stxneskin

Valeria Macanthos "Love is like a tree: it grows by itself, roots itself deeply in our being and continues to flourish even over a heart in ruin."

[stxneskin-blog]

caldergliacon:

DATE: April 21st TIME: 12 noon LOCALE: Training Pavilion

     It had been nearly a week already, but he still couldn’t quite believe anything was real. Especially that he could be… well, happy. This happy. It was a shocking sort of sensation, one that crept up on him when he least expected it. When he forgot to worry about who watched before he kissed Max in the hall, or when he remembered that he didn’t have to fall asleep sitting outside her door when he was worried. There were so many little things that had changed massively, and it was overwhelming as it was… lovely. 

     And distracting. He supposed a distraction was due, since he hadn’t truly let himself worry about anything but his position since before he could really remember. So to get himself back on track, Calder went back to training — he hadn’t been in over-long, and he was due for a solid beating. It was around time for luncheon, so there were hardly any people within, but he took to target practice at first. A warm up, normally.

     The first three knives he threw went wide into the farthest three rings of his target. He started to laugh, shaking his head and marveling at hands that had once held such precision and now seemed utterly useless. He couldn’t blame them, not when Cal himself was hopelessly distracted. But the sound of footsteps behind him as he took another wide shot seemed to decide his fate. “Terrible,” he murmured, not seeming particularly put out. “I never understood the term ‘love-drunk’ before, but it seems I’m wasted.”

When Valeria couldn’t sleep, which was more and more often these days, she liked to go to the training room to unwind. Tire herself out until it was all she could do to drag her exhausted body to her chambers and pass out. So when she found herself diverting towards the familiar halls she wasn’t that surprised. Her shift had ended and she was too wired to even hope of decompressing enough to sleep through the night. What better way to get to sleep than preemptively jumping the gun. As she walked in she spied Calder and paused, watching him fiddle with his knives a moment before throwing them.

And missing.

She quirked her eyebrow and approached, half intent on scolding him. Engaged or not engaged he still had a job to do. But when he turned to speak to her she found the scathing words stuck in her throat. For a moment she saw her own face in his, or at least, what had once been hers. At one point in her life she too had been ‘love-drunk’. Had allowed her euphoria to cloud her abilities. She couldn’t blame him for that. And embarrassingly enough Valeria found herself struggling to form words in response. There was no denying that Calder had caught her completely off guard. She couldn’t talk about being love-drunk, that would hurt too much, but she had no idea what to say. It was an awkward few moment before she found her voice again.

“I-I suppose I should offer congratulations.” She said, her voice on slightly shakey. Hoping to cover it up though she plastered on her trade-mark smile. “And for the record. I think it was about damn time you did something about it. Our princess is in good hands with you.” And she meant that compliment with all her heart. People deserved to be with the people they loved. Thinking about what she was competing for left an ashy taste in her mouth. “But don’t let King Orion see you throwing knives like that. He might decide to send you back to novice training.” She smiled a little wider, kidding.

[stxneskin-blog]

jacalynblake:

location ;; outdoors date ;; 04/24, 6:00 a.m. status ;; open

     Jack wasn’t entirely certain if the events from the previous day had actually occurred or were instead a product of her worst nightmare, being called out in front of the people she admired and the ones who admired her for being something different and strange. But she knew it wasn’t a merely a product of an overactive imagination constantly thinking about the worst possible thing that could happen after what had already happened. She knew she had been outed as one of the New Bloods yesterday in front of people who would likely kill her before welcoming her wings with open arms. 

      It was far too early to be awake, but nevertheless, she found herself repeating the morning ritual that she’d been partaking in the past months, though she had had troubles with it during the past weeks. She’d wake up early to gather a few morsels of food and a small bowl of water to take to the cat who had wormed its way into her heart. Jack knew she’d been neglecting the small creature in the wake of what had happened, but she had been trying to avoid everyone. It was difficult to hide wings from people without looking like she had some sort of deformity. But now people knew, and though she didn’t necessarily want to advertise them, it was time to start living. While she still could, at least. 

      “You still love me, right?” she asked the cat, though he seemed more concerned with the food than her. She sighed, sitting down on the ground to wait for the cat to finish. “At least I don’t have to try to hide my wings behind Rahul’s name now.” 

