Zephrun’s Imperium

"Really do wish Oi was a girl sometimes. Then 'Livia couldna pushed me 'round the way she did."

"Well, i's jus'... Oi feel bad, Oi do. Thinkin' 'ow many chil'ren I mus' 'ave fathered over the years..."

"Well, Oi, Oi..." He bit his lip. "It's nuffin', it's fine."

"Oh! 'at's why you's askin'! Stars, Oi's stupid, Oi am."

"Well, 'at's why I loikes it; 'cause it's neither. I've never felt either which way, so..."

"I'm not worth worryin' over, miss." Nico took a bite of his ice cream. "But anyway... I think Pippiay is a good name."

"No, no, donna worry 'bout it." He blushed.

"I think i's a little early to be talking 'bout that, Wendy..." Nico shifted nervously. Stars above, 'ow many children 'ave Oi fathered, Oi wonder...

"Fine, fine, yes, that would be perfect. Do that, please."

"Oh, please? I do so want to scare the boy."

"Right then.... Fischer! We'll go wait... somewhere. Nico's quarters perhaps?" Oh, that'll give the boy quite a scare.

Riva rolled her eyes. "I just need to borrow Kimby. When will His Majesty be back?"

"I did, yes. But I'm not dead, by Mal." She made her way to the king's chambers, where she usually looked to go find him.

"The Raveness, boy. Do you not recognize your torturess when you see her?"

"Then you get to help the Raveness find him." Riva pulled the boy along with her.

Well, the boy moves on fast, then, Riva thought. "I'll just talk to the king about stealing his servant, then."

"Well, now, that's not very helpful. Any idea where we can find him?" Riva folded her arms.

Fischer led the way forward, following the halls he remembered from years past to find the servant's quarters before stopping suddenly. "Uh, ma'am?" "Yes, Fischer?" "Do you uh, want to be among the servants?" "I don't mind. They'll cower before me anyway." "I know, it's just that you're the lady of house Praetorium . . ." He shifted a bit, looking away at the need to explain himself. "Never mind that." She booped his nose. "In we go!" Fischer leaned back at the boop, but nodded and lead Riva into the quarters. He quickly hailed a serving boy who was passing by. "My lady needs Mr Kimby. Where is he?" @Channelknight Fadran

"I still have to report you, you know," said Riva. "For what you did to Allivia. That was out of line." "Riva . . . I- That was all- I understand." Riva smirked. "Good boy. Now, Caden is out training the puppy, yes?" "Last he told me. You're sure you won't reconsider?" "I will not. I won't have you beating up my patients; there are precious few of them nowadays." She shook her head solemnly, leading Fischer out to the training field where Caden was playing with Kisses. The puppy was jumping up and down trying to grab something in Caden's hand. The general placed a hand on the pup's head to hold her down. "I told you what you need to do in order to get this." "Caden!" Riva said, walking briskly across the field. "Fischer is in a bit of trouble." The soldier was right on her heels, trying to stand at attention. Caden lifted his brow. "What has happened, then." "He assaulted miss Nordy down in the dungeons after a little teasing." Caden opened his hand to let the pup at what was in it before standing, clasping his hands behind his back. "Is this true?" Fischer nodded slowly, saluting his commanding officer while offering a quick glance at Riva. "Apparently don't insult Nicolae Kimby around this one." Riva stood with her hands clasped behind her back, intrigued at what might happen next. "You have a connection with this Kimby, soldier?" Fischer nodded again. "He's a close friend." Childhood sweethearts, I gather, Riva thought. She kept the comment to herself. "We should really have Nico over sometime. I've heard quite a bit about him from Fischer; I'd like to finally meet him face to face." Fischer tried to hide a chuckle poorly. He cleared his throat at an inquisitive glare from Caden. "Sorry, sir. I just imagine that anyone getting a summons from your wife would promptly begin to panic." Caden nodded. "As well they should." "Well, Fischer here could invite him." "Did you tell me he was an important servant for the king?" "He is, yes, but I'm sure Ivian can spare him for one night." Fischer glanced between the two before Caden addressed him. "Would that be a good idea?" "I-" Fischer shrugged. "I can't say for sure, sir. I don't even know if he'd come." "Well, Fischer here's done good work. He may as well get to have a little playdate, don't you agree?" "Didn't you just say he needed to be reprimanded?" "Yes. Some embarrassment is good for him." Riva smirked, eyeing Fischer. And I want to see him interact with his boyfriend, she thought. For science. Caden turned to the soldier. "Then it is decided. We shall send for your friend, Nicolae Kimby, and I shall finally meet this man." Fischer nodded, looking undecided over the general's decision. "Oh cheer up, Fischer, you'll live." He nodded. "Of course, madam." "Awww, look how polite he is, Caden. Isn't he just lovely?" He's a soldier addressing his superior officer." Caden corrected her. "He's a fierce and respected warrior. I don't think lovely fits into that." "Aww." Riva pouted. "Say what you will, Caden, but you gave me a lovely manserva- I mean bodyguard." Caden folded his arms, ignoring the pup that was dashed towards Riva in excitement. "You haven't been ordering him around like a manservant, have you?" Fischer shook his head. Riva bent down - ignoring the ache in her back when she did so - and greeted the dog by scratching her ears. "Well, good afternoon, little one. Oh, yes, you love Mommy, don't you? Don't you? Yes you do, Kisses, yes you do." "The pup's name is what, now?" Fischer ask as he regarded the large dog. “Kisses! No judgement, Fischer.” "Uh- Ok?" He looked towards the general as if her wife was crazy, but Caden nodded. "I picked the name myself, soldier." "Oh." He nodded as the pup tried to lick Riva. "A fitting name, then." Riva tried to pick up Kisses, but her arms trembled, so she stopped. Kisses immediately rolled over the moment Riva let go, exposing her furring belly and rolling in the dirt. Caden walked over and chuckled. "She's meant to be a guard dog; she will grow." "She's a pup, dear." Caden knelt down and scratch Kisses' head, which caused her to nip at him playfully. "She's going to get very dirty." “I’m just glad I don’t have to be the one to wash her.” Riva gasped. “That’s what Fischer could do! He could wash the dog!” Caden grinned as he playfought with the pup with only his hand in a game of keep away that featured his fingers as the target. "I think I'll wash the dog tonight, dear." Fischer tried to hide his sense of relief poorly at the general's decision. “Oh? Why not have a servant do it?” "I'd rather share the experience with Kisses, Riva." “Alright. You know, she IS supposed to be MY dog, dear.” "Do you want to give her a bath, then?" “Heavens no!” "Then I'll do it. Besides, how hard could it be?"

"No. You saved my life. Let me save yours."

"What, child? You thought I wouldn't figure it out? Extracting secrets is quite literally my job."

Riva nodded, then smiled. "Your secret is safe with me. Friend."

"Were you and Nicolae Kimby lovers?" Riva asked point-blank.

"Of course not, although I believe she wasn't totally out of line." She eyed him. "You reacted too strongly for her to have been wrong."