[color=lightgray][center][h3] [color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color], [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color], [color=hotpink]Leo[/color], [color=DAF6C7]Riona[/color], [color=1E90FF]Sjandehk[/color], [color=228B22]Iyen[/color], [color=#4DD0E1]Kira[/color], and [color=Floralwhite]Morrigan[/color]

[COLOR=gold]PART 2[/color]
[COLOR=gold]Location: The Royal Curd[/color][/h3][/center]
[color=lightgray]

Kira entered the Royal Curd with her head held high. She glanced around the restaurant with a stoic expression. They had spent money building this shithole restaurant? Why was there a cheese fountain? The yellow caused her stomach to churn. Kira glanced around at the tables. There were two options she calculated: the royals table - which were unlikely to be friendly, and difficult with Prince Dickhead at the helm; or the lesser nobles, with an option of friendlier company and the rare appearance of a Flamingo. Despite her own wishes, she knew which one she [i]had[/i] to choose. 

With a charismatic smile donned upon her face and the sweetness returning, Kira swaggered to the Vikena table with the flamingo, the foreigners, a servant, and the ridiculous Vikenas. [color=#4DD0E1]”Well good morning,” [/color] Kira greeted sweetly, [color=#4DD0E1]”is there any room at this table? I’m not sure where else to sit.” [/color] Her expression remained sweet and her gaze doe-eyed and innocent. 

Leo immediately stood up and pulled out the chair between Charlotte and him for the newcomer. Partially to ensure his reputation as a proper gentleman remained intact, after Riona’s clear attempt at sabotage, but the fact that she was attractive helped too. [color=hotpink]“Then sit here.”[/color] He offered, with a polite bow and gestured to the open seat. Again he introduced himself. 

[color=228B22]“Oh, so now he’s got manners,”[/color] Iyen muttered beneath her breath.[color=228B22] “Our nobleboy here must be thinking with his cock.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk shushed her, earning him a glare and roll of the eyes from Iyen. [color=1E90FF]“I don’t disagree, but we can’t afford to be so…”[/color] He trailed off, thinking of the right word. [color=1E90FF]“Aggressive.”[/color] His lips curled into a momentary frown. Iyen did have a point – the difference in how the pink man approached this newcomer and how he treated his servant was beyond stark. [color=1E90FF]“Remember, we’re not here to start a fight. Just to observe.”[/color]

Iyen sighed and tried to relax.[color=228B22] “I don’t envy you, Sjan-dehk. This is all too new for me.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“It was for me, at first,”[/color] Sjan-dehk said, placing a comforting hand on her bare shoulder, a gentle smile on his face. He waited until Iyen returned the smile with a hesitating one of her own before addressing the newcomer. 

The woman looked familiar, but at the same time, not. Perhaps he had caught a glimpse of her at the temple? It didn’t quite matter, either way, but there was something – something Sjan-dehk couldn’t quite place – about her that struck him as strange. Her voice sounded a little too sweet, her eyes a touch too ingenuous for the rest of her face. Sjan-dehk quickly pushed such thoughts aside. This courtly atmosphere was likely making him see things that weren’t there.

His weapons clattered as he stood, the noise conspicuous against the idle murmurs of idle talk buzzing throughout the restaurant. [color=1E90FF]“Wasun Sjan-dehk,”[/color] he greeted with a hand on his chest and a slight bow of his head.[color=1E90FF] “Of Jafi, of Viserjanta.”[/color]He was about to introduce Iyen as well, but then had an idea. She would never learn if he did everything for her. And so, he instead simply cast an expectant glance at her.

[color=228B22] “Oh, right,” [/color]she said and hurriedly stood up. [color=228B22] “Rasehnyas Iyen Jodhesi. Uh…” [/color]She looked over to Sjan-dehk, who at first shrugged, but then mouthed the words she needed to say. [color=228B22] “Of Sudhrayar and Viserjanta.” [/color]

She quickly sat back down, followed shortly by Sjan-dehk. He grinned at her. [color=1E90FF]“Well done. A few more of those and you’ll be ready to take over these duties from me.” [/color]

Iyen gave him a playful slap on the arm and chuckled.[color=228B22]  “Aren’t you supposed to encourage me to learn to speak their tongue, and not give me a reason to stay illiterate?”[/color] There was something Sjan-dehk could – and wanted to – say in response to that, but he thought it better to keep it to himself. And so, he said nothing. 

