Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Mmmmmmm oh, tomorrow?" Riva put an arm around Fischer. "My bodyguard Fischer is a friend of Kimby's, I wanted to treat him."

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Ivian would know that Nicolae asked for Fischer to be sent to the military. 

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"I see." A million thoughts raced through his mind, but none of them caught any traction. "Well, I'll pass along your invitation."

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And then...

Wendy rounded a corner with Nicolae at her arm--then froze at the sight of the king and the Raveness.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Ah, there's the man of the hour now!"

Nico paled. "Uh... yer Highness. Yer... Raven-ness. Am... am Oi in trouble?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Should I be going?" Wendy whispered.

Ivian cleared his throat. "No, Kimby. You've just been invited to dinner."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Prob'ly," Nico whispered back. He smiled at her. "Oi'll come 'elp you with dishes iffen Oi can." Nico looked up, blushing at the sight of his ex-boyfriend. "Dinner... with the Raven?" he asked more loudly.

[Channelknight Fadran]

Despite what he said, Wendy couldn't exactly bring herself to leave.

"Yes. With miss... Praetorium and her acquaintance." Ivian glanced between everyone.

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Ey, Guard; Fischer's still here, right?

@The Ward's Guard

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

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Why yes, he is

Fischer nodded, his training not offering him the chance to speak, especially in the presence of the King.

[Channelknight Fadran]

There's too much tension here. Ivian thought to himself. Or am I just imagining it?

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"An'... why? Exac'ly?"

"Fischer here is my bodyguard," Riva explained. "He's told me you two are friends, no?"

"Well, yes, Oi'm just a bit confused as to why..." Nico looked up at the king. "Oi'm really not in trouble, am Oi?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"No."

I have absolutely no idea. Said his eyes.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"You'll be happy to know, mister Kimby," said Riva, "that Allivia Nordy is getting exactly what she deserves in our dungeons."

[Channelknight Fadran]

Wendy started, about to say something, but Ivian was the first to speak.

"Excuse me." Ivian said, turning to the Raveness. "But what exactly do you mean by that?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"She's being tortured," Riva said flatly. "As was ordered."

Nico grimaced. 

[Channelknight Fadran]

Ivian's face darkened. "Miss Praetorium, I seem to recall releasing you as Raveness."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"That doesn't mean I can't use my skills. And that's missus Praetorium."

[Channelknight Fadran]

Mal, this is bad. Just as many prisoners were taken to the Praetorium estate as his own: he hadn't solved anything by sending her there.

He needed to act, and soon.

"Sir... Fischer, is it? Please, converse with your friend." He turned his gaze up at Riva. "I need to speak--alone--with your hostess."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer glanced towards Riva. "With all due respect, your highness. My orders are to never let the Lady Praetorium out of my sight."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nico blushed even deeper at the thought of being with Wendy and Fischer. No way this ends well.

Riva glared at Ivian. "It's fine, Fischer, I won't be harmed by the king."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer looked over the King with a suspicious eye. "Would that be an order, ma'am?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Yes, dear."

[Channelknight Fadran]

Unless I have you killed here and now. A part of Ivian was actually considering it.

Wendy, meanwhile, was frowning at Nicolae's reaction to seeing Fischer.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer furrowed his brow, his distaste for leaving Lady Praetorium evident as he slowly stepped away towards Nico and Wendy.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nico shifted nervously. "Wendy, this is Fischer. We was friends as kids."

Riva sighed, walking off with the king.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Pleasure." Fischer said as his eyes still followed the Raveness, a sinking feeling growing in his stomach with every step away he took. If he recalled, things had not gone well for Riva the last time she was here, and that worried him.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"You... work for the Raven now?" Nico asked. Is she scary? he mouthed.