#lifewoven

This gala is one of the most pretentious events Dajsper has ever been to, and xe's been to xir own wedding. Sure, this is pretty much the elite's occasion to gather and collectively hide their dirty laundry under an act of charity, but xe doubts that a university receiving private funding requires this much… opulence and grandeur.

Xe really wishes xe didn't have to be here, but as his father's son he'd be talked about more if he hadn't come. Besides, as the sole heir of eir mother's estate, it would have been unbecoming of Irami not to match eir father's donation to the university. And xe'd be loath to leave em alone at a gathering like this.

And so Dajsper is there, in a suit with navy accents but made of a shimmering silver and ice blue fabric that matches xir wife's dress. Don't get them wrong, they're good colors — especially in contrast to xir parents' all black attire — but xe wishes xe could have worn Volt's brighter colors. That would have pissed xir mother off.

Though xe supposes, with this gala being held at ZIoT, there's a very good reason to attend. And they spot that reason sitting at a table in the corner, with a group of other TAs not far from a table of milling department heads. Chief among them, the Cogsmith. Or, well, Doctor Zekkanid in this setting. Of course the man wouldn't be far from his protegé.

'"I'm pretty sure I've seen Tumaril,"' they tell Irami, leaning slightly down as to whisper. The flash of a camera goes off nearby.

Irami laughs as another flash goes off, taking xir hand in eirs to pull them down. '"Figured out a way to get to your partner already?"'

Dajsper makes eye contact with Doctor Zekkanid over someone's shoulder. Xe nods in greeting and glances purposefully at where xir parents are talking to the dean. Xe can see the man's eyes sparkle with mishief from over here. '"I'd say I have,"' xe answers, letting xir wife lead them over to some distant aunt of eirs who is standing fairly close to xir parents.

It is a matter of only a few minutes of empty chatter before xe feels xir mother's eyes land on xem with enough intensity to fold anyone who isn't used to it. He squeezes Irami's hand, a gesture immediately returned. Seconds later, he meets his father's eyes.

'"Ah, there he is,"' his father says, motioning for him to come over.

Dajsper excuses themself from their wife and eir aunt with a quiet question and a silent answer, and he slips into Erun as he heads over. Chin high, steps measured. Perfection is an uncomfortable mask, but Erun is his father's son. He knows how to make himself fit it seamlessly.

So he smiles and shakes hands with the dean and plays the part of the socialite kid — don't be bashful about your talent, don't be boastful of your position — as Doctor Zekkanid fakes interest in things he's heard a million times before through the Underground.

And then the Cogsmith gleams in Doctor Zekkanid's, and Voltage knows in her heart what the man is going to do. '"We have quite the prodigy with us too. I was just talking to him earlier. Excuse me a second,"' Doctor Zekkanid says, tilting his head in barely a request before stepping away.

The dean rushes to pick up the conversation. '"Quite the prodigy indeed, yes yes."' With her smile fixed in place, she sends an almost subtle reprimanding look toward Doctor Zekkanid. '"Please, forgive Professor Zekkanid. He's been quite taken with our student as he's pursuing his doctorate with him. He's the professor's TA for Bioinformatics as well,"' she smiles.

Behind Erun's mask, Dajsper pounces. '"Apa'Riani? Liralia and I hadn't realized he was attending,"' he says, unrepentant beneath their mother's invisible glare.

The dean blinks at them almost owlishly, if only for a second. Score one for breaking a socialite's mask though. '"You know him?"'

'"We know of him for sure,"' he tells the woman. Keeping the pride out of his voice is a struggle. '"His work could easily be revolutionary."'

'"He must be quite something then."' His father's eyes nearly burn into the side of his head. '"It isn't often that Erun shows interest in someone else's work. I can't wait to meet him,"' his father says, and Dajsper has to stop the mask from bristling, because xe knows xir father. Xe knows the man's arrogance like it's the code at the base of xir existance, the blind thing that keeps him from ever realizing other people have talent. Erun can take it for himself, he has since birth. But Tumaril deserves better than fake interest.

The dean chuckles before Erun has the chance to break his mask. '"Quite something indeed, Mister Wiroski. Ah, there they are."'

