Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Always. Caden cleared his throat again as he mustered up his courage, "you've said hello, now leave."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Just now, Condensation said:

"The correct title is 'Your Highness'."

"Right then. As you wish."

1 minute ago, The Ward's Guard said:

Always. Caden cleared his throat again as he mustered up his courage, "you've said hello, now leave."

She scoffed, continuing to approach him to she could put her hand on his cheek. "But Caden, dearest. Don't you care about spending time with your bride?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden would rather face an entire army on his own, at least then he'd know how they would kill him. He felt himself standing taller, trying to impose himself over the woman as she grew closer, but he held his hands firmly at his side as she touched his face. He decided it would be better if he didn't speak, as anything that he would say would likely only aggravate the woman.

Edited May 15, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Condensation she/her]

Alienor nodded. "Thank you."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

1 minute ago, The Ward's Guard said:

Caden would rather face an entire enemy army on his own, at least then he'd know how they would kill him. He felt himself standing taller, trying to impose himself over the woman as she grew closer, but he held his hands firmly at his side as she touched his face. He decided it would be better if he didn't speak, as anything that he would say would likely only aggravate the woman.

She furrowed her brow in mock-concern. "What? Scared of me, are you?" Riva stepped in closer.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden glanced around the sparsely furnished chamber, his eyes resting onto the couch that he had protested in the past. If she sat on the couch, then he could at least get away from her for a little while longer. He gestured towards it, "sit down." 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva chuckled deep in her chest, smirking. "Ooh, indeed."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden didn't move, waiting on the Ravenness to make the first move towards the couch.

[Condensation she/her]

Alienor stepped into the hallway and glanced down both sides, then chose the right. She walked down the hallway, looking for Nicolae.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

2 minutes ago, The Ward's Guard said:

Caden didn't move, waiting on the Ravenness to make the first move towards the couch.

When Caden didn't budge, Riva took his hand and took him with her, sitting down on the center of the couch so that whichever side he sat down on, she could pin him on the side eventually. "So," she said. "How old are you, General?"

[Condensation she/her]

Alienor took a right turn, then a left turn, then walked past the ballroom.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden held his ground for a split second before deciding it would be better to appease the woman to get her to leave faster. As soon as they got to the couch, Caden stayed standing above it, determined to at least keep his height advantage. "Old enough."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva chuckled without mirth, her grin plastered on her face. "You're funny, general." When she realized he wasn't going to sit, she stood up and laced her cold fingers around his neck and pulled just slightly. "Come on, now, sit with me."

[Condensation she/her]

Alienor saw someone in the hallway and waved, picking up her pace a bit. "Excuse me."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Allivia turned around and curtsied. "Yes? What can I do for you, miss?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden stopped himself mid-growl, remembering that he was trying to get the woman to leave as quickly as possible, and that scaring her off wouldn't work. His breathing quickened at the touch of her cold fingers, and he felt the need to hold his ground against the woman's pull. He relented, deciding it to be better to seat himself as far from the Ravenness as possible on the couch, landing him on the far right hand corner, instead of angering her further.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

The Raveness, satisfied, pulled her legs up on the couch beside her. "What do you enjoy doing, Caden?" she asked. "I know I have quite a few hobbies. Happens when you're my age."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden tried to clear his throat, hoping it would keep him focused on the subject at hand. "I only work to end the king's enemies, nothing else."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh, yes, yes." She scooted closer to him, her sharp pine-scented perfume mixing with the stench of carnage. Riva turned to look at her sharp fingernails. "I, too, quite enjoy... ending things as it were."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden shifted in his seat, looking away from the Ravenness as he tried to avoid truly noticing her presence. "Yes, it looks that way."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"So astute." Riva chuckled. "So strong and brave. But you're scared of me. Aren't you Caden?" She was close enough now that Caden could feel her hot breath on his face.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

With every breath that Caden felt on his skin, his heart quickened its pace. He tried to lean away from the woman, still refusing to look at her. "I fear nothing, so long as I serve my king."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh trust me, darling. I live and breathe fear and you reek of it. Do I make you... uncomfortable? Caden?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"No," Caden replied quickly. "I know you serve the king, and my death would only displease him."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"I've served under far more kings than just Ivian, child. I am immortal, all-powerful. You think I couldn't simply replace him? Couldn't simply dispose of you without consequence?"