Mirrorverse AU

[fighting_mad]

The Countess Isplourrdacartha moves quickly down the corridor, an aide at either side of her, and two guards following and two moving ahead. For once, she is not dressed immaculately, her clothes rumpled and large chunks of her bangs falling out of her braid and into her eyes. Her hands have been bound up. Her face is drawn and exhausted, expression tight and pinched, and she is speaking quietly, giving rapidfire instructions to the aides.

One meeting to the next, one secure location to the next -- that is what life has been like, the past two days.

Comments

[fighting_mad]

She feels a momentary stab of happiness, that he would care enough to look so grieved now -- but it is followed swiftly by a stronger pang of guilt at the thought.

"I'm sorry," she says quietly, and she wants to throw her arms around him but she doesn't know how it would be received and, in the end, she stands with her hands at her sides, looking up at him. His grip is strong (perhaps a little too much so), but she is grateful for it. "I'm so sorry-- Rial-- I knew that my mother had spoken to you but I had hoped you had heard the messages that I left you afterward--"

[eiattu_pride]

"It's okay," he mutters, looking down, finally releasing his grip on her shoulders. He brings a hand up, pinches the bridge of his nose, shakes his head as if to clear it and looks up with a much calmer expression.

"I was traveling incognito. I didn't want to risk picking up any messages. I'm - glad. That you were unhurt."

[fighting_mad]

"I'm fine," she says, softly, and her bandaged fingers fall away just short of brushing his jaw. "Just knocked about and a little singed." Her mouth tightens, and she glances down. "They mistook Naeliana's body for mine, at first."

[eiattu_pride]

Rial's jaw tightens. "I'm sorry," he says, and he really is. He doesn't know the woman, but it's all in the way Isplourr says her name.

He runs his fingers through his hair, then, stifles a yawn. "Okay. We've work to do."

[fighting_mad]

She tells herself that it is foolish to expect more from him for her, when there is so much at stake for their world now. She glances over her shoulder at the retinue awaiting them.

She turns back to him and lowers her voice, her eyes intent on him. "When was the last time that you slept, my prince?"

[eiattu_pride]

"A while ago," he admits, straightening his shoulders. Already he looks less frightened, out of place, and is recovering the stance of an Eiattu noble.

"There's not time, though. Do you have a current report on the situation."

[fighting_mad]

"I do," she says, and she's standing tall, too, her face set stubbornly, "and I'm not giving it to you until you go and get a few hours' sleep."

[eiattu_pride]

He draws himself up to his full, impressive height, and glares.

"The report, Countess."

[fighting_mad]

Oh, and he's gone from Isplourr back to Countess, and that makes her throat tighten, but she will not back down.

Isplourrdacartha sets her hand on her hip and does not quail, staring up at her husband resolutely. "I'll wake you in a few hours, and I will be perfectly happy to brief you on the situation then."

[eiattu_pride]

In the end it's a bit of a staring match, and in the end, Isplourr wins.

Rial takes a step backwards, glowering. "Five hours. On the dot."

[fighting_mad]

"Five hours on the dot," she says, softly again, dark eyes steady and unblinking on him. "You have my word."

[eiattu_pride]

He nods, silently, and bows before sweeping off.

It's been a long, hard two days.