[Introduction]; We're not in Kansas anymore.

[idkmybffnymeria]

She could have sworn she'd just opened the door to her room. But instead of four familiar walls, her bed, there iss a decidedly unfamiliar room that looks nothing at all like any room she's ever seen in Winterfell. The door under her hand even feels unfamiliar; the wood treated to be glossy and smooth. Arya takes a step back, letting the door swing

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[needsmoarshiny]

Should Arya go exploring outside, she won't have to look far to find something she's never seen before.

Namely a massive, red-orange-and-purple dragon, covered in spikes, curled up on one of the lawns, apparently asleep. And radiating steam, as always. Meet Iskierka. (The only firebreather in Britain, as she will be certain to tell you.) She is not actually sleeping, just being lazy. And is always happy to meet new admirers.

[idkmybffnymeria]

Of course she'll go outside. And when she sees that dragon will stop dead in her tracks, eyes widening in shock.

"A real live dragon...!" She breathes out in stunned disbelief, taking in every detail that she can see. She's torn; on one hand, it would be wise to retreat, dragons are dangerous; on the other hand, Sir Stark had mentioned that not all friendly people look like humans... did that include dragons? This one certainly looks mild enough.

And she wants to get a better look, so that decides it. She starts closer, pausing a short but still respectful distance away, studying Iskiera with unabashed curiosity.

"Good afternoon, sir dragon!" Do dragons understand spoken words? Looks like she'll find out!

[needsmoarshiny]

Iskierka opens one very large, golden eye at the hail, and examines Arya for a moment. "I am not a sir, properly," says Iskierka, rather loftily, in a definitely feminine voice, if somewhat low. And very clearly spoken. If slightly accented. "But I suppose it is more polite than some of the ways that people here seem inclined to greet me. You are very small. Are you a hatching?"

[idkmybffnymeria]

Well. This dragon understood quite well! And given her manner of speech, Arya is quite at ease labeling her as a noble dragon.

"Apologies, my Lady!" Even apologizing, her excitement is plain, a smile growing on her face as she comes to the conclusion that yes, this is a friendly dragon. "I am yes, though to humans a hatchling is a 'child'. My name is Arya Stark... might I know who it is I have the pleasure of speaking with?" Yes. She will pull out all the polite stops, because this is a dragon and she's talking with her, which automatically makes this the most incredible day ever in Arya's opinion.

[needsmoarshiny]

My lady! Oh, that is much better. Iskierka almost preens, and lifts her head a little bit, examining Arya with a little more interest. "Child, hatchling," she says dismissively, before focusing on the more interesting. "I am Iskierka," she says, proudly, sounding as pleased with herself as if the name was her own idea (which it was). "Arya Stark, is it? You are a very polite hatchling, and know how to speak to a dragon much better than many people here. Were you to be part of the Aeriel Corps, perhaps?"

[idkmybffnymeria]

"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Iskierka." She goes slowly over the unfamiliar name, making sure it sounds right as she says it before smiling up at the dragon. "I'm afraid I've never heard of the Aerial Corps... is it a branch of the Targaryen forces?"

[needsmoarshiny]

Iskierka would frown, if her reptilian face could do it. As it is, her tone is decidedly disapproving. "I do not know that name. Is it French? Because the Aerial Corps are most certainly not French."

[idkmybffnymeria]

"I'm sorry, but I've never heard of... French." She looks confused. "Targaryens are a family that ruled for a time before the current King took control. They were well known in stories for working with dragons... there's all sorts of stories about them."

[needsmoarshiny]

Never heard of French? Well, that's good. "You are glad you have never heard of them," Iskierka says, not a bit huffily. "They are a very silly people, and Britain will win. This Napoleon cannot be so wonderful as that." She lifts her head a little, brings it closer to Arya. "I have not heard of these 'Targaryens.' This is not in China, is it? Temeraire is always talking about China, but I am not certain it can be so great as he says."

[idkmybffnymeria]

"I apologize, but I don't know anything about China, or Britain either." Arya admits in a sheepish tone. "I come from a land by the name of Westeros. But who is Temeraire, Lady Iskierka?"

[needsmoarshiny]

Lady Iskierka! Oh, finally someone who knows how to treat a dragon properly! Well, there is Delilah and Tristan as well, but another. "Westeros? I do not know that country, I suppose it may be far away. Temeraire is a dragon also, like me but black and he cannot breathe fire."

[idkmybffnymeria]

"It is possible. There are lands beyond the great seas that we have little knowledge of." She considered, though her attention was much more caught by studying the dragon. She wondered if her scales were warm, or like the small lizards she'd sometimes chased, cool. Either way, they were pretty to look at. "I've heard of dragons breathing fire... all of the Targaryen dragons were able to, and their breath was able to even melt the thick stone of keeps. Is it common where you're from, or is it something like a special skill?"

[needsmoarshiny]

"It is special," Iskierka says, with abundant pride. "I am the only firebreathing dragon in all of Britain. There are others, of course, in other places, but not so many." She preens, just a little, very pleased with herself, as though being a firebreathing dragon was all her idea.

[idkmybffnymeria]

"That's incredible!" Yes, Arya is extremely excited about the idea that she might be able to see a real live dragon breath real live fire. "I... don't suppose you would be willing to show me, Lady Iskierka? I've never seen a dragon breath fire before, but it sounds simply amazing!"

[needsmoarshiny]

Oh, Arya. Asking Iskierka to breathe fire is a little like asking her to breathe. Iskierka has also already decided that you are an excellent young lady and she will have to ask Tristan if you can be her page right away. "You wish to see me breathe fire?" Iskierka pretended to consider it, seriously, though truly she was delighted. "--well, I suppose I could not say no, since you have been so polite. I do not mind."