everlasting heart

Riya tilted her head, not having realized just how late it'd gotten. She couldn't fault him for that. This was a big event and the excitement was beginning to die down, even hers. She did finally answer, shrugging a shoulder as she said, "The ballroom is humid. I came for air and a bit of peace."

She had been excited upon arriving, but as the notoe wore on, so did her will to stay.

"If you manage to sneak out, I wouldn't tell anyone," she said, glancing over at him with a curious glint.

ramón  barked  a  laugh.  "then  you'd  be  a  formidable  foe.  it  would  be  interesting  to  witness  which  one  of  you  backs  down  first."

he  shrugged  then,  tapping  the  cigar  and  watching  the  ash  fall  to  the  grounds  below.  the  shine  of  the  diamonds'  masks  flickered  in  and  out  of  view  as  they  traversed  the  maze.  "i'm  accompanying  my  father  tonight.  i'll  depart  with  him.  but  i'll  take  my  peace  where  i  can  get  it."  the  corner  of  his  mouth  lifted  then  before  gesturing  to  the  ballroom.

"besides,  my  father  and  i  worked  on  enough  outfits  that  i  should  stick  around  if  a  seam  tears  or  a  spill  stains  and  needs  covering."  the  cheeky  smirk  lifted  higher.  "so  if  you  need  to  sneak  out,  i'm  afraid  you'll  be  alone  in  that  endeavor.  but  i  will  not  tell  anyone  either."

A smile flickered across Oskar's face. He liked this man though he hardly knew him. Perhaps he would given the chance to do so. Then this ball wouldn't have been an entire waste. "If you aren't as polite as you ought to be, I certainly won't remember it."

another  snort,  though  with  an  accompanied  smile.  a  smoke  cloud  emerged,  slowly  exhaled  to  allow  the  taste  of  it  to  linger.  "i  shall  be  in  your  debt  if  that  occurs."

he  dropped  the  cigar  in  the  other  man's  hand,  leaning  back  against  the  railing.  "should  i  take  that  to  mean  you  are  also  not  a  fan  of  ---  well."  free  hand  waved  toward  the  gardens  and  ballroom,  a  raised  brow  emphasizing  the  unspoken:  do  you  find  fault  with  events  such  as  these  too?

"i'm  admiring."  murmured  without  hesitation  and  possessed  with  a  boldness  he  has  yet  to  truly  earn.  "take  comfort,  though,  for  there  is  no  torn  seam  in  sight."

he's  about  to  say  more  when  aera's  gaze  falls  to  his  lapel,  and  his  small  smile  turn  mischievous.  "what?  it  was  a  moment  of  reprieve."  though  how  terrible  it  is  that  ash  marks  the  citrine  appeal  of  his  attire.  a  swipe  at  his  lapel,  and  attention  draws  back  to  aera.

"will  that  .  .  .  "  ah.  for  all  that  he  rehearsed,  boldness  falters,  surrendering  to  uncertainty.  "  .  .  .  sway  you  to  disallow  my  name?"  the  tip  of  a  finger  presses  at  the  corner  of  their  dance  card.

"truthfully?  both.  less  people  wander  by  with  them  closed,  and  the  music  softens."  ramón  tilts  his  head  then,  hearing  the  request,  debating  on  whether  he  should  indulge  the  other.  still,  what  would  be  the  harm?

ramón  withdraws  another  cigar  and  holds  it  out  to  the  other  man.  "i'll  trust  your  insight,  though  do  be  warned,  if  your  prediction  ends  incorrectly,  you  will  suffer  the  consequence  of  my  sewing  needle."

"Until someone notices you're missing," Arthur said in a low voice. "Or until they change things about on the dance floor. Knowing the Barnetts, they will have quite the party," he chuckled, adjusting his sleeves and looking down for a moment. "I do apologize for interrupting your moment of solitude."

recognition  arrived  late.  ramón  stilled,  jaw  clenching  for  a  beat  too  long  before  he  finally  bowed  his  head.  "your  grace.  you  interrupt  little."  but  it  still  remained  interruption.  if  it  was  anyone  else,  ramón  would  find  no  fault.  but  the  king  ---  and  society  ---  and,  and,  and  ----

ramón  swept  tongue  over  teeth,  forcing  his  gaze  back  to  the  garden.  "i  have  a  feeling  most  will  notice  your  absence  first."  for  who  would  care  for  a  modiste  assistant's  presence  when  the  king  controlled  more  than  the  assistant  ever  could?  "but  don't  worry  ---  i  won't  call  attention  this  way."

