Batanga came through. She knew of a tailor in Lion's Arch who, on the condition I name-drop him at the dinner party, would design AND make me an outfit in time for tonight. I thought that was impossible, but as Batanga put it, "This guy's really something else." And he was. After the human had taken my measurements, and I'd given him my directions (make it Priory related, nothing too crazy), we'd taken our leave. Coming back later this evening on my own, my gown is ready.
"How'd you get this done so fast?" I ask, handling the cloth. I'm sure the admiration showed in my voice. It's made of a soft material, with a slight shine in the light. Just a bit too heavy to be silk, and it has a slight texture to it. I have to hand it to him, I wasn't expecting this level of quality so quickly.
"A bit of skill, a bit of magic," he replies, a twinkle in his eye.
"Do you have a changing room?" I'm cutting it close. There's just enough time to meet Gixx at the Divinity's Reach asura gate if I walk with a bit of pep in my step after getting dressed.
"Right this way, milady," he gestured grandly to a door on the other side of the room.
I scurry off and enter the small room. I quickly shed my clothes, being careful not to mess my hair. Batanga had helped me style it, although I didn't see the need. I'm not going to turn down any help though. it's styled back (I insisted on this, I hate having hair in my face), and up with a simple comb to hold it in place. Up and over, and after finishing wiggling into my outfit, I walk out the changing room.
"Ah! You look ADORABLE," he exclaims.
I quietly bite my tongue. Tip: if you're human don't call an asura 'adorable'. We know you mean it the same way you call your dull children "cute". It's infantilizing and we HATE it. I'd have ripped into the tailor, but he did do a good job on the gown and it was free.
"Thank you," I say through gritted teeth, "But I go."
"Don't forget! Tell any noble you see that the great Jay Valjay was inspired by Lyssa herself to create your ensemble!" he calls as I rush out the door. I don't respond, I'm too focused on my goal and not ripping my dress while getting there.
I don't bother with fancy shoes; in fact I was wearing my regular sole less footwear, favored by asura. The gown was long enough that no one can see my feet anyway, or anything I might be hiding under the bottom half of my dress. Like say, a Peacemaker focus. I'm not looking to start any fights, but having some protection felt wise after the last fancy party I attended.
I began to slow down once the fountain was in view. The sun was just starting to set, and it cast the waterworks into a reddish-gold hue. I ignored the sudden sense of dread as I pass it. The Priory assured everyone that the portal to the Mad King's realm is properly sealed. Not a danger or threat anymore, but I still feel nervous every time I pass it.
As I near the gate hub, I spy Gixx. His back is to me, but I could tell it's him. His sullen disposition and angry mutterings give him away. Looks like he's back to his old self after last night. Shame, he's much more fun after a drink or two. Gixx probably expected me to come through the Rata Sum gate, not already be in Lion's Arch. I resist the urge to scare him, and clear my throat instead, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.
"A-HEM."
He jumps slightly, and spins around to face me. He looks angry at first, but the look fades when he realizes its me. He quickly inspects my appearance.
"You're not in your armor?" Gixx asks.
"Sorry to disappoint," I reply, "but I decided to try something new."
"Not disappointed at all. Just . . ." he trails off.
He doesn't sound angry, which I was mildly worried about. I had the distinct feeling that if I came in something that wasn't appropriate he wouldn't let me out of going to the dinner. No, he probably would force me into some spare priory gear he had handy. I wouldn't put it past him. He also didn't have the usual disdain that taints his voice either. It's almost like he approves.
I look at him levelly and arch an eye ridge at him.
"Just surprised," he finished.
"Good surprised, I'm sure. Let's be on our way," I begin to head up the ramp to the Divinity's Reach. "The faster we get this over with the better," I mutter.
Gixx follows behind me. "It won't br that bad, I assure you."
"We'll see," and with that I head through the portal.
