FAKE WESTEROS INTERVIEWS: ARYA STARK

Continuing our #FakeWesteros Interview series, we gave @Arya_No1 a few coppers and got her to talk to us for a bit.

How did you get involved with #FakeWesteros?

I started following a couple of FW accounts, and sometimes interacted with them as "me". Then one day, @KingRobb_Stark tweets that he's looking for roles, and something goes "why not?" in my mind!

Why did you pick your character?

I knew I couldn't RP a male character.. So the alternative was between Roslyn Frey and Arya Stark. And Roslyn seemed.. So passive! Ugh! Whereas I love Arya: she interacts with everyone, no matter their social class (including Jon), she's very curious, she adapts so quickly to her surroundings. I love the fact that she wants society to change so that it will be more inclusive of girls who don't conform to the status quo, even if that means disappointing her parents' expectations, being constantly belittled by Septa Mordane, and being bullied by Jeyne Poole.

(I realize the freedom she is allowed definitely stems from her position of privilege as a High Lord's daughter, and her young age.) She is also very protective of her family, and I relate to that. She can badmouth Sansa, but I bet that if she overheard someone doing it, she'd go "Hulk smash!" And she has a direwolf! Who wouldn't want a direwolf?!?!

What do you love the most about being your character on Twitter?

I can rage and stab people ;) Seriously, I love the interaction with other RP accounts. I've made some amazing friendships through this! Another thing I love is witnessing the talent of some people, be it though fan art, cosplay, fanfic,...

Favourite character and episode?

Arya! I've always been #TeamStark but the more I RP Arya the more I love her. My favorite episode is Blackwater. Funny enough, for someone who LOVES the books and sometimes rages about show changes, I adored the scene where Cersei tells the "animal kingdom" tale to Tommen, while clutching a poison vial. Lena Headey is a fantastic actress!

Can I add my favorite SL? *doesn't wait for an answer* That would be Arya & Sandor in the Riverlands!

How has the Twitter community reacted to your character?

So well! The thing I love the most is that people keep tweeting how much they want Arya to overcome her struggles, to avenge her family, and to reunite with her family. We are all rooting for her!

Do you have any messages for the people who follow your character?

From a character perspective, I wish people would see the hurt part of her. Yes, she's a bad ass pint sized assassin with a kill list, but there's a lot of hurt, of doubt, of loss in Arya. She feels like she has nowhere to go, and that even if she were to meet Jon or Sansa (she doesn't know Rickon and Bran are alive, remember ;) they would not want her. She wants to become no one because she can't be someone, or rather the someones she can be aren't the ones she wants to be. That's a horrible thing, especially for someone so young.

From a writer perspective: THANK YOU!! I am constantly humbled by the number of people who follow me, and how often they engage with me! Thank you, thank you!

How do you feel about the Season Six opening episode?

I loved how, in a world of never-ending revenge, book Ellaria Sand was a voice of peace. The Dorne SL has been super disappointing. Other than that, the Wall scenes were great! We are all waiting for Jon's fate, so having all those scenes without giving the feel that it's a filler is an amazing job! Lastly, the actors have really stepped up to the game: Lena Headey and Alfie Allen were breathtaking, the whole cast was! And what do you predict for your character this year? She'll train and learn until she gets wind of what's happening North. Then she leaves the FM and lives with a target on her back, never knowing which face will punish her for leaving the order.

You’ve been blinded and left a beggar on the Streets of Braavos. Do you miss crying out ‘Oysters, clams and cockles!’ and sweeping the House of Black and White?
No! I miss home! Winterfell, its people, the howling of wolves and the smell of pine needles, snow falling on the Wolfswood. I miss my family. My wolf.. *sniffles*

The Waif has bullied you from the first. Do you plan to Meryn Trant her? I'm 50% convinced she hates me because I'm better than her, and 50% thinking it might be for training purposes. Let's say she's not on my list.... Yet.

Do you think Sexy Jesus…Jaqen will forgive you? 

Seven Hells, he was a much nicer guy in the Riverlands! Still, I believe that not everyone has the chance to become a faceless man. Jaqen must have seen something in me, and I think that something will buy me a second chance. There won't be a third, though.

What are your thoughts on reuniting with Sansa, Bran, Rickon and Jon? Also Nymeria?
I wish I could reunite with them, one day.. but.. I'm not certain they're going to want me, after all I've done. I'm not even certain they would recognize me!

Do you think you’ll survive or sacrifice yourself somehow?
I don't care if I die: valar morghulis. But first I need to cross all names from my list.