. It was his solitude, even for those few short months.
But as he grew up his father told him that everything has a story. That it wasn't just black and white as he saw - the snowflakes weren't just there for him to play in. The hills told stories, the trees, the birds, the sky - everything. Yorick just had to be brave enough to understand. He had to loo inside himself to see the story before he ever truly appreciated something for what it was, and not only just what he saw. And as his father passed, the young stallion took it to heart - the world had a story, and it was his job, his destiny to discover what it was. So every time the snow fell, yes, he enjoyed it and bounced in the mounds when he could, but now....now it was much more than that.
The flakes - the tiny little designs that separated one from it's neighbor - they were what really mattered. Just like the world - no two things are alike. He was Yorick, son of Ulrick, and he was unique in every aspect of himself. There was no other Yorick, son of Ulrick, with wolf-like features, and tails and paws. He was a snowflake, falling from the sky, telling the world his story.
He blamed his father, of course, for turning him into the stallion that he was now today. Everything he ever learned came from that stallion, and that stallion alone - he was the voice in his head when nothing made sense. He was the spirit behind the darkness of the night. And Yorick was out to prove to his father that he could be all those things he wanted him to be, and more.
On this rather cold winter afternoon, the stallion stood on a rock, covered blissfully in snow, and stared out into the vast open space. All the eye could see was covered in white, and it was beautiful - absolutely beautiful. Who knew the most amazing color was the simplest one of them all.
Perhaps it wasn't about outward beauty, but inward.
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:48 pm
And so the journey continued.
Of course, there were times when the journey's end seemed impossible to reach, and times where she felt the only option for survival was to give up. That was inevitable - she was alone in a world full of strange faces; however, those demons never lasted for long. Arya knew, deep down, that the spirit of her ancestors would carry her for as long as she silently prayed to them. To the old Gods, and the new, she whisper at night. Did she believe they could help? ...Debatable. But, like she knew her father would say to her, she was a Stark and those were the traditions, and she would forever be a part of that history. So she'd pray, and she'd give off a sense of hope that won day, she'd be successful in her mission.
The snow seemed ever relentless even still, burning her face with every heavy step she took. Beside her, the wolf pup sneezed, ice forming within the thick tuffs of her fur. It was clear to Arya that it was time for a day's rest, and so she shifted her mind to find a place of warmth and comfort. Her goal would in fact, still be there in the morning. Nothing has changed in the weeks she'd started, and so....what could it hurt?
And that was the direction in which she was headed now, intent on finding a place for Nymeria to warm up, and for her to gather her thoughts. She seemed rather content with that goal in mind, that was, until something large and alive stood directly in the middle of her path.
He spotted her before she him, but he didn't say a word. Arya could tell that the stallion was staring at her for a very long time - just staring - and it made her wary of the situation. Who was he? Why didn't he say something?
And then, she noticed something peculiar.
"You have paws. You're the first I've seen like me" Arya's voice seemed hoarse; broken and frozen from the bitter cold that surrounded her. This please her. A little girl with a little girl's voice wasn't as intimating as one might think. She dared not tear her gaze from the stallion, and dug her claws into the snow as she spoke, as if showing she wasn't some little girl. It wasn't clear yet whether he was an enemy but she wasn't about to let her guard down.
Waiting for a response, the young mare's mind raced. He had paws - he was...not of these lands, like her, was he not? Perhaps, perhaps he...knew of her herd, perhaps he...could guide her in the right direction. No! She mustn't assume anything until she knew for sure. Throughout her travels, everyone she met came with a price, and this stallion was no different - he could not be any different. No. Her herd's enemy herd had paws as well, and maybe he was in league with them. Yes. She'd let him do the talking and she'd see if she could get anything out of him, for what it was worth.
Next to her, Nymeria growled.
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:29 pm
The image of her stuck out like a soar thumb; a brown clump of fur approaching from the distance, surrounded by nothing but white. He saw her long before she saw him, and he watched as with every step she took, it appeared painful. It was not uncommon for outsiders of these parts of the lands to be unaware of how cold the temperature could feel, so he immediately sympathized with the small mare.
She wasn't too far off before she saw him, and Yorick took notice that she immediately tensed up, as if preparing for an attack. When she spoke, the words that she released were well, strange, but as he noted, very true. She did indeed have paws just like him. "As do you." He deadpanned.