Charlotte managed a smile toward the new girl, [color=D0B4EC] “Good morning.”[/color]

Riona pushed the Lordling’s chair back in as soon as he leaped out of it, then started toward the seat offered by the kind foreigner. She took a moment to bow to the newcomer on her way there—a woman she recognized from church. There was something off about her. A fakeness that clung to her smile, her voice, and her wide-eyed innocence. It all reminded Riona of someone. But who?

The answer came in a sickeningly sweet voice that twisted Riona’s stomach. [color=Floralwhite]“Well, hello there!”[/color] Lady Morrigan floated to them, her smile dazzling, her presence deceptively soft and airy.

When she reached the table, Morrigan let out a little gasp at the sight of the bright flamingo. As if there was any chance she hadn’t noticed it from a mile away. [color=Floralwhite]“Lord Leo Smithwood, what an eye-catching shade of pink! Is this for the event?”[/color] Her laugh was a carefully crafted melody. [color=Floralwhite]“You’ve truly outdone yourself. I’ll be sure to mention your enthusiasm to His Majesty.”[/color]

[color=hotpink]“I am simply tickled pink to see his Royal Majesty’s service today.”[/color] Leo replied. 

Violet eyes danced over to the newcomer and the two foreigners. She clasped her hands in apparent glee. [color=Floralwhite]“I see new faces! Welcome! Thank you for attending the grand opening of The Royal Curd. My name is Morrigan. I’m delighted all of you could join us.”[/color]

Her attention shifted to the Vikenas. [color=Floralwhite]“Lorenzo! Charlotte!”[/color] she trilled, gliding into the seat beside the Duke and placing her hand over his just as smoothly. [color=Floralwhite]“Far too long since our last chat. How are you two faring these days?”[/color]

While Morrigan flitted about, one of her knights casually slipped past Riona and claimed the seat meant for her. The Knight’s flat stare said it all.

[color=D0B4EC] “Hello Morrigan. Very nice to see you… I am faring just fine, and… you?”[/color] Charlotte politely told her, but she seemed distracted as she lightly bounced her leg under the table. She soon rose abruptly, excusing herself in a mutter as she approached a waitress. Lorenzo haphazardly reached out to her but felt himself pinned to the table by Morrigan’s featherweight hand rested on his own. In truth, he simply lacked the energy to have much conviction in his actions this morning. Besides, Charlotte was not prone to being a victim of strange antics like he was but he'd still watch her. There was a brief exchange, and the waitress pointed to an unoccupied chair against the wall. Charlotte proceeded to pick it up and walk it over to their table herself. Finally, she situated it between herself and Lorenzo. With a smile and undecipherable emotions dancing behind her eyes, she looked toward Riona and presented a hand her way. 

[Color=salmon]“Uh… well yes, uh, please… between Lady Charlotte and I.”[/color] This was unexpected but he'd roll with it. There were more [I]pressing[/I] matters anyhow as his eyes shifted down to Morrigan's friendly hand on his. Lorenzo's eyes trailed from the hand until he soon found himself staring in the woman right in the face. Leaning in he whispered to her. [Color=salmon]“Apologies, but, we've met?”[/color] 

Whatever Duke Lorenzo whispered into Morrigan’s ear caused her laugh, [color=Floralwhite]“Why, Lorenzo! You certainly know how to make a woman feel special, don’t you?”[/color] She then leaned in close so that only he could hear.

[color=Floralwhite]“We’ve bumped into each other before. More than a few times, actually. But I suppose I was never important enough to leave a lasting impression, was I? It’s alright, though. Even my parents forgot I existed most days.”[/color] Her reply caused Lorenzo to cover his mouth to conceal a gasp. Morrigan had successfully made him feel guilty for failing to recall her, and she was just getting started with him.

Another laugh, another joke that Riona couldn’t catch. Morrigan gave the Duke a playful swat on the arm before that hand slipped underneath the table. Based on the Duke’s reaction, Riona guessed that Morrigan’s hand had found its way to his thigh. The woman had no concept of personal boundaries. She leaned in once more, her lips nearly brushing his ear as she whispered.

[color=Floralwhite]“And you were never the sort of gentleman to partake in my particular talents.”[/color]

[Color=salmon]T-t-t-talents?”[/color] Lorenzo glanced to his right to find Charlotte but the distance between them had doubled. Lorenzo was stranded! What was the man to do?

A few seats around the table, Sjan-dehk was learning plenty of new faces and names today, and he accepted that he wouldn’t remember even half of them by sunset. And so, when Morrigan appeared, he stood up, offered her a simple greeting, introduced both himself and Iyen, and sat back down. It didn’t seem as if she had much interest in the two Viserjantans, anyway – she seemed more taken by Charlotte’s father. That suited Sjan-dehk just fine; he was too busy glaring daggers at the knight who had so rudely brushed the pink man’s servant aside.

