CitrusArms

Seeking Groups or 1x1 for a Space Fantasy - UC, maybe forever? C'mon in

In the centuries following the assault and destruction of interstellar society, the empires of the galactic stage fragmented under the weight of distance. Amidst scattered stars and ruined infrastructure, worlds once bound by Jump Drives found themselves isolated, their critical machines running silently.

In forgotten corners of collapsing societies, the Scourge still lingered, consuming whatever useful material it could lay its foul intentions on.

Yet there is hope.

In places yet rich in life, a strange new, sky-blue crystal began to emerge. Reactor Stone, some would call it, for a small sample could fuel a reactor for some time. This versatile material would prove invaluable against the Scourge: desperation saw the material used as a laser focus to tremendous effect against a Scourge Armored Walker.

From the dead zone of the old Terran Empire came great crystal vessels in formation around an island ripped from a planet and centered around a massive tree, great deposits of the sky-blue crystal among its roots. They called themselves Gaians, they called the material Aevon. They claimed the Scourge would return, and that their "Aeva" could save them all.

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Welcome to this work-in-progress interest thread centered around my original setting! Please, come in, have a seat. Tea?

This is a large-scale setting with multiple eras suitable for RP, depending on the tone and style people are interested in exploring.

The Golden Age
Before the Scourge. Before the collapse. A vast age of advanced interstellar civilization. Artificial intelligence, replicators, personal shielding, anti-gravity technology, Jump Drives, towering starships and sprawling galactic powers. Some places are utopian, some are dystopian, and most are somewhere in between. Think classic high sci-fi adventure on a galactic scale.

The Fall
The apocalypse itself. The Scourge arrives from beyond known space, appearing seemingly without warning. Entire systems vanish into silence. Fleets burn. Worlds die. There are few victories, and every battle feels hopeless — but surrender means extinction.

The Fracturing
Jump Drives no longer function. Their reality-bending mechanisms now overload and fail the moment activation begins. In the long Silence following the apocalypse, isolated worlds and star systems struggle to survive alone, cut off from trade, aid, and communication. New cultures emerge from the ruins as civilizations adapt to isolation.

The Ashes of Old Terra
Deep within the dead zone of the former Terran Empire, life still stirs. Small pockets of survivors endure upon the ruins of humanity's cradle. Amid shattered arcologies, buried megacities, and overgrown relics of the old age, people struggle to rebuild and reach for the stars once more.

The Terraship
Deep within the ruins of the former Terran Empire, the Gaians cultivated something unprecedented: a colossal vessel grown around an island-sized landmass and an immense crystal-bearing tree. Part sanctuary, part mobile colony, and part living warship, the Terraship roams the forgotten regions of Terran space alongside a growing escort fleet.

From this wandering cradle, small Gaian diplomatic teams are dispatched to lost colonies and isolated worlds. Some arrive as traders, some as healers, some as wandering mystics bearing fragments of sky-blue crystal and impossible technology. Their purpose is not conquest, but preparation — guiding fractured civilizations toward reconnecting with the stars through the power of Aevon.

The Gaian Emergence
A lone vessel drops into the fringes of civilized space from an impossible trajectory, having crossed the stars faster than light without the use of a Jump Drive. The corvette-sized craft appears to be made entirely of Reactor Stone, and upon arrival annihilates a small Scourge fleet threatening a planetary defense force.

The ship comes bearing a message: The galaxy must unite or fall to the Scourge.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

It was the way the dutiful man had looked at her longer than necessary, the way the rise of his shoulders had slowed and lengthened with his breath, the way the conflicted, anxious emotions on his face seemed to dissolve as he looked at her.

When he turned, Stratya’s eyes followed the bronze gaze to a wound-up Marina. The princess’s eye twitched. The captain wasn’t sure what to expect of that, but it wasn’t to be called, “allurring and darrling,” she repeated to herself softly, amused. A soft giggle and wave of her fingers was the attention she left for Marina as she came back to Ambrose, for a moment watching him carry out one last detail of his duty before he would set it aside, ever so briefly; For her, or perhaps his escape.