The brunette did not step too close. She was mindful of both propriety and smoke, though she did not retreat either. "I had hoped the diamonds might be satisfied with the garden," she said, her tone even and calm. "Though I suppose it is in their nature to be persistent," She gazed over the railing for a moment. "A rather bold entertainment choice. Inviting guests to dress as jewels, then encouraging other to search for cracks. Don't you think?"

"thank  you,"  he  murmured  around  the  butt  of  his  cigar,  taking  another  long  drag  before  exhaling  the  smoke  through  his  nose.  his  attire  will  reek  for  days  after  tonight,  the  scent  of  smoke  desperately  clinging  to  the  fabrics.  but  ramón  already  started;  it  would  be  pointless  to  stop  now.

so  he  tapped  the  ashes  over  the  balcony,  gaze  flicking  from  garden  to  newcomer  to  garden  again.  "bold,  yes.  but  you  must  admit,  it's  certainly  something  different.  how  many  of  these  have  you  attended  where  it  all  blurs  into  the  same  event  because  it's  the  same  conversation  and  dance  every  time?"

the  tension  slowly  eases  from  his  body.  his  father  towers  above  him,  casting  a  large  shadow,  but  ramón  is  grateful  for  his  presence  right  then.  easier  to  shed  the  mask  of  politeness  and  marketing  before  the  man  who  raised  him,  even  despite  the  silent  expectations.

so  he  shrugs  at  the  raised  brow,  taking  another  puff  with  a  small  smile.  but  how  quickly  it  fades  at  the  mention  of  rioting.  the  word  lingers,  swirls,  digs  into  his  heart.  how  it  evokes  more  than  it  should  for  someone  with  a  legacy  to  protect.

clearing  his  throat,  ramón  sweeps  a  hand  across  the  space.  "here  is  the  chance,  no?  even  if  it  may  be  short."  another  small  smile;  thankfully,  not  forced  at  all.  "are  you  happy  with  the  work  on  display?  the  diamond  of  last  season  wearing  your  design,  along  with  so  many  others?"

He didn’t understand why anyone would want to be judged like this. It was so open with nowhere to hide from people’s judgement. Most of them crumbled under their evaluation, but Dominic just stood and watched. No one had stood out to him yet, but the night was young. “I’ve not seen you around before,” Dominic stated, trying to analyse the man. “Are you new to London, or just this house?” There were plenty of new people here. Most likely new maids, new footmen, and anything that new money could buy. 

the  question  remained  unanswered,  but  ramón  did  not  push  further.  truthfully,  their  interest  was  passing:  see  how  many  were  in  line  and  walk  away.  judgement  was  easy  and  simple;  there  was  no  need  to  linger.

so  the  fact  the  other  stayed  for  longer  than  a  passing  glance  ---  well.  curiosity  piqued,  they  countered,  "and  if  one  of  those  you  cared  for  is  under  the  mask,  and  you  didn't  know  until  later,  would  that  change  anything?"

they  smiled,  more  courteous  than  genuine.  "new  to  this  house.  the  das  family  were  most  gracious  in  inviting  my  father,  and  by  extension,  me.  we  are  of  la  mesure,  and  depending  on  who  you  will  see  tonight,  you  will  notice  our  designs,  that  i  assure  you."

He walked over to the railing to look down. "Well, look at that. I doubt they will come up, though." He wasn't concerned about them chasing after him. He wasn't what the diamond's predators wanted. "unless you've got a gaggle of girls wanting you?"

a  hum  in  thanks,  only  to  be  followed  by  a  short  bark  of  laughter.  "no,  no  gaggle  at  all.  i  am  only  a  modiste  assistant;  they  will  search  for  better  marks  than  what  an  untitled  can  offer."  which  could  change,  if  the  king  willed  it,  if  parliament  could  bend  its  rigid  ways.  but  there  he  stood,  shaped  by  what  society  deemed  best  appropriate.

but  he  uttered  none  of  that.  instead,  he  took  another  puff,  elbows  settling  on  the  rail  behind  him  as  he  looked  at  the  other  person.  "and  you?"  he  asked,  smoke  curling  in  the  space  between  them.  "will  anyone  notice  your  absence  and  come  streaming  through  the  doors?"

