Lunch Date (Private: Hebe)

[Cadian Armana Virria]

“A meat puppet indeed, my love. Thou art intricate in your mechanisms. A crucial failsafe in an obviously trustworthy companion. The Aether’s Curse has a great future in you.”

A curse? Cadian honestly hadn’t decided if that’s what it was. Maybe when he had the years behind him that Milani had he’d call it that. Right now, he was still feeling it out… and making mistakes. It was odd though. Cadian had never thought of it as a failsafe before. He hadn’t even considered it when He betrayed him. Only recently the thought had crossed his mind, but even then he had been indecisive about actually using his precious vessel to his advantage. She hadn’t directly crossed Cadian. It was guilt by association. On the other hand she had no redeeming qualities either. The orphans were the only innocent ones. It was guilt by association for the rest of the world, so why give her special treatment.

It wasn’t until talking with Milani and being able to talk openly that he’d made the decision. He’d been debating it just to debate it. That calming, comforting feeling of spending time with Milani was straightening out his thoughts; an odd concept considering how disorganized and unsystematic she herself was. “Disillusioned though He may be, your Bishop is still human no matter what He may think. He is bound by His human emotions and His heart. Perhaps He thought it was a noble gesture: binding Himself in such a way to her.” Cadian paused and slowly tilted his head to the side, confused over a thought. “Does she know, I wonder? Is she even aware what He has done for her? Or does He keep secrets from even His Lady?”

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

She smiled as Cadian contemplated his unintended gold. Such a valued attribute in an enemy was to be examined closely for maximum devastation. “Disillusioned though He may be, your Bishop is still human no matter what He may think. He is bound by His human emotions and His heart. Perhaps He thought it was a noble gesture: binding Himself in such a way to her.” She cackled and kicked her legs childishly; no doubt the management and clientele was alarmed by the loud and rapid succession of occurrences at the outside table.

"Indeed! A fallible design by a rose sighted deity. The man is a paramount of decorum; no doubt he acts believing it is noble and trusting, only because in his mind it sounds noble and trusting. The old adage screams true; the best part of 'believe' is the lie."

“Does she know, I wonder? Is she even aware what He has done for her? Or does He keep secrets from even His Lady?” She scoffed and waved it away. "She is a cow and just as dumb. A trophy for a king and a housemate for a husband." Hebe sing-songed mockingly. "Oh, I'm sure he loves her so, vile emotion that it is. But what's the harm in saving thine fair lady from the addlment and confusion and danger of apple's forbidden handout."

[Cadian Armana Virria]

Typically Cadian was the type to avoid attention. He preferred to watch others, rather than letting them watch him. If that attention actually bothered him, however, he was certainly keeping the wrong company. Milani was practically an attention magnet. Cadian wasn’t sure if she liked it, but he didn’t get the impression that she minded. That was about as much analyzing as he ever did of Milani. Cadian didn’t usually want to get much further into her mind. As Milani laughed and kicked like a child, Cadian smiled slightly in amusement. She almost looked like some of the orphans he cared for.

"Indeed! A fallible design by a rose sighted deity. The man is a paramount of decorum; no doubt he acts believing it is noble and trusting, only because in his mind it sounds noble and trusting. The old adage screams true; the best part of 'believe' is the lie."

Cadian liked that. He’d have to remember that one for later. ‘The best part of ‘believe’ is the lie…’ Seems that Milani’s Bishop wasn’t much changed from the orphaned man that Cadian had met, not that that made him any less guilty. It might actually just tighten the noose. Cadian wasn’t sure yet.

"She is a cow and just as dumb. A trophy for a king and a housemate for a husband. Oh, I'm sure he loves her so, vile emotion that it is. But what's the harm in saving thine fair lady from the addlment and confusion and danger of apple's forbidden handout."

There was something they disagreed on. Cadian had shielded his heart from pain, but he hadn’t abandoned all feeling. He’d known love once, and didn’t despise the emotion itself. That might very well change, but for now Cadian didn’t condemn it. Not that he thought it made anyone immune to pain. It didn’t make Him any less guilty. “Oh, there’s plenty of harm if He lets His lady walk blind through the lion’s den, and not even warn her of where she treads. She may decide that her life is worth more than His hand.”

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

“Oh, there’s plenty of harm if He lets His lady walk blind through the lion’s den, and not even warn her of where she treads. She may decide that her life is worth more than His hand.” Hebe grinned. She hoped to her feet and slid onto his lap, legs sideways across his thighs and arms draped around his neck. She tapped his nose and winked.

"Perhaps it would be in her best interest to warn fair lady of the dangers. It would be so unkind to be aware of such a thing and not tell her." She adopted a worried look and put her fingertips to her lips. "How could a person call themselves a loyal Britannian if they didn't!" The utter soap opera drama in her voice was blantant and undisguised.

