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31 comments
Now not really smart of Astrid to call Fleur names in front of both the men........ either of them could have killed her........... but I still do not trust the boy......I think he will do anything to make his father proud and killing Rathe would do that I think........ will be waiting him very closely I think .......
Very much enjoyed a great read .........
Thanks for reading and commenting dearie!
I really wish the game designers had taken some lessons from your story, since I've been through the DB quest several times, and have always found Astrid to be way too pleasant for her own good.
Both you and Grim have successfully revealed her for the slippery serpent that she truly is.
Her days are numbered...;-)
Many thanks for you comments D, I truly appreciate them and am glad you're enjoying the intrigue!
Cheers
Thank you so much Jess!
For Adulterous, Arrogant Astrid to diss and reject the terrible authority of the Night Mother, of ALL Deities, is MOST unwise, but understandable for the likes of her, given her level of b*tchy, self-absorbed and self-assured arrogance....^^
For Adulterous Astrid to even think of threatening Fleur in Rathe's presence....BOY is she EVER pushing her freaking LUCK with him by pushing his buttons that way, even though she clearly wants to quickly use Fleur's failure to fulfill her contract as yet more leverage on Rathe....
One of these days, (Alice ^^
Very, VERY interesting thing that Rathe and I both noticed: When Rathe mentioned that he turned cold-sober, Astrid's expression was briefly, subtly shocked and panicked....whatever for, I greatly wonder???
Why would Adulterous Astrid possibly care about Rathe NOT being a drunk anymore?
Would sobriety rationally not be an actual asset for an Assassin?
Astrid very clearly WANTS Rathe to be on the booze, so she can more easily exploit such a greater weakness to her evil, treacherous little "heart"s content, but for what possible ultimate purpose?
Hmmmm....I got another ominous feeling just now that Rathe might have TWO certain, potentially back-stabbing, VERY treacherous, deceitful dark souls to guard his back (AND Fleur) against from now on....^^
When I read the part about Rathe going to "help" Arnie....Bwahahahahahahahaha!
For the "B*tch-Boss" to call Fleur a sl*t right to Rathe's face....that cold insult nearly got herself a swift and well-earned "b*tch-slap, as Babette (and the others) definitely noticed....while crotchety "ol' Daddy Krex ", on the other hand, didn't even CARE to so much as notice his own, obviously estranged son Darius.....
In the end, Babette is right about not messing with a very dangerous guy like Rathe....but it's clear Arrogant Astrid never listens to anyone's advice (and that could easily become her undoing)...come to think of it, I doubt she ever even heeded her Ex's either!
Quickly Endorsed. Warm and kind thanks, Jess, for this delicious dish of steaming, suspenseful intrigue, served up just as HOT as Vengeance is served COLD, ^^ and hearty cheers, dear!
You're so right about Astrid being too 'clever' for her own good. All of her scheming and manipulating is definitely beginning to backfired on her and it's all about to come to a very messy head...
Good spotting on her panic at seeing Rathe now sober... good spotting...
I think she's actually pretty lucky she got off as lightly as she did this chapter; she was certainly pushing buttons left right and centre. I wonder if she's masochistic? That might explain much!!
Ah but Rathe has his own games too... agreeing to Astrid's 'deal' is convenient for him ATM. It gets him and Fleur (and the punk) out of the sanctuary, and he MAY be able to secure an ally in Cicero (who better for an ally than one who hates your own enemy?) Not just a pretty face is my Rathe!
Thanks again my sweet, keep an eye out for the next upcoming chapters; it's all coming to a head now!
I like how Rathe mocked her a little about her insistence about killing Cicero and her talk of the way of the night mother. That part with Cicero's journal shows just how mad that jester is, the dead moths pressed inside was a great touch, adds to his creepiness. I see Astrid could not help toying with him before he left, insulting Fleur and reminding him of his troubles with drink. Astrid did have an interesting way of saying goodbye, ever the seductive manipulator she is. Fantastic chapter, Jess ^^
This was really a chapter about Astrid and Rathe. I love their interactions and it always makes for fun writing. That said, Astrid was certainly full of posturing and menace this chapter bug most of it was bravado and hot air. Her world is crumbling around her and she has no choice left but to claw her way out of the hole she's dug... with whatever tools she has at her disposal.
Glad you enjoyed the little touch of the dead moths inside Cicero's book; I too thought that would add to his overall creepiness and I could so see him doing something like that!
Thanks again for your kind and insightful words and continued support. It means a lot to me hon!
Curious to see how things go with the furball, if Cicero hasn't finished him, when Rathe catches up to him. The whole scene in the DB was just excellent writing regardless of personal feelings. It pulled me right in. The images were nicely done although I admit I had to go back to look at them ... was pretty focused on the text.
Sounds like something really nasty is in wait for Rathe based on Astrid's last comment ... looking forward to finding out what that is!
Regardless, as I said to Nat, even though she played her most manipulative hand this chapter, I think it was actually rathe who was working her. Her whole world is coming to pieces around her and the only desperate bargaining chip she had left was Fleur... but even if she had've tried to kill Fleur I think she'd have been on the receiving end of Rathe's blades before she could blink. Anyway, the crazed and unpredictable Cicero needs to be accounted for regardless of Astrid's games; Rathe has enough in his life without knowing whether the crazy jester might get it into his head to come after HIM. So I think that more so that Astrid's 'deal' will drive Rathe to Dawnstar...
Thanks again hon.
Seems like Astrid's world is slowly falling apart,at least the process of it started... She delights in power and control, especially over men but good to know that mad jester took none of her arrogant attitude, though I admit it was a shame that Veezara got hurt, Cicero better stab Astrid then him.
However such situation once again resulted in another deal between Astrid and Rathe, and like he rightly noticed the deals with Astrid tend to end up very very badly. however it was also interesting that Astrid's control of her own feelings has slipped, given her dirty cursing and referring to Fleur as Rathe's whore. Seems like Astrid tries to return to her most favorite mode - seductress with grand schemes in mind, given her kissing Rathe, but she fails to do so, something has changed and there is nothing she could do to undo the damage. Babette was right, Astrid should not toy with Rathe...
And Rathe should keep in mind that even if Astrid has promised to let go of Fleur, it doesn't mean she would, she was never good on keeping her promises. Besides I think Rathe should not reveal he had abandoned the bottle and his nasty drinking habit, because it ruined the image that Astrid and ZuZu has conjured out of him...
I am so looking forward to see Rathe and Arnie's interaction, if it will come to that! I can imagine the amount of jealousy and rage on werewolf part while it is also very interesting how Rathe will deal with Cicero, who never inspired in my even a bit of sympathy...
This was a fun one to write because, like you, I love Astrid and Rathe's interactions; they're either sizzling or snapping with tension and danger. But as you noted, I think her dangerous games and machinations are starting to unravel around her, and even though she's made another 'deal' with Rathe, I think it's HE who has the hand this time. I think that's why she had to resort to her cheapest tactic of kissing him (though a lot of that was because she knows it's an act that would incense almost everyone present in the room).
She really was playing with fire and biting without caution in this chapter; most notably by insulting Fleur in front of both Rathe and Darius. I kept a hold on Rathe's temper (barely) but was going to have Darius get defensive of Fleur's honour... But I thought by keeping him submissive it says more about his relationship with "daddy"; as though by just being in the same room as Krex he becomes submissive and demure. Anyway, that was just my thoughts behind that.
Thanks again my dear and I hope to have another chapter up soon!