The Valentinos were hanging out outside a warehouse. It was a meeting place, to hear the latest news from the gang or have an impromptu party with a bottle of tequila in hand. Some sat on the hood of their car and smooched their latest conquests, to the sound of Latin music. The rain had just stopped and the coolness it had left behind refreshed their drunken spirits. The conversations were going well.
"She raced down the street on her motorbike with a bullet in her stomach, I'm telling you, I was there."
"The princesa is as bold as her father."
"Do you think she'll take over?"
"We want to have her as a boss, but you know how some of the older leaders are. They'll want a piece of Orta's kingdom."
"Let them try, I will follow the princesa."
"I'm with you choom."
At this moment a car approached the group.
"Who is this?"
"A Corp Car"
"No man, it's just a rich man's car."
"See who's inside?"
"No the windows are tinted"
"Stop talking and get your guns out!"
The car stopped and when the doors opened they nervously aimed at the intruders. Then a young woman got out of the car. Her jacket torn at the elbow showed what was left of his right forearm. They barely paid attention to the girl following her.
"Let me help you." She says
"It's okay, I have enough strength."
"If you fall because of your pride, I'll leave you on the ground."
"Your kindness goes straight to my heart, Eve."
The princesa trudged through the ranks of the Valentinos who stared at her petrified, their weapons still in hand.
She stumbled but got up without giving them a single look. She walked toward the warehouse entrance with determination as if death was watching her and refusing to be taken away by it.
Exclamations rose in the crowd when they saw what was on the back of her jacket. The symbol of Valentinos.
"princesa..." some said with admiration Even when she disappeared into the entrance of the warehouse they remained paralyzed.
Just that a voice breaks their trance.
"What the fuck are you waiting for, call a doctor!"
Suddenly everyone rushed to make a call.
"Bunch of idiots."
They would only realize later that a non-gang person had lectured them before entering the building.
Arya woke up later in a familiar bed.
This time her father was sitting next to her mother who had her head resting on his shoulder.
When she made a noise to be heard her father walked over to her and hugged her before stopping when he heard her scream in pain. He pulled away, then looked at her mother who hadn't spoken yet. Then he looked more serious.
"Arya Stark, do you have any idea what danger you've put yourself in. A cyberpsycho? But what went through your mind?" he exclaimed
"Dad.." she started.
"No, you're grounded."
"But the gym..."
"...Will be there when your punishment is over."
" I'm sorry."
Campo sighed.
"I know mi hija but it's not enough this time. Arya, my dear, why don't you realize that your life is important?"
Arya looked at him blankly.
"I came back alive."
"You've lost an arm!" her mother yelled.
"But I'm alive, as promised."
Her heart sank when she saw the look disappointed in her father. That look hurt her more than any punishment.
"Your friend explained to us what happened. You had six bodyguards. Bodyguards who had very advanced cybernetic equipment.
Yet you decided to serve as a distraction for this monster. One of your guards could have done it and even managed to escape thanks to his sandevistan. But that didn't even occur to you, did it? Arya I don't know why you think you have to do everything alone. You are not alone, thousands of people can help you. You are part of a clan. Stop playing lone wolf!" Campo said dejectedly.
The lone wolf dies and the pack survives Arya.
"All your mom and I want is for you to realize you can ask for help. I know you care about Valentinos and I'm proud you wore that jacket. But you have to think, think to survive but also to live."
Arya Stark had spent much of her former life alone. She had fought to escape Kings' Landing, defeat the Lannisters and anyone who stood in her way. She had chosen a lonely path by becoming a faceless man. She had felt like she was losing a bit of herself every day. Then she decided she couldn't forget Arya Stark. She had relearned not to be alone for a few months. When she saw the clothes Sansa made for her she was so happy. Her sister accepted her and even if Bran was no longer the same he was still his brother and Jon, his favorite brother... The one who had always understood her. He was an outcast in the family like her, their similarities had brought them closer. But even if she had found her family, she had never managed to really close the distance between them. They had had too little time together for the walls she had built to break entirely. She had reproduced the same pattern in spite of herself in her new life. But this life was different. People relied on her and loved her as she was. She could be who she had dreamed of being in her first life. She wasn't expected to get married and bear children before she even knew what being an adult was. She loved her first family and she always would but she wasn't in Westeros anymore.
"Arya..." her father said
She then noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to do better."
Her father smiled then.
"That's all your mother and I ask for." he said
" My friend?" she asked abruptly, remembering Eve.
"She went home, I think. She waited with you until we arrived. She's a good friend."
Arya blushes then.
"Someone has their first crush it seems."
"Dad!" cried Arya in embarrassment
"You are a Valentinos. We have a reputation."
"What are you teaching our daughter!" exclaimed Judith
"Sorry, sorry" he said
"Dad, I know I'm being punished, but can you do me a favor?"
A week had passed since the cyberpsycho and the streets of Night City had regained their relative calm.
In an alley in Vista del Rey, two people were talking. The young woman had light blond hair, dotted with blue streaks. The man in front of her wore a fluorescent outfit accompanied by tigers. The Asian spoke in a kind, almost understanding voice.
"You will have enough money to feed yourself and if you get more regular customers you will have a chance to make a good relationship. Street life is hard but you have a promising body and you won't remember anything. It's not so bad to be a doll."
These words which would have repelled Eve seemed to her more tempting as the hunger became more present. She hadn't had to eat for four days. She didn't want to become a celebrity like that but maybe that was a solution.
Suddenly she saw a black car stop alongside them.
A gold colored arm was the first thing she saw before it was followed by a familiar face.
"I don't remember this neighborhood belonging to the Tiger Claws." The man froze at these words.
"I'll report this little invasion to my father as soon as I get the chance."
"Koko kara deteike" (get the hell out of here.) she said
The man then ran away.
"Arya? What are you doing here?" Eve was embarrassed to have been found in this situation. She had almost said yes, she had promised herself to be stronger.
Her thoughts dissipated when she felt a hand take hers.
"I think I promised you dinner." Arya said giving her a bright smile and without realizing it, Eve allowed herself to be drawn into the unknown.