“Mm.” Came the low, throaty noise of confirmation to Ari’s offer. At this point, Aspel wondered if perhaps she could stand being out here all night long. Certainly, freezing to death had to be a better fate than being intercepted by others of the Cassul clan. “That may be for some time yet.” At least, as far as her psyche was concerned on the matter.
It took a moment to fully register the sight in front of them, and attempting to take solace in Ari’s words about their current surroundings - and lack of others about - the smith slowly began to relax a little. Eyes curiously wandered over the sculpture before them, trying to take in every detail she could manage, and there was suddenly a pained longing that shot through her. How long had it been since she’d really just ventured off and traveled without thought or looking back? Faram, it felt like forever. When was the last time a ship deck was below her feet?
Though, then came Ari’s question, and Aspel’s gaze dipped down. “Could you not convince Kiernan and Lucy to attempt a fly over?” Or perhaps sneak in but the thought was left unvoiced, this was not the time nor place for such commentary. “Surely, it would give you an idea if you could.” Finally, the smith’s free hand rose, coming to rest atop the other woman’s arm that looped hers if allowed.
“So what?” As with so many things, Ari was utterly unbothered. Her plans were always amorphous -- if she spent the rest of the evening wandering about with Aspel, she would not consider the time wasted. Though she suspected the cold would overwhelm her eventually… and realistically, should get to Aspel long before “I am certain there is enough to see that we can stay as long as you like. I can even try to share my cloak if you prefer, though our difference in height may make this idea somewhat impractical.” Even her heeled shoes wouldn’t make up the difference.
They moved on, from frozen waves to a small forest of frozen trees with delicately sculpted leaves, birds perched upon their branches, a squirrel scampering up one of the trunks, some sort of cat-like creatures seemingly napping in the shade. “There’s a thought,” she said. “Maybe if I brought binoculars? I have a notion we would have to stay rather high up to avoid causing undue… displeasure.” She didn’t think anyone would be mad enough to try shooting a wyvern down, but who knew? Especially with the city troubled as it had been of late.
It would take a bit, Aspel allowing silence to lapse between them as her eyes continued to roam over the sculptures before them. How was it - more often than not in these days - that Ari seemed to manage to say just the right thing? It was…. Odd. Yet… Comforting. “Thank you.” The words came out softly, perhaps a bit too quiet to really be fully heard, but she couldn’t be entirely certain. Either way, the idea of spending the night out wandering through a magical world of frozen fantasy was calming in its own regard, and one Aspel tucked away, feeling a bit warmer all of a sudden regardless of the temperature remaining the same.
Again, she’d fall quiet, letting their walk carry on absently until Ari spoke once again. A soft smile emerged. “It may be best, yes. The idea of someone attempting to shoot Lucy from the sky with several passengers is certainly less than appealing.” In fact, the idea of the bard falling hundreds if not thousands of feet. No, better not to think of it at all. Besides, if some wild idea of hers was acted on and it resulted in damage to Keirnan, undoubtedly Mag would be less than pleased as well.
“Perhaps, you can find if there are any times in which tours of the palace are given?” It was another thought, one not as exciting or adventurous, but one that undoubtedly would cause much less ruckus in the long run. There was a faint murmuring in the back of her mind, something unsettled from her current train of distracted thought but… Somehow, regardless of herself, it still all felt like perhaps - in the end - it might all be okay.
“I see no reason to thank me -- I’m getting something out of it, too, after all -- but you’re welcome, of course.” It really was just that simple.