Awkward
Grahce: *It's been a few days since the Masquerade Party. I haven’t spoken to Odhium since that night. I thought I would but I guess not. I felt a slight pang inside my chest when I thought about it so I tried not to think about it.
I need to get ready for work. I slipped on some slacks and a blouse from my closet and slipped on my heels. Grabbing my bag with my iPad and put my wallet inside, once ready I opened my balcony door slightly and took a deep breath and dematerialize to the #AudienceHouse.*
Odhium: I still couldn't believe Grahce had done this to me, she knew how I felt about the Glymera but yet she paraded me in front of them all as I was some sort of trophy. I felt hurt, betrayed and above all I felt stabbed in the back.
Over the past few days, I had tried to put Grahce to one side of my mind, but when I was alone all I could see was her beneath me. This hurt a lot.
Back at the training centre we had been assigned our latest shifts, tonight I was going to the Audience House to see the layout and where the King goes to hear the civilians. Pulling on some leathers and a muscle shirt and put my shitkickers on. I hope tonight would go quick, all I wanted to do was drown my sorrows in a whiskey bottle.
Grahce: *I arrived at the house and entered through the kitchen were some of the Brothers were snacking and hanging out. I said hello and kissed my cousin on the cheek.*
Hey Tohr, how is everything?
*We made small talk for a few minutes and I got to my desk and pulled up the King’s schedule to see who would be arriving and what issues they were bringing to have the King settle and decide upon. I started answering a few emails and texting out appointment confirmations.*
Odhium: Arriving at the Audience House, opening the front door. To my surprise I saw Grahce sat behind the desk welcoming those who had made appointments to see the King.
Fucking great, but I wasn't going to start something in front of everyone, especially the King. I didn't want to come across as immature when I had the more important job of keeping the King safe.
I nodded politely to Grahce and made my way to the kitchen, there I was meeting Tohr, he was going to show me around the place. He'd finished his drink and put his mug into the dishwasher. He saw me and waved me over.
“Good to see someone is eager.”
He clapped a heavy hand onto my shoulder, I nearly buckled under his touch. Recovering gracefully Tohr showed me around the place.
Grahce: *I felt his presence before I saw him enter the house and he nodded at me but didn’t stop to talk to me but instead went straight into the kitchen.
All I could feel is sadness. I guess it was truly over. I wasn’t even sure what I did wrong. It didn’t make sense.
I needed to focus on work and put my personal issues in the back of my mind so I continue on with my night without getting emotional.*
Odhium: Coming back out to where Grahce was sat, she looked sad, fuck I was sad too. All this because she hadn't told me the truth.
Following Tohr into the room where the King met the civilians, there's were two chairs by the fireplace and a desk and chair over by the far wall.
“The chairs by the fireplace are for the King and the civilian, the desk and chair are for Saxton who keeps legal accounts of each meeting. When your here you be opening the door for the next civilian in. While the civilian is talking to the King it's your job to watch if that civilian is a threat or not to the King.”
I took all this in but to be honest this sounded way to boring, no wonder the rest of the Brothers moaned about here, nothing happened. Well duty calls, if I was going to be made a Brother/Warrior I had to learn the dull jobs with the exciting ones.
“You can go back to the training centre for class. You won't be here for sometime but it's better to know what your going to do here early.” Tohr was right, as always. Better to know everything than have a surprise for a later date.
Walking back to the doors, I opened them, there I saw Grahce chatting to one of the male trainees, he must have to be here too for the walk round, but was late. Tohr hated lateness, I hoped this trainee got it, the best Tohr would be doing is wiping the floor with his ass.
Going up to Grahce I couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth.
“Is he your latest conquest?”
Grahce: *I stiffen at the harsh comment I hear behind me as I was speaking to one of the males here to guard the King. I knew that I must be red in the face with embarrassment and shame. My heart sinks more when I hear Tohr and I cringe.*
“Excuse me! You two in the kitchen … /NOW/!!” *He thundered as I turned to see that Tohr had followed Odhium from the kitchen. He was pissed. Crap. Females from the Glymera were supposed to be chaste and virginal … blah blah blah. I never cared what the Glymera, the bunch of stuck up racists the lot of them, so I didn’t follow traditions … but I didn’t want to embarrass my family either. No matter how distant.*
I’m sorry, Tohr. *I quickly apologized looking down at the floor feeling defeated, he didn’t need to find out this way.*
“Grahce, we’ll speak later on this. Don’t worry so much. Duty calls.” *He turned and left me by myself and returned to the kitchen. Before I could take another step, #Saxton appeared to my left coming in from the foyer.*
Hey Saxton, here is today’s agenda. *I stated as I picked up the papers I printed earlier and handed it to him.*
Odhium: In the kitchen, Tohr stormed in, he was really pissed.
