Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 17, 2022 14:17:59 GMT -5
After his talk with Caedes out in the gardens of the Marrowvines lavish estate, Zarius returns to the merriment of the ballroom and seeks out the red queen of hearts herself amongst the crowd. It doesn't take him long to pin point her location across the ballroom even amongst all the colorful costumes twirling through the brightly lit space.
She drew the crowd's attention with her beauty like bees to a sweet smelling orchid. Seemed she had already picked up a drink and was nearly done with it when she starts to make a straight shot towards the shy blue princess. While he did want to also approach the corseted bard, he didn't need to be dragged into the conversation with the witch. He also did not want Kamille to have a way to dodge his questions using the presence of another as an excuse.
As the music begins to shift into the next arrangement, he swiftly crosses the floor and approaches Kamille with intent. He cuts off her path of travel and offers a hand to her. A forced smile adorns his face to mask the simmering anger at her earlier transgressions against Caedes.
Internally, he hoped he was wrong about his suspicions. There was no proof that she had actually cast a spell during her dance with the changeling assassin. If his suspicions were proven to be true, then this may very well be the last time he interacts with the witch on friendly terms. Ideally that would not be the end result of this dance.
"Lady Kamille. I did not get the chance to dance with you. Would you please grant me the honor for but a moment?" He keeps a measured tone, though it certainly is not as friendly as previous times they have talked.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Nov 17, 2022 16:25:35 GMT -5
Kamille couldn't hide her surprise even if she wanted, so focused on pursuing the princess in the blue dress as she was that Zarius suddenly appearing in front of her made her halt imediately. It had been her intention to find Zarius later, but.....
And to perfectly mirror the incident before, he asked for a dance. Fitting. There was no way she could be refusing that, so she took the rest of her drink in one gulp, left it on the tray of a passing server, and turned her undivided attention to the tiefling, offering him a curtsy to start with.
"Of course, I would appreciate that."
Zarius could see in her contained demeanor she knew what was about to come, and was bracing herself for it, hiding it behind a bright smile and pleasantries.
"I didn't know you liked to dance, Zarius... Or is it just for the occasion? You know a lot can be learned about someone by this?"
Without much hesitation, Kamille let Zarius take the lead as she assumed the perfect posture for the waltz, taking one hand to his shoulder and the other clasped to his hand, raised to the side. It was undeniable her teachings during her time at Court were akin to that of a noble lady, even if she wasn't a part of that nobility.
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 17, 2022 17:37:09 GMT -5
The tiefling bows politely before taking the half-elf’s hand and leading her out onto the dancefloor.
“Well, if you had asked me before you would have known that.” He states simply, placing a hand on her waist and guiding her through the steps of the waltz with surprising confidence and tact.
“I am certain you learned all sorts of things from your dance with Caedes earlier.”
There was little reason to beat around the bush. Kamille was someone who could talk in circles all day and he wanted a direct answer. It was important to both Caedes safety and his own to know what her intentions were and what she expected to gain by betraying their trust like this.
"Speaking of, care to explain what happened on the dancefloor with Caedes? He was quite upset by that so-called ‘prank’ you pulled.”
The distaste for her actions was evident in his tone. There was an underlying hiss in his voice, a tension in his shoulders, and oddly enough a smoky scent lingering on his breath. That was new, he didn’t smell like that in their previous meetings.
He doubts the Veliky's words were truth. Kamille hardly seemed to be the type to pull a prank and he should have trusted his gut on that in the first place. He let his guard down around Veliky and Kamille. A foolish mistake.
He could have spared Caedes the embarrassment had he acted sooner. He should have confronted the two women when they obviously were scheming over by the punch bowl. He should have done better to watch the assassin's back. He should have done so much more, and those thoughts frustrated him to no end.
In the end, Kamille was just an outlet for his own feelings of guilt and failure. If coming here jeopardized their arrangement, jeopardized their goals, he would have no one to blame but himself for being so sloppy.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Nov 17, 2022 18:24:31 GMT -5
"Prank?"