Stratya knew the guards were there. She’d checked them as soon as she’d walked away from that churchman, in case she had need of one. While he presented her the opportunity, she let her eyes wander over him. The strength he radiated was accentuated, yet also tamed, by the black and gold trimmed in red. She found her eye tracing his figure through the embroidery that framed it, all duty and power. When she returned, and he turned to her, when his bright eyes found hers once more, once more did he seem to soften. Suddenly, he seemed to belong somewhere else; fishing in the forest river, maybe, while she spooked fish toward him.

She couldn’t help a small chuckle at his dry wit. The little bit of laughter melted into a warm smile as she reached her hand for his, “o’ courrse. Serr Ambrrose.” A sheepishness passed through her expression as she corrected herself. Her steps, as the two of them moved onto the dance floor, would fall beside his, not in front or behind. “Forrtuna’ely, dance is one of t’ things nobles do tha’ I’ve taken quite well tae.” As different as ballroom dancing was, it was still dancing.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: @Redking0380 Fareed, @HylianRose Nikolai, @princess Misogynist Holy Man, @Oso Ambrose
Mentions: Varian gaggle, Nolan @Remram, Drake @Lava Alckon, Mina @Tae

The very tall fellow with the suave moustache paused, thinking a moment before deciding it wasn’t so bad. Stratya didn’t bother to study him. She listened with care, listening for the nuance to him - wondering if, perhaps, he had decided to spare her feelings.

She huffed softly, humored, as he finished his point, “you mean tae tell me I shouldnae carre.” That was probably best. Her head bobbed agreeably before her name drew her gaze over her shoulder, “oh? Aah, grree’in’s.” The Captain smiled with a warm chuckle. Fareed introduced himself, and Stratya spoke first in response, “this is Serr Nikolai, of Varrian. Ooh, Nik. We’ll ‘ave tae sparr sometime, I’d like tae see what ye’ve got.” There was a playful edge in her tone to match her grin when Charlotte Vikena’s name drew the captain’s attention away.

It was a name she’d been worried about; not just for the previous week, but because of what she’d read in the paper. She didn’t believe it. She had seen a surprising resolve from her, but still, worry settled in her gut like a stone.

Whatever the case, the night’s change in Charlotte was completely unexpected. The grin slowly slid from Stratya’s lips, simply because she’d forgotten it was there, stunned twofold as she was. “Hoo, gods, noble drresses arre..” she took a swig of her mead instead of finishing her sentence.

Her thoughts flitted, a similarity to Callum irritating her worry. There wasn’t a familiar to be seen, however. Something else? Or perhaps the critter conceals itself somewhere in her.. noo, no way. There wasn’t any place in that dress to-

“I suppose yerr rreyt, Farreed. I’ve go’ morre imporran’ things tae worry abou’. Like, perr’aps, how did it get cut?” She looked back at herself, fingers of her free hand finding that slash that had somehow made itself part of the uniform, “I doan figh’ in this, how.. ooooh..” her memory clicked, “tha’s rreyt, it was after I rrescued that poorr pup frrom t’ Grran’ Vizirr. Foul man, bein’ sae rrough with such a sweet thing. The owner misunderstood and attacked me. Were they misinformed, perr’aps..”

Captain Durmand shook her head free of the consideration, “aah, poin’ is. They attacked me with a peculiarr currved dagger. I’d ne’er fough’ a knife like tha’, so I guess it got thrrough my defense, a bit. Got me on t’ cheek, too, a bit. Is tha’ marrk still there?” she touched by her cheekbone where that curved dagger had nicked her, where the thin scar might yet be.

Idly, she scanned the ballroom, ears still attentive to conversation. Charlotte had gone right up to Cassius. Lucky guy, him. Her eyes next came to the Varian gaggle; Ambrose looked tense, more than duty or guard. Uneasy.

Their eyes met, but only briefly, before his attention was taken by a colliding body. It was Mina, the beautiful woman who had been working the charity auction. For her beauty, she only seemed to sour Ambrose’s disposition even further.

That whole group seemed sad. Well, that’s what court fools are for, right? What timing, Mr. Kazoo the Skip Meister.