In the wake of Orion’s most recent announcement Valeria had found she needed some time away from the palace. The place was a buzz with activity, and frankly, not all of it was what she wanted to be hearing. Orion had surprised her at the announcement, but what had surprised her more were the two New Bloods he’d had on stage with him. Revealing them sent shivers down her spine. If Reds could have those powers...it was unheard of, and frankly, felt almost wrong to Valeria on so many levels. Special talents had always been a Silver thing. A comfortable cushion on which Valeria knew the Silver’s rested tier sense of worth and power. Her being able to turn to stone was what set her apart...set her above the Reds. Reds on an even playing field made her feel off balance. As, she assumed, it did with many others.

And how long had he been sitting on that information? How long had he been hiding these people, these game changers, from the world? Valeria didn’t know, and it left a sore spot on her heart. Ever since she’d been announced as a competitor for Crownstrial it felt like he’d been keeping secrets from her, pushing her away, treating her less like his friend and more like an acquaintance. And it stung harder than expected. Sure, she’d pulled away but this distance was stifling in the fact it was so real. So concrete. It pained her to think about it. But as she walked through the castle with him, protecting him, Valeria found it was all she could think about...so in her rare moments of free time she took off to wander the streets. Out here, in the city she could focus on the things happening around her, rather than on the things she felt she had so little control over anymore.

So when she spotted the white wings Valeria found she had to stop. Vaguely she recognized those very wings as something from the party. A New Blood hiding in plain sight. It had been ingenious. Totally ignoring the cat Valeria shot the girl a vague, emotionless, sort of smile. “Hiding in plain sight was a brilliant idea. I must say I didn’t suspect a thing that night at the ball.”

[stxneskin-blog]

nyssc:

She laughed, in spite of herself she laughed. She was truly appalled by the accusation but more tickled that someone would pursue her so heavily when she’d made it quite clear she was uncomfortable and would not rise to the threat or accusation. “I’m not sure if your intelligence is lacking here or you simply have zero sense of decorum but I am finished engaging with you, entirely. It isn’t a subject change and I feel zero guilt at your your insult which lacks all merit. Now, let me be very clear. I am done speaking with you, goodnight.”

“Clearly some of us have matured beyond our high school years. I was, rather hoping, that when I met you in person you would be one of those.” Valeria shrugged. “I guess not.” She wasn’t he least bit rattled by the woman’s attempts at insulting her. She rolled her shoulders and readjusted her grip on her purse. “My...deepest apologies for...offending you. I assure you. I didn’t mean it.” It was clear by the tone of her voice that she meant little to none of what she was saying. She’d, frankly, expected more of the woman. “I guess next we meet you’ll be reporting on gossip and I’ll be dealing with the damage control.”

[stxneskin-blog]

nyssc:

She graced her lips with a smile, dripping with venom she held back if only because she refused to cause a scene here, or anywhere for that matter. Nyssa was many things but a liar, a fearmongerer, a mudslinger she was not. Her sources were always triple checked before she said anything publicly or on air and she fact checked every single word and source and article that she came across. Half her information came straight from the white house, both officially and unofficially and she hadn’t gotten a degree in politics to be called a glorified gossip girl. “This conversation is over.” She replied simply, she would not give someone like this the time of day, not with accusations like that being tossed so callously.

Valeria smiled back at Nyssa although hers was not as serene as Nyssa’a. Not by a long shot. Perhaps Valeria should have taken the cue and walked off, God knew there were other (better) people for her to be talking to. She’d had friends in high school, and she could see at least three of them within a short walking distance. But she chose to stay. Probably not the best course of action, but Valeria had never been one to let herself take the easy road. Not these days anyways. “Only the guilty opt to change the subject.” 

[stxneskin-blog]

nyssc:

Nyssa was good at reading people and while she couldn’t place the girl, her name or her profession she could at least tell she had enjoyed seeing Nyssa offended and confused. Not the sort of person she’d normally interact with but she did it all the time at work, why not here too? “Reporter woman, sure.” She didn’t need the rise in blood pressure getting offended by the dismissal would give her and chose to enjoy her own drink and say as few words as possible to encourage the woman to move on. “Everyone’s a critic.” she joked, but she’d heard plenty of insults before.

“A critic? Hmmm. Maybe. But I like to think I’ve got a pretty open mind.” She shrugged and took another drink, relishing in the burn as it went down. Nothing like it. “I just like to get my news from sources who have a little decorum.” She shrugged again and shook her hair out of her face. “Just because you heard a rumor doesn’t make it true.” To be honest Valeria wasn’t sure how or why the woman hadn’t gotten so popular. If you asked her the woman’s reports were founded on so little actual fact. She’d be lying though if she said the woman didn’t have a nose for things. She’d reported on numerous things Valeria’s time in the FBI on things she’d have rather kept swept under the rug for a while longer. So much damage control. 

