The Arcana: Fragments

XXIX: No More Bluesy

Nadia x Portia x Reader (Polyamorous)

"Out! All of you out!" the countess says. Her bejeweled hand waves away the courtiers and advisors of her council in a sea of fabric and pattering feet. I had noticed she was going to crack sooner or later. Of course, Volta's shrill incessant voice did little to help quell her anger. The room now empty, Portia scurried over to the council table, clearing plates and dishes timidly.

"It's all right", she said to Portia, who heaved a sigh. "Phew! I thought I was going to have to go another day tip toeing around you", she smiled in an effort to lessen the blow. Taking my chance, I stepped forward and placed my palms on her shoulders, taking the chance to squeeze reassurance into her. "The plans are beautiful", I assure her, "You really shouldn't worry".

She rubs her temples slowly, thinking. "I ought to just leave all this to the two of you, you both could handle this within hours", she groans. "Considering y/n is the palace ceremony advisor I imagine she could handle this in minutes", Portia shot me a wink. I grinned and mouthed 'shush' to her. "Still, I want this all to be perfect. If I don't have oversight in the planning it all goes south. And these fools! Power hungry imbeciles...", Nadia groans, slouching in a less than regal way over the table.

"You're being bluesy", Portia shakes her head, pouring Nadia a small filigree glass of sherry wine.

"I know, dearest, I know", Nadia swigs the liquid down in one gulp. "I'm working on it".

"What can we do?" I ask.

"And don't say give you space! We've gone days without spending time together", Portia pouts.

I pull out a seat for Portia next to Nadia before seating myself adjacent to them both. "You could pour me another drink?" Nadia teases, tilting her small glass between her thumb and ring finger. "Oi we're serious, love", Portia says, pouring her more alcohol anyway. "Come to think of it, you had a good idea", Nadia says.

"Oh?"

"If I gave you two precedence over the ceremony, exclusive admittance and governance over the plans. Would you do it? "

Portia's face flushes pink in excitement, "Ohhh, I've never planned a wedding before! Oh could we, y/n? Could we?"

"It's my intent to give Asra and his partner the best wedding ceremony imaginable. But with the trials of those stagecoach robbers underway my attention is needed in so many places", Nadia looks at me, pleading with her eyes.

"Well, Portia does know Asra better than I, so of course I could use your help! And since planning ceremonies is quite literally the essence of my duty, I am obliged to accept the opportunity, Countess".

With a squeal of excitement, Portia and Nadia cling to me and I am entangled into their arms.

"Ohh thank you y/n thank you, thank you!" Nadia lets out a silky giggle. I kiss her cheek in assurance, "I'll take care of it, love".

She sighs into us both, her scent of jasmine flower intoxicating me. "What would I do without you two?" she asks. Portia takes a sip of the sherry, chewing her cheeks at the taste. "You'd be a bloody drunk, that's what. Good gravy that's strong!"

We three let out a burst of laughter, continuing to laugh even as we roll onto the floor in a heap. After a moment of catching our breaths, Portia rolls and brings us all together in a group embrace.

"See? No more bluesy."

[07.09.2020]