(SE) we've met your kind before

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“Me? Embarrass you?” He asks with that very same shark toothed grin, scoffing at the idea of such a misstep. It’s all playful jesting, though, not annoyed or turned away from the short snappy tone Thalassa often took (all two times he’d met her, that is). “Never.” Much like her, he too wishes there was a ball soon – if only for an excuse to listen to music and wear too fine of clothes even by his standards.

The grin stays as she laughs, as the sarcasm fills the air between them with a passing breeze. “Of course I am biased.” The sentence would end with darling, but something tells him if he needed to make a deal to call her my dear Captain then it was unlikely she’d appreciate the other little nicknames he often gave those that he spoke with. So he nearly bites his tongue to keep from saying it as he approaches, pausing at an easy and friendly distance.

“Mm, not these days. ” Comes the playfully dramatic whine, before he shakes his head. Letting his dark gaze scan her again, he lets it drift past her, peering out into the distance between a set of trees. “I do enjoy a good hunt. The thrill of the chase is truly remarkable, even over the years.” Turning his attention back toward her, he flashes a more crooked grin as if to sell the point with how the pale teeth slot together, too sharp and too bright.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Thalassa

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread

Content with his answer, she gave him a coy near-girlish smile. "It's settled then." It was a good thing that Astaroth didn't try using any other nicknames as Thal might not have been inclined to give him an understanding grin. "And maybe if the Grounds held more parties, I might be interested in agreeing with your vote." Her tendencies were more nomadic for the moment, but that didn't mean she hadn't seriously considered his suggestion to settle with the other Ancients. 

She watched him step closer, still feeling more tense at the familiarity and uncomfortable urge to be somewhat friendly. To anyone else, his comment might have sounded like a threat, sending a sliver of fear into their chest at the idea of Astaroth choosing to hunt them. But Thal wasn't like others, she reveled in the chase, and if he did decide that she was interesting prey, she wasn't going to make it easy for him. So she looked up at him with excitemdnt. "Perhaps we can hunt together soon. I always find myself eager to spill blood." The glint of her eyes matched his flashing teeth and she gave him a conspiratorial look of unbridled mischief. "Maybe you could even teach me a thing or two from your vast experience." She knew she was laying heavily into the 'age' insults, but Thal found that she didn't quite care, her laugh filtering out like an ominous breeze.

Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“Perhaps I should convince the Theocrat to host more.” He suggests – because it wasn’t like the butcher would complain at all with such things. Any time to dress up nice and listen to music and dance was a perfect opportunity for Astaroth to let loose in ways often completely separate from what he was used to.

Pausing at the distance he does, his dark eyes take her in as his head tilts, lips still forming that easy smile that reveals plenty of too sharp teeth. “You and I both.” He agrees, something in his gaze brimming brighter with the promise of it as her gaze matches the sharpness he has to offer – and he thinks, deep down, that she would also make a ruthless hunter.

Another deep chuckle escapes him as she keeps tacking on the age insults, though it’s clear he doesn’t mind or doesn’t care (it’s the latter). “Oh I am sure I could teach you quite a few things of old.” Astaroth’s head tilts slightly before he huffs another soft laugh and exhales a sigh. “Did you have something in mind?” He lets his dark gaze scan her, as if trying to determine what her answer would be. Coming up empty, the butcher simply waits patiently, his tail sweeping low over the ground behind him as he waits.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Thalassa

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread

"That might be in his best interest." It seemed they might have a few things in common and Thal found herself smiling more than not. Dancing and brutal violence? Sign her up. And if the Grounds promised both of those, it'd be hard to resist staking a claim on her own little corner. The idea of more entertaining interactions with similar-minded Ancients was also tempting as she looked to Astaroth. 

His comment had her wondering if there was another meaning hidden there and she raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Giving him a wicked grin, Thal shrugged her shoulders. "Surprise me." The danger of what unknown schemes or plans he might come up with was more enticing than she wanted to admit and she stepped forward, lifting her head to meet his eyes. Her own eyes sparkled a brilliant blue, adding an innate flame to the reflection of the waves. "Just name a time and place."

Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

Chuckling another warm sound, the butcher inclines his head toward her as if to say I also think it would be in his best interest. More reasons to dress Danta up in a variety of too fine clothing he’ll complain about nonstop but look perfect in? The tall Ancient is more than pleased with the prospect of it.

The banter continues and Astaroth finds himself having just as much fun as the other Ancient is, mirroring her wicked grin with a too sharp one of his own. “You have another deal, my dear captain.” His brows waggle playfully as his dark mahogany gaze finds her fiery blues. “I shall send a letter when the time comes.” You know, to add to the surprising her part.

For now, though, despite the banter that grows easier as the minutes tick on, Astaroth does need to be getting back toward the Dusklight before Danta melts down about it again. Hoisting the shovel over his shoulder, the butcher ensures he has everything with him before promising to send a letter once he has time he can dedicate to her, and disappears out into the woods.

- FIN

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //