Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Yes, Raveness." He stood up straight, pulling Allivia up with him.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva jerked her head towards the exit. "We're done here. Allivia will be starved and whipped. And you... My husband will receive a report on your actions. Come."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer placed Allivia into her cell. "I apologize, Madam Riva. I don't know what came over me."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Apologies will get you nowhere with me; I know you don't mean any of what you say." She locked the cell and began making her way up the stairs.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer followed right on her heels. "She merely said things that got on my nerves, ma'am. Nobody likes being called gay."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Of course not, although I believe she wasn't totally out of line." She eyed him. "You reacted too strongly for her to have been wrong."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"No!" He cleared his throat. "I mean, you don't seriously believe all of that, madam Raveness."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Were you and Nicolae Kimby lovers?" Riva asked point-blank.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer paused, his excuses for Allivia's claims dying in his throat. He closed his mouth, looking towards his feet as he tried to scramble up an answer. This was never how things went . . .

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva nodded, then smiled. "Your secret is safe with me. Friend."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer shifted uncomfortably. "Riva . . ."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"What, child? You thought I wouldn't figure it out? Extracting secrets is quite literally my job."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"It doesn't- You won't report me?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"No. You saved my life. Let me save yours."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

He nodded slowly, speaking solemnly. "Thank you."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"I still have to report you, you know," said Riva. "For what you did to Allivia. That was out of line."
"Riva . . . I- That was all- I understand."
Riva smirked. "Good boy. Now, Caden is out training the puppy, yes?"
"Last he told me. You're sure you won't reconsider?"
"I will not. I won't have you beating up my patients; there are precious few of them nowadays." She shook her head solemnly, leading Fischer out to the training field where Caden was playing with Kisses. The puppy was jumping up and down trying to grab something in Caden's hand.
The general placed a hand on the pup's head to hold her down. "I told you what you need to do in order to get this."
"Caden!" Riva said, walking briskly across the field. "Fischer is in a bit of trouble."
The soldier was right on her heels, trying to stand at attention.
Caden lifted his brow. "What has happened, then."
"He assaulted miss Nordy down in the dungeons after a little teasing."
Caden opened his hand to let the pup at what was in it before standing, clasping his hands behind his back. "Is this true?"
Fischer nodded slowly, saluting his commanding officer while offering a quick glance at Riva.
"Apparently don't insult Nicolae Kimby around this one." Riva stood with her hands clasped behind her back, intrigued at what might happen next.
"You have a connection with this Kimby, soldier?"
Fischer nodded again. "He's a close friend."
Childhood sweethearts, I gather, Riva thought. She kept the comment to herself. "We should really have Nico over sometime. I've heard quite a bit about him from Fischer; I'd like to finally meet him face to face." 
Fischer tried to hide a chuckle poorly. He cleared his throat at an inquisitive glare from Caden. "Sorry, sir. I just imagine that anyone getting a summons from your wife would promptly begin to panic." 
Caden nodded. "As well they should."
"Well, Fischer here could invite him."
"Did you tell me he was an important servant for the king?"
"He is, yes, but I'm sure Ivian can spare him for one night."
Fischer glanced between the two before Caden addressed him. "Would that be a good idea?"
"I-" Fischer shrugged. "I can't say for sure, sir. I don't even know if he'd come."
"Well, Fischer here's done good work. He may as well get to have a little playdate, don't you agree?"
"Didn't you just say he needed to be reprimanded?"
"Yes. Some embarrassment is good for him." Riva smirked, eyeing Fischer. And I want to see him interact with his boyfriend, she thought. For science. 
Caden turned to the soldier. "Then it is decided. We shall send for your friend, Nicolae Kimby, and I shall finally meet this man."
Fischer nodded, looking undecided over the general's decision.
"Oh cheer up, Fischer, you'll live."
He nodded. "Of course, madam."
"Awww, look how polite he is, Caden. Isn't he just lovely?"
He's a soldier addressing his superior officer." Caden corrected her. "He's a fierce and respected warrior. I don't think lovely fits into that."
"Aww." Riva pouted. "Say what you will, Caden, but you gave me a lovely manserva- I mean bodyguard."
Caden folded his arms, ignoring the pup that was dashed towards Riva in excitement. "You haven't been ordering him around like a manservant, have you?"
Fischer shook his head.
Riva bent down - ignoring the ache in her back when she did so - and greeted the dog by scratching her ears. "Well, good afternoon, little one. Oh, yes, you love Mommy, don't you? Don't you? Yes you do, Kisses, yes you do."
"The pup's name is what, now?" Fischer ask as he regarded the large dog.
“Kisses! No judgement, Fischer.”
"Uh- Ok?" He looked towards the general as if her wife was crazy, but Caden nodded.
"I picked the name myself, soldier."
"Oh." He nodded as the pup tried to lick Riva. "A fitting name, then."
Riva tried to pick up Kisses, but her arms trembled, so she stopped. Kisses immediately rolled over the moment Riva let go, exposing her furring belly and rolling in the dirt.
Caden walked over and chuckled. "She's meant to be a guard dog; she will grow."
"She's a pup, dear." Caden knelt down and scratch Kisses' head, which caused her to nip at him playfully. "She's going to get very dirty."
“I’m just glad I don’t have to be the one to wash her.”
Riva gasped. “That’s what Fischer could do! He could wash the dog!”
Caden grinned as he playfought with the pup with only his hand in a game of keep away that featured his fingers as the target. "I think I'll wash the dog tonight, dear."
Fischer tried to hide his sense of relief poorly at the general's decision.
“Oh? Why not have a servant do it?”
"I'd rather share the experience with Kisses, Riva."
“Alright. You know, she IS supposed to be MY dog, dear.”
"Do you want to give her a bath, then?"
“Heavens no!”
"Then I'll do it. Besides, how hard could it be?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Riva. Riva Praetorium. She was getting used to not being Riva Thadel anymore. Odd, how fast things like that could happen... She sighed, looking out the carriage window as the landscape passed her by. It was a beautiful day, and the sunshine danced among fields of flowers wonderfully. Fischer sat by her side, doing… something or other. Just like her new name, she’d gotten used to his company. He was quiet most of the time, but took to conversation quite well. She smiled up at him. “I’ve heard many things about your Kimby, but learning of his relationship with you was probably the most telling. Care to dissuade me of the rumors surrounding him before I meet the man in person?”
Fischer jumped in his seat at Riva's speaking before catching himself. He cleared his throat as he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. "What uh, have you heard about him?"
"Well, I've heard he's a womanizer, though considering everything I've learned about Alliva, that's clearly not true. I've heard he's really the king's son, but I highly doubt that. I've heard he's almost seven feet tall, I've heard he's a bit of a klutz, but never that he was in love with a soldier."
"That's an interesting bit." The young man cleared his throat again. "All that womanizing thing was because of 'llivia, as you said. She uh, took him when he was young, probably ten or so, then forced him to bed." Fischer stopped speaking as he shuddered involuntarily, wrapping his arms around himself. "He never told me what she did to him in bed, but that alone . . . I've heard some of the palace guards talk about her 'borrowing' some of your supplies the nights she took him to bed herself . . ."
Riva flinched. "Many souls have passed through my dungeons. Usually it's not personal, but... I was abused as a child. My mother was the king's torturess at the time and she practiced on me. As such, I hold hope there's a special place in Mal for child abusers."
He nodded in silent agreement. "If that were the end of it, then it would have still been horrible. Although when I got back to the castle, Allivia would 'give' Nico out to some of the servin' girls on the staff for a night." Fischer's hands had clenched into fists at the thought of every woman taking their turn with his friend. "All the while Nico couldn't bring himself to deny them, since that's all he knew for a life . . ." Fischer growled suddenly. "Those bastards," he spat as if it were bile.
"I think I see now why you can't stand the idea of someone tarnishing his name."
"He's the best bleeding soul on this planet, and all they could do was drag him through the mud that was their sheets."
"Well he's- You see . . ." Fischer grumbled at the lack of words to explain his feelings. "You'll find out when ya meet him, I guess."
Riva found herself grinning. "You really love him, don't you?"
"I used to. I used to love him more than life itself."
“What happened?”
Fischer's demeanor soured as he looked down towards his boots. "Well, he- He had the more level head of us two, I think."
"How so?"
"I wanted to stay with him forever, even if I was killed for it. He decided it would be better if I didn't die, though . . ."
"That's a good friend. A keeper, ironically enough. Although I suppose I'm biased, since if you hadn't been around, I would be dead and those fools who tried to kill me would be sorely disappointed."
"Yeah well, it's hard to keep a keeper when he sends ya off to the military at age 14."
"Oh dear." Riva chuckled. "That's one way to do it."
"Apparently he went straight to the king about it." Fischer told Riva with no small amount of bitterness oozing from his tone of voice. "Sent me off and away from him either until I could clear my head, or forever. Whichever one happened first."
"But you love working for Caden, don't you?"
"That came later, far later. After a lot of sweat, blood, and death."
"Well, I'm sorry." She considered. "It seems like a grim solution. Albeit for a grim problem. You have talked to him since, yes? I apologize if I'm opening an old wound, that wasn't my intent."
"We've sorted it out, and we've both moved on." He scoffed. "Although I doubt we were as level headed 'bout it as we should've been."
"That's unfortunate. Tell me he at least showed remorse for hurting your sweet heart?" The carriage rolled to the stop
Fischer stood up to get the door. "There were a lot of tears on both sides, so I believe so."
"That's good." Riva stood as well, back bent under the short ceiling. "He sounds like a good man."
"I'll allow you to decide for yourself, Riva." Fischer stepped out, and offered his hand to help the torturess out of the carriage.
After thanking him for opening the door, Riva allowed Fischer to lead her through the castle. "Now, where would we find this friend of yours?"
"I'm not sure. We have come unexpected, so perhaps it would be best if I ask the serving staff."
"Right then."
 

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Fischer led the way forward, following the halls he remembered from years past to find the servant's quarters before stopping suddenly. "Uh, ma'am?"
"Yes, Fischer?"
"Do you uh, want to be among the servants?"
"I don't mind. They'll cower before me anyway."
"I know, it's just that you're the lady of house Praetorium . . ." He shifted a bit, looking away at the need to explain himself.
"Never mind that." She booped his nose. "In we go!"
Fischer leaned back at the boop, but nodded and lead Riva into the quarters. He quickly hailed a serving boy who was passing by. "My lady needs Mr Kimby. Where is he?"

Quote

Fad, do you want to Rp the servants?

@Channelknight Fadran

[Channelknight Fadran]

Quote

Uhh... any servant in particular?

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Quote

Nah. Do what'cha want.

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

The boy was new to the castle; he didn't recognize the old woman. "Kimby? Haven't seen him all day."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Well, now, that's not very helpful. Any idea where we can find him?" Riva folded her arms.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[Channelknight Fadran]

The boy shrugged. "I heard something about a date. Dunno who or where, though."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Well, the boy moves on fast, then, Riva thought. "I'll just talk to the king about stealing his servant, then."

Edited September 27, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer nodded. "Then where's the King?"