Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"How about you try asking me a question this time?" Riva was rather tense, fists clenched, knuckles white. "People are more than their titles. You are more than the general and so am I more than the Raveness."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden's mind actually started to race, trying to think of something to ask her. He didn't know why he suddenly cared, but the need to ask something in return was overpowering. He cleared his throat, "where are you from?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Not far from Mendahar's borders. I've never bothered to go back to where I was raised. Not even sure I could find my way there anymore." She nodded, staring him down. "Good, good. My turn, I suppose. What is something you enjoy doing? Besides the obvious." 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Slaughtering th-" Caden cut himself off, realizing the stipulation that was added on. He cleared his throat again, staying silent for a brief moment. "All I do is in the King's name, nothing else matters."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She rolled her eyes since he was obviously lying. Her probably had a hobby he was embarrassed about, like gardening. "Slaughtering is something I can work with," she said with a shrug. "I like that too." Riva offered a smile, her blue eyes practically glowing in the dim carriage light and against her dark hair. "Your turn to ask me a question."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden was silent for a moment, evidently thinking. When he finally broke the silence, he did so slowly, as if hesitant to ask. "How many have you killed?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"That's an interesting question," Riva said with a mischievous smirk. "To be honest, I've lost count. It's rather hard to keep people alive when you're trying to push the limits of human capacity. But I've gotten much, much better as the years have gone on. I can suspend life in a state of sustained agony better than anyone else on earth."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden didn't speak, unsure what to say in response at first. To his surprise, a question formed on his lips."I thought as Raveness you were to kill those that the King sends to you, not keep them alive longer."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva chuckled. "Oh, no. That's the executioner's job. I am the terror and darkness before the sweet release. They beg me for death and I deny it to them." She scooted closer. "Imagine that. Being so utterly powerless all you can possibly want is an ending, your only god the woman above you causing you exquisite pain. And at the end when you break, you realize that you love her, because she took the awful pain away."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden growled slightly in a skeptical manner, "I prefer to face death on the battlefield, where I can stand against her on my own terms."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva nodded. "I figured you would. But it's the art of it." She scooted even closer. "Perhaps... perhaps you'd like to watch me at a later date? It really is quite a performance."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"No, I would rather not." Caden tried to move back, but the door blocked his attempts. He still found Riva's eyes unnerving, and the way she described her "art" gave Caden the distinct impression that he did not want that happening to him, ever.
When he realized he couldn't back up any farther, he raised his arm to block Riva's attempts to get closer, still wanting there to be space between the two of them.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Oh.

Riva bit her lip and scooted back over to her original seating place. For a moment there, she'd really... Well. She'd thought he was flirting with her. I really am an oddity. More obsessed with death than the leader of the king's armies. 

"Uh... I believe it's my turn for a question. Uh, what's your estate like anyway? Do you live alone?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden turned to peer out the small window that was at his side, "I have my steward."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She nodded. "I see. Ah... Is it large? Where you live?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"It is, yes. It's been through a lot," he paused for a brief moment, considering something that he ultimately decided against sharing. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"That seems rather lonely," Riva muttered. "My quarters are about four times the size of this carriage. I share it with no one."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden didn't speak, nothing coming to mind that would further the conversation.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Um..." Riva picked at her nails. "I believe it's your turn to ask a question."

[Condensation she/her]

On 6/1/2021 at 10:55 AM, Shard of Thought said:

"Why o' course, miss!" He took off his hat and bowed, then took a seat on a table and began folding the paper. "Oi, wanna watch, miss 'bella?" 

Alienor sat and began to eat her lunch with her napkin on her lap. She finished the bite and smiled. "It looks lovely, Sir Kimby!"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Thank ya, thank ya." He swung his feet front and back, the picture of joviality. "So, what's-a everyone up to today?"

Quote

Fadran, does Wendy wanna come in this scene?

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

Quote

Does she wanna? Dunno. Do I wanna? Absolutely!

A waitress knocked on the door. "Housekeeping!"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

5 hours ago, Shard of Thought said:

"Um..." Riva picked at her nails. "I believe it's your turn to ask a question."

"Right," he said as he went on to one of the go-to questions that he had learned long ago. "Do you have any family?"
He almost winced, feeling how stupid it was to ask the Raveness herself such a question. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"No," said Riva flatly. "And that won't change if you intend to 'hop on it'' so to speak. I'm too old for that, in case you couldn't tell."

Edited June 3, 2021 by Shard of Thought

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden coughed, trying to hide his surprise at the statement. "I assure you, I-" He cleared his throat, "I have no intention of trying."