|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:20 pm
Ben's watched Moa nod her head in confirmation that it was indeed the crown that this group of Aes personnel were seeking. Of course, Ben already guessed that much, and though Moa didn't know that he was aware that Vossler was more than likely the one she was guiding, he continued to play the role of ignorance.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Chance speak behind him, the mans words spoken to Asher, yet clearly directed at Ben. Ben's smile faded, and he turned around to face the large man that he knew from years of business. Ben's eye's darkened and it was apparent that he was not happy with what he had heard, being referred to as a mutt.
He stared straight at Chance, a look of seriousness becoming more and more clear as he stared at the man. "A mutt, eh?" For a moment it was unclear if Ben was going to hit Chance or not. However, a smile slowly found its way on his face, and though he was trying to keep the facade of him being angry going, he busted out in a series of laughs and walked forward and embraced the man in a quick friendly hug since the two had not seen each other in a long time. This was also partly because the alcohol was taking its effect on Ben, making him a more cheerful individual.
As he pulled away from the giant of a man that was Chance Godfrey, a huge smile was on his face. "Indeed, the standards have fallen quite low to allow men like us into a party of such prestige." He ended his statement with another hearty laugh. "So tell me! How are things back home? I miss the scuzzy smell of the lower districts of Thesaurum." Ben had been away from Thesaurum on business for quite sometime, though his whereabouts were unknown to any but himself and his fellow Agency members.
Asher glanced up at Chance, and then back at Ben, watching the two curiously. When Chance had patted his back, he made no move to growl at Chance, for he recognized Chance's scent from the times Ben and Chance had done business together.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:23 pm
After straightening up from the friendly pat to the familiar canine his hand fell back to his side in time to catch the sight of Ben turning to once again face him. The display of displeasure was quite evident as only a man of Ben's background and reputation could issue, and had Chance been a lesser man he may have succumb to it. Instead he stood at ease, the only thing about his demeanor that changed was the features of his face; he looked neither mad nor happy, but his eyes showed like a dead man's - unblinking and capable of anything.
Then finally came the inevitable break in tension with the two men, almost simultaneously breaking into laughter and losing the facade. Chance stepped into the friendly embrace, and that single large mitt of his clapped the mans back in a genuine joy to see Ben - in fact it was a miracle either of them were still alive to attend that party. It was a short display of friendship and he backed to his original position before looking upon that small group of them that had gathered, Moa, Ben a d himself.
"Things back home? You know how it is leaving the snake to deal without the head. I'll be lucky if I'm not shot as soon as I step off the plane." He offered a genuine spout of laughter on the subject, but it would have been a lie to say the thought was not a serious one. "I hear that. A man can only take so much of perfumed, six faced politicians before he needs to wallow amongst his own." He thought fondly of the idea of being back in Thesaurum, ripping and roaring through his old haunt, but those thoughts were soon broken to rejoin the conversation. "Anyway.." Stepping forward as he spoke, his left hand curled around Ben's shoulder to turn him back toward Moa; a mishceivous smile playing on his lips as he addressed her. "No worries. We'll have time to talk yet, eh?" Another bit of laughter to lighten the mood and that left arm pulling in Ben and teetering him back and forth momentarily. "You gotta watch out for this one though, Ben. I heard she's a wild one." Of course he had heard no such thing, but he did so love to stir the pot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:14 am
Now looking upwards from what he thought was Moa, Manson was now confronted by the look of a man who seemed to have all the means to make enough reason to deliver Manson to a dark place. Manson simply leaned back towards his table, placing an elbow on the tablecloth and then waved a white flag that was his own hand in surrender. His smile was one that showed no regret for interacting with the animal and if anything, a sense of pleasure was evident for getting someone from Lady Aaren's table was one step in Manson's favor. He looked down at the wolf again. The situation was peculiar in Manson's eyes after all. "Your boyfriend?"
And then there to dawn all clarity onto Manson was the real Moa, a charming figure, silhouetted in red and black who Manson twisted all the way around in his chair for. He looked her up and down in fascination, but she only reminded of Manson of his drinking before dismissing the man as if he'd become transparent after spotting one of her kind parsay and then following Ben and his animal right behind.
Manson frowned. It felt like rejection, but the feeling would only last a moment. Manson's eyes now lurked onto the Lady Aaren who Manson knew would have come well protected.
