You dismounted from Scar with a little effort, turning to help the diminuitive maid who'd joined you down in turn. She probably could have gotten down on her own, but you'd be lying if you said your prior conversation hadn't left you more aware of her. There were too many implications for you to unpack right now, though... 'When you got time' was what you wanted to say, but the thought alone elicited a bitter chuckle.

While you had Asche firmly in hand, you took the opportunity to question her earlier reluctance. "Asche, be honest with me. If you and Maran seriously come into conflict, will you be okay?"

Silent guilt shadowed her carefully neutral features. Your grip on her shoulders tightened, firmly holding her in place. She was going to answer before either of you left this spot, and you'd stare the ashamed maid down until she did.

"Mutual suppression is safe." She explained with a small voice. "To break her... Likely also mutual."

"..." You sigh, flopping a hand over Asche's head to ruffle her hair, much to her distress. By the time you'd worked out your irritation with the little maid, it would take her several minutes to try and right it all again - A task she reluctantly set about trying to do immediately.

While it felt heartless, you genuinely did not have the time to comfort Asche the way she probably needed; You couldn't even begin to guess at what had gotten so twisted up in her heart and mind over this past year as to leave her in the state she was in... For now, you resolved yourself to keep an eye on her.

Having appropriately scolded her, you left the maid to make herself presentable and turned your attention towards the pair of Resuri guards who'd kept a watchful eye on you since you arrived atop Scar. You couldn't recall if they were ones you had met the night prior when dropping off the drugged mayor. Did it matter? Probably not. That was sometime ago, though, so shifts had to have changed by now...

"Ser Valen." One guard nodded as you approached, his companion standing straighter at attention. "Welcome back. Please head inside, the meeting won't start for a little while longer."

"Meeting?" You cut your eyes between the guards, a suspicious frown tugging at your lips. "What meeting?"

The unknown meeting going on was curious, you'd even go so far as to call it suspicious considering they seemed to have expected you to attend, but despite this, what had immediately set you on edge was that they had just known who you were. You didn't have to introduce yourself, argue over your bloodline, or threaten people with consequences- They just saw you walk up and greeted you.

...And you hated that this was what made you suspicious.