Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

'If you've only been surrounded by those who you are torturing, then that doesn't exactly surprise me."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She nodded sadly. “You see why I wanted out of the dungeons.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"They aren't all that bad, I prefer being there than at one of those accursed balls."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh." Riva picked at her manicured fingernails. "I love the balls very much."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden shrugged, "I don't see why. They're filled with pompous idiots wasting everyone's time and money."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"But... the spectacle, the beauty and majesty. It's magical." She stared into the distance wistfully.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden squinted his eyes at Riva, "are we going to the same balls?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She chuckled. "I guess not." Riva took a deep breath in. "Mmmm. I can smell the food already."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Yes, he's been cooking quickly tonight." He looked towards the door, "you did tell him when to prepare dinner, right?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She paused. "No. Usually I'm just brought food..."

Edited June 27, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I normally wait for him to prepare the food for me," Caden looked back at Riva, "he definitely wasn't ready for us, then."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Ah... I'm sorry, then."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Apologize to the chef when he comes, not to me."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She nodded, then tapped the table with her sharp fingernails, unsure what to say next. "Uh... I've always wanted to have someone accompany me to a ball. I'll be excited to do so with you the next time around."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I was thinking," he looked at the table for a moment, "since the King has required that a Praetorium goes to a ball, you could go for me." 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Her face fell. "Oh, Caden, won't you please go with me? Just once. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to have an escort with me and dance."

Edited June 27, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Why would you want that so badly?" he asked as he looked towards her curiously, "above all, why would you want me to go with you? I don't even dance."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Think about it, Caden, who else would go with the Raveness? My Stars, any other man would piss their pantaloons." 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"So the two most feared people in the entire kingdom should attend a ball together? I'll admit that it would be satisfying to see how the others react, but dancing with me is not an option."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh, why not?" She chuckled. "Afraid you'll trip over yourself?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"No," Caden snapped, "you just never see a feared and respected General dancing like a wide eyed lover boy during a ball, that's it."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"But you won't be, dearest, you'll be dancing with the most fearsome woman in the kingdom. They'll stare at us because we outshine the rest of the room by a mile and despite all their wishing, they could never match our grace." Riva sighed and closed her eyes, picturing her old fantasy. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden almost scoffed at the mentioning of the word grace, but instead disguised it by clearing his throat. "As good as you make that sound, I can get someone to take my place and dance with you."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"No!" she snapped. "That would be unfaithful and I doubt the king would like it very much. As I said, I want to spend time with you, this is a perfect way to do it."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden sighed, and shifted in his seat. "Just one dance?"