Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Bernard only laughed as Yana was done speaking, shaking his head. The Yludih frowned slightly, not really having expected this reaction. She was quite confused, like the uncle had said, but not because she liked his nephew. She wondered just how he had read that in her words. It wasn’t like she was playing hard to get, even if Hannes and Bernard might think she was. She really did not feel anything for the guy. But there was no use in arguing about it. If Bernard thought she was into his nephew, that was okay. It meant she’d already fulfilled her goal; she’d formed connections with the upper class. “If you say so,” she conceded, her face still a mask of neutrality.

The knight captain then began to explain the flaws in her reasoning of making contacts among the other invitees, claiming they did not want to be bothered. He did have a point, but it had never been her plan to walk up to someone and be all business. Even she knew that was not a great idea, and she wasn’t quite the best at social situations. Yana gave slight shrug and paid some attention to the music and the dance they still were partaking in. The music had increased in tempo, and the dance got a little more complex. However, as the song repeated itself multiple times, there had been a couple cycles already, and after those she had grasped the basics of it. Of course she wasn’t a pro, but, with Bernard leading she was able to perform a passable act.

“Well, I suppose the last thing I will do is bother them then,” her response eventually came, her dress flowing around her as she moved in the rhythm of the music. “A faux pas would be quite unacceptable.”

Back with Faith, Hannes was not willing to let the slave girl go just like that. She almost squirmed as she tried to excuse herself, though she did not seem unsure if she could just leave. After all, she was a slave, and Hannes was a noble. There were rules to adhere to. A badly trained slave would be a blemish to the Venora name, so she couldn’t be rude. However, she still had a job to do as well, and Hannes did not really want to cause the girl too much trouble. Nevertheless, he had his own agenda, his own goal for the evening. Using the slave to make Saeri jealous was what mattered to him, the problems this might cause for Faith were only second thoughts. If he’d been sober he might have tried wooing a different girl. However, he was not, and the ladies at the party weren’t quite to his taste. That isn’t to say they were not beautiful, but they were around his uncle’s age or older, and most were already either engaged or married as well.

Yes, he did have more time than just tonight, but in his intoxicated state, he felt it had to be tonight. And Faith was just about the right girl for the job. She was pretty and around his age. As a plus, her outfit was almost scandalously skimpy, emphasizing her assets. If that would not succeed in getting the Eídisi jealous, then he did not know what would.

Getting the slave on board for this was a different matter though. He very much doubted she was up for this. He could try his good looks on her, flash her a dazzling smile and shower her with cheesy pick-up lines. He could compliment her and act interested in her, but still be did not think it would work. For one, she had refused him already, not having taken the offer to dance with him. Secondly, she was owned by the Venora’s. Hannes may be handsome, but his looks were no match for those of the Venora family. And thirdly, he had a nose for women. Some had knowledge of human nature, they instinctively knew what kind of person someone was. Hannes kind of had the same thing with girls. Though his wasn’t always accurate. However, with Faith he was sure that the slave was of the same type as Saeri; hard to get. A waste of time if he’d try seducing her. So he had one option left –except giving up. It was a bit humiliating, but he didn’t think too much of it with all the alcohol running through his veins.

“Please,” he began, grabbing Faith’s upper arm softly to prevent her from leaving. “I need your help.” He sounded and looked quite desperate, and it wasn’t an act. Not in full anyway. “That Eídisi, Saeri, I have been trying to woo her for a while now,” he admitted, speaking hushed and fast. “But it does not seem to do anything!” He sounded quite distressed about it, apparently not used to it. “Do you think it’s me? Is there something wrong with me maybe?” It seemed the copious amounts of alcohol he had imbibed were bringing his insecurities to the surface. “I mean, I wasn’t always subtle, but you need to let a girl know you like her, right? But every time she gives me the cold shoulder!” He bit his thumb, his eyes wandering to where his uncle and the woman he spoke about were dancing and seemingly enjoying themselves. “I saw her staring at you,” he rambled on, “like intensely staring. You don’t think she’s…” He frowned, leaning closer and speaking even more hushed than before. “You don’t think she’s into women, do you?” Hannes looked severely worried about it, biting his thumb again. “It does add up. It explains a lot… But it can’t be! Say it’s not true!” He collected himself then, coughing once and spying around quickly with his eyes.

“Sorry for that.” The squire stared at his feet, feeling a little ashamed. This was nothing new. It had happened a couple times before. But venting these things to just about anyone usually made him feel better. “But I would like your help. It’s nothing big, honest. Just help me get her jealous, only for tonight. Stay by my side for a while. We’ll do a little act.” He stared at her with big puppy eyes. “Please? A favor for a favor? Either for you personally or your lord. Just lend me your aid?”

