Hi! This is a little something I wanted to post just so to give me motivation to return to it soon! So no quick updates for it sorry!
It is a gender bended Lavi but please read and give it a go because I don't intend to fall into the usual gender bendering traps with this.
This story is dedicated to Nallychan who beat me into writing it!
I don't own Dgrayman, Lavi or Tyki...sigh
Sighing heavily, Tyki took his leave of the doe-eyed young lady who was currently hanging off his arm. She made a sound to protest his departure, but he easily unhooked her arm and blinded her with a charming smile.
"My dear, I must apologise. I have had a long, tiring journey and though your beauty has revitalised me I must retire for the night." Slipping his hand into her smaller delicate one he raised her hand to his lips. Tyki bowed slightly and pressed a soft kiss to the back of her gloved hand. "It has been a pleasure to dance with you."
"Of-of course Lord Mikk." The young lady curtsied, blushing deeply at having received such a compliment from the handsome man. Carefully arranged amber ringlets bounced around her pretty face as she dipped and rose in the gesture.
Tyki smiled in gratitude before walking past her, wending his way through dancing pairs and party guests to reach the exit. The over eager and false attentiveness of the nobility always irked him. Money, marriage and gossip were the foremost interest in any of their minds, and as the most eligible bachelor at any party he attended he often found himself becoming the topic of all three subjects.
"Unmarried at his age! Not even engaged… unheard of!"
"As lovely as he is to look at, you'd think our daughters were not good enough for the great Lord Mikk."
Whispers followed him as he crossed the floor. Measured steps carried Tyki closer to the exit in to the foyer; face set in a placidly polite expression that at the same time closed himself off from any noble bold enough to approach him. It had become increasingly difficult of late to keep his irritation at his own status in check. Every time he returned from a trip, his brother arranged a large party and that Baron's niece or this Lord's daughter would always happen to be in attendance.
"The girl to catch his eye will indeed be very lucky; the family are incredibly wealthy."
"The wealth will be comfort when you consider the indifference."
While Tyki could not deny that each woman was not unremarkable in appearance, there was something missing that could not quite hold his attention. The young woman he had just left was a prime example, yes she was very beautiful but there was not anything but vagueness behind her brown eyes. Thinking now, he couldn't even recall the name of the uninteresting woman. A mere doll bred to be a man's trophy puppet. He had no use for a woman like that.
"If only he were more like his brother. Now there's a good man who knows how to look after business and family. Honestly, two brothers from a respectable family how can they turn out so differently?"
A nerve above his right eye visibly twitched at the comment. What these puffed up fops knew about his brother could fill a thimble and still leave ample room. Turning on his heels, Tyki flashed a broad but dangerously thin smile at the source of his annoyance. Golden eyes narrowed as they landed on a plump woman old enough to have significantly greyed hair and an austere looking older gentleman.
"Judge Hawthorne, Lady Hawthorne I hope I find you well this evening." Tipping his head in acknowledgment at the Judge and grasping the hand of the Lady to place light peck on it. A pink dusting spread over her already wine flushed face.
"Sheril has out done himself once again. I can't even begin to imagine the extravagance he will go to when young Road debuts." The Judge looked around the brightly lit hall appreciatively.
"I shall pass on the compliments. My brother will be very pleased to receive such high praise." Layering his voice with gratitude and respect the bachelor tipped his head in a half bow. No matter what he really thought of these people, appearance was absolutely everything; a superficial game of chess played with less finesse and much more bravado.
Tyki turned his attention to the Lady Hawthorne, who had yet to relinquish her hold on his hand. Twisting his mouth into a seductive smirk he raised an eyebrow.
The Judge quickly lost interest at his wife's usual tipsy antics choosing instead to turn away and strike up conversation with a potential political ally. Tyki spoke in his silkiest voice, "As loathe as I am to leave such enchanting company, with your permission my Lady I must take my leave."