"I came out here to avoid being cornered by another ambitious mother. One of them spent nearly ten minutes describing her daughter's embroidery skills to me as though my life depended on it." His eyes flicked toward the cigar between Ramón's fingers before settling on the man himself, as he opened his jacket and dug into the inner pocket for his flask. "You look far too relaxed for someone claiming we're being hunted," Edgar remarked, fishing it out and taking a sip of it, before extending the invitation to a sip, to the gentleman next to him. "Makes me think this is not your first escape of the evening."

"at  least  the  main  hall  remains  our  greatest  defense.  perhaps  they'll  be  swept  away  into  a  dance  before  they  reach  us  here."  a  hopeful  wish,  but  a  logical  defense  as  well.  at  least  the  two  could  watch  the  hunt  from  above  and  keep  track  of  the  masks  that  whisper  truths  ---  and  potential  lies.

an  amused  hum  escaped.  "well,  did  you  catch  if  the  embroidery  skills  were  actually  decent?  perhaps  she  can  dedicate  time  to  the  modiste  and  be  too  busy  for  you."  would  that  even  be  something  his  father  would  want?  well,  the  old  man  looked  toward  retirement  now.  the  shop  would  be  under  ramón's  decision-making  soon.  but  would  it  be  the  right  choice  .  .  .

ramón  tilted  his  head  at  the  offered  flask,  questioning  gaze  flicking  toward  the  other.  but  he  took  it,  taking  from  the  same  hand  that  held  the  cigar,  letting  the  scent  of  tobacco  overpower  that  of  the  alcohol.  "it  actually  is.  my  first  escape  of  the  night,  that  is."  he  held  the  flask  back  to  its  owner.  "i'm  good  at  slipping  into  the  background."

it  was  a  necessity  to  learn  when  aiding  his  father  with  clients  and  with  floating  between  the  upper  class.  tonight,  he  dressed  in  something  that  pulled  the  eye,  but  he  never  lingered  in  anyone's  sight.  enough  to  draw  comment,  but  not  enough  to  remember  longer  than  a  night.

"alas,  i  needed  space,  and  the  balcony  offered  an  easy  route.  and  no  matter  what  happens  down  there"  ---  again,  a  tip  of  his  cigar  toward  the  masked  diamonds  ---  “it  is  a  nice  night  to  linger.”

"then  worry  about  the  crease  in  your  forehead  becoming  permanent  if  you  don't  use  the  time  here  to  relax.  let  me  worry  about  my  work."  for  this  was  as  much  his  as  it  was  lasaru's.  his  father  designed  and  constructed,  but  it  was  ramón  editing,  adding  and  subtracting  as  needed.  when  the  diamond  of  the  season  walked  through  the  ball,  it  would  be  his  skill  on  display  as  much  as  his  father's

and  then  he  hears  his  name.

his  hands  still.  only  for  a  beat.  nearly  imperceptible.  in  the  next  breath,  the  world  moves  as  it  should.  "you  will  not  be  still  for  long,  aera."  a  first  name  for  a  first  name,  societal  demands  be  damned.  "i  will  be  flexible  on  that  for  you."

and  he  does,  for  as  he  finishes  pinning,  his  feather-light  touch  guides  them  to  spin  on  the  pedestal,  catching  the  natural  light  through  the  windows.  he  counts  each  pearl,  assuring  symmetry.  "no,  this  is  not  overstepping  anything.  and  you  are  no  giant;  when  you  feel  that,  remind  yourself  you  are  the  diamond  this  season."  a  foolish  practice  in  his  eyes,  but  he  swallows  that  criticism  as  he  lifts  his  face  to  theirs.  "there's  leeway  in  that.  and  power,  to  set  trends  as  you  wish."