The more they danced, the more Yana became aware of the puzzlement of the man who’d basically dragged her onto the dancefloor. She thought nothing of it; she’d met enough people in her Eídisi form who had had the same reaction. However, most either grew frustrated or angry with her, not able to deal with the cold and distanced attitude. Bernard though? He seemed rather curious and looked as if he would like to help her. That was the feeling she got when she studied him as he spoke anyway. The man’s own observations of her were spot on, and she gave a nod at them, taking in his broad smile and not so gentle stare. Yana wasn’t too sure what this meant. Was his smile a false one, or was he just trying to figure her out still? The former seemed most plausible, it would not surprise her if she had outstayed her welcome.

“You are correct in those assessments,” she replied, not breaking his gaze, “but I am afraid that ‘not wishing’ is hardly the entire truth. It is partly true, yes, but I have always lacked social skills. Before my twelfth arc, I was always studying. And if I wasn’t, I read. During my teenage arcs, I had some interaction with my peers, but I never got along. They bored me. I was odd to them. Not to mention that I am indeed somewhat biased when it comes to the act of idle conversation. I did not think it necessary or useful. So I avoided contact, as did they. I barely spoke to people, unless I needed something, or I was asked a question.” She kept silent for a brief period of time then, almost as if she needed a break after having said that much ever since her arrival at the party. The Yludih cocked her head slightly at her own confession, studying the man before her. “Most do not try to engage in conversation, or hang out with me for long,” she said then, though there was no sadness to be found in her tone. “You and your nephew are different though. I cannot fathom your reasons for it. Your, singular. I know your nephew’s reasons, however difficult it is to understand why he keeps trying.”

She twirled again, Bernard’s expert lead sending them both across the floor in the rhythm of the music, twirling and swinging back and forth. “As for why I am here; your nephew insisted I came along. I refused twice before accepting.” She was quite serious. Of course she was aware of the joke and that it was not a question Bernard had wanted an answer to. “Your advice is welcomed and accepted however. I do not often forgo an opportunity to learn, whether it lines up with my interests or not.” That it was something she was already aware of it she did not mention. “Old? This is your thirtieth birthday, is it not? Hardly what can be considered old.” Though at least six arcs older than Yana, Bernard was as much a child to the Eídisi as she was.

Hannes was getting a bit more hopeful. He’d reached his lowest point tonight, and from now on his spirit could only improve. Or so he believed. The slave girl wasn’t quite used to relationships, to use a euphemism, nor did she know whether or not Saeri was interested in her own gender. However, the squire decided to push it to the back of his head for now. He would find out once he and the slave were putting on their little act. Though once she spoke of getting a fresh tray of food he frowned slightly, his mind quickly working out a solution for that minor problem. “Yes, of course,”he said, “just a bit. Listen, you have seen couples, right? You have seen how they act? Try to act like that, but don’t try too hard, else it will be obviously fake. So, uhm, once you get your tray, try to come to this table last, and then act like a couple with me. For a few bits before you do another round or so? Just, you know, stand close to me, put an arm around me. I’ll do the same with you. ” He bit his thumb again, thinking of something else.

“And perhaps, if you are comfortable with it, share a kiss? Else we can just leave for a few moments together, implying something with our absence, but actually nothing is happening?” Hannes spoke quick and almost nervously, not really knowing what she considered too much. As something of a playboy he was not really concerned with those things, mostly because he could guess what was too far, and what was perfectly acceptable. But that was with a certain kind of girls, and they were free. He wasn’t sure what this slave was allowed to do, nor did he know what she did not want to do because she did not want it. Plus, he really did not want any trouble with the Venora’s. There was at least one of them in the Iron Hand, of a superior rank than him too. Careless action could possibly make his life in the military a hell. He really didn’t want that. For a moment he wondered if the Eídisi was worth the hassle. Then he remembered he was already walking this road, so he’d rather see it through, no matter the outcome. As long as he remained within bounds, nothing awful would happen. Perhaps some gossip if the others saw him getting close to a slave on a party –it was kind of pathetic, to be honest- but he already had a reputation that was not really positive, so he did not really care. “How does that sound?”

Bernard made a good point, actually multiple good points, and Yana nodded slightly. But the matter was, though not very complicated, not a simple one for her. In truth, performing better at social events was not the core of the matter. As Rayna, she found she was able to do adequately in that field. As Saeri however… While she had not been lying entirely, in her Eídisi form her lack of social skills were born not of her not being able to be social, but not wanting to be social. Though she did consider that both were connected. Being social meant putting on a mask and act. Pretend to be something else. That was where Rayna was for, she was human, she was to blend in, sort of. Saeri was not, Saeri was the form where she would do what she wanted. Facades and pretenses were tiring. Yes, she did put on a small act every so often, but in contrast to Rayna’s those were negligible. So did she want to be more social? Short answer: no. But she would not tell Bernard that. In that sense, she was still performing her act.

So she just nodded, considering his words and thinking about what they meant to her. The uncle then continued his speech, now talking about idle conversation. If Yana was slightly annoyed by it, she did not show it. She did sigh internally though; yet another person who had mistaken her words. This was exactly why she disliked conversation with most people. They did not listen. They had heard what she had said, but they did not understand. They did not analyze, did not think of the meaning. They just heard what they thought they had, and replied accordingly, not even realizing their mistake. Bah, at least she’d met someone who was not like the others. Paladin truly listened, just like she did. It made for the need to pay more attention to what she said, and what she didn’t, but at least he listened. He understood what she was saying. He recognized the nuances in her speech.

