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 Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 7:57 pm
It had been years since Salvatore brought his young family back to Baenreabban lands, but Devereux had yet to acclimate to the environment. Part of his hatred for Yera stemmed from the fact that his father seemed to have become a different man all together the moment they arrived and a smaller part was the vibe. He was used to odd stares; he'd gotten them his entire life in Pajore, but this was different. Here Devereux wasn't just being judged for his hybridity, but also on matters of behavior, education, the quality of his clothing, speech...and so much more. The young boy of ten who'd been spry and full of hope had been left behind in Yael.
Now, the teenager who stepped out of the carriage was a master at hiding his true face. Devereux was the picture of class as he held a hand up for his mother, Nephele, who stepped onto the ground with a thinly veiled air of nervousness. She rarely left the family home for many of the same reasons that made her son naturally bristle.
Salavtore appeared behind her and instead of taking her hand from their son he simply stood next to them. They'd been invited to dinner by a supposed business contact - or a potential contact? Devereux couldn't remember - and the family was to be on their best behavior. His parents were dressed in fine leaf tribe attire complete with golden accents that clashed with his mother's silver eyes and darker complexion. Devereux, on the other hand, was keen to mock Salvatore in subtle ways.
His attire was green, though much darker than the other two, and with veins of silver instead. Most glaring, however, was the pendant that hung off his belt; the symbol of Lurin, one of the Yaeli gods.
"Only speak when spoken to," Salvatore murmured darkly. "Am I understood? This evening will be as important to your future as it is mine."
Yes because that was it, wasn't it? He was to take over after his father as the first born son, but how many of his relatives would rather it go to a cousin? Or even an urchin over the half-blooded boy that haunted their halls?
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:59 am
Merle had been in a fuss all day. All Niiemh had gotten out of the mutterings and shouted orders was that there was to be an important family visiting and that everyone was to be on their best behavior. Most of her siblings were out and about doing their own things. Some had even left the house entirely to live their own lives. Nii was still there. She danced and she cared for those that still needed it. Her step mother had come to her several hours before the arrival and told her that she was to perform for dinner to provide some entertainment so she should look her best. Mostly it was complaints about her wild hair. "Get it under control and dress in your best." Is what had been hissed at her. So Nii had done what she could to tame her curls, combing her fingers through them so as to not make them frizzy, then tying them back loosely to keep out of her face. As for her clothing, she just wore the same dress she always did when Merle had others over for dinner. It was the typical green of their tribe and had small golden chains as well as a few gemstones to give it a bit more sparkle. Niiemh didn't wear shoes but her feet and ankles were adorned with jewelry, much like her wrists, to distract the eye when she danced. Moments before their guests arrived Merle pulled her aside with a firm grip on her arm that left red marks. "Do not embarrass the family." All she did was simply nod her head silently.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:36 pm
As Salvatore was led inside Nephele spared only a brief glance back to Devereux before walking behind her husband. Instead of holding onto his arm or even keeping pace at his side the Yaeli walked at an angle so her husband could keep an eye on her without being too close. It was such a familiar positioning that Devereux easily fell in stride. He languidly walked behind his parents, canting his head up and around to take in their host's abode. There wasn't much he knew about the Kavensei family beyond two well known facts; Vulir's business sense was like no others and the man had a wandering eye. Nephele had tried to school him on which children belonged to his wife and which did not, but honestly it was a little much.
"We were honored to receive your invitation, Vulir. But you'll have to excuse my rudeness, which is your wife and which is your daughter? They're both so lovely that I cannot tell. " Salvatore's voice caught his ear and Devereux turned to see they'd met up with their hosts.
Oh Gods.