It looked like a quick, unfiltered reaction. Prank? She even looked off to the side, without even noticing, as she scoured her brain for it. She wouldn't... consider that a prank. It wasn't meant as a prank, unless...
....Veliky!
Kamille didn't know what the quarterling told Zarius, even as they met up before to talk - not that she was in any shape to assimilate much. But regardless, she brushed the point aside as there was a more pressing matter at hand. Kamille let Zarius lead the steps, not at all surprised at his confidence, but still pleased by it. He certainly was more intimidating than Caedes himself - at least on a surface level, Caedes didn't seem to try to be intimidating as much as Zarius - but she could still see the gentleman deep down, buried beneath a hiss, daggers and tension. That was new. And if her surprise was at the words or at his anger, it was hard to say, but the Witch quickly made her way to make amends for it. Certainly Zarius would notice his anger was acknowledged.
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to upset him, but as I did, I take responsibility for it. I apologize. And I'll apologize to him too."
Unlike many of those nobles, assasins and power hungry players, each trying to hide their motivations and goals, Kamille had always been quick to open up in vulnerability. Hence why the tears came so quickly. The Witch was an emotional woman, no doubt, and for the better part of her life, her emotions kept getting her in trouble.
"Did Caedes tell you about when we met at the swamp? I would be dead if it wasn't for him. I can be many things, but I try my best not to be ungrateful. I owed him, for saving my life."
Curiously, she "owed" him, in the past, as if the debt was not anymore... A debt with a powerful Witch wasn't one so easily forgone, one would think.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 18, 2022 0:06:23 GMT -5
Zarius narrows his eyes. He pulls her around the dancefloor, keeping close to her and never missing a beat. His tail twitches a bit, giving away his irritation with his current dance partner. Her look of surprise told him the Veliky had lied, confirming his earlier theory. He would have to confront the quarterling another time, though he doubts she would offer to apologize for her involvement in the whole debacle.
“Kamille.” He says firmly, and without the formality that he usually has addressed her with. “Did you see Caedes' past?”
He ignored the question about the details leading up to the debt she owed Caedes. That didn't matter to him. That was their own business and didn't concern him as far as he was aware. Caedes could do his own business and take care of himself. He was more than capable of it. If it was important, the assassin would have mentioned it.
The real problem in Zarius' eyes was that Kamille may now know things about Caedes that she shouldn't. Things about himself that she shouldn't. Things that put both men's lives and even her own life in grave danger should anyone else find out she had such abilities and interactions with them. She could very well be unaware of the weight of the information she stole, and the consequences of betraying both their trusts.
Caedes past was not something to be shared without his consent. Not only because it was morally wrong, but also because it was highly dangerous information. There were people out there who would absolutely kill for that information or worse. Kamille was powerful, yes, and she was not close to the Ash Lands, but who knew how long that could protect her.
She had mentioned having other contacts in Zeinav, what if they would benefit from such information? Could they really trust her not to share that information when she so clearly conspired against them in order to gain it? Who else would she share that knowledge with? Did Veliky know?
His grip on her hand tightens. If he had to, he would do whatever was necessary to ensure Kamille's silence.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Nov 18, 2022 8:23:10 GMT -5
"What do you think I am? Some kind of Seer?"
Once again, her quick, unfiltered reaction was to deny it, as it has always been - but for once, Zarius looked concerned and dropped the act. His hand tightened hers, and he stared back at her. Kamille sustained his gaze firmly, her eyes scanning his for something. The answer to the question they've been after had already been found, but now she had to handle the fallout of the situation. She sighed, without missing a beat, and without diverting from his eyes.
When she spoke, her voice was stern and devoid of her act.
"Let me put it like this, Zarius: I believe intentions do not run the world. Actions do. Even if my intentions were good or harmless, I will take responsibility for my actions, should they hurt someone or myself. If I wanted any harm upon you or Caedes, all I had to do was to turn a blind eye and shut my door at your face."
