Drabble:60
POV:Third Person
"Guardian Alves", the 20-year-old dark-haired male nodded at his jovial superior.
"Guardian Miller.", the older man nodded back, recognizing him. "How was your first day as a Royal Guard?"
"Pleasant, sir. But I was just at the Court's dining hall, and I found no Royal Guardians there."
"None of us normally go there during dinner-time.", Luka Alves smiled privately, as if enjoying some secret joke.
"But-", the younger dhampir hesitated, not sure if he was overstaying his welcome.
"Yes?"
"But, do we have separate dining facilities?", he asked finally.
"Not anymore. But you know that, don't you, Jeremy?", the older man commented, eyeing the boy quizzically.
"Yes, sir. So, where is everyone?"
Guardian Luka frowned a moment before the realization dawned on him. "No one's told you." Seeing the still-confused look of the newbie, he continued, "Doesn't matter. Follow me." And without waiting for a reply, he began walking.
"Guardian Alves? Where are we going?", Jeremy asked, trying to keep up with the brisk-paced dhampir.
"To meet up with the others." No more was said till they reached an ornate door.
"Sir? We're outside the Queen's dining quarters.", Jeremy said tentatively, peeking at the older guardian to see if he was pranking him.
"I know. Everyone else is already inside."
"Why?", Jeremy asked warily.
"For our daily dose of entertainment.", he looked at the younger man a moment before continuing. "Now, this may come as a shock, so brace yourself."
"What do you-", Jeremy began, only to be cut off as Luka pushed open the doors and the noises from within poured out.
"Christian, you son-of-a-bitch!", an attractive feminine voice screamed, only to be insulted in kind by a male-voice.
Following Luka into the room, Jeremy saw the Royal Guardians all lined up against the walls of the room or sitting around in free couches. Except for Guardian Rose Hathaway, who was sitting at the Queen's dinner table, glaring at the Queen's dark-haired boyfriend (who apparently had stolen fries off her plate). Not only were the guardians relaxed and laughing openly, but Jeremy would later learn they were placing bets as to who would win the duo's verbal duel. The Queen had her face (and smile) hidden behind her napkin, and was exchanging an exasperated look with the formidable Guardian Belikov, who only sighed deeply, and rolled his eyes at the squabbling duo, before digging into his salad. Said duo continued bickering energetically.
Shocked, Jeremy followed Luka unthinkingly; still unable to process that a dhampir was insulting a Royal moroi so openly without reprimand. He kept staring at the foul-mouthed, pretty dhampir, waiting for someone to set her in place. Luka sat in the spot that one of his sub-ordinates just cleared for him, and turned to face Jeremy again. Seeing the boy's almost-horrorstruck face, he began to laugh freely before explaining to the others why. Some of them clapped Jeremy on his back and ruffled his hair before Guardian Hans came to him.
"Welcome to prime-time entertainment, Guardian", he said, quite seriously. "Now if you're done gawking at Belikov's dauntless girlfriend, I suggest you get to socializing with others before we get to see another type of duel."
After seeing Guardian Belikov's caustic look aimed at him, Jeremy set about doing just that.
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