"This is it," she said, softly. The pair of them had made their way to the Viden Fitness Academy and Zana glanced at Theo with a soft smile. Her brother, while they were here, Theo Malinconico was attending his first lessen at the fitness academy. While he did that, she had booked herself into the gymnasium and hired a private room for herself to practice dance. She had her arm in his, the picture of platonic siblings and the pair were well dressed. "Thank you for booking the room for me, Theo. I hope your sword class is useful, instructive." They had agreed that he needed to get lessons in the sabre - not because he needed them but because Zane had told them about one Lord: Wyllum Tariq who was the blade instructor. A member of the Viden Aristocracy, the only way into that group was by marriage and that was what they were hoping for.
They were posing as a sibling pair from a wealthy family. Recently orphaned wen their mother died, Theo had taken over the family and was seeking a good match for his beautiful, but headstrong, sister. However, as part of that, it was important that they acted a certain way and, one aspect of that was not approaching nobility. So, they had come here together a few trials ago and, when he hired the room out for her, Theo had lazily inquired about the classes going on at that time. Of course, they already knew because they'd checked but that was fine. No one knew and it worked.
So, it had seemed to be mere circumstance that, while she worked on her dance, he was training in the sword. Yet, they had to keep it as something he was doing to indulge his little sister. He indulged her a lot, after all. Especially behind closed doors when the servants had gone home. However, Zana stayed next to him but said nothing as he paid and ensured that everything was taken care of. He was stepping into the role of elder brother perfectly and she tried very hard facilitate that - but part of doing that was being said headstrong younger sister. "I can find my room by myself, you know." Zana hissed that at him as he put his hand on her back and led her to the room they'd booked for her.
Once he had told her off regarding her declaration of independence, in a suitably adoring fashion, and she had rolled her eyes at him, they made their way to the gymnasium. Once there, she looked around. "I will be in here for as long as it take me to warm up, then into the room you've booked for me. That's just next door," she said, speaking softly to her over protective (in her eyes, of course) brother.
There was currently only one other person in the gymnasium, a woman. Human and a little older than Zana appeared to be, so in her mid twenties. Zana looked up at Theo and kissed him on the cheek. "Go, I'm fine. I'm looking forward to stretching my muscles. Thank you, Theo." The human woman in there smiled, her gaze trailing over Theo in an appraising manner. She noticed his signet ring, the cut of his dress and that kind of thing. The same with Zana.
When Theo had gone, as Zana moved in to the gymnasium, the woman in there with her smiled. "Protective husband?" She asked and Zana let out a chuckle and shook her head. "Protective older brother," she explained and the young woman winced. "Oh, those are worse." Zana smiled and nodded her head. "Zana," she said, and the woman in question returned the expression. "Ses'ka," she said.
Meanwhile, the real reason for them being here was Theo meeting his instructor. The moment he walked in, Theo would recognise an arrogant and entitled man. "You are on time. This is at least acceptable," he said. He did not introduce himself, but he nodded to the area of the room where there was a small area for warming up. "Come," he said and he walked, expecting Theo to follow.
"We will get ready, warm up." He said and the man was very obviously used to people simply doing what he told them to do. However, he kept an eye on Theo, made sure that he was alright and knew what he was doing. It wasn't obvious, that bit, but it was there. "And while we do, you will tell me about yourself. Who you are, why you are here. In Viden, in this Center, in this room. Why you wish to learn. Follow what I do."
And, he started to warm up, whilst waiting for Theo's answer.
I'm all seven sins, wrapped in a bow,
Pay for my time and I'll never say no
Pay for my time and I'll never say no