Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden groaned, the sudden outburst giving him a mild headache. "I suppose you would, which is a very comforting thought."

Along with everything else us Praetoriums worked for, all because you were forced to marry one man. The thought caused him to feel sicker in his gut than he anticipated. He would have to approach the King about that subject, he couldn't just sit by and watch someone as undeserving as the Raveness get it all because of some foolish marriage.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Don't worry, you're too cute to murder, Mr. Praetorium." Riva winked. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden paused, concerned that the thought hadn't occurred to him. He carried on, "I'm a feared general with the bloodiest blade that you'll ever see, I'm not 'cute.'"

Edited July 10, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Neither am I in any way beautiful, general, but you complimented my eyes as if they were. So here we are."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden rotated his head, feeling cracks and pops through out his neck as he did so. "Yes, here we are."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

There was a moment of silence. "So..." said the Raven. "About sharing tonight..."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I'm taking the bed tonight, but I wo-" Caden groaned, his back tearing away his attention with a sudden pain.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva sighed and got up off of the bed. "You know, I'm not surprised you have joint issues. The way you slouch is horrendous. If you stand up, I can help you."

Edited July 10, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden glared at Riva, "what manner of witchcraft do you intend to do?" 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva glared at him. "Chiropractics is not witchcraft."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"If you have to touch me, then absolutely not."

Edited July 10, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"You're clearly in pain and I can help," Riva said, folding her arms.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I'm sorry, but there's only so much I'm willing to let the woman who drugged me last night do." Caden tried to sit back into the chair again, but grimaced and leaned forward instead.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

With a scoff, Riva walked around the chair and put her hands on Caden's shoulders, rubbing them. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden growled in hostility at first, but they slowly turned to groaning as the pain wasn't relieved immediately, but she seemed to be slowly working it out of him. His posture melted gradually, with his back trying to remain firm against her touch, but even that slowly gave in. It was only then that he felt that he should shove her off somehow, only to acknowledge that to act now would be to act too late.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Awwww, you poor thing, you're so tight." Riva appeared genuinely concerned as she rubbed him. "You just relax, I'm going to make you feel like a new man." She paused. "This would be easier if you were laying down. And if you had your shirt off."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"The shirt stays on," Caden growled at her. Although he wasn't sure on what to do about the whole laying down part, so he didn't try to move out the chair. The relief that came over him kept him from even thinking of shifting from his position.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Fine with me,“ said Riva, continuing to massage Caden‘s shoulders with her thumbs. She had become a master of anatomy in her years of service to the crown and using her knowledge to help instead of hurt was more gratifying than she had originally expected it to be. “Although,” she continued, “if we are going to share a room, I’m going to see you with your shirt off sooner or later. I can sleep somewhere else, but I keep my clothes in here to change. I’m assuming you do too.” She came across a muscle muscle that was particularly tight and grimaced, applying more pressure. “Darling dearest, your poor shoulders.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden lifted his head, "what about them?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“They’re so tight. How do you go day to day walking around like-“ there was a large crack in Caden‘s neck and shoulders. “Well that’s ought to feel nice.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"What did you do?" Caden asked as he shot up, startled by the momentary shock of the crack. He relaxed as it was very quickly accompanied by more relief in his shoulders, but he wasn't about to let it go. "If you think that I'm going to let you do whatever you want back there, then you're greatly mistaken."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, calm down, Caden, this is good for you.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Cracking is not a good thing," he tried to adjust himself so he could meet Riva's eyes. "Why the Maal would it ever be a good thing?"

Edited July 11, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Well, don’t you feel better now? That was a massive release of tension, you’ve got to be feeling miles above what you were seconds ago.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden grumbled, not wanting to admit that Riva was right as he laid back down to let her do her work.