Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Good. As long as you understand that." She sighed, leaning back into the pillows. "Everyone sees the Raveness and the Raven has her patients to play with. But Riva had no one. At least, she didn't. Until now. So... thank you. For being willing to talk with me and tolerate my presence." 

Edited July 6, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden almost chuckled, "you might call me a captive audience."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva smirked. "Why? Do I captivate you, Caden, dearest?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

He tried to slowly lean forward, groaning in pain as his sore muscles complained at the unwarranted movement. "That's one way of looking at it," he said after he had sat up straight

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She smiled and blushed. "Stars, last night I was worried you were about to kill me and now here we are gushing over each other like two young lovers..."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I don't know about gushing," Caden said, sounding slightly skeptical.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She clasped her hands together dramatically. "Oh, Riva! You bring warmth to my hearth, heart, and home. Surely you in all your captivating wonder couldn't be evil at all!" Riva battered her eye lashes. "I love you forever, my darling! You're the best thing that ever happened to me and I will treasure your heart until the day I die!"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"You're the one who brought up the subjects of warmth and evil," Caden corrected her.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She cackled giddily. "Oh, Caden, don't deny it, you're terribly in love with me. I know, I know I'm hard to resist."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden raised an eyebrow, "I've never fallen in love with anyone, why would that change now?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh, I've no idea. I simply find your attitude amusing after you kept calling me a witch last night."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Perhaps you accidentally drank a potion that made you unreasonably giddy?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Mmm, no. I'm just glad I can talk to someone. And that you're not still angry with me. And that you're willing to share a room." She yawned, stretching. "You might actually be a good man, Caden Praetorium."

Edited July 6, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I know many people who would disagree with that statement," Caden said, leaning back into the chair with a yawn of his own. "But I do see why you mentioned simply talking to one another last night, it seems to not be a waste of time."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She smiled, letting out a sharp breath. "Yes. I'm glad you enjoy talking to a woman who last night you might have murdered... You seem to have gotten over that rather quickly." Riva stared him down. "Who are you, Caden? Under the grandeur and growls and gore, who are you, really?"

Edited July 6, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[Condensation she/her]

On 7/4/2021 at 11:03 PM, Zephrun's Imperium said:

Nico wiped his eyes. "I doesn't know... Do what you will, Alienor. I just..." He sighed. "I don't want nob'dy to get hurt."

"No one will get hurt, Sir Kimby. Well, almost no one."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

He sniffed, wiping his nose. "What are ya gonna do?"

[Condensation she/her]

"I don't know yet. But I do know that I won't regret it." Alienor looked to the side and muttered "Probably."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nico gulped. "Aww, stars, what am I doin'? She'll hurt me bad for tellin' y'all, she will."

[Condensation she/her]

"No, she won't."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"She will. You.... you's can't protect me from her. She's insane, she is, an' she gets out o' everythin'. L-last time I screwed up so bad, she got a whip from the dungeons an'-" He trailed off, scars on his back stinging slightly.

[Condensation she/her]

"She can't hurt you if she's not there to hurt you."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"But..." Nico fumbled with his words. "I... I should be able to solve this me-self. I got me into it, I should get me out."

Edited July 7, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[Condensation she/her]

"Not always. Sometimes it's too much for one person."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"But it shouldna be!" Nico sighed, head in hands. "I feels like I shouldna told ya nuttin', but I'm a terrible liar, so I guess it's Allivia's fault she roughed up me face."