[stxneskin-blog]

kassiopeanolle:

When: May 7th Where: Hotel Lobby Status: Closed to @stxneskin

It had only been the briefest of glances, but it was enough to recognize the woman whom she had admired from afar for quite a while. Their paths had crossed once when Valeria had decided to evaluate a terrorist threat on the front herself, but past that, she could only follow her briefly made friend through newspaper clippings and online articles when she was of half a mind to google her. All in all, she saw much of her own ambitions in Valeria, while she’d craved more of the dirt and grime, she also could see herself happy in a more private sector the way the Macanthos woman was doing with her security firm. After all, Kass couldn’t be in the war forever. Even for her, it would be ideal if one day she could either walk away, healthy and whole, or there would no longer be a war to fight.

“Macanthos!” She cried out in greeting, raising her hand as she approached the other woman. “God, it’s been too long, hasn’t it? Last I heard of you, you were busy spoiling a bomb threat in DC. Isn’t that right?”

Valeria had been itching for a reason to back out of her current conversation. There was only so much gushing about children she could take and she was pretty sure she’d seen the same picture of the man’s kids at least three times in the span of the conversation. Congrats. Valeria had no idea what to say. She’d barely know the guy in school to begin with. Her fault for asking if he was in her tenth grade Algebra class. So when she heard a familar voice call out her name she was quick to end the conversation and turn around to face the woman, a smile on her face. She’d worked with a lot of people but it was this woman that stuck out to her the most. The one she’d have working for her any chance she got, if she had her way of course.

“Kassiopea! Goodness it feels like ages since we last talked.” Her smile was genuine, both because she was excited to see her and because she was away from that man. “That little thing? Psht. If he’d been any sloppier I almost could have let the local police handle things. But you know how they are these days.” She laughed and held her hand out. “Last I heard of you were out east taking down one of the most wanted men in the world!”

[stxneskin-blog]

nyssc:

She didn’t recognize the brunette immediately but the acidic nature of the words brought her to a sudden halt. The accusation was uncalled for in the extreme and she could not guess what she’d said or done to so deftly offend the girl who was a stranger to her, most likely then and now. Anger flashed through her cheeks, embarrassment, and then true confusion. “I’m sorry, but what is it you mean by that?” She tried to keep her voice level but she was not here for confrontation, as unexpected as this was in particular. However, Nyssa had always been a stand your ground type of girl and she knew she’d done nothing wrong in this case.

Valeria wasn’t the least bit surprised the blonde didn’t recognize her. It’s not like her job offered her a great deal of time in the spotlight. Which was exactly how Valeria preferred it, if she was being honest. And it felt nice to see the confusion on the woman’s face, even if it all it did was make her a little angrier. Waving her hand dismissively Valeria grabbed her drink and took a swig of it before replying to her. “You’re that reporter woman aren’t you? Can’t say I like your style.” Another dismissive flip of her hand.

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[stxneskin-blog]

“And I get lonely without you, And I can't move on. And I get lonely without you. I can't move on. Move on.”

[nyssc-blog]

She hadn’t really wanted to come, she’d much have preferred a quiet weekend with the family but Calista had been excited and she couldn’t pass up an opportunity to make her happy with such ease. Besides, she hadn’t been awkward in high school, she’d actually been rather popular and highly successful, like now, so not much had changed. Still, people would think what they wanted no matter the truth, she knew that better than most in her line of work. After her first glass of champagne she missed the baby a little less and switched to soda. The outfit she wore had been chosen specifically for its comfort and pockets, so she could keep photos on hand for any who asked. A familiar face waltzed right up to her and she smiled, willing herself to enjoy a night off from being a personality and a mom. “Well, hello there.”

[stxneskin-blog]

She’d just hung up the phone for the third time that night, suddenly exhausted. Even away from her desk and she was still working. Her mother called her a workaholic, Valeria just said evil never sleeps. For a moment, as she looked at the brightly lit screen of her phone, she considered turning it off. She’d left her business in capable hands. They could spend one night without her. But just the thought of it made her skin crawl. She opted for setting it on vibrate, more so that the people around her would glare at her if it went off again. Walking towards the bar she ordered a drink and smiled at the woman next to her, almost instant recognition. “Hello. How’s the White House been treating you? Any little ‘false nuggets of truth’ I should know about before I read the headlines tomorrow morning?”