It was the momentum he'd built that led him to make the brazen action of taking Ben's seat and locked both hands under his unchanged smile. "Amazing party. I can't wait for the rest of the festival." He said, addressing the woman.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:17 am
♞ .K.A.I. took note of her reactions within his mainframe, noting that she was tad shy and a humble woman. That was good and make getting to know her better easier, not to mention he needed to approach Vossler. The Jitter doll smiled in response to her movements and listened as she introduced herself. Ah so Thesaurum Oppidum, how intriguing this conversation would play out.
"I am from the outskirts of Novum Fulgar, I am a mechanic. How are things going in your land?" K.A.I. titled his head quizzically.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 2:44 pm
(Let me show you shy and humble lol.)
The conversation seemed to have no particular gem to posses Aiden to draw in further. It seemed to to be laid out for them to follow a systematic order of questions and dull replies; it was almost mechanical and Aiden would have none of that if it was just a measly low income man she was talking to.
A hand went onto her hip and a leg moved infront of the other. Her eye contact separated and she felt no reason not to be casual either. "Oh, I dunno, I'm hardly ever there. I don't even have a place there anymore and when I did I was over in Black Knot - yah know, where it's all rough and tumble." She looked down a her black platforms. "But hey, I was on my way over to get a drink and we can carry on with the chit chat and you can tell me how Novum Fulgar is doing if you want, but I'll be heading that way."
Aiden tapped her finger in the direction that she was going which was directly to the bar and proceeded away, her walk composed of long even strides, and a dress train that gravitated and then once again fell to the tiled floor once Aiden clasped the bar counter with both hands as if it were land she'd been deprived of after years at sea.
(I'm on a roll with these puns.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 5:16 pm
Nestled neatly in his spot in the corner, Maliarc kept one eye on Lady Aaren and another eye on all of the people in the crowd. Everything had been quiet so far, but as one would come to learn by living in the West, there was always quiet before a storm, so he would be prepared for anything and everything.
As he watched the man that Lady Aaren had been speaking with leave, his interested skyrocketed. This man was there a very small amount of time before leaving, meaning he probably knew a lot of people, and many of them would want to talk...so who was he? He would have to remember his face for the future. However he was in the present right now, so he threw those thoughts out of his mind almost as quickly as he had threw them in.
It was when another man took the previous ones seat that his interest piqued. For the first couple of seconds, Maliarc did not worry, thinking this man to be just another person of importance. However, as his eyesight lingered, he started to feel uncomfortable. Who was this man, and why did Maliarc care? Seeing that he could do nothing about it, Maliarc walked over to one of the guards stationed behind Lady Aaren, and whispered a word of warning.
"Watch the man that just sat down with Lady Aaren. I do not like him."
Walking away, Maliarc was not sure if the guard knew that he was also protecting Aaren, but he what he was sure of was that if anything had happened to Lady Aaren, he would be one of the ones to pay the price, so he knew the night would pay attention. Returning back to his snug corner, Maliarc continued to watch Lady Aaren and the people at her table...just as he was ordered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 7:38 pm
Moa smiled softly at the men and then looked down at the wolf one more time. "Well, I will let you two catch up. I got to see how the others are doing." she said as she gave them both a slight curtsy and then walked off. She walked around to see how everyone was doing as she could feel her own self starting to get a little jittery from all the people. She went over to Vossler to let him know that she would be outside getting fresh air, and then walked outside feeling the cool air on her skin and breathed in deeply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:17 am
Ben laughed heartily with Chance after he referred to Thesaurum as a snake without its head. In all honesty, he had heard that Thesaurum hadnt been doing as well during Ben's absence, though it was now clear that it was because of Chances absence as opposed to his own. After Chance spoke again, Ben looked up thoughtfully, joining Chance in a moment of remembrance of Thesaurum. His thoughts were interrupted as Chance spoke again, grabbing Ben by the shoulder and turning him to Moa. Ben teetered back and forth goofily as Chance moved his shoulder with his laughter. Ben could feel the effects of intoxication increasing with each passing moment. He laughed in response to Chances joke aimed at Moa, though Moa seemed to be driven off by the statement. Before Ben could add his own statement to the situation, Moa said her little goodbye, and walked off.
He sighed after a moment, and looked over at Chance with an irritated look on his face. "Look what you did there, you scared her off. How could you c**k block Asher like that?" He motioned down to his furry companion, who was silent, and clearly not amused.
