Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

"Yup. They're gonna make you work even if you're sick or hurt, so... Be careful."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Okay." Wendy rested her head onto her arm. "Well thanks, Allivia. G'night."

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Can we skip to tomorrow? Like... the only day change for the first time in 50+ pages?

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

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I mean, yeah, but Riva has to clear things up with Arabella first. And I think Eleanor should get Nicolae where he needs to be. 'Cause that would be cute. 

CONNIE, THE LOCKDOWN IS DONE!

@Condensation

[Channelknight Fadran]

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Yeah... she isn't online very often.

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

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Should we just skip all of that then? Riva and Arabella can catch up later, I can have Nicolae wake up and talk to Ivian if you want.

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

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Ivian needs to assign Nicolae to Eleanor, so yeah, do that.

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

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*me who's written this scene out weeks ago* Perfect.

Nicolae woke with a massive headache and a nasty case of self-loathing. He groaned, rolling over in bed. This was why he didn’t drink all that often. Sure, it made the world fall away for a moment, but mistakes and responsibility were still there in the morning. And of course, his drunkenness last night would probably get him fired or sent to Lady Raven sooner or later. 

To be fair, he was deserving of either one, but that didn’t mean he was looking forward to it. 

Stars above, facing the king today was going to be painful. Facing Eleanor even more so, but… well, he intended to avoid her for as long as was feasible. He had the displeasure of remembering every moment of their interactions the night previous and the memories made his stomach turn. He’d hugged her. Stars above, he’d hugged the king’s bride-to-be. If Ivian found out… He was known to sleep around; Ivian would undoubtedly suspect the worst and that would be the end of it, head on the chopping block.

With a gulp, Nicolae bit his lip and sat up in bed, his brown locks a tangled mess. He was trembling all over and soon enough he felt tears rise up. I die today, were his grim first thoughts. They played in his head while he got dressed and while he tidied up his room. As he walked down the halls to go do his morning chores, he wondered if this would be the last time he’d ever see the corridors he’d become so familiar with. Even while the cook berated him over breakfast - smacking him on the head with her rolling pin as he left the kitchens - he couldn’t help but think it, trying desperately not to cry into his oatmeal. I die today. It wasn’t long after he arrived at the king’s chambers - his head pounding from being hung over, holding back sobs, and stress in general - that it all came crashing down. 

The serving boy set down Ivian’s breakfast tray with shaking hands. “Mornin’, sir,” he muttered, voice breaking with terror. Only a few seconds later did it all burst. He gasped and fell to his knees, bawling. "Oh, Majesty, I's sorry. I's screwed up before, I has, but I... I don't wanna die, sir, I doesn't. I know I make mistakes, I do, but I'm loyal, I swears I am.” 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"What in the stars are you blabbering on about?" Ivian looked legitimately concerned. "Stand up! Stop crying! Goodness gracious, Kimby, you've got work to do!"

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Nicolae stood up to his full height and wiped his eyes, sniveling miserably. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "You... you know 'bout the cups last night?" 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Is that what you're crying about? You're talking to the king, Nicolae. I can buy more cups."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

"I knows you can, sir, I-I just..." He looked down at his trembling hands and clasped them behind his back, his self-hatred burning through him. "I ain't a good servant to you, I'm not. Stars know you should get rid of me, promise to me father or no"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Nicolae," Ivian placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Listen, son. I'm assigning you to someone else as their manservant.."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

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YEAH TO SEND HIM TO HIS DEATH. IVIAN YOU MONSTER

Nicolae furrowed his brow, eyes still teary. "Y-you are, sir?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Yes." Ivian started pacing around purposfully. "Consider it a chance at redemption."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

"Oh, yes, sir, thank you, sir, I..." He started crying again, despite himself, and knelt. "I don't deserve it, you know that. But I... oh, thank you, thank you, sir." 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Oh my goodness; GET. UP." Ivian rolled his eyes. "At this rate you'll never fix your mistakes, so unless you want to become a prostitute by profession on the streets, I recommend you get up and compose yourself!"

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Nicolae nodded hastily, standing up. His breath came shakily, but he stood straight and tried his best to look his king in the eyes. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, sniffing. "Um... who did you assign me to, sir?"

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This is making me cry, aaaargh, Nicolae needs a hug. 

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"My wife-to-be," Ivian replied. "Eleanor Baudelaire."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Nicolae paled, his stomach dropping. He stood there with his eyes wide and mouth working worldlessly for far longer than he should have. "I... ah... sir, I.... I-I-I'm not sure... I..." He bit his lip, face now red. "Why? Sir?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"You've been my faithful servant for several years now," Ivian began, pacings becoming more authoritative. "You've been unfailingly loyal despite the many mistakes on both your part and mine. You're the natural choice--the only choice--for such a task. I'm entrusting her care to you."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

"You... you really trusts me like that, sir?" Nicolae asked in awe. 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"I trust that you have what it takes and I trust that you'll make the right decisions concerning this matter."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Nicolae bowed his head, processing. "You... you doesn't know how much that means to me, sir," he said. When he looked back up, there was a resolve in his brown eyes. "I'll do you proud, sir. I promise."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"I know you will." Ivian smiled. "Now, obviously you are to still take orders from all your higher-ups, including me, but you will attend Eleanor instead of myself from now on. That being said, you are dismissed." He waved, then as an afterthought added, "oh, and if you see the general, let him know that I've requested his presence."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Nicolae nodded, a light smile on his lips. "I will, sir. Have a zu-bop of a day, sir." He bowed with a playful flourish and left the room, calling on messenger to get General Praetorium to Ivian's quarters.