The reason Nymeria turned away from Arya
She’s not Arya. She’s No One.
shareThat's a real possibility.
shareArya stuck Needle in Jaqen's Adam's apple and very clearly announced, "I am Arya Stark of the House Stark, and I am going home." Perhaps you guys missed that part.
shareI guess I must have missed that. Can you point out the episode in which it happened? All I've been able to find is this:
"While pacing the atrium of the House of Black and White, Jaqen notices blood on the ground. He follows the trail to the Hall of Faces, where the trail stops at a new face on the wall, that of the Waif. Arya sneaks up behind him and points Needle at him. Jaqen does not offer resistance, and even walks into the sword's point. Though she rejects the tenets of the Faceless Men and reclaims her identity, Jaqen is pleased with her conduct by fully deeming her "no one", and allows her to leave." -- http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Jaqen
I don't remember the exact episode, but the exchange went something like this:
Jaqen follows the trail of blood to where the waif's face is, turns around and sees Arya pointing Needle at him.
Jaquen says, "Congratulations. A girl is finally no one."
Arya replies, "No. A girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell. And I'm going home."
Jaquen smiles and lets her go.
A YouTube clip of that scene from s06e08 shows what you're describing, which I believe indicates that both things are true. Arya defiantly states that she'll keep her identity, and Jaqen H'ghar declares her "No One", which makes her one of the Faceless Men, a group you apparently can't quit as easily as a book club.
Somehow, JH seems to have exempted her from the rule that FM can't choose their own targets or use their powers for personal vendettas. Since she clearly has her powers at the Frey wingding, it seems to me that a fundamental change in her identity has happened.
Also, though no one has commented on it, her demeanor has come to resemble Jaqen H'ghar's, as in her encounter with Hot Pie. So, she's now some strange mix of Arya and No One, using her powers for personal reasons. I have to wonder if going against the code of the Faceless Men might not have consequences for her.
Still, Jaqen proclaimed her no one before Arya refused it. And he seemed proud, or at least amused, that she went her own way. Maybe he did care about her to some degree.
You're right that her training will and does affect her. And there might be repercussions further down the line for quitting the Faceless Men.
"Still, Jaqen proclaimed her no one before Arya refused it. And he seemed proud, or at least amused, that she went her own way."
I wondered if that smile might not have meant, "Go ahead, strong-willed girl, do it your way, and see what happens."
Hm. That's possible. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
shareNope, didn't miss it
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