The growl that came next was what tore his gaze from her own, and instead he found himself looking at a very small wolf pup, halfway frozen to death. It...she? looked angry - angrier than the mare, and Yorick couldn't tell if that was because she was cold, or because Yorick was a threat. Either way, the words he spoke next, he said them out of concern for the well-being of the small wolf.
"Your companion looks frozen...perhaps you should find a cave. I know of one that is hidden and secluded if you want me to show you the way. During this time of year, it gets rather difficult to find and keep shelter - there are so many creatures fighting to stay alive."
Arya, he could tell, didn't welcome this offer with open arms. She glared, and he glared back, taunting her.
"I can tell by the look on your face that you do not wish for me to help. Think of it this way then, wary traveler: you can follow me, find the cave, and warm up for the night, or you can find your own cave, which may or may not have a creature far worse than myself already sleeping in it. Your choice." Normally, Yorick would have ended a comment like this with a smirk or a chuckle of sorts, but instead he scowled back at the mare, as if daring her to say no to his offer. It would be stupid, and childish to refuse help in this weather, especially if one wasn't used to traveling in it.
Yorick hadn't meant to sound as snarky as he came off, so a quick frown formed on his face before his thoughts went elsewhere. It was just....this mare seemed exhausted from travel, and her companion clearly needed someplace warm to rest...so he needed to help. The expression she gave him as he spoke to her was that of disgust and utter mistrust, and while he didn't blame her, it also made him rather sad. He hadn't done anything to warrant this kind of reaction.
But still the mare glared.
He was not exactly a fighter, as it was clear the mare in front of him was, so he kept his eyes on the sharp metal object hanging by her side. It appeared as though one quick jab from that thing and he'd be bleeding out as intensely as if it had been a skinwalker that attacked him. Yorick wasn't quite sure if this mare meant to cause any harm to everyone that crossed her path, but the blood dripping from her tail, dripping from her sword, and dried up in both her hair and her paws meant....she had seen a battle or two in her lifetime. What was she trying to prove? The thought hovered in his mind for a moment, before he shook it away, continuing his gaze at her sword. He did not want to fight, so perhaps he should leave. However, the softer side within him wouldn't let her nor her little wolf companion freeze to death, so he stood his ground until she'd deny his offer, and then he'd try again.
That's what his father would have wanted.
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 11:07 am
Why had she spoken first?! Did her brother's words mean nothing to her anymore? Honestly! The young mare mentally kicked herself for allowing this stallion the freedom to speak, thereby breaking all walls she had around her. Of course now she was obligated to respond, of course now he wouldn't leave her alone until he got what he wanted. Oh, how very foolish of her!
Her brother's had taught her to be the quiet one - the mysterious one, and here she was, acting like Sansa. It was enough to make her shudder where she stood.
As he spoke, Arya listened intently, looking for any sign of weakness within his voice - but couldn't find one outright. He was...mentally very, very strong. The stallion's words hit her, alarming to the the possible dangers she faced on a day-to-day basis - no matter where she went, there would be enemies - travel alone, and she'd be vulnerable, travel with someone, and she'd still be vulnerable....it never stopped, that vicious cycle. So the mare huffed, tearing her gaze away for a moment to look at Nymeria, frozen and whimpering. She pulled Needle out from the tie at her side, the small, sharp blade hanging lopsided in her mouth as she stared back at the stallion. He appeared not to have any sort of weapons on him, so Arya knew if it came to it, she'd have the upper hand. Fangs and claws were one thing - a blade was another. A small unassuming grin found it's way to her face as she loosely held the blade - yes, she definitely had the upper hand, for she had Nymeria too, however cold the pup appeared to be. Attack Arya, and surely Nymeria would respond - it happened once, it would happen again.
It was the confidence within her own abilities that gave her the strength to keep going; it was the size of her body & her age that deterred it. One outweighed the other, depending on the situation, and she adapted. This stallion didn't seem like someone who would take advantage of the fact that she was much smaller than him, but again, never underestimate your opponent. It was a lesson she had learned the hard way, over and over again, and was determined to teach it to everyone else because of it. She may be tiny, she may be young, but she was strong, brave, and cunning - traits that could either help or harm, if you knew how to use them.
And she was learning, albeit however slow.
