Castigat ridendo mores

outfit and mask

Lucien loved a party, loved any excuse to party, so when he heard about the big event in Denerim to celebrate the betrothal of the King, an event to last over the course of three to four days, he knew he had to attend. They'd gotten there early to make sure they could get a room at an inn or tavern. He wasn't the biggest fan of Ferelden, but it was a party. He had a different outfit planned out for each day of the event.

Maeve, you about ready? He asked as he grabbed his mask from the table by the bed. It was nice to get away like this, just the two of them for no other reason than relaxing and partying. I want to get there before the Singquisition starts, I really love that group. We should hire them for a party at my estate some time in the future, no clue when though.

Dress: https://64.media.tumblr.com/29d8c8a63a6e...o1_500.jpg

“Well if someone had not entertained me while I was trying my bodice before I would have been ready long ago ma Cherie” said the brunette as she finished the last touches of her makeup “Perfection takes time and effort, never forget it” she said as she closed multiple flasks from her vanity.

“Can you believe that I have not heard them perform ever? I have tried in several occasions but every time a bloody thing popped up, I need a month of holidays or something like that” said Maeve with a sigh as she picked her mask, a very simple design since they were in Ferelden.

“Actually, my darling once we listen the singquisition and enjoy the night a little, could you spare ten minutes to discuss less… pleasant topics? I have news, and not of the most lovely kind, I fear” said the brunette as she opened the bedroom door to indicate her companion that she was ready "It's not something dire, and if you want we could even discuss it tomorrow"

Lucien grinned as Maeve insinuated it was his fault that they were running late, which he obviously couldn't deny. Not that there was a 'late' to an event that was going on for three or four days. Her response that perfection takes time and effort, he just shrugged.

But darling, you make it look so easy, positively effortless. As she mentioned not having ever heard the Singquisition perform he simply shrugged, it didn't exactly surprise him, but he was glad that her first time seeing them would be with him. His face went a bit more serious when she spoke about having a more serious matter to discuss with him, now he wasn't sure he wanted to wait till after the Singquisition to find out.

You know I hate it when you do that, but yes that'll be fine, all the more reason to hurry.

Maeve caressed gently his face when his expression turned serious “I am sorry my darling, but I am not one to hide uncomfortable news, sweet lies belong in the brothel and sincerity is for me the best gift to be given” because she had been a bard, because she had lied too much the only people she was not willing to lie ever again were her brother and Lucien.

They went to the party, to bask and enjoy the lovely ambient and the delightful music that the singquisition had to offer. Maeve was not talented when it came to music, her arts were the bow and the shadows, but that didn’t mean that she could not enjoy a good performance. Despite of her enjoyment she couldn’t help but to be slightly tense as she thought about the best way to word the news, they were specially dire but still she knew that she would be restless until she spoke with Lucien.

The former bard moved him to a more secluded area in the party “My love, I have received information, or rather said rumors have reached my ears” the brunette said as she fidgeted with a loose thread on her dress sleeve. “Apparently the man I worked for all those years ago is slowly gaining allies and power, more than the ones that he had, and I worry about him deciding to play a little vendetta on me for when I left him hanging”.

Maeve bit her lower lip “If I was on my own I would hide in the forest or seek him before he finds me or…whatever that seemed the best if the moment came but I am with you, and I don’t want to leave you but…” Maeve thought about the best way to word what she felt “You worked so hard to get everything back and I worry about him involving you, just because you happen to be with me, if that makes sense?”

A part of him had just wished she'd told him there in the room while getting ready, even if it would have made them late to hear the Singquisition. For the most part he enjoyed watching them but his mind was constantly wandering back to what Maeve had said. The harder he tried not to worry, the more his mind wandered him right into worrying. So when she moved them to a more secluded area he was relieved to finally hear her news.

The news wasn't good, but actually not quite as bad as a few scenarios he had formulated in his mind. He'd always known there was a chance her past would catch up to her some day, just not when or how. He took in all the information, carefully turning it over and over in his mind. Even if there were no threat of him becoming collateral damage, he'd absolutely refuse to leave her side. He nodded slightly as she spoke.

Well, if he does I can't say that it would be a surprise considering your past, but one thing I'm absolutely positive of is that we are stronger together than we are apart, getting my estate back and sticking it to the LaRues proved that.

“It’s because of that why I worry!” said Maeve as she took a deep sigh “Look shit Lucien, I am as in love with you as I was that morning when I told you the first time, maybe even more but I know how hard was for you to get your state and status back, and I don’t want you to risk it just because once upon a time I was the stupidest bitch on Orlais who thought that I could get money just because I was pretty and could be charming” her voice thickened, Maker how she could have been such a fool to believe that her past wouldn’t come back for her? She should have stayed away from Lucien, now she would only bring him trouble

“You know how hard is for me to even consider something happening to you or Vincent??!!” the brunette took a deep breath in order to calm herself.

