Mal's gift had been a welcome one. Champagne was appropriate to the occasion, of course, and had been needed at hand throughout the evening for the myriad toasts to the Archon, to Tevinter, to the opening of borders... to the damned cats. But the whiskey sat better in his stomach, warm and familiar as he made his rounds. No bubbles. Much more dignified.
The evening thus far had been somewhat tame, he thought. The whole of Minrathous was on its best behavior, it seemed. His former peers who yesterday would have averted their eyes if passing him at the park to avoid being seen in conversation with a cast down Pavus now smiled and patted his back in warm familiarity. Ladies who'd not accepted his invitations to tea or to the theater allowed their hands to linger on his forearms once more. He tried to keep his contempt at bay. Was it all a show for the foreigners? Was it the drink? would they return to ignoring him once again when the sun rose? Perhaps. But... with the barrier gone, perhaps it was a new world after all.
A sudden sensation caught the hairs on his neck and Enzo turned, eyes searching the scattered clusters of conversation. That had not been words spoken, but rather a sensation. A wordless sending of emotion coming from.... there. Enzo rolled his eyes. The squat form of old Lucillius could be seen standing too close for comfort to a woman. He could not see who she was from where he stood, but no lady deserved such a fate. Enzo moved deftly across the ballroom, coming to a stop just behind the lady's right shoulder.
"Lucillius, my good man, there you are." he said. The older man looked up, squinting past his bulbous red nose at him until recognition sent his bushy eyebrows upward. He opened his mouth to reply, but Enzo gave him no time. "Your wife is at cards and was considering wagering a portion of next season's merlot, but couldn't remember how many casks you mig-" Before he could finish the lie, Lucillius was waddling quickly away, cursing under his breath.
Stepping in a circular motion, Enzo gave the man ample room to pass and brought himself to a position where he might see the face of the woman who'd called silently for assistance. She was a foreigner, he knew that straight away. He knew the names and faces of every house in Tevinter. The cut of her gown, too, was foreign. With the barrier in place for so many years, fashion, like news and so much else, had not traveled freely. He furrowed his brow slightly, holding back a smile to only let it show at the corners of his mouth. She was very young, but must have considerable skill as a mage. Then he saw the circlet in her hair and understood the justification for the condescension that had been dripping off of her while Lucillius stood so near.
"Your Royal Highness." he said at once, dipping his head in a smart bow. "Please forgive his ignorance. Lucillius is usually quite harmless."
The evening thus far had been somewhat tame, he thought. The whole of Minrathous was on its best behavior, it seemed. His former peers who yesterday would have averted their eyes if passing him at the park to avoid being seen in conversation with a cast down Pavus now smiled and patted his back in warm familiarity. Ladies who'd not accepted his invitations to tea or to the theater allowed their hands to linger on his forearms once more. He tried to keep his contempt at bay. Was it all a show for the foreigners? Was it the drink? would they return to ignoring him once again when the sun rose? Perhaps. But... with the barrier gone, perhaps it was a new world after all.
A sudden sensation caught the hairs on his neck and Enzo turned, eyes searching the scattered clusters of conversation. That had not been words spoken, but rather a sensation. A wordless sending of emotion coming from.... there. Enzo rolled his eyes. The squat form of old Lucillius could be seen standing too close for comfort to a woman. He could not see who she was from where he stood, but no lady deserved such a fate. Enzo moved deftly across the ballroom, coming to a stop just behind the lady's right shoulder.
"Lucillius, my good man, there you are." he said. The older man looked up, squinting past his bulbous red nose at him until recognition sent his bushy eyebrows upward. He opened his mouth to reply, but Enzo gave him no time. "Your wife is at cards and was considering wagering a portion of next season's merlot, but couldn't remember how many casks you mig-" Before he could finish the lie, Lucillius was waddling quickly away, cursing under his breath.
Stepping in a circular motion, Enzo gave the man ample room to pass and brought himself to a position where he might see the face of the woman who'd called silently for assistance. She was a foreigner, he knew that straight away. He knew the names and faces of every house in Tevinter. The cut of her gown, too, was foreign. With the barrier in place for so many years, fashion, like news and so much else, had not traveled freely. He furrowed his brow slightly, holding back a smile to only let it show at the corners of his mouth. She was very young, but must have considerable skill as a mage. Then he saw the circlet in her hair and understood the justification for the condescension that had been dripping off of her while Lucillius stood so near.
"Your Royal Highness." he said at once, dipping his head in a smart bow. "Please forgive his ignorance. Lucillius is usually quite harmless."
05-18-2024, 10:06 AM
