wont | CONTACT | on the tranquility

Yes... and no. [He allows a pause to take effect, realizing that no matter how many times he had planned out what he really wanted to say in his head, he had to let his words run their course.] Look, I'm gonna be honest with you here -- this place isn't safe. But I think you already know that. This also isn't the first... unsafe situation that I've been in. It's been much worse...

There might be others who're more... qualified for this kinda thing, but you still made me the offer. I just wanna know if it's still on the table, and what I need to do to help. That's it. [Except there's more. He's used to rules and regulations; stand in line; keep his head down. These things he can do. What he can't do, however, is see people getting killed and knowing that someone like Alayne has been exposed to all of that, and God knows what that's done to her.]

[ Ah, there it is.

Even though Alayne knew it would come, had suspected that this would be the matter at hand the moment she had realized it was his message waiting for her, having the subject breeched still manages to surprise her — albeit in a passing sort of way. There is part of Alayne that is no doubt pleased, for this is the first time that one of her plans (however modest and meager) has come to pass. (Her father would want her to be proud, that is as much a part of the game as the rest.) But another part of her, a larger part, still feeling sympathy clutch hard inside her, pitying him. ]

I said the offer would hold and it has held. You've proven nothing but generous to me and my father, Murphy; I would not answer such generosity with a turned cheek. [ A pause, a breath and then it is clear in her voice that Alayne is smiling, albeit softly. (Reassuringly.) Just as her father had made her brave, so too she could lend Murphy this semblance of strength (or at least the passing illusion of it). ] In swearing you pledge to protect me and mine — my father and my person, the wolf that has been placed in my charge.

[Hah.] I think you've already given me too much credit, Alayne. I haven't done much at all yet. [To him it isn't much, in any case. But then, for Murphy, nothing ever feels enough, and perhaps it's the echoes of his ex-wife that wrings those feelings of loss and inadequacy in. Most of the time it only seems to remind him of his own failures -- that he's a screw up who always lets the people he cares about down. That no matter how many times he's tried to move past that, something almost always took a turn for the worst. He can't say that things won't be like that here, but the most that he can do is make an effort. In spite of all of this, he wants to believe that things can change.]

But I'd like to do those things. I'll help you, and anyone you think needs it. Just say it. [A little bit of strength goes a long way; he tries not to sound desperate because of it. It isn't desperation, though a small fragment of it might be a need to do something. Maybe somehow make his peace with this life before he's gone -- God only knows where he'll end up, afterwards. If not with his son, then right here will do.]

And you do yourself much discredit by saying so, [ she insists. ] Do not underestimate the comfort given by companionship in a strange place, in knowing that there is another who wishes to see you protected and well. Even though you did you look to swear immediately, that you did not turn me away with a scoff and a laugh means more to me than you know. Please, [ it is a softly spoken word. ] Accept my gratitude. It would mean much if you do.

[ Then a lapse into quietness as Alayne tries to find the right words, for these are no small matters. She clicks the message over to video so that he may see her face when she talks and know, through the passage of her eyes, that she takes these words truly to heart. ] Murphy Pendleton, do you offer your banner to me — Alayne Stone, natural-born daughter of Petyr Baelish and child of Vale? Do you give it to me freely, with a clear heart and with the knowledge that I will never misuse it nor lead you astray? Do you swear upon what is most precious to you, just as I swear in the light of the Seven and in the eyes of the Old Gods and the new?

Ah. [He doesn't know what to say to all of that at first. Kind words are still strange things to his ears. After being alone for so long, isolated with bitter thoughts and threats, he gets so used to all of the bad things that he not only accepted and adapted to his failures, but even believed them. And it all rings back to him in the echoes of a woman he loved and trusted so much that it couldn't have been anything other than the truth...

[I only ever asked one thing of you, and that was to be a good father to our son.

[And he failed.]

...Alright. [A solid word is uttered, but with herculean effort.

[When the video then snaps on, Murphy almost jumps. He may have without realizing it, slightly, because eye contact requires an equal amount of effort as Murphy forces himself to pull forth then, listening to Alayne speak. He lets the words sink in, not because of hesitation or doubt, but because, again, the sounds are strange to him. Years and years spent in a dark place, there's a meaning there that genuinely holds something dear to him.]

Yes. I do.

[He honestly expected more ritual to it. Like kneeling and swords and whatnot -- but then, Murphy's seen way too many movies so maybe he's being a little presumptuous. Still, the depth of it all is there.]

[ Were she a true-born daughter there would maybe bit more pomp and circumstance. Though, truth be told, were they keeping to the strictest writs of oaths and oath-taking it is certain that Murphy would not be allowed to swear at all. She is, after all, a girl and by being of the fairer sex, is unable to gather such things as banners whether noble or no. (That is a lord's prerogative, not a lady's. Her rites are of the wedding vows and the birthing bed; nothing more.)

Charitably, Alayne smiles. ] Know that I will never ask of you something that will bring you dishonor. Nor hold you to a standard to which I do not hold myself. Trust in me, as I trust you in. And so, the oath is sworn. By earth and water, by bronze and iron.

By ice and fire, it is sworn.

[To Alayne's advantage, Murphy was completely ignorant to the customs of her world. Even if he did have any knowledge of such things, being an outsider to it all negated any meaning that it might have held to him. The fact that Alayne went ahead and did it no matter what was "true-born" or regulated would've only earned more respect from Murphy instead. ~~Because fuck the po-lice.~~]

By ice and fire, huh? [He takes a moment. Again, the words sink in, and after a long moment, he eventually nods, accepting the words that had been offered to him:]

I'm not gonna let you down.

[Or he'll go down trying.]

CONTACT | on the tranquility

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