|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 9, 2017 21:37:25 GMT -5
One of Rosencrance Viers' eyes shot open when he heard his name, and Callixta would immediately find herself being stared at from that one, dark eye, with the rest of the Arc's face still buried in her pillow.
It would take Viers a short moment to extricate himself from her covers, but quickly enough, the bare-chested, only clothed in her underwear houseguest would pull himself up into a half sitting position and face the woman. Stifling a yawn, Viers wouldn't hesitate to begin conversing, no matter how much Callixta would have preferred he stay silent. Or asleep.
"Ah, Miss Callixta, so wonderful to see you. I hope you don't mind that I took you up on your offer to get some rest in your bed - I definitely needed the recharge."
Viers drew his shoulder-blades together and extended his arms, stretching his chest and core in ways that made his musculature shift and ripple in an aesthetically pleasing way.
"Any luck with Es and that brat?"
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 10, 2017 0:41:13 GMT -5
Clearly that bath was going to need to wait unless she intended to make Viers her little helper. Since they were in no way close to that sort of relationship Callixta Trëguere settled herself to watching the man rouse himself, taking a moment to uncross her arms and rest gloved hands on her hips. Though molten eyes remained locked on his face her mouth might have twitched as he stretched. The man certainly was a specimen and he was acutely aware of it too. The only thing that kept her from rolling her eyes at his peacocking was his question.
The mage sighed and shook her head.
"Something interfered. We lost them. They're no longer in the City." Callixta really would prefer to leave it at that, but somehow she doubted Viers would let it go easily.
Rather than stick around and leave him an opening she pivoted and moved toward the walk-in closet on the far side of the room, disappearing within to the sound of rustling cloth. A minute or so later she'd emerge in much more comfortable clothing. A loosely fitted long-sleeved sweatshirt with a pair of lounge shorts under, both in a dark navy. Thick, heavy socks in grey covered feet that padded silently against the hardwood floors.
"We don't have them anymore but at least Achréiøs doesn't either." She remarked dismissively.
"I found the sword you were carrying. It's safe. I'll return it when we're satisfied with you." Only then did traces of a smile turn up on her mouth as jewel-bright eyes watched him closely.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 10, 2017 17:25:52 GMT -5
Rosencrance Viers furrowed his brow as he hopped up off the bed and retrieved the clingy, silky robe he had been wearing earlier. Slipping it over his shoulders in a vain attempt to have some level of decency (especially since Callixta's underwear, however full-coverage, left little to the imagination in front) and tying it the front, the Arc listened carefully and didn't interrupt the woman until she had continued. And, he definitely didn't sneak a look into the closet at her while she was changing.
Definitely.
When she came back out and engaged him head on, Viers attempted to smile sheepishly, only have succeeding in looking relatively abashed.
"Well, let's talk about what it's going to take to satisfy you and your other, also-extremely-attractive friend." Extremely attractive when she wasn't decomposing from dark energy, that is. "I have a pretty good track record at creating satisfaction, so I'm eager to get started. Especially if it gets me my sword back."
The Arc grinned in a good-natured manner. Though there was definitely an aire of suggestion underlying Viers' choice of words, the man made sure not to add any further suggestive highlight to either his body language or tone, making him sound as though he thought he were speaking in entirely one-dimensional terms.
"I'm curious about what happened that let Es and her little charge get away, but we can go over that later. First things first - what's on your agenda for me?"
Figuring out what exactly Callixta had in mind was key to Viers being able to effectively play the situation his way, especially since he was pretty sure the woman wasn't going to bite on his underlying subtext.
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 20, 2017 18:54:00 GMT -5
Callixta Trëguere only just barely kept herself from pulling at the worked silver collar peeking out from above the neckline of her sweatshirt. It was something of a nervous habit, to run her fingers over the filigree like it was a charm intended to guard.
"We'll begin with your circumstances as I see them," Callixta's voice was even and her expression calm as she regarded Viers.
"Once you leave this tower you'll be subject to a rock and a hard place― the rock being Achréiøs and the hard place being Magistrate Devinian. Your relationship, whatever its nature, with Floraelia Devinian would be enough to make you a person of interest, but now that you've been connected to Achréiøs and other various identified threats to the City you must understand that your situation is rather precarious." The petite mage offered an enigmatic smile at that. "And well, we must be very delicate in how we proceed."