Devereux rolled his eyes and felt his stomach curl. He very nearly called the man out right then and there, but kept his composure for the most part. Instead of focusing on the parents, his gaze shifted to the actual daughter, or so he presumed. Devereux gave her a little grin. She really was a vision in green.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 3:56 pm
Vulir was just in time to stand beside his wife when the guests arrived. When Salvatore spoke up the man smiled at him. "Welcome." He chuckled at the comment about which was his wife, a nice compliment to the older woman. Vulir motioned toward his wife as he continued. "This is my wife, Merle. And this is my eldest daughter, Niiemh." Merle was not happy to have been compared to her husbands illegitimate daughter but she kept it off her face. Instead she nodded her head toward the man when she was introduced. "Nice to meet you." Nii on the other hand had smiled prettily at Salvatore as he spoke, as she'd been taught to do. Of course her eyes looked over at the woman with him and then to the young man as well. His little grin was met with a slight upturning of her lips, an attempt to keep a matching smile off her face. When she heard her father introduce her by name she brought her attention back to the older man. "Hello." A slight dip went along with her greeting. Merle didn't want the attention on Niiemh for long so she took a half step forward and motioned for everyone to move toward the dining area. "Shall we? I've asked the cook to make a delicious meal and an even better desert."
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 6:32 pm
"A pleasure." Salvatore smiled and took a half step before raising a hand to motion to the two behind him. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Nephele, and our son, Devereux." Nephele dipped her head to her hosts and offered them a small, timid smile while Devereux gave a proper bow to the family. As he did so the accessories that kept his hair pinned up chimed a little, and did so once again when he moved to stand.
"Is that so? Well, I'd hate to leave such a meal waiting! It isn't often that I'm privy to Talean cuisine. My wife's pallet hasn't properly adjusted yet and more often than not we eat meals from her homeland." Even as he said it there was a curl to his lip that Devereux didn't care for. "Bland stuff, really, with no sense of flavor-"
As his father rambled on, Devereux found himself falling back a bit and looking over to Niiemh. At the moment he couldn't tell if she was actually enjoying this or if she was just grinning to get through the evening. So, Devereux leaned in as they walked and murmured a quick, "Is your father full of as much hot air as mine?" Before pulling away and 'casually' acting as if he hadn't done a thing.
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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 12:44 pm
Vulir smiled largely at the other two as they were introduced and when Merle made a move to get the group going he simply nodded his head. Merle on the other hand was pleased to see that Salvatore was eager to get to the meal. She smiled and led the way as the others fell into line, presumably. "Oh, then we must get you in touch with a cook that can provide better tasting meals." She could be heard saying to the man. Niiemh looked over at Devereux when he spoke and watched as he simply pulled back like he'd not said a word. Not wanting to appear rude she could only press her lips together before simply shaking her head slightly. Her father was good with words but she didn't think he said as much as Mr. Salvatore did. Then again, she wasn't really around much for his business deals unless they were invited for dinner. "I don't think so but I'm not usually present for many meetings. Do you go with your father often?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:11 am
"Did you hear that, Nephele? There may be hope for you yet." Salvatore let out a chuckle and continued his conversation with the leaflings, heedless of the fake smile his wife bore. She briefly looked behind her once more, just to check in on her son, but when she caught Devereux's eyes she turned back around.
"If not for me then perhaps for our son." She commented quietly. "I'm afraid my tastes may never change, but Devereux may bridge the gap."
"Ah, yes, with any luck a little more exposure might do the boy good. His talents were wasted in Yael; here he can be a true Baenreabban and live up to his blood."
Live up to what? A self important blowhard with a family legacy of murder? Devereux wasn't so dense as to believe they'd been invited back onto the family lands. His father was the last of three brothers to remain; the other two 'mysteriously' died, along with their children. Grandfather was desperate.
