Krakenfish pt.2: Stagnation (invite)

"I'm glad we finally get to have some fresh air." Ashe held her head in the palm of her hand as soon as the two ladies were out of sight. She needed rest... should have been resting, but came either way out of respect. She was feeling ill. Nothing new really, except she'd been fine up until a couple of days ago, and now she'd been battling with worry and migraines.

She'd been too preoccupied. Together with the wake and the interestingpeople in it, all she could think of at the time were where things could be leaning to... a war? A peaceful succession? It was any one of those and she'd rather be prepared, which was why her fool's errand with Dalton escaped her up until she saw him approach her and Vivaenne.

"Lord Greyjoy. What a surprise." It wasn't. And her eyes conveyed as much as she silently asked where his father was.

Having a Targaryen with her complicated things. Despite his own opinion on certain families being overrated, he would be a fool to assume that a member of the ruling family of these kingdoms would just be a bystander. White haired people could not be ignored. Even here, a bit aside from the stones leading up to the great sept. It was not a wide street they were in but there was very little commerce. Yuliya was right in some regards at least – the city was holding its breath. It was likely out of respect that those who did not have urgent business in the streets were avoiding them now. King’s Landing would never be a ghost town, at least not until every resident was dead. But for today, for this hour at least, the streets were rather clear.

Not necessarily clean, of course, but that could not be expected, even in better neighborhoods, such as this one. House Targaryen meant a lot here and he could not ignore this one, even if he wanted. Ashe seemed to want to know more than she asked for, if her gaze was any indication. But really, Dalton was a bit too annoyed to play games at that point in time. What really was the point in those? It never fully computed to him and he just up and decided to discard them right then and there.

“Westwind I fear, my lady.” It was a symbolic reply but one that did not make a lot of sense without context. Hence, he gave the Targaryen an apologetic nod and turned more towards Ashe. “I apologize for cutting to the chase, but we really do not have the time to beat around the brush. That window of opportunity I told you about is closing after what just happened. You said you wanted to trust me. Are you ready to do so?” Dalton stopped short of offering his hand in a symbolic gesture. This was the moment where that lady would have to decide whether she had the strength that was necessary to save a life or not. Dalton tried to encourage her as best as he could, but this was Ashe Tully’s challenge and no one else’s.

Dalton's words were a worry, and after what had transpired, she knew the man they were slated to meet will be in a bad mood. If Ashe were to be honest with Dalton right now, she'd admit she was not ready. He may have put her at ease when they met, but that was it. Her words may have been inspired by the atmosphere they were in, but now, beset with worry, Ashe wasn't too sure if this was the right thing to do right now. Not when tensions were high. The clashing thoughts continued to storm about her mind behind her usual neutral facade.

For all she knew, Ashe's decision could very well spell the end of one life, or that of many.

Her head hurt. Thinking made her head hurt. The comfort of her bed was far too tempting right now. Once more, she brought her fingers to her temple to ease the pain. "I suppose we don't have time to think about this." Turning to the Targaryen she bowed her head in an apology. "I'm sorry Viv-" She couldn't even finish her words as another approached from the corner of her eye. It was one thing to ask Vivaenne to keep her tongue about this (as well as ask her to deliver a message to either her spouse or the more level-headed of her brothers), it was another to explain to someone why the lady of House Tully was running off with the heir of the Greyjoys.

Ashe pursed her lips and simply nodded in the direction of the new comer.

Yeah, the Targaryen was not buying it. Looking at the lady in this street of white, the Greyjoy could tell as much. If that person had been any other highborn, he would have likely just ignored her, taken Ashe by the hand and led her away. But the ruling family was not one he wanted to sleight, especially after what had happened. His people had a reputation of being rude, but he was trying to change that, not reinforce it.
Plus, another young lady appeared. Wonderful. The one time that he was not actively looking for a good bride to be, they flocked to where he was. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he ordered his thoughts. That girl was a Baratheon if his memory served him correctly. His father had almost come to blow with Daella, now members from both sides of her family had congregated around him. The other newcomer had also apparently shut up Ashe completely, who was likely contemplating what to do.

Stupid. This was all stupid. He harrumphed, seeking to interrupt any possible conversation still going on. “My father took the aide serving lady Tully in response to her slighting him. She wants to sort this out with him before he leaves and does who knows what to the girl. I am guaranteeing her safety for this idea, as stupid as it might be.” Dalton was not speaking up loudly, but he was doing so with convictions. The ifs and whens had not served them well at all, and neither had overthinking things. It was the time for action and for making decisions.
“There, now they know. You mainlanders always keep secrets and talk around the issue at hand, it is annoying and it costs time we don’t have. You two look like decent people. And yes, yes, I know animosity between our houses and such. But the man just laid to rest would want the innocents to be saved, as that is what one can be proud of, not pride itself.” He crossed his arms. This was where he made his stance and everyone else could just, well, suck it.

"Dalton..." Ashe let slip his name from her lips in an exasperated way. The plan almost sounded simple with the way he explained it. Simple... were it not the Lord Reaver they were about to meet. Ashe clearly didn't want either girl to know what they were up to, but she supposed it was better they knew and understood what the older of the four were planning to do rather than just blindly trusting them to run off all on their own- but with the details out in the open between them, Ashe was almost certain she and Dalton couldn't leave easily... Especially after she glanced over the dragon child.

"Don't worry. We'll take care of it." Ashe couldn't help but give the younger girl a reassuring glance, reaching out to pat her head. She wasn't that much shorter nor younger than herself, yet Ashe felt just a tad bit more mature in speaking with her.

