The Tourney at Ashford

Qitam by his side with his hand running through the horses mane, Davelyn was walking through the streets of the castle town. He seemed to simply be thinking and enjoying the chill of the night air. He slips an apple out of a pocket and take a bite from it before giving the rest to his friend. "Qitam... all this stuff makes my head hurt."

Arwyn is also walking the streets at this time of the evening, a certain heaviness to her giving her a tired look. When she sees Davelyn, she curtsies. "Ser Davelyn. IT's a pleasure to see you again," she says, managing to generate a surprising amount of enthusiasm into her voice, her posture coming up straighter.

He looks to find the source of the voice, having not been paying attention. "You as well Lady Arwyn. I hope your evening is going well," he says with a soft smile and a soft voice, bowing to her. "Don't be rude Qitam," he says, tapping him on the shoulder a bit, causing the horse to bow himself, something Arwyn had seen Qitam do before.

"It's... certainly going, for better or worse. And your own?" She asked, smiling as the horse bowed. "I wish I had an apple for him."

He chuckles and reaches back to his saddle bag, producing an apple on command. "As you wish Lady Arwyn."

His smile is soft and distant. "I would not feel as sad and cofused, if Lord Tyrell had not died and Ser Baratheon having caused it. It seems surreal to me. I cannot begin to understand all of what it means. But that is what has occupied my mind between more pleasant moments. It has been a good day, all considered, even if it feels oppressive."

"Yes... I admit, I have been trying to gain some clarity on exactly what happened there... Even if, I suppose, I'm the last person who has a right to be getting too involved," she admits, shaking her head. "It's all I can think of to do." She accepts the apple and gives it to Qitam. "Qitam's life must be far less complicated."

Qitam takes the apple rather politely, for a horse. Almost as though he'd been taught to be delicate with such.

"Compared to some," he says with a shrug. "But it has it's own complications. He cannot decide if he prefers apple or quince. A difficult decision indeed."

"I guess that decision is easier for humans, since we have to cook quince," she muses.

"Definitely. But we all have to make much more difficult decisions. Most of the time they are easy for me. But now I have something of a difficult one personally. One I've creadted for myself. It is frustrating."

Her eyebrows knit with concern as she gazed toward him. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing bad," he says putting up a hand to ease her. "But... someone that I trust recently told me that they believe I have what it takes to be more than I am. I felt so inspired at the time, and in truth if I could work to elevate myself in someway I'd be glad to have the ability to make more positive change... but this sort of ambition is difficult. It's the type of things that can step on toes and anger people. And I'm not afraid to upset people if I feel what I am doing is right or good... but knowing how to move forward. That's different. So I have to figure out how this would work. I've never been the political type or climber of ladders or player of the game."

She smiled warmly at that. "I agree with their assessment from what little I know of you. I was raised learning of politics. If you would like any help figuring things out at some point, it would be my pleasure to offer."

"It is appreciated," he says with a nod. "But part of the issue is... well, being a man worthy of rising in this world. The type of man that Lord Cedric might recognize."

There was such a vast array of things she could say in that moment. She went for more questions. "What would make you that, do you think?"

"Well, I know what I would want to make me that. To be the tip of his forces spear and the shield at their back. To be known as a man that defends and protects the people that he serves, whether below or above. Skill and devotion. But would that take me to where I wish to be? I do not know. Do I have enough skill and devotion for such to be recognized above others? That would not be for me to judge... only to do with the greatest effort I can," he replies, honestly. He does believe in himself but it's clear that he doesn't necessarily believe others will see in him the things he wants them to see.

"I'm sure if anyone could convince him that way, it's you," she replies with a smile.

"Than you for your support." He smiles pleasantly at her. "It means a lot, truly."

She smiles warmly. "The only complications would depend on the sort of elevation you're seeking, I think."

"That is a difficult consideration as well," he says. "But I imagine I should start small in my efforts to see how much I could handle."

She nods and chuckles softly. "Much heartache and difficulty has been made by overreach. Perhaps I should learn from your example. I hope you don't underestimate yourself, either."

"I don't think you could overreach Lady Arwyn," he offers. "From the little I've seen I'm certain you could handle anything you put your mind to. What are you currently pursuing?"

She smiles. "I appreciate your confidence in me," she replies. "Right now, I'm just trying to get things sorted out for my house. With Marqus as busy as he is and Father trusting us on our own, making sure we're solid is basically on my shoulders."

"A burden that you bear with poise milady," he says with a nod. "I do wonder if there is any way I might be of assistance."