[Notes: In which Ambrose has girl trouble and his bff-with-benefits snarks cheerfully. Excerpt from the "I accidentally an entire dead boyfriend" drabble I promised rude_not_ginger back in March. Shush.]


For a little over an annual Ambrose courted Miss Clara Jindarin, a match his mother was quite keen on and which he was actually enthused about. However he was a bit more preoccupied with securing his political future than his social one, and one evening when he was busy tinkering instead of escorting Clara to a party she chose to go with an army major instead.

Ambrose arrived quite late to find his would-be intended thoroughly preoccupied with the major. His dear friend Nathan Westgate attempted to comfort him.

"There's a bottle of special reserve with your name on it behind the bar."

Ambrose shook his head. "I've a presentation with Her Majesty at half past seven tomorrow morning."

"It is a sin to be up that early, nevermind working," Nathan informed him, then shrugged. "What else cheers you up...sex?"

"Sadly I'm not all that interested," Ambrose sighed and folded his arms.

His companion took pity. "You had hopes for this one, didn't you?" He snorted at Ambrose's nod. "So how did you woo her?"

"If you must know, it was an evening under the stars-"

"'Come along, my dear, and I will show you my telescope'?"

That got a smile. "Precisely."

Clara married the major. Three months later Ambrose was named chief adviser to the queen and principle engineer of the realm. The major ended up being coerced into joining the longcoats, and Clara eventually found herself hiding a zipperhead in a crawlspace.

Funny old world.

Thursday drabble: Give us 100 words on 'omission'

( 'What's it like?' )

Friday: list five things you never leave home without when on the trail of Adventure, Excitement, and Really Wild Things.

1. Friends, specifically armed/magical/psychic ones.
2. A warm hat in case it gets cold. You have NO idea how uncomfortable this thing is when it gets cold.
3. A pocket tool kit.
4. A strudy stick.
5. My old coat. It got me through the wars, literally, and with a few new patches it's pretty comfy again.

The last time you slept was it a pleasant dream or a nightmare that kept you company? If you can't recall your dreams, tell us about your bedtime ritual.

Um, yes, that last one! I mean, well, I do sometimes remember my dreams. Silly things, mostly, about the moons and swimming in a lake and meeting turtles, but sometimes there are dreams that are just bad. The last one was like that, I think, all I remember is that I was running. I don't want to think about it.

Bedtime rituals, though, are important to remember. I went so long without a bed, or a time I was expected to be in one that it's sort of nice to have all these fussy things that need doing. Like taking off your shoes, and coat, and all the other clothes and putting on your pajamas. Then there's brushing your teeth, and... well, it might just be me but I like checking to make sure the curtains are closed tight. Nothing ruins a good sleep like the sun blasting you in the face first thing in the morning!

Then there's something I know is just me. I need to remember to lay on my side, or even my stomach, because even with a nice down-stuffed pillow the zipper pull still digs into the back of my skull. That's never going to change, no matter where I'm sleeping or what I'm dreaming of.