"Unfortunately," Devereux grumbled. "I am the heir, after all. I get to inherit the great Baenreabban legacy and all of the piss that comes with it." He passed a cautious side eye her way. It was brave, if not stupid, to talk about his family so poorly in company like this, but Devereux was a particularly brazen lad.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 5:02 pm
Merle nodded her head. "Yes, it's always good to expand the pallet of one's children. You never know who they will need to do business with. Our own Acyn has had the best of Tale and Sauti." She of course was working on getting more dishes from Jauhar as well. "What talents does your son have? Niiemh is a good dancer. Your son is welcome to enjoy her skills if he's bored." If she could figure out what Salvatore's heir was good at then she could find a better fit for him in her schemes. And if he was pleased then he'd surely tell his father and if she knew anything she knew children could have sway with their parents when they were the heir. Nii offered a sympathetic cringe to Devereux. "My eldest brother would be able to relate to being heir, I thankfully know nothing of such pressures." Seeing as she wasn't the first born she didn't get to feel that pressure. Of course she said nothing about his description about the extra things that followed his family legacy. Before she could add anything farther to the conversation with the Baenreabban heir she caught what her step mother had said about Devereux being welcome to her skills. Her green eyes went instantly to the woman's back then over to her father to see what he would say to such but he seemed to miss the underlying meaning and simply nodded his head. Usually she had to deal with such when it was an older business partner and she could dance out of their reach without issue but with Devereux being younger he would likely be able to keep up with her. Instantly she felt embarrassment and fear over what Merle meant and she chanced a peek at the young man in question.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:06 pm
If Salvatore noticed the visible unease that washed over his wife he made no mention of it. There was a glint in his eye, as if he were latching onto a possible hook, and feeling all the more pleased for it. "Is she? Well, Devereux, what do you think? Would you like to have Niiemh perform for you?" When he did bother to look back at the two his eyes lingered on Niiemh a little longer than his first initial inspection before turning to his son.
Without missing a beat Devereux flashed a winning grin, "Nothing would please me more, father." When he turned back around the smile dropped into a curled glare instead. What kind of game were they playing at? His irritation was hidden behind a sort of stoic look that could be borderline repugnant if one didn't know how to read him. As he looked back to the girl in question he caught a look in her eye that he didn't dare dwell on. If anything she was as much a pawn in this as he was. So, the question was, how were they going to play their parts?
"Devereux's an accomplished tradesman. Why I've had him as my shadow since he was young, and his eye for quality is unmatched. I'd wager that by the time he's old enough to replace me you'll scarcely know he wasn't born in Tale."
"Forgive me," Devereux cleared his throat and instantly drew a harsh side eye from his father. "I know I'm speaking out of turn, but since I haven't many acquaintances my age I was curious as to how soon your daughter might accompany me for a night of dancing?" This time he turned away from the adults in the room and turned those bright, calculating, nearly toxic green eyes on Niiemh. "Assuming you have no other appointments, that is."
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:41 pm
Merle was pleased to hear the boy say he would like for Niiemh to entertain him. A little scheme running through her head. She had seen the look about Salvatore and she wondered if simply suggesting a match between his Heir and the eldest daughter of her husband would be a better route to go. However, she wanted to ensure there was no way for the man to back out. "A tradesman? Well, I dare say Vulir, you best watch out. He may take over." The woman teased her husband. Vulir laughed and shook his head. "The younger generation is supposed to be better than the last so it would be a compliment. He and Acyn could become business partners." The man seem oblivious to his wife's schemes. Niiemh had a second where she paused in her stride putting her a half step behind Devereux. After regaining composure she said nothing and simply stared ahead. It wasn't until the young boy spoke out of turn that she looked at him again. This time she kept her posture straight and proper, cold even. The last question directed at her had Nii taking a moment to breath in two breaths before she went to respond. She needed those extra seconds to try and get a read on him. However Merle cut in and answered before she could get a word out. "She can dance with you tonight if you wish. Niiemh has no other engagements." Merle offered what she thought was a sweet smile but she eyed the boy. "Niiemh, why don't you take Devereux to the dance hall and entertain him."
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 2:38 pm
Heras Box We could do a timeskip if you wanted. x3 Cut through the actual meal itself to the after bits~
Devereux, his own smirk in place, kept his eye on Niiemh until her mother - father's wife? He should have remembered the connections - spoke up. "Such generosity; I must be truly blessed." She was so quick to pawn the girl off that it made him as curious as he was suspicious. Was there something wrong with her? Niiemh was a vision of beauty and obviously well cared for so there had to be something they were hiding if a family this well off was agreeing to let her traipse around with him.
"Maybe after dinner? Your home is so grand that I feel as if we've been walking for ages and I've worked up an appetite."
