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Listening passively was one of the many things expected of him, but nonetheless Aaron wasn’t particularly interested in the conversation at hand. In fact, the only thing that stirred him was the oddity that all the attention in the room seemed focused on Countess Marivaldi, strange considering [i]Count Benjamin[/i] was supposed to be the guest of honour. The tension in the room was palpable, and he vaguely recalled the tail end of some argument as he approached the parlor, but Varis seemed to have put an end to that. Nothing particularly concerning there, either. Parties like these were [i]made[/i] for arguments; if no one disagreed, then someone was lying. 

And since everyone was always lying, making it obvious was just dull. 

Satisfied that things were going to plan, Aaron focused on his primary task: keeping his posture proper yet relaxed, making sure no glass clinked or jittered on his tray, careful not to interrupt the line of sight between the guests. He’d offer an interested smile if anyone looked, maybe linger a half second longer for the Countess to notice the glint of gold on his ear, but overall he stayed out of the way. If he did his job right, it would be as if he was never there; at most just another statement piece to decorate the room. 

The mention of Morgan le Fey was enough to capture Aaron’s fleeting attention, but only superficially. An upcoming film including her could certainly pique his interest, but seeing as Varis introduced the topic as a means of beating a hasty subject change, he figured it was nothing too dearly important. More compelling was the flicker of movement in the corner of his eye, where Eris was gingerly sipping at his glass—and displeased with it, apparently. Were this any other event he’d have promptly offered to replace the glass with something more to his liking, but given the nature of a blood tasting, some level of displeasure was to be expected. Besides, it was more an insult to Countess Amaris than anyone, and hence not Aaron’s problem. 

Though, as if sensing Aaron’s attention, Eris suddenly looked to him. [color=ccff99]"That'll be you in a few years' time, eh, Sunny?"[/color] Eris grinned, raising his eyebrows. [color=ccff99]"Unable to go anywhere without getting recognized."[/color]

Going from invisible to the focus of attention was jarring, but Aaron didn’t lose his footing, pausing only the instant required by etiquette before sinking into an easy bow. [color=f0d705]“You flatter me too much, Mr. Samael,”[/color] he replied, voice honeyed and smooth.

When he straightened, he put his hair back in place with a flick of the wrist that mirrored Eris’, albeit with a touch less finesse; it wouldn’t do to outshine a guest, of course. [color=f0d705]“If I’m to be recognized, I’m sure it’ll be only by virtue of my Master’s reputation. Or, perhaps my affiliation with you.”[/color]

Aaron was in the middle of letting his eyes linger just a calculated [i]touch[/i] too long on Eris’ when he suddenly froze. It was subtle, nearly imperceptible, but the slightest wave of tension rippled through the dorm, winding tightly around his chest and stopping his heart in its tracks. He knew that feeling well; it kept him up in the day, lying awake dreading its arrival and going crazy if it didn’t come, and he knew exactly what was next. 

A faint ticking echoed from the hall. 

[color=f0d705][i]Now?![/i][/color] Aaron thought indignantly, hoping his face wasn’t turning white. Expression carefully careless, he moved the neutral bottle a smidge to pretend he’d stopped to settle his tray. [color=f0d705][i]That bastard, I thought we had an understanding![/i][/color] 

He forced himself to focus, damming the floodgates of panic for the time being in order to think. Malek was an asshole, but he wasn’t an idiot; he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Varis’ party. That meant he thought Aaron could deal with this [i]without[/i] drawing suspicion. He was testing how he’d cope under scrutiny, and disengaging from a serving engagement required time. Surely he would be fair for the sake of Varis’ dignity. 

Straining his ears, he listened carefully for the ticking, hoping to pinpoint a general location amidst the buzz of conversation in the parlour. Whether the ticking he heard was real or a figment of his imagination was up for debate, but it was all he had to go by, so it would have to do. It was too faint to be in the parlour, thank goodness, and definitely down the hall; the kitchen, perhaps? With any luck it would be in plain sight, or at least easy to find; it would be unbecoming for Aaron to start digging through the bookshelves and cabinets with company over, and thereby reflecting poorly on Varis, which Malek surely knew. 

[color=FC8686]“...Why is that alarm set for ten minutes from now?”[/color]

Aaron almost started at the voice, so focused on the tiniest of noises that even the quiet echo of conversation from the other room was booming in comparison. Still, his racing heart was quelled soon after with a flood of relief. The living room! With ten minutes to spare! Bold for Malek to put his little gift somewhere populated, but he either didn’t know it was full of mages or didn’t care; they weren’t the real guests anyway. It was the [i]time[/i] Aaron was more concerned with. Compared to their usual "game", ten minutes was generous. 

He stole a glance at his watch with a stately flick of the wrist. 5:45. 

Fears assuaged for the moment, Aaron finally remembered to breathe, his easy demeanour returning. Bowing once more to Eris, he moved to take his leave; he had time, sure, but problems were best dealt with as soon as possible. 

[color=f0d705]“If you would excuse me, sir,”[/color] he resumed in his prior tone, maintaining his bow. As was customary, he angled his body subtly to leave, but wouldn’t move without a formal dismissal from Eris. Count Julian would have had his head on a spike if he left a conversion with a guest without permission, and Varis was no different. 
[right][sub][@Hero][/sub][/right]