She’d turned, ready to joke, and froze when she saw him: the man in black, eyes dangerously on her, smile slow and pleased. As he went on, Stratya’s leather glove creaked under the grip on her stein. Familiar, hot anger rose under her breast, like a blade begging to be freed. The cleric’s sharp words were a knife in the heart of a night that had finally started to mend.

She didn’t flinch. “Men like you belong out o’ my sight.” He spoke of order and places; she’d been in many places men preferred to be themselves. That must be the rebellion he referred to.

Despicable and disgusting as he was, there was a truth. Her Queen was gone. Who would stand for her now? Could she bring herself to seek Wulfric? Could he shield her, from tradition and from Edin?

The helplessness sat strangely in her bones.

“Perr’aps I shall dance, however,” she stepped forward and reached. Her hand slipped deliberately past his and she moved him out of her way with the back of her arm to advance beyond, “jus’ nae with you.”

She moved purposefully, eager to leave the priest and whatever ideas he had in his head far behind her. As she approached the Varian clique, her pace slowed and her stride became more gentle, her eyes greeting whoever looked her way warmly - she would offer Marina a wink - before her attention settled on Ambrose as she stood at a cozy distance. “Ambrrose,” a gentle, coaxing call for his attention, though she was certain he’d have noticed her already, vigilant as he was. “Would you dance with me?”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: @Redking0380 Fareed
Mentions:

Stratya had been addressing the servant. The curious “hm?” that came from her as she turned should indicate that, “oh, well, if yerr nae fussed tae eat with th’ staff in th’ morrnin’. Got tae do somethin’ with all that brread, anyway. I rrememberr how dreadful some guard details can be, aye? At least then, y’ might get tae stand outside, instead of standin’ by an’ watchin’. The castle guards ‘ave it rrough, only able tae stand an’ watch all this food ‘n drrink.”

The varied skilled of Alidasht craftsmen interested the captain, and she found herself curious of what the man meant when he said requests were wildly varied in feasibility, but before she could really pose a question to him,

“... current state of dress is atrocious…”

The swallow of mead she’d just taken was the last, her lips shut and her stein tilted down,

“..mistake covered in flamboyance…”

Her stein lowered and was met with her left hand, holding it steady in front of her as she took a glance or two around the room. She could feel her cheeks flushing, and it wasn’t the alcohol.

“..charlatan seamstress.”

Swords and arrows? Sure. Twenty men in battle? More? Fine! Making a bleedin’ fool of herself despite her station and all the necks stuck out for her?

She was blushing, embarrassed and disappointed in herself for having been so sloppy in her presentation this evening, “.. is it tha’ bad?”

Garcian’s right again, huh?

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: @Redking0380 Fareed
Mentions: Emil, Askel

Drunk? Yes. Sloshed? No. Stratya could hold her liquor quite well, better than most men. Perhaps it was time to slow down, though.

The way this man looked her over was more appraising than interested. His eyes caught here or there, not on herself but on her wardrobe. Had her last complement been of pity? This man’s eyes highlighted everywhere her wardrobe failed, it was rather disquieting. She’d spilled on herself without noticing. Her skirt had a tear in it. She already knew the buttons were tight, that wasn’t so bad on its own, but when put together with everything else, she felt her impression was that much worse. At least she hadn’t had the stains when she spoke to the King. Was Askel's compliment just a kindness?

At Fareed’s confirmation, Stratya turned and motioned with a finger toward her squire. She and a servant were standing by each other, talking quietly and subtly while watching, the way they had to. She remembered her days as a guard. Being on watch or standby was always so boring, she understood the need to talk or do something. The servant talking to her squire poured a pint of mead and brought it forth, offering it to Fareed.

“Thank you. Shall I help wit’ brreakfast, tomorrah? I’ve got a nice pile of breads from t’ last week, they’ll make fine eggy toast.” Slightly stale bread is best for eggy toast. Stratya gave the servant a grin, knowing her food was always popular. Rather than continue to pass out silver, perhaps that would be a better way to express her gratitude for their service?

Once he’d gone to return to standby, she turned to Fareed, “I say tha’ about my warrdrrobe, though someone did take me tae t’ local tailor nae sae long ago. Nae ferr this, obviously..” She looked, self-consciously, at the ill-fitting shoulders of the uniform. While she had things that fit better, that were made later, this had been one of the first things made for her. The inexperience of the tailor in dressing a woman like her was obvious, though could one tell that was the problem?