[Cadian Armana Virria]

So much like a child, Milani was. Cadian shifted easily to accommodate her weight on his lap. She was a bit heavier than the children he was used to, but not enough to matter. It wasn’t like it would hurt anyway. More out of habit, than his thinking she actually needed the stabilization, Cadian put an arm around her waist and let her drape her arms about his own neck. “Perhaps it would be in her best interest fair to warn fair lady of the dangers. It would be so unkind to be aware of such a thing and not tell her.” Milani had always been a good actress. Cadian couldn’t hear the sarcasm in her voice that he himself would so openly display. “How could a person call themselves a loyal Britannian if they didn’t!” There was the sarcasm he was looking for, but very nicely displayed in a soap opera tone. Television material indeed.

A sharp laugh escaped Cadian. A loyal Britannian. Was there even such a thing? He had yet to meet one. Most everyone could be bought off for some price, and those that couldn’t were usually fanatics who had their own set of rules. He would count himself and Milani in that category. They had their own set of rules and loyal to the cause of their choice: each other. “Is there such a thing as loyalty in Britannia’s ranks anymore? Or in any of the military powers? The right price could buy any loyalty, and your Rook may be looking for that price.” Who wouldn’t want what the Rook sought to give?

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

“Is there such a thing as loyalty in Britannia’s ranks anymore? Or in any of the military powers? The right price could buy any loyalty, and your Rook may be looking for that price.” Hebe snuggled into her dearheart's embrace and cooed.

"La, my salt worth friend. There is always loyalty, even in a paramount of moral depravity such as the Holy Continent. The kind and type vary, but it exists." She giggled. "It's why I always have such fun with my playthings. They hold me dear and true right up until the moment I break them."

She leaned back enough to look at him straight on. "My loving Rook is loyal to the crown," she grinned. "The wearer may be an interchangeable aspect. Alas, I foresee a coup in the future with monkeys for kings and froggies for queens."

[Cadian Armana Virria]

"La, my salt worth friend. There is always loyalty, even in a paramount of moral depravity such as the Holy Continent. The kind and type vary, but it exists.”

Cadian considered Milani’s words for a while before sighing softly. “Perhaps.”

“It's why I always have such fun with my playthings. They hold me dear and true right up until the moment I break them."

That was a topic Cadian couldn’t exactly relate to. He didn’t get the same kind of pleasure that Milani did from human toys. He’d never even considered it. It didn’t appeal to him. He was content to leave most of them to their own devices. They were self destructive enough on their own, most of them didn’t need help. There was just one group that Cadian looked after. Beyond that, they were on their own. It might be something that Cadian grew into. When he was older he might tire of even his sacred orphans. Maybe then they’d be toys. It was a possibility, but it was hard to tell with Milani if her taste came with age, or if it was always there. Cadian wasn’t sure that was a taste he wanted to acquire, but it might be easier if he did.

Cadian met her eyes as Milani turned to look right at him. "My loving Rook is loyal to the crown.” Not exactly the words Cadian would use. Some part of him thought that he wanted the crown for himself. Then Cadian would believe he was loyal to it. “The wearer may be an interchangeable aspect. Alas, I foresee a coup in the future with monkeys for kings and froggies for queens."

That was something that Cadian was agreeable to: a new ruler. He certainly didn’t like the princess who was next in line (She was just as bad as the rest of them.), but anyone would be an improvement, especially if the current King could be forcibly removed. Cadian hadn’t heard anything of unrest brewing within the Empire. “A coup? The Black Knights?” They were all Cadian could think of. If not, Milani had lost him again.

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

Cadian gave her a quizzical look. “A coup? The Black Knights?” She smiled and quirked her head, tapping his nose gently.

"My dearest, darkest companion, you think so laterally. There are six billion creatures of man on this orb of dirt and dust, and all you can think of is a paltry few dozen?" She trailed her fingers to tug his hair lightly in chastisement. "We must find you a better teacher than myself to school you in multitasking. The danger comes from all sides; friends, family, enemies. His royal deviousness is at war with his shadow, whether he knows it or not."

She smiled cheerfully at him and reached back to the table for his abandoned drink. Hebe waved it in front of him. "Thirst for your thoughts?"

[Cadian Armana Virria]

Blue eyes softened a bit and a slight smile curved Cadian’s lips at the tap to his nose. It was so easy to forget how old the woman was with how much she reminded him of his orphans. Milani had seen too much to maintain that same innocence, but at times like this it was almost easy to overlook. Almost, but not quite. It was a pleasant thought nonetheless. For as much as Cadian had a soft spot for his orphans, however, he had more care for Milani. “There are six billion creatures of man on this orb of dirt and dust, and all you can think of is a paltry few dozen?” Cadian’s head tilted at her light tug, but he didn’t give much more of a reaction. She made a good point. They had been his first thought simply because of their proximity, seeing as how the corrupt King was presently in their territory. But the would be knights were neither the most organized nor the most dangerous threat. Terrorist cells across Europe were far bolder, and Britannia’s own unhappy nobility would likely prove more dangerous as the unperceived threat so often is.