[stxneskin-blog]

caldergliacon:

       Calder didn’t necessarily pride himself on social interaction, but he did when it came to reading others, and it seemed like Valeria was… joking? It confused him, considering how she’d given him a thorough tongue-lashing for the incident. But then, he hadn’t always known her to be serious. Dedicated, and determined perhaps, but before Alexei Laris had died, she was a different creature altogether. Perhaps that person was still trying to peek through the dark clouds that had fallen over her. ❝ Well, the trees shouldn’t paint themselves as such inviting targets, ❞ he argued with a slight lilt, hoping the tease would hit rather than miss. He would hate to push her even further into dislike of him.

       This, at least, was a sentiment most guards shared. Helpless. Yes, choking on the word even in his mind, he hated the taste of it. Being trapped, being unable to help, being unable to do anything but wait. It was going to drive him mad. ❝ The most terrifying thing I’ve ever witnessed, ❞ he admitted, because he knew she understood. One guard speaking to another. ❝ The realization I couldn’t get to Max in time. ❞

       He wondered whom she’d lost, but decided not to bring it up before she did. It was already difficult not to dwell without him drudging it up too. ❝ Thanks, ❞ he mumbled, embarrassed and surprised by the fact that she’d even considered checking up on him, without an ulterior motive. ❝ I mean — you just haven’t really seen me at my best. I wouldn’t be surprised or offended if you didn’t think I was adequately performing my duties, considering this is twice I’ve failed in front of you, now. ❞

Caldor’s attempt at humor teased a snort out of Valeria and she rapidly covered her mouth in an attempt to smother any other strange noises. It was funny, even if Valeria was loathe to admit it. Maybe later. Maybe never. But as quickly as the humor fell over her she bottled it up again. Laughing in the wake of such tragedy was not, nor was it ever, the right plan of attack. Shaking herself she opted to ignore the snort, barreling into the next topic of discussion without so much as a glace.

“At least she’s alive.” And that, in the end, was what mattered the most to him probably. “And we can only use out failures as incentive to do better and try harder. It’s clear I failed. I will not fail again.” Her voice was hard with a lot of her unexpressed emotions lingering under the words. She swore to herself the day Alexei died that she wouldn’t fail again. It was clear she was going to have to swear it again and mean it this time. She cleared her throat and bottled her sudden emotion back up, not at all about to share that baggage with Calder. He had his own and didn’t need hers.

“I think you’re mistaken.” Valeria said suddenly, crossing her legs and settling more comfortably in the chair. “I’ve seen you at your best quite often.” It was hard not to notice his total devotion to his charge. She saw a lot of herself in him. And by watching him during all those events they’d been at together, she’d learned to respect him. “Everyone fucks up. But what I count isn’t the fuck ups. I count what you do after those fuck ups.” She freed a hand to point it at him, hoping to emphasize her words. “So let’s both agree to be better in the coming days. After the doctor gives you a clean bill of health.”

[stxneskin-blog]

jacob-riley:

“There are hundreds of guests here,” he said gesturing to the grand hall which, not including the several other rooms, was filled with people, “the chances of speaking to any one of them are rather small, much less having one be the king. I am not familiar with him as yourself and so many are.” So many Silvers, so many people born to the wealth and luxury found at this party. His heart beat harder in his chest the anger in him becoming harder and harder to quell. It leapt into his eyes, burning with the hatred that, if voiced aloud, would surely wind him in a considerably compromising position. His hand balled into a fist at his hand. “I was otherwise occupied when he began speaking to me. I was not being rude, I simply had other things I wished to do. Surely denying at dance with a king is not a crime.” But then, of course it could be; denying a royal anything could be treason.

“I have done nothing but defend my own actions, a fair enough stance I ought to be able to take as the king has found to reason I stand trial.” His words were still respectful, his tone still even, but it was beginning to shake with the bitterness that so often clung to him like a wet blanket. “You may watch me as you wish. There’s surely nothing I can do about that. And perhaps you dislike my attitude, but the king, the most powerful man in attendance, simply walked away. Had he found question with my behavior I am certain he would have taken action.”

“It hardly matter how many are here or how many you might have...deigned to speak to, what matters is that you knew the King would be about this evening. There was a very likely chance you would have spoken to him. If you had been raised correctly you would have known that meant being on your best behavior would have behooved you.” She glared at him, her fingers tightening around the ribbons of her mask, forcing herself to keep her voice calm and reasonable. “Denying him a dance is not rude. But the manner in which you did it speaks volumes of your character.”

