Coming of Age

[Virikai Talius]

16th Trial of Cylus, 718

“You will introduce Miss Arval to Viden tonight as your betrothed?” It was a question Verity already knew the answer to - they had discussed it at length, and Virikai’s father was not impressed by the scion’s choice, not even close. But he had accepted the decision, and could see potential benefits. It was going ahead, and tonight, the trial Virikai came of age in the eyes of the eídisi, would be the night of the formal announcement. Working his hands around the tie, Virikai nodded his answer.

Verity returned the nod. “I am sure it will come as no surprise to most. She is getting ready in the other room, your mother selected her dress.” Verity was pacing away towards the bedroom door now, “The guests are now arriving, your mother and I will entertain them, then you and Miss Arval will enter together. Some socialisation, and then we will make the formal announcement.”

“I know, father.” The Talius scion replied, frustration edging into his tone as he dropped his hands from the tightly knotted tie. Approaching the looking glass, the lordling pushed back his hair, not that it required much work to maintain. “This is not my first event. I have not embarrassed you before and I have no intention to start now.” The relationship had become more and more strained over the past three or so arcs, ever since Verity realised his son had a mind of his own.

It was worrying, that he could not control the younger lord any longer. He liked the autonomy… but he also despised it. “It is not you I am worried about. It is your arrogance. You seem to be living in a fantasy world, where you are able to manipulate and control those around you. I question the invitation for your… pet to attend. Though she has gained the favour of more people than I would ever have imagined. Maybe you are right about Maebella too. Only tome will tell.” The Delegate walked pulled the bedroom door to. “Oh, and Virikai?”

When the silence lengthened, Virikai glanced over. “Happy birth-trial.” It was said with such genuine softness that it stumped Kai for a moment. He stared as the door closed behind his father. What?

Setting that confusion to the side, Virikai finished on getting dressed before grabbing his jacket and slinging it over his shoulders. He left his bedroom and crossed the hall to a few doors down, where Maebella had been installed for the few nights around the party. “Are you ready, Bella?”

The Ice Prince-

[/style2]

!	Message from: Whisper
	Virikai, Maebella, and Linika all have permission to self-moderate Verity Talius and other members of the Directorate in this thread, by virtue of each of them having personal and political motivations. Though they are all aware not to take advantage.

[Maebella]

Maebella didn't think she'd ever been this nervous before. Those people who talked about having butterflies in your stomach spoke nonsense. They made it sound like a soft fluttering feeling, gentle really. Instead, she felt as if those butterflies were still in caterpillar form, squirming around, clambering on top of each other, prickly with hairs that tickled uncomfortably on the inside of her gut. It was enough to make her want to throw up, to escape it all. However, it wasn't as simple as that. Virikai was counting on her. This was his birth-trial but it was so much more than that.

To-trial, he was a man in the eyes of the Eídisi, finally come of age, truly ready to fill the shoes of his father some trial soon. He would be every bit the young lordling, entering Videnese society as an adult and through some wild twist of fate, he'd chosen to have her by his side. Tonight, he would announce their engagement officially, allow every aristocrat in the city to see that they were cleaved together. They might not be married yet but it was an inevitability after this night. The last thing the scholar wanted to do was shame him by running away or being less than presentable. To do something so foolish as to allow jittery nerves to get in the way of what needed to be done for Kai's sake, and her own to a lesser extent, would be unforgivable.

Thus, she'd allowed herself to be squeezed into a floor-length, grey chiffon gown. It wasn't too bad, given that it could have been a lot worse; she'd seen some of the things that aristocratic women wore. However, the scion's mother had managed to choose something with simple elegance, the off-the-shoulder number rather modest and the bead and lacework on the bodice exquisite. She had shoes to match - not that they were likely to be seen - and she felt that that earned a mark in her favour although where Lady Talius was concerned, she couldn't be certain; as yet, the woman was largely a stranger to her. Maebella didn't mention that the grey heels she possessed had been bought by the scion.

Slaves artfully tousled her hair, inserting decorative combs that she assumed came directly from Kai's mother. They also applied a light layer of make-up, providing her skin with a soft sheen with a slight glitter in it, a shade darker than her skin used on her eyelids that added a certain sultriness to her features. A clear gloss was added to her lips and her cheekbones subtly highlighted. When the young woman looked at herself in the mirror, she could hardly believe the air of maturity around her. She felt as aristocratic as one of her fiancé's female peers.