"I intend to, before you're released or otherwise relocated, possess a nuanced, deep understanding of you, Viers, and where and how you fit into Achréiøs' plans. I'm prepared to hold off on offering any information to Alpha about you in the meantime. " Every word had her shorter frame closer and closer to him, amber eyes burning as they watched him.
Maybe it was ire at being thwarted earlier in her retrieval of the Syrkhan whelp or maybe it was the close call of being subject to Alpha's scrutiny and Zenethrakarna's presence. Maybe Callixta liked being in control while Søren was gone. Maybe even, just maybe Callixta had never planned to coddle Viers for any length of time to begin with. As it was, now that Callixta was close enough to press her cheek against his one of her hands came up, palm facing him and turned sideways so that the pad of her thumb could push against the line of his jaw while the rest of her hand somewhat covered the lower half of his face― so long as he didn't move away or otherwise stop her of course. She'd used that featherlight grip to persuade him to turn his face to the side as she murmured against the base of his neck―the tone of her voice low but her words completely clear.
"Do we have an understanding, Viers? You've escaped entanglement with a dangerous creature only to attract the attention of someone else. Someone who can either help you or deliver you to yet another dangerous creature. I don't think you're unaware of your circumstances, but I've a strong interest in transparency. . ."
She breathed in his scent, lingering in the intimate pose a moment longer.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 21, 2017 10:47:23 GMT -5
Rosencrance Viers, for once, kept his mouth shut and listened to his host as she spelled out his situation, at least as far as she was considered. Her assessment, initially, wasn't far off - Viers had made a tactical and opportunistic decision to take his chances with Callixta and her fellow Council Member rather than seeing just what it was that Achréiøs wanted from him, but neither choice he had at the time was aligned with his absolute best interest. Viers, as always, found himself having to make the best of a bad situation: he knew, however, that being I front of the Mage, especially before he could get his weapon fixed, was the worse choice. At least with Callixta, he had the chance to get his sword back, and get it repaired. That could potentially give him a leg up.
What Viers really wasn't sure about is how his relationships with these Council members could benefit him. So far, he was connected, in one way or another, to four: Floraelia, Aeorex, and now Søren and Callixta. Theoretically, if they all were on his side, that could give him enough leverage to escape Alpha's potential wrath, but the Arc knew that Aeorex wasn't his biggest fan, and his relationship with Callixta and Søren was, so far, tenuous at best. The only other connection Viers had in the city so far was Kereth, and she was a newcomer herself, which meant she didn't likely have much to offer him in terms of proximal safety either.
If he weren't listening to Callixta, who was suddenly very close to him, so intently, Viers would have wrinkled his brow at his own thoughts. He was, as his new host intimated, definitely stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Of course, if Callixta kept on like she was, she'd have her own hard place to suddenly contend with.
"I'm aware of my position - trust me, I wouldn't be here if I weren't planning on cooperating."
That much, at least was true. Viers kept very still, and allowed the woman to manipulate his body as she wanted to - Viers knew very well when to play the pet and when to play the attack dog, and this was not a situation where the latter would gain him anything but a newspaper to the face and a long stint in a kennel outside.
"And while normally I'd be all for giving you a nuanced, deep understanding of anything you want with me, I do have to reiterate that I really don't know exactly what it is that the Mage wants from me, or how I fit into his plans. He's not exactly a paragon of predictability, that one."
The Arc smiled fairly genuinely, all held-up and turned though he still might be.
"That said, I'm sure you'll find that I can be a significant asset when I'm properly motivated - which, to be clear, I am. In numerous ways."
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 21, 2017 18:04:25 GMT -5
Callixta Trëguere did not adjust her hold or otherwise move until his reiteration. At that, her grip tightened, not painfully but intently, and she pulled him by the lower portion of his face slowly down toward her right shoulder so that her face could turn and she could speak directly against his ear in the same quiet, low tone.
"I completely believe you when you say you don't know what Achréiøs wants, but that doesn't mean there aren't other things you know that would be useful to me and Søren." As she spoke the flat of her hand slid across his mouth until the thick of her thumb rested not against his jawline but against the widest part of his lower lip, creating an indent.