Lucien remembered being apprehensive about letting Maeve help take back his estate, not wanting her in harm's way because of him. There'd been times before that too where he'd worried what the LaRue's might do if they found out about Maeve. There were always dangers though, he came to realise the only thing a person can do is to live each day to its fullest and always hope for the best.

He reached out and rubbed her arms affectionately and reassuringly.

I understand you don't want us in danger, but this is Thedas being in danger is just another Tuesday. Besides, do you really think he can do anything to me that the LaRue's didn't already. Not that I plan on getting caught.....

“Don’t underestimate him Lucien, I did the same and it ended up poorly” she said with a sigh while leaning into him “It’s just…everything was going so nicely, maker the past two years have been pretty much a dream and I am terrified about this being the wake-up call” confessed the brunette quietly as she rested her head on his chest.

“But I have made depressing enough this meeting, let’s drink an scandalous amount of wine and dance until our feet hurt” said the former bard as she tried to divert the conversation a little “maybe then I can show you the benefits of horizontality” said Maeve with a dlirty wink.

She grabbed two glasses of wine and offered one before raising hers "For the house Beuvais" she toasted before drinking from her cup.

Lucien hadn't meant to come across like he was underestimating anybody, but he also wasn't going to let fear be what drove him. If the man came after them, then they'd be ready, though he was pondering that perhaps a more offensive state would be better. Strike first before the other party has a chance to. He smiled reassuringly at Maeve as she spoke.

I have some contacts, if we could get more information we'd be better prepared, I assure you, the last thing I'll do is underestimate someone, especially with you in the man's cross-hairs. He smiled as she changed the conversation topic and laughed a bit at the part about horizontality, he took the drink that was offered and raised it when she raised hers, then took a sip.

It has been awhile since we enjoyed a proper party, and this is definitely a proper party, I hear it's going on for like four days!!!

“Same. I don’t have as many contacts as I used to, but people still owe me favors and I have no reservations about asking to have those paid back, even if a lot of time has passed since the old good days” Maeve was clearly being sarcastic about calling them the old good days.

“Well no one stops from throwing one of those in the state now, after all it would be a good way to declare that your family is strong and thriving and all those things nobility tends to brag about” said the former bard with a wink. “How is your sister doing by the way? It’s been a while since you have told me news about her” the brunette always encouraged him to write/spend time with his sibling, since in her opinion family was something that should be cherished, specially with so little family in the line left

It was hard for Lucien to switch gears and go back to just thinking about the party they were attending, but it wasn't like they could do a thing about the situation at the moment, so there was no use in spoiling a perfectly good party. They would eventually figure out what to do, whatever it was it would be facing the danger side by side because there was no way in hell Lucien was going to let Maeve go through it alone.

Let's just hope darkspawn don't attack this party like they did the Kinloch party three years ago. Last I heard about reports though they were miles away from Denerim.

“I think that I have met my quota of Darkspawn infected parties, we deserve to have this one to just enjoy and relax my dear” she said as they walked towards a more quiet area, this time not to discuss urgent and worrying affairs but rather in order to have some time togheter.

“I actually have an idea towards the objective of enjoyment and relaxation” she said gesturing a bench, so that Lucien would sit “I have a offer for you; I give you a massage, offer you a irresistible plan and in exchange you listen carefully in order to indulge your very attractive girlfriend because she deserves nice things and has amazing hands” said Maeve with a charming smile. She knew that Lucien would have listened to her anyways but Maeve liked to do nice things for him, even if she was not going to admit it openly out loud.

Lucien smiled and nodded as Maeve emphasised that she was done with darkspawn infected parties, and who could blame them, though the possibility couldn't be entirely ruled out, but at least for now they'd managed to push the darkspawn back.

As she talked about enjoyment and relaxation and then the idea of a massage, for a moment his pervy brain went right into the gutter and started looking around wondering where she thought they'd sneak off to do that. He smiled.

And where exactly would you propose we do that?

Maeve blinked as she looked at Lucien, not understanding what stopped her from giving him a shoulder rub while he sat in a bench. Sure, it was a public display of affection but nothing that a couple couldn’t do without drawing attention
After giving it a second thought, she got where his brain had gone and swatted his shoulder gently “Mind out of the gutter darling, I was proposing an innocent shoulder rub, nothing that I need to remove my dress for” she chuckled a bit “Of course your mind went there, you know me darling; I am into many things but I know better than to do that kind of stuff where I can get caught and become the center of gossip for a year”

Of course, she meant non sexual things, his brain had just gone there out of habit, it was just where his brain usually went, especially where Maeve was concerned. He chuckled to himself as his mistake. He wasn't really sure he was up for a shoulder rub at the moment. Then when Maeve commented on being the centre of gossip for a year he laughed a bit harder.

Not that gossip bothers me much but if it's all right with you I'd rather have a dance with you than a shoulder rub, if it's all the same, we can save the shoulder rub for later when we're out of the prying eyes of Ferelden.