He chewed on his lip. Had this been Jafi, things would have been simple. Sjan-dehk could have simply used his authority as a Captain – or the Fourth Lesser Marquis – and either ordered the man to stand, threatened him with punishment for his lack of propriety, or both. But he doubted he could do any of that here without starting some violent confrontation of some sort. 

And so, despite it sitting uneasily with him, Sjan-dehk said nothing. Nothing in a language that a knight of Caesonia would understand, in any case.

[color=1E90FF]“You must feel very strong,” [/color] he said with a deceptive smile, before swiftly translating. [color=1E90FF]“Ah, sorry, I mean, your armour looks strong. Very good.”[/color]

… Was he seeing things or did that faint self-deprecating smile appear on the knight’s face before he made the translation?

[color=228B22]“You should translate it properly.”[/color] The whispered words were hot against his ear, and it came as enough of a surprise that Sjan-dehk flinched, and would have yelped had he not caught himself in time. He spun around just as Iyen leaned back, laughing quietly as she did so.

[color=1E90FF]“And start a fight? No thanks,”[/color] Sjan-dehk replied. [color=1E90FF]“Not here, anyway.”[/color]
Iyen giggled, adjusting the shirt of his that she wore like a cape around her shoulders. [color=228B22]“This is a lot more comfortable than I thought it’d be,”[/color] she remarked. [color=228B22]“I almost want to keep it for myself.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“Did you think it’d be made of sailcloth– Actually, don’t answer. I already know what you’re going to say.”[/color] Without thinking, he reached across and tightened the knotted sleeves resting between Iyen’s collarbones. [color=1E90FF]“That would’ve slipped in no time at all. Months at sea should’ve taught you a thing or two about ropework, I’d have hoped.”[/color]

Just then, Charlotte stood up, and for a moment Sjan-dehk was alarmed. Had he missed some important thing or other? He quickly looked over to her, and felt relieved when he saw that she was pulling a chair over for the pink man’s servant. After seeing how the poor lady was treated by her lord, it heartened Sjan-dehk to see a noblewoman do something for her, and he showed his appreciation by giving Charlotte a little wave and a smile. [color=1E90FF]“Thank you,”[/color] he said, loud enough for her ears.

Morrigan finally turned to Riona. [color=Floralwhite]“Kitten! You came too? How lovely to see you.”[/color] Her gaze swept the table, taking in the seating arrangement. Her eyes went wide, and she pressed her fingers to her lips in a gesture of feigned dismay. [color=Floralwhite]“Oh dear, did we just take your seat?”[/color] Right on cue, her eyes began to glisten. [color=Floralwhite]“How utterly rude of me. Pet,”[/color] she called her Knight, [color=Floralwhite]“be an angel and let her sit there.”[/color] She then noticed Lady Charlotte bringing over another chair. [color=Floralwhite]“Perfect! You can sit in that chair instead, pet.”[/color]

[Color=salmon][I]Even worse! I'm not only stranded, but TRAPPED![/I][/color]

Just as the Knight moved to stand, Riona cut in. [color=DAF6C7]“Thank you, My Lady, but that is quite alright. I will sit elsewhere.”[/color] Anywhere but near her. Leo couldn’t hide his grin, pleased with the outcome. That grin didn’t go unnoticed by Iyen, who balled her hands into fists and would have surely said something had Sjan-dehk not placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

[color=1E90FF]“Nobles here carry more weight, I think,”[/color] he remarked.

“Getting jealous?” Iyen’s tone was snappier than usual, and she sighed. “Sorry, I–”[/color]

Sjan-dehk turned that firm grip into a gentle pat, and shook his head.[color=1E90FF] “It’s alright. Getting used to how they do things here will take time.”[/color] He glanced sideways at her with a toothy grin. [color=1E90FF]“And no, I don’t think there’s any reason for me to be jealous. Not like there’s much more I can do as just a Fourth Lesser Marquis. Better to be Captain of Sada Kurau.”[/color]

[Color=salmon][I]Thank the gods for this servant! Now to figure out how to remove this slithering hand from my thigh without adding more insult after forgetting who she was.[/I][/color]

Riona inclined her head to the assembled group. [color=DAF6C7]“Enjoy your meal.”[/color] To Sh*tlord, she added, [color=DAF6C7]“Lord Smithwood, send for me when you are ready to depart.”[/color] Formality dictated that, as his attendant, she was supposed to keep an eye on him and swoop in at the right moment, but he’d just have to fetch her himself.
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