hadriel_logs | you got a friend in me

Entry tags:

arya stark

you got a friend in me

Who: Newt (

krangke) Peter (

werewolfing and Arya (

whichend)
What: A giant sleepover with pizza for traumatized kids & co.
Where: Newt and Peter's house.
When: Feb 1st
Warnings: Probably just angry teenage boy swearing, bad influences on a young girl, making Peter exasperated with life, etc etc. Maybe mentions of gore via sweet story telling? Nothing much to cringe at here. Platonic cuddle fest probably at some point it could happen.

(The problem was that Newt didn't actually really know how to make pizza. It wasn't too hard to figure out though. Dough was easy enough to deal with. Let it rise and all of that- yeah, sure, he'd seen Frypan work with dough before. Sauce. Cheese. Then some pepperoni for half of the pizza just in case. Newt had evacuated the kitchen (aka had bossed Peter out and told him to wait out in the living room for Arya) and gotten to work on making the pizza. He'd rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands out and very quickly discovered that making a perfect circle out of dough was really note his forte. Peter was in for a treat of a whole lot of muttering and swearing coming from the kitchen.

Newt was a bit covered in flour. His hair was a mess and he'd had it in splotches on his face, his arms, and the gray henley he'd decided (poorly) on wearing. Which showed his own hand prints all over it from him constantly putting his hands on his hips in aggravation or patting his chest down in a really poor, pointless attempt at cleaning himself off. At last though, the pizza was made up and popped into the oven on a - not a pizza tray. A baking tray. He really hoped that didn't make a huge difference. At least he had hosed it down with some strange equivalent of Pam though. He finally makes his way out into the living room, giving Peter a look.)

Don't say a word.

(He threatens idly, holding up a finger that's a whole lot cleaner than the rest of him. At least he had washed his hands? Yeah........................)

She ought to be here soon.

(Which was really the most important part. Not the pizza. But Arya. She'd just been through a special kind of hell and Newt- Newt really empathized. He knew what it was like having the world fuck with you and of all people? Arya deserved it the least. He had been grateful to have been able to talk to her after the event itself but his concern had never really left. He didn't like not having an eye on her. It had helped seeing her during that strange hunting expedition though. They'd even managed to take down three horrific monsters together- as he had accounted to Peter in vigor, having been rather excited about the ordeal. He'd also taken down a smoker- a strange creature he'd spiked through with a spear of his with a single plunge. It'd been a pretty exhilarating moment in his life and just about when he'd met up with Arya.

On top of that, he'd gotten three things from the event. The watch, a pair of sneakers (which he was currently wearing- they were so much more comfortable than the sneakers from the Glade) and hot chocolate which he had been saving for this night. He'd given the watch to Peter as he had already had his own (slightly more advanced to boot) watch when he'd arrived in Hadriel. Besides, Peter had a knack for being obnoxiously inept with telling the time and so when Newt had thrown him the watch, he had done so with a pointed look.

He twisted his own wrist around to look at his watch before glancing over at Peter. He didn't look concerned mostly because he wasn't. Arya was obviously more than capable of taking care of herself. That and the city of Hadriel didn't really seem prone to having monsters wandering aimlessly at night. Even if it did though, he'd seen enough of the monsters in the cave to know that there weren't many in there that Arya couldn't take down herself.)

Hope you're ready for a princess transformation.

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[ Arya shouldn't be nervous about this. Neither Peter nor Newt are particularly scary people, and all she's doing is going over to their house for some food and good natured teasing. That's it. Totally normal, totally ordinary.

Except that's the problem. She's never done anything like this before, not even before she had to run away. Social events were usually more formal, with introductions and courtesies and other things she never had much patience for. And after everything fell apart, friendships like these were simply out of the question.

She's considered asking Cashmere, or even Peter and Newt, if there's anything she should do to prepare, but she knows they'd just give her that uncomfortable little stare people use every time she asks about something that should be obvious.

She decides, eventually, not to do anything different with her clothes. Same set of trousers and a worn shirt, same oversized coat, same blue scarf. She still comes armed, two daggers in the inside of her coat and one in her boot. Arya doesn't take chances. She brings Needle too, not because she's worried about attack, but because she doesn't want to leave it unwatched for too long.

