The Gentlemen

He could not have imagined the streets would be this packed. The din was amazing. Flower petals and multi-coloured confetti drifted through the air, mingling with the scent of the sea brought by the visitors choosing to use a spell to amplify the best aspects of an ocean breeze which would not exist this far inland. It was not hard to guess how resplendently impressive and exotic they looked to these people, riding in on great cats, attired in fancy coat of arms representing their various houses. Damn the cobblestones, which required using up a steady amount of power to prevent the paw-pads of their mounts from suffering on them.

Resisting the urge to tweak his moustache, Lord Ariakas Kelman smiled from atop his lion, chestnut curls gathered loosely down his back while interwoven with a strip of gold-patterned leather into a neat thick semi-pleat, pale amber of his eyes darkening into an amused shade of honey. As the leisurely procession continued through the city toward the royal palace, he stole a quick glance at his companion. The other man was gently nudging his dark panther, to quicken its pace. Raising a gloved hand and summoning the barest manipulation of wind, invisible fingers gently tucked back a stray jet-black tendril hanging loosely down a dusty black coat. At the gesture, his fellow aristocrat known as Kai Descantor looked up, irritation fading from silvery-green eyes.

'Why did I ever consent to help set the pace, especially next to a slave-driver like you? Nyssa doesn't enjoy being a leader... for the thousandth time.' A teasing glint in those eyes belied the petulance in his voice. Smooth modulated tones of his best friend were lost for the next few seconds beneath the cheers of the crowds.

'... you never could resist me. Except when Silvara is around. However, it seems our love-hate relationship will never be consummated,' was the unexpected reply. One glove-encased gold-tipped nail traced the faint jagged scar running down the right cheek of Lord Kai so gently, the dark-haired lord was unable to repress a shudder. Windmaster and shinma leader of the Knights of Falconblade, Lord Ariakas Kelman, could not resist chuckling behind a hand in response, while adding more fuel to his teasing.

'I promise not to tease you to death in front of all these people. Their affections will be wasted on two of the most-capable and dashing overlords from beyond their sea. Wait, there's one more who should capture their attention just as easily. Has he removed his cowl, or is he still a moping disgrace to his father?'

Kai could not resist rolling his eyes, whenever this subject came up. 'No, the silly boy insists on hiding all of himself beneath a hideously shapeless cloak. It's unfashionable. Why else do you think they will arrive at their destination later in a carriage, taking another less-obvious route while we must parade ourselves as distraction? It's a shame for him to still be in mourning; probably been fed during infancy with energy-suffused berries for too long before being allowed to grow up. Two years is enough time to start living again. At the least, his father needs to give that milksop a good boot in the back, preferably down a long flight of stairs.'

His companion shrugged, not answering immediately. 'I doubt he will ever be able to give himself fully to one person, in his current stagnation. I've heard his obsession with his mother is unhealthy, which is why the mourning has gone on for so long. It will take a force beyond his reckoning, to wake him up.'

Their eyes met in understanding, before they both spurred their felines past the foot soldiers flanking the grand archway into the courtyard of the main palace.

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Lord Tauron was glad, when they finally stepped foot into the mansion of their host. 'Lord Pazusu, I am honoured to be your guest.'

He could not hold back a smile of relief. Quiet, spacious, not crowded with nosy people... the very airiness made this place a veritable oasis of peace. The mansion would be an enjoyable escape from the stifling confines of the palace, which is where he had to spend most of his time aiding in settling treaties and forging greater ties.

'My son, he needs to rest, the journey has been tiring for him...' He remarked, while walking over to whisper into the ear of the figure wrapped in the dark cloak. There was the barest of nods, and then the dark figure followed a servant up the stairs. Lord Pazusu smiled back in understanding, before looking concerned.

'Is he still...?'

Wrinkles not due to smiles became apparent on the other lord's face. 'Yes, I only hope this will work, for it is my last resort. A new place means new faces and changes to take in. It should appeal to him and distract him. And it is time he became a man. Shinma do not usually have such a long time to indulge being silly.'

Voices low in conference, the two shinma elder lords walked out of the great hall, not noticing the slight figure slipping up the stairs.

She had to see for herself. She could not believe it, but she recognised that aura. Incredible sadness, unearthly charm and a glimpse of that visage where the rays of the setting sun managed to sneak beneath that cowl...

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'This is the best!' crowed Olas, merrily adding more twigs to the fire.

A half-roasted boar was turning in their makeshift spit, the delicious aroma reminding all present that they had not eaten such food for a long time, even when they did not need any it. The freedom of the forest, the soothing sounds of the night birds...Thankfully he would not be back until late afternoon the next day. Lemures happily plucked a speckled yellow birberry off the branch and threw another at Olas. Viedel sat down next to Larva who was sprawled on the ground, ice-blue eyes staring into the flames.

'What do you think those nobles will be like, especially the ones your godfather has agreed to host in the same mansion where you live?' was Viedel's question, as he mentally debated whether to pick birberries from the tree where Lemures was seated.

A scowl crossed Larva's face at the topic subject, and he sat up abruptly.

'Stuffy, uncouth, annoying...' was Olas' contribution, while showering them with a mini-rain of small pebbles, as Lemures dodged his aim.

'You can't be stuffy and uncouth at the same time, stupid Olas, ha ha ha- Oof!' Lemures crashed to the ground as Viedel sprang up and snagged his ankle. Olas laughed, nut-brown eyes gleaming with amusement until Larva tackled him. It was fun to muck around in human ways between friends, without needing to use shinma powers. Then it became a free-for-all and the subject was forgotten, with roast boar, jokes and sleep to occupy the rest of the night.