Her journey's end did not seem to be near, so every day was a new experience; a new opportunity to gain, well, something. An ally, a skill, a piece of wisdom - she'd take the lot, and be better off from it.
Or so that was her plan. Things didn't always work out the way you plan, as evidenced by what happened to her herd...
The whimpering sound coming from Nymeria continued, stronger and louder than it had just moments before; it appeared the fact that they had stopped had caused the wolf-pup a great discomfort, and Arya was forced to make a quick decision. She knew not the way to shelter, but this stallion did, and whether or not she could trust him didn't matter anymore, her friend did. A growl escaped from deep within her frame, rolling her eyes as she spoke sharply, "fine. For the wolf's sake, take us to shelter." Still clinging to the small blade, she whipped it around in her mouth to show she meant business, she was not going to let him near her.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 3:45 pm
Success!
Or rather more specifically, success for the moment. The mare had agreed, albeit probably against her own will. The stallion looked from the mare before him, to her wolf companion, and then quickly back at the mare before making another movement - it was clear to anyone watching that this pup definitely needed shelter, and quick. Yorick was glad, at the very least, that she could look past her wary nature and help her little friend. He wouldn't try to help them if she didn't want it, so he breathed a sigh of relief that it didn't have to come to that.
In times of peril, what you do shows who you really are. In times of disaster, the actions you take show what was really important to you. And this pup was, he could tell.
With a nod, Yorick made his way, inch by inch, closer to the two of them, dipping his head in respect. "Well of course, m'lady," he chuckled, noting clearly that she was not pleased with his chosen address, which caused him a small frown. It didn't strike him as odd, however, seeing as the way she looked....she didn't quite look like a lady. Her mane was short, tail matted, and blood and dirt covered her body. Not to mention the grimace that plastered her face at the moment. He was merely teasing her, provoking her, having fun. He knew she could attack him, if she wanted to, given the knife, but he also knew he was stronger, so the playing field was even.
And he had his ancestors on his side (...did she? Wolves believed in packs, and the importance of family, what were her beliefs?)
He was within decent distance of her now, enough to stop and invite her to come to him, instead. Friendliness had always gotten him far in life, but how far would it really take him with her? Not far, he assumed, not far at all. He grinned again, noting the pup before he spoke, "he's quite cute, looks like me a bit, doesn't he? You two got a name?" Yes - he'd be friendly until she'd get sick of it, he noted to himself - it was the best possible way to maintain any kind of peace between the pair, and if she wanted him to leave once they were safely inside of a cave, he would. Anything to get her little friend some help!
With a nod to the forest, Yorick kept his gaze on the mare, the tone of contentment still very obvious in his voice. "It's just to the left here, about an hour's travel, give or take," he mumbled, and bent down so his body was ground level, eyeing the wolf pup, "he can travel on my back if you'd be okay with it - seeing as you....already have something on your back. Would that be alright?" Eyes twinkling, he grinned. She was interesting, however awkward this may have been.
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:41 am
"She." The young mare spat, correcting the stallion on his dumb assumption. "Nymeria is a she, just like I am."
Girls could be tough too - there wasn't just the pretty, prim and perfect young princesses like her sister - girls could fight anyone they wanted - and win! It was foolish of him to assume that they were anything less than they were. Well, if that was what he was doing, she couldn't quite place it. A frown, and she chose her next words with the utmost care, "...I'm no one."
Her body shifted uncomfortably as the stallion lowered and offered himself as a mount for Nymeria. Before Arya could react, the wolf had practically leaped on top of him, finding a position on top of him that allowed her to curl up. Ah! What was she to say now, no? She couldn't possibly tell Nymeria to back off after she looked so....happy to have a little bit of rest. Arya grimaced at the stallion, the best possible reaction he was going to get, and then nodded her head quickly. Sure, whatever. Take us, she seemed to wordlessly say, and followed closely behind him, far enough to where they were not face to face, but close enough to where she could still watch him.
He seemed pleased with himself, and ugh, that bothered her.
~~~~~
Silence.
Normally this was exactly the way she liked it, time to herself - alone with her thoughts. But...with this guy, it was different. How? That was debatable, but the mare couldn't help but continue to throw glances in his direction as they walked, careful to watch his every move. Would he try something, out here in the open? So far there weren't any other Soquili around, but surely he'd wait until the cave before he tried something? Oh! Her training had always taught her never to give your opponent the upper hand, and here she was, more weary and watchful than he.