When the young man's voice came through the door, the scholar had been primped and prepped to her utmost so that she was certainly ready in that sense. She didn't feel ready but she wouldn't be that no matter how long she waited here. Heels clicked softly on the floor as she went to meet the man, smiling shyly when she saw him.

"Hi!" she greeted softly, her eyes roving over him. "You look very sharp and yes, I'm ready," she murmured, fingers reaching up to brush against the knot of his tie. Her hand drew back, the young woman catching her bottom lip briefly between her teeth as she came to a decision. She took his shoulders delicately so that she wouldn't lose her balance as she raised herself on her toes, feeling the wobble in her feet as the heels left the ground. Maebella's lips were a whisper against his cheek, the contact brief and accompanied with a murmur, "Happy birth-trial, Kai."

She dropped back onto the narrow spikes of her heels, fingertips dancing lightly to where she judged his collarbones were before she drew her hands back, biting her lip again, white gaze apologetic.

She took the arm that he offered, leaning against him as they made their way downstairs, ready to mingle with the guests. It was more than she felt she'd be able to cope with alone, pulse fluttering wildly in her throat as she remained fixed to his side. All would see them enter together, the young woman managing to exude a confidence that she didn't feel; Maebella was prepared to burrow her head against the man's chest to hide from them all. Instead, as inquisitive glances turned their way, she smiled, trying to appear as gracious as possible although she planned to remain quiet while he talked, unless it was strictly necessary. These people weren't here for her after all but for Kai. The young woman wasn't nothing - she was coming to terms with that now - but she wasn't quite as important as him, not tonight.

[Linika]

Resentment...Yes, that summed it up. Though she could not deny the appeal of the dress Lord Talius had provided her, the mission that went with it promised only boredom or blame. Of course, her own Naerikk fashion sense revelled in the style and color of many other attendees, but hers, obviously, could not be allowed to draw top billing. It was clearly meant to be highlighted and accessorized to an understated degree. Nicely coordinated, but not truly eye-catching. As well, it was too tightly-fitting to accommodate her usual under-layer of leather armor.

This was an event meant to honor the insufferable Virikai, and the woman that the Lord father himself had said was to become his son's fiance; some "Maybelle" or "Maybeline" or some such. Eyes were plainly meant to be caught by them, not a member of Viden's most loathed race, and one only attending so as to be on the lookout for suspicious characters, and to take blame for anything untoward that might occur.

'Many citizens of high standing will be in attendance.' Verity had stated earlier, as if she'd not have realized such an obvious fact without this clarification. But she'd stilled her tongue as he continued, 'Movers and shakers of considerable prestige and command; ones whose potential for scandal, proven or otherwise, could have disastrous ramifications on the smooth operation of Yvithia's government.'

There it was; the obligatory dropping of the name of power in Viden. It was not that Linika did not understand this obligation. Augiery had never hesitated to emphasize the same thing regarding Audrae. But the naer knew that her purpose was not to honor Yvithia, even though the Immortal had "honored" her with her blessing; one that was as much a curse as a boon to one of her race.

As a result of this so-called "blessing", she was pariah among her own kind, a traitor marked for death; one blessed by the enemy. Her mission had been to infiltrate and ruin, not come away as one "Favored" by the very Immortal whose intelligence and research efforts she'd been tasked to destroy. Of course, it had also saved her life when naerikk assassins had come under the guise of forgiveness to "put her down"...like a sickly old dog. She'd essentially read their thoughts and beaten them to the punch.

Like the dress, she could not truly deny the appeal. Not only did she have remarkable new abilities, but Yvithia herself had commented on the singular nature of being a naer enhanced by Xypha. What greater spy could Viden have? Such covert notoriety would naturally appeal to a power-hungry woman like her. 'And if Augiery is bent on assassinating me without even hearing my side...?'

The ongoing war of loyalty was broken as Verity continued to clarify her mission, 'You know where you stand, Linika. Anyone likely to have ill intentions will surely see you as a potential ally; or at least dismiss you as one that will not interfere with their rebellious aims. And if..."dirty work" needs to be done, you have no reputation to be ruined by getting your hands bloody. And rest assured, any necessary arrest action will be overturned later. You are known to be my son's acquaintance, so your presence will not be surprising.'

