[Art by my main account, @bowler-hat-nerd ]
The first time Lady Ambessa saw me indulging in my unique diet was during our brief time in Ionia.
For context, we had been sent there to provide support for the campaign, mainly in the form of whipping leadership into shape. Most complied, but one general- I have long forgotten his name- was being a tad bit difficult.
After a particularly heated argument, Lady Ambessa had had quite enough of his defiance, and asked me to take care of the issue. I did, in my own special way.
The man had been a thorn in my Lady's side for months now, in the spirit of how he was in life, I kept him alive using medical techniques I had picked up from the locals while taking the non-essential parts.
Had to start with his brain so he wouldn't start screaming from the pain. As gratifying as that would be I would've been a bit risky to pull that in a tent surrounded by allies, even if no one else was allowed into my space for any reason; privileges of being one of Ambessa’s assets.
That privilege did not prevent from my Lady from coming and going as she pleased, which lead us to the awkward position of her finally seeing what I was getting up to.
While I assume she'd always known what had happened in Freljord [and since], that apparently didn't adequately prepare her for the scene before her. She had a look that I have never seen her before or after, confusion, concern, maybe a hint of fear.
The silence was heavy, and seemed to stretch of an eternity, but she did not flee, nor flinch at the sight. Eventually she spoke, with the confidence I had learned to find comforting, giving me my next assignment.
We have never spoke of that night since.