A few minutes after the appointed time, she gives their door a knock and waits with anticipation, shifting her weight from one foot to another fairly quickly. ]

(Newt had jumped in for a quick shower before Arya showed up so that he wasn't coated in flour by the time she did. He had exchanged his dirty clothes for fresh khakis and a dark red sweater that ran a bit loose. Simple as anything else he wears, really, so Arya's not about to be put off.

He's thankfully cleaned up and dressed by the time she arrives and just sitting on the couch with Peter, mostly making fun of the other boy. When he hears the knock, he's on his feet within seconds and strolling across the living room to their front door.

He swings it open a minute later, already grinning. The warm smells of a baking pizza flood out around him and maybe it's something that Arya's smelled before, maybe not, but it's a good smell either way.)

Hey.

(He greets, stepping aside and swinging the door open wide.)

C'mon in.

(Truth be told, Newt isn't really used to "hanging out" with people either. Not in the way Peter might be. He's used to just taking care of people. He lived with his friends so they kind of were just always together. This is fairly new to him as well, though he doesn't feel too awkward about it at all.)

Peter was just telling me about how he thinks pink would really suit his complexion.

Blondie is a dirty liar.

[peter informs her as drolly as one can when raising one's voice to call from another room. if anyone expected him to get off the couch, like he has manners or something, they were sadly mistaken. only the siren song of food will get peter off the couch.]

I'd expound upon that but he might deny me pizza. Hey, vara. How're you doing?

Hello.

[ Arya steps inside and smells the scent of baking pizza, even though it's not a scent she recognizes. There's the scent of dough, for sure, but there are other smells -- warm ones, and spicy ones that she can't place. ]

Is that pizza?

[ She gives Peter a little wave. ]

I think you'd look terrible in pink.

[ She says, as a greeting. Arya pads quietly into the living room and strokes her chin dramatically, like she's really considering Peter's perfect princess look. ]

I think you'd look much better in light green and floral prints.

It is.

(He confirms with a steady nod, closing the door behind her. He has the audacity to look mock-offended by Peter's accusation, making a short grunt as he walked after Arya.

He comes to stand at her side eventually, arms crossed over his chest and he tips his head curiously at Peter.)

Vara?

(But then Arya is speaking again and Newt's head swings from Arya to Peter and he lets out a short, bright laugh. His arms swing down and he clasps his hands together, drawing them up to his chest.)

Oh, yes. Peter would look lovely in floral prints and light green.

(This is exactly why he invited Arya over. She was excellent.)

Means girl cousin, except the short version.

[except then they're talking about fashion choices, and he wrinkles up his face.]

I was almost with you, because green is acceptable. But then you said floral prints. There will be no floral prints anywhere near Peter.

Aren't we supposed to be dressing you like a princess?

[ Arya asks, in mock confusion. ]

Besides, I knew a knight who loved wearing flowers. He was good at tourneys too, and very popular with many women.

[ She makes a face. Arya wasn't super into the knight of flowers, but her sister certainly was. ]

(Newt is still just snickering, his hand curved over his mouth as if he actually cares about being discrete with his humor.

He lowers his hand eventually and reigns himself in, smirking subtly now instead.)

Flowers do look good on just about anyone. Terribly charming things they are.

(He wanders around the back of the couch and gives Peter a light swat against the back of his head because- well why not? That's why. And proceeds into the kitchen to check on the pizza.)

Flowers are one thing. Flower prints are something else entirely.

[not that they really have any of either so that this is an entirely moot point, but still. when newt swats him he reaches back and gives his arm a random swing, to smack whatever his hand might come in contact with.]

Don't mind blondie, he's very rude. And you two have some funny ideas about what you're going to be doing this evening, but I never agreed to them.

[he hasn't disagreed either, strictly speaking, but shh.]

[ Blondie? Arya takes one look at Newt and snorts. It's a funny-sounding nickname, but Peter isn't wrong. Newt does have blond hair.

Arya perches herself on the couch's arm rest, smirking. ]

Don't worry, I'm rude too.

[ Being the middle child of six, and the youngest girl is an easy way to develop rudeness. ]

(Peter managed to get a good hit in at his arm but Newt merely retorted with a scoff. It doesn't take him long before he's joining them back out in the living room and he throws himself down onto the couch, crossing his legs.)

Peter's rude too he just likes to act like he isn't. That pizza's almost done.

(He tugs his legs up onto the couch and wraps his arms about them, looking over at Arya pointedly.)

