Lotus Blossom

"Oh, Cedric? He will be outraged. He may even order your assassination. Of course, he's too wealthy to get his hands dirty. He'd have someone else do it. But I digress. Yes, my fiancé would be upset. Luckily, he had a bit too much to drink and is currently asleep. Such is the result of many of these galas," she sighed, wistfully, "I would be a terrible wife, I imagine."

"I should be," she said, blowing out a puff of cold air as she gave him a smile.

"I reckoned I'd find you lurking about," she muttered with a smile.

The carriage pulled up to the manor, and Maeve quickly saw that Cedric was attended to. Once all was well, she hushed her handmaiden away and unlocked the gates, slipping into the night. She was free. Like the moon.

Junior landed his ship.

Mae pushed her head out through her window in order to tap on the driver of the carriage outside in front of them. "Sir, let's move slowly tonight, shall we? The gentleman is trying to enjoy his rest, so let us not disturb he who is sleeping. Perhaps the softer route 'round back the villages is wiser for a clear night like this, no?" She sat back down and began to take off her elbow-length white gloves. Within them was concealed a blade. I hear there are thieves lurking tonight. One must be extra cautious. But Cedric need not worry. The blade would never be used for him. No. She needed him alive.

"Goodnight, Cedric. Look at the moon." Mae sighed, and moved towards her side of the carriage. His hangover would kick in soon enough. He wouldn't be in the best mood tomorrow morning, but that wasn't a problem yet. She looked out of her window. The moon was so beautiful. So helpless. But still. So powerful. Oh, so, so, powerful. Deadly, even. Oh yes. She could kill.

"Isn't it such a pretty night?" She opens the carriage window, allowing for wind to rush through the carriage and shock their cold faces. "Look at the moon, Cedric. Look at the moon."

Mae gently placed her hands on his face and pressed him off of her, preventing the kiss. She pushed into him, moving him towards his side of the carriage. She began fussing over his coat, collar, and hat, sitting upright. "Yes," she started, taking off his hat and readjusting his hair distastefully, "You are drunk. And so am I." She paused for a moment to smile. "Well, would you look at that? We're both drunk! That's another thing we have in common. For some reason I keep finding my list run short these days." She began to fold his collar back out and tighten his bowtie. "Where was I? Yes. I remember. Cedric, you are drunk, and you are tired. Don't you want some rest?" He had gotten very drunk from the ambrosia, but she knew what to do in a situation like this. He was most vulnerable now, so he couldn't actually hurt her that much. All she had to do was distract him. And she could always get out of the carriage. The real problem only would come up once they get home.

"I... I am," her hands flew to her shawl. It fell around her shoulders, ripped. Beneath the shawl a beautiful, delicate face was revealed. Her lips were red and her skin was far too pale. She had a bruise along the side of her face and a bloody ear. Her eyebrow was slit and blood dried on her lower lip. A beautiful face, marred by cruelty. "You are drunk, Cedric," she said at last, struggling to sit up in the carriage, "You're drunk and I need you to stop talking." She adjusted her dress as she sat in the carriage which began to move, throwing her from side to side. Once she took a few breaths, she smiled. "Yes. I am your future bride. Isn't it wonderful?" She held his hand gently.

"Farewell, Envoy. I'm afraid I must leave now. I do hope you enjoy the starfall while it lasts. I imagine we'll see each other again," Mae waved him goodbye with her free hand, and turned to Cedric. "I apologize for lingering, sir. Has the carriage arrived yet?" She readjusted the shawl over her hair. Her wrist was bruised from his tight grip. "Have you enjoyed the party, Cedric?" She said with an almost concerned or pitying tone in her voice. Of course, she would never dare to mock him. But she seemed a bit drunk tonight... she had gone a touch far with everything.

"Yes. On your shoulders."

"You have frost on your coat."

"How long have you been here?"

"How long do you plan to stay?"

"Isn't that always the case," She sighed. "Well then, where do you stay here, seeing as you're from nowhere? An inn? Or do you happen to be visiting someone in the area?"

"is that so? And why may that be?"

"Many would never dare. Would you?"

"I suppose we can only wait, then."

"Enough to live."

"But is it enough?"