Even if Kamille wasn’t the best liar in the world, her honesty was heartfelt. Maybe it was even one of the many reasons that played its role on her self exile from the Court, since the higher ups were known for being a nest of vipers. The rest, as they said, was history.
"My interest lies more on the present than on the past. And, on this present day, Caedes have forgone my debt with him... for yours."
Which tecnically meant, if Zarius wanted to end their business relationship right there and then, he wasn’t indebted to her anymore. Kamille certainly had the streak of a gambler, even if she wouldn’t notice it herself. There was still much to loose with her alliance gone: there weren’t many people out there that could brag about erasing the effects of infections or poisoning with a mere touch the way she did when Zarius was brought to her house.
"My door will remain open to you both, however, should you ever need me again."
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 18, 2022 10:47:15 GMT -5
He frowns at her. She still didn’t seem to take him seriously with that response. He lets it slide though, the witch had never been good at being direct. That’s probably why this whole mess occurred in the first place. Her demeanor did change and he recognized that, though her explanation seemed lacking in his opinion.
“I would feel more at ease about your actions if I understood your intentions. The means can justify the ends. We are both in the business of gathering information. You should know better than anyone that context is important and can drastically change what actions are appropriate to respond with.”
The sentiment might have been stronger if they had more history and more trust between them. Just because she didn’t take advantage of their vulnerability in the past did not mean she wouldn’t ever change her mind given the new information she had acquired. He couldn’t afford to take unnecessary risks in this matter. The reality was that Caedes was a far more valuable ally than Kamille. The witch’s interests lied with Moonglade and not the Ash Lands after all.
“Caedes have forgone my debt with him... for yours."
Despite the song being far from over, Zarius stops in place. His tail lashes behind him, being the most animated give away to just how upset he is. He closes his eye and takes a deep breath, his grip loosens before resuming the dance.
“Absolutely not. Caedes has no right to make a deal with you using my debt. Whatever you owe him remains and you can figure that out between the two of you. I will make that clear to him.”
That was not information he was happy to learn. He hated it when his bargaining chips were used by others without his consultation. It was something he had to fight his sister over time and time again. His resources, his accomplishments, and his mistakes were his and his alone. They were not meant to be leveraged by others. Caedes likely did not mean anything malicious by it, but it was not his place to make such deals on the tiefling’s behalf. He would have to have a talk with the assassin now, and he really was not looking forward to it.
He sighs. This was not how he expected the evening to go. Though with the strange assembly of folks present, some amount of drama was inevitable. Perhaps that was what the hosts hoped for. Nobles did love their gossip. He meets the witch’s eyes once more.
“I am frustrated, Lady Kamille. I want to consider you an ally, but your actions this evening do not inspire any confidence. I will grant you a chance to explain to Caedes what you did yourself before I make any final judgements. Be upfront with him, he deserves as much.”
He needed time to think and cool down. A flaring temper now would only bring about more trouble. What’s more, he had just got done talking about controlling emotions with Caedes. He didn’t want to blow up during the event and give the assassin a reason to say ‘I told you so’ later.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Nov 18, 2022 16:41:21 GMT -5
She was in no position to complain about it. However, that was something interesting to know about Zarius. While Kamille would be very appreciative of an act like that of Caedes, Zarius seemed infuriated by it - she knew it as she got a glimpse of the movement of his tail. She interpreted it more along the lines of a man paying the tab at the end of the night - a pleasantry, even. But Zarius certainly didn't seem to regard it like that. Maybe some sort of pride? Kamille stopped on her tracks too as Zarius did, an eyebrow raised. " Suit yourself." But Zarius words seemed to have reached something in her mind, as he could see her eyes trail off for a moment, thoughtful. The means can justify the ends, huh? She often found herself thinking very much like that - and most of the times, acting upon it too. Kamille found it interesting that most people thought she must have some ulterior motives for everything, when most of the time, things couldn't be farther from that. Not that she couldn't blame them, most people had ulterior motives for everthing, even she had some reasons to be hiding some things along the way, but specifically this? She was being fairly honest there... " I'm just watching over you. And now, over Caedes too. You may dissapprove of my methods, and I won't hold it against you. And I will stop, if you wish me to. I do like to keep an eye out for friends, though. I'm sorry if this offended you." It's how we say we care, where I come from, she nearly said it out loud, but thought the mood wasn't right for it. Once more it spoke of how different they were, but as far as maliciousness went, it didn't seem to come from her. " But please, don't be mad at Caedes for it. I, myself, thought it was kinda charming... And I will certainly talk to him." They had already stopped, even if the music was over. It did look weird to go back to dancing, so once again she gave him a curtsy, as if understanding the dance was over for them. Some of her words were kept vague as intended, as he was already used to regarding Kamille - Zarius knew well to not play all his cards at once. There was a part of her that wanted out of those games, but she was often brought back into the board far more times than she would like. It was a matter of safety to keep playing it. Her quiet exile in Moonglade seemed to bring even more attention to her, at least much more than when she sat beneath the shadow of the Sun King's Council, which was curious.