Valeria sniffed, unmoved by his words. “What you did hardly deserves a trial.” How ludicrous of him to even suggest it. “But maybe a good stint in the army would suffice.” It was an empty threat but Valeria didn’t let her tone tell him that. She turned her back to him, looking at him over her shoulder. “Be careful what you say, good sir, you never know who’ll be listening next. And I’m not so sure they’ll be as nice as me. Have a nice evening.” And with one last smile she walked away, allowing herself to blend into the crowd with a practiced ease.

[stxneskin-blog]

kassiopeanolle:

Kass had been just as intrigued by Valeria. Women in the military or any sort of fighting force were hard to come by as it was. They’d both risen terribly high in their own different fields of expertise, and both had felt the same call to serve and protect. That itch to spar was in Kass as well. After all, no one had ever really been able to answer the question: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Would her electricity work on a stoneskin? What of her other powers? It might be interesting to fight in an arena where she could be at a disadvantage. “As a woman desperate for the fight and now guarding nobles here in Archeon, believe me. It would be hard to adapt.“

“Are the designers really meaning to cause us existential crises? I saw several people take a few steps into this room and then turn right on their heel and walk out. I thought the intent was to attract people in… This seems to only scare people away.” Kass admired herself once more in all the mirrors, smiling at her stunning reflection and striking a pose. “Oh yes, I certainly find it beautiful.” Her mask of confidence was settled firmly in place.

Valeria nodded, in complete understanding of the other woman’s words. She wasn’t sure she’d last a day on the front line. And personally, she’d argued against pulling the best fighters off the front lines to protect to nobles. Valeria was more than sure the small, but dedicated, group of guards already stationed at the palace would be more than capable of taking care of the influx of people. Besides, it wasn’t like the nobles in Archeon were defenseless. They had powers even scarier than Kassiopea’s own. But like a good guard after she’d been over ruled she’d staid mute on the subject. “I must agree with you. I too would feel like a fish out of water if our roles were to be reversed. Hopefully Crownstrial will end soon and you can return to a sense of normalcy.” And Valeria meant that.

“Hmm. Perhaps.” Valeria shrugged. “I’m not sure these rooms are quite so black and white as we’d like them to be. Between the designers and Ori-Our King I’m sure there’s a hidden meaning for us to find. But what that is here is rather beyond me.” She chuckled and shook her head, allowing herself to admire herself briefly in a nearby mirror. She was beautiful tonight, her mother’s ladies had worked over time. Cocking her head to the side, hair falling gracefully over her shoulder as she did so, Valeria spoke her mind, at ease with the young woman. “Pardon, but I’m not sure I believe you Lady Nolle.”

[stxneskin-blog]

jacob-riley:

Her posture was more relaxed but the crossed arms did nothing to sooth him. He was treading in very warm water here, ready to boil over or cool down at any moment. The fact that he had a mask concealing his identity did little to calm him, particularly with a Silver who could obviously out-power him if it came down to that. His little saving grace seemed to be slipping from his fingers, but he tried to keep himself cool and confident. Don’t give in Jacob. Don’t let her see your anger. She wouldn’t understand. They never understand. He kept breathing, steadily, calmly, hoping just to make it through the conversation without his temper boiling over. He had to clamp down on his tongue, all but sure his teeth had drawn blood at her words. “Even at an event such as this, I do not think it is in anyone’s mind that they should come into contact with one so high as the king,” he replied, hoping he’d managed to keep his tone respectful enough.

“I do believe attempting to uncover the identity of everyone at the ball would quite ruin the king’s intent for the party, would it not? The intent is to mingle, as people, as humans, as equals. Or so he has said.” Jacob didn’t believe that though, not for a moment. “And if I pry too hard to learn everyone’s identity, would that not be as much insult as a case of mistaken identity? I would not wish to cause a scene by making others uncomfortable at tonight’s festivities.” 

“Perhaps.” Valeria said, her voice clipped. Her patience running thin. “But it wasn’t a secret that he would be here either. You should have known a conversation with the king would have happened.” She shook her head again, uncrossing her arms and letting them hang at her sides. “Besides that. Have you been talking to all of the guests tonight that way? If we’re going to go with your story, of course.” She didn’t wait for the guy to respond, trying (and failing) to keep the sudden rush of her anger in check. “I am not uncomfortable.” Her voice was rock solid. “I believe in everything the king is doing.” Except maybe Crownstrial, but hey, not the point of this conversation. “Don’t you ever doubt me on that.”

