[color=lightgray][center][h3] [color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color], [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color], [color=hotpink]Leo[/color], [color=1E90FF]Sjandehk[/color], [color=228B22]Iyen[/color], [color=#4DD0E1]Kira[/color], [color=#8D3B72]Kalliope[/color], and [color=Floralwhite]Morrigan[/color]

[COLOR=gold]PART 3[/color]
[COLOR=gold]Location: The Royal Curd[/color][/h3][/center]
[color=lightgray]

Leo glanced towards Morrigan, [color=hotpink]“Look at that, progress being made.”[/color] He said as Riona left. He returned to his seat once both Kira and Morrigan had sat down. 

She crossed over to Lady Charlotte and, after a brief moment of hesitation, placed her hand on top of the other woman’s hand where it rested on the chair. Pitching her voice low, Riona said, [color=DAF6C7]“I appreciate you trying to help. It means a lot. But it’s better if I don’t stay. There are at least two people at this table who don’t want me here, and frankly, no one should have to deal with this extra bullsh*t on an empty stomach.”[/color] Riona flashed Lady Charlotte a smirk.

Charlotte gave her a soft smile and leaned in to whisper, [color=D0B4EC] “I understand…Just please do me a favor and do not let anyone tell you that you matter any less than the rest of us… You’re not an ant.”[/color] 

[color=DAF6C7]“Remind Leo that.”[/color] Riona said before leaving. Charlotte then scooted back into the seat next to Lorenzo who had finally gained the courage to grab onto Morrigan's hand underneath the table.

[Color=salmon]“I would like to…”[/color] Lorenzo released the menu and clasped her pesky hand within his full grasp before whispering back, [Color=salmon]“... apologize for my poor memory of our interactions. As you may know, I took a year-long break after my late wife's passing. Might you refresh my memory? Please?”[/color] 

The woman giggled and asked, [color=Floralwhite]“Why waste time trying to remember things that mean absolutely nothing to you when we can spend that energy making new memories?”[/color] Morrigan’s hand in his grasp turned until her thumb broke free to trace circles on his skin. [color=Floralwhite]“I promise I’ll try to be more memorable this time round.”[/color]

The drama happening in front of Kira was delicious. She resisted the urge to laugh by remaining stoic, however, and watched the scene in front of her. Her gaze slid from Leo to Riona, to Morrigan and Lorenzo, then to Charlotte and Riona, and then to the foreigners speaking in their foreign tongue, then finally back to the others.

[color=#4DD0E1]”.....According to Mr. Smithwood, I am allowed at this table. Does the congregation agree, or shall I join our lovely Ms. Riona?”[/color] Her accent filled the room. Charlotte gave her the thumbs up to indicate she was fine remaining at the table. Kira smiled genuinely, and then turned back to examine her menu.

[Color=salmon]“Feast!”[/color] Lorenzo quickly cut in as if it were his duty. [Color=salmon]“Not, congregation, please. We need to use the correct group words, or trouble will come for all of us… but please sit.”[/color] Lorenzo replied cryptically.

Kira glanced at Lorenzo with curiosity and raised her eyebrows. [color=#4DD0E1]”My apologies, Mr. Vikena. I mustn’t use incorrect dialogue.”[/color]

Meanwhile, Kalliope's eyes landed on a table with several familiar faces and some unfamiliar, but there were two who really caught her eye. Her gaze lingered on Riona, who was clearly being pushed away from the table, and she felt a surge of protective anger. Riona was like a sister to her, and she wouldn't let anyone treat her poorly. Then her eyes found Sjan-dehk, and an involuntary smile touched her lips, though it faded slightly when she saw another woman with him, misinterpreting their closeness as the woman leaned in close to his ear. And was that his shirt she was practically wearing? Jealousy flared, amplifying her already foul mood.

With a determined stride, she made her way toward the table, her expression hardening into one of resolve. She caught Riona's eye for the briefest moment, giving her a tiny, mischievous smile that only she would recognize. It was a silent promise: she'd help put these people in their place today.

Riona managed to hide both her surprise and smile when she saw Via. With a curt nod of acknowledgment, she continued on her way. A few strides later, her steps faltered. Only one open spot remained, at a table currently occupied by two people she didn’t feel like making small talk with right now. She briefly considered loitering outside until Lordling Smithwood finished his lunch. But if she didn’t eat now, it would be awhile until she had another chance. Riona heaved a heavy sigh and marched over to the table of royals.

As she approached, she overheard the exchange between Iyen and Sjan-dehk, her jealousy only growing stronger especially when she saw where his hands were currently located. But she didn't let it show as she put on her best smile and addressed the group, standing behind the empty chair beside Charlotte.