As they walked, she couldn't help herself anymore, the anticipation of where they were and where they were going was well, killing her. Another sideways glance told her the stallion was off in his own little word so she took this opportunity to surprise him; whenever your opponent was distracted, the best way to get to them was to....surprise them! "What herd do you come from? Your from these lands, are you?", her questions were polite enough, no real air of sarcasm as she spoke - she was genuinely curious, despite her hesitation. If he did hail from these lands, he must know the ins and outs of everything around here - possibly he could help her find ---!
No! Arya you stupid, stupid girl. No! She didn't know him, she couldn't possibly ask him for help. She studied Nymeria upon his back, who seemed to be pleasantly (and finally) asleep, after a long, cold travel, and it put a smile on the young mare's face, however brief. She needed to remember that this was about Nym, not her. She was there to protect her friend, not make new ones.
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:36 pm
"Sorry!", he squealed, taken back by her sharp tone, and immediately worried that she'd take off in another direction without giving him an opportunity to protest. Gah! Folks make mistakes all the time - he was only mortal! Gah! Shaking his head in disapproval, he again apologized before moving on. As introductions were happening, Yorick noted quietly that she hadn't really given her own name out, or any name really, and instead called herself no one. Was that a protection tactic, or did she really not have a background? Was she running from something?
So many questions, none of them worth asking at the moment, so he nodded, and added with a grin, "alright no one, I'm Yorick, son of Ulrick! It's a pleasure to be of assistance to you and yours today!"
~~~~~
"The herd was my father's, I never really had a mother growing up, she passed when I was very young. No siblings either; just my father and myself, and the herd, obviously. Since my father passed, I haven't quite felt like the herd was home, but yes - they reside in the mountains nearby," his voice was gentle as he spoke, taken back into the happier moments of his life, when his father and everything he knew was still fresh and exciting. He was still content - he would always be - but the life he had before was much less...trivial. It was true, what he told the mare, the herd hadn't felt as comfortable as it used to, and he missed it no matter how many times he told himself he didn't. Yorick was a grown stallion now, capable of living his own life, and yet, that pack was his family, and maybe...just maybe they still were.
"Sorry for going off about something you care nothing for; I can tell silence is your thing, so, let's just say my father's herd is full of Soquili like you and I - pawed, and they're very territorial," again, his voice carried a bit of bittersweet memory with it as every word escaped him, and he gave the mare a knowing grin. By the looks of it, she'd probably try to maneuver her way into the herd, but that wasn't the best idea, so if he would, he'd stop her. Or, try. She didn't seem like the type of mare to take no for an answer.
Aha! She was going to be fun.
~~~~~
As the pair made their way to the cave, he stopped abruptly (and after plenty of minutes of silence), turned to the brown mare behind him and spoke cheerfully, "we're here! Now, I'm going to go in and settle little Nymeria here, why don't you look for leaves or a blanket or something we can use for warmth in the meantime?"
The wolf pup had nestled herself into the small of his back, and was soundly asleep, cooing softly with every breath she took. Yorick smiled at this, and without waiting for Arya's nod of approval, headed into the cave in search of soft enough ground. He had never....well, really taken care of anything in his life so this was a nice change of pace; the pup really seemed to need his help, and whether or not she'd ever actually admit it, so did the mare. Another smile. Aha yes, she was definitely going to be fun.
Yorick stood near the pup as he set her down, and waited for the return of her companion, wondering if and when she did return, if she'd immediately kick him out for fear of what he'd 'try to do next'. He'd try to stay - that's what he'd try to do next!!
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:50 am
Hmpfh, hmpfh. Who did he think he was, instructing her with tasks? Wasn't she the one carrying the weapon? The young mare grumbled all the way out of cave, and farther still, as she reluctantly agreed with his suggestion. It was rather cold, and now that Nymeria was safe, she was able to focus on herself; a sharp chill ran through her spine, indicating that yes, it was very cold. Two-legger fire would be extremely beneficial, but, seeing as they were by the mountains, she doubted there would be any camps nearby. Plus, with her appearance, the likelihood of anyone wanting to help her was rather slim.
Damn that stallion and his righteous behavior. She was doing fine alone!