"But Mikk it really has been too long since we last conversed. Surely you can stay for the next dance." She placed her free hand coyly over her full bust in a false show of meekness. Tyki had to work harder than ever to hide his annoyance.
"Perhaps another time my Lady," The Lady was openly disappointed, the pout very unattractive and out of place on the mature woman's face. "I am sure the Lord Kamelot will be holding another soiree soon. My brother does so love these gatherings."
"What a shame. Speaking of Kamelot, I have been meaning to inquire as to why two brothers have different names. The previous Lord Kamelot was quite the popular gentleman…"
The Lady had clearly had too many glasses of the free flowing wine if she could be so blasé about asking this question. Face darkening at the implication regarding his late father.
"My Lady, I don't now is the best time to discuss subjects of a sensitive nature. Rather it may be in your best interest to focus on preventing future scandal." Tyki allowed his eyes to drift to a corner of the ballroom currently occupied by an amorous young Master Hawthorne and a serving girl. He let his eyes linger long enough for the Lady to follow his gaze and suddenly become quite sober.
"Yes I quite agree. Good evening Lord Mikk." Lady Hawthorne promptly gathered her skirts and plodded towards her son.
Tyki laughed darkly to himself as he watched the woman march her troublesome son away. Honestly with more money and power came less and less brains. He would much rather spend an evening in a tavern in town; at least there he would be able to find better, more interesting and candid conversation.
Glancing around one last time to ensure that his brother hadn't caught sight of him, Tyki made his exit through the gilt doors to freedom. His head already felt clearer away from the music and suffocating mix of perfumes and scented smoke. Tiresome, the lot of them.
The hallway was cool as large mullioned windows were opened to tempt in the sea breeze and splashes of moonlight. Interspersed brackets provided a dimmer light that Tyki found himself much better suited to. It was so much easier to breather when one did not have to constantly worry about putting on the perfect act, even if the act had become second nature.
Tyki pulled the shorter tail of his neck tie and left it hanging loose about his collar, to complete the look Tyki undid the top two button of his shirt and removed his silk gloves. The window farthest from the ballroom was his favourite, not only because of the distance but that particular window provided the best view of the sea. An incredibly comfortable seat was an added bonus.
A sharp gasp caught his attention as he settled on the seat, back against the wall and one leg lifted to rest on the cushioned seat. The sound belonged to the darkened form of a slender young woman, almost completely hidden in shadows on the dark side of the window seat. Tyki could not believe he had managed to walk right past this woman without even noticing she was there. Obstinately he maintained his rebellious posture.
"…Sorry…" The woman made as if to leave the Lord in private. Tyki would have let her go without a word but a beam of moonlight illuminated her features as she moved away. White light exposed a figure in a beautifully cut simple green dress, lustrous red hair tied up in a loose pony tail and hanging over one shoulder. Porcelain skin seemed to glow in the moon's light. A fringe obscured her right eye, and Tyki was seated to far back to determine the colour of her exposed one.
The woman began to walk away at a quick pace. Maybe it was her reluctance to stay in his presence when every other female he encountered seemed to hang on his every word but Tyki suddenly felt the urge to keep her a little longer. Also the fact that he did not recognise her at all piqued his interest. This woman must be new to the mansion he would have remembered someone with such exotic hair. Jumping down from the seat and took a step closer to the woman's retreating back.
"Please, stay. Don't leave on my account." An outstretched hand gestured for the woman to girl to return to her seat. With a playful twist of his lips he added, "You were here first after all."
The mysterious woman returned the smile, but remained hesitant, "Thank you Lord Mikk, but I should return to the party."
She bowed, not the polished curtsey of a higher born maiden but a more rustic version common to girls of the countryside. To Tyki however, it seemed that this girl carried more pride in her bearing than the overly delicate creatures of high society.
He leant back against the seat in a half way seated position and materialised a cigarette and match from his pocket.