"Unless the board changes dramatically or Achréiøs sinks his claws into you the Tower is going to absorb you, one way or another. I'd like to trust you, Viers. I'd like to rest easy knowing our relationship is built on mutual benefit. . ." she punctuated her words by slipping her thumb into his mouth and resting the digit against his tongue before continuing, "I like that you can be properly motivated. Know that I can be properly motivated as well to ensure that your welcome to the Tower doesn't end in you being added to Alpha's Collection of pretty things that no longer have choices. . ." Unless he stopped her the thumb would press more firmly against his tongue but not with enough pressure to cause any pain. It wasn't a fear response she was looking for: just an understanding that she didn't speak idly and to inhibit his ability to respond while she continued.
"It's clear that you're like us, Viers. You held your own against Dragos Syrkhan and your former associate quite well. I respect any hesitation on your part to trust me and that you'll need to mull over how much about yourself you're really willing to tell me. I only need to be able to reliably trust that you don't want to be anywhere near Achréiøs and that's a solid enough foundation to build on for me. That said, I know there's plenty you're holding back and while you play open and honest very well we both know the strategy and caution required to survive in this world, especially with things like the Wicked Mage and the Collector Alpha swimming in the same waters."
With that she released him and took a smooth step back, amber searching for violet as her posture straightened. Callixta seemed calm as ever, imperturbable as it were.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 21, 2017 20:26:48 GMT -5
Rosencrance Viers wasn't one to make waves when a female of the species was intent on exerting her dominance over him in some way, at least in non-violent cases such as these, so whatever Callixta wanted to do, with regards to touching the Arc or moving his head around, she was more than welcome to do as far as Viers himself was concerned. And though he did have to fight the impulse to try and talk around the woman's slender finger, he did manage to suppress the urge enough to follow her lead and, at least seemingly, think about his options.
The truth was, however, that there was little further to think about. Nothing she was telling him was revelatory in any way, and Viers was fairly sure he knew the broad strokes of the board's layout well enough to really understand his options. Essentially, what the woman was communicating was that, she would play ball if he would. And, as a general rule, Viers was happy to play along, even to the point where he wasn't really playing at all.
Of course, that never precluded him from taking another opportunity later: the Mage had definitely taught him to always keep his options open for those.
When Callixta stepped back and let him speak, Viers took on a fairly serious tone, and seemed to choose his words very carefully.
"You can trust that I don't want to be anywhere near Achréiøs, that much is certain. Further, what you are indicating certainly seems like a good deal for my self-interest, so that alone makes me willing to cooperate. However-"
The Arc would cross his arms over his chest, looking just slightly stern, though respectfully so. However, any intimidating presence Viers might have had naturally was robbed from him by the fact that he was currently wearing a too-small nighty robe and a pair of likewise too-small underwear made for very different equipment.
"-You've been pretty sparing with the details of exactly what you are expecting from me. I'm not keen to give you a commitment of total cooperation without a bit more information as to what you are looking for from me."
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 21, 2017 22:54:54 GMT -5
It was just as well that he refrained from trying to speak around her thumb because Callixta Trëguere definitely would have increased the pressure of the digit against the center of his tongue until he fell silent again. As it was, the petite mage listened, her molten eyes hyper focused on his features as he spoke. When he finished she gave him the first real smile she'd offered anyone but Søren today.
"The truth is, I won't know what I want from you until I understand your context better. So, until then, I think it's better we listen for the melody and try to harmonize when we're ready. Søren may take a slightly different tact, but overall we have similar goals. I'd prefer to temper an alliance with you. The alternative is, well," she paused there, her expression turning more serious again, "The alternative does none of us any favors."
She moved closer again, this time to neatly straighten the lapel of her robe against the deep tones of his skin.
"This is surprisingly suitable for you, Viers, though I imagine we'll need to send for a tailor in the morning. I doubt my clothing will cover your needs for the long term. Tell me, how did you come to know the woman Fureya?"
Her proximity did not change as she looked up at him, her shorter frame quite delicate in juxtaposition to his taller, powerfully built physique.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 21, 2017 23:33:06 GMT -5
Rosencrance Viers chuckled, but also shrugged his shoulders in a manner that made it clear that he wasn't all that put off by Callixta's inability to answer his question.
"I'm not really in any position to argue. Besides, as holding areas go, this is certainly one of the best I've seen - and you're definitely the most attractive warden I could have hoped for."
