Venomous chattering echoed in the grand hall of the Exousia mansion. Some were better, while other were worse. One thing was for certain though: all of them were pointed at one foolish, idiotic boy.
"Ugh, have you heard?"
"What is it? I have to meet with some important constituents. It is dire and imperative that we chat."
"Forget about that, I bet you're just going to suck up to some high-ranking nobles, anyways."
"…What did you say? Are you prepared for the repercussions of your words, fool?"
"Ah, so it WAS you who said that. I knew it. Or more like, everybody knows it. Right now."
"That… that is…"
"You met the boy, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did meet a boy. What of it?"
"Apparently, that's the Exousia representative. The main one, not some branch family or far-off relative."
"…Really now. That choice is… interesting, to say the least."
"Haha! I know, right? It seems the famiglia is truly at the end of its rope this time. To think that they would entrust the main family in such incapable hands. The rumors are true."
"Which one?"
"Why, it's the decline, of course. Ever since the head's betrothed's unfortunate passing, things haven't been looking up for the main family. They say it's because of the heiress's inherent bad luck, and seeing their recent military and diplomatic choices, I can't help but make the same conclusion. Who needs politics, diplomacy, and complicated dealings? Nobody! That's who. All you need are these fists and my famiglia's. Nothing else."
"Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. The head seems to have been guided by her only daughter's warped mind, which they have mistakenly touted as that of a seer's. What foolish words. Do they not know that a seer has already been born in Mesuhi? Foolish, foolish people. How can they not such a basic thing? Two seers cannot exist at the same time. It baffles me how they would think such a thing, truly."
"My thoughts exactly. And with that foreknowledge, I have concocted a theory of my own."
"…And that would be?"
"That the sole heiress is the one who chose the representative. A commoner, too, by the looks of it."
"…?! What? Preposterous! Not even the most idiotic and retarded individual would ever enlist their help. Especially with something as important as this. Have they truly gone insane?"
"Haha. Please, hold your applause. It is but a theory! Many truths and secrets are still out there. One that will most likely be unearthed in this very ball."
"..."
"We can only hope that they come bearing good news. Like a new candidate, for example!"
*laughter*
"Haha! Now that would certainly be some good news. Indeed… Still, where is the host? Where is the bride-to-be? Where in all nine planes of hel is the booze? I'm parched!"
"Yes. HEY! YOU!! The one in the cheap suit! Yes, I'm talking to you. Give us the finest booze you can offer. And if they do not mine or my new friend here's standards, then say goodbye to your entire clan."
"…I'm not a waiter, idiots."
◇◆◇◆◇
Vesba glanced from one corner of the grand hall to the other, his eyes tracing the layout of the party like a Greathawk, keen and precise, if not omniscient… figuratively.
He was incredibly bored. And frustrated.
Verily so.
Looking down at an empty goblet in his hand, he looked all over, trying to find a server or servant. Sadly, he could not find any.
Somebody else did, though, and they were very vehement about it.
"…The hell are you saying, you damn waiter? With that drab clothing and rude disposition, how can you be anything but a servant? Shut up and go get my drinks, idiot."
'Right back at you, idiots.'
Vesba rolled his eyes and caught the man and his friend's shadows, drew taut, and forced them down. It was as if a mountain fell on their heads all of a sudden.
And yet, their arrogance seemed to know no bounds as they bellowed to the gawking peanut gallery to arrest him, spouting intoxicated nonsense and other unruly requests.
Looking away, he merely turned around, picked up a tray deviled eggs on the way, and snacked on them like actual peanuts. It was very tasty, as far as deviled eggs went.
A sour expression appeared on his face.
'What are they doing here?'
Glancing around as he tilted the tray of deviled eggs directly to his mouth, Vesba looked around for something else — or someone — to use as an scapegoat. Sadly, there were none. At least those that can last for longer than a couple of seconds, that is.
Not bothering to wipe his face or tidy his suit, he turned around with a sharp motion and a wide, crafted smile. At this point, it was as natural as breathing. Playing the fool has always been his job. And he was quite proud of it.
A red-haired woman was huffing with visible anger and frustration. Her hair was a little ruffled, and the daggers that her eyes seemed to be darting at every corner did not wane in the slightest. In fact, it had only grown sharper as time went on.
It was Mysta, the personal attendant of the sole heiress of the mighty Exousia famiglia. And she seemed to be very, very upset about something. Which was a rather rare sight.
Immediately piecing two-and-two together, he laughed weakly. Low enough to not attract her immediate attention.
'What did that kid do now?'
"…?"
Turning to him as if she had just noticed the tall giant, the usually-composed woman straightened her bestial posture and looked up at him, fixing her hair and facial expression. She was almost smiling.
"Well, hello there, Vesba. Just the man I was looking for."
He grinned and picked up a drink from a passing servant.
"Are you now?"
She glanced to the side.
"Yes, I am. You see, and I prefer that you keep this a secret…"
She trailed off and moved closer, speaking in a voice low enough not to be heard by anybody but them:
"It would seem that the Lady of the Night has come to this ball."
'What?!'
He almost did a spit-take. Clearing his throat, he reconstructed a smile and whispered:
"Are… are you sure about that? The Lady is a recluse, even more than the boss himself. It runs in the blood, I guess."
She nodded curtly and began walking away. But not before saying one last thing:
"Make sure that the kid doesn't meet her. If all goes well, we can at least save the reputation of Exousia."
With that, she left, going back to her search.
Vesba stood there and stared at her back. The shadows tonight were specially ferocious, it would seem.
Taking a sip of his drink one last time, he closed his eyes… and disappeared, leaving the bottle crashing into the ground unceremoniously.
A loud shattering emanated from where he had just been.
◇◆◇◆◇
A bead of sweat flowed down his cheek as his heart palpitated like a Swiffit. His back was tense and his posture was straight like an arrow, but his eyes stayed the same as ever.
They seethed and waited, glancing at the world and hiding the darkness within. As well as those that dwelled in it.
But his face was riddled with awkwardness.
Fixing a smile, he glanced at the bodacious woman and shifted a little. When she pulled back powerfully, Lieren almost felt his arm being torn off.
"Umm… my apologies for being ungentlemanly, but I believe this is my stop."
He stood at the entrance of the grand hall. Beyond these words was a world of lies, deception, and misdirection. He preferred not to go back there tonight. Or ever, for that matter.
But Bless thought otherwise. Smiling at him coyly, she tugged on his arm again, then took a wordless step forward, almost making him topple.
This close, he could really feel her heat.
And that made him even more uncomfortable.
Resigning to his fate, he sighed and fixed himself. Albeit crudely and barely presentable.
The woman just laughed and opened the door.
And then, all hell broke loose.