#~queue~

Tieflings startled Osian when he first left the High Forest a decade ago. Not necessarily fearful, just unsure on them initially. But soon enough they became usual faces in the crowds, despite the horrid comments Osian heard about them, he did not mind their company. Proven as he sat amongst them at the grove, conversing - shyly, but it was better than silence.

As the bowls of weak stew was handed around, Osian made an observation. Taking a second bowl, he headed over to Dia, holding it out. "Hello, uh... Hope I'm not interrupting anything, b-but I noticed you haven't eaten yet..."

- Whisper

Unprompted Ask || Always Accepting

Family. What an odd word to be associated with. Especially when what made them family was the literal God of Murder. Because of course that's what he was born from...

He was stupid to think he could ever escape the lure of death. Bhaal was his Father, and as Shadar-Kai, he was cursed to remain a loyal servant to the Raven Queen - the Goddess of Death. He fed both Gods by murdering on behalf of his father and providing the grief in his wake to his would-be mother.

// I know what you're thinking. I'm here to grant relief.

Verso stayed on the very edge of camp, looking across to where the Paintress sat with her head in her arms. His stomach knotted but he didn't show it on his face. He was still reeling from his snap decision and he wasn't sure whether to be relieved, or regret it all. He stood there as Renoir approached them in that cave - he had his initial plan to just...let it happen. Let the pieces fall into place so he could easily step in and take his place... But as he watched them - he couldn't do it. It felt all too familiar. Memories of a dead man flashing over his mind. Before he could reconsider, he was the on standing in front of Renoir - shouting for them to jump and get out of here.

Now here he was in even deeper trouble than he had planned. He was welcomed in as a hero, but it would make it all the harder to get Alic-...Maelle, to where she needed to be knowing this Gustave was still around...

Viktor had been on his way to acquire some breakfast for them all when he almost bumped into her as the door opened for them both. He was rambling a little about stepping out for a moment - clearly excitable about something. No doubt something had been going well the night before and into the morning in terms of research. It seemed a good night sleep had invigorated him in his work.

"Hm? Shouldn't be here...?" Viktor repeated with a confused expression before he glanced up at what she actually referred to. Mistletoe. A strange concept - it didn't really exist in Zaun. It was heard of, but most Zaunites wore masks or had augmentations - so most just indulged in a forehead-press or rubbing of noses in lieu of a kiss. "Ah, that'll be Jayce. He's determined to make the lab as festive as possible for Snowdown." Viktor rolled his eyes, but there was a small, content smile on his face. He didn't really mind. "It can be ignored-"

“Good afternoon, Divine One!” He smiled, as brightly as ever. It had been a strange morning, going about his day and not bringing Alear a breakfast... Though it was a huge relief to find her approaching him despite his overstepping. Unless she was here because he was doing something else untoward...

Ah, what did his counsellor suggest? Be confident, sit up straight, speak clearly... be kind, courteous, lead the conversation... Yet that all seemed to be going down the train. He was nearing his twenty-fourth birthday yet here he was tripping over his words like a teenager. Dimitri thought that she would look down at such a thing. He was a King. There was a stereotype there. Ladies surely would have expected a high-end, classy, intelligent man oozing with confidence. But instead she only got to see this war-torn, quiet individual. 

He had tried to look his best. Combed his hair back into a half-up-half-down style, wore his best uniform and his cloak was freshly pressed. He even allowed his aids to spray him with cologne to full ‘transform’ him.

But...it seemed he wasn’t alone. She seemed just as nervous as he... or was this her way of masking her disappointment? The procedure of finding a commoner seemed like there was a freedom to it - that those chosen could say no. But there had grown this tension and pressure for them to always say ‘yes’ to the proposal - to bring the villages out of poverty and bring honour to the families chosen. So...maybe she felt pushed into this as well...

“Oh! O-Of course!” Dimitri responded. “I can only hope your room is comfortable enough for your visit.”

This was getting awkward - fast. He needed to think of something...anything...