“The danger comes from all sides; friends, family, enemies. His royal deviousness is at war with his shadow, whether he knows it or not.” No doubt the Emperor had plenty of enemies simply by virtue of his position without counting those he was making of his own family. Milani’s Rook was a threat to anyone in Cadian’s opinion friend or otherwise. Which Milani was referring to was beyond Cadian. The Black Knights still made the most sense to him. It was rather far for another group to attempt to exert influence. Perhaps the Chinese Dynasty, but they seemed to have their own internal issues to deal with. Surely they couldn’t be considering expanding their unsecured borders. “Thirst for your thoughts?” Cadian blinked out of his reverie as the glass waved in front of his face.

“My thoughts are not nearly as interesting as your own, Milani. I am simply trying to decipher your riddle.” The silver haired man took a sip of his drink as he regarded his companion. “The Black Knights are the obvious answer because He is in their territory. Oversea cells don’t have much of a foothold in Area 11, although they have already made an attempt on the first in line. Having just come from Chinese Territory, I hardly think they’re in any position to exert authority outside their borders when they can’t keep order within. You leave me with little other options if not your Rook or the Bishop’s own blood.”

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

“My thoughts are not nearly as interesting as your own, Milani. I am simply trying to decipher your riddle.” She grinned. How flattering her dearest (but hardly departed - that was important, being departed. That and dismembered) one was.

The silver haired man took a sip of the drink she'd waved. “The Black Knights are the obvious answer because He is in their territory. Oversea cells don’t have much of a foothold in Area 11, although they have already made an attempt on the first in line. Having just come from Chinese Territory, I hardly think they’re in any position to exert authority outside their borders when they can’t keep order within. You leave me with little other options if not your Rook or the Bishop’s own blood.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and traced patterns in the condensation on the glass. "Perhaps I leave no option at all." She stilled her hand, before roughly wiping the water drops away. "His blood is so polluted. They come at him from all sides. His chosen, his chosen by birth, his chosen by love, his chosen by choice."

She gazed blankly at her wet hand, draping it over her eyes. It was nice, like a compress. She was always cold, anyway. The water dripped off her hand and fell like tears down her cheek. "He will fall. I have no doubts his suicide pact to his dear queen will end with bloodshed."

[Cadian Armana Virria]

“Perhaps I leave no option at all.” Cadian sighed. More riddles. “His blood is so polluted.” His blood wasn’t the only thing in Cadian’s opinion. His heart certainly was and to the credit of either the doctor or his precious sister (or perhaps both) so was His mind.

“He will fall. I have no doubts his suicide pact to his dear queen will end with bloodshed.” Cadian turned his gaze away at that. It didn’t sit well with him. While he wasn’t violent by nature, Milani’s Bishop had crossed him, and as she had pointed out, Cadian should reclaim what had been taken from him. That made Him, Cadian’s responsibility and no one else’s. No one else had the right to spill his blood.

“Will end with his bloodshed? By whom do you suspect?” If Milani foresaw His downfall soon, Cadian would have to make up his mind sooner than he’d anticipated. It would be hypocritical of him to betray a bond, but Cadian had to make it right. It was not the Bishop’s blood that he sought, however. He knew the rules, and Cadian would rather break Him than eliminate Him. If someone else sought His head before Cadian had broken Him, however, then he would spill His blood himself.

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

“Will end with his bloodshed? By whom do you suspect?” Hebe looked up through her wispy white bangs. Her darling had the most peculiar expression on his face; pensive and troubled. She blinked slowly and smiled into his neck. He didn't want someone taking his prize from him.

"It's an overwhelming equation, pet. The nuptials of His Highness will be the most well attended event in the last millennia. It's true, I can't remember any with a larger guest list. He has invited many enemies in an illusion of friendship. It is being held in a conquered land home to the unhappy." She brushed her eyelashes against the pulse in his neck.

"There are too many discontent to let a man so disliked live. There will be a twitchy trigger finger or twelve in the crowd and one will clench. The one whose does many surprise even me." She pressed her lips to the junction of his Adam's apple. and let out a short, quiet laugh, more of a sharp breath than a sound.

"Why so concerned, my king of bastards?"

[Cadian Armana Virria]

The Bishop had never been the brightest in the family in Cadian’s opinion. Not that any of the royal brats were particularly wise. Intelligent perhaps, but with a notable lack of wisdom. But He had always been the most vulnerable of them in a way. It was part of what had attracted Cadian to him in the first place, and it was what made him such an easy pawn to Ami and now to the manipulative Rook. Cadian wasn’t one much concerned with the finer workings of politics, but unless Milani’s Bishop had a foolproof plan (for they all were fools), Cadian didn’t know how inviting false friends was a wise decision. But the political world was not his world. Likely enough, it had its own rules.

