Return of Titus Pullo and Arya Stark (AKA Vegas and a cheap buttery alternative to therapy. Open!)

[runaway_stark]

She was safe, she was warm, and the whole situation was very much like being asleep. And then with an abrupt pop!, Arya Stark was salty and buttery and very much wide awake

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[maid_brienne]

Brienne had pretty much given up on the idea that any of her charges would ever return, though she still waited patiently, in hopes of being proved wrong. After all, it wouldn't do for her to leave the school (even if she'd wanted to, which she did not), only to find that one or both of the Stark girls had come back.

But today, during her daily patroling of the corridors outside the popcorn room, she saw that a name had been stricken from the list.

Relief surged through her and she came striding into the room, whereupon she promptly ignored the man as a complete nonentity and turned her full attention on Arya.

"My lady," she said, her tone one of abject relief. "You've come back!"

[runaway_stark]

Arya looked up at the woman, confused and gripping Needle tightly. But no, there was one of those memories again. "I know you." She sounded doubtful. "You were at my Sorting."

[maid_brienne]

Brienne had forgotten about popcorn's tendency to give people at least partial amnesia. She backpedaled a bit and nodded. "I was,' she answered. "I had been seeking your sister. Your mother... had wanted to know that you were safe. It's the task I've laid upon myself since being here."

She gave Arya a respectful bow. "I am Brienne of Tarth, my lady," she said, resting a hand on the hilt of Oathkeeper and smiling a little. "I would still offer my sword should you ever need it, but I see that you have a serviceable one of your own."

[runaway_stark]

"Brienne," she said, trying it out and finding it familiar. "I gave you a present once."

The corner of her mouth twitched in what was almost a smile, a nearly alien sensation after such a long time. She could remember some of her last few months at Hogwarts, and what she most remembered was loneliness and anger--neither conducive to smiling. "I'm going to be a water dancer," she told Brienne. "Are you a knight?"

[maid_brienne]

"I remember that present," Brienne said. "You were right--it's more decorative than useful, but... well, I've used it as a kind of talisman. Against what, I'm not sure, but when I look at it, especially lately when there's... been no one else familliar... it at least gives me a sense of home." At Arya's question, she shook her head. "No. I'm not a knight. Not in any official sense, anyway. A water dancer, hmmm? I can believe that you will! If you'd like some help, I'd be glad to, anytime."

[runaway_stark]

It took Arya a moment to remember the present, a decorative dirk that had seemed fitting. "That's good," she said, trying that smile again. "And... I think I'd like that. For you to help me, that is." Until Hogwarts, Arya had never seen a woman fighter, much less one as physically intimidating as Brienne.

[maid_brienne]

"Just let me know when you want to practice," Brienne answered lightly. "I haven't many other plans." She looked down at the girl, who was still covered in butter. "Do you remember your way back to Gryffindor?" she asked. "I could get the house elves to fetch you some food if you wanted to clean up." She was conscious of the fact that Arya wouldn't appreciate it if she hovered, but she was good at taking care of practical matters, if only by being unwaveringly firm until they got done.

[runaway_stark]

((Sorry so late--busy work week!))))

"I'll do that," she said. She though a minute, nodding her head slowly. "I think I remember how to get back. I wasn't there very often, was I?" Arya said it as though she didn't expect an answer. The majority of her memories from this place were the forest outside, especially in the snow when she could pretend that she was back at Winterfell.

[maid_brienne]

((No worries! I'm the world's slowest tagger myself.))

Brienne shook her head. "No, you really weren't," she answered. "But the option is still open if you want it. Besides, the forest seems to be more trafficked these days than I remember it being in the past."

[runaway_stark]

"Thank you." She felt calmer and more confident now, despite still being covered in butter and with a portion of her memory glossed over if not outright missing. She had her bearings again, and there was at least one familiar face here. And if she had Needle, she would be just fine. "I think I'll be going there now."