▲ i once believed love would be burning red / but it's golden like daylight ☀️
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Feb 13, 2021 21:13:17 GMT -5
Post by bucky on Feb 13, 2021 21:13:17 GMT -5
Luc’s trek from his family’s estate outside of Vela to the Spring Gala was uneventful. He had used a direct route, taking no time to dally as he might have—meetings with some potential investors had run late and he’d rather risk being late to the Gala than losing the chance at expanding their trade routes.
No matter, though; he’d made it with a day and a night to spare before the event. He spent the time resting, catching up on the sleep he’d missed over the last few days as negotiations had gone long into the nights.
His father had spared no expense on Luc’s lodging or clothing; as the only representative of the Rayne family at the Gala, Luc was expected to make a splash. Before leaving his room, he gave himself a once over in the mirror.
His suit was gorgeous—all black, clean lines, fine cotton with accents of velvet. Gold threading and tiny diamonds spanned his jacket, swirling into the constellations that could be seen in the skies above Vela on a clear summer night. Luc’s fingers were adorned with an array of gold rings, some attached to fine chains that connected over the back of his hands to cuffs on his wrists beneath his jacket, giving his strong hands a certain delicacy. He would look nothing short of resplendent in the low light of the Gala. Perfect. It had been a while since he’d socialized with company his own age. Luc strode into the party with practiced arrogance, smirked at a group of ladies that were glancing at him and whispering, and snagged his first glass of champagne before looking around for someone who’d be more interesting company. |
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 14, 2021 10:32:01 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 14, 2021 10:32:01 GMT -5
The Spring Gala had gone off without a hitch so far, but then again, they had simply eaten their meals, started a dance, and that was it. It wasn't as if Cassian dreaded talking to people, but frankly, he had never been the type to be interested in business or economics or trade, or whatever people talked about these days.
Already sipping on a glass of his favourite dessert wine, he chuckled at the way Aela seemed so animated, talking to her new-found friends as they headed off to get some desserts. As Atticus–a childhood friend of his–slipped a small bag of pills in his pocket–of course, at his own request, he glanced around, hoping that no one would notice. Sleep had been hard to get these days, between his own insomnia and those blasted nightmares he kept having.
He was laughing with the others when his eyes caught a familiar face in the distance and suddenly the laughter disappeared.
"What's wrong?" Dante gave him a concerned look, as Cassian groaned.
"Gods, guess who's here," he scowled, "remember him?" He gestured towards Luc, the contempt in his expression evident.
Dante simply laughed. "You two need to sort your shit out," he rolled his eyes, "you know you're going to have to be diplomatic to him soon enough. His family controls a lot of the trade, especially Vela, right?"
Cassian snorted, not responding to Dante as Luc strode towards them.
"Hey Luc!" Atticus called out, and Cassian groaned. Seriously? Was he the only one who saw that arrogant asshole as he was? Why did everyone else act like they were all cool now that they had graduated school?
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▲ i once believed love would be burning red / but it's golden like daylight ☀️
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Feb 14, 2021 23:03:05 GMT -5
Post by bucky on Feb 14, 2021 23:03:05 GMT -5
Luc heard his name over the low din of the crowd and turned his head, scanning for the source. Once he settled on it, his impassive face settled into a grin. Ah, this would be fun.
He strode casually over, making sure to take his time. He was in no rush, after all, and it was incredibly rewarding to savor the thundercloud grimace spreading across Cassian's face.
"Good evening, gentlemen," Luc purred when he arrived. He held up his glass of champagne with a lazy half tilt. "It's been too long."
He took a sip of champagne before contemplating his new company. "I suppose congratulations is in order, Your Majesty," he said, putting a faint drawl on the new king's title. "I trust you're settling in to married life well? I'm sure your family must have been thrilled at the arrangement."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 15, 2021 5:45:35 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 15, 2021 5:45:35 GMT -5
God, he hated this guy. Cassian resisted the scowl that threatened to appear on his face. What an arrogant prick. He forced the smile on his face, though it was clear that it was nothing but appearances for the new king.
"Thank you, I am," he replied dismissively, "they certainly were. The Rotherhithe has always provided the best and only the best, I hope the same can be said about the Raynes, no? It's a shame our current queen's a light fairy, or I'm certain your father would be vying to get you on the throne."
His next smile was almost tinged with a bit of malice. "So how has your family business in Vela been?" he mused, "I heard there were recent incidents around the ports with some pirates; your family's business hasn't been affected I hope?"
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▲ i once believed love would be burning red / but it's golden like daylight ☀️
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Feb 16, 2021 0:00:59 GMT -5
Post by bucky on Feb 16, 2021 0:00:59 GMT -5
"A shame indeed, though certainly leaving no one to blame," Luc said dismissively.
