// smile like you mean it //
A soft hum of a laugh escapes his throat at her delight to see the candles sputter to life, and Asta flashes her that too sharp smile once more, moving to slide the bag from her shoulder to gently set it down (surprised at her own surprise because this was just being a decent person?) “They make an ass out of you and me?” He supplants an answer, wondering if that was where she was going with it. Even if it wasn’t, he’s pretty sure it was close enough. “I have always been a gentleman, darling.” He hasn’t, but she doesn’t need to know that.
With her free of any burdening bags, Astaroth returns to his own, his tail no longer lashing from earlier but waving comfortably like a content cat as he withdraws the towels, picking the larger ones to spread out as they continue their conversation. And her next tidbit of information has his dark gaze, alight in shades of umber and honey in the candlelight, lifting to her with a sharp grin and approval. “The enemy you know is better than the enemy you do not.” He half purrs his agreement, incredibly impressed by the actions the Queen has taken with this so-called Family. And the fact she seems wholly unscathed by the ordeal, an added bonus in his mind.
Delighted even more by the idea of wine, he reaches for her bag to produce the bottle of white wine and two glasses, pouring her a glass before his own. He remains in his mostly buttoned up shirt and shorts, though he doesn’t blame her for dressing down. It’s warm and comfortable enough for him so he has to imagine she’s too hot. It doesn’t stop his gaze from lingering though in a purely calculating way (though it likely doesn’t come off as such). “You truly have thought of everything, my dear.” He starts to say, lifting his glass a little toward her. “A toast to you, for having a foresight most do not.” A playful and charming wink accompanies the toast, even if he’s completely unaware of everything Flora has planned.
With her free of any burdening bags, Astaroth returns to his own, his tail no longer lashing from earlier but waving comfortably like a content cat as he withdraws the towels, picking the larger ones to spread out as they continue their conversation. And her next tidbit of information has his dark gaze, alight in shades of umber and honey in the candlelight, lifting to her with a sharp grin and approval. “The enemy you know is better than the enemy you do not.” He half purrs his agreement, incredibly impressed by the actions the Queen has taken with this so-called Family. And the fact she seems wholly unscathed by the ordeal, an added bonus in his mind.
Delighted even more by the idea of wine, he reaches for her bag to produce the bottle of white wine and two glasses, pouring her a glass before his own. He remains in his mostly buttoned up shirt and shorts, though he doesn’t blame her for dressing down. It’s warm and comfortable enough for him so he has to imagine she’s too hot. It doesn’t stop his gaze from lingering though in a purely calculating way (though it likely doesn’t come off as such). “You truly have thought of everything, my dear.” He starts to say, lifting his glass a little toward her. “A toast to you, for having a foresight most do not.” A playful and charming wink accompanies the toast, even if he’s completely unaware of everything Flora has planned.
Astaroth
// take a chance and you could seize it //
