[ P ] Meeting Unexpected

your veins are full of ice-water

It was pathetic, he thought to himself, how he couldn't bare the the idea of staying in his own home longer than a few days; he couldn't stand the thought of being left cooped up In the same office doing the same things mindlessly just as he was before he made himself involved in the war efforts. He didnt want to be alone, he couldnt be alone; Senka was headed to Yorkshire, and the silence she left in the house was almost nauseating- he wouldnt stick around to let it creep in to try to suffocate him. didn't want the company he usually kept, he didn't want the same responsibilities and he certainly didn't want to sit and spew the same political nonsense that came with being one of the head figures of the society they were living in. He would have plenty of time to drone on and on about the new state of the country-or, what parts of the country they now had a firm hold on-and how it would prosper well beyond means after dust settled from the war, when he returned home in time throw his brother's engagement party. The thought of his little brother at his own party, fucking something up- it made the hairs on the back of his neck bristle just so, though soon fade as he inhaled and shoved all this aside. After all, he wasn't home, he was a town or two over, in Rionna. Life continued all around after the war came to its conclusion, per usual. So much needed to happen afterwards-personally, that is. And of all the things he needed to do, he felt that visiting a one small, straightforward, easily angered friend was somewhere near the top of that list. He remembered catching glimpses of the man on the battlefield, somehow caught up in the mess of snapping jaws and clashing bodies. His home was just as pristine and well kept as himself- though Augustine expected nothing less. For some reason, the ocean-washed behemoth was almost jealous; he had his own lavish dwelling, something to be proud of and everything there something he earned for himself. And yet, as he was once again knocking on Mithras' front door, he was impressed as always, and taking a few mental notes to take back home with him to perhaps add a few improvements to his own home. The first? Perhaps he'd hire a new, younger face to answer the door, like the one that met him just as a paw was falling from a knock om the door before him. Lips would part hesitantly, ears pricking back as he remember the criticism he received back in the hotsprings- a reminder to hide the tainted breath that rolled from his tongue. He wasn't drunk, he had to get here after all, but he wasn't sober, either. His greeting would finally roll from his tongue, baritones hummed easily from his chest. Kaveh! Always a pleasure! " the perfectly chiseled young man was ever elegant in his welcoming, escorting Augustine into the foyer. Tell me, where might I find a dashing, forthright man of the law that we all enjoy? " his voice was lowered, not wanting to let his arrival be introduced by a booming voice bouncing off the walls to annoy his friend. mixed spectacles glanced around, waiting for Mithras to chime in from another room before Kaveh could lead them to another. typentype "

code & art

Settling in had become easier than she initially expected, perhaps because of the hands that were always around the both of them to help, though her own was not nearly as managed as Kaveh. Her tail swayed a little to the ever hanging shadow of Ophelia just out of her reach but in the range of scent to call forth whenever she needed. The woman was less her servant and more a mother hen, having been her wetnurse and nanny growing up. With such a concept, she had never really fit in among the Highlands and adapting into the fold of the Mainlands had felt so much easier from her own perspective. With formality there often was more chances she won’t miss something someone was saying since face to face mattered more among the wealthy. That said, she still didn’t really feel home.

When she had abruptly scooped her belongings up once the war ended and told her father of her leave to the lower lands, Ophelia had been sent to follow her. In some ways it was a blessing but in others, it greatly agitated her that she couldn’t just start her life anew entirely if her life was going to be forever changed from what she had known growing up. Even Melrose was no longer a place of learning but a disaster zone of ruin. The maid was now the only thing really left of before the war, before her marriage to a prickly man who seemed to take the new servant as something of a challenge. She didn’t understand him needing everything to be better but the moment she saw Kaveh leave without any reason to, as far as she was aware, she gave a snooty grin to Mithras.

“Ha! Yours leaves without dismissal! Point for Ophelia,” she pointed with a paw at Mithras, not even sure why she was getting into this whose help is better argument in the first place. Maybe she just wished to one up him and humble him a little. Plus who wasn’t up for a challenge? It would be a boring life to just give in and agree plus it would be devaluing the very woman she had known her entire life and basically raised her. He didn’t have to know that part, chances where he’d see that as loss enough with how she came out. He would rub that in so hard, she was sure of it.

That’s when she would notice her own shadow move, jumping a little though she couldn’t fathom why herself. Turning her head around the room, she would swiftly prance out where Kaveh had gone and Ophelia had been looking. “What in the bloody ell?" she scoffed under her breath as she tried to figure out what was going on, only able to feel the tickle of her ear hairs and not the sound that tickle would cause to all others in the building.

