(no subject)

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Esther and Arthur
Date/Time: Beginning Saturday, January 19th, 2013
Location: In and around Washington DC
Rating: TBD
Warnings: Insecure Arthur? Likely cuteness. Possible sexuality.
Summary: Arthur's in town for the weekend, and Esther's making time for him.

Esther had been diligent about making sure she knew when and where to meet Arthur, an she waited for him anxiously. When she caught sight of him in the crowd, she smiled and immediately walked up to him.

"It's good to see you, Adam. Did you have a pleasant trip getting here?"

Comments

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

He's very glad to spot her. "Hada! So good to see you. For an American airline? Excellent."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"So glad to hear that. But, after a long flight, I'm sure you're eager to stretch your legs," she said cheerfully. "What are you in the mood for first? A place to put your things down? Something to eat or drink? Just a little bit of relaxation?"

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Somewhere to set things down, relax, and have a drink would be downright posh."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

She chuckled.
"I can take you back to my place. That should fit the ticket just fine."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Sounds perfect."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Come on, this way," she said, and took him back to her car.

About twenty minutes later, she was leading him up into her apartment.
"It's not a whole lot, but it's home," she said.

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

He was a little fidgety in the car, looking out at the city. But once they get there, he does try to relax as he brings in his suitcase. "Perfectly nice place. So how's work?"

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Exhausting. It's like trying to work with toddlers with trust funds," she sighed. "How about yours?"

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Productive. The food business isn't hurting too badly these days. And I always make sure Jonah's cat gets fed."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"That's good," Esther said, as a Persian cat started rubbing at her ankles. "And, speaking of cats, this one is mine. Say hello to Stella."

Esther lightly scratched the cat behind her ears.
"So, you were wanting a drink. What are you in the mood for?"

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Hello, Stella" He crouches to handle the appropriate cat-meeting rituals properly. "Apt name. Or just coincidence?"

"Unless you happen to have some Damson mead, white wine would be great."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"More the former. I've known who I was for a while. I just... didn't think most people would care that much," she explained, heading into the kitchen to go through her wine rack.

"Well, I don't have any mead, but I do have a very nice Shiraz here, if you'd like to try it," Esther said, pouring a glass for each of them.

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"That'll do nicely." He nods as he takes a glass. "Remembered reasonably young myself, just...well, nobody's business. Wasn't the last time or the time before, either."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"I think this is my only time back," she said, "Though... I'm guessing you weren't Winston Churchill? People used to speculate he was, well... you."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

Adam laughs. "Oh, no. I was in the field then."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Pity. I'll bet you would have made a fine statesman," she teased gently, sipping at her wine.

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

He chuckles. "Thanks. But I've rarely gone higher than JP."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Does it feel strange to you? All this? Being a reborn leader, but underpowered compared to the rest of your group? I know it does for me sometimes."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Of course, when I got here, it was just a tiny fragment of my court. Me, Gawain, and Nimue. It was such a relief to see them again." He looks wistful. "Now..." he shrugs.

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"I know it must be very difficult," she said softly, taking his free hand in hers.

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

He takes it. "What's the latest on our common pseudonephew? You may have heard more lately than I?"

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Cian? Well, last I heard, he's liking living next door to his father and siblings, he really wants to be a big brother, and he's sweet on little Ivy Lovelace," she said.

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"...Given enough time, everyone in this crazy game will be related to everyone," he says drily.

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"You think that would be such a bad thing? All of us as one big happy family?" she asked half-teasing. "Of course, for me to actually be related to anyone else in all this, I'd have to get married and/or have children first."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Peaceweaving by interbreeding is a classic, but I admit I have doubts about its efficacy. Perhaps I'm just bitter. And got A-levels in classics."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"It's but one tool among many," she said with a shrug. "Still, I think our two groups have managed to achieve something of a peace."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

He nods, then leans over and kisses her.

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

Esther sighed softly against his lips, her fingers tightening around his.
"Mmm. Lovely," she murmured.

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Yes, you are. Sorry again about the being a distant git thing. It comes easier than it should."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Don't worry about it. It isn't like I've made the best effort either," she said, finishing her glass of wine, "But you're here now. That's what matters at the moment."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"And what would you like now, Hada?"

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Well..." She ran a finger over the rim of her empty glass. "I'll be honest... I see Lilith and Ogma and their beautiful family together, and they seem so happy... I'd love to have something like that. I'm not expecting it'll be some perfect fairytale or anything, but I spent seven years without any family at all, and it's... it's just something I've wanted. A family of my own. I know it's not something that happens overnight, and, yes, I'm scared of doing something that might lead to hard choices or regrets down the road, but... A girl's got to at least give it a try, right?"

She looked down for a moment, blushing.
"Sorry. I'm babbling."

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

"Don't be." He touches her face. "I know exactly what you mean."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

"Adam..." She said it softly. "I really do care about you. Very much. And... you're a king with no queen... I'm a queen with no king... And neither of us with much of a court or a kingdom. Simple mortals walking among gods and giants. Do you think, maybe... we could build something together? Even if it's just one day at a time?"

[sitsatcircles.insanejournal.com]

A pause. "Maybe we can." Another kiss, and then, when they part for air, a slight chuckle. "We can, at least, always be positive that we're not related."

[queen-of-purim.insanejournal.com]

She laughed.
"Very true. I hope this is the start of something beautiful."