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 2:58 pm
Painted Moose Skip sounds fine since dinner will just be talking and awkward silence.. XD Vulir said as he chuckled again. If he had caught on to what Merle was trying to do he didn't show it. (Pro tip: He's oblivious to his wife's schemes.) Merle missed the Yaeli woman sneering at her as her attention was elsewhere, but when Devereux said that he would take up the offer after dinner she seemed pleased. "Of course. Lets eat first." With that she led the rest of the way to the dinning hall, which just so happened to be around the corner. Niiemh waited until the adults had turned their back before she hung her head a bit. She wasn't sure how she was going to get out of this one. Perhaps over dinner she'd come up with something. Or maybe she could snag a servant on the way to make sure there was someone else in the room? Her nervousness caused her to twirl her finger around her finger, wrapping a curl around the digit. She hoped Devereux would forget by the end of the meal actually.
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:15 pm
Throughout dinner Devereux was a perfectly pleasant young man. He answered questions as they came to him, never once spoke out of turn, and generally kept his sarcasm to himself. For once in his life he was perfectly behaved which in itself was a cause for concern. If he chose to shut down any partnership opportunities for his father then that would not only reflect poorly on Salvatore, but the family in general. As much as Devereux detested the old man he wouldn't allow harm to come to his mother and so, he kept up appearances.
Still, his eyes did find their way over to Niiemh on multiple occasions. He tried to get a read on her throughout the dinner, purposefully responding in ways that might broach a reaction but when it didn't happen he grew curious. Watching the way she wrapped a curl about her finger made him wonder if she was even aware of the machinations of Merle or worse; if she was complicit.
Once the dinner was over it was Salvatore that spoke first. "Well Devereux, how was it? Better than anything Nephele makes?"
"It was indescribable." On the outside he was grinning, on the inside he was gagging. Devereux had only eaten as much as he had to not draw suspicion and that was all he planned on touching. "I think I'm ready for that dance now."
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 7:43 pm
Throughout dinner Niiemh focused on her plate. Of course she ate but she schooled her expression to not give anything away. She could feel Merle looking at her from time to time and that was when she'd glance up to smile politely at whatever was said by their guests. When dinner was over she silently hoped that things had progressed enough in the conversation, despite her not paying attention, to have distracted Devereux from the dance. So when he mentioned it she felt panic. Merle grinned and nodded her head. "Of course! Niiemh, be a dear and show him to the dance studio." Nii was right back to twirling her hair around her finger as she looked at Salvatore's heir. "If you'll follow me.." She got up from her place and headed toward the door so that she could lead Devereux down the hall. The studio was around the corner. She did wait for him but she kept her eyes forward as she wracked her brain for a way to avoid anything inappropriate. If the young man was so eager then perhaps he understood what Merle was up to? By the time they reached the dance studio she still hadn't come up with a sure fire way to avoid anything.
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 8:10 pm
As Niiemh made to rise Nephele couldn't help reaching over to grab her son's hand before he could do the same. Since it was under the table the act went unnoticed by Salvatore, but it was strong, all the same. Devereux gave her a squeeze in return, then went as far as to publicly pat her shoulder and give his mother a kiss on the forehead as he rose. "Try not to have too much fun without me."
Her face bore the exasperated look of a mother, but those eyes held a warning.
Devereux kept quiet as he followed in line behind Niiemh. Passively he wondered how so much hair could sprout from the head of one woman, but then other thoughts crowded into his mind. I can barely see her around all of it... Ah, but here they were. "Safe" from prying eyes was relative; as far as he knew there were hidden panels in this room and servants that could listen in. He took a look about the room, stepping casually around the space as he did so and allowing the vestments on his clothing to chime as he did so.
The symbol of the Yaeli gods sat heavy above his heart when he turned back to face Niiemh. "Alright; we can do this one of two ways. The first is you can perform for me like Merle told you too or you can answer a few questions and we can pretend like you did." As he talked Devereux walked closer to her; slowly and with purpose until he was barely a hairs breath away from Niiemh. "I have a preference for the latter, but I'm not one to decide for a lady."
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