"Now that's not very fair is it?" Tyki muttered. The offhand tone caught the young woman's attention.
"Pardon?" She looked over her shoulder, mildly confused.
"Well you know my name whereas I am completely ignorant of yours," he glanced up to consider her over his now lit cigarette, "May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
Silk rustled as the woman took up her seat on the window, this time sitting in the light of the moon all the while keeping a distance from the smoking man. Holding on to the edge of the seat she leaned back and sighed.
"Names are like clothing in this world." She said shortly looking up at the high patterned ceiling. Tyki raked his eyes up from the slim waist, along the bodice of the dress to a small chest and followed the length of pale neck. He promptly averted his gaze as the woman turned her face to consider him. "Yours is stamped all over you."
A genuine smile broke out on Tyki's face at that. This woman was turning out to be quite interesting after all. He let out a small bark of a laugh as her thought of his coal mining, tavern hopping alter ego. Names were indeed worn like clothing.
Taking a long drawn out breath around the little white stick he finally met her eyes, or eye rather, the smoke caught in his throat at the sight. A bright green eye, deep enough to match the colour of her dress perfectly was watching him with intelligence unmatched by any other woman he had met in high or low society. Tyki released the grey cloud slowly to hide his momentary shock as contemplation.
"In this world?" two gold eyes stared into a single emerald one. "Are you not of this world?"
The woman's pink mouth broadened into a large grin, lighting up her face with something other than moonlight. To Tyki this brightly coloured woman seemed unearthly enough with her ethereal beauty that he could almost believe that she was not of this world.
"What a serious question!" Reaching out a hand to lightly touch Tyki's cheek she asked, "Do I feel as if I am not of this world?" She laughed at the ridiculously stunned expression on the man's face.
Tyki felt his face warm at the touch and had to wilfully stop himself from following the hand as she took it back. Embarrassment flushed through him as he realised his actions. Who was this woman and how dare she affect him like this?
"I was merely referring to the high born people. Names are far less important than appearance and standing. You could be the Lord of the Manor but your name would not be worth a penny if you did not have the suits and banquets to match. Ask yourself, would you have desired my name if you hadn't found my appearance pleasing?"
"And what makes you think that I find your appearance pleasing?" Tyki winced at his own immature retort. He was still shaken from the response this woman had drawn out from him.
"Simple. We have already met once and you did not ask for name that time." That self-assured tone was really starting to grate on Tyki, but he couldn't bring himself to end this conversation.
"Well for that I must sincerely apologise, it is very unmannered of me to have overlooked such a precious piece of information." He paused as he tried to recall where he could possibly have met this woman. It struck him that he may have met her on one of his jaunts as a miner; she certainly seemed sharp enough to see through that disguise.
"Forgive me but I cannot think of where we crossed paths before. I am certain that I would remember one as lovely as you. Unless of course we met under different circumstances?"
A look reminiscent of panic flashed behind her eye, smile flickering for just a moment. Tyki did not know why, but he felt a peculiar triumph at that, as if he had gained a point in their game of words.
"No… it was here. In the manor."
Relief. So she was not aware of his other face.
"So then you are recently elevated." If she was a newcomer into society through marriage to some petty lord or landowner it would explain why he did not immediately recognise her.
"If you can call it elevation," the bitter tone made Tyki regret his question. Her head tipped back as she contemplated the stone ceiling, waves of some unknown emotion rippling under her skin. Perhaps she was unhappy in her marriage; commoners weren't suited to society life. Tyki suddenly felt a rush of anger towards the man who had chained this soul. The bachelor put a stop to that line of thought. It was not his place to sympathise with a woman.
"What a waste of a sharp mind to be lost to marriage." The last of the cigarette burned away and bitterly Tyki stubbed the stick on the ash tray on the side of the window seat. Finding out that the young woman was married had quickly extinguished any interest he had. Married woman were only fun for so long, after that she would only serve to be a needless bother.