"I ask either of you not to speak about this. Forget it if you must. The secrecy is to keep anyone else from making a huge fuss about this and..." At that, she looked at Dalton, feeling a sigh rising from her chest. It wasn't doubt. It was a look of assurance. "I have Lord Greyjoy by my side." With the fawn's words, Ashe's concern went towards Vivaenne who clearly wasn't too impressed by this.

"Things will be fine. Just trust me." She didn't feel all too at ease asking a friend who had just lost a valuable family member to keep secrets. Dangerous secrets. Even less so in asking the girl to trust her whilst she walked straight into danger. "I don't plan on staying long." The words were for both the Targaryen and Dalton. "And regardless of the outcome... I just hope none of this will lead into fighting..." If she can't save the girl. So be it. Ashe was only human and could only do so much. She knew this. It would have been wiser to just walk away, but she wanted to think something could be done... plus... she believed Quellon could be reasoned with... somehow...

Dalton arched a brow. Not at the Targaryen girl, of course. That woman was as prejudiced as almost everyone else in this city and clearly wanted him gone the moment she realized where he was from. It was only natural for her to do so, but it was sad nonetheless. After all, there was a moderate chance that one day, this person might be on the throne or married to the one who was, given how her family operated. But while that was a potential problem, it was not one that he could do anything about.

What did interest him though was the one who did not immediately meet him with distrust – even though there was admittedly good reason to. Dark eyes fell upon the younger, smaller girl, scrutinizing her. Was she smart enough to realize what was going on, or was she too stupid to realize the folly of her ways? A conundrum, wasn’t it? Dalton was unable to tell which was the case though she did look more lost than found. Regardless though, they were wasting time, so he turned back towards the biggest obstacle here. The creatures of the sea, rivers and lands were ruled by the fiery ones in the sky, after all.

“It's madness. Just like, well, half of what us highborn do. Might be a fool’s errand, yes. Probably is. Yet lady Tully has resolved to try anyway, to save someone who is innocent in all of this, aside from trusting her lady to keep her safe.” Although it might be a bit risky to do so, he took one step towards the dragon. It was not meant in any intimidating way, although his frame made it hard to not at least appear so. Yet, he still remained out of her personal space. “That is a courage not often found in highborn. I admire that, so I will help her succeed. If you don’t want her to go alone, accompany her for all I care. But don’t look down on people making the hard decisions while not solving any problems yourself.”

Of course she wouldn't let her go. Who in their right mind would? Even Ashe didn't want to go. It was far too stupid of an idea to do so, but she's already committed to it. A part of her had hoped that reaver had left, or something could break up this plan before it's put into motion, if only to keep this from turning into an even bigger mess...

She could do that couldn't she? Just decide not to go?

She turned to Dalton, thought about the girl. She may not be fond of others, but of the few that she was, she'd be hard pressed not to do something for them.

Thinking was a weight she was starting to have trouble bearing, and all she could do right now was continue to keep it at bay with a pinch of her fingers. "I know it is folly. I know it's not safe. I won't technically be going alone." But she knew how bad of an idea it was to trust Dalton for her safety. Still...

Ashe looked at Sera with shock and surprise, her words a cause of worry for the elder of the two. "Three..." She murmured softly almost inaudible to the others. She was a Tully now. True. And she knew without a doubt Edmund would not be happy knowing his wife was planning something so stupid with a Greyjoy. But after seeing her brothers once more, her father, she couldn't help but think of the days when she was just a child. She may not carry the name anymore, but she carried the blood. She'd love to believe they wouldn't act should they hear that one who was once their own had done something so foolish and gotten herself in trouble, but a part of her felt it plausible. If she only knew of the message Dalton was asked to be sent to her sire. Maybe she would have stopped this folly right then and there.

Ashe finally put her foot down, and turned to the younger women with a serious eye. "Neither of you are doing no such thing. There is no need for you to put yourselves in danger over this. And you shouldn't give these two girls the impetus to do so." The last were directed at Dalton. "Every second spent talking here costs us valuable time. If you two wish to help, then I ask you both to stay your tongues and tell no one... not right now at least." She turned to the Targaryen girl, a hint of hesitance on her face. "Vivaenne, I'd like to ask a favor of you." Ashe stepped forward, to whisper the words into the other girl's ear. She really didn't want to burden her with this, but she was the only person Ashe could possibly trust with this right now. "If I don't return by nightfall, find my brother Jeren and tell him what happened. It can't be Ayden. It can't be my father, and least of all, it can't be Lord Tully. Do you understand?"

Jeren was the only one she could trust to keep a level head with this information. Ayden... was always too emotional, and she was fearful of what sort of burden this would bring to her father's mind. And Edmund... she can only imagine what he'd do if he found out. She glanced at Dalton and worried for what consequences they could face, and wondered if she should tell Vivaenne where they'd be headed should things go sour. "If anything bad happens, we'll be fleeing to-" She stopped, sighed and shook her head. "We'll flee. Tell him that if it's within his power, he has to make sure that no one acts on compulsion." Ironic coming from her.

She gave the Targaryen a hug before nodding to Sera and looking to Dalton, the expression on her face conveying how she'd made up her mind. She gave the Greyjoy a nod and walked away towards where she thought his father's ship would be docked, waiting for the other to follow- her steps a bit uneasy as pain and dread lingered in her head.

If the two girls ever did end up deciding to follow them... well... she can't really do anything about that can she?