Catching up

[Quinn du Paras]

“She didn’t. Not anyone related to her by blood anyway,” I countered, grinning.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"What about those related to her by marriage?" I asked after swallowing some ale.

[Quinn du Paras]

Sighing, I chuckled softly. “I don’t think my mother has ever imparted any bad qualities on anyone,” I said, smiling. “I think those you and I have we’ve managed to give ourselves.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"Ah yeah. I can but hope your mother's teachings override my own stupidity when I need them. Because with Phreya, boy am I gonna need them," I said with a laugh.

[Quinn du Paras]

I raised my glass again. “Here’s to both of us overcoming ourselves and making mother proud,” I said, grinning.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"Cheers to that," I agreed, touching the rim of my glass to his and then taking a large swallow.

[Quinn du Paras]

"So, how are you settling into your new title?" I asked.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

I sighed. "It's a lot of work. Paperwork and people-work. I've been meeting with various nobles and merchants and tradesmen... Ye gods but I hope I get a handle on it soon." I ran a hand through my hair. "And every single one of them feels like a test, to see if I'm Siovalese enough."

[Quinn du Paras]

I reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “You’ll be fine, brother,” I said reassuringly. “If there is anything I can do, please just ask.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

I smiled. "I imagine that I'll be on your doorstep soon enough, once they stop testing me and start coming with real problems. I think just knowing I can ask your advice will do wonders for my state of mind," I said, shaking my head with a laugh.

[Quinn du Paras]

“And here I thought you might think me just another burden,” I teased, grinning.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"Never that little brother," I teased right back, then finished off my ale. "Another?" I inquired as I waved a serving girl over.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Absolutely,” I said, draining my mug.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to drink alone," I said with a grin.

I sent the girl off with two empty glasses, and instructions to return with them refilled.

[Quinn du Paras]

“You know me, I’ll never let a friend drink alone,” I said, grinning. “Especially if he’s buying.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

I laughed. "I'll buy, but you better invite me over for dinner soon so that I can meet the future duchesse," I retorted.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Deal,” I agreed with a wider grin. “I know Joie would love to meet you.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

It was an easy thing for both of us to promise, and it got us both grinning. "Should I invited Phreya along, or would that be too awkward?" I asked, wondering how careful I was going to have to be with this one.

[Quinn du Paras]

“I’d like you to bring her,” I said, smiling. “It would be nice to have us all together.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

I sighed with relief, inwardly of course. "Good, I'll see if she's available. When the official invite comes of course," I said with a smile.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Of course, must formally invite my new sovereign after all,” I said, chuckling.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

I grinned. "As long as you don't expect me to come all fancied up like some foppish courtier."

[Quinn du Paras]

“Of course I expect that,” I replied, grinning. “If I have to send a formal invitation then you have to come all gussied up.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"I'll make sure I'm wearing clean clothes, but that's all I'm promising," I said with a laugh.

[Quinn du Paras]

“And all I’m promising is food, not how edible it is,” I replied, grinning.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"Yes, but you have to make an attempt at eating it, so I'm not that worried," I retorted with another laugh.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Have you forgotten that I’ll eat anything?” I asked, grinning. “And lots of it?” I chuckled and shook my head. “Joie says she likes that I have a large appetite.”

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"Glad she doesn't mind feeding you," I said, just stopping myself from making a vulgar comment. I wasn't a soldier now, I was a bloody duc. "And as I recall, even you wouldn't eat the disastrous campfire stew I attempted." I grinned.

[Quinn du Paras]

My face twisted at the mere mention of that concoction.

“But that could in no way be classified as food. Even the dogs wouldn’t eat it,” I said with a grin.

[Lucien de Clairmont]

"Hey now, foodstuff went into that stew. I never claimed to be a cook," I retorted, though I grinned with good humour.