You blush like the ocean in love,
—
wild with blueness
To say he is surprised when the Warden of Terrastella asks for his audience is an understatement. Orestes is utterly taken aback; when his guard tells him of her arrival, he cannot discern what for. Marisol had sent no letter noting him of Theodosia’s intended visit. Why would she not tell me? he wonders. Orestes sends the guard away, but does not yet instruct them to show her inside. The guard informs her that although she is unmistakably the Warden of Terrastella, she does not come dressed as such, nor does she appear to bear any official papers. The guard only knew who she was due to having a cousin in Terrastella who is a soldier.
Orestes realises it is rude to make an audience wait, but he does not know where best to receive her. There is the throne room, of course—but he has never liked it, and to do so would seem in bad taste. Orestes eventually decides on his study… yes, he will invite her to his well-used and well-loved study, with the sunlight streaming through the windows just so—
Orestes rises from his study and starts toward the stairs before hesitating at the top of them. He says: “Ariel..? Please? Could you greet the Warden and…”
The lion is laying before the fireplace of Orestes’s study. It is rarely lit, but even the desert grows cold in the winter, and a small fire burns. Ariel slits open one eye and appraises him.
“Am I your errand boy now, Sovereign?”
“Of course not,” Orestes says, crossly. “But I could use the help.”
“In that case,” the great lion opens his other eye and rises. He stretches lethargically and yawns, a gesture that exposes the tip of every tooth. Orestes is thinks it might be intentional. “At your service, my liege.”
Orestes decides against the throne room; instead, he settles in a small chamber nearby with several comfortable chairs and a fireplace that is lit. He waits there, a little uncertainly, still wondering why Marisol had said nothing. Meanwhile, Ariel crosses the citadel to the waiting room where the guards allowed her inside. The lion dips his head respectfully in greeting. “The Sovereign will gladly speak with you, although his time is precious.” The lion adds the second bit as an afterthought, and fixes her with a pointed stare.
There is a possibly, however, that every one of Ariel’s glances is pointed.
It does not take long for the pair to reach the sitting room, where Orestes rises to greet Theodosia. He smiles warmly. “Your reputation proceeds you, Lady Theodosia. I must admit, I am surprised by your arrival. How may I be of service to you?” His speech is stiffer then he would have liked. Orestes is surprised at his self-consciousness, as all at once his subconscious releases its fear:
Perhaps she is not here for Marisol.
Perhaps she is here because of Marisol.
Orestes gestures for her to sit, and Ariel prowls across the room to lay at the Sovereign’s feet.
@Theodosia || I hope him knowing who she is is alright! c: i thought it might make it a little more interesting. She's already in his head xD