She had been nodding her head, her eyes rolling subtly since his fifth word. 'Yes Lord Verity, sir' she'd responded, with just a hint of sarcasm. 'Mingle demurely, give nothing more than the anticipated glares of hurt feelings when the socialites spurn me, and keep my eyes open for traitors, correct?'

His eyes narrowed slightly and he started to speak. She cut him off with a wave. 'Yes, I know. I could be languishing in your jails as a spy. All this is giving me the opportunity to prove that I AM loyal to Yvithia.' She sighed, 'Truly sir, I do enjoy this work. But it rankles to know that I must remain hated to be effective.'

Lord Verity had given her a look of surprising sympathy, patted her on the back with a nod, and walked away. This had been a break or more before the opening of the event. Now she waited in the hall outside Virikai's room, so he could get the shock of seeing her presence out of the way privately. That was at least one source of embarrassment that could be defused in advance.

[Julian Aranaz]

The young lord decided to keep Rielle around, at least for the time being, as her rather mousy, petrified personality appealed to Julian in ways he’d rather not admit. Maybe it was because she was young, just gracing the cusp of twenty Arcs, apparently, but those that took notice of his fancy for her knew as well as he did that it was because of her features. It was upsetting, to say the least, that such a weakness of his was now so well known that even his slaves tried to take advantage of it. That was why Mateo was still locked within the black room: a room of punishment for those that displeased Julian. The slave would slowly starve until he was too weak for the lashing that he’d receive later, forcing him to endure without strength, forcing him to remember the wrongness of his actions.

That was how the Master worked to keep his property in line. When they weren’t out within the gardens or at the storefront, most of the slaves were shackled and kept in rooms that held just enough furnishing for their survival. Granted, the rooms were kept clean, orderly, and bare for a reason. The Aranaz family, though known for their charm, were strict on status. They were known to be tolerant of commoners, if only for the simple fact that they were potential customers to fuel the family fortune, and unkind to anyone less than so. Those slaves, like Rielle, who had the skill and knowledge to be useful to Julian, were treated far better than the slaves meant for manual labor. They were dressed better, they slept within the main house of the estate, they were given room that were ornately designed and beds that were decent enough to sleep on. Though, their jobs were far more difficult than one lowly servant might think.

Julian crawled from bed that morning having only slept a couple of breaks the previous night. He and his mother’s slaves kept to her for the majority of the day and now, Julian was expected to rise and ready himself for the ceremony his closest friend was having. Granted, it was a ceremony worth the headache that was just beginning to brew from lack of sleep (which, oddly enough, he’d been getting less and less of lately). A sigh passed through his lips as a light rapping noise sounded from his door and he called out for whomever it was to enter. He didn’t need to look up to know that it was Rielle and awkwardly, she stood there and awaited his command of her.

“Come here.” He beckoned, turning his eyes upon her to see the hesitation just before she moved into action. Pointing to his shoulders, he turned so she could rub them. “I’ve had a headache for awhile.” Julian mentioned as he felt cold hands press unfamiliarly into the skin of his neck.

“Would you like this one to fetch you tea, Master?” She asked quickly.

“No. There’s something more pressing that I need you for.” He told, grunting as her fingers swept over a knot of muscles under his flesh. She paused, “This one is sorry.”

“Keep going.” Thus, her fingers continued to ease across the tension in his shoulders and back. “You know of Virikai Talius?”

“Yes. He is Master’s childhood friend.”

“Good. I’ve requested a gift be made for him. It should be finished so you’re to go and pick it up from Jathoni at the Lettermen’s Shop in the city. I will send you with nel to exchange for the gift. Am I correct in assuming that you understand what will happen should you lose the gift and the nel?”

“Yes Master…”

Lifting his hand up in a manner that told her to stop her movement, he waved her away. “Good, now go… and send for the other slave. I need to get dressed.”

~

Julian entered the ballroom of the Talius manor dressed in his finest outfit, one that was meant for occasions such as these as he was now the head of his household, thus, represented the entirety of his family. His entire outfit was a shade of dark blue, the first piece being that of a sleeveless robe that was left open in the front and draped around his feet in an elegant fashion. Near the top of the rob was a metal shoulder piece that dipped into a ‘v’ in the center of his chest while intricate designs weaved themselves up his neck and around the back till they dipped off between his shoulder blades. Thin chains sat against his biceps from the metal piece he wore and connect to the back in a elegant pattern. Beneath the robes, he was dressed in a cream tunic that was fitted to his arms while a silk, silver and blue vest presented itself when the robes fluttered open. Lastly, he wore deep blue trousers that were accompanied with ankle high shoes that effortlessly tied together his statuesque appearance.