A burst of laughter stopped him as he rose to leave. The woman covered her mouth with both hands as she laughed. The sound was like water rushing over rocks, free but rough around the edges, although not ungracefully.
"I'm sorry. Please don't be offended, it's just I'm not very accustomed to be called a 'sharp mind'." The woman lowered her hands to hold onto to her stomach instead. A green eye sparkled up at Tyki, the other eye still hidden from view. "My grandfather raised me and for the first six years of my life I honestly thought my name was 'Stupid Apprentice'."
Slightly taken aback by her explanation he was unsure how to respond. Surely 'apprentice' was not the appropriate way to address a grandchild? It was easy to navigate a course of action with women who flirted and fawned, but Tyki was in unsure waters with this honest red head. Personal stories regarding one's childhood were just that: personal. The usual society woman did not bandy about such stories, especially not ones that are self-deprecating.
Yet again this woman had managed to surprise him. Tyki's noble brow creased slightly as he frowned.
It suddenly dawned on him that he had managed to somehow hold a conversation with her and not once had she tried to proposition him as any other lady in her position might have done. Tyki had even begun to consider whether he should ask her for a private audience; a highly unusual response from one Tyki Mikk.
If he was to make this woman his, even for a night than he had to artfully arrange his nets about her. Something about this nameless red headed woman told him that his regular strategies would not be enough. Injecting as much smoothness, and gentlemanly charm into his voice, Tyki prepared his response.
"I would have to strongly argue that that title is both ill-fitting and unladylike. A girl at six is a lifetime's worth of different to the woman she becomes. I'm sure even your grandfather would have to agree with that." That should be enough to induce an appreciative smile from the lady and Tyki half expected some sort of educated counter argument about the progression of childhood. What he did not expect however, was to see her hang her head as if ashamed.
"A lifetime's of different? Yes, he would certainly agree with that." A shadow passed over her face, causing that bright eye to dull ever so slightly and voice faltering, Tyki waited for her to continue, fearing that a word from him would put a stop to her travelling down this particular avenue of conversation. At the moment the most important thing to him was to gather as much information as he could about this person.
"He is not a healthy man… He was already old when I was young, but he was, no is the cleverest man I have ever known. I – I'm not married you know, he raised me not to make any unnecessary attachments. When all the other girls my age were running away getting married, I was learning to read languages from countries that most others had not even heard of." Her pink lips upturned into a lopsided grin, then quickly morphing into a twisted excuse for a smile before settling into a wistful frown. Had Tyki blinked and he would have missed it all.
"But I do think it bothers him now that he did not marry me off sooner."
The laughter from just a moment before was chased off so suddenly by this episode of sadness. Even if he would not admit it but the range of emotion this woman could feel scared him. One portion of an evening on a window seat was not nearly enough time to unravel the riddle of this young red headed woman. She was clearly a complex being, with more substance than any of the party guests could boast. The revelation that she was not married only increased his desire to know her, unattached to another lord would leave her free for him to pursue.
"My lady you should not second guess his judgements. Your grandfather sounds like a remarkable man indeed to have placed a greater importance on knowledge than on the bartering of what I am sure is his finest asset." The young woman looked over him appraisingly, blushing lightly at the compliment to both her and her grandfather.
"Forgive me if I am too bold, but I wonder how you came to be in this manor and at this party. My dear, you have presented with quite a puzzle. You do not give me a name by which to call you; you tell me you are elevated and yet you are unmarried; And even go so far as to the beginnings of an interesting story of childhood." He tousled his hair in mock exasperation and earned a small giggle for his efforts.
"There is so much more I would like to know about you and I would be honoured if I could call upon you so we may continue our discussion in a more… appropriate setting," He waved a hand to indicate the empty hallway, the only other sound were the faint noises of the party that continued on without two of its guests. "A window seat in a darkened hallway is hardly the right venue to entertain."