“There are too many discontent to let a man so disliked live. There will be a twitchy trigger finger or twelve in the crowd and one will clench.” It was his finger that had the most right to do so, but not with the barrel trained on Him. It was too gentle a punishment to simply spill His blood and take His life. A more fitting punishment lied in the fall of His bride. But what choice did he have when there were others who sought their pound of flesh from him? The vessel’s death meant nothing if He wasn’t able to experience it.

Milani’s lips brushed against his throat and Cadian tilted his neck slightly, but wasn’t sure if it was out of discomfort or in invitation. “Why so concerned, my king of bastards?” Cadian wasn’t fond of the name; he didn’t think it suited him, but such was Milani’s language.

“He is my quarry.” Cadian told her simply. “I cannot take proper revenge if others seek His blood over simple politics.” The simple, calm answer had turned to a sharp remark as the platinum haired man’s eyes narrowed. “I do not like others claiming what is rightfully mine.”

[Hebe Ano Vasilikis]

Pondering, pondering. Pretty little baby brother held her close and combed her back as she snuggled closer to him. His finger twitched against her skin and she imagined him pulling the trigger of a gun, watching the illusion of a bullet shooting into the skull of some unfortunate other, maybe an unfortunate king. She sighed and leaned her face into his neck and her dear-heart lifted his head to her; she took it as an invitation and pressed her mouth into the notch under his jaw, letting her tongue peak out from lips to wet a sliver of skin along the ridge.

“He is my quarry.” Cadian told her simply. “I cannot take proper revenge if others seek His blood over simple politics.” An otherwise simple, calm answer was made sharp by a hidden temper she rarely saw in her brother. Bishops and Rooks and Queens and Pawns were warping everything these days and it was no surprise he was warping along with them. That seemed to happen to everyone around her; they came to her way of thinking eventually. For some reason it didn't occur to her that she may have been the reason those around her twisted like branches of a bonsai but broke like brittle kindling.

“I do not like others claiming what is rightfully mine.” She smiled against his throat and hummed a laugh. How sweet of him to place a claim, how out of place. It gave him a look like a frozen warrior, forever rushing forward toward an enemy that would either die or stay eternally in front of him so that he may have something to fight. It was a fierce look and she wondered if he ever looked like that at a lover, if he'd ever had any. If he did, they would have to be beautiful. Her Cadian should always have someone beautiful, someone with a sweet smile and a long neck and fingers. Someone who would scream and whose skin would contrast so richly against red red red, but maybe that was more Hebe's bent then his.

She idly gazed around the room and noticed an old woman eyeing them oddly, watching her little girl body curl around his man's one. She lolled her head and stuck her tongue out at the woman as she turned red and snapped her attentions somewhere else. "A pity, then. If. If you don't take it first. What's yours should always be yours, no exception. Bad men, stealing. Steal it first." He was warm and let her rest in him without worry of her whimsy bloodlust. It was comfortable and sleepy and she closed her eyes, pulling her arms to her chest for better snuggle-age.

[Cadian Armana Virria]

Cadian’s free hand abandoned his glass and moved to rest on Milani’s head instead. If he had intended to pull her away, his hand lost any desire to do so when it fell on her hair. The sensations were unfamiliar, and Cadian wasn’t sure what to make of them, but he didn’t have the desire or the heart to push the girl away. His mouth opened slightly at the vibration of his companion’s laugh against his neck. It was the same place that marked Milani for what she was. His fingers absently sifted through her hair, shorter, softer and lighter than his own. Their differences were stark and their similarities subtle.

Milani’s head turned and Cadian’s eyes sought to follow hers. He saw the woman watching them, daring to judge them. Weren’t the elders the ones always telling children not to jump to conclusions? Weren’t children the ones who were typically insensitive simply because they had yet to learn any better? This woman would do well to practice what she had preached to her own children and grandchildren. Milani’s reaction tugged Cadian’s frown into a smile. An appropriate childish reaction to the woman’s childish judgements. Cadian tightened his arm around her waist protectively and his eyes narrowed in warning until the woman smartly turned away.

“A pity, then. If. If you don’t take it first. What’s yours should always be yours, no exception. Bad men, stealing. Steal it first.”

Milani snuggled closer, and Cadian let her with a slightly frustrated sigh. He wanted to take it, but he wanted to take it on his own terms, and that already seemed impossible. He didn’t like it, but then again there wasn’t much about the world that he did like. “I will,” he murmured. It didn’t seem like he was going to have much of a choice in the matter. He could either take what he wanted but not how he wanted, or let someone else claim what was his. Neither option was particularly appealing.