get your worlds out { 2021 } yahtzee tracking

[iluvroadrunner6]

Running Score: 260 (8/8)
Word Count: 36,286

<b>Title:</b> <b>Fandom/Original:</b> <b>Prompt:</b> <b>Rating:</b> <b>Word or Line count:</b> <b>Summary:</b> <b>Warnings/Notes:</b>

Comments

set 2 | i knew you were trouble | regency au | 600

[iluvroadrunner6]

Nadia stops at one of the nearby mirrors to check her appearance one last time. She knows that this is their initial meeting, but she still wanted to make an excellent first impression. As the only daughter of Alexander Kirsanov, she had to find a good match, and the Hales was one of the most prestigious werewolf families in Europe.

Peter had come to Europe in the interest of seeing if he was fit for her hand, and she intends to put her best foot forward, with hopes that he would do the same.

“At least he’s handsome.” Irina, her lady in waiting, comments from the hallway where she’s observing the ballroom. “That’s already a step in the right direction.”

Nadia steps away from the mirror and moves to the doorway, peering around the corner. Sure enough, there at the table designated for the guests of honor were Talia and Peter Hale. Talia’s mate, Thomas, sat to her left and Peter to her right. He is handsome; Nadia would give him that. Bright blue eyes and a knowing smirk as his eyes pick out the two women across the room.

Her gut tells her that he likely speaks Russian. She makes a face before turning back to Irina and switching to a rougher nearby dialect. “Let’s not give him too much ammunition, shall we?”

Irina raises an eyebrow before recognition dawns, and she nods in understanding. Nadia watches as Peter’s brow furrows, confused at the changes in syntax and usage, and it confirms her suspicions. Their eyes meet across the room, and she raises an eyebrow in return before speaking in perfect English.

“It’s rude to eavesdrop, Lord Hale.”

Peter doesn’t look away, nor does he seem ashamed of the fact. The arrogance of the young, as her father would say. That’s something she intends to temper as soon as possible. That said, she and Irina emerge from the alcove, making their way over to her father’s table for a formal introduction. Alexander takes his daughter’s hand, leading her to the guest’s table for a proper introduction.

“Lord Hale, Lady Hale. I want to introduce my daughter, Nadia.”

Nadia drops into a deep curtsey. “A pleasure to meet you both. Welcome to our home.”

“The pleasure is ours, Lady Kirsanov.” Talia, at least, is gracious enough. Peter nods in return and gestures to the empty seat next to him.

“Would you like to join us for dinner?”

Nadia smiles. “I would love to.” She can only hope that Peter’s bark is not as strong as his first impressions may appear.

* * * * *

An hour later, Alexander is chatting with Talia and her husband when he hears the tone of his daughter’s voice change. It’s not something self-evident, at least not to anyone who doesn’t know Nadia well. His head snaps in the direction of his daughter, and he can see her fingers curling around the dessert fork in her hand. Most of the charm had drained from her features as Peter prattled on about something or other, and he can see the comment that broke her resolve. Her fist tightens, her hand lifts, and Alexander breaks away from the conversation to try and intervene.

“Nadia …”

Unfortunately, he’s not fast enough. The fork is embedded in the meat of Peter’s thigh before he can break it up. Nadia storms away in a huff, and Talia looks concerned as she makes her way closer.

“Well.” She sighs. “I don’t think that is going to work, will it?”

Alexander shakes his head. “At least we can say we tried.”