Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva perked up at the compliment. “You only have to ask if you want more, dearest.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden paused, apparently considering the statement. "I will bear that in mind, if you wish."

Edited July 20, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Good. The next time we do it, you’ll have to take your shirt off for me. It’s considerably easier that way.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Uh," he shifted in his seat, "the shirt shouldn't come off."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She chuckled. “Why? You can’t seriously be shy about your pectoral muscles.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"No, but it's . . ." He considered the question for a moment, trying to work on a justification quickly, but ultimately failing.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She nodded. “So the great general has body image issues. I’ll file that away for later.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I don't have 'body image issues!' I just don't think that it's proper."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She nearly choked on her vegetables. “You don’t think it’s proper? For the Star’s sake, man, we’re married!”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Doesn't make it any less uncomfortable!" He leveled his fork at Riva, "Would you take your own shirt off in front of me, given everything we've done against one another?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“You’ve seen me in my undergarments…” Riva recalled, shrugging.  

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I-" Caden paused, also recalling the event. "Well, I didn't mean to see you like that . . ."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva chuckled. “ I’d make a joke about me walking around in my underwear more often, but I don’t think there’s any appeal to that.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Do you actually do that?" Caden asked as he raised an eyebrow.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“No. Unless you want me to…”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden cleared his throat, "as you said, we are married. You will not parade around the castle in your underwear so that the serving staff can see you, and you will not expect me to do the same."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"It was late, I didn't expect anyone to be up!"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I'm up late," Caden stated, "expect that."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"I shall from now on. I would have thought my early-to-rise military man would be early-to-bed as well."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"If only it were that easy."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Aww, my poor baby can't sleep." She rested her chin on her hands. "Well, if ever you need company, I always go to sleep past midnight."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I'll bear that in mind," Caden said as he went back to picking at his food, his apatite having mysteriously vanished.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva bit her lip. “Sorry,” she said. “I’ve been teasing you.”

[xinoehp512 he/him]

On 7/19/2021 at 2:52 PM, Zephrun's Imperium said:

Maverick went pale and though he put his hand on the door to close it, he couldn't bring himself to. "Uh..." This can't be real. "What are you?"

"A friend of your brother's," replied the specter. "May I come in?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Darrin.

Maverick paused in the doorway for an awkward amount of time, then jumped. "Yes, yes, come in," he heard himself say. His heart beat quickly, pumping more questions than blood. After all this time... could there finally be answers?