Did you get anything after the hunting trip?

Peter never said he wasn't rude, just that you are.

[he waves his wrist in arya's direction, where there is now a watch that wasn't there before. he wears it backwards, the clock side on the inside of his wrist and the buckle on the outside.]

Look what Newt got. And some other stuff, but he already has a watch, so he so graciously passed this one on.

[ Arya leans in, peering at Peter's watch. She's never seen a clock so small. Curious, she gives it a little poke, because poking is a very trusty way to learn about new things. ]

I didn't know clocks could be so little. And yes, I got a -- a back-bag [ yes, that's what backpacks are called ] and a little plant.

[ She also got a tray of lemon cakes, but those hit too close to home. Arya cried a little when she saw them, and she doesn't really want to bring that up now. ]

(It absolutely is. Newt would certify that one hundred percent.

He does smile a bit when she announces that she got a 'back-bag' and doesn't even bother to correct her. It's a similar enough name, isn't it?)

You got a plant?

(His eyes widen minutely in interest. He doesn't think to ask if she got a third thing. He doesn't know how these things balance out or if they do. Her lemon cakes are a safe secret.)

What kind of plant is it?

(Because plants are totally his thing.)

Little clocks are one of those marvels of modern technology.

[he takes it off his wrist so that she can poke it some more, even though he expects that the coolness of the tiny clock is about to be eclipsed by the coolness of plants. that's okay by peter.]

I'm not sure.

[ She says, still fixated on the clock. Arya turns it over in her hands, trying to figure out how someone was able to make working clockwork so small. Maybe a child made it? It definitely is a marvel. ]

I mean, I know it's a plant. It's kind of flat and green and really just leaves, no stems or anything. And the leaves are thick and hard and flat, with little needle things poking out of them. There's a little flower at the top, too.

[ It's a cactus. ]

(His eyes fall to the watch in her hands and he tips his head to the side. Her curiosity only really served to make him curious.)

Oh. How peculiar.

(He's almost disappointed that it doesn't sound familiar. Even cacti couldn't exist in the Scorch so he's never even seen such a thing before. But it does inspire some hope.

Though his attention soon returns to the watch.)

Is technology different in your....world?

(Yeah he's still adjusting to that concept. But he's trying.)

Sounds like a cactus.

[the 'different worlds' concept makes gut-level sense to peter, very literally, as the melody of the universe of hadriel as interpreted by his swadisthana is dissonant and strange, but it's still weird if he thinks too hard about it, so mostly he doesn't. it's easier for peter to follow his gut than his brain in cases like this, where the brain resists all the logical and illogical implications.

it is not, therefore, difficult for him to believe that arya has never seen a watch before, or that newt comes from a place where humanity has been nearly wiped out.]

[ Arya offers Newt the watch, in case he wants to inspect it too. ]

I'll show it to you soon.

[ The idea of other worlds is just as foreign to Arya as small clocks and airplanes and electric stoves. Nearly everyone in Hadriel has some experience with technology, and they talk about it all the time, as if those things are common. Science and technology feels so vast to Arya, so alien, that explaining it away with the idea of another world isn't much more of a stretch. It's all baffling, almost embarrassingly so, and Arya's learned by now how to filter out what she can and use context to help fill in for the rest. ]

We don't have technology at all. I'd never heard of it before I came here.

[ She gives Newt a joking little smile. ]

I came here the first time the Door opened, and when everyone first arrived, there were no lights. The lights didn't come until three days later. I was so shocked -- scared, really -- that I attacked and smashed several light bulbs before realizing they couldn't hurt me.

[ She still doesn't know how they work, though. All she knows is that if she flips the switch, the light comes on. That thought worries Arya if she lets it sit in her brain too long -- what if the sun works like that, and someday, someone decides to turn it off forever? ]

(It's hard for Newt to rely solely on instinct sometimes. Sometimes it's all he's got but for the most part, he's just too used to having to problem solve his way out of everything and think his way around corners. It's not that it's hard for him to believe that people come from different places- no that's no so strange to him.

It's more the multi-universe theory that's still boggling. More overwhelming than unbelievable, perhaps.

He takes the watch from Arya though he's seen watches before and this one in particular as it was originally gifted to him.

He lifts his head up from the watch and gives her a curious look. Except there's no humor on his face, no delight at her ignorance.