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She was so nervous, and afraid at being caught. Sliding into the room past the unlocked door, she followed the shadows hugging the walls. The lone occupant of this room seemed to be asleep, since her presence had not been detected. One hand was thrown up over the forehead, casting a shadow over the face. She could not see, so she had to get closer. Curiosity overwhelmed caution. Creeping closer, she was surprised to be able to get next to the bed without rousing the stranger. A burgundy nightshirt covered the torso from the waist up, blankets from the waist down. The view was still unsatisfying. Andeas decided to try a different angle instead. She decided to go to the foot of the bed.

A vicelike grip suddenly stopped her left wrist, paralysing her in her tracks. Automatically trying to pull out of that hold only enabled intense pressure to tighten around her wrist, threatening to break her bones. This person was strong, and the strength had to belong to a man. Her other hand covered her face, even though she knew it was a futile gesture.

'Who are you, and what are you doing in here?' His voice was soothing, despite a slight huskiness from sleep. She didn't move. 'You have to face me at some point soon, you know. You can't stay like this forever, and I eventually want my privacy back.'

Amusement faintly coloured the voice addressing her. Andeas turned slowly, her heart in her mouth.

She was dead. She had to be dead, in Heaven or Hell, looking at this vision… and such a vision only belonged to a god or demon. Moonlight illuminated perfectly-angled cheekbones, a delicately pointed chin, perfect bow of the lips... Those purple eyes only sucked you in. She could stare at him forever.

Garline looked at the girl in front of him, and something akin to pity touched his conscience. She looked familiar... Was she the one who had seen him, when he sent out a scrying spell to get a glimpse of Endorras before they landed? He knew he had ensnared another unintentionally, and he should tell the girl to leave. Yet something in him did not want to be alone, wanted to know how warmth and a way forward could still exist for him, even if this was a silly idea. A sad smile flitted across his lips, and his grip became gentle. Looking up at Andeas who had momentarily lost the ability to speak due to being awestruck, his smile became slightly pleading.

'Nevermind. Perhaps... you could let me hold your hand, while I sleep? It is warm... unlike everything else.'

The brown-eyed girl sank into the chair next to the bed. Garline curled his long slim fingers about her smaller rougher fingers. His breathing became even and slow once more.

She was content to watch the play of moonlight over his countenance, breeze ruffling thin stray strands of dark red hair. He was too far above her, especially if he was a shinma and she was only human. Shinma or not, in that moment, she knew she would die for him if he asked that of her; he was the moon and the stars to Andeas. She remained like this even after dozing off, until dawn broke, and he woke her up to let her return to her tasks without being caught by other household staff.

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'This treaty talk is a real pain in the netherlands, even though it is still uncertain which side is causing the other more pain,' murmured Lord Ariakas, his exasperation slicing through the chatter coming from other nobles on either side of Lord Kai. His fellow overlord stretched in his seat, lean muscles suddenly taut beneath a close-fitting shirt. The other man's reply was accompanied by a smile of pure mischief as he looked at Ariakas, whose eyes had darkened into molten gold.

'At least Lord Tauron is bearing the worst of it, but we have to dive in and save him soon. My heroic instincts insist.'

A snort of laughter temporarily quelled the noise from the other nobles. Ariakas rose from his chair. Remaining seated, Kai only saw a flash of white teeth and his broad back, as he turned towards the conference room.

'Knowing you, you'll be out here for the rest of the talks. I'll see you then...' a chuckle punctuated his statement, as the footman pushed open the doors for him.

((Tomorrow we visit Endorras to see how they are doing. Especially his son... I have not seen that one since he was a child. If you need me, call. I will come to save you, or the talks, or both.))

Ariakas did not respond to the telepathic message, but a smile lingered on his face as he strode down the hallway, eventually fading before the large ornate doors of silver gilt and lemon beechwood carved with ornate runes. As he squared his shoulders, a nudge of wind utilising a certain amount of force caused the doors to fly open and he entered, ready to wrest the talks to their advantage once more.

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'Where were you yesterday?' The sternness in Lord Pazusu's tone revealed a rare anger Larva did not usually detect.

A cool gaze floated downwards to study red nails. His godson's insolence was annoying Pazusu, along with a refusal to cooperate. Topping the battle academy must have gone to his head. Semi-translucent white draperies continually dancing restlessly at rando moments in the glow of the late afternoon sun reminded one of being awash in a sea of foam. At this moment, the whiteness of the room reflected the lack of warmth between the only two people standing in it.

'I went out. With the gang.'

For a moment, the older shinma locked gazes with the younger shinma, but both were equally matched. A slight movement at the window behind Pazusu caught the attention of frosty nonchalance. Even as Lord Pazusu turned to see what it was, the message was fast fading away, since it had achieved its goal of being seen only by one person.

According to the message Larva had read, Lemures had seen something interesting, presumably one of the detested overseas nobles staying around here.

'I'm going out for a short while. I'll be back soon, for dinner.'

The other shinma backed out of the room so fast, Pazusu had no time to even form a rebuke and address Larva accordingly. He could only hope his godson would remember how to behave with dignity and maturity. As he walked out of the room, Andeas slipped in, holding little shinma Carlua in her arms. The nanny was asleep as usual, and she took the opportunity to play with the adorable toddler who hated to be neglected.

Walking out to the balcony, she stopped and went very still. 'Carly, look... it's him. Oh, you don't understand, but if you only could... and there's lord Larva, Lemures and two others whose names I can't remember. What are they doing?'

Little Carlua looked at where the servant girl was pointing. All she saw was her favourite Larva, although the other person standing at the edge of the cliff looked scary, because she could not see his face. She didn't care about the others. Suddenly, the sunlight made everything look... chilly.