Ben then busted out in drunken laughter at his own joke, leaning forward and clasping his right arm onto Chances back. The arm was made of solid Novum steel, and was quite heavy, though it would more than likely have little effect on a big man such as Chance. Ben's laughter continued for a moment, and he stood back up straight, and regained his composure, though his face had a slight hint of pink to it from the strain of the laughing. He straightened out his jacket and cleared his throat with a smile. "So, my friend! How have things been on your end? Any new developments?" The second part of the question was obviously rhetorical, and Chance would know that because he knew what kind of man that Ben was, and he knew that Ben had eyes and ears everywhere, and there was little that Ben wasnt aware of. Chance was one of the few men outside of the Agency that knew anything about what Ben did behind closed doors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:35 am
Vossler had watched as the people scatted and he traveled with the guards to chat with a few more Nobles who wanted to expand Trading. When an exceptionally boring topic was brought up his eyes glazed over and he noticed a boy talking to Layla. It took him a bit of straining to do but he caught bits and pieces of what was said. He turned back to the noble and gave a false smile."I do apologize but I have to deal with some new arranments that have just popped up." The Noble nodded and Vossler stepped away quietly. The guards keeping with him all the way.
He snuck up on the boy and winked to Layla before tapping him on the shoulder. His face held no expression save for his eyes which looked as though they could burn through the boys soul. "Layla is this young one troubling you? I hope he knows that if he wants to get close to you he has to go through me first. So boy do you think your good for her?" Vossler wanted to just mess with the boy and see the reaction he would have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:13 am
Aaren grinned and nodded once. "Indeed, Mister Black," she said. "I'm sure your trade calls for a lot of traveling. I'm a bit envious," she chuckled along with her last statement. Her eyes glanced between Ben and Mairead, but briefly caught sight of something odd—a kind of movement from Ben's jaw that seemed out of the ordinary. She blinked and looked over to her glass of water before she raised it her lips and sipped it politely.
The comment about her health, though, made her gaze turn back towards Ben. Perhaps it was because she hadn't been social for so long (at least long enough) that the comment almost offended her; her expression was slightly startled at first, before it was wiped away completely and replaced with a small grin. "I've been fairing well. Thank you for your concern," she said softly. "To be frank, I find myself especially vitalized this evening—perhaps it's the overall excitement of everyone's presence." There was no sense in telling Mairead and Ben the true source of her extra energy.
She nodded and thanked Ben one last time when he excused himself from her and Mairead's presence. He seems kind enough, Aaren thought. Of course, his smile looks a bit rehersed... much like my sense of propriety. She chuckled again and grinned after he walked away, back into the crowd. Aaren then placed her focus on Mairead. "Miss Thaeis, how do you fair being the Armatan ambassador—" she paused and watched as another man sat down where Ben was sitting earlier. Her brows furrowed slightly as she watched the intoxicated person across the table.
"I'm glad to hear it," she said. "Who might you be, sir?" There was a brief moment of silence before a knight bent down next to her and murmured some inches from her ear. Aaren glanced over at Manson then looked away. "Thank you," she murmured back and the knight stood up straight before walking back to where he was standing. The lady's mood suddenly seemed quieter.
**********************
Layla looked over at Shalev after looking at Aaren from across the room. She smiled at him excitedly. "Could you introduce me to her?" She said.
"Erm... I think so," Shalev said. His fingers fiddled nervously with the buttons of his vest. Layla didn't notice as she took a sip of her cream soda again. However, the smile on her face faded quickly when her gaze saw Vossler approaching. Her cheeks turned pink as Shalev was subjected to the Aesian leader's cold stare and stern words. Layla looked down, using her white hair as a curtain. She felt like her chest would burst from the embarassment.
Shalev, on the other hand, turned a bit pale. Vossler caught him off guard, and the boy looked up at him with a bit of fear behind his eyes. Layla frowned and lifted her head to look at her guardian. "Vossler..." she whined softly.
"No, sir," Shalev said with a quick and nervous tone. "I—I was just—"
"This is Shalev," Layla interrupted the boy's stuttering attempt to defend himself. "His father is a Lucidus councilman, and he said that I could go talk to Lady Aaren if I wanted to."