Erun doesn't whip to the side, but only because he's still Dajsper beneath, and Volt even further down, and she's been counting the time the Cogsmith's been gone. It still takes them all their focus not to gasp when they see Tumaril up close. The navy suit — in the same exact shade as xir own suit's accents — is stunning on him, and the warm brass details match both his prosthetic eye and the dress Ideli is wearing, off somewhere with her uncle. They're also oddly reminiscent of the bronze Volt wears. She could go weak at the knees.

But xe won't. The game's just begun now that Tumaril is here and shaking hands with xir parents. So Erun smiles, all fake and perfect, while Dajsper pushes sincerity in their handshake and Volt plans their escape. '"Erun Wiroski, it's a pleasure."' And because Tumaril deserves better, deserves the world, xe doesn't grin. '"I've read your research into biotechnological integration through magical resonance. It's quite ingenious."'

And Tumaril's eyes sparkle the way they always do, and it's truly a pity Dajsper can't kiss him right now. Xe'd really like to.

❊

✵ Revolve Taglist ✵

Lukiat has his arm halfway into his backpack when the rustle of wings and the flutter of wind make themselves known in the room's window. He doesn't turn around at the wood panel's slide against its frame though. He's gotten familiar with the mana signature he can feel from behind it, light and quivering and whirling.

"Running?" comes Kea's voice from the now-open window, immediately followed by the soft thump of feet against the floor.

Lukiat stuffs the last tunic into the backpack and sighs. "I felt a familiar mana signature down at the market. I have to–"

"I know," Kea says, draping one hand over Lukiat's back as he leans beside him. A soft rustle of fabric drops into his open backpack and feather-light lips press to his cheek. "I get it."

"I"m sorry," Lukiat says, voice barely a whisper.

Kea doesn't reply. Not at first. He just keeps one hand on Lukiat's back, claws slightly digging into his coat, and keeps packing away at Zhang existence.

It's only when Lukiat starts to wander the room, patting every surface to tuck away the loose bits, that Kea speaks up, his hand leaving Lukiat's back as he walks over to the makeshift desk. "Y'know, I had plans to leave too in a couple days."

Lukiat's head snaps up, and he whirls around so fast that he nearly loses his balance. Only Kea's hands on his shoulders keep him from falling ."Really?"

A rustle of fabric and wings, and Lukiat can nearly hear the smile in Kea's voice. "It's getting boring here."

"I'm sure it is," Lukiat says before he can think about it.

Kea's laughter puffs air onto his neck. His hands leave Likud shoulders. "Point is, I can pack up quickly, and I don't mind compromising on destination," he says, voice far quieter than usual. Clawed hands grab his, lifting them up between them. "We could go somewhere together."

Lukiat falters, squeezing Kea's hands. "I… I don't know. Wouldn't it be harder to find somewhere to sleep?"

"Not with the right contacts."

"Kea," Lukiat hisses. He tries to step away, but the other holds his hands tight.

"Hear me out, Zhan," he says, quiet as the wind. "You know the kind of jobs I take. I'm not dragging you deep, you know that. And if you want to do this long-term you need a lot more stuff. A fake ID, certifications, covers. We can get those. Void, the Idefexi would even keep an eye on whatever you're running from."

Lukiat sighs. He thumps his head against Kea's shoulder and just leaves it there. "I hate this."

"I'm sor–"

"Don't be," Lukiat interrupts. "You're right. I just…"

"We're not bad people. I promise." Kea pulls away slightly, and his hands come back to Lukiat's shoulders. "Do you trust me?"

"For some insane reason," Lukiat half-laughs. He takes a deep breath and lays a hand over Kea's wrist. "Alright, let's do this. Together."

Kea's wings flutter behind them, sending the slightest breeze through the room as he steps away. "I'll go pack my bag. Meet you at Madam Eripatla's?"

Lukiat hums. "Of course."

Kea's fingers drift over his hand again. "Be right there," he says, before dropping out of the window in a flutter of wings. Lukiat can feel his mana signature fly off. And like a summoned monster, the other he'd recognized passes below the window.

Lukiat flinches away from the glass. He takes a deep breath, steels himself. If Ilibenomk is so dead set on finding him, then Lukiat is going to make himself disappear.

❊

Dani is awfully small, curled up and tucked into Aleji's side. He's always looked tiny, maybe too tiny at times, but like this he seems so much younger than only two years their junior.

