seloria cassul ; dancer (mesmerist) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-05-29 09:36:00 |
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Far be it for Seloria to stick her nose in anyone’s business, especially that of fellow bards, but she felt rather protective of a girl named Juliette Coulombe. She knew she wasn’t her responsibility, but given the farce, she just wanted to keep tabs on things. And she did know that it was a farce. That was the problem. How many other people knew? Was her friend in on it as well? She was unaware of her sister’s relation to Miles Baines. Handsome as he was, he was also cunning and quite talented as she’d come to learn in what appeared to be “wide-eyed wonder”. She did marvel at the things he’d taught her, but not to the point of losing her head. “Excuse me, Lord Norwood,” she called from behind “Basil” as they stood in the foyer. “If I could have a word with you.” She looked around to see if anyone was standing close enough to hear before gently placing a hand on his arm. She neither squeezed nor pulled him, but it would at least draw his attention to her face, she hoped. “I have a…” she paused attempting to think of the right word. “I have a problem and I was wondering if you could give me your council on the matter.” The nobleman turned, immediately responding to her touch. There was a flicker in his eye, but nothing else betrayed Miles’ reaction (and recognition). She’d caught him mid-transformation once, seen the skin peeled back from the noble alias—though she hadn’t caught the name until much later, piecing together two-and-two, the puzzle clicking in her head. They’d traded expertise since then, but always behind closed doors. What was her purpose in approaching him in public? But the show must go on. “Of course!” Basil said, all eagerness, falling all over himself to help. “Whatever I can do to assist, lady Cassul.” A friend of his sister-in-law. The web was knotted too tight, the unknown variables too many; it felt like strangulation, claustrophobia, the need to get the hell out of this game before it exploded in his face. For now, however, he led her over to the side of the foyer, away from prying ears. The dancer allowed herself to be led away, but never dropped the appearance of being rather interested in exchanging words with Lord Norwood. It wasn't the gossip of any other nobles she was worried about. Nobles were easily pliable creatures. It was what the servants would see and hear that worried her. And so when he moved her toward the side of the foyer where they had a good view of the rest of the room, but the acoustics to keep their voices from floating to Faram knew who, she almost smiled. Almost. Instead, she continued to look rather serious, before she engaged into the next topic of discussion. She'd been looking around the room as they moved, but more in an observant way then a surveying way. She was quite aware of where everyone was, which was good, because she didn't want someone to pass by them and hear the conversation she had planned on having. "Lord Norwood, I would like to know your intentions toward Lady Coulombe. That family is..." There were so many words that didn't quite fit. "Does her sister know who you are?" She'd revealed a piece of herself she hadn't to anyone before. She revealed that she somehow knew that Alys would be privy to his true identity, which was… well, a reveal of her own as well. It was a risk she was willing to take for a girl she considered a friend. A foolish one, but weren't all matters of the heart foolish? Seloria Cassul was showing her hand, and the man acknowledged her concession with a genteel nod of the head. “My intentions,” he repeated, dryly. “Everyone keeps asking me about my intentions towards her.” That acrid tone sounded more like Miles than Basil, but he kept his voice low, a small bubble of privacy emerging around the two. “Trust me, she’s in no danger from my intentions, lady Cassul. Miss Alys is perfectly on-board with the entire arrangement—she’s the one who suggested it, in fact.” Seloria was proud of herself in that moment. Her eyes had wished to burst wide with surprise, yet, she’d looked down thoughtfully in that instance instead, as if he’d said something thought provoking. There was nothing intimate about their interactions. If anything, she probably gave the impression of being nosy. “Well, that does change one’s perspective, does it not?” If it had been Juliette’s sister’s idea, then there shouldn’t be much to worry about. “It puts my mind somewhat at ease,” she said with a soft smile. Somewhat, but not fully. Juliette was trying hard to be a good sister. Seloria knew that. She also knew what that felt like. It was just different watching someone else struggle with the same problem. “Please forgive my boldness,” she said politely with a curtsy. Alys most likely had told her sister, and she could have pressed further with Miles, but she felt it would be better to ask the other thieve’s guild member instead. “You will, I trust, keep this between us alone.” She didn’t need the whole world knowing she was a Thieves Guild member, including other thieves. She’d chosen her words specifically to reflect the code of honor among thieves. Even that only went so far, but she’d take it for now. “I will. Just as I trust that you will do the same—it’s a very delicate agreement, as I’m sure you’re aware.” A beat, as Basil added, “And no, to the best of my knowledge, her sister doesn’t know.” And they’d damn well keep it that way, as far as he was concerned. The nobleman paused and rested a hand on the girl’s arm, a faint acknowledgment of something shared, a commonality between them. “I’ll presumably see you around, Cassul. I’d like to continue those bardic lessons with you, after all.” Seloria’s answer was simply her smile. While she would rather not keep secrets from Juliette, she did realize that she didn’t spend nearly enough time with the girl to cause an issue by doing so. They moved in two different circles, converging when it was convenient. She thought of remedying that, but this added to the list of reasons why that wouldn’t be a good idea. “Of course. I only asked to make sure I did not upset the balance you and Lady Alys have so precariously created,” she said with a deferential bow of her head. “As for those lessons, I was wondering if we could reschedule our next session. I have an engagement I must attend on that day.” “An engagement?” His smile curled at that particular choice of phrasing. “Surely, not one like mine!” Seloria had opened her mouth to say something, but shut it soon after and simply smiled, “My mother has yet to find me a suitable match.” That was all there would be said on that matter. “But if you are free the evening after, that would be most agreeable.” “That would be magnificent. The lessons continue.” Lord Norwood was all oiled politesse, an eager and awkward puppy greased into the cut of a tailored suit. (Behind that mask, however, Miles nodded.) “It was a pleasure meeting you tonight, milady—for now, though, I believe we should return.” The foyer still thronged with people. It was a gathering of nobles and artists, a small benefit for the Bazaar District—so the actor disappeared almost seamlessly into his people as he melded back into the crowd, one fish amongst the shoals. The dancer looked after the man as he moved into the group of people and disappeared. There were many things she hadn’t expected from Emillion. One of the main things had been the amount of strange attacks. The other thing was to find so many things to keep herself occupied. Miles had been a turn of luck and she was happy they reached an understanding where she hadn’t offended him (too much). Another glance at the crowd and she moved from the alcove, back into the throng of people herself. |