Over the years that the barrier stood, Wintersend had lost its frivolity. Rather than attend the tourneys, he retreated to his rooms at the family estate, or his apartment. Once or twice, he'd locked himself into his office at the Blind Eye, only admitting someone if they brought whiskey. In those years, it was simply a cold and cruel reminder of what he no longer had. It was Envy's favorite holiday, Enzo thought.
But this year, he could smile and greet the day once again. He'd been at work for a couple of weeks in advance to ensure that the day would be perfect. Messages had been sent and requests assured. The invitation, under normal circumstances, would not have been necessary. But so much had transpired in those years that one was sent, just in case. The day itself arrived, sunny and inviting. It was as if nature itself was on his side.
Enzo hopped down from the carriage, tall black boots shined to a polish. Gone were the dark colors of winter from his wardrobe. He strode toward the Grand Proving Arena in cream colored breeches and waistcoat with his brand new azure coat over top. The gold buttons, styled as primitive rounded shields, were perhaps a bit on the nose. But the tourneys were a spectacle, after all. The suite he was escorted to was, likewise, a bit on the excessive side. It offered comfortable chaise lounges from which to watch the matches within, as well as a spacious balcony overlooking the hanging gardens on the exterior. But with the events being a full day affair, he wished to have the option to step away and change the scenery.
Perhaps it was too much space? Enzo pondered this, glancing around at the suite from where he stood at the small, private bar. It was just the two of them, after all. Well, he hoped it would just be the two of them. Traditionally, that was how they spent the day. But... traditionally, they'd not been tied to anyone else. Enzo didn't expect that they tourneys would interest Lyric -they hardly interested Tiberius- but would she be the sort to tag along anyway? Enzo liked Lyric well enough, but hoped his friend would manage to separate himself from her.
She has the spare, after all.
Enzo slammed his hand onto the bar top and Envy danced back into the shadows of his mind, gleeful at having struck a nerve. From his position near the servant's door, Otho moved to behind the bar, his gentle "My lord?" as he fished for a glass and a spirit was enough to cause Enzo to turn his eyes away in embarrassment.
"Oh, yes... thank you, Otho." Enzo stammered, then offered a half smile and a shrug in an attempt to dismiss the outburst. When is valet slid the glass across the bar, Enzo scooped it up and tilted it toward the man before retreating to the balcony. Perhaps the scent of flowers would calm him until Tiberius arrived.
But this year, he could smile and greet the day once again. He'd been at work for a couple of weeks in advance to ensure that the day would be perfect. Messages had been sent and requests assured. The invitation, under normal circumstances, would not have been necessary. But so much had transpired in those years that one was sent, just in case. The day itself arrived, sunny and inviting. It was as if nature itself was on his side.
Enzo hopped down from the carriage, tall black boots shined to a polish. Gone were the dark colors of winter from his wardrobe. He strode toward the Grand Proving Arena in cream colored breeches and waistcoat with his brand new azure coat over top. The gold buttons, styled as primitive rounded shields, were perhaps a bit on the nose. But the tourneys were a spectacle, after all. The suite he was escorted to was, likewise, a bit on the excessive side. It offered comfortable chaise lounges from which to watch the matches within, as well as a spacious balcony overlooking the hanging gardens on the exterior. But with the events being a full day affair, he wished to have the option to step away and change the scenery.
Perhaps it was too much space? Enzo pondered this, glancing around at the suite from where he stood at the small, private bar. It was just the two of them, after all. Well, he hoped it would just be the two of them. Traditionally, that was how they spent the day. But... traditionally, they'd not been tied to anyone else. Enzo didn't expect that they tourneys would interest Lyric -they hardly interested Tiberius- but would she be the sort to tag along anyway? Enzo liked Lyric well enough, but hoped his friend would manage to separate himself from her.
She has the spare, after all.
Enzo slammed his hand onto the bar top and Envy danced back into the shadows of his mind, gleeful at having struck a nerve. From his position near the servant's door, Otho moved to behind the bar, his gentle "My lord?" as he fished for a glass and a spirit was enough to cause Enzo to turn his eyes away in embarrassment.
"Oh, yes... thank you, Otho." Enzo stammered, then offered a half smile and a shrug in an attempt to dismiss the outburst. When is valet slid the glass across the bar, Enzo scooped it up and tilted it toward the man before retreating to the balcony. Perhaps the scent of flowers would calm him until Tiberius arrived.
02-08-2025, 01:10 PM
