#When to Smile

[marcusmettalus]

When to Smile, How to Breathe, and Where to Love. (Part 2)

(Continued from Here. Again, R'tan and Ostia belong to @rowscara)

-

"I hate her,,,"

"You've said this before Ostia. And no, you don't."

The gray haired Scion grumbles and scowls with her arms crossed over her chest, positively huffing with irritation. R'tan couldn't help but compare this puffed up woman with a puffed up kitten, an amused chuckle sneaking out as the mental image appears.

"She is insufferable,,"

"From my interactions with her, and the way she holds herself among her companions versus her peers, I believe she is quite competent and is a skilled diplomat." R'tan leans back in his seat, silently praising the craftsmen who could make an entirely wooden chair who could handle the weight of an Astartes.

The establishment the duo were taking refuge in was a manner of restaurant, the locale semi-filled with fellow chattering customers, clinking of cutlery and drink glasses while the kitchen emits savory scents and fresh cooked meals. In the background was only the numb rumbling of heavy rain and echoing thunder in the distance. Lady Noémie and Lieutenant Lukas had taken the couple here to get some peace from the paparazzi, and to get a more casual area to speak openly.

"Dame Noémie is a competent leader of her people aye, her Council Advisors bring wise words and opposing views to help shape the future of her growing worlds," Lukas spoke quietly, taking a sip from a steeped drink smelling of something spiced but faintly alcoholic ", yet Lady Ostia, you say you despise her?"

",,, not like that. She behaves so care-free around me, acting like there are no troubles or wars going on. Taking me round the city, purchasing clothes and meeting new faces,, I am not some fething Nobilis Diplomat!" Ostia glares at Lukas as her voice raises a little, R'tan reaches over to lightly place a hand over Ostia's shoulder, attempting to ease the volume.

"No, you are not. And that is exactly why she is treating you like this."

Ostia blinks briefly, caught off guard by the rather short and strange response. The previous mag-train of thought suddenly halted as Ostia tries to make sense of the answer.

"Were you an official Diplomat, like Herr Celtos, you would be treated not as a person but as an item or prisoner of war. Strict protocols of handling, communication, how much of our worlds and facilities are shown, limiting their access to various regions of their temporary abode, armed guards and the like. You would be treated fully, wholly as an Outlander, and not welcome." Lukas sets down his mug slowly while elaborating his spartan response, adding a small curl of spiced bark into the still steaming drink, stirring the burgundy beverage all the while he avoided Ostia's gaze. Those amber eyes a stark contrast to the dark oaken locks tied back in a tight braid, gazing down into his little task.

"Wait,, Ostia is not seen as an Imperial Agent? How was she allowed then to enter your Realm?" R'tan raising a brow, still trying to figure out the fellow Astartes across from him.

"Noémie simply listed Lady Ostia as her guest of the Realm. Ergo, Ostia is a guest of Karseille who is simply is tagging along while Noémie is attending her meeting with the High King." Lukas took a slow sip from the mug, breathing in the spiced fumes as if savoring a morning blossom freshly plucked from the meadow. Those cursed eyes that Ostia can't quite get over, despite everything, turned now to gaze at the Scion.

"The High King, who you will meet come dawn."

"Watch your tone whe-"

"Here we go everyone; one serving of stektfläsk o raggmunk med råröda lingön, one of Croque Madame with soft poached gåsägg, one half serving of poulet rôti, and one Nasigören'. Enjoy your meals~"

R'tan's retort getting cut off by the waitress arriving with a wide serving platter, setting down each meal before the respective seats, the wide set of colors and smells hitting all three persons. Whilst the waitress peeled away to take care of other customers, Noémie made her reappearance and took her seat by Lukas.

"Apologies, had to take a short call, but look at this divine assortment we have~ hope you have a good appetite." Noemie clapped her hands excitedly before digging into her meal. Ostia gives a short glance over to R'tan before looking down at her meal.

An actual hot meal. Not rations, not food made in a mess hall, nor wild greens scavenged from the field. Half of a roasted fowl with some manner of sauce, rough cut vegtables and greens along with,, what are these golden wedges? Picking one up with her fingers, Ostia bites into it,,, a brief crisp crunch and a pillowy interior greets her.

Its delicious.

And then dips the wedge into the sauce.

(Will try and see if can make a Part 3 for this mini-series, so long as its cool with Rowscara that is.)

(Characters involved; Lt. Lukas Tova, Grand Dame Noemie Durand, Lady Ostia Haldus, and Brother R'tan Esatar)

[just-prompt-things]

best trope and you can fight me over it (i abuse this so hard with my ocs)

[wasabi-gumdrop]

local ladies man’s signature move totally useless against autistic monster enthusiast. more on Kabru’s fumble era at 6

[hinamie]

matching eye horror for u and ur back-from-the-dead bestie <333

[hinata-boke]

why is his smile so radiant

[tadfools]

You guys are commenting on the fics you read right? You’re at least leaving kudos on the Astarion smut and the pairs that have less than 20 fics for them too? You’re bookmarking stories you really like that are still being updated and ones that haven’t been touched in over a year right?

You know that even the smallest interactions are like cocaine to fic writers right? You understand how important a string of emoji hearts left behind on a chapter at three am is right?? Right????

You’re treating AO3 like a community and not a content factory….right?

[valtsv]

btw i think it's so awesome and fun when older people dye their white hair purple or pink or blue or whatever colour they fancy and 'overdress' in bright eye catching ostentatious outfits and have quirky interests and styles. you don't have to be young to have fun and be confident! you can still enjoy life when you're old! who cares what anyone else thinks, you've lived longer than they have and know better than to waste it being miserable just to fit in.

[edaxii]

just your normal drawing challenge!

[arualthefirst]

Biker soap babyyyyy

[notherpuppet]

How the old timey prick got his pet

[jung-koook]

Jungkook’s different types of smiles and laughs ♡

970901 — Happy Birthday Jeon Jungkook! “you're the reason that I smile everyday, so I hope I am your reason to smile as well” — Jeon Jungkook

[babybinko]

Heartbreaking: biggest haters you know have a job where they have to be nice to people and encourage them to keep living

[slimsnipes]

sniper as a young and older man

demoman as a young and older man

[amvipod]

charlie’s uncle knew a guy who installed pacemakers in his garage for a hundred bucks and the rest is history

[demaparbat-hp]

There is no such thing as personal space between them.

[spidertroupeart]

This was funnier to me yesterday but I'm posting it anyway