[color=#8D3B72]"Lady Charlotte,"[/color] Kalliope began warmly, genuinely admiring her beauty. [color=#8D3B72]"You look absolutely stunning today."[/color] 

Charlotte smiled at her and thanked her graciously. [color=D0B4EC] “As do you.”[/color]

She then turned her attention to Duke Lorenzo. [color=#8D3B72]"And you, Duke Vikena, are looking quite dashing."[/color] Lorenzo trying to be polite despite his circumstance, gave her a nod with an uneasy smile.

Next, her gaze fell on Morrigan, and her smile turned sharper. [color=#8D3B72]"Morrigan, I see you're up to your old tricks,"[/color] she said, her tone dripping with subtle venom. Unlike the other woman who smiled back sweetly. [color=Floralwhite]“You too.”[/color]

Finally, Kalliope's eyes settled on the pink figure of Lord Leo Smithwood. She couldn't help but let out a small, mocking laugh. [color=#8D3B72]"I have to applaud your confidence, Lord Smithwood. Not everyone can pull off a look that says, ‘I’ve been tangoing with a paint factory explosion and looking to bed a flamingo.’"[/color] The sweet smile she wore was a direct contrast to the blatant insult.

[color=hotpink]“Smithwoods are bold and unafraid to stand out.”[/color] Leo offered only a dismissive reply to a woman he was sure he’d seen before but whose name was not important enough to stick. 

With that, she grabbed an empty chair, dragging it noisily across the floor until it was positioned between the knight and Sjan-dehk. She spun the chair around so the back was facing the table and straddled it, leaning against the back of the chair as she made herself comfortable. [color=#8D3B72]"Well, hello, stranger,"[/color] she greeted Sjan-dehk with a playful grin.[color=#8D3B72] "Fancy seeing you here."[/color]

[color=1E90FF][i]“Kali,”[/i][/color] Sjan-dehk greeted, a tinge of genuine surprise in his voice. He hadn’t expected to see her here – or during the morning, for that matter – but her presence was one that brought him some relief. It was good to have someone else with whom he could speak freely.[color=1E90FF][i]“Believe me, I didn’t want to be here, but orders are orders, and…”[/i][/color] He waved his hand vaguely towards each person at the table.[color=1E90FF] [i]“It’s a good place to learn how your people do things, I suppose.”[/i][/color]

Kalliope then turned to the knight who had taken Riona's seat. [color=#8D3B72]"Mind moving over a bit, dog?"[/color] she asked, her voice laced with contempt.

Sjan-dehk couldn’t help but snicker at how the Kalliope addressed the knight. As far as rebukes went, it was mild – if it was even one – but it was at least something. [i]“Are soldiers…Or warriors, knights, whatever you call them, here all like him?”[/i][/color] He didn’t quite expect an answer, and it was a rather rude thing to ask. So, he quickly changed the topic. [color=1E90FF][i]“Anyway, how’re you feeling? Last night was a rough one, wasn’t it? Parts of me are still bloody aching.”[/i][/color]

A soft giggle escaped the woman as she glanced back at the captain. [color=#8D3B72]”Truthfully, I’m a bit achy and I slept like absolute shit. I prefer to lose sleep doing other things, but I’ll survive, though. I always do.”[/color] The words slipped out of her mouth without a second thought.

Memories of how the two of them dealt with the thugs in the slums returned to his mind. It hadn’t actually been that hard of a fight – it had just been a tedious one, and one that took more time and more effort than Sjan-dehk would have cared to spend. But it wasn’t a waste; he gained at least two things from it. One, he performed his good deed of the day. And two, he learned that Kalliope was a proper and respectable menace in a fight. 

The Knight kept his mouth shut as he continued to listen to what the Viserjantan was saying. Taking notes in his head though he had a feeling that his mistress was half-listening in on occasion.

Kalliope then turned back to the rest of the group and, as if something had dawned on her, she spoke once more. [color=#8D3B72]”Oh! Apologies! I seem to forget that while I know who most of you are, you may not actually know me! I’m Kalliope Arden, emissary to King Edin. I do know there are at least two faces here I do not recognize. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”[/color] She said as she glanced at Kira first, then at Iyen. The look she gave Iyen, however, was calculating. 