The boy looked at the girl standing next to him and then at Vossler. She clearly didn't fear this towering military leader with a stare that sent a unpleasant chill down the boy's spine. Layla stepped between him and Vossler and grabbed Vossler's hand. She spoke quietly, "Can I go talk to her? Pleeease?" She pouted at him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:29 am
Vossler's gaze softened and his lips curled into a smile. "I'm sorry Layla just wanted to tease the boy a bit. Don't worry boy you got nothing to fear from me as long as you don't make Layla upset." Vossler thought over the idea of meeting the Lucidus leader that was hosting the peace Ceromony. He felt he would like to meet her as well.
Vossler gently set his free hand upon Layla's shoulder and nodded. Shalev could you take both of us to meet her? I would like to meet the host of this ceromony before negotiations start." Vossler looked the boy over and was proud to see he had that effect. His smile grew as his thoughts wandered. 'I wonder if I rell recieve the same results from some of the other leaders.' Vossler chuckled to himself at the thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:04 am
Shalev gave a quiet sigh of relief and then looked at Layla. The girl knew what she was doing, clearly. Layla grinned up at Vossler and then at the boy, waiting for him to respond. The boy blinked and then widened his eyes when he realized he was asked a question. "Eh, yes!" he said, his face getting back some color. He grinned at the two, taking on the relaxed demeanor he had before the Aesian leader confronted him.
Layla held onto Vossler's hand and trailed behind Shalev through the crowd. She kept hold of her cream soda, extra fizzy, with the other hand. As the got closer to the Lady Aaren, the girl bit her bottom lip hard. Anxiety clenched at her chest, and when they made it through the crowd and stood before the table where the Lucidus leader sat, Layla gripped Vossler's hand more tightly. Her mouth parted a little in awe—she was so close now, and yet Aaren seemed so far.
The girl watched the lady look at her, Vossler, and then at the boy who escorted them to the table. "Hello," Aaren said. "Lady Aaren," Shalev said. "I'm Shalev Herot."
"Ah, Councilman Herot's son," Aaren said and grinned kindly at him. "How nice to see you. Who is it you've brought to me?"
"This is Layla," Shalev responded, not taking a moment to think that introducing Vossler first would've been more appropriate. "And her guardian, Commander Vossler Stone."
Aaren raised her brows and grinned wider at Vossler. "Commander, a pleasure to finally meet you. Welcome. And welcome, Layla. I did hear of your presence with the commander, but so little. I'm glad to meet you, as well."
"I'm so happy to meet you, Lady Aaren," Layla said quickly after Aaren spoke. She released Vossler's hand and gripped her cream soda with both hands. The lady nodded once and gestured towards the chairs at her side. "Please sit."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:22 am
Vossler didn't care about how the boy introduced them but seeing a Faction Leader that wasn't drunk was a good thing to him. Vossler pulled out the chair for Layla and then sat down in his own. The guards backed away slightly as to not be too overbearing. Vossler knew that Layla would have a hundred questions for the woman so he wanted to get his few out quickly.
"So why pick now of all times to call a peace ceromony? Alot of us here are like blood to water. Not going well together. From what I know that Ater Nox leader didn't even send an ambasador. Had it not been for such a trusted advisor." Vossler motioned to Layla. "I would have hardly considered coming myself." Vossler relaxed in the chair and clasped his hands on the table in front of him. His was wearing the same expression he was giving Shalev earlier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:33 am
After Ben had finished asking his question, he glanced to his left, noticing that the drunk man that had made a comment towards Asher earlier, was now sitting at the table with Lady Aaren. In fact, the man was sitting right where Ben had been seated. Ben's composure was sobered for a moment as his eyes locked onto the man. Ben had felt something suspicious about that man...now he was sitting at Lady Aaren's table. Was it just a decision made on a drunken whim to sit at that table? or was there purpose behind it.
Ben continued to stare at the man, before his earpiece silently crackled to life. The Spy he had on surveillance on the other side of the room, the one watching Vossler and the two from Novum, sent a code that Ben heard in his earpiece, that told Ben that Vossler was approaching the very table that Aaren was seated at. Ben let out a sigh, and turned back to Chance with a smile that did little to hide the serious look in his eyes. "Well my friend, I just wanted to come over and greet you for a moment since its been such a long time. Feel free to come join me at Lady Aaren's table for a few drinks!" He ended his statement with a large genuine smile, though his eyes still spoke of a different mood.
He grabbed Chances hand into a Thesaurum handshake with his mechanical right arm, and pulled him in for a pat on the back. When he did, however, he whispered into Chances ear, making sure that it was quick enough not to be suspicious.
