[ Arya has been pacing along the path outside Cullen's house for a long while now. It could be hours. She isn't sure. Arya doesn't know what to make of those dreams, but she figures she probably ruined Cullen's night. Multiple times. So for once, she decides to apologize.
Arya knocks tentatively on the door. ]
Hello?
[ She tries to make her voice as clear as possible, but there's still some uncertainty there. ]
[ from inside the house there comes the sound of excited barking. it moves closer and closer to the door until cullen opens it and then--pup, the giant friendly dog squeezes his way between his master's legs and hops in circles around arya.
cullen shakes his head and plants his hands on his hips. ] Pup! Heel. Let her at least say hello before you demand attention. [ and ear scritches.
with a quiet sigh, he opens the door enough for the dog to bound back inside, then gives arya a curious look. her dreams didn't ruin his night at all, but he is a little worried about her after seeing hers. ]
My apologies. He's a bit excitable. Would you like to come in?
[ something in his face softens as he looks down at her. ]
There's no need to apologize. Truly. You weren't troublesome at all.
[ yes, her own dream was a little frightening and he's concerned about her and what kind of world she came from that she dreams of things like that. but troublesome? not even close. ]
[ he goes down on a knee and raises her head with gentle fingers under her chin. ]
I am no stranger to fear, Arya, especially fear in dreams. You need not apologize for that. And you were not uninvited. [ he looks a little sheepish for a moment. ] I may not have recognizes all that was happening, but if I had, I would have acted the same.
Even so, you didn't need more fear. You didn't need -- I disturbed your peace, in both cases.
[ Arya shakes her head. He has to be lying. There's no other logical explanation. But she's played the lying game, even while blind, and the truth is written plainly on Cullen's face.
[ Arya nods quickly, not trusting herself to follow Cullen if she thinks about it too much. She follows him wordlessly, but she does manage to smile at Pup a little, and give him another scratch behind the ears.
Cullen offers her bread, like in the dream, and even Arya has to smile a little. ]
[ he leads her to the kitchen, grabs a plate, and then moves on out into the living room. pup follows at their heels and, once cullen sits on the couch, starts trying to sniff at the plate of shortbread cookies. ]
No, these aren't for you. They're for Arya.
[ as if to prove his point, he hands the plate over to her. ]
Take as many as you like. [ within reason. please don't stuff yourself on cookies. ]
[ There's no need to worry about Arya stuffing herself -- she hasn't been able to do that since Harrenhal. Arya takes a cookie and nibbles on it. She smiles, just a little. ]
They're better, when they're real.
[ She takes pity on the poor pup, though. He should be allowed to try some. ]
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Arya knocks tentatively on the door. ]
Hello?
[ She tries to make her voice as clear as possible, but there's still some uncertainty there. ]
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cullen shakes his head and plants his hands on his hips. ] Pup! Heel. Let her at least say hello before you demand attention. [ and ear scritches.
with a quiet sigh, he opens the door enough for the dog to bound back inside, then gives arya a curious look. her dreams didn't ruin his night at all, but he is a little worried about her after seeing hers. ]
My apologies. He's a bit excitable. Would you like to come in?
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But there's still apprehension in her eyes when she looks at Cullen. ]
Only if you wish. I -- I came to apologize, you see, for being troublesome in your dreams and I don't want to be more trouble through my apology.
[ Then Arya clamps her mouth shut. She knows she's rambling. ]
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There's no need to apologize. Truly. You weren't troublesome at all.
[ yes, her own dream was a little frightening and he's concerned about her and what kind of world she came from that she dreams of things like that. but troublesome? not even close. ]
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But I came into your -- your happiness uninvited.
[ Arya looks down, ashamed. ]
And then I repayed it with naught but fear.
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I am no stranger to fear, Arya, especially fear in dreams. You need not apologize for that. And you were not uninvited. [ he looks a little sheepish for a moment. ] I may not have recognizes all that was happening, but if I had, I would have acted the same.
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[ Arya shakes her head. He has to be lying. There's no other logical explanation. But she's played the lying game, even while blind, and the truth is written plainly on Cullen's face.
It's all so confusing. She swallows. ]
Thank you.
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[ but enough of this.
he rises and steps back, leaving space for arya to follow him into the house. ]
Why don't you come in? We've some shortbread, and I think Pup would like if it someone pet him.
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[ Arya nods quickly, not trusting herself to follow Cullen if she thinks about it too much. She follows him wordlessly, but she does manage to smile at Pup a little, and give him another scratch behind the ears.
Cullen offers her bread, like in the dream, and even Arya has to smile a little. ]
I'm a good petter.
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No, these aren't for you. They're for Arya.
[ as if to prove his point, he hands the plate over to her. ]
Take as many as you like. [ within reason. please don't stuff yourself on cookies. ]
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They're better, when they're real.
[ She takes pity on the poor pup, though. He should be allowed to try some. ]
May I feed one to your dog?
[ See, she's asking politely. ]
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Oh, alright. I suppose it's only fair.
[ pup is the most spoiled war hound in any world, good lord. ]