If there's anyone in the world, this world, who understands what it feels like to be thrown into a pool of confusion- it's this kid. He mostly just feels empathetic and offers her a smile.)

People favor the word 'technology' with 'complicated' too much, I think. Technology isn't all that fancy. Technically, the practice of creating a fire is a form of technology, you know. Anything that requires a process, technique, method or some sort of skill is a technology. There's just different kinds of technology. Light bulbs are technology but so are your weapons. And your clothes.

(Hence why he had asked if there was different kinds rather than asking Arya if she even had any technology whatsoever. She had a sword, didn't she? And one she clearly knew how to use. That was technology. Simple as that.

He mostly just didn't want her feeling embarrassed. Which isn't something he was gauging from her really, but since his own arrival he'd had a few moments of feeling embarrassed for not knowing certain things too. So.

Newt leans over and latches the watch back up around Peter's wrist rather absently, snapping it back into place how Peter had had it before. He sits back and tucks his hand beneath his chin, looking thoughtfully at Arya.)

Advanced technology, particularly dealing with electronics and the like, is pretty startling. Even to people who are used to it. It's sometimes more than a lot of people can handle or wrap their minds around. It's wise to be wary of it, I think.

Edited 2016-02-02 05:18 (UTC)

[these aren't things peter has ever devoted all that much attention to, honestly. he likes cars and motorcycles, the more badass the better, but the sort of technology he'd consider advanced has never particularly enthralled him, and the technology arya would consider advanced is just part of the background noise of his life.

what is interesting, though, is watching newt and arya together, the way newt goes out of his way to make arya more comfortable with ideas that he supposes really are downright scary when considered closely.]

Boy genius or the doc could probably explain most of it to you, if you wanted to know how things like lights work.

[he gives them both a shrug and scratches the stubble beneath his chin.]

Most people where I'm from don't think much about it until it stops working. It's just there.

Edited 2016-02-02 18:27 (UTC)

[ The idea that her sword and even her clothes is technology doesn't really make sense to Arya, but she goes along with it anyway. She'd always lumped any sort of tool or object that the people around her understood but she didn't into the technology category. ]

Bruce has been teaching me lots of things, but I don't know if I'm advanced enough for lightbulbs yet. I just learned about zippers only a few days ago.

[ There's so much technology that Arya doesn't know if she'll be able to learn about all of it, but she definitely wants to try. Arya gives Peter a quizzical little look, more curious than anything. ]

How do they use it if they don't know how it works? I had to read all kinds of things about swords until I was even allowed to touch one.

(Works for Newt, really. Any way that it made sense was plenty fine. There were all kinds of geniuses out there and not all of them thought the same way. Kind of why they were geniuses to begin with.)

Zippers are bloody fantastic. Until they get stuck anyway.

(Newt also winds up giving Peter a rather quizzical look of his own, brow arched up.)

Suddenly your laid-back attitude makes a whole lot of sense.

(He's up on his feet then, walking away from the couch, leaving Peter and Arya to themselves for the moment. Last time he'd checked, the pizza had almost been done after all. He didn't want it to get burnt.)

Edited 2016-02-03 06:22 (UTC)

[peter has no idea what he said to seemingly piss newt off, so he just lets it go. there are reasons peter makes his life sound effortless. he turns to arya instead.]

The same way you do. I flick the lightswitch. And I mean, at home, it's not free, having lights on. You pay for them, and to have running water in your house, and all that. It's not all free like it is here, or paid for in feelings, or whatever. People have jobs and work to make sure they get to keep their lights and power and have enough to eat. Just not quite like they do where you're from, or where blondie's from.

Besides, people do things every day without knowing or caring how they work. Hell, we make that shit up, just to have reasons when we start thinking about things too hard. But technology isn't like magic, it works whether you believe in it or not.

[ The concept of buying light is a strange one, but Arya definitely gets the bit about working. That's life, isn't it? The only people she's ever seen who didn't really have to work for a living were some lords and ladies and their children. But she's also seen how fragile that position is, how difficult and ultimately pointless it is to maintain that kind of carefree lifestyle.

She's still not sure that using technology without knowing how it works is safe, but maybe that's just because it feels so different to her. Arya slides onto the couch proper and shrugs. ]

That makes more sense, somehow. Anyway, lights aren't nearly as good as couches. You can always build a fire, but making something this squishy takes skill.

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