After him trailed another beauty, though not so overly dressed as he was, Rielle still shimmered a soft, pleasant complexion even after the bath she had. The slave was dressed in fine garments that presented her higher than that of a commoner, but of course, there was a purpose for this. With her was the gift Julian had made for Virikai and she was tasked with holding it until Julian introduced her to the other Scion.

Now that they were inside the Talius Manor, Julian was made to mingle with a number of guests. Some he fancied a conversation with while most hid behind fake smiles and forced laughter. The Scion was aware of the rumors that floated around about him, about his father, and his family. This hadn’t been the first party where some of the aristocrats avoided conversation with him simple because of the rumors and this certainly wouldn’t be the last.

When the room grew quiet, Julian’s eyes followed every other gaze to the stairs where his long time friend accompanied another familiar blue face down the stairs, looking tall and in his element. While she’d done her best to do the same, Julian could see Maebella’s nervousness and quietly shook his head.

[Virikai Talius]

16th Trial of Cylus, 718

Virikai himself had not been involved in the creation of the guest list - this was not about him, after all, this was merely another political event for Viden’s elite to weave their magic words and make connections. That was something Virikai understood very early on. It was for this reason that the scion was not in the slightest bit disconcerted by the presence of Linika Amarinthine, the naer who had caught Virikai’s eyes, who had caused Verity to remove his son from society, and who had then been Blessed by Yvithia after all. “Miss Amarinthine,” he greeted with a small incline of his head, “Are you lost?”

Whatever her reply, she would continue on as he stepped out of his bedchamber and closed the door behind him. Surreptitiously, he glanced up and down the corridor, and he was surprised to find that there were no guards watching over her. Had she snuck up to the private wing? “Was there something you wanted, Linika? Have the guests already bullied you out of the function suite?” It was cold, he knew, but he had a fiancé waiting for him just along the corridor and he would not leave her waiting. If Linika decided to follow, she was more than welcome to act as his shadow.

Even having seen Maebella dressed formally in the past, Virikai was still frozen for a moment. His mother certainly had good taste, choosing a dress that would compliment her skin tone and body shape. In a word, Maebella was devastating. “This might be my favourite thing to unwrap,” the lordling whispered as his hand trailed down the light topmost layer of the dress. His hand then moved to wrap around her waist, resting on the small of the girl’s back and pulling Maebella in close as she grazed her lips against her fiancé’s cheek. “But I suppose it will have to wait for now.”

If the outcast still waited, he would turn and introduce the pair to one another, “Maebella Arval, this is Linika Amarinthine, a colleague of mine, working in the Infirmary. She is quite skilled at poisons, potions and antidotes, and has surprised us all with her ambition.” While the words were outwardly filled with praise for the other’s successes, there was something about the way his eyes locked onto the naer that indicated his rightfully placed mistrust. “Maebella is a student of Literature at the Academy, and my fiancée.” He smiled tightly, “I suggest you return to the guests, it would not be well received for you to enter the room with us. We will talk later.”

It was his hand that stopped the unsteady woman from stumbling further, and he frowned, glancing down. “I suggest you change your shoes, Bella. No one is going to be looking at your feet and I would rather you are able to enjoy yourself, instead of spending the majority of the night trying to hide your pain.” Virikai released her and nodded her back into the room, indicating that he would wait for her.

If she did as he suggested, when she returned, Virikai would extend his arm for her to accept again. “As much as I would be content to spend the entire night alone with you here, we should not keep everyone waiting any longer.”

As the two entered the room, Virikai’s gaze, impassive as ever, would sweep over the guests, mildly curious as to who was in attendance. It was not surprising that the room was filled with people, after all, who would risk offending one of Viden’s most influential families? Nigh on everyone there he recognised, if not by name then at least by role within the city. He was glad to see some more than others. As the evening had not yet fully begun, and knew his parents were already circulating around the guests, Virikai made it his ‘duty’ to welcome Viden’s most recently ascended Lord to the event. “My Lord Julian, we are honoured to welcome you into our home.” Bright eyes and an easy smirk left the guest in no doubt that he was being mocked, albeit in an amiable manner. “You remember Miss Arval, I presume?”