Viers hadn't really expected her to have a clear answer - she seemed the type of woman who would have already given him the information if she had it available, and Viers understood the concept of needing to see the topography of the landscape clearly before charting a path. Still, it did put the Arc in a somewhat compromising position where he was the effective prisoner of two Council members of Vascxious Sigma, again right under Alpha's nose. When would one of these Councilors decide that Alpha's favor was more valuable than whatever Viers himself could offer, and then promptly turn the Arc over to the Magistrate? The thought didn't sit particularly well with Viers, and it meant he had to make sure he played his cards very well. Normally, that would mean finding a way to hop right into bed with the Councilor in question - a tactic which had been mostly successful with Floraelia- yet Viers was getting the distinct impression that Callixta was very much just not interested. That meant his usual tact wasn't going to gain him any extra leverage, unless Søren ended up being a tad more accommodating, and therefore he was going to be forced to play Callixta's wait-and-see game.
When the Councilor straightened up the robe collar, Viers flexed and made the garment bulge on his chest, again emphasizing the absurdly off-size nature of the garment.
"I can make most things work, depending on circumstances. I'm positive you look far better in it than I do, though, so you're welcome to take it back anytime."
The Councilor's segue into a question was smooth in tone but abrupt in placement, and therefore it seemed to take Viers a quick moment to recalibrate and follow the flow of her conversation.
"She and I had a run in - she attacked me, in a public place, and didn't exactly keep it to herself that she was connected to Achréiøs. She didn't do so well with the whole fighting thing - after I beat her, I talked some sense in to her, and we traveled together for a few days before we got split up. The next time I saw her was today."
Viers fixed Callixta in an innocently-inquisitive gaze.
"Besides being connected to the Mage, how's she involved in all this?"
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 22, 2017 15:37:58 GMT -5
Callixta Trëguere seemed satisfied with his responses thus far, and when he began to answer her inquiry on Fureya her expression seemed thoughtful. When she answered her tone was even and she didn't move to create any space between herself and Viers.
"That's a part of what I'm trying to decipher for myself. There are some details I'm not at liberty to discuss. State secrets, and such. I'm sure you understand. What's more or less public or― at the very least― not hidden is that the Mage calls her his Consort. Both she and Dragos Syrkhan, the white-haired brat with the fire and the explosions, appear to have been recruited by Achréiøs."
Her mouth curved easily into a smile.
"She's become a bit of a savage lately. We'd gotten reports of some of her exploits: her behavior toward you seems to match a pattern that's been slowly progressing more and more toward madness. She and Syrkhan are both officially enemies of the state of Marru'Khyr. Last I checked the Empire was offering a rather generous sum for them both― dead or alive."
She watched him for a moment further before taking a backward step and moving toward the common area of the residence. Jewel-colored eyes flashed back toward her guest as if questioning whether he intended to follow. The Councilor would proceed to settle down onto one of the plush couches. It had been a long day and she honestly simply did not wish to stand any longer.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 22, 2017 18:58:29 GMT -5
Rosencrance Viers smiled, and seemed to fall right in to the flow of the conversation without much hesitation. That Callixta stayed so close to him wasn't a bother to the Arc, clearly, though he did have to spend a bit of his focus making sure he didn't reach out and do any idle caressing, as he might have in just slightly-different circumstances. He was being so good, he should really be getting props for his restraint.
"That he's recruiting is something I was able to figure out. I thought that might be part of why he was looking for me - I've been told it's something of a pattern of his, when something bigger than his usual antics is afoot."
The note about Marru'Khyr and the two being wanted made no nevermind to Viers - it wasn't his kind of place, and so he made it a point not to get involved in business revolving around continents across the sea. As Callixta moved, however, the Arc did follow behind, and when she sat down he found his own spot opposite her on another sofa, careful to arrange himself in such a way that he was still displaying some modicum of modesty.
"I doubt you are interested in them for purely diplomatic reasons, though I'm sure having a point of leverage with Marru'Khyr couldn't hurt. A more immediate concern for you, I'm sure, is finding out what the Mage is up to and, if possible, stopping or slowing his plans. Which I'm sure capturing the boy would have assisted you with, either regarding the one or the other."
