#;conall

"Ah, here we are! The brilliant Victor Frankenstein! You know, you're quite difficult to track down, but I have eyes and ears everywhere. You'll pardon the sudden invitation. I'm surprised you accepted." Conall grins, all sharp eyes and even sharper teeth. If there's any good will behind his words, it's hard to tell. A man like him could say anything and have a million meanings behind it.

He ushers Victor inside. There's already a table set up for them to sit and chat at. After all, this is just a friendly conversation, isn't it? Nothing more than curiosity. "Sit down. Relax. Make yourself at home. Are you hungry? Thirsty? You certainly look like you haven't slept in a few days."

"And do you not think that this friendship is only more detrimental to you?"

Conall frowns, his brow furrowed as he sits in the nearby windowsill and looks outside. There is certainly no love lost between him and the king, or even his father before him. He's always made known where his loyalties lie and exactly how he feels about the current family in power. You are only out of the Tower by the mercy of my father, Conall. I could easily throw you back in.

"Cid, I told you that I would come find you once I'm settled in, good lord--oh! Clive. I wasn't..um..please come in." Well, that's embarrassing. Conall has never been much of a people person, and the past years in isolation have really solidified that. His reunion with Clive and subsequent move to the Hideaway afterwards has really thrown him upside down.

Still, things could be worse. Things were worse. Deep down, Conall thinks he's dreamed about this moment time and time again, only to be disappointed upon waking. Now that it's real, now that he can tangibly be by Clive's side again, it still feels like he's going to wake up at any moment again.

Good gods, he hope that doesn't happen.

It is not unusual for Conall to linger on the fringes of these balls, wanting to keep an eye on things. There are people to observe, conversations to eavesdrop on, pretty men to flirt with. Every now and again someone approaches him wanting to dance or talk, and he'll certainly indulge. Everyone wants to be on the good side of Lord Conall Ellery, for the other option isn't ideal.

He hums, taking a sip of his wine and blinking when there is a sudden presence next to him. It doesn't startle him, for he saw Octavian make his grand entrance about ten minutes ago. Conall, however, is a man that doesn't like to come off as desperate. Let him come to me if he really wants to see me, he thinks, and it seems that he got his wish.

"What is it now?"

Genesis' defection followed subsequently by Angeal has made tensions higher than Conall likes. ShinRa is certainly not perfect by any means, even he is aware of that, but this is pulling back the mask and exposing the hideous truth quicker than they could cover it up. He squints as he stares out the window, letting out a huff and pinching the bridge of his nose.