all drama must remain on stage
Diamondâs Theatre District. The Palace. The bar.
Broken bones and spilled blood were nothing more than daily occurrences in the lives of those who had the luck of being born as clubs. The pride that grew on their chests after challenging someone to a fight, only to win, was directly linked to their idea of fun.
A faction that for centuries had relied solely on the unnecessary fights and the reckless behavior of its citizens was a faction that the young fox had learned to despise. So, there was no surprise that over the years, after Nari had chosen to start her life over, that The Palace had become one of her favorite places and the plays one of her favorite sources of entertainment.
Nothing could compare to how the strong lights illuminated the stage, the breathtaking performances of the many actors who put their hearts and souls into their work, the gasps and the pleased laughter of the audience as the play progressed, it was all so glamorous and addictive, even as a low ranker Nari had a hard time trying to force herself not to infiltrate amongst the audience to try and watch just another performance, no matter if only for a few minutes.
But, how things had changed for her. Sitting down at the bar, wrapped up in gold, with the gift of her most beloved around her neck, hair perfectly styled away from her face and into a high ponytail, her signature red lips touching the brim of the glass as she casually sipped her drink of choice, the young fox awaited for the evening performance, eyes searching the room out of simple instinct. Â
She had come alone, but it certainly did not feel like it. Even if she could not see it, she could sense it and she knew that someone was always watching her, following her movements attentively only to afterwards inform their master of the events that had taken place, it did not bother her, if anything she had learned to find it quite amusing and besides that there was nothing she wished to hide from Joui.
Everyone was properly dressed and she fitted in perfectly, made no one question her sudden appearance. It was known that other highrankers absolutely found it delightful the presence of another highrankers, perhaps even enjoying more the conversation that took place before and after the play than the play itself.
However there was a certain someone that was able to catch her attention, standing out in the middle of the sea of other highrankers. Guarded by two men, was someone that she had heard so many stories about. Never once had she been able to be in the same room as him, not had she ever laid her eyes on his figure, however there was no room for doubts, his reputation followed him everywhere, his posture let everyone know exactly who he was - a Ko.
Standing up at once, Nari was quick to cross the bar approaching them with confidence, until one of the men that accompanied the fae stopped her. A hand wrapped around her wrist, making her halt her steps in a sudden manner, the drink that was positioned between the fingers of her other hand overflowed the glass and spilled unto her hand.
Her eyes met Gowyuâs only for a second before she looked at the other man who was holding her wrist. There was a flash of anger in her eyes as she looked at the intimidating men, the absolute disgust present on her face at the unwanted touch to her skin, a disgust that now she did not need to hide.
Still, this place made it so easy for her to slip into the character that she knew best, the one she had created for herself years before when she started working at The Red Dragon, but it also made it easy to create the new one she wished to one day become.
Nari raised the hand that was holding her glass, to her lips, but instead of drinking from it, her lips met the glistening skin of her hand tasting the spilled drink. The corner of her lips curved slightly as her gaze never left the other man, just trying to make him uncomfortable in the worst way possible, before she finally decided to twist the wrist that was being held hostage.
Her hand gripped the other manâs forearm with just enough force, the black ink that showed that she was favored by the Zuihuo Clan demanded way more attention that any of the other marks that were now on display for the other to see. âI have insuranceâ because this was more than just a free ticket for her to go wherever she wanted, this was exactly what she had said it was, so if the other wished to cause her any harm, Nari was sure that someone would make sure he faced some consequences.
Looking back at the person that she had come to see, Nari was able to present one of her best smiles âI just wanted to introduce myself, was that wrong of me?â
Gowyu was not fond of the entertainment that The Palace offered. He found the whole thing tedious, boring and lacking the creativity compared to what existed back in fae realm. But it was also home to many other pretentious minds and as such it made for a great hunting ground when it came to showing off the status that he held and how well he was supposed to be carrying the title of it among the ruins of this city. Basically, he was only present in such premises because of the image it gave him. Besides, certain people who were regular of the Palace did not really fit in with the kind of presence he wanted to have around him on a daily or constant basis. However, heâd take the joy of the bar, and the surrounding of his own security, which promptly made it obvious that to bother him while he was minding his own business. Tending to his own pleasure, with a round table somewhere that was quiet and maybe with the company of one person.
Oftentimes, that one person would be someone he was dealing with, or the man who took care of the smuggling of his earnings. Itâd be safe to say that Gowyu would never let himself lose an opportunity to keep his affairs growing, or oversee how they were being handled even if he was supposed to be here for his own pleasure. Pleasure and business went hand in hand for him, every second was an opportunity, and just because he did not look like the type to grasp the idea of how to build an empire--his parents had said so once, although he hadnât been invited to that private conversation. Those had most likely been words sprouted out of frustration for the situation that their oldest was forcing them to take in their world. But theyâd fueled his desire to prove everyone wrong, his parents included. They wouldnât approve with the reasons why though, so even if he knew they would not necessarily chastise him for his ways, especially his mother more so than his father, he also knew that he couldnât let them see what it was that his intentions were. Because to reveal one side without the other, would be a hard thing to do.