“Whatever is going on between you and Grahce should NOT be on public display. You're meant to be a fucking warrior, but with that display I have a good mind to throw you off the training program. But as it's me you have one more chance. Fuck it up and your out. GOT IT?”
I simply nodded, I knew if I said anything it may be the wrong thing
“Good. I advise you to get out there and apologise to her. And under no circumstances that it becomes a public display again.”
Tohr headed out of the kitchen. Fucking great, now I have to go out there and publicly apologise to Grahce. After all, she deserved an explanation to my actions at her place.
Taking a deep breath I headed out over to where Grahce was sat. “Can I have a word with you in the seating room, this is important.”
Grahce: *I winced as I heard Tohr yell even through the door. Shit. Fucking great. This was not what I was expecting when I woke up this morning. Ugh. Then I heard the door open again, and Odhium coming out asking to speak with me.*
Fine. *I said through gritted teeth. I just wanted this to be done. Clearly, he’s made up his mind about me and I needed to move on. Didn’t matter if I understood it or not. Didn’t matter how I felt inside. It didn’t. Wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince.*
Odhium: Walking into the seating room, turning to make sure Grahce had followed me. She was there, closing the doors behind her, it was just me and her in the room.
“I owe you an explanation about the other night at the ball. I reacted badly when I saw the Glymera, I shouldn't of taken it out on you but I felt betrayed. You know my feelings about the Glymera and how they stressed my father out that it killed him but you chose not to tell me. Have you any idea how that felt for me to find out like that?”
Running my hand through my hair, if I could pull the stuff out I would've.
I waited for Grahce to answer, waited to see if there was going to be an us again, Grahce had got under my skin, she was the only thing I lived and breathed for.
Grahce: I assumed you were speaking about specific people not the grouping as a whole. How exactly was I supposed to bring that up? Normally when people are dating they talk about themselves, not their parents. I don’t associate myself with the Glymera, I’m working two jobs and live on my own. How I was suppose to know that you’re basically racist?
*I was getting upset. This was ridiculous. He was putting me in the same category with people I’ve spent my whole life rebelling against. I had my own problems with the Glymera and chose to distant myself, but my parents were still my parents. They might not understand my actions but they respected them. Unlike Odhium.*
Clearly, you have your issues with them as do I. But if you can’t see that I’m different from all of that bullshit that society portrays … there’s nothing I can do about that.
Odhium: “You could of least warned me where the ball was, I/we could of worked something out but no you'd rather surprise me with it. That was very caring of you sweetheart.”
I began to pace around the seating room, I know I was awful with Grahce just then but what did she expect?
“Then if you hate them as much you say you, then why go? You could of made some excuse to your parents about not going. That sounds two faced to me or are you frightened to say no to them?”
Grahce: Surprise you? You were invited to spend time with me, not my family. I just wanted to introduce to my parents. I thought mentioning my parents was all the preparation you needed. Forgive me if you can’t handle saying “hello”.
You know what?! You have it /all/ figured out don’t you? Well, you can go fuck yourself. I NEVER said I hated my parents. Family is important, regardless if we don’t always believe in the same things. I’m working two jobs for a reason, dick head. It’s clear you think so little of me.
*I turned and walked out out of the room. I was so pissed at the audacity of the male to think of only himself. Like the world only revolves around him. He was more like the Glymera than he even knew. I didn’t need that kind of male in my life. He could go fuck himself. I worked two jobs because my parents cut me off with the exception of my safety, which was why I had the condo. They wanted to make a point but not at the expense of my life.
I went back to my desk and confirmed that all the confirmations were send and received and logged off. I walked to #Saxton’s desk.*
Hey, I’m not feeling well. Will you be ok here? The schedule is set for tonight, and I can get to any emails or voicemails tomorrow morning.
“Yes, that’s fine. I hope you feel better, Grahce.”
Odhium: Watching Grahce walk out of the room, her words stung me like she had slapped me hard against the face. Yes, I was an arrogant male who had been hurt but I had to put all that aside and think of Grahce.
Walking out I saw her exit the Audience House, running after her. “Grahce, I'm sorry for what I said. What can I do for you to forgive me?”
