[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FVPEy13.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/NVSCwCf.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/jv5Pcmc.png[/img] [h3][color=teal]Part 2[/color][/h3][/center] [color=lightgray] [color=4C93C2]Time:[/color] 2nd Ignis, Evening [color=4C93C2]Location:[/color] The Damien Estate [hr] With the toast concluded, Calbert set down his glass and reached for a serving spoon. He selected a portion of quail, the fig glaze catching the light as he transferred it neatly onto his plate. Cassius followed suit, but the bread was his target. Buttery and golden brown, that first bite of fresh bread was like heaven to the tipsy man. He finished the whole piece before filling his own plate with a little of everything. Despite being [i]deep in the cup[/i], Cas managed to plate everything in a relatively civilized manner. The way he managed not to knock over a single thing was commendable, truly. [color=4C93C2]“Exquisite,”[/color] Calbert murmured, inspecting the dish before turning his attention back to the table. [color=4C93C2]“Do help yourselves.”[/color] Taking a sip of her wine, Violet set the glass down on the table. Smiling at her father, she reached for some food and began taking some for her plate. Alexander was last to act, but ensured to take some of everything, as a good guest should. Besides, he thought the food looked delicious, even if it would fail to satisfy his unnatural appetite. Liliane offered a gentle smile toward their guest as her husband began to place a portion of food upon her plate. Dressed in a glittering white gown, she looked almost angelic under the chandelier’s light : her blonde hair cascading neatly around her lovely face. It was clear that time and deliberateness put into her appearance for this evening, and it was quite difficult to doubt it went unnoticed. It was subtle, but the way Alexander made eye contact with her as he seemed to anticipate her readiness to address him, was… attentive. The vibrant light shining this evening was made absent to complacent eyes, but the moth had found a treasure. [color=teal]“Mr. Deacon, I imagine Sorian has been rather lively today,”[/color] she began, her tone melodic yet sweet. [color=teal]“Did you happen to attend any of the Drunkard’s Day festivities?”[/color] She lifted her fork slowly, cutting into her meal as though the gesture itself were a form of art. [color=teal]“Oh! Do pardon me. I do believe your charity auction counts as a festivity…”[/color] The countess suddenly amended with a light giggle. Calbert’s gaze slid to his wife with a flicker of uncertainty that was almost imperceptible. He hadn’t particularly preferred this topic of choice, though he shared his wife’s curiosity for the details. [color=teal]“I heard you were kind enough to even participate in a date with someone yourself.”[/color] Her fork paused in midair before she looked up to meet his gaze once more, a tender smile curving her lips.[color=teal]“How absolutely darling of you.”[/color] Violet leaned back in her seat, taking another sip of her wine as she allowed the conversation to flow. Her eyes glanced at Cassius, watching the man she knew was more broken than he let on, swallowing his emotions until his glass was empty. She, too, hid her own unrest as her eyes moved to look at Alexander. Her eyes glanced down at the wine as she took another bitter sip, reminding her of their date. Cassius poured himself another drink, before beginning his indulgence of the delectable meal before him. He savored the first bite, though the military man in him struggled not to devour the meal quickly as he was used to for years. Like the bread, it was so delicious that it was almost enough to make him forget the rage that still bubbled deeper in his gut than food or alcohol could reach on this night. There was a snake in their midst, and he wasn’t willing to put the metaphorical spoon down when the pot was right there in front of him for him to stir. He took a long drink of his wine, and then opened his mouth. [color=lightsteelblue]“Oh you have no idea, my lady.”[/color] He declared before Alexander could respond to Liliane’s words, making that very man dart his eyes toward him. [color=lightsteelblue]“Mr. Deacon here was [b]the prize[/b] of the entire auction.”[/color] His eyes turned to their guest once more. [color=lightsteelblue]“I must ask, my good man, where is it that you garnered such magnetism? It’s almost…otherworldly. Even I, with all my talents, don’t have the ability to sway the minds of others as you do. Was it your line of work with the Black Rose that trained such blandishment, or were you just born so special?”[/color] He asked, feigning curiosity. A curiosity that was met with an amused grin. Calbert’s gaze had slid toward Cassius over the rim of the glass before he took another sip. Whilst the Count treated most conversations like a chess match, it seemed his son had taken an interest in simply chucking the pieces across the table. The thought amused him almost as much as it disappointed him. [Color=gold]“It’s not quite like that.”[/color] Alexander chuckled as he sliced into the sizable piece of stuffed quail on his plate. [Color=gold]“It’s… It's hard to put into words with so many lovely ladies at the table.”