hadriel | two

[ Arya has gotten much better at using the camera on this thing since she arrived, and she's able to keep the camera focused on herself this time without much effort. Which is good, because she knows she needs to be taken seriously if this is going to work.

Arya is standing in the charred remains of what looks like was once a kitchen. The setting is on purpose -- it's a reminder to what happened, and what needs to be done because of it. ]

Hello, Hadriel.

You all know what happened last month. You know how the food was contaminated, and you saw the sickness that took many of us, and caused the sick to feed upon the healthy whether they liked it or not. This happened because we are too dependent on food from beings we do not see and do not fully understand.

[ She says, firmly. ]

We cannot afford to rely on the gods like we are children, and they are parents. There is enough of us here to survive on our own, all of us, if we work for it. We share one thing: whatever each person may think about this place, none of us were brought here willingly. That, I think, is enough to trust one another if not work together.

There are other ways to get food. There is a man named Newt here who knows how to grow it, and if that is your interest or specialty, it may be a good idea to talk to him. I can hunt, and I think there are a few more of us here who can as well. There is certainly enough of us to find food for everyone. Monsters can be meat, and more and more monsters are brought in every month. We need not go hungry, and we need not be helpless.

[ Arya swallows. Off-camera, she's digging her nails into her palms, not wanting to say her last piece, but knowing she can't keep hiding it forever. There's a brief pause before she gathers herself enough to continue. ]

My name is Arya Stark. If you would like to contact me. If you are interested in hunting, in learning, in teaching others, or even simply becoming independent as a city.

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Everyone's. [ She replies simply, but solemnly. ] Ours, as the captives, to do everything we can to return home safely. Theirs, the awful gods who keep us here, who won't willingly give us peace.

[ They have to take it. What do they have to lose, now that death is no longer the greatest loss? ]

You ought to sound harsh. We need to be harsh. [ Hence her smashing up Hope's temple, no matter how fruitless it was. ] I swear that I will do everything in my power to keep you and all the others safe. One 'god' could not stop the Inquisition. This is only a greater challenge.

It is a great challenge, but we are great in numbers.

[ Arya is glad that Cecily doesn't reprimand her for being harsh, even encourages it. Life has made Arya harsh, and it's easier not to pretend otherwise. Useful, too, in a situation like this. ]

Peace is rarely given or kept willingly. [ Not that Arya knows all that much about peace, honestly. ] But power always changes, and the big always fall, even when the small do not expect it. It is our job to expedite the process, to be our own people.

We are.

[ No, Arya is too much like herself for her to chide her for much of anything. She's incredibly fond of the girl, both respects her and wants to keep her safe, and so she listens without interruption, considering what Arya's said. ]

It's true. [ beat ] ... You remind me very much of someone within the Inquisition. She always talks about 'little people,' meaning us, knocking down the 'big people' a few pegs.

[ Though Cecily isn't completely positive the two would get along, it's still a fairly funny image. ]

[ Arya blinks, not certain what to do with the compliment. She knows the Inquisition is very important to Cecily, and being likened to one of its members is probably a huge honor. ]

Do you say this because I am also a little person? I think I may grow, yet. It is one of the advantages to being young.

[ And because she's curious: ]

What was her name?

Oh- No, nothing like that. [ She smiles, then, chuckling. ] She called people who can't fight for themselves, or who are discriminated against or disadvantaged, 'little people.' Her name was Sera; she was an archer, like me, and... was here, actually, once or twice. She disappeared, though, after not very much time.

[ Odd though she could be, Sera was a member of the Inquisition and Cecily's friend. It had been strange and sad to see her appear and vanish so often. ]

She meant well. And she told good jokes.

[ Arya relaxes a little, relieved that Cecily wasn't making a short joke.

The story that Cecily tells, however, is interesting, if a little disconcerting. ]

Did she remember this place each time she arrived?

... No, I don't think so. [ Her smile fades a little at the thought. ] Do you know anyone who's gone and come back? I don't have anyone else to compare it to.

[ Where did those memories go, then? How did she get home, and then be drawn back in so quickly? None of it really bodes well for them, for any of them. ]

[ Arya frowns. That is disconcerting. ]

I only know people who have left.

[ She says, a little sadly. ]

I'm sorry. [ Cecily says gently, immediately. ] ... I know it may not be much consolation, but if they've left this place, it... may be for the better. I've mostly just seen pain and grief in Hadriel, and though not all of it is bad, some of it is very bad.

[ Arya knows that just as well as Cecily does, though. ]

[ Arya doesn't speak for a long time, realizing all of a sudden that her experience here must be very different from Cecily's. Hadriel is a place of suffering, yes, but in so many ways it is better than home.

She doesn't expect Cecily to understand. ]

If there are better worlds than this, then I hope they find them.

So do I.

[ There's a pause, one that's... somewhat strained. ]

I ought to go, but... if you ever want someone to talk to, or just need company, you know that you can always contact me. Or-- Come and visit, even, whenever you like.

[ Arya gives a little nod of her head, and underneath that, a smile. ]

I do not wish to keep you here.

And. Thank you.

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