Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Then it's a good thing you were married to a strong man," Caden said with a smile. The moment he stopped speaking, he swept Riva's legs out from under her in one, smooth motion. He lifted her up and carried her like the knights in the stories told to children.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva giggled. "Caden! Caden, what are you doing?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I'm taking my beautiful wife to her seat so she doesn't tire herself out, of course." He grinned at her, "unless you'd like to walk?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Of course not. You planned this, didn't you? You were just waiting for an excuse." She booped his nose with a long, bony finger. "I can tell."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I was not," Caden protested playfully. "However, if an opportunity presents itself, I try not to push it away."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"What do you have up your slee-" She paused. "You're not wearing sleeves. Poor metaphor. What are you planning, my darling?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Nothing," Caden protested again as he left out of his office's door. "I just figured you'd like to go for a stroll after being in you office all day."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Yes, that would be nice." She thought for a moment. "Well, it's almost dinner time. Do you have something particularly romantic planned? You know, for having been married for over two weeks, we've never been on a date before."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Nope, nothing romantic." Caden lied, "just an evening with my wife, that's all." He turned away from the dining room, and diverted towards a hall that he hadn't used in a while.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"You're such a bad liar, Caden. If you'd gone to my dungeons, you wouldn't have lasted a week."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"If your lovely face was asking the questions, then not even a day."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva smooched him, glaring at a maid who was looking at them funny. "Caden, we have eyes on us..."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"If they wish to speak ill of the King's feared general and the most terrifying woman in the kingdom, then they are more than welcome to." Despite his words, he turned his head slightly so that Riva couldn't see before shooting a hard glare at the maid.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

The maid yelped and bowed quickly before scurrying away. 

Riva, of course, returned to kissing her husband. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden tried to sneak in a few kisses of his own before entering a room that had obviously been prepared beforehand. A large and plushy sofa sat before a crackling fireplace that lit up the room softly, of which there were two end tables flanking it. One had a large silver covered by a low lid, and the other had a bucket filled with ice that held a wine bottle. While the low lighting made it difficult to make out the far corners of the room, it placed a focus on the sofa that Caden moved to place Riva gently upon.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva sat primly. "Darling, I wish you'd given me more time to prepare, I would have tried to look more presentable than I do now. I'm far too modest at the moment, this is an elegant affair."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"But that would have spoiled the surprise," Caden pointed out as he went to be sure that the door was closed for privacy. "Besides, you look as ravishing as always."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Mm. I could, say, take off my dress, sit here in my chemise. Like when I went to the kitchen to find you already snacking."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"You could," Caden agreed, "but let's start with this." He produced the wine bottle from the bucket, as well as two glasses. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Awww, Caden." She smirked at him. "How drunk do you intend to get?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Well, it's not Vinoese, but I only have one bottle." He shrugged, "however drunk you want."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Well, then, pour me a glass, what are you waiting for?" She sat back. "You know, darling... I'm retired. Do you ever think... you might be too old for battle?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden poured two glasses, and set the bottle back into the bucket. "I doubt that," he said as he handed her a glass, "I need something to do, Riva. But that's-" He took a deep breath, "that's not what I'd like to talk about right now."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Then what would you like to talk about on our first date?" She sipped her wine.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"It's about the ball."