Besides, he kind of knew the idea of letting all of this behind him whenever he wished to, no harm done, no traces of it staining his pristine reputation with them whenever he saw them or whenever he might need to head back home was the best escape route. Gowyu was no idiot, he had many plans, being left behind to rot was not one of them. He would simply enjoy the ride up, and if it had to come down, he would also enjoy his way out of it, although the time right here at The Palaceâs bar was the only part of this night he was fond of. Although, it seemed as if someone had taken notice of his air of boredom lingering in the air. After all, the man who was sitting across from him, a cigar in his mouth as Gowyu sifted through the papers between them, was not what heâd classified as the best entertainment to be offered in Kadeu.
So Gowyu took the the light commotion that came to his ears with a more welcome interest than he would have, considering the guest was an uninvited. Any other day and it would have irritated him if it hadnât been a welcome distraction from the monotony of the reports his eyes were scanning through. Gowyu wasnât supposed to be seen doing this though, fingers through papers, mind seemingly working through things that were supposed to be above his expertise and skills, so he was quick to shove them towards his partner. The way they fluttered around the table as he leaned back in his chair and tilted his head towards the woman who one of his men had been quick to stop from making her way further towards him, that was more befitting of the image he was supposed to be showing. Forgetting the grumbles of the man bending to gather the papers, Gowyu watched the whole spectacle of it unfold with growing interest.
The first thing he acknowledged was that he knew the face of the univinted guest. It was hard to not recognize it, he couldnât place a name on it because he rarely cared to put that much importance on people, especially those he did not have any significan dealings with. His assumption was then proven more than correct when in the midst of the altercation with his man she flashed the ink on her wrist, at least she knew better than to not prideful of the prestige the mark that proved her property of the Zuihuoâs heir gave her. It had to be the high of her day, to be able to prance around as if she was more than what she really was. A word heâd keep his mind free offor now, he didnât wish for it to slip past his lips in such a public area. But, also, he was more piqued by the reason why she had any interest in the initiative she took to come seek him out.
Now that, that was something Gowyu had never thought heâd ever see occurring, you see. Not to misunderstand him, because he might have put some pieces on her chess, he might have simply nudged them now and then, and he might have a strong one in his hold, waiting to be able to shift his âQueenâ where she belonged, but for one moving piece to find its way right in front of him, under the tingling of his fingers that never tired of this game, it was an unexpected turn of events he was not averse to. Because this was not his doing, there was only one other conclusion to such a strange occasion; Sayge.
Because where Jouiâs presence was felt, hers was never too far behind, Gowyu had learned that very young, and it still rang true to this day. Nauseating. He took in her smile, and listened to her before nodding and throwing a gesture at his men, as well as the teller who had managed to get all of the reports back in his hands. The directions were silent but clearly understood, his men opened up the way for her to come in and the teller bowed his head, a few more grumbles under his breath as he was also bowing his way out to the woman who was clearly going to be taking the chair where he was sitting. It was once his partner was gone that Gowyu remembered he had to show manners, this wasnât one of his Den, this was a public setting and he stood with the reverence of a man who was doing this because he cared.
So he rose at once, not in any eagerness or hurry, he had all the time in the world for where the wheels were shifting. Hers would either go right in the way she hoped to, or they would dive further wherever they wished to, fortune was not always such a straight to the point lover. She loved to dangle, Gowyu hardly understood the gripes of her needles, but he could still manage to play to her will and get what he wanted from it. To start with, a small smile and a hand gesture to the now empty chair facing his, âI apologize for the dog-like behaviour of my men, they can be rabid, but they donât mean any harm.â A white lie, as the harm would have been caused later on had she not been of interest to him.
But those were details a âladyâ did not need to hear of.
âI do share your sentiment and agree, thereâs nothing wrong with your initiative, however of a surprising one it is. But, please, have a seat and allow me to start by undoing the manner in which you were welcomed,â Gowyu had a vague gesture for the man who had halted her and spilled the drink in her glass, he addressed the man with less of a courteous tone, but none of the bite he usually had in private quarters, âHelp the lady find her seat, and see to it that she gets a replacement of the drink you carelessly spilled.â And so, this time, his man went for the chair and had it pulled and waited for her to find her seat.
Gowyu too, stayed still and waited for her to do so, in the manner a predator might have lingered to see which line would their prey decide to head into. The forest, where it would be easiest to track them down, because it would be harder to run, or right in the vast horizon, where they would easily be lost yet again? Either way, heâd heard of her having those same instincts, that made this all the more appetizing. Who knew what her instincts would be telling her, to take the seat, or to turn back on her heels and refuse the offer. Maybe this had been a spur of the moment, something that had been brought on by the drink in her hand. Maybe sheâd had one too many, he cared none for any of those details though. The moment she helped herself in his chair, he hoped she knew it would be a point of no return for her.
She would get her introductions, and he would get to capture an important piece.