Viers left the comment about Fureya becoming more savage alone because of how pointless a topic it seemed to Viers - Achréiøs tended to increase his charges' power and abilities, which generally led to more confidence and, by way of the Mage-driven mentality his students tended to gain, led to more savagery. Viers wasn't keen on getting into a discussion of how Achréiøs increased his student's power, though, because it came a little bit too close to home to be a comfortable topic for him - besides, he wasn't sure what Callixta knew about how the Mage worked, and he wasn't about to give her new information before knowing what she had already.
"Given that wasn't how it went down, would this be a good time to ask what happened when you went after them?"
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 22, 2017 20:47:16 GMT -5
"Precisely. It's why it's imperative that we unravel his larger motives. Achréiøs' presence in Vascxious Sigma is unwanted and if only two of his recruits are wanted for war crimes that's still significant enough for us to be concerned." Callixta Trëguere's lips thinned, teeth baring somewhat in a strained expression. "I am not a figurehead on Vascxious Sigma's Council: this is my City and I intend to protect it at all costs. It's one of the few remaining with a working Acacian Grid." Amber almost began to glow with the sheer intensity of her expression.
"Capturing Syrkhan was important to the Tower. He isn't just any enemy of the Marru'Khyran state: he's the last living son of Emperor Corvaelan. My perspective is different from the Tower's on that, though I also can't speak for what might have had planned for him."
Her gaze narrowed slightly at his question but she didn't seem irritated with him.
"It's still under investigation."
The mage inhaled deeply.
"Something intervened. Something much bigger and with more power than me, the rest of the Tower, and Achréiøs combined. Whatever it was apparently whisked away both Kauvrian and Syrkhan as well as one of ours." Without a skipped beat, "Tell me about your good friend Floraelia Devinian and how you came this far North."
Her only movement was to curl her legs up under her body as she turned sideways to get more comfortable.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Jul 22, 2017 22:54:30 GMT -5
Viers listened carefully to Callixta as she spoke, and made sure to raise his eyebrows in relative surprise when she mentioned that Vascxious Sigma had a working Acacian Grid. He was, of course, completely aware of what lay beneath the city's steam tunnels, but he didn't really want to let on just how much he might have known. It was likely he was more aware of what lay under the City's streets than Callixta herself - but letting that on would only arouse further interest and suspicion in his origins, and Viers liked the level of interest Callixta seemed to have now.
"If he's that important to the Marru'Khyrans, he'd be a big diplomatic asset. Still, given how much he seems to like blowing things up, he might still not be worth trying to keep contained."
Viers shrugged, clearly not sure on the math of what a political prisoner might be worth. True, anyone connected with Achréiøs, from the Tower's perspective at least, is likely to cause more havoc unsupervised than they would contained, even imperfectly, but that didn't mean that trying to contain them might not cause even more problems down the road.
Viers was well aware that his thought process didn't really mirror a diplomatic one - his way of handling people like the boy, and even Achréiøs for that matter, is to stay clear and mind his own business, but that obviously doesn't work when you are the head of a rising global superpower. Clearly, the Arc wasn't the one to be advising anyone on matters of state.
The Arc did narrow his eyes, just slightly, at Callixta's mention of something bigger. The way she was saying it, it almost sounded like one of the Old Gods intervened. The idea would sound absurd if the Arc hadn't spent so much time near Achréiøs - something about that Mage brought beings that normally had no interest in so-called mortal affairs into the dance hall for a quick two-step and a trans-dimensional hop. If the Mage was again pissing off someone extradimensional, it was all the more reason for Viers to stay the fuck away.
Luckily, Callixta saved him from having to comment by rapidly shifting gears to ask about Floraelia, a topic Viers was all too happy to discuss.
"We actually met outside the city. She was doing some kind of excavation in the lower mountains, and I happened to run across her, and ended up helping her search a few of the tunnels. We parted ways, and a few months later, I found myself in the city - I was trying to find a way to repair my weapon. I saw her in café in the Basilica, and she ended up inviting me to stay over, and even offered to help connect me with someone who might be able to help - I think she meant to connect me with Aeorex - I met him around the same time I met her, actually; he was helping her explore the tunnels too."
Viers smirked, clearly remembering the run in, but continued quickly.
"So, that's how I was staying with her. Once I was there, well, we had a few drinks one night, and then one thing led to another. The following morning, this morning, I went out to get some food, again in the Basilica, and did some wandering around. By midday, I ended up in Eighth, trying to take the train, and that's where Fureya and Es spotted me. That's about the long and short of it."