[/color] He then jokingly looked nervously around at the women seated. [Color=gold]“But I believe we can trust them.”[/color] With his fork, he joyfully partook in the quail before washing it down with a sip of wine. Cassius could not resist the temptation to roll his eyes. Calbert’s knife paused mid-cut for just half a heartbeat, barely enough for anyone to notice, before resuming its rhythm. His posture remained impeccable, a faint smile touching his lips as if amused. [Color=gold]“You see, men like us… You, your father, and myself all have this particular element about us. It's not merely good looks, humor, or status… It's our aura. That might be the best word to use to describe it, but those previous things mentioned surely help.”[/color] He shrugged. [Color=gold]“Think about it Cassius… You enter a room, and that very room and everyone in it is owned by you in a way. May it be enmity or attraction, you have entered the minds of others with [i]just[/i] your presence and there is nothing, and I mean nothing they can do about it…”[/color] He shook his head disappointedly as he started cutting away at the quail again. The length he took to play with Cassius was ludicrous! Like firing an arrow that circled the entirety of the world, only to strike the man behind him in the back. Keeping his delivery smooth, and treating the moment as one for mentorship was but a thick smokescreen for his attack. [Color=gold]“They can't help it. And you can't help being the man you are… So like the farmer you're not, thank your heritage, you should recognize and cultivate that aura, and in time, you won't have to ask me how men like your father and I do it. The only difference between us is time.”[/color] He shot a wink at Cassius before lifting his fork to take his second bite of quail, but he paused and his focus ventured across the table. [Color=gold]“Oh, and Duchess Damien, your question. If I'm being honest, I was so caught up in organizing the auction, it's the only festivity that I could take part in. And though, I failed to take part in anything else until this evening, the Auction turned out to be a grand time, though… the date could have been better.”[/color] He stifled a chuckle. [Color=gold]“I’m kidding. It was fine.”[/color] He said with little confidence, as if his first judgment rang true. [Color=gold]“And how about yourself? Did you happen to partake in any festivities today? I figured I would return the favor by asking the same of you, Duchess.”[/color] It's what he didn't say that made such a question a touch distasteful. Liliane giggled, her voice melodic, lifting her fingertips to her lips. Calbert’s smile deepened at the sound, his gaze lifting from his plate to rest upon his wife with a look of adoration as she spoke. [color=teal]“Oh, Mr. Deacon, you flatter me far too easily. I scarcely can hold down a glass of wine without my head spinning.”[/color] She gave him a bashful smile, her fair lashes lowering as she shook her head. [color=teal]“My health has never been in good spirits, I’m afraid, though I cannot fault the day for lacking charm. The city looked positively radiant with all its cheer.”[/color] [Color=gold]“Indeed it did.”[/color] Her gaze slid to her stepson, and she tapped his shoulder teasingly with a playful smile. [color=teal]“Oh, but Mr. Deacon wasn’t the only one who was at the auction today,”[/color] she said, her voice lilting with warmth. [color=teal]“I heard all about your donation, Cassius. How very generous of you! Such a kind thing to do for those in need.”[/color] Liliane’s expression softened, [color=teal]“Your father was bragging all day about how thoughtful your heart is.”[/color] Cas’s eyes had not left Alexander until Liliane addressed him, subtle animosity hiding just beneath the surface of his well-trained, jovial facade. It faded as he turned to Lily. He listened to her question, just as he had listened to the slop that flowed from Alexander’s mouth. The man was as charming as he had heard, and just as arrogant as he had assumed. Cassius turned back to the undead gentleman briefly. [color=lightsteelblue]“I’ll get back to you in a moment, but Lady’s first.”[/color] He declared as his gaze shifted over to his stepmother. He was still the inebriated man that had stumbled into this abode, but something about his fury had brought him more control over his condition. Or, perhaps it had always been more of a performance than anyone would know. [color=lightsteelblue]“Thank you for your kind words, My Lady. I would be glad to do this family proud with such an action, even though it was under…[i]less than ideal[/i] circumstances.”[/color] He explained, understanding that there was an elephant in the room after all, and he was not one to run from such things. [color=lightsteelblue]“The date in question was with Lady Vikena.”[/color] Cassius turned to his father, meeting the man’s gaze with purpose. [color=lightsteelblue]“The closing of a chapter, if you will.”[/color] Calbert had not looked away as Cassius spoke; only the halt of his knife betrayed that he’d marked every word. [color=4C93C2]“A closing of a chapter,” [/color] he repeated, a gentle warmth touching his voice. [color=4C93C2]“I will sleep easier for it.”