The look Kalliope gave Iyen didn’t pass unnoticed by the latter. But rather than feeling unsettled, however, Iyen instead felt amused. Her eyes flitted between Kalliope and Sjan-dehk, and as she took in their brief exchange, her grin grew wider and wider. [color=228B22][i]“My, Captain, sounds like you had a wild night,”[/i][/color] she said and leaned over the table to look at Kalliope. [color=228B22][i]“And with someone so pretty, no less! You’re doing well for yourself, Sjan-dehk.”[/i][/color]

Sjan-dehk sighed. [color=1E90FF][i]“This is Iyen,”[/i][/color] he introduced, gesturing towards her. [color=1E90FF][i]“Rasehnyas Iyen. She’s a–”[/i][/color]

[color=228B22][i]“The Captain and I are very good friends,”[/i][/color] Iyen cut in, casting a knowing look to Sjan-dehk, one which was answered with confusion. She ignored it and continued to address Kalliope. [color=228B22][i]“I didn’t think anyone here could speak our language. No wonder you get along so well with our Captain, well enough to spend the night together.”[/i][/color]

[color=1E90FF][i]“Iyen, I think you’re misunderstanding something,”[/i][/color] Sjan-dehk said with a sigh. [color=1E90FF][i]“We went to have a fight with a street gang. Nothing more.”[/i][/color] Part of him wanted to add that Kalliope already had a partner in her life, but he ultimately thought it best not to. It wasn’t his information to share. 

[color=228B22][i]“Never implied the two of you did anything else,”[/i][/color] Iyen teased, her eyes shifting between Kalliope and Sjan-dehk. Then, she placed a hand on Sjan-dehk’s shoulder. [color=228B22][i]“And knowing you, it wouldn’t be anything we haven’t already done before.”[/i][/color]

Kalliope's eyes sparkled with a mix of irritation and amusement as she met Iyen's gaze. [color=#8D3B72]"Well, Iyen, you know what they say about good friends,"[/color] she said, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. [color=#8D3B72]"Sometimes they just need a change of scenery to keep things interesting."[/color] She leaned in closer to Sjan-dehk, her smile widening as she added, [color=#8D3B72]"Besides, some things are just better when they're new, don't you think?"[/color]

Sjan-dehk wasn’t quite sure what to think. There was something hanging in the air between both women, and though he didn’t know what it was, he knew he wanted nothing to do with it. [color=1E90FF][i]“Can’t say I disagree,”[/i][/color] he said as neutrally as possible in response to Kalliope, but then swiftly blunted his words by continuing with, [color=1E90FF][i]“But familiarity’s comfort is just as good, if you ask me. I’m learning that just by being here. Here in your lands, I mean. Discovering new things is interesting, but it also makes me think of home.”[/i][/color] 

Iyen was about to say something – Sjan-dehk could hear her drawing in a breath – but he acted first, raising a hand and shooting her a pointed glare to stop her. Whatever game she was trying to play, he wasn’t going to have any of it. Iyen merely shrugged and smirked. [color=1E90FF][i]“Don’t mind my pet idiot here,”[/i][/color] Sjan-dehk said slowly as he turned back to Kalliope. The sound of Iyen’s giggles was almost threatening. She was definitely plotting something; he just didn’t know what it was, and that unsettled him greatly. [color=1E90FF][i]“She’s just bored and looking for fun where there’s none.”[/i][/color]

[color=#8D3B72]”Nothing wrong with trying to find a little fun in dull situations.”[/color] She said simply, a slight grin on her face as she glanced back to the other unfamiliar face who seemed to be introducing herself to her. 

[color=#4DD0E1]“It is lovely to meet you too, Kalliope Arden; I am Kira Lockhart.”[/color] She replied and bowed her head respectfully. Her gaze moved from Lorenzo and Morrigan (what was happening down there?), to Charlotte (her eyes fixated briefly on her), then to Leo and back to Kalliope and the foreigners.

[color=D0B4EC] “...I want the scones.” [/color] Charlotte announced. 

Kira scanned the menu and her eyes lit up with delight. [color=#4DD0E1]”Good choice. I’ll have the Three-Cheese Macaroni.”[/color] She replied and shut her menu and set it on the table.

[Color=yellow]“Did someone say… feast?!”[/color] In stepped a Royal Curd waiter with the biggest smile on the room and his eyes glistening with anticipation. It was only slightly unsettling. 

Kira wished they were private–she was unamused by this man’s face. A disapproving and pointed narrowed gaze flashed across her face–then her trademark stoic expression returned.

[Color=yellow]“Ladies and gentlemen, lords and dukes, foreigners and servants, greetings! Or should I say [I]gratings[/I]! My name is Chad, but you may call me Mr. Chaddar Cheese and I will be servicing your table through this most cheesy lactatious experience! I heard scones for the little princess over here, no-relation-to-the-Danrose-family, and a not one, not two, but threeeeee cheeeeeeese macaroniiiii!”[/color] Chad jotted down the orders onto a yellow cheese-themed notepad before his face sprang back up to take the next requests.
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