Their arms ache, the torn and glitching skin uncomfortable under the long sleeves. They ignore it, and the lightning twinge that shoots up to their shoulder, caught by the tremble of Dani's small frame. If Vez were here, he'd crack a joke. If Leo were, he would hover. Aleji is neither, and they pull Dani further into their side.

In low whispers, they start to weave their story; the magic, and how it hides. That it's okay if fire dances at Dani's fingertips. That of course he doesn't know how to control it, because nobody ever taught him.

Dani doesn't stop staring at his hands like they've betrayed him. "I'm cursed," he whispers, like the words might shatter the very air.

They don't. But Aleji's heart stills in their chest, an ache familiar like the burn of mana under their skin. "Magic isn't a curse. I promise."

"Not that." Dani turns to them, his eyes grayed out and faraway. "I mean cursed. Magic is… weird. But I get it. I don't like fire, but I get it. I mean, my hair is purple and my eyes are red. It's not like I never noticed."

Aleji tilts their head. Their brows furrow. "Then what makes you think you're cursed?"

Dani lifts his hand higher. A rough cut crosses the palm of his hand, slowly oozing dark blood. Aleji yelps and takes his hand. "Why didn't you day anything?"

"Didn't feel it," Dani says, letting them maneuver his whole arm. Aleji whispers a spell over the wound. Dani doesn't even flinch, even though his eyes are still on his hand, looking without seeing. "It's been happening more often. I– had this weird dream a while ago. I don't really remember it but… It was someone. They had horns like a halo, and too many eyes, and mean smile. And now things happen and I don't notice. I never hurt anymore." Dani looks up then, only the tiniest spark to his eyes. "Do you think it was an angel?"

Aleji clutches Dani's hand, memories of cruel cold eyes and scorching pain fluttering over their skin. "Angels don't look like that."

Dani lists to the side, looking away. "It was a curse then."

"Probably."

"I'm cursed."

Aleji closes their eyes. Breathes deeply. "Yeah."

Dani lurches away from them and takes their wrists in his hands. Aleji flinches. "No, Aleji, I'm cursed," he yells. His voice cracks.

Aleji gulps. "Okay."

Dani stares at him. His eyes wide. "Why aren't you running away?"

Aleji lets the whisper dissolve in the silence and meets Dani's eyes. "Are your grandparents gonna be checking on you?"

Dani's brows furrow, but he shakes his head. "They won't notice anyway."

"Come with me then. i want you to meet someone," Aleji says. They climb to their feet, and offer a hand for Dani to help himself up.

Sneaking is second nature, and it is no harder with Dani so small and quiet. It's not hard to lead him into the Ada's jewelry shop, through the Gate to Izerko. It's even easier to evade guards there. The capital is made of twists and tunnels and passages, and there is not a single one that Aleji hasn't mapped before. Even the ones that lead deeper and deeper into the heart of the city, into the palace's winding dark hallways.

The door Aleji stops in front of is like many others, if it weren't for the scent of dandelions and fresh air. Aleji knocks. From behind them, Dani peeks his head.

A single eye, green and golden and bright and tired and unfocused, appears in the sliver of open door. "Ale?"

Aleji smiles. "Yeah. I've got a friend too. Can we come in?"

Behind the door, Luz tilts her head. The door opens without more words, just enough to let them in. Her eyes are firmly on Dani. "I've never seen you before."

"I've never been here before?" Dani says, still halfway behind Aleji. When they step to the side, he glares at them and fiddles on his feet, not looking at anyone. "I'm… not sure why Aleji brought me here. We were talking about something completely else."

Luz tilts her head. A strand of iridescent hair falls out of the complicated hairdo the rest is in. "Oh?"

Dani glances at Aleji, their eyes wide, their brows furrowed. Aleji nods. Dani fidgets with his hands. "Yes. We were… talking and I, uh, I… told them that I… I'm– cursed? I mean–"

"You're like us," Luz interrupts him. She steps forward, her dark dress a blurry of motion that makes her look sickly pale as she takes Dani's hands in her shaking ones, unsteady on her fee at the rapid movement. Aleji lays a hand on her side to steady her.

Dani frowns, his eyes shifting between them and Luz "You… too?"

Luz's eyes crinkle and mist, even as a smile splits her face. "Mhm. Been for a while."

"And…?" Dani starts, looking over at Aleji but not talking.