Instantly on the guard Valeria pulled away from the man and glowered at him. “I don’t like your attitude. I don’t like how you spoke with our King.” She cleared her throat. “You’re lucky I’m feeling generous.” Mostly just that his argument made sense. Rude as it was. “Put know this. I’ll be keeping my eye on you for the rest of the night too.” And she meant it, although she wasn’t sure how she’d managed to tail Orion and pay attention to the mostly faceless man before her. But she’d figure it out.

[stxneskin-blog]

jacalynblake:

Her eyes grew wide at the thought of standing in the middle of the room. All of those people, looking at her and admiring her wings. Once it would have been a dream to have even Silvers look at her with awe. Now it was just something else she had to be careful of. Plus, no one else knew that the wings could be hurt. She’d already had someone attempt to pull a feather out for a sweetheart’s souvenir. 

She tried to smile at the joke, knowing it was the proper etiquette though she failed once more. It seemed that she was completely incapable of being distracted from the changes that had taken place even for one night. “They are…something.” she replied finally, her voice trailing off as though that was not exactly the adjective she was looking for. “But no,” Jack continued a moment later her smile brightening a tad, “I think the outskirts of the event are much better for me this evening.”

Something was a bit of an understatement, if you asked Valeria. It felt like her wings demanded her attention. They were huge. They were there. And try as she might Valeria found she simply couldn’t pull her eyes away from them for very long. Not even long enough to look the woman in the face, attempt to figure out who she was. A Red couldn’t afford this and a Silver would have the be...brave to. But Valeria simply couldn’t find the will to figure it out. Just to stare. “Something is the wrong word. If you ask me. Or, I guess, anyone else in attendance here.”

She saw the girl smile and she quirked her own, shaking er head. “There is no way you can stay on the side lines dressed like that at a party like this. You are just screaming for attention.” She chuckled, dryly. “I’m sure your dress will be all over the papers by the morning. You’ll be our own little...fairy tale.”

[joeypacey]

[batstobed-blog]

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[stxneskin-blog]

jacob-riley:

Great, he thought to himself. Not only a Silver but one chained fiercely to the crown, tied to the king he had nearly just insulted. Though By the condescending look she shot him, it was clear she believed it was more than a near insult. He wanted to roll his eyes. He wanted to curse. He wanted to yell after the king that he could take his trained attack dog and use her elsewhere. But any of those things would only cause him more trouble. Instead, he stayed as stiff and still and composed as he could manage. She may undo her own mask and make her own introductions but the only layer of protection he had right now what that it was highly unlikely she or the king knew who he was. All they knew of him was he had found a friend in Portia Barnes and anyone who had ever met her would say the same. 

“The three minutes is gracious my lady, but I don’t believe I’ll need so much time.” He managed to keep the words sounding confident but not haughty, though how he did was absolutely beyond himself. Preservation for himself and Sam he supposed. “I would refute the fact that it was a conversation given its brevity. He made two offers which I declined as I have my own purposes for attending this even, as, I am certain, both you and the king do as well. Furthermore, had I been aware it was the king, I would have spoken far differently. The king is the one who chose this to be a masked ball and the king was the one to have worn a mask himself tonight. The point of such a thing to to conceal one’s identity, to create an illusion, even if false, of all in attendance being equals. He seemed to have gotten those things in a rather classic case of mistaken identity where I simply did not know how to speak. He did not ask for an apology himself or I would have granted one.” He ended his explanation with a slight bow towards her. The words were true, but hardly spoke of his true feelings, but he wasn’t foolish enough to speak those to her.

Stupid. Definitely stupid. She’d told him she’d give him three minutes so she stood there and listened without interruption. Half way through his, admittedly baffling, response she crossed her arms and settled back into a more comfortable and relaxed position. He was making sense. It may very well have been a simple case of misunderstanding and she couldn’t very well haul him out if that was all that had happened. Didn’t mean she still didn’t want to though. Fighting to roll her eyes she scoffed and ignored his almost mocking bow. This man’s ability to beat around the bush was as good as anyone in Silver courts. “Fine. I get it. You screwed up. But maybe you should have taken into consideration he would be wandering around tonight to begin with.”

She uncrossed her arms and took a step towards him, still angry about what he’d said. “Perhaps you should take better care for the rest of the evening to figure out who you’re speaking to.” It might have been an unfair sort of request, considering Valeria could identify Orion by the back of his head in a split second. Didn’t matter. “Or perhaps it simply isn’t, how’d you put it? Worth your time?”