(no subject)

[kitchen_maid]

It's been almost four months, in Ambergeldar, since Amy came into the bar. Four rather tiring months, really, spent criss-crossing the country so she could be introduced to a populace. But that all ended last week, in early October, almost two months early, and she's back, looking about for her friends.

The slight curve to her stomach could be the result of the fashion of her dress, or even a trick of the light. But given the way she's smiling . . . it's probably not.

Amy is back. And she has News.

Comments

[deserved_it]

"Good Lord."

He sits back, grinning fully now.

"Congratulations, Amy."

[kitchen_maid]

"Thank you, Eustace.

"Now, how are you?"

[deserved_it]

"Well."

He pushes a hand through his hair. "There's been earthquakes or something for about a week, now," he says, rueful, "and one a few days ago broke some of the stables open. And then there's Lucy and Caspian getting married."

A shrug. "So, ah, rather varied, I suppose."

[kitchen_maid]

"Yes, I saw the stables," she says, as Millitime cheerfully folds in on itself. "Bit of a mess, really.

"I'm very happy for Caspian and Lucy, especially as they get to have a much simpler wedding than I did. And if my brother is marrying your cousin, that makes us some sort of cousin, too, doesn't it?"

She's royalty. She's used to being related to everyone she knows.

[deserved_it]

"To the say the least."

He considers. "Some sort of family, I suppose." He grins. "Odd sort of family."

[kitchen_maid]

"It's the best sort of family," she says. "The people you choose."

A smile. "And you certainly seem to get along with my father, who could be deemed an uncle of sorts. What were the two of you talking about?"

[deserved_it]

"Shipping. He was rather surprisingly enthusiastic."

[kitchen_maid]

"Shipping? Like with boats?"

Pause.

"Were you rather surprisingly enthusiastic?"

[deserved_it]

"Er." Shifty. "Maybe."

Subject change time.

"Oh! I was wondering. Er. Can I ask a favor?"

[kitchen_maid]

A grin that's masked rather quickly.

"Of course. If it's something I can do for you, I'm happy to."

[deserved_it]

"Can you, er. Teach me to dance? Before Thursday?"

:D?

[kitchen_maid]

Amy blinks.

"I . . . I can probably teach you a dance or two. I doubt I can teach you the whole gamuts of dances. At least not by Thursday. Why?"

Does he have a date or something?

[deserved_it]

"Well, of course -- I mean, I wasn't expecting to be made a master dancer or anything--"

He grins, sheepish. "I promised Lucy I'd dance with her."

[kitchen_maid]

"Oh!"

She grins, and nods.

"A waltz, then. You shouldn't have any trouble picking up the basic version in a lesson or two."

[deserved_it]

"If you say so. Thanks, Amy."

[kitchen_maid]

"You've very welcome, Eustace. It's the least I can do after all the chess lessons.

"And dancing isn't that different than, say, archery or sword-fighting, really."

[deserved_it]

"Just with fewer edges."

[kitchen_maid]

"And less . . . aiming. Or something."