#ara-kadeu

Kadeu, Joker, Highranker’s Ball

31 December 2020, Evening

Drink in hand, Hyeonju strolled through the crowd, keeping eyes peeled for faces he had no desire to greet. He’d already met one and he figured that was enough for one night. He took in the gowns and suits, humming in admiration at some, silently scoffing at others. He greeted a handful of familiar people, customers and acquaintances. He had just finished one round around the grand ballroom when he spotted a woman in a gorgeous, backless gown. Her back was to him and so he was free to gape at the raised scar that raked down the woman’s back. It made Hyeonju’s still tender wounds seem like playground scratches. Wonder what the story behind that is…

The woman turned her head and Hyeonju’s eyes widened in surprise. A story, indeed. He hadn’t seen Ms. Moon since he fixed her locket, but he had seen her off with a changed perception of her. It wasn’t everyday Hyeonju found himself respecting a Diamond. Which meant he may have been a bit concerned—but also very nosy.

Asra has a bad reputation at The Academy. The labels students and teachers had forced upon him had stuck since he first set a foot inside of that institution and it has followed him around to this day.

Being a club, means that he is prone to being reckless, a friend of fights without a purpose and overall just someone who is all brawn but no brains. While some of those assumptions might be right, Asra can be a pretty friendly and kind person on the inside, it all depends on how people treat him.

the façade: “No, not particularly. There’s a few people I’m curious about, but no one I miss”.

➳　factcheck! this is true. cas finds it foolish to cut contact with someone you’ll miss later on. and if they’re the one to cut contact with him? no use dwelling on people who have no interest in you – don’t let anyone live in your mind rent free.

The Palace; Evening

@ara-kadeu​

Moulin Rouge. It was the last night of this particular performance and Eva’s first time seeing. Well, not seeing, experiencing. Sitting in the low ranker section, ears perked and listening intently, Eva felt like she was walking on air. The voices were vibrant and lively, full of various emotions that ran deep, as if the actors were the characters and not just pretending to be something else.

There are gasps in the crowd and Eva, used to it but a bit dismayed, isn’t sure what has happened on stage to garner the response. Normally she’d bring a friend to help her fill in the gaps her other senses couldn’t give her, but tonight she was on her own. The performance was magical and the Spade found herself reacting just like the audience around her. There was one voice in particular that stood out to her. Satine’s actress sounded stunning. Her voice like crystal glass filled with water and you were running your hand over the edge to hear the melody. Eva was in awe of that voice in the same way that such a simple item could produce such a wonderful sound.

With the musical ended, Eva was shuffling along the crowd toward the exit, still high on the joy that came with the performance. She made a series of clicking sounds, bat ears taking in the information and marking the movement of bodies around her. Her cane slid across the floor in search of a clear path. The shadows around her were becoming a bit much and she could feel the anxiety building.

Then she heard it. “That voice,” Eva murmured. She turned towards the voice and followed it. Listening to it brought calm over her. The melodic voice grew stronger as the Spade neared until she knew she was standing in front of the actress she’d admired from the audience.

... but have you heard?

Highrankers, especially those in Diamond territory seem to be under the impression General Kwon Jihoon @generalkwon is in a secret relationship with his ‘personal healer’ Zhang Maxine @its-max-okay. It’s being said she’s actually far weaker than her rank would suggest

Highrankers seem to believe Ace of Hearts @zuihuojoui has recently taken a liking to a lowranker. People don’t seem to actually know much, but the rumors about her are vicious. Many seem to believe her a succubus and whore who has tricked Joui into favoring her ( @cherrykadeu )

Highranking Diamonds seem to believe they are no longer welcome in Ko Sayge’s @saygeko casino The Koi. None of the facts surrounding why are cohesive; it’s likely a single customer has been complaining. 

Midrankers have recently been gossiping about Lee Hyeonju @kadeuxhyeonju. Apparently, he’s been hiding his status as a sex-worker and the only reason he owns the Vega Gem is because a high-ranking Heart bought it for him

Midrankers also seem to believe Lee Valentina @acevalentina has lost her touch. This seems to be because one of her drug houses was hit, and she still hasn’t caught the perpetrators

Lowrankers have labeled Go Aesin @nerenth soft-hearted. They seem to think her one of the kindest highrankers, though some seem to be trying to take advantage of her

Saturday 15 August 2020; After Sunset Heart Territory; Zuihuo Joui's Ball

Dressed in his ceremonial uniform, Jihoon emitted an aura of stagnant displeasure as he stood at the edges of the soiree, glass of whiskey in hand. Once again he cursed his poor luck at running into that golden Fae at the Diamond party the month previous. Complain about one party only to be invited to another. Ah yes, highranker logic.

Taking a sip from his drink, the General’s eyes roamed the dance floor with a critical gaze. Admittedly, the Ace of Hearts had prepared a far better party than the Diamond had. The lack of pitiful gyrations on the dance floor was a major testament to this if nothing else was.

The foliage and ancient trees did much to lighten the ball’s atmosphere. Though still an outrageous waste of money, at least the ball hadn’t paired with an outrageously horrendous color scheme. Realizing suddenly that his trademark ‘high-ranker party headache’ wasn’t building up behind his eyelids, Jihoon allowed a soft snort to escape his nose. Perhaps instead of avoiding a conversation with Joui he ought to congratulate him on throwing the party the General hated very little.