[/color] Grabbing his wine back from the table, Cassius took a steady sip before finally shifting his attention to their [i]humble[/i] guest once again. [color=lightsteelblue]“But back to you, sir. You say the only difference between us is age? Well, I would agree that we have many things in common. However, I fear there are plenty of things between us that are less than the same. But as for our age…”[/color] His words purred from him as he spoke, leaning further in towards Alexander at the far end of the table. [color=lightsteelblue]“You sure look like you’re not more than a year or two apart from me, both of us aging like fine wine I’d say. But just how old are you, Mr. Deacon?”[/color]. The dossier his father provided him with on the movers and shakers in Sorian had listed Alexander as no older than twenty-eight. He and the damned man both knew that was a lie. [Color=gold]“Hmm… How about we make a game of it?”[/color] Alexander beamed as if he had flipped the playing board and changed the game before a disadvantageous move could be played against him. [Color=gold]“Come on, everyone! Each of you can take a guess! If you guess wrong, you shall help yourself to some additional drinks. One for each year you miss…”[/color] Alexander peered upward in thought for a few seconds before snapping at a new idea. [Color=gold]“And I'll drink an additional drink for each person who gets it correct! It is Drunkard's Day after all. And I consider the Damien Estate one of the safest places to let loose.”[/color] [color=teal]“Oh! Twenty-eight?”[/color] Liliane guessed with enthusiasm and a bright smile. Violet’s fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her glass, though her expression remained serene. The question lingered in the air [i]How old are you, Mr. Deacon?[/i] and for a moment, she could only listen to the laughter and murmurs that followed. She didn’t join in. Instead, she glanced down at the tablecloth, tracing the embroidery near her plate as though it held some secret worth studying. [color=firebrick]“I imagine age is hardly the most interesting thing about a man like Mr. Deacon,”[/color] she said lightly, though she didn’t quite meet his eyes. [color=firebrick]“Some people carry far more years in their manner than they do in their face.”[/color] A faint, thoughtful smile touched her lips. [Color=gold]“Now… I can see one reason this family remains so noteworthy.”[/color] He smiled at Violet and then at Liliane. [color=gold]“Especially the upstanding ladies. One agrees to play my little game with such vigor, while the other spoils me with more flattery. My favorite family, so far, I think.”[/color] Alexander kept himself lighthearted despite the way Cassius slyly pressed him. [color=gold][i]Keep filling those veins with poison, boy. You’ll never reach me.[/i][/color] And while the table turned toward Liliane’s guess, Calbert lifted his napkin, the corners of his mouth lifting. [color=4C93C2]“Do forgive me, Mr. Deacon,”[/color] he said. [color=4C93C2]“A small curiosity has been lingering.”[/color] [Color=gold]“Something else? Ask away.”[/color] Alexander presented an open hand— a sign that he easily welcomed Calbert’s curiosity. Calbert inclined his head toward Violet. [color=4C93C2]“What was it, precisely, that led you to begin working with my daughter? I’m quite interested in how you first came to… recognize her value.”[/color] Violet took a sip of wine, then her gaze fixed on her glass rather than the vampire at the other end of the table. If anyone looked closely, they might notice that her poise was too perfect, the kind of stillness that comes from holding something carefully in place. [color=firebrick]“You say it as if it's something hard to believe, Father, that someone may find value in me.”[/color] She swirled the wine in her glass before taking another long sip, starting to feel the effects of the wine. [color=4C93C2]“Hardly the case, dear daughter…Your value has never been in question. Only the moment he first saw it.”[/color] [color=gold]“Violet, I am grateful for your generous words, but your father seeks an answer that comes from my lips alone. It’s why I’m here, if we’re being completely transparent.”[/color] Alexander shrugged at Violet with an apologetic expression briefly crossing his features. [color=gold]“Count Calbert, please know I did not choose your daughter on a whim. In fact, there is more than a single reason I extended my hand to her to be my employee of sorts.”[/color] He adjusted the placement of his utensils as he spoke. [color=gold]“The first reason is your relationship with the Black Rose Trading Company, and though that relationship is purely based on business and the protection of goods and resources, I find it much easier to trust people I’m already working with, even if it’s… to a limited degree. Your daughter is not you in the literal sense, but she [i]is[/i] you. The work ethic, the distinction, the reputation… even the poise. I will admit that, I have had her help me and my wife with some clerical work and menial tasks here and there before this evening’s dinner, and I apologise for crossing such a boundary, but the young lady is hungry for something more than being a lady.”[/color] Alexander glanced at Cassius before returning eye contact with Calbert. [color=gold]“And you and I both know that’s only natural.”