Capture 1

[panicswitched]

[ so ashley's been here for just a little bit, but in that time a lot of questions have surfaced. she's ignoring the ones that matter and focusing on the little book. journal thing. really? is this all she gets?

well, the first thing she really does is take her hair down. she likes it much better down than up anyway and now it feels like less like the cabal still have her in their grasp. considering she has her thoughts to herself now and is moving about the lobby under her own power, she's assuming this means she's free.

for various values of "free."

eventually, she pries open the journal, flipping through it as she starts talking to the air around her and wandering the first floor. her tone of voice is condescending, as though she knows someone's listening and wants them to know she's not pleased. ]

So... considering I really don't want to go back the way I came, I propose we play a game. Just me and you, whoever you are. [ she's betting whoever owns this place is getting a kick out of watching her through whatever security system they have and if it's somehow the cabal, she is well-prepared to rip into them for this. ]

'I Spy' or 'Twenty Questions.' Your choice. Go.

Comments

[panicswitched]

[ ashley isn't entirely sure how to handle this news and it shows. for a moment she just thinks on this, debating the merits of this being the afterlife or not and then whether or not she wants to tell this woman why she asked after that particular person. ]

Okay then. I guess you'd know her pretty well then.

[ this also makes her wonder if her mother's said anything about her to anyone else. ]

[inafadingcrown]

Not as well as I might like. She is a woman of secrets; we have that much in common.

[But she knows more than most, probably, and between what Helen has told her and what she's learned from James, a few things might be clicking together.]

Ashley.... [It takes her a few moments to remember- children are a topic she and Helen both do their best to dance around, with good reason.] You would be her daughter, then?

[panicswitched]

She has good reason. [ 157 years' worth of reasons, as far as ashley knows. ] I bet you do, too. [ and she won't ask.

the question makes ashley's muscles tense, her body language going a bit stiff again as she tries to decide whether this sudden realization is a good thing or not. she gives galadriel a wary look again before she answers, her voice cautious and wary at best. ]

Yeah. That would be me. Guess she's at least mentioned me.

[inafadingcrown]

She has. [If it's any comfort to Ashley, Galadriel's smile only grows warmer with the realization.] As has a Doctor James Watson; I trust his name is familiar to you as well.

[panicswitched]

[ it's kind of awkward to her, honestly. but okay sure. it'll work. ]

Yeah. Very familiar.

[ not helping her afterlife theory, by the way. ]

I'll have to say hi to him, too, or he'll come lecture me about being nice.

[ not that she minds. it's james and he's a father to her. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel's probably too used to the whole "people knowing about you before you meet them" thing to find it awkward, alas. She chuckles a little]

That sounds like him, yes.

[panicswitched]

[ ashley's just had a hell of a day before this. a hell of a six weeks she doesn't remember few days before that, too. ]

Did you make friends with everyone I know or are Mom and James just that lucky?

[inafadingcrown]

That would depend entirely upon who you know, would it not? [Answering a question with a question. It's an elf thing.]

It is natural enough. I share interests with each of them and they are quite charming company. [And it was pleasant not to have to go through the "yes, non-humans exist" speech with them.]

[panicswitched]

You know what? Let's not. I don't want to know. [ if henry, the big guy, or will are here, they'll find her. she doesn't want to know about tesla or druitt. ]

They both have that effect. Prim and proper. [ at least galadriel won't have to have that talk with ashley, either? though she is getting physically and emotionally exhausted. she's starting to like the conversation -- as much as she can in a strange place anyway -- but she's tired and may just need to curl up somewhere to sleep this off. ]

[inafadingcrown]

That they do. [But she's starting to see that exhaustion and she doesn't want to contribute to it.] Do not let me keep you longer than you wish.

[panicswitched]

It's just been a hell of a long day.

[ the whole being mindcontrolled and brainwashed for a few days and then nearly killing the most important person in her life thing is just getting to her now. no big deal. ]

Thanks. For your help. Still not sure I'm buying it all. [ but it's something to think about. ]

[inafadingcrown]

I would be more concerned if you took me entirely at my word. [It's good that you don't. Smart. Careful.] And, please, think nothing of it. Should you wish to speak again, feel free to seek me out. [Both Helen and James know where her room is, so it shouldn't be difficult.]

[panicswitched]

No trouble with that. Trust isn't exactly something that comes in loads. [ she doesn't do trust very well. ]

Hey, if you know Mom and James, I'll probably be seeing you around anyway. [ it's an offer of friendship, as much as ashley will verbally give. if galadriel really is a good friend of helen and james, then ashley will be polite.

finally, she stands and gives a half wave before turning to leave. ] Later.