And damn herself, for her lack of tracking skills. Damn everything! A swift kick to the nearest log, and Arya was back in her moody state, cursing anything and anyone who ever crossed her path. Why did any of this have to happen to her; what had she ever done? Sure, she wasn't the princess that her mother had wanted her to be, but she had Sansa for that! Arya wanted action, adventure, challenges! Was that so wrong, was she being punished now, for the choices she made as a child? Another kick to the log, and her paw began to ache, but it didn't bother her; pain never bothered her...it meant she was growing stronger, right? A little girl training to become a warrior was always going to be weaker at first. But she'd show them, she had shown them, but then the enemy herd attacked.
And now she was alone again. Back to square one. Wasn't this what her father always warned her about? Life had a way of knocking you down, only to allow to you rise back up.
It felt like hours had passed, her eyes still searching for something to come back with. Arya couldn't very well go back to the stallion empty-handed -- he probably already thought her a stupid little girl, and she wanted to show that she was everything but. Her tracking skills may not be the best, but she wouldn't give up. Not now, not ever. Leaves, she thought, laughing. He said to go find some leaves, as if they'd go anything. Where was she to find that, anyway, surrounded in a world of white? All of the leaves were dead and gone, by now. What a silly little thing to say.
But as those thoughts swam through her mind, another formed in their place; he went her on such a mundane task, was it a way to lure her away from the wolf pup, so he could have a meal? Food was relatively scarce, save for the carnivores, and trickery was an easy game to play. Oh goodness -- oh goodness! Damn him, damn everything! Quickly, Arya turned her heels back in the direction of the cave, grabbing her sword from where it lay beside her as she ran, back toward the danger.
She'd kill him, that b*****d.
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 5:17 pm
An hour or so had passed, the night growing darker with each minute, and still she was not back. Had she left? Oh, goodness, no...she wouldn't leave her companion behind, she didn't seem the type. Was she lost? There was a decent chance of that, sure, but...Yorick's mind, accustomed to tragedy, yet to the worst possible situation. She was in danger! Something - someone - had caught her! Oh goodness, no! A paw hit the floor of the cave in anger, and he looked back at the sleeping body of Nymeria before sighing.
She was safe in the cave, for now. Arya, on the other hand was not. With a split decision, Yorick took off from the cave and into the forest beyond, careful not to call out to the mare. He may be able to hold his own, and she may have a weapon on hand, but....bringing around a predator was not the best idea in the world. Carefully, the stallion wove in and out of the trees, trying to find paw-tracks in the snow. Where could she have possibly gone?
Guard down, focus elsewhere, suddenly there was movement - fast movement - and he braced for any kind of impact. A growl escaped from deep within him before he knew who the noise belonged to, and then, the mare. She appeared from his left, eyes crazed, sword in mouth as she glared at him, returning the growl. "Oh, hey...," Yorick said cheekily. Arya seemed to be angry about something, as she was mumbling (chanting?) words that he could not understand, and before he had time to react, she came at him, teeth bared behind the blade. "Woah, woah, no...it's okay, I swear," he dodged, shaking her off. Whatever her reasons were for turning on him, they seemed to be legitimate, as her anger seemed to fuel something in those beautifully striking eyes of hers.
It wasn't about him, it was about something much deeper than that, he mused, and he knew he couldn't take advantage of her in that state. So, calmly, he backed away from her, careful not to cause her to react again, and whispered, "I was looking for you; you've been gone for a while, I thought maybe something happened. I come in peace, I swear."
It seemed to work, as Arya lowered the blade back into the slot next her to her flank, and grumbled something about being worried about Nymeria. Understandable. He grinned, hopeful that she'd realize he was anything but a foe. "So, shall we?" They walked back to the cave together, he leading the way once more, and keeping the silence -- just as she liked it....right? She was still crazed, but much less so....feisty, so he kept his distance. "Alright, no one," cheerful, now that they were back in the cave and the wolf pup was still sound asleep, he found a dark corner near the entrance and plopped down, staring back at the mare, "you should rest, we should all rest. You can leave in the morning...I'll feel much better once you've had some sleep and once the little one has had some, as well."
"Good night, no one," he mumbled softly, closing his eyes. There was a pretty large chance she and the wolf pup would be gone before sunrise, but at least he was able to help the for a few hours. Next to him the mare's soft breathing slowed, and Yorick grinned, knowing that his persistence had paid off, if only for a moment.
Nothing wrong with trying again in the morning! If he got the chance.
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