The enigmatic woman fixed him in a green eyed stare that seemed to see more than just a gentleman in a hallway. The gaze looked through him and beyond; before this woman he felt stripped; an uncomfortable feeling for a man so accustomed to being in control of any situation. All pretence of enjoying his company dropped as her expression turned hard.
"Don't spoil a good conversation with those thoughts." The tone held a dangerous edge like the sharp end of a broken bottle.
"What thoughts? I only meant to invite you to dinner, chaperoned of course." Suave grin etched into his face even as the fine hairs of his neck stood up. In as placating a voice as he could manage Tyki begged forgiveness. "I meant no offence."
It was amazing how expressive a single eye be, Tyki thought as he watched the woman battle with the idea of walking away. He breathed an internal sigh of relief as the shielded look of her eye faded and was quickly replaced with an amused one.
"You must forgive me, I've heard so much about the Lord Tyki Mikk and not all of it is flattering." She bowed her head slightly, broken bottle lowered, "New as I am to this court I will learn not to listen to the ladies' talk so readily."
Yet again his reputation preceded him. Shaking his head ruefully, Tyki could not help but be impressed by her response to it, when so many others would have been happy enough to eat of the apple he offered.
"I cannot blame you for my own misdeeds, my dear. Maybe you can provide me with an opportunity to rid this disgraceful cloud that hangs over me?" Never give up at the first refusal, even if it is the first refusal in a very long time.
"I would be happy enough to oblige you, but my time is not my own." Again that bitter tone.
"Then to whom should I make my application? However," He shifted slightly closer to the young woman. Motivated by the fact that she did not move away Tyki gently pulled her face towards him. Beneath his fingers she felt warm, real. Close enough now to count the lashes on her right eye. "We are only given so few hours in our lives. What will you do with yours?"
One eyebrow arched elegantly at the question. Tyki wondered, was she considering his question or was its twin similarly raised under that brush of red in stunned surprise? He raised a hand to find his answer; at least one mystery surrounding this woman could be resolved tonight.
Unfortunately she swiftly ducked away from the hand and out of his grip placing sufficient distance between them.
"Is this the charm of Tyki Mikk that I was warned about?" She sounded slightly breathless. To Tyki it seemed that she was trying hard to maintain her aloof aura, but maybe, just maybe he had been able to slip a fingernail underneath her mask. The man was definitely proud of himself at this moment, more so than usual.
"No. Mere charm would be an insult to you my lady. You are a different creature from those other mindless butterflies flitting about. Twice as articulate and three times as lovely as any other woman at this party; Very interesting. And I still do not know your name." The last part spoken more as self-reproach.
She opened her full lipped mouth to respond but was cut off by a deep booming voice.
"Tyki!"
Tyki cringed as he immediately recognised the voice of his brother and organiser of the party. It did not escape him that the fair young woman also flinched. He turned his attention towards the tall long haired man who was approaching at a rapid pace.
"Brother, I was told that you had left the party. I missed your beauty while you were away, why do you keep yourself away from me any longer." The newcomer made to embrace Tyki, who held up both hands to push his brother away.
"Don't make me sick brother." Tyki stood and brushed himself off, metaphorically removing any lingering traces. "Don't you know it is rude to conduct yourself like this in the presence of a lady?"
The foppish man looked about him in search of the 'lady', eyes landing on the red haired woman. Tyki noticed that his brother's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked upon the woman who was now staring at the floor, head bowed. Meekness: A new pose to add to her growing repertoire of stances.
"My dear, I see you have acquainted yourself with Lord Mikk. How do you find him?" Her head shot up quickly, she looked panicked none of her quick answers from earlier at her disposal. The newcomer crossed one arm across his chest to hold the opposite elbow as he rested his cheek against the flat of his palm. Eye darting between the two men before her, the young woman seemed at a total loss for words. Tyki thought it odd that she seemed to be smaller, dimmer somehow.
"How do I find him, Lord Kamelot?"
