The Date: Part One
Rose was pissed. This wasn't exactly odd, but it wasn't often she was pissed on someone else's behalf. As assumed captain of the Baron's Hammers, part of her self appointed duties was watching over the Overseer while he had a meeting with anyone. This meeting in particular was with a diplomat who couldn't take a hint about when to stop. Splint was grinding his teeth so much that she was surprised his mouth wasn't sparking.
"-and that was the third time i-"
That was it, she couldn't take it, and Splint was reaching for a knife under the table. "Okay! That's it, time for a break. Splint, drop it. You, bigmouth, go take a long walk. Tour the fort, or something."
Splint took the oppurtunity faster than a goblin kidnaps a baby, and bolted from the room. Rose followed, and grabbed his arm. "Hey, you better not be going to do anything productive."
"Well, I was going to place some bin orders, then-"
"Nope."
Splint frowned. "Nope? You can't tell me what to do Rose, I'm the Overseer."
"Don't care. You got something more important."
He frowned at her. "Rose, what are you talking about?"
She grinned, winking. "Surprise. You'll see, but only if you go right now."
Splint's frown deepened, then disapearred. "Fine, I'll go."
"Perfect!" Rose grabbed his hand, and led him to a room with a table and two chairs, and a nice veiw of the fort. He looked around. "... What's this supposed to be?" he asked suspiciously. "Fun, that's what. I'll be right back," rose replied.
"Where are you-" was all she heard before she closed the door.
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Splint was pacing when the door opened. "It's about time you-" was all he got out before his mouth dropped open slightly. Rose frowned. "What, something wrong?" she asked, blushing. She was wearing a black dress, with no armor in sight, though her hammer was on her back. "Rose, what's going on here?" he asked quietly. "Well... I just... I wanted to have dinner with you. You're always working, and you're always alone, and i thought maybe you'd like to... I'm sorry, I'll leave-"
"No, wait... I suppose i could have dinner with you..."
She smiled happily. "Thanks, Splint."
"How long have you been planning this, Rose?"
"Long enough. You've been getting kinda stressed, and withdrawn... Figured you'd like a break from life. And I'll be honest... I kind like you, too. Don't ask why, still figuring it out myself, but I do."
He smiled. "I wish you had given me some warning, so i could prepare..."
"Naw, you're just fine as you are. Now, i got a couple of guys to help out. Come on in!" she called out. Thumper and Crusher entered the room, carrying various dining things. "Set the table, take our orders, then wait for us to call you. After that, your day off starts." The two huge bodyguards gave twin smiles, and quickly set the table, and pulled out the chairs. Rose sat down, and after a moment, so did Splint. Rose smiled at Crusher. "I'll have the rock lizard barbeque." Splint looked at the small menu that listed what animals were available to slaughter for dinner. "Um... I'll have the pork, i suppose." Crusher slowly wrote their orders, then both bowed, and left. "lizards, Rose?"
"eh, it's all you get in the desert. I developed a taste for it."
"the desert?"
Rose nodded. "The Dented Deserts. I... I don't like to talk about my past."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"Naw, not your fault, don't apologize. Anyways, when I was walking here, lizards were the easiest things to catch. So, I learned to like them." She stopped talking, and looked out over the blood plains. "I can't get over the giant middle finger, Splint. That thing is awesome."
He laughed. "Yes, we needed something to show our defiance of the outside world. After nearly a decade of the spawn, I figured that since we've been screwing them over, we would show them what they were in for. Plus the view is amazing."
"Never been up there." Splint gaped. "How have you not been up there? It's the most popular spot in the fort!"
"Just never had a chance."
"Well, how about we go after dinner?" Rose blinked, then smiled. "Okay."
-to be continued-