[Maebella]

Despite the fact that tonight wasn't her night and that she wasn't supposed really supposed to be the centre of attention, she was pleased to see Virikai freeze when he saw her. It was gratifying to know that she could have such an effect on him, especially given their more recent encounters with one another. She was glad that she still managed to appeal to him, drawing a blush of pleasure to her face. She smiled to herself, self-satisfied as he let his hand trail over her, whispering words that made her lips stretch wider.

"Later, Kai. I'm sure you'll have plenty of birthtrial presents to unwrap in the meantime," Maebella murmured quietly in response, a mischievous look in her eye. She swatted his hand away half-heartedly. She would have added another cheeky comment if she hadn't discovered for the first time that they weren't actually alone. Her skin coloured darker, the blush spreading throughout her face as extreme embarrassment took hold. The young woman turned her mind inward, willing her skin to cool, for the humiliation to ebb. She tried to think of things that would calm her, choosing memories of boredom, deep study, happiness, anything that wasn't connected with how she felt in the present.

The scholar forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes, nodding a polite greeting to the other woman and somehow managed to look her in the face, although it was something that took an incredible effort of will. This was one of those times when she wished that some Immortal would strike her from existence. It almost came as a relief when her fiancé effectively dismissed her, sending her back to the room to change her shoes. She settled for some soft slipper shoes instead, allowing her to pad quite quietly back to his side and thankfully in comfort this time. It meant that the difference in their heights was more pronounced, the young man almost half a foot taller than her but she didn't mean. Instead, she was worried that someone would look at her feet, namely those who wanted to see if she was everything she was supposed to be. As long as she didn't do anything too wild, the hem of the skirt shouldn't move to reveal her footwear though.

Once they descended to where the party guests had begun to gather in their absence, the Talius scion made a beeline for the young lord who had found himself the head of the Aranaz family and estate in recent times - not to mention, the illegal alcohol business that went with it. Her eyes were drawn to his chest, his outfit making it rather difficult not to do so and found her blush renewed although she was also somewhat amused by the display and the evident effort that had gone into it.The Eídisi was able to muster a more genuine smile this time, dropping a low curtsy as she greeted him. "Good evening, my lord. A pleasure to see you again."

The young woman didn't glance towards Virikai to see if she'd done as she ought to do, trusting herself for a change; this wasn't the first time she'd had to have these formal exchanges although there certainly hadn't been enough of them for her to feel wholly confident.

Her eyes moved to the red headed woman who hovered near to Julian, something about her demeanour piquing Maebella's curiosity, wondering if she had found a kindred spirit, one who felt as out of place here as she did. Of course, keeping her focus on the woman also meant that she wasn't inclined to stare at the other lord. Not that she thought her fiancé would become jealous - he was above such things - but more because she didn't want to appear rude.

[Linika]

Always looking for new ways to confound the would-be aristocrat, Linika opted for the demure etiquette of 'keeping her place', She curtsied properly, void of exaggeration. "Lost? No, indeed, my lord. I was just informed it is your special trial, and I too, felt it was best that I offer you my best wishes...discreetly."

It didn't surprise her that his subsequent comments were no less snarky. She was following him after all. She too, was a little surprised to find no guards. Although she did not think in terms of them being present to watch her, she still found their absence unexpected. If Lord Verity had seen fit to insert her into this affair, as a safeguard of sorts, one would think a few discreet guards would be in order as well.

There was the slightest bit of mischievous satisfaction in placing Virikai in a position of having to introduce her to his fiance. But she made no show of enjoying it. Nor the sudden shift of mood as her presence was suddenly recognized. The awkward effort of the eidisi woman to hide her discomfort deserved some acknowledgement.

The naer had honestly wondered if the lordling's lady might feel a pang of sympathy for one dealt his veiled card of snobbery. But it seemed that this was not going to be the case. This 'Maebella' appeared just as cold and stiff as Virikai. Linika smiled; they deserved each other. She curtsied again, directing it toward the woman now as Virikai introduced her with all the warm fellowship with which one would embrace a tax collector.

Of course, she would not give him the satisfaction of taking umbrage. In truth, his remark about her ambition was entirely accurate, though few would realize the bend it had taken away from Augiery, to reach the point of surrendering wholly to Viden's interest. And that was the way the IA wanted it.