We come through the other side exiting into the grand pavilion of Divinity's Reach. The gate technicians briefly look up from their work to make sure the two of us came through intact, and then ignore us. I don't know how anyone can stand gate work, lots of sitting and monitoring and tweaking. Even as a Statics graduate, gate work just feels stagnant and tedious.
"You look nice."
What? Is that a compliment? From a sober Gixx of all people?
"Er, you do too. Very dignified." I hope that didn't sound as awkward as I'm certain it did.
Gixx did look nice. He wasn't wearing his usual Priory robes, but a very nice silver cloak that looks asuran in design. It has large, structured shoulder pads with distinct floating gems. Underneath it, his robe's design and color where the same as the Priory light armor, but made of a much finer material. To top it all off, he has an ornate cane with him, with etchings that mimic the Priory's designs with a diamond-shaped energy crystal on top. It's fancy to say the least, and I'm certain it's custom-made for him. As I was also wearing "Priory inspired" garments of my own, our designs and the colors chosen are similar enough that we match. By Oola's ghost, the nobles are going to have a field day with that, I can just feel it.
I smile at him, and he gives his awkward half-smile in return before clearing his throat and brushing past me.
"The dinner is at the Crayblin Manor, this way," he says, motioning in front of him. I follow beside him.
"I'm not familiar with that location. Where is it?" I ask.
"Ossan Quarter. Ganon Crayblin is the new minister, and he's taken over the former one's mansion."
"What happened to the last minister?"
"Convicted of treason and murder, defeated and his assets seized. Ganon is a noble who often donates to the Priory. He's having a party to celebrate his new position."
"Wait, we're heading in the opposite direction of the Ossan Quarter," I note. I'm not familiar with Divinity's Reach, but we pass a signpost showing that we're clearly going in the wrong direction.
"Hm? Oh yes, we've got some time before the party starts," he says casually, still walking.
I narrow my eyes. "How MUCH time?"
"About half an hour," he's unfazed by my angry glare and continues. "I assumed you would come in late, or make excuses to get out of this. I wanted plenty of time to make sure you couldn't shirk your duty."
"Then where ARE we going then?" I ask. Frustrating, but understandable in hindsight. I'm slightly peeved I didn't have the foresight to see this happening.
"The Durmand Hall."
The Durmand Hall is a small library in Divinity's Reach that was a part of the Priory. It's used to hold some harmless books on the history of the city, and for general goodwill. I stopped by it on my last visit to the city when I was looking for a particular book. It's also used as a recruiting station, with a small staff. Their reaction to having Gixx around will be interesting.
"Unless you'd rather show up to the party early and mingle?" he asks.
I shake my head.
We show up at the entrance of the hall, empty save for a Priory recruitment officer. She does a double take at us, then hastily straightens up and salutes at us.
"Steward Gixx! Commander Tippa!" she stutters. "It's an honor to have you here!"
"Hello," I greet her warmly and head to the back of the library to browse the books. I catch sight of a human child, partially obscured by the stack of books around her. She looks up at me as I come near, and I give her a wink. She looks flustered and buries her face back in her book.
"Hm yes, just stopping by to see how things are going," Gixx replies. He begins inspecting the books and the room. I notice a small sheen of perspiration appear on her skin. Having the head of the Priory come down to expect your work first hand is nerve-racking. I've long gotten use to Gixx's stodgy demeanor, but not everyone dealt with him as much as I did.
Gixx paused in front of a bookcase and turns to face the young woman. "Shouldn't there be two of you here?" he asks.
"Librarian Wellx wasn't feeling well sir, so he went home early," she replies. Her voice wavers a little, and her fingers fidget slightly.
"I see. You must have 2 people in the library for safety reasons. If someone leaves, find a replacement. If you can't, I'd rather you shut down the library for the day." His voice is cold and harsh.
Gixx wipes one finger on the shelf in front of him, and looks at the resulting dust on his finger disapprovingly.
"You're not following the regular cleaning routine in the Priory library guidelines," he states.