“Arre warrior women well in t’ ken of Alidasht tailors? Or perhaps yerr familiar of one with the rreyt skill.”

Count Emil Schmidt earned a look from her on his entrance, one of apprehension. The Captain had been to Hartworth several times, both as a destination and passing through. Never for pleasant business. In fact, her first accomplishment as a knight had been outside the limits of Hartworth. A remnant of the crime ring she’d ended in Encia was attempting to establish itself as a source of slaves for other black market powers, but she’d caught scent of it and struck the cell down.

Always around Hartworth, and never within.

“Now, there is a man that, is..” she paused, chewing her words a moment, “like a fair grreen sky.” The color of ill weather, but perhaps interesting or pleasant if you didn’t know.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: @Redking0380 Fareed
Mentions: Askel @Remram, Marina @princess, Ambrose @Oso

When Stratya had followed Munir to the table of Alidasht cuisine, it seemed as though her next guide had gotten impatient for her to appear and wandered off on his own. Three love-struck fools, was it? Sounds like an old rhyme or story the village Wisdom would know. The knight shook her head, picking something that looked appetizing from the Alidasht table and munching on it before she began to wander, herself. Whatever she had picked, it went well with her mead.

She needed to snap out of it. She had to see this as a battlefield, of words and poise and etiquette. As the Prince had killed the Queen with his words, so too could words or misgivings kill any one of them. Perhaps, even, the right words could kill the King.

Such musings would betray her. No, she must look forward, grief would have to come later. Askel had been a great help in distracting her long enough for her to get her wits back, she’d have to thank him somehow. She could not have asked for a better distraction than the beautiful Marina and her handsome knight, Ambrose. Stratya stole another look at the stunning figure in a daring dress, flanked by her dashing monolithic shadow. The princess was approaching a man she could only assume to be her brother, the Crown Prince of Varian.

In a moment of something that felt like clarity, Stratya felt suddenly out of place, like she was trying on her father’s shoes as a little girl. Princes and princesses and kings and queens. The realization that she needed to ground herself was followed by the thought to do so; even if these people were powerful and wealthy and knew how to wear it, they were still fallible.

All those flaws came together to build the problems facing the kingdom. The root of the evil she’d been finding over the past two years was here. She had entered the room in perfect form, but the sight of the King without the Queen had broken her poise. Askel had helped her recover, and now it was time to go back to work. She could not let his effort be wasted.

Captain Durmand hid her pensive thoughts behind her mead, and returned from her swig with a pleased sigh and a smile, “ooh, Sean sure knows how tae make a good mead.” She hadn’t really paid attention to where she was going in the room in particular, and found herself next to one of the Alidasht delegates. Was he? Somehow, he gave a different impression than that of royalty, but his heritage was hard to miss.

“My squirre found a small keg of my favorrite mead. Care fer some?” Her glass flagon full of honey-gold lifted to her lips for another sip while the squire she mentioned watched on. As the knight had requested, Garcian found a handmaid that would fit well as her squire. She carried Stratya’s decorative sword and guarded the velvet mantle behind her, folded neatly on a side table. The mentioned mini-keg was there next to the mantle.

“I must say, the clothes of Alidasht are verry bold. Perrhaps I shall see one of your tailorrs, my own wardrrobe is a bit stale. I’ve never felt right, wearrin’ the frrilly things Caesonia’s ladies seem tae love.” She stole a few glances at some of the examples around the room, also trying to behave herself as she did. Maybe if she channeled Regan just a little bit, that’d help her cheer up. Just a little. She still had to behave.

What Are You Listening To?

Turn the subtitles on

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: Munir @Infinite Cosmos
Mentions: Marina @princess, Nora @HylianRose, Amira @Chrys

Munir was yet again proving that he knew about her, but she was still left with no clues as to where from or when or how or anything. Or he just had a good guess. The red velvet mantle she’d dropped was not anything special to her, but “this boar pelt caplet is a trradition frrom my village, aye. That velvet mantle, howeverr, is just fashion.”