She made a mental note of Maebella's areas of study, and wondered if this was to be a political marriage, serving primarily to join families in need of allies. A student of Literature didn't otherwise seem to provide much of which the politicos of the Talius clan would have use. But then again, plenty of literature revolved around politics. And Virikai did often seem at odds with his father. Perhaps the young lordling actually loved the girl; this 'Maebella'.

As she made her way back to the hall, she considered how this might complicate things. Suspicious as always, her mind considered the dynamics of plots. In a sense, she now had to watch out for the fiance too. If the marriage had been given both families' blessings, they would all have each others' backs. 'But if there was anyone that disapproved...'

A scowl marred her face. She knew that a tragedy here would garner a massive influx of sympathy for the family of the widow, or widower...or both...Political coin in the guise of condolences.

She shook her head. She decided she was letting herself run away with the situation. Her job was just to mingle and keep an eye out for suspicious behavior, not read suspicious behavior into everyone's celebratory activities. Her job was far easier the more crowded the place became. She knew that none of the tight cliques of status-seekers would invite her to join them. The one benefit was that it would not be "good form" to exclude her in a way that drew attention to them.

So, in a room where these circles often brushed against each other, she would stand in where two different circles might have included her in their company. She could listen in on both conversations, safe from having anyone from either group turn to overtly reject her. Victims of their own decorum, Linika used them to make her way slowly from one end of the room to the other, making note of what gossip overflowed the bounds of each cluster.

Eventually, she came upon the new face of the Aranaz family. She recognized the resemblance he shared with the elderly man Linika had run into when she'd brought Brightfern seeds into the compound an arc ago, last Zi'da. She'd bamboozled a slave into showing her around the place, but her Academy credentials had been legit, so her story of concerns over storing the seeds in a greenhouse with the exact requirements had the weight of truth to it.

She did not for a moment think Lord Tobren had genuinely believed her. But her glib tongue had tied off any argument with which he'd hoped to counter her claim. Now she deftly moved to sidle up to the young man. He, of all people here, ought to appreciate the implied capability of a naer that had contrived to get herself invited to an eidisi event such as this.

As soon as she caught his eye, she gracefully curtsied. "My Lord Aranaz, I am glad to find you here. I was unable to gain an opportunity to thank you for the brandy." Human or not, she had no idea if this Lord would be compelled to reject a naer for propriety's sake or not. Rumors abounded where the Aranaz name arose in conversations. And Linika believed him to be a man she could work with, for the benefit of them both.

[Linika]

The Aranaz heir did not respond right away; and by the time he did, Linika had followed the direction of his gaze to the table where the large punch bowl was set amid dozens of crystal goblets. It was now her turn to be too preoccupied to respond when he said whatever it was that he said in reply.

Linika would never know if Lord Aranaz knew, suspected, or was party to the suspicious pair at the table. It took her a few moments to recall what memory was being teased from her mind. But it came... 'Last Vhalar... the missing hunters ...that chemistry intern was suspicious then. And now, here he is, serving punch at a gala?' It was such a small thing, inconclusive at best, but coupled with the equally small thing that had stuck in her mind then, it stood out.

He had been explaining how a certain insidious chemical could be misused as a poison. She had suspected then that he had not wanted to share the information, but had realized he had a professional obligation that might have gone reported if he had not. He gave it as a hypothetical process, but had cited "she" as the operative pronoun for the person doing the work. Linika knew that most men would automatically say "he" in such cases. The fellow had also had just the slightest of tics in his behavior when he'd noticed his slip.

Again, it was hardly something that would lead to a conviction, but for a budding chemistry and medical intern to be catering a punchbowl at an engagement announcement party seemed a trifle unlikely. Not to mention the woman, who was probably the "she" in his previous narrative, was his aid in this social endeavor. And she and he were exchanging some frequent and furtive looks, which were wiped off their faces whenever someone approached for a refill.

She began to make her way over to that side of the ballroom as she thought of what they might be up to. It seemed fairly obvious that the goal would be slipping something into the punch. As she recalled what the chemical was that this "intern" had been describing to her last Vhalar, it struck her that it would be the perfect, low-key spike to add. Something that would loosen tongues to a degree capable of coaxing numerous state secrets from the attending dignitaries, while not being an obvious attack.

The Tendrilshroom she'd had explained had been used back in Vhalar to reverse the effects of a medicine and make a bad case of frostbite into lethal hypothermia, by reversing the response of the body to all attempts to warm it up. The person would have frozen to death as a direct result of every attempt to accomplish the opposite. It was well known that many dignitaries took a variety of counter-actives to the effects of alcohol, so they could mingle and socialize freely without fear of blabbing classified information while in a drunken stupor.