"Keep on your toes this evening, something is up."
When Ben pulled away, he had the same smile on his face that gave no trace of him saying something other than a friendly sentence. And with that, he patted Asher on the back, an indication that they were moving, and turned his body towards Lady Aaren's table and began making his way to it with a noble pace.
As Ben got closer, is when he saw two children, a boy and a girl, followed by Commander Vossler, approaching Lady Aaren. He didnt trust Vossler, and he trusted this drunk man that seated himself at the table just moments before, even less. Though he knew Lady Aaren was well protected from anything maliscious from either Vossler or the drunk, he knew that wherever Vossler went, battle always followed. Having Vossler near Lady Aaren only made her a target if the Fulgum decided to make a move.
As he got closer, he realized that the girl with Vossler was none other than Layla Malak. The Agency had an extreme interest in this girls ability, and though it was unfortunate that she had no opportunity to grow in her abilities, the Agency had been waiting for an ideal time to put her in a place that she could develop her abilities further.
Ben finally reached the table, with Asher at his side. He continued to wear the mask of a drunk Merchant, and took a seat across from Vossler, near Lady Aaren. As he took a seat, he looked at Manson with a short dangerous stare, a silent warning to the man not to try anything, lest he be able to deal with the consequences of a man such as himself, and his 350lb furry companion.
After he took his seat however, he looked at Lady Aaren. "My apologies, I had to greet Mr. Godfrey, for I haven't seen the man in quite a while." He gave her a warm smile, knowing that he had just interrupted an exchange between Vossler and Lady Aaren, but letting it be clear that he was intoxicated as an excuse. Making it known that he was friends with Chance was something he knew would make sense as a leader of the Thesaurum Merchants Guild, though the actual friendship between him and Chance went much deeper than that.
He turned and smiled drunkenly at Mairead, playing his role of the drunk Merchant with perfection. He then moved his gaze to Commander Vossler, and without even hesitating, he smiled, and nodded his head respectfully at the man. "Ah, Commander Vossler of Aes! Pleasure to make your acquaintance this lovely evening! I trust that a man of your esteem is enjoying himself and partaking in the festivities?" A server walked by as he spoke, and placed a glass of champagne in front of Ben, and helooked at it for a moment, before picking it up with his hand and taking a sip. As he swallowed, he suddenly seemed startled. "Oh! Where are my manners! I am Benjamin Black, head of the Merchants Guild in Thesaurum." He finished his introduction with a warm smile that did not betray his intentions or purpose.
Asher however, had been staring at Commander Vossler with a silent look of a predator. The wolf made no motion, nor did he growl, or make any indication that he disliked the commander, other than a cold stare that would have been slightly intimidating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:31 am
It wasn't long after Maliarc had gotten comfortable that he noticed yet another group of people approaching the table where Lady Aaren was sitting. She was quickly becoming a popular person to talk to. However, he did not know or recognize the new group that had joined the conversation. Walking back over to the guard he had approached earlier, Maliarc was grateful for the chance to stretch his legs. Standing in that corner was a bore, though it was his duty so he would do it gladly.
As he approached the guard, he asked him who that man that had just approached was. He was met with an incredulous stare, and a response that matched.
"You have never heard of Commander Vossler of Aes!?" a response the party at the table no doubt would have heard were they paying attention.
Staring back at the guard incredulously for speaking so loud, Maliarc simply turned away from him. Nothing could be gained from such loudly speaking guards. Then again, it was simply Maliarc's opinion that guards be silently watching, never ones to stand out. Maybe he was old fashioned, or maybe he was just smart. However, what the guard said had bothered him. "Vossler of Aes" meaning he was a man of power. Then why did he get such a bad feeling about this man?
Instead of his snug and cozy corner, Maliarc took up a position against the wall just behind the seat that Lady Aaren occupied. By the time he was settled and locked eyes on Lady Aaren's table again though, the man with the absurdly large wolf was back. My, what a party this is turning out to be! Turning inward to his mind, Maliarc once again pictured the black backdrop, and put Aaren int he room, her angelic appearance almost breaking through the black backdrop. Hmm, nobody has ever had this affect.... shaking his head, he turned back to concentrating. He did not trust the newcomers, the exception being the man with the wolf. He seemed the least of the threat at the moment. Paranoia was slowly creeping back into his mind as he completed the preparations for any spell he may need. He was probably over-reacting, but he would be damned if he was caught off guard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
