Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Condensation she/her]

"Don't. Please. I'll just... go chat with the cook?" Aliénor left the room feeling guilty. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nico opened her mouth to ask her not to leave, but stopped himself; it was for the better that she wasn’t around him. He needed some time alone to think. While Nicolae stirred the eggs he made up his mind to ask Ivian to assign someone else to the queen-to-be. This was not a job he would ever be cut out for. Yes, he was honored Ivian thought he might have been, but the king was wrong to put so much faith in him. 

stars, why was everything in his life so wrong? He’d given up his claim to the throne, he’d sent his lover away for fear he’d die, he’d let Allivia go on using him, he was clumsy as Mal, a poor servant, a poor excuse for a man, and he couldn’t fit the life of him keep himself or others safe. 

The knife he’d gotten out for Alienor had never looked so appealing. 

[Vapor she/her]

Quote

Spoiler

why does that last sentence apply to me so much

 

 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

The tapping of a fork on wood resounded through the chamber as the proud general of Mendahar sat in his chair, waiting for the arrival of the Raveness, his wife. He was certain that this was the time that she had fetched him for the evening meal the day before, but he could be wrong. He sighed, waving for one of the few serving staff to tell the chef to stand at the ready, and he went off to find the Riva, the Raveness. However, he stopped himself as he was about to leave the dining hall, spending but a moment debating on whether or not he should bring the gift before groaning and picking it up before heading out the door. 

-

Caden rolled his head, feeling a few satisfying cracks in his neck while walking towards the room he had been told that the Raveness, Riva, had set up shop in. It wasn't anywhere close to the relief he had felt after the massage from the night before, but it was something. He approached the door as designated by the member of the castle staff that he had talked with briefly. He eyed the handle, noting the lack of a lock before placing the gift behind his back, and twisting the handle open.

"You're late," he said as he entered the room, pausing for but a moment to take in all of the the things that Riva, the Raveness, had placed in it.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva was shocked to see Caden enter. She looked up from cutting ingredients. “Is it dinner time already, dearest?”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

He regarded the room with a mixed sense of caution and curiosity, "you wanted to eat with me, so I assumed you would be more punctual."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Well, I apologize.” She scrapped the chopped plants into a jar and stabbed the knife into the wooden block, standing. “Shall we?” 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden felt a strange sensation as his face grew warm with the realization that he was still holding the gift behind his back. She would certainly want to take his arm, so it would be best to reveal the gift now, right? "I- Well," Caden produced a mediocre bouquet of flowers, "these are for you," he stated.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva lit up. “Why Caden! That’s right gentlemanly of you! Who gave the general the right to be so stars cursed sweet?” She took the flowers and kissed his cheek.

[Condensation she/her]

Quote

*Alienor pretends to be chatting with the cook*

 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Somehow, his face grew hotter. For but a moment, Caden didn't move, the motion causing his mind to thicken up like mud. He cleared his throat, and wiped his nose. "It was some of the men's idea," he grumbled.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Oh.” She smacked him with the flowers. “I’m docking points for unoriginality.” 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden jumped slightly at the smack, "if you don't like them, then I won't get you any more."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“No, I love them.” She held them close. “No takesies-backsies.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden raised an eyebrow, but smiled very faintly. "In that case, we'll go and eat dinner."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“He does smile after all!” She nudged him. “And it’s a charming expression on your handsomely scarred face.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden gave Riva a harumph, his scowl returning. "I do not smile, and if I did, it was out of . . ." He paused, thinking on it for far too long, "amusement."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Oh, yes,” Riva said, taking his arm. (She had set the flowers on her workstation) “I’m a very amusing woman.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Right," Caden quickly agreed with little notice of her taking his arm, "but also fairly confusing."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Confusing? Me?! That’s preposterous!” She cackled. “What about me could possibly be confusing?”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I should really be keeping a list," Caden mumbled.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Oh, but Caden, my mystery is what keeps you on the edge of your seat, don’t deny it! I pull you in and you beg for more.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"That, and I'm contractually motivated by the King," Caden pointed out. "And uh," his mind raced as he tried to think of another excuse, "I made you a few promises, if I recall."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Awww. I love that face you make when you’re thinking a little too hard. You poor thing.” 

The couple descended the stairs and made their way into the dining area where food was waiting for them. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden motioned for her to take a seat, "since the chef had time to prepare, you have more options."