[/color] Alexander made his insinuation subtle, yet so apparent with such a short look. Just who would inherit the county? The daughter, Violet? Or the bastard son, Cassius? This was not the Varian Kingdom where women stood next to men with equal footing. Calbert would have to decide whether he wanted a bastard son or a daughter to inherit everything he had built and protected. [color=gold]“The second reason is quite obvious… I’m the Vice President of the Black Rose, and I know of her [i]affliction[/i]... It limits her… cages her. With such a unique situation at hand, it’s best to keep her from feeling isolated, especially when thinking of how much promise she held before… She’s like alexandrite..”[/color] Alexander dipped his head with a slight smile as he found the relation to his name a bit silly. [color=gold]“Forgive me. But the stone is quite interesting, and it coincidentally fits this little analogy of mine… If you keep her contained here for her safety and wellbeing alone, she’ll only be recognized as a cheap piece of peridot. Pretty, sure, but overlooked during our grand season of courting. They would never see her… truly see her potential… That under the right light, she holds more potential than even a [i]diamond[/i]. The daughter of one of my greatest allies deserves that, and I will do everything I can to ensure she finds worth in her existence in places she doesn’t believe she does.”[/color] [color=gold]“And lastly…”[/color] He put on a grand smile. [color=gold]“She makes such wonderful company. You and Countess Lilianne did an excellent job in raising such a woman. She is truly a perfect representative of the Damien name.”[/color] Calbert did not answer immediately. Instead, he allowed a thoughtful silence to settle over the table. He lifted his glass and took a slow sip, giving Alexander’s words the appearance of deep consideration. When he finally lowered the glass, his expression had softened. [color=4C93C2]“You give a meticulous account, Mr. Deacon,”[/color] he began, [color=4C93C2]“And I appreciate that. Men who speak with such clarity either have nothing to hide… or are skilled enough to hide it well. In both cases, it tells me something of their caliber.”[/color] Had Alexander been anyone else, Calbert would have found the answer a little more suspicious. Too neatly aligned with what he [i]wanted[/i] to hear. But Alexander Deacon was no ordinary man. He was Marek’s second in command. And that meant the truth would fall into his palms either way. Perhaps this was all just further proof that everything would unfold exactly according to his design. His eyes flicked toward Violet, lingering with pride. [color=4C93C2]“You are correct. Initiative has never been a flaw of hers. I have always believed she possessed far more potential than this society has chosen to acknowledge. To hear that someone outside this house recognized it… without my prompting… is pleasing.”[/color] He folded his hands, leaning back as he allowed his gaze to drift between Alexander and Cassius. [color=4C93C2]“As for the… natural order of things in Caesonia, well… nature often bends for those with the strength to shape it. I have never been particularly fond of limitations, be they societal or otherwise.”[/color] He paused then added, [color=4C93C2]“And your honesty regarding your prior work with her — even the overstepping — is well noted. Transparency is a trait I value, even if it arrives wrapped in apology.”[/color] He finally lifted his glass again and nodded once, decisively. [color=4C93C2]“All in all, Mr. Deacon… you have given a satisfying answer.”[/color] Before Calbert could continue, Liliane’s voice joined the moment. [color=teal]“Calbert, dear,”[/color] she said softly, placing a hand over her heart, [color=teal]“I should add… Mr. Deacon spoke with me not long ago, with such genuine concern for Violet.”[/color] She glanced toward Alexander with a grateful smile. [color=teal]“He reassured me the Black Rose had already been watching over her. That their resources were being used to ensure her safety, and that we owed them nothing for it.”[/color] Her expression softened with sincerity. [color=teal]“He was very kind to me. It meant more than I let on.”[/color] Calbert’s eyes shifted to her, then back to Alexander. [color=4C93C2]“Then it seems your attentiveness extends further than business alone,”[/color] he mused. [color=4C93C2]“Good. A man who honors my daughter and respects my wife is a man I am inclined to take seriously.”[/color] [Color=gold]“Likewise to a man who respects the judgement of the women in his corner.”[/color] Alexander raised his glass as a mock toast. [Color=gold]“Caesonia may silence and see them ignored in this kingdom governed by men, but they listen and see all the things we miss while we're all busy talking.”[/color] He drank from his glass, gulping down all of its contents, while holding up a single finger to a member of the staff. [Color=gold]“Another. The Duchess guessed right.”[/color] Alexander smiled and tilted his head toward Liliane as an acknowledgement to her accurate answer. [Color=gold]“Good judgement in this family.”[/color] He thought aloud, though the compliment was definitely intentional. [/color]