As gossip-mongers were wont to do, before Aela presented, many names were thrown around for potential suitors, and as the sole Rayne heir, Luc's was certainly in the mix. A light fairy from a long, pure line of light fairies, Luc was a favorite on many a gossiper's tongue. Truth be told, Luc never knew the extent his father went to in arrangements with the crown—it was all for naught anyway when Aela presented. Customs were customs, after all. Luc would not be bitter, especially with Cassian trying to throw it in his face.
Luc smirked. "In any case, I'm sure you're a much better fit for our dear Queen than I, your Majesty. I seem to recall your penchant for light fairies."
Cassian, of course, knew exactly how the Rayne trade routes were being affected by pirates. Negotiations with the Rotherhithe family for renewing their security contract had run long, leaving a breach in security that Luc's father had to scramble to fill. Mistakes were made. Shipments were lost. All because the elder Rotherhithe decided now seemed a fantastic time to quibble over pennies.
"Any pirates that attacked Rayne ships are currently being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, I assure you. Our business has not struggled," Luc said, eyes narrowing. He shrugged it off and took a sip of champagne. "What keeps you busy down here these days, then?"
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
Administrator
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Feb 16, 2021 5:16:43 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 16, 2021 5:16:43 GMT -5
He knew what the other fairy seemed to be implying. After all, they had known each other well in their childhood, and while it wasn't exactly 'public knowledge' of what kind of interests Cassian had romantically, many of their classmates had known of his 'closer-than-best-friends' relationship with another light fairy in their class, and well...there were other secrets between the two hidden in the mix, after all, some that both of them would deny vehemently if it ever showed up in the gossip papers around the city.
"Oh I'm sure," he replied in response to the other topic, "though I hear some of the merchants in Vela have had a hard time, enough to hire common thugs to chase after these pirates. It's too unfortunate that negotiations take too long, hm?" It was a rumour, but one Cassian knew well due to his own advocacy for a new security bill–one that Aela turned down constantly, apparently with the support of other merchants who's names were to be hidden.
"Let's just hope by the time security gets tightened around Vela, the Rayne company will still be afloat, hm?"
Cassian was quickly finishing his own glass, feeling just slightly more open in his conversation than he usually would be. More barbs, more thinly-veiled insults; he truly could be the life of the party when drunk, but his honesty without filter could just as well prove fatal.
"Oh, you know how it is, adjusting to a new life can take its time, lots to learn and lots to be responsible for now," he mused, taking another glass of wine from a waiter nearby, "I suppose it's not too different from you, learning all the ropes of your father's company now, no?"
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▲ i once believed love would be burning red / but it's golden like daylight ☀️
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Feb 23, 2021 19:56:31 GMT -5
Post by bucky on Feb 23, 2021 19:56:31 GMT -5
Luc waved his hand airily. "That we can agree on, old friend," baring his teeth in a sharp facsimile of a smile. "Prolonged negotiations certainly get in the way of progress."
He drained the rest of his glass and traded it for another from the same passing waiter. Warmth had begun to tingle in his chest, but a few glasses of wine weren't nearly enough to lower his inhibitions.
A part of him was genuinely curious to hear what it was like to learn how to be a king. It seemed like such a leap, even with as well off as Cassian had been before. They had come from such similar backgrounds, after all. Despite all that had gone on between them, there was still an undercurrent of...familiarity. Luc shrugged. "I am, but a company is not a country," he said, a flash of humility peeking through. "And I certainly didn't move into a castle when my father started handing me more responsibility," he quipped with a flash of that secret, charming smile.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
Administrator
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Feb 23, 2021 20:58:34 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 20:58:34 GMT -5
He raised a brow at the jab the other boy sent him. "Only when one doesn't understand the art of negotiation, old friend," he replied, returning that said smile. As much as he had once known Luc, perhaps more than he had known most of his friends, the man was but a stranger to him now. He understood the jabs and insults easily; it was a dance they were both well-versed at, but there was always an inkling feeling Cassian had, that there were things he still had yet to understand. There was still bitterness in him, for what had transpired in the past. There was still confusion, for how someone he had once almost called a best friend could now become nearly an enemy.
Things were complicated, that was the only thing Cassian knew.
"I guess this one just comes with a few more perks," he replied. His tone was supposed to be snide, but it certainly didn't sound that way. For a moment, the cold mask had slipped ever so slightly, but as quickly as it had gone, it was back up again.
"I suppose you're here to barter for some trade deals with the capital? Impress your father maybe?" he smirked.
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