"Yes, has he been treating you well?"
Tyki scoffed audibly, Sherrill could be so patronising at times, constantly reminding him that he should at least hide his exploits better. Something Sherrill Kamelot appeared to be so good at himself.
"Lord Mikk has been a perfect gentleman, my Lord." Her voice was small, almost mouse-like and Sherrill Kamelot the lion.
Tyki scoffed even louder, "My dear, there's no such thing!"
"Now, Tyki you should take a compliment when it has been handed to you so freely, especially from one so lovely. Should we go head back to the party?" He proffered his arm which was taken meekly by the young woman. The image of these two standing like this irked Tyki, there was something wrong about this picture. The woman's actions now were so different from how she was with him before. Tyki fast decided that he did not like Sheril being so close to the red haired lady.
As the two turned away, the woman lead by Sheril, the last chance to learn her name walked away with them.
"Wait!" Tyki hated himself for the half way desperate tone. The pair turned back nonetheless, or rather Sherrill turned back and the woman kept watch of floor she suddenly found so interesting. He walked up to the woman and titled her face upwards as she appeared reluctant to do so herself. From the corner of his eye he note the involuntary twitch of muscle on Sheril's face at the contact. "Surely you wouldn't leave me at loss of a name to call out should I be so lucky to see you again."
Sherrill did not look happy that he was directly addressing the woman, although when she turned to him, he gave her the briefest of nods.
"My name is Lav- Lovely, Lord Mikk." Tyki raised a single eyebrow but held his question back, for now he was satisfied with the answer he received.
"Thank you, Lady Lovely for keeping a tired gentleman company. It has been a pleasure. Goodnight." He gave her a deep bow and a dazzling smile and pressed his lips to the back of a fine-boned hand. Maybe he did hold his lips to her skin longer than he should have, and he might have prolonged the time her hand sat in his but he did let on that this may or may not have been the case. To the other man a stiff nod and a simple. "Brother."
With that he walked away, footsteps receding and the image of a red haired woman in a green dress imprinted in his mind.
In the hallway he left behind the previously nameless woman, Lovely and the Lord Kamelot.
"I wonder why you gave my brother a false name. It is a sin to lie you know." The tall man dipped his head low to speak directly in her ear.
Lovely, shivered away from his touch, steeling herself to counter, whispering fiercely. "And it's a sin to commit adultery. But that doesn't stop you!"
Lord Kamelot only laughed at her hissing. "My, my, aren't you fiery tonight? Why so quiet before? Hiding something perhaps?" He grabbed her chin in a more forceful hold than Tyki had exerted twice already that night. Sheril pinched hard enough to redden the skin around his fingers.
Sensing danger, Lovely composed herself. There may be over a hundred people in the very next room, but she did not trust what this man could do to her, what he had already done. She adjusted her voice to something more modest, more humble.
"I refused him."
"What was that my dear?" Leaning in again. This time Lovely did not move back.
"I refused his advances. He should not be a problem in the future."
Lord Kamelot was pleased. "Very good Lovely. Lovely." He licked his lips as if tasting the name, "It suits you. You have even shown some initiative, an oversight perhaps on my part not to set up a new name for you."
"Thank you Lord Kamelot." Lord Kamelot reflected that this woman was indeed a very good actress; even he almost believed that she was truly thankful.
A tight pressure enclosed around her upper arm as Lord Kamelot grabbed her, and steered them towards the dance hall.
"Just so you know, Lovely now that you have caught Tyki's attention be more aware of yourself. He does not give up easily."
Lovely sighed deeply. How she had ended up here with Lord Kamelot was already weighing on her shoulders. But to now be in between these two brothers was more trouble
than she thought she could handle.
Thinking of her ill grandfather, she straightened her shoulders and settled her masks more firmly about her. There were some things worth sacrificing herself for.
The image of a butterfly caught in a net struck poignantly as she entered the hall on Lord Kamelot's arm.