Her squire at her side had let the servant with him take the mantle away, but, if she felt encumbered, he would take the sword she’d been juggling while she ate, as well. Neither of them really understood what the purpose of having a sword on a ring like that was, but it did look nice. She carried it well. He tapped the edge of the scabbard lightly to gain her attention and communicate his intent. She offered a soft hum of affirmation and let him take the decorative sword from her, leaving just her daggers, resting on her as naturally as she breathed.

The slap on the shoulder had been a surprise, but she wasn’t offended. Stratya nodded along agreeably, “nae, you’rre reyt, Shezade. A parrty where the only thing done is standin’ rround gawpin’s nae parrty. Eatin’s the barre minimum.” She was plenty happy with food, at least. It was keeping her mood acceptable, and she was starting to feel a bit better, now that some of the food had settled in her belly.“Yes, I think I’ll join you.” Food was at least keeping her mood acceptable. A servant took her emptied plate.

On the way between tables, Munir’s hesitance gave Stratya pause. He seemed to be searching, but for what? The same voice that caught his attention caught hers, and she turned to see the same scene. However, her investment in the incident passes as soon as she saw everyone was alright and tempers were even. She caught Munir’s lingering gaze before he retrieved champagne from a nearby servant. For himself? Had that been all he wanted?

“That’s not what you werre lookin’ for, was it?” No, he'd passed on the champagne before. Well, it didn't really matter, did it?

Then, the harold announced her, Princess Marina Camilia. Stratya turned, of course, but she was not ready for what she saw. Her dour mood certainly wasn't. What she saw, whom she saw, stood beautiful and fierce. The breath the captain took wasn't hers, and though the pose had been hers just days ago, “ooh,” had Marina made it strike so differently. Stratya had struck in in jest, after all. She stood just a little straighter, felt so much lighter, before reminding herself not to stare. With a fresh smile, Stratya turned to arrive at the table of Alidasht foods. Was she blushing? Maybe a little.

“Tell me, Shezade Munir, beforre we get intae the Alidasht sprread. You’ve spent a bit of time in ourr kingdom by now, aye? What has yourr favorrite bit of Caesonian cuisine been?” She’d finished her wine, and a stein of mead being held to her, poured from the mini-barrel that had been brought to her before. Captain Durmand accepted it and let her gaze sink into it for just a thoughtful moment before she returned it to Munir, “and how might you say your food pairs with mead?”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: Askel @Remram, Munir @Infinite Cosmos
Mentions:

Askel was going to play coy. Oh, fine, she wouldn’t press him. Her eyes glanced at Munir as he seemed to miss a question from her, too. Something about this was incredibly infuriating. And something about Askel’s wording put salt in the wound. He was lucky he’d already paid her a compliment.. that Stratya was now realizing had been paid more to her wardrobe than her self.

Since when did she care about stuff like that, anyway? This was unlike her. Something was getting away from her. She was pretty stressed, to put it lightly. Askel turned around to catch the tail end of a glare that looked like he'd just slapped her, though perhaps less severe. Her eyes turned to the glass of wine in her hand as she swirled her thoughts gently, a sigh leaving through her nose before she took a sip. Stratya reminded herself of the favor he was doing her, distracting her with food, as she accepted the plate from him, “thank you, Askel.” He was smitten, and it was easy to see why, she couldn’t blame him. The young lady Munir had his eye on was no less attractive, but perhaps the effect of this Ranya’s manner of dress was breaking through Askel’s practiced grace. It was.. provocative.

The idea of a beer hall was also rather appealing to Stratya’s sensibilities. It sounded rather like a tavern, or maybe a larger, professional version of an ale house? “Aaaye, a beer hall sounds like a grreat time. I would, also, love a guided tour of yerr homeland’s cuisine, Shezade Munir. If ourr appetites survive the savorry journey thrrough the Varrian offerrings.”

Captain Durmand still couldn’t really think of anything else, if she tried, if she were to stir conversation, herself. She could not escape the simple fact The Queen, her Liege, was.. no more. So suddenly, so horribly. Thinking about it was going to betray her, and Askel was trying so hard to distract her. She’d just pretend like she was in the classiest tavern she’d ever seen and forget about it for a little while. She had to, for so many reasons.

