[ Koroleva doesn't rush to Alina this time. Her absence was eased by d'Artagnan's presence. Alina does come to the pair and runs her hand over Koroleva's head as she strokes her. ]
I did not. I promise it was unexpected. [ But it was nice. She shrugs lightly. ]
You don't have to good. I'm fine, I'm not really tired.
[ Very hard to miss. It's huge, gold and green, and Alina doesn't normally wear anything green. He looks down at her for a moment, then reaches to lift her hand, tilting the ring so that it catches the light. His arm around her shoulders goes very still. ]
You're engaged.
[ Not really a question. He works to find the right words, and then locates some that probably aren't. ]
That's all that really matters, in the end. That's all he could want for anyone. So he nods, sets her hand back down on her lap, and turns to wrap both arms around her. ]
Good. He ought to, because I'll kill him if he doesn't.
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day 63 - action
Thank you for keeping her for me last night. [ She smiles up at d'Artagnan. ] I didn't intend that.
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Yes you did. But it's all right, we always have a good time together. Athos brought Korol.
I expect you're tired now. Do you want me to give you the room?
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I did not. I promise it was unexpected. [ But it was nice. She shrugs lightly. ]
You don't have to good. I'm fine, I'm not really tired.
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All right. If you're sure.
So, where did you go? It's not as though you didn't have much to choose from.
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Alina shrugs. ]
We went to one of the clubs then walked around Selena.
It's beautiful here...
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It is. The moons are amazing. I'd never have thought you would see them so well with all this light. It's amazing.
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It really is.
did you two enjoy yourselves last night?
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Probably both. ]
We always do. Athos stayed over with Korol, and I think that made us Koroleva's favourite people.
[ He rubs her arm. ]
Are you all right?
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[ She curls against him and nods her head.
She hesitates... before holding out her left hand for him to see. The ring is hard to miss. ]
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You're engaged.
[ Not really a question. He works to find the right words, and then locates some that probably aren't. ]
Do you love him?
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But he's her best friend. She can't keep secrets from him. So she holds her breath as she watches him. ]
I do. [ She says softly, nodding her head. ] He makes me happy.
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That's all that really matters, in the end. That's all he could want for anyone. So he nods, sets her hand back down on her lap, and turns to wrap both arms around her. ]
Good. He ought to, because I'll kill him if he doesn't.
[ His chin touches the top of her head. ]
Congratulations, Alina.
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She smiles and nods her head. ]
I'll let you if that ever happens.
[ She rests her head against his chest as he rests his chin on her head. ]
Thank you, d'Artagnan. You're the first person I've told.
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She's one of his closest friends here. He'd never want to lose that. ]
So it just happened tonight? I think I'd have noticed that ring before.
Doesn't he know your favourite colour is blue?
[ Which he's basing on the fact that all her robes are blue. See? He notices things. ]
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Just last night. Yes. [ she smiles a little. ]
Blue is the color of summoner Grisha. That's why I wear it.
The ring is a family heirloom, though.
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He'll ask later. The heirloom thing has distracted him. ]
Are you telling me that's a real emerald? Alina, it's huge.
Did he just wear it all the time before, and I was somehow blind to it?
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I was wearing it around my neck. I brought it with me when I came back from home.
He had already given it to me as a give before this.
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I...thought he was a pirate.
[ Although, Bonnaire had been little more than that, and he could've afforded three emerald rings a week.
D'Artagnan doesn't really want to believe Alina's with someone like that. Let's stick to the family theory. ]
Does that mean you were going to marry him at home?
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But he is, yes. [ It's not a lie. He is a privateer.
It's just not the whole truth. ]
No... It's complicated at home...
We didn't have the time together at home that we have here.
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[ In the sort of tone that says, it's close enough. ]
Well. I'm glad, so long as it's what you want. He's a good man, Athos likes him. I just want you to be happy, Alina, that's all.