The recruitment officer looks even more uncomfortable. The silence hung in the air as Gixx continues with his inspection. I was actually looking forward to wasting my time in the library until the dinner, but now not so much. It's painful seeing Gixx coldly break this Priory member down. I realize I don't even know her name! Gixx hadn't even asked before beginning his inspection.
"Can-can I help you find anything?" she stammers.
"No, just go about your business," he says calmly. He continues to flip through books, inspecting the amount of wear and checking for mold. A frown is his reaction when he finishes leafing through each book.
I can't keep my silence any longer. "Oh you KNOW she can't do that! Not with you here judging!" I exclaim.
Gixx regards me calmly. "It's my job to make sure that all factions of the Priory are running at optimum efficiency. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell me how to do my job."
"Yes, and you can do that without acting the way you are right now!"
Gixx snapped the book shut and strode toward me, stopping just in front of me. "And how am I acting right now?" he asks.
As much as I hate the superior attitude he's exuding, I need to calm things down. Although I am the Pact Commander, I'm still an Explorer at the Priory. Gixx outranks me, and I can tell he doesn't like his authority challenged in front of other Priory members. That was a mistake on my part, I should've pulled him away instead of calling him out in the open. Time for some damage control.
I lower my voice. "What I mean to say is, is this how you want the Priory to come across to the general populace?"
I tilt my head in the direction of the girl I winked at earlier. Her face still buried in the book she held, but I noticed that since we entered she hadn't turned a page once. I catch her making fearful glances at Gixx when she thought he wasn't looking. I'm positive he hasn't noticed her there, and I was hedging my bets on it.
His eyes flick in her direction, then back to me. I hold his gaze, hoping that I struck some small empathy nerve within him. After a few tense moments, he leans away from me and adjusts his robes.
"We've spent enough time here," he declares, turning toward the door. "I expect my criticisms to make an impact the next time I stop by."
The recruitment officer nods vigorously.
I follow him out silently, but make sure to give a small wave to the officer before I leave.
I notice we're heading toward the Ossan District. We walk in silence for the second time tonight. The first time had been in mutual awkwardness, now it's cold and uncomfortable.
"I'm doing my job," Gixx says suddenly.
"As head of the Priory, you don't have to justify yourself to me," I respond coldly.
Although we were walking side by side, I don't look at him.
I see his jaw clench from the corner of my eye. "You're right," he says quietly, "I don't."
Why was he so harsh? I've never been fond of leadership through intimidation. I preferred wielding my authority with grace, not like a cudgel. Gixx had come dangerously close to beating that officer with his "cudgel". I'm glad that he pulled back when he realized the child was there. Showed he had some empathy in there for something other than books and knowledge. It's hard to believe that this was the same asura I had so much fun being with yesterday. Work can really change a person.
"But, I want no ill will between us, especially now," he clears his throat. Referring to the party no doubt. Wouldn't look good if we both are angry at each other while representing the Priory.
"I'm an adult Gixx, I can put this past me for the Priory," I sigh. "And its like you said. I can't tell you how to do your job." My ears twitch in irritation. Why is he pushing this?
"Yes, but thank you for stopping me."
I stop walking and face him head on. I was going to say, "You shouldn't need someone to stop you!" but the look on his face catches me off guard. His ears have a slight droop to them, and he looks apologetic.
"Putting you in that position was a mistake," he admits.
Is he seeking my approval? Forgiveness? Can't be, this is Gixx. But. He's a person too, with an entire legion of people to look after. Adding to that countless knowledge and artifacts that must be preserved and protected for future generations. That can wear on you, I know from first hand experience.
"I'm glad you acknowledge that," I say quietly. I give him a small smile as a peace-offering. That's as close to an apology as I'm going to get from him.
He let's out a breath he's holding and smiles back. His features soften a little.
"I think we've wasted enough time wandering around the city. Come, the entrance to the Ossan District is close."