Grabbing Grahce gently by her arm, I swung her around. Wrapping my arms around her I pressed my lips against hers.
“I'm so sorry, Grahce.”
Grahce: *I barely made it to the sidewalk of the #AudienceHouse as I was surprised when I was suddenly braced in Odhium’s arms in a kiss. I couldn’t think clearly but my anger was slowly dissipating as I listed to his apology.*
Odhium, I can’t change who I am. I don’t think this isn’t going to work. *I replied feebly. I wanted it to work but can it? He undeniably had strong feelings about the Glymera … not that I could blame him. But how would staying together fix any of that? It would hurt so much more later … if and when he figured out that I wasn’t what he wanted.*
Perhaps you need to really think about this ...
Odhium: “I have thought about this and you're right, both of us need to stand up against the Glymera. I see now that you were doing that at the ball, bringing me along you were sticking two fingers up at the stuck up bastards. We can make this work. As for you talking to other males may be a problem. When I saw you with that male tonight I was insanely jealous.”
Bringing Grahce closer to my body, I once again press my lips against hers. I was one lucky bastard, I'd nearly lost Grahce over my views of everything, but she was showing me there were other ways to air my views. I was willing to learn from her.
“Please let me escort you back to your apartment.”
Grahce: *Before I could argue further, Odhium kissed me again but all my anger had faded with this kiss.*
You have nothing to be jealous about, we were just talking. Besides you can’t, you are on rotation to guard the King. I can get myself home. I was only leaving because I was so upset, but I’m fine now. I just don’t want to have to go back in and explain everything. Though I’m thinking you’re going to have to explain yourself to Tohr … it’s bad enough I’m sure I’ll be hearing from him myself later.
Odhium: “Yeah I better tell Tohr what's going on, I have a feeling he won't be happy but he will have to get used to us being together. I better be getting back to the Audience House to meet the King and do my duties. But please text me to tell me you got back safely, I don't think Tohr can handle me when my mind is not on job in hand.”
Giving Grahce another kiss, I went back to the Audience House, slipping in through the front door in time. The King came out of the kitchen, he must of smelt my scent but said nothing, he gave a smirk and a knowing nod to me. Damn nothing got passed him for sure.
Grahce: *I nodded my agreement and slipped beside the house and dematerialized to my balcony. I entered my condo, closed the doors and locked them. Then I took out my phone and texted Odhium that I arrived safely and that he’s welcome to come by later after his shift so we could talk.
I felt so much lighter now that I knew where we stood. Though I had a feeling that this issue was far from being resolved. My family was important to me though we didn’t see eye to eye on everything. I was walking the line between following my heart and pleasing my parents without having them controlling my life. I could only hope that this relationship could work.*
Odhium: Before I went into the room where the King was seated but Tohr had pulled me into the kitchen.
“Right son I'm going to tell you something. Grahce is a relative of mine, if you hurt her I can guarantee I will hurt you back. And worse.”
What did he just say? That he and Grahce were related. Damn the odds on that was like a million to one, I would never of guessed but looking back on it all it made perfect sense why she was her working here. Tohr would of put a word in for her.
“I understand that but it was a misunderstanding we had earlier.” My phone beeped, taking it out I saw the text from Grahce.
“It was Grahce letting me know she got back to her place safety.”
“You're not a bad kid but word of advice. Keep on the sweet side of Grahce, she will tell me if you've done her wrong and I will make your life a living hell in the program.”
I nodded at Tohr.
“Get back into the room, the King doesn't like to wait around.”
With the air cleared between Tohr and myself, I slipped into the room to a night of boredom, counting down the minutes till I saw Grahce again.
Grahce: *I spent most of the night, organizing some files from my laptop that connected to the computer at the #AudienceHouse courtesy of the Brother Vishous for when I needed to access the files outside of work. I felt guilty leaving work when I was feeling better so I used the time and organized files, answer emails and set up appointments while I waited for Odhium to call me or arrive.
It was almost 3am before I heard a knock at my door.*
Odhium: Finally I was let off my duties from the Audience House, I swear another minute there and I'd fallen asleep where I stood.
Once I was outside and the cool hit my face, I woke up. Heading into the shadows I dematerialised to Grahce's apartment. Appearing outside her door, I knocked gently and waited to be let in.
Grahce opened the door, she was still in her clothes when she had on earlier at the Audience House but to me she looked stunning.
“Come in, Odhium.”
I didn't need to be told twice, shutting the door behind me, I brought Grahce into my arms and pressed my lips hard against hers. I was home at long last.