"I suppose it just comes to show... How much we need to talk."
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 18, 2022 18:17:03 GMT -5
The tiefling was conflicted. Conflicted and angry. He couldn't even explain why this felt so much more personal than it should. He had been taken advantage of before. That wasn't anything new and while that was infuriating, this was different. It wasn't like he was particularly close to Kamille either. Learning that she had violated Caedes' and possibly his own privacy shouldn't have been a shock or something to get so heated about, so why was he struggling to keep a leveled head? Something inside him just...burned.
He takes another breath, meeting the witch's eyes with a bit more calm though it is strained.
“If you are genuine in that sentiment, then your future actions will speak to that. There is too much on the line for me to trust blindly. And I do not expect any different from you.”
He steps forward and whispers in her ear.
“For Caedes’ sake and your own, keep what you learned secret. His enemies are still out there and I cannot be everywhere at once.”
Stepping back, he bows in return.
“Perhaps I will pay your home another visit in time. I need to settle some things first.”
He recognized that he was lashing out at her, not that her actions didn’t deserve some criticism. He hated feeling this way towards the witch who was doing nothing he wouldn’t expect from anyone else. She was protecting herself and those she cared about. He was doing the same.
With any luck they could see eye to eye again and allow this whole situation to just be water under the bridge. But he needed to get his anger under control to have that discussion and they needed time to air everything out in confidence. Surrounded by leering eyes and eager ears was hardly the place for such talk.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Nov 20, 2022 10:17:23 GMT -5
Despite everything she already knew, this talk was very telling in regards to the tiefling. He was either quick to anger or she had just - kinda by accident, mind you - discovered the buttons that tipped him over. It hadn't occurred to her how odd it was for him to get so angry when made aware of something that was expected of her. Weren't they both on this business? Didn't he happen at her door expecting such already? Already having conducted a background research on her as well? For the moment, it hadn't even crossed her mind.
But even after that, she wouldn't condemn him for his feelings. Anger wasn't something she understood much, because it was rarely ever got to her. Maybe it was for the best.
And as for the warning Zarius issued, she squinted her eyes at him.
"I'll be careful. You don't have to worry about that from me."
It was unlikely she was underestimating the situation - but more likely she might be overestimating herself. Wouldn't be the first mage to fall for her own hubris and short-sightedness... Even though Kamille never gave off that kind of vibe. She flashed him a smile - not a mischievous one, curiously enough.
"The spare key is under the third plant pot from the door, should you not find me home at the time. Please, just don't mess with my books."
Though her relationship with Zarius was strained, she believed they would overcome it. And if they didn't..... She hoped to fall into a status of "indifference" for Zarius, because she didn't want him as an enemy. Not just for his talents, but for the attachments she already had. It was hard for her to care for someone and not create emotional connections, and she wore those in her sleeves.
She wondered, once again, that this would be her downfall.
"See you then, Zarius."
With a final touch and squeeze to his forearm that was meant to be reassuring, she walked by him to exit the dancefloor.
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