Rounding the corner, she would see a large man that rivaled her entering the abode casually and it would cause her ears to perk up in curiosity, circling him for a second as he headed inside before slithering up next to Kaveh and putting an forearm over his shoulders to attempt pulling the butler in. “Why didn’t anyone tell me we were havin guest!? Gotta warn a woman there Kav!” she chuckled with a big grin. “So who the fuck is ‘e, a robber? Last I knew Princess Mithy didn’ have any friends,” she joked merrily, perhaps a touch drunk herself from tasting a few too many wines in the cellar she may or may not have had permission to raid.

It had taken some getting used to though, for the most part, the star flecked draconian had found adjustment to the presence of not just one but two additional bodies within the home. When Bellatrix had suddenly announced her plans of dwelling at his side she had utterly failed to mention that her little maid would be coming along as well. Kaveh was perfectly capable of maintaining the estate on his own! He had done an impeccable job over the years and Mithras did not see that changing any time soon yet another’s attendance was hardly denied. The gilded butler would no doubt appreciate the opportunity for assistance should it be required and this way he would not need to find distraction upon the autumnal woman’s summons.

Though even with such a blessing Bellatrix still found ways to test his patience for he did not need sight to behold the pompous air held about her in these moments. Poised elegance embraced him despite the way ears preened back and lyrics snapped, “There will be no point! Kaveh is attending to his approved duties.” A knock at the door something he knew the other had not heard and yet it would not stop the way Mithras’ pranced, tail flicking as he turned to leave; nearly brushing it to the woman’s throat before it was she who would barrel from the room first. Leaving the judge to huff as fur bristled in mild annoyance. Nothing more than a moment taken for it to all fall back into place, ears swiveling to capture sound and lead him toward rising commotion.

---

Resounding reverberation echoed along the halls, drawing the golden man’s steps toward the foyer following a hushed apology of needed dismissal. It had always been his responsibility to welcome those who came calling or turn them away should a presence prove unfavorable. A fair number of beasts set in mind, those one should always turn away no matter their reasons for coming to his master’s abode. Tell them he wasn’t in, that important duties had temporarily taken him from the home but a message could be passed on - those he knew Mithras cared not to hear - though still they would be obtained. Tucked away lest they were truly deemed as something important and not just some noble looking to waste time.

Which just so happened to be the sort of fellow how came knocking this day, however, as a door pressed open the retainer could not help but to allow a smile to slip across his features. One of the serpent’s companions. A presence that was hardly ever turned away and there was certainty today would be no different than times before, “Ser Augustine, do come in.” Decorated crown dipped lightly in greeting, in a show of respect before he turned to lead the man further into a manor which no doubt held its own sense of familiarity. This one was a frequent face after all, surely he held remembrance over the halls - despite the faint scent of alcohol which clung to the mottled behemoth even now.

“His grace i-,” phrases swiftly silenced by the way Bellatrix’s forelimb coiled about him, pulling that smaller figure close as if to divulge a secret… only for her booming voice to rise in its usual volume - ah, he should have seen that coming. Still he smiled, “Lady Bellatrix I’m afraid I don’t possess the powers of clairvoyance. I cannot predict the arrival of guests.” A light tease holding to his lyrics as a fate was accepted within her grasps, hardly fighting the way she held him in close, “But rest assured Ser Augustine is no robber, rather a friend of our dearest Iudex.” Whether she truly believed it to be so or not.

---

Blended whiskey and bourbon perfume gave way to just who’s shadow lay cast over his door long before a voice ever reached his ears. However, before the draconian can offer greeting of his own it is a far different phrase which fills the senses. Mithy she called him. Moniker which brought him to scoff. Her title of princess was one thing but there was uncertainty on such tones of ‘endearment’ stemming from his very own name. It wasn’t appropriate especially when he knew she only said such things in hopes for sparking a reaction. Two could play that game.

“Bell, let Kaveh return to his tasks,” lilac gaze holding to where her aroma and lyrics had last risen. The gentle patter of the butler’s paws sounding as he gracefully unwound himself from her hold and yet it was not without casting her a warm smile. Only then would he drift off to fetch a few necessities when it came to guests. A silent beckon offered to Ophelia though whether or not she would follow suite mattered little for Kaveh would disappear down the halls toward the kitchen.

Subtle flick of the ear all that was given as Mithras’ focus soon turned toward the towering man. Hoping to brush off what he knew the other would cling to, “Dashing, forthright,” princess, “All true though I’m sure you did not come all this way just to flatter me.” No matter how one believed it to be deserved. ‘What do you want?’ Thought which flooded the mind yet refrained from filling the air.