“I am biased” she had said, and that was true, no problems there. But when she’d told him she “did not think it necessary or useful”, the Yludih had used the past tense, and for a reason. It was in the past. Idle conversation was useful, she did know that now. It was good for all the reasons Bernard outlined. He was talking past her, and she was doing the same to him, apparently. Yana was not succeeding in making herself understandable, not without having to clarify herself. And if there was something she disliked more than conversation itself, it was having to explain herself.

She had to agree with Bernard, this was indeed idle conversation.

“I suppose,” she only said, though not really meaning what she spoke. Was there merit in continuing this charade? Perhaps she should just leave. Yana had thought Bernard a clever man, and he was, but still he did not recognize what she was saying. He did not truly listen. One could argue that the Yludih was not making things easy by locking her emotions inside, preventing them from showing, but she did not believe she was. Words were all that were needed, most of the time. And even she could not withhold strong emotions from seeping through into her voice. But what was needed was not speech marbled with emotion. What was needed was to listen. To think of the context of the words, to consider what had been said before. Moments, bits, maybe breaks before. Analyze the structure of the sentences, pay attention to what tenses were used, and witness the actual meaning of what was being said. But not a lot of people were capable of this, it seemed. Yana wasn’t even sure if she could do this perfectly. But at least she tried. This conversation was going nowhere, as per usual. The periwinkle squire decided to change the subject. “Where is Hannes?” she asked, her brow furrowed, and her eye searching the room, but the young man was not to be found. “I do not see him anywhere. ”

Sometime before that, a couple bits tops, Hannes was still talking to Faith, but the hopes he’d gotten up were now being crushed by the slave girl. She had recoiled, eyes wide and head shaking. Excuses were made and she darted off, practically dashing away to wherever she wanted to flee. It felt like a slap in the face. A hard, sudden slap with the palm of the hand, cracking like a whip and leaving a bright red print for three trails straight. Hannes’ shoulders slumped, and his smile turned upside down. He sighed deeply, grabbing a flute of champagne with each hand off the tray one of the other slaves was parading around with. He motioned her to stop for a couple trills, after which he poured both flutes into his mouth and downed them quickly, and grabbed two new ones. Then he let the slave go. He sighed again, feeling utterly miserable, the glee and good times being had around him mocking him. He was made a fool of tonight. In essence, he didn’t mind that too much, but it stung, and his chances of getting Saeri tonight were blown.

“I should have seen this coming,” he muttered to himself, setting the rim of the flute to his lips. “This was a bad idea. I mean, of course I don’t measure up to the Venora’s! But for such a reaction… she might as well have yelled rape.” He sighed again, gulping down the last bit of golden bubbles. “This sucks. I can’t do this.” The squire stared at his uncle and the woman he wished to hook, both of them dancing and talking and having fun on the dancefloor. And he stood here, alone, rejected. The fun all around him he could not stand. The music was too upbeat, the lights were to bright. The chatter was too joyous, and there were too many smiles on the faces around him. “Fuck this.” And Hannes strode to the door, seeking a place to match his mood.

“That was a bit over the top, don’t you think?” Cynthia remarked, having joined Faith in the kitchen, restocking on pastries. Just like Faith, she too was wearing a skimpy maid outfit, and she too was a slave. Other than the girl though, Cynthia was very much a woman, just a couple arcs shy of Bernard’s age. She seemed to be utterly comfortable in her outfit, not minding the way it flaunted her assets. A slave she might be, but that did not take away the beauty she possessed. It seemed obvious that Cynthia was a pleasure slave, but that was not entirely true. It was part of her uses, yes, just like serving from time to time on this kind of parties was. “You could just have rejected him in a more polite, nice and civilized way than that. Come on! I mean, bolting? Seriously? From a hunk like that? If he’d asked me what he’d asked you, I would have gladly served him.” She licked her lips briefly with the tip of her tongue. “Don’t get too full of yourself.” The older slave’s brown, doe eyes turned a bit cold, the tone of her voice mimicking it as well. “It’s not because you’re owned by House Venora that you can just do as you please and forget your place. Orders are one thing, but being plain rude is another.” It was abundantly clear that the slave had overheard and seen the interaction between Faith and Hannes. “You do realize who you’ve insulted just now, right? He might not be as important as your Master Venora-” there was an obvious envy lacing her words “- but he is the nephew of the host of this party. The guest of honor, so to speak. I’m telling you, if you get us all in trouble because of your behavior… If mister Alphonse hears of this –and I am sure he will- and our respective owners hear of this debacle and punish us… I swear to Pier and Pre I will get you for this!” She stared for a moment to give her words some extra strength, and then she grabbed a new tray with pastries and left.