She hadn’t even realized she was putting food in her mouth when she took the bite. She must have put the.. sour kraut.. with the sausage. “Mm,” she nodded along, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. “aye, I get it. Though, I suppose I rrather like an indulgent meal. I think I might drrink mead with anything, though.” Stratya offered Munir a smile, before her attention was caught by an approaching servant, ah, two. One of them had a mini keg, the other had small crystal vessels.

Stratya looked at the wine glass she’d set down to facilitate eating, then the mead she’d requested. “Erh. I suppose ye were just sayin’ mead would be too much for yersen, with this course,” the woman offered Munir a sheepish grin. She shrugged her shoulders as she turned back to the servants, still looking apologetic, “and fool me, I started a glass of wine. Haahh, just set it down, lads. We’ll have some in a bit, perrhaps, thank ye for finding it.” She made eye contact with the servants as she said that, motioning subtly for them to approach. She slipped them a few silver each as they did. She or Askel could surely manage holding the keg. Actually, that might be more difficult with the long mantle she wore. She could detach the mantle and leave her boar caplet.

Yes, perhaps she would. Stratya set her plate down for the moment. “One morre thing, please. This mantle is too much tae eat with. Would you catch it and take it frrom me, please?” She slid a hand under her caplet on one side, fiddling with something underneath. She held it, once she was done fiddling, and did the same on the other side, before checking behind her for the servant, “rready?” She received confirmation and released the securing straps, letting part of her wardrobe fall away. “Ooh, that’s so much lighterr, too. You’d be surprised how much that thing weighs.” Through a chuckle, she continued, “not as much as arrmor, of course, but enough.” She resumed the current course of meal.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Knight Devout
Captain Stratya Durmand

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Military Dress
Accent: Thick Scottish
Interactions: Askel @Remram, Munir @Infinite Cosmos
Mentions: Ranya @Tae, Nora @HylianRose

She’d come across as too severe. “Water frrom a duck’s back, Shezade. It was nae my intent tae.. seem..” she considered her wording briefly, “disgrruntled or upset. I simply,” she started, but stopped herself and shook her head. “Nevermind. Please, worry not, Shezade.” Askel’s suggestion caught her attention, and some part of her knew what she needed. She spoke before she could think about it too much, “yes, that sounds well. Soon.”

Stratya had her mouth full of her last morsels when Munir echoed her mention of mead. Her gaze came to him quickly, expression considerably lighter than her tone had been previously. She hummed once or twice through her mouthful and flagged down a servant, finishing this course of the Varian Sampler Meal as the servant approached, “would you poke ‘round, see therre’s any of the Durmand Mead about?” The servant scuttled off, and Stratya turned back to Munir,”ye might just be in luck, Yerr Highness, we shall see. My steward likes tae surprrise me by making deliverries wherreverr I’m going. From my perrsonal supply.”

“Blood sausage? Ye must forgive me, but that does not sound appetizing. Tell me it has another name?” Surely, that wasn’t the original name of it, or at least someone had come up with a better one at some point. Had to. But, another thought occured to her, “hmm.. hey Askel, let me askel you a question.” Did you just make a pun? Captain Durmand did not acknowledge it, though she was not unaffected, “do ya think I could get my hands on some lingon berry honey? I know Sean’d be keen on making mead from it.” The gaze she met Askel with was that stubborn kind of gaze that just wanted to move on from a goof.

Aaah, but Askel had missed her pun and, quite possibly, her question. The captain turned to see what had captivated the Knight-Prince so, only to find a gorgeous princess that had arrived the previous day, and what she was wearing! The captain felt her own cheeks flush, as well, as she turned back around. Askel worked quickly, indeed. She shot him an impressed look as she returned to the conversation, but he was turned around and plating more food for them. “Ferrmented cabbage? I suppose I’ll try it, at least..” Hearing the words had erased the blush from her cheeks, but she couldn’t help noticing that Munir was also rather distracted. She followed his gaze to find another woman. Ah hah. A couple of love struck fools, was it?

She looked between them a devious smirk touched her, “so, how long have you two been seein’ each otherr?” She didn’t ask either of them in particular, hoping to get an answer from both men simultaneously.