Ninth Hell Campfire, Monday evening

[future_sandworm]

Clearly he had chosen completely the wrong workshops this time. The one he had thought was about art had turned out to be about stealing art (and why would he do that?) and the other one (Leto wondered if he had accidentally got it wrong) made even less sense. Clearly he would have to find some other means to further his education during the rest of the summer.

While contemplating this, Leto watched the flames of the fire, his hands wrapped around a mug of spice coffee. Perhaps he should attempt to make some of those s'mores that were so popular here.

[Open, of course]

Comments

[future_sandworm]

"Whatever the differences, I'm sure she can offer you an interesting point of view." After all, Ghani was one of the few people he would always listen to.

"No, I did not," Leto continued with a snort. "I can't say I'm going to miss him, even if he did make an effort to be polite on Arrakis."

[glacial_queen]

"Did you hear who Merlin asked to take over Magic Reserves with him?" she asked casually.

[future_sandworm]

"As I didn't know Tony was leaving, it made little sense for me to ask about it," Leto pointed out, a small smile appearing. He could guess, after all.

[glacial_queen]

Karla had pretty much assumed he'd figured it out, but that didn't stop her from telling him anyway. "Me!" she said, grinning like a loon. "They picked me! I can't believe it, but I'm pretty happy about it anyway!"

[future_sandworm]

"I have to say they chose wisely," Leto said. Not that he knew much about magic, but Karla took her craft seriously and he did like her. He smiled at her, raising her hand and giving it a light kiss. "I hope you get along well with Merlin."

[glacial_queen]

"Merlin I get along well with," Karla said, flushing a bit from Leto's kiss. "Your partner, however..." she made a face, "not so much. But that's good, at least we'll all have someone we like on the other side that we can talk things over with or bring our questions to. At least in peacetime."

In times of crisis, if anyone let something as petty as dislike get in the way, Karla was going to make them regret it.

"I'll probably be at the Reserves tomorrow," she said, "just to watch. But I'll stay out of the way of the real fighters."

[future_sandworm]

Noting the flush, Leto slowly let go of her hand, hoping he hadn't pushed the limits. "Arthur? You're not alone there, I suppose, but he does have more concern for people than he lets on. I hope he didn't insult you badly?"

"And you are always welcome, of course. I will try to visit your meetings as well."

[glacial_queen]

Karla caught his hand before he could let go completely, giving it a fond squeeze. "Remember how I mentioned that Arthur and I have completely different notions of rank? It's related to that. I don't understand him and he won't understand me and thus we are at an impasse. Plus, I don't show him anywhere near the deference he's convinced he deserves. Not to mention that I'm sure he finds me aggravating." Karla was self-aware enough to know that much. "Lots of people do. I generally manage not to lose any sleep over it." Let other females be sweet and docile. Karla saw what that had gotten them.

"But I do hope you'll visit. I think our reserves should eventually practice fighting together so when the time comes, we'll be prepared to do so without getting in one another's way. The combination of steel and Craft is deadly."

[future_sandworm]

Luckily for Karla, Leto was used to women who were anything but sweet and docile. "We should. I will mention that to Arthur. And I hope you will eventually understand each other better." He turned his head to look at her. "And I'm not going to tell you not to tease him. I do it constantly." And he grinned, squeezing her hand back.

[bedtime!]

[glacial_queen]

"We might, should he ever decide to actually listen to someone for a change. Though I shan't hold my breath waiting for it." Karla made another face. "I promised Merlin that I wouldn't initially set out to antagonize Arthur, since it meant so much to him that I didn't. However, nothing will prevent me from doing so after he acts like a jerk." There was no doubt in her mind that he would. It was simply a matter of time.

"But why keep talking about him? I like you and I like Zack and you both like me, so really, that's all that matters to me."

[Good night!]