sallysavestheday

thank you @inkedmoth & @ffigwit for the tag!

Locking in in an attempt to finish my OC Week fic before I have to start my new job so here's a snippet from me re-writing the scene where she and Duinhir meet (please can this be the final version). In which Duinhir chooses the most avoidant way of asking a woman out on a date that he can manage.

Turning back to her, Lord Duinhir folded his hands behind his back and said, “I have had enough of rattling around grand houses for today and have no desire to return to my own, so I will be dining at the Squewered Boar tonight. Have you heard of it?” Miryeman quickly swallowed an urge to laugh. The servant’s face went through a rapid series of emotions, ranging from confusion to annoyance to realisation. This is ridiculous. To make so bald a statement and pretend it is all in casual conversation. She wondered if he was attempting to give her a means to turn down the blatant invitation without appearing to do so or whether he sought to protect his own pride from her refusal. Or maybe this is the way all noblemen of Gondor ask a woman to become their mistress. How would you know? She realised that she needed to make some response. “I have not,” she said. “Is the food good?” “Probably not what you are used to,” said Duinhir, again with that false nonchalance. “But by our standards it is wonderful. I am rather fond of it, unlike some of the taverns in the upper rings it affords a little privacy.” Miryeman almost did laugh then. As if they would go unnoticed, with his hair and her accent. Oh, the illusions of the wealthy and titled. “Do you mean to dine alone?” Miryeman asked, partly just to keep the servant waiting. It would also be good to know if she would be outnumbered. As if he alone does not already outnumber you. “Unless you count an empty chair then yes,” said Duinhir cheerily. Realising that it was her move, Miryeman experienced a brief mental tug of war between acceptance and refusal before deciding to take advantage of the ambiguity offered her and saying, “Maybe someone will take pity on you and fill it.”

“i dunno nat what do YOU think the comrade’s opinion on the sacabambaspis fish is” - finnu

Clyfford Still 1937-8-A, 1937-1938 Oil on canvas

This was so fun to do. I have only made a lineup once before, and I like how I can see my improvement here, as well as the evolution of my style for them.

Design notes↓