If the "intern" and his partner had spiked the punch with tendrilshroom, these diplomats and high officials would have the effects of their tonics reversed, and be giggling and spitting out secrets as fast as they could belch. And the two at the punch table would be writing them down as fast as they were revealed, sold to adversaries, who were probably waiting in the wings, and then blackmailing the fools for a king's ransom down the road.

She had to put a stop to this quickly, as many of the snobs already had goblets of punch in their hands and were imbibing freely. While a part of her would love to see them knocked down a step or two as incompetent blabbers of state secrets, it was upon her to prevent just this sort of thing. But it needed to be done in a manner that would not show her to be an agent of the Intelligence Authority.

The "intern" did a double take as she neared the table, snatching up an empty goblet and putting a slight wobble into her step. A look of alarm was stifled almost as quickly as it appeared and Linika felt her suspicions confirmed. "Deekie!!" she cried in exaggerated glee, not really knowing his name, but making do with something she could shriek with volume and squeal.

She stumbled over to him, knocking a few glasses onto the floor and drawing the attention of the whole room, judging by the sudden whispering silence. "It's been so long! Where've you been keeping yourself? I've missed you!" A plan occurred to her., and she adopted a plugged-nose tone to her words just prior to a long, staggered inhale, culminating in a loud sneeze, directly into the punch.

The gasp that followed that display, was nothing compared to the gasp that followed her submerging her goblet right into the punchbowl itself to scoop up a glassful. "This is delicious!" she slurred as she wiped her nose, gratified to see every single dignitary in the room stare askance at their glasses and immediately set them down on any nearby surface.

She then managed to trip and fall, dragging "Deekie" with her to the floor, as if drunk. Several IA agents converged to lift her up, as Verity scolded her ruthlessly, promising to lock her in a cell for a month. He asked the two punchbowl attendants to accompany him, as 'witnesses' for the security report. They of course, insisted that they had to remain to attend the punch bowl.

Verity snorted at the suggestion, pointing out that no one was going to be drinking from it after she sneezed in it. The two attendants hemmed and hawed, stalling and stammering for another excuse not to go to IA headquarters, but Verity "insisted". They were escorted out amid a half-dozen IA agents.

Linika never did get to hear how the engagement went after her bit of theater. But Verity admitted being greatly in her debt after having the punch analyzed and finding some very curious ingredients in it. He applauded her improvisation, and reiterated that she was made for this sort of work.

Linika tried to be upset by this newest round of doing work for an Immortal other than Audrae, but found it growing more and more difficult not to feel pleased with herself. As a Videnese spy, she was truly coming of age.

[Strange]

Thread Review

Linika

Linika

Skill Points: +15 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: +10 (for disruption of high-society gala)

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledges:

• Acting: Faking a Bad Cold
• Acting: Faking Drunkenness
• Chemistry: The Effects of Tendrilshroom on Sobriety Tonics
• Deception: Faking a Sneeze Into the Punch
• Intelligence: The False Intern and His Aid Match a Description
• Medicine: Just One Sneeze Will Contaminate a Full Punch Bowl
• Politics: A Naer is Easily Blamed and Dismissed in Viden
• Tactics: Faking Drunkenness as an Excuse to Knock Someone Down

Non-Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Notes: n/a.
Player Word Count: 2756 words.

Virikai

Virikai Talius

Skill Points: +10 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: None.

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Non-Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Notes: n/a.
Player Word Count: 1214 words.

Maebella

Maebella

Skill Points: +10 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: None.

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Non-Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Notes: n/a.
Player Word Count: 1508 words.

Julian

Julian Aranaz

Skill Points: +5 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: None.

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Non-Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Notes: n/a.
Player Word Count: 1068 words.

It's too bad this thread got abandoned. It had all the makings for some intrigue with the aristocratic air, the way everyone treated each other. Those Eidisi can be pretty cold and formal!

Would have been curious to see how Linika and Maebella conversed with one another, or how Virikai and Julian might've interacted. The change in scene to wrap up the thread with more story worked well, Linika.

Great job and enjoy your rewards!

PM me if you have any questions, issues or concerns.

Total Word Count: 6546 words.

Review Request Link: viewtopic.php?p=117485#p117485
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