"Do you have another?" Oskar asked he closed the door behind him, nodding towards the cigar in Ramón's hand. It wasn't anything close to the poppy his body cried out for, but it was better than nothing. Why in the good Lord's name did all of these events have to drag on so long?

silence  stretched  for  one  beat,  then  another.  ramón  stuck  his  cigar  back  between  lips,  teeth  starting  to  grind  into  the  wrap.  only  one  cigar  rested  in  the  sash  wrapped  around  his  waist,  and  he  looked  forward  to  using  it  to  survive  the  night.

but  the  debate  lasted  only  a  heartbeat  more  before  he  slipped  lithe  fingers  into  the  sash  and  pulling  out  the  cigar.  "luck  is  in  your  favor  tonight."

another  flick  of  gaze  to  the  gardens.  another  hum,  this  time  flat,  unamused.  "one  can  only  hope,"  he  murmured  around  the  cigar  butt.  "i  fear  if  they  reach  me,  i  won't  be  as  .  .  .  polite  as  i  should  be."

"Diamonds do not concern me at the moment," she admitted. "Society life is tiresome for you already, sir?" If so, she understood. It had only been one night and she was ready to return to her residence and her bed. Traveling was all the rage but social gatherings such as this? Absolutely out of the question.

"don't  let  them  hear  you  say  that.  they  may  just  follow  you  for  the  rest  of  the  night."  a  prediction  with  little  merit.  but  curiosity  lingered,  a  devil  on  his  shoulder  whispering  to  capture  every  shift  of  demeanor  from  anyone  and  everyone.

the  smoke  finally  faded,  obsolete.  "less  society  and  more  the  time."  there  was  no  falsehood:  only  a  smaller  truth.  dancing  so  late  into  the  night  did  exhaust.  but  watching  society  throughout  the  night,  and  how  the  world  of  the  nobles  and  royalty  operated  .  .  .  it  would  always  leave  him  searching  for  an  escape.

"but  what  of  you?  are  you  only  here  for  a  few  moments,  or  aiming  to  slip  away?"

"I am not scared of the diamond trial." She huffed and looked over the railing down below, people walking about in their diamond masks and interrogating people to the point some poor debutante ran off crying. She chuckled at the sight and rolled her eyes. "So theatrical! Some of these young women need thicker skin. Or perhaps more confidence." Her eyes looked over at the man again and she tilted her head. "You are from that one modiste shop."

brow  raised,  intrigue  slowly  alighting  in  his  gaze.  he  fully  faces  the  newcomer,  tapping  the  cigar  against  the  railing.  "i'll  admit,  i'm  surprised  to  hear  you're  unafraid.  then  again,  i  imagine  many  are  the  same  until  they're  tested  with  potential  lies.  it's  harder,  wondering  if  falsities  will  reach  the  ears  of  those  you  admire."

ah,  he  was  rambling  again.  clearing  his  throat,  he  shifted  on  his  feet,  smile  planted  on  his  face  and  free  hand  over  chest.  "ramón  bessette,  at  your  service.  the  assistant  to  modiste  lasaru  of  la  mesure.  a  pleasure  to  officially meet  your  acquaintance,  my  lady."

Being just a modiste, Kaira always thought that she would be standing on the sidelines and watching everyone take to the dancefloor but she didn’t mind it. It was a treat to see all the beautiful clothing move and seeing everyone's choices. It was a surprise that she was asked at all and feeling like her old self in her beautiful citrine dress, she accepted and moved easily with the dancing partner until the music ended. “You move most beautifully,” her face red from the moving but a wide smile on her face. “Thank you for asking me to dance. I’m sure you have had many offers already. And your clothes! What gemstone are you tonight?"

"i  figured  that  modistes  must  stick  together  on  a  night  like  this.  tomorrow,  we  can  return  to  our  competition."  the  younger  bessette  breathed  deep,  calming  a  running  heart  from  the  high-energy  dance.  truthfully,  he  wished  to  learn  more  of  the  newcomer,  and  whether  she  would  pose  a  risk  to  his  father  ---  or  be  a  tremendous  asset.

he  takes  a  step  back,  releasing  her  to  hold  the  end  of  the  sash  around  his  waist.  "a  different  hue,  but  .  .  .  "  raising  it  closer  to  her  dress,  ramón  offers  a  small  smile.  "it  seems  we  were  of  the  same  mind  tonight."