D’Artagnan had learned to expect the unexpected while he was in Atlantis so when he suddenly arrived in a small cafe standing across from a woman that had just appeared he didn’t think much of it at all. Before them was a table set with tea for two, and he could only assume that it was for them. He smiled at the woman, not at all opposed to having tea, but also slightly afraid of any consequences that might come about if they should refuse.
“It looks like some omniscient being as seen fit to set us up with tea for two,” he said with a grin. “I am D’Artagnan of Lupiac in Gascony, M’Lady, of the King’s Musketeers.” He bowed as he introduced himself. “I realize that does not exist here, but old habits die hard,” he added with a grin once he was standing upright again.
“May I?” He asked, as he moved toward her chair to pull it out for her.
Looking around Lissa sighed a little inwardly, she had a lot of work today and this didn’t exactly help with getting her to do list done. If she were honest the list was daunting and made her feel a little squeamish. Regardless she knew it wasn’t D’Artagnan’s fault they were pulled in here.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you D’Artagnan of Lupiac in Gascony, I’m Lissa Dragomir.” She didn’t add on that she’d been a Queen in her own world, that was ages ago. Nodding she sat after he pulled the chair out for him.
“How long have you been in Atlantis?”
He caught the sigh, and understood that it wasn’t against him. It wasn’t easy going about your day when you were suddenly transported somewhere. It might have caused a scare to anyone that wasn’t expecting it, but D’Artagnan knew better, as did Lissa.
“Total? About two months,” he said to her. “I was here, and there was a glitch that sent me home. When I returned I found that my wife had been sent back.” He laughed a little as he helped to push Lissa’s chair forward a bit once she was seated. “We never did have good timing.”
D’Artagnan removed to his seat, and smiled at his companion. “Well, M’Lady Dragomir, shall we begin?” He picked up the teapot and began to pour some into her cup first.
“I’m sorry to hear you missed your wife,” she meant it too, Lissa knew all about timing not working, luckily that seemed to be in the past, she hoped. “Perhaps she’ll return someday.” One could hope.
Nodding she, “Lissa, please,” she nodded again in thanks as he poured the tea. “What do you do here?” If she had to guess she’d say a field agent, although he could be a trainer as well, he seemed to have the right disposition for a field agent though.
“I’m a field agent,” he answered her quickly. “Honestly I’m glad to be out there. Well, as out there as I can be. I haven’t been sent on a mission yet so I’m spent my time training with the other Musketeers.” He paused, and smiled as he thought of his brothers-in-arms.
“It’s such a regular thing to do… train. But I like keeping busy. Part of the reason I joined the Musketeers was for the adventure of it all. I grew up on a farm, but it was no life for me. I knew that early on.”
He took a sip of his tea for a small pause, and then looked back up at Lissa. “And what do you do?”
"I'm sure with the simulation training rooms and other things Atlantis has it helps to keep it interesting, my best friend Rose often mentions the simulation training sessions, usually with weapons I've never heard of before." She smiled remembering the class they took when on the run.
"I run the diplomat and communications departments currently," she said as if it were perfectly normal. "It keeps me busy, there is always something going here."
D’Artagnan raised a brow at her answer, and smiled broadly. “Well, you’re beautiful AND smart,” he said to her. “My wife would have liked you. She was strong, smart, and determined and inspired the same of the women around her. It wasn’t easy for women during that time, but she ended up running the garrison of French troops during the war.” He smiled fondly as he talked about Constance with Lissa. For some reason the woman across from him was easy to talk with. He could see why she was a diplomat.
He was silent for a minute as he tried not to miss his wife. It was growing easier with time, but even that emotion was worrisome to him. He didn’t want to forget her entirely, but she was back in their world living her life with some other version of him. She didn’t miss him because he wasn’t gone, not really anyway.
“I apologize for that. Memories have a way of getting in the way of things.”
Smiling, a small blush crept into her cheeks. Lissa wasn't immune to compliments and it was always nice to hear them, especially the smart part. Watching his expression change she gave him the space to let whatever he was feeling be there if he wanted it to be.
"You have nothing to apologize for if talking about her, and she does sound wonderful, helps, I always enjoy hearing stories of women who defy the odds and take charge. It's inspiring." She meant it too.
Learning more about this world he knew that his wife was definitely what they called a feminist. She was strong, and worked to lift up the other women she was around. She held her own, and definitely could stand up against the more brutish members of their society. He missed her terribly, but he knew that what he was doing here was important and she wouldn’t want him to give up because of her.
“Perhaps if she returns you two can meet.” He said with a grin before he took a sip of his tea. “This is pretty good, but I hate to keep you longer than you need. I’m sure you are busy with your diplomatic duties.”
Smiling she nodded. “I hope she does, I look forward to someday meeting here,” Lissa did too, she liked meeting inspiring people.
Nodding she shrugged. “Well, I do hope we can meet up again, but you’re right, I should probably get back to work, I recently took over the role and there is some catching up to do.” She admitted as she stood carefully. “It was lovely to meet you D’Artagnan.”
D’Artagnan stood to his feet quickly, and moved to pull the chair from behind Lissa. “It was lovely to meet you as well, Lissa. I have to say that this is one of Atlantis’ better surprises. It’s not every day I get to have tea with an impressive young woman.” He bowed politely when there was room, and smiled up at her. It really was nice to have a few moments to relax, and it gave him the opportunity to meet someone he wasn’t sure he would have otherwise.
“Perhaps next time we can plan such an endeavour; tea, I mean. Just to chat.”
Lissa nodded, and smiled at the compliment. “I happen to agree, this has been one of the better surprises.” She liked meeting new people and this was a pleasant one.
“You’ll have to come for dinner, my fiancé is a fantastic cook and we are always excited to have new friends.” She said. “And tea would be lovely as well.” Lissa added. “I’ll be in touch,” she nodded once more before heading back to work.