Viers narrowed his eyes somewhat suspiciously, looking off to the side.
"Come to think of it, I don't think Floraelia was going to tell Alpha about me either. If I were a little less confident in myself, I would start to think that you Councilors just want to keep me as a pet."
The Arc smirked.
|
|
|
Post by Callixta Trëguere on Jul 23, 2017 23:14:11 GMT -5
Callixta Trëguere listened without interrupting as Viers remarked on Syrkhan. Her guest did not seem to understand the context of the Tower or Alpha's penchant for Collecting. Syrkhan might have been a problem for the Marru'Khyran Empire to contain, or Azaleth or Surkaaj if he'd been taken into custody there, but the Tower was designed to contain. No matter how fond Syrkhan might have been of incendiary tactics they wouldn't have granted him freedom from the Tower's grasp. The Councilor wasn't going to be making and motions to correct Vier's estimation, however. Not unless it became pertinent to properly motivating him.
When her guest elaborated on how he'd met Devinian Callixta filed away the information for later use. It didn't seem important now, but at the least she could use the references to crosscheck his story. It wasn't that she didn’t trust him it was that it was entirely odd for someone to have been connected with so many of Vascxious Sigma's Council in such a short time, have a minimum working knowledge of Achréiøs, and be enough in the know to play the game. The mage's nature was intrinsically skeptical and while Viers didn't perfectly add up to her estimation something told her it was better to play the long game with this one.
Her molten gaze narrowed when he mentioned that Khestralicht was helping Devinian. That was in keeping with their apparent relationship status, but it was new that they might be working on any projects together― at least outside of the City. Perhaps it was nothing and they just wanted time away from the watchful eyes of the City's paparazzi. Some of the less scrupulous writers had been taking severe liberties in their speculation on the nature of Second and Third District's Councilors― one even going so far as to detail their travel patterns and draw up the most likely outcome of their pairing. Callixta couldn't blame them for wanting privacy, but that was assuming they were actually an item. Devinian behaved like a mooning girl any time Khestralicht was anywhere near her. She had her doubts as to whether or not that particular relationship had even been consummated.
When Viers went on, one delicate brow arched severely.
She waited until he finished, but eyed him skeptically.
"I understand that I asked about how you knew Devinian, but the part where you bedded her is not something you should share unless you know your audience very well. There are people in this City that would not take kindly to the insinuation that Floraelia Devinian could have a few drinks and bed anyone. You would be surprised at how many people would take offense and demand to avenge her honor."
Callixta curled up tighter and propped up her chin with an open palm.
"I can't speak for Devinian's motives, but I simply don't want to give you to Alpha. I'm not so sure whether you'd make a good pet for me. Maybe for Søren. She's less discerning at times."
If he looked her way the slightest softness to her eyes and mouth would be the only tell that she was making a joke.
|
|
|
Post by Rosencrance Viers on Aug 9, 2017 21:18:46 GMT -5
Rosencrance Viers couldn’t help but laugh at the Councilor's assertion, though the sound was pleasant and most assuredly not intended to be mocking.
"That's rather controlling of them, isn't it? I thought this city was ground-zero for liberated thinking - why should anyone care, or try to police, the honor of a woman who choses her own sexual partners? That sounds like an Azalethian mentality to me."
The Southern former empire of Azaleth was a much less egalitarian place than Vascxious Sigma, in its current form, was purported to be - though, admittedly, social structures and attitudes of propriety had laxed in recent years. The Arc did take Callixta's point, though - he was aware, at least peripherally, of how Floraelia was regarded in the city. And, even if no one in the broader public would care much who she took a roll in the hay with, her father might.
"Still, I can imagine there is at least one Council member who wouldn't be too happy to hear me tell that anecdote, so I'll take your advice and keep it to myself from now on."
Viers honed his gaze in on Callixta and smirked good-naturedly.
"I'm sad that I don't seem to meet your standards - but, you are quite the class-act, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Maybe after I show you just how useful I can be, you'll change your mind, though I'm getting the feeling I might just not be your type."
The Arc made a waving motion with his hand, as if he were waving the topic away, giving Callixta leave to drop it without responding, if she wished to.
"So then, what are our next steps? Are we waiting for Søren before we decide our next course of action?"
|
|