Flashback scene - Ser Arstan returns to Starfall

[ihateseagulls]

Random flashback scene.

Ser Arstan: ME (degausser on Fan Forum)
Lady Asheria: Sofia (MovieManiac on Fan Forum)

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[ihateseagulls]

Asheria Dayne
She simply replied to his compliments with a polite smile and nod. The Lady was curious if these compliments would continue after she'd make him talk about the topic her undoubtedly wanted to avoid. Otherwise he wouldn't have wanted to leave the castle just after he arrived. Asheria took her seat and the servants placed a plate with a leaf of bread and fish on it. They also filled one of her cups with wine that she wouldn't touch until before the dinner was over. Instead she took a sip out of the cups that had water in it.

"Now..." She finally started. "Tell me, Ser. I am surprised you were able to take a leave from your duty to the crown. How is this possible now but wasn't a year and a half ago?" Her question made everyone in the room look at one another in confusion. It was well known that he was dismissed from the Kingsguard after he confessed to bedding a noble woman and thus breaking his oath. But Asheria wanted to hear it from him. She did him the kindness that her personalty and title required from her. But she would not do him the kindness of just nodding along as she repeated what she heard of him.

Thankfully confused looks were all the people in the room shared. They must have understood what she wanted.

[ihateseagulls]

Ser Arstan Estermont
Arstan reached first for the cup of water, only to stop his arm mid fight before he could even get a sip in. Her question started him, not so much because of the content of her question but more the manner in which it had been delivered. Arstan expected that Lady Asheria might have heard of his dismissal from King’s Landing, even all the way out here in Starfall. After all, it was not every day a Knight of the Kingsguard was dismissed from his service. And the Lords and Ladies of Westeros had loose lips. She would have received a raven announcing the dismissal. And yet she played the ignorance card. Her ladies in waiting sat around her looking about as started as he imagined he looked himself.

Clearing his throat, Arstan set the water cup down slowly and reached instead for the cup of wine.

He took a long swig, draining half the liquid in one fell swoop. “Dornish wine,” he observed out loud distractedly, “You have excellent taste, my Lady.” Clearing his throat again, he set the cup of wine down and lifted his heavy gaze to meet hers in full. “I did not take my leave of my duty, Lady Asheria. I was dismissed some time ago for reasons which are not fitting for the ears of our present company.” He was of course referring to her flock of hens, but he was also speaking about the Lady of Starfall herself. Discussing his affair with her would have been terribly distasteful and all together inappropriate. The look on his face said so much.

[ihateseagulls]

Asheria Dayne
The smile on her face was slowly fading and turning into a neutral look that was hopefully not readable. "Dismissed?" She simply repeated and did not bother to sound surprised. For a moment she smiled again. She would not make it it so easy for him to talk himself out of talking about this. "Very well." Asheria sighed. "My dear friends. Would you terribly mind leaving us for a moment to give the knight time to tell me this undoubtedly interesting tale?" There were bows and Yes, my Lady's. She disliked kicking them out but she needed to know if there was any honor left in him. If he would be honest or lie.

The look on his face did not go lost on her at all. But even if it had she knew that he didn't want to talk about this. "Please. Talk freely. I can assure you for my young age I have heard my fair share of unpleasant stories." She said and then started to chew on a bit of bread.