Closed starter for @ofsacredseas Setting: Garrick met with his friends of House Bracken at Riverrun. A day prior to his departure to New Valyria, he runs into Lady Ayca Mallister.
Garrick spotted the unmistakable figure of Lady Ayca Mallister as she stood near the courtyard’s edge, poised with the quiet elegance expected of her station. It was the resolve in her gaze that drew his attention, even before she had the chance to notice him. He could guess where she was going, for he'd seen people beginning to head for the sept earlier. If what he'd heard about those of the Old Way was true, the Mallister lady would be nothing if not dutiful in matters of her faith.
“A lady venturing outside the gates of Riverrun without an escort?” Garrick mused as he stepped closer to make his presence known to her. His voice was laced with something just shy of amusement, his expression unreadable as he welcomed fate for making him cross paths with Lady Ayca. “Surely that’s not proper. Let alone safe”. He let the words settle between them before tilting his head slightly, his blue eyes curious as he met her beautiful, dark gaze. “A devout woman such as yourself wouldn’t wish to be absent, I imagine”.
Perhaps she was waiting for someone who had yet to arrive to accompany her. Or perhaps not. Either way, he pressed on, his tone shifting just enough to sound sincere. “Do you not have someone to escort you, Lady Mallister?” There was a pause, just long enough to let the question linger before he eased back into a lighter tone. “I’ve not attended a service in some time. Perhaps we could both benefit from my escorting you,” he added. The Commander lifted his arm in silent invitation, a flicker of challenge beneath his courtesy. Perhaps he ought not to be, but the knight was certain she would say yes to his proposal. Whether she accepted out of practicality or for some other, more personal reason, he would not know. But he welcomed the chance to steal a little more of her time, and perhaps revisit that last conversation that had lingered in his mind since their last encounter.