Luz answers for them, always the better liar of the two. "Ale scares people if they take off their glamour." Ah. So that's how she's playing it.

Dani's eyes furrow, his eyes narrrow. "Being ugly isn't a curse. Even that ugly."

Aleji sends him a betrayed look, but at their side Luz giggles. Like windchimes in the breeze. "Ale, can we keep him?"

"You can't keep peop–"

"I'd like that," Dani interrupts them. He's fiddling with his hands. "You seem– nice."

Luz sends them a smug look over her shoulder. Brighter. "I regret letting you two meet," they say. They regret nothing.

❊

It should have been a quiet day. Classes in the morning, and then shadowing father at a board meeting in the afternoon. Normal. Perfectly ordinary. Ideal conditions to sneak out with Syphe that night to keep the cameras off of him.

Dajsper’s father has an assistant send xem away the second xe steps into the lobby. A situation to take care of at home. It could mean anything from xir mother trying to fire twenty people in the house staff for breaking a vase, to someone dying. Though the second option is far lezs likely. Dajsper still tells xir driver to speed, off to the family townhouse, out in the countryside, rather than the penthouse at the edge of First Terrace.

Xir mother doesn’t say a word when she pulls xem out of the car. Just sends xem to xir room, where a new pressed suit hangs by the mirror and a stylist hangs behind the door. Xe doesn’t sigh and lets xemself be pulled around, to clean off and to be dressed and touched up. Lets xemself be morphed into xir parents’ perfect marionette.

From the fuss everyone is making, xe would dare guess xir parents have found someone to show xem off to. Xe closes xir eyes as the stylist covers up any minor imperfection on xir face, breathing deeply so the heartbreak won’t show.

Seven months. Xe’d almost hoped they had forgotten. Xe can’t tell if it’s cruelty or kindness that they’d waited so long before striking their axe down on xir end of the deal.

The house staff disappears the moment xe gets to the entryway, save for Master Valdig. The old butler just stands at attention by the door, while xir mother leads them to the lounge room right beside. It’s not five minutes later, two hours after xe arrived, that xe spies another car pull up into their driveway through the window, a discreet and somewhat common model, but maintained to perfection.

Master Valdig opens their front door exactly at the same time as the first figure steps out, too covered by the curated trees to see who. Dajsper counts in xir mind as Master Valdig greets the guests and guides them to the lounge. Xir mother and xe both stand up right as a tall broad man with gelled brown hair steps into the room, a young woman right behind him. Dajsper resolutely does not stiffen as xe lets xir mother take point.

‘“Duke Zaintoff. It is an honor to welcome you to our house,”’ she says, her hands relaxed at her front as she nods. ‘“I’m afraid my husband cannot join us right now, but he will be here in a few minutes. I apologize if you were expecting to meet him.”’

‘“It is quite alright. This is just a social visit. I don’t bring business to your door,”’ the Duke says, his smile tight. He doesn’t offer xir mother a handshake.

She still smiles right back. Dajsper steps next to her just as her hand comes up. Perfectly timed to look natural. ‘“Please, allow me to introduce you to our son Erun.”’

‘“It’s an honor to meet you, your grace,”’ xe says, bowing xir head a perfect thirty degree angle.

The Duke smiles the slightest bit wider and offers xem a hand. Interesting. ‘“It’s a pleasure. Though I believe I’ve seen you before at some of the Galas your father has attended.”’

‘“It does not sound unlikely, your grace,”’ xe smiles, shaking the man’s hand — not too strong, but not light, don’t be intimidating and don’t be weak-willed — as xe does so.

The man laughs, a thing so fake it puts xir mother’s paintings to shame. ‘“He is too polite, Madame Wiroski. Ah, may I introduce you to my daughter Liralia, young man?”’

The young woman behind him takes a step forward, giving the slightest nod toward xem first and then xir mother. Dajsper nods back, just a bit lower, and offers her a hand. Palm up, not for a handshake. She doesn’t miss a beat in laying her hand over xirs, and allows xem to pull it higher. Xe doesn’t press a kiss to the back of it, but the gesture is clear. ‘“It’s an honor to meet you, my lady.”’

‘“A pleasure,”’ she returns, her voice flat and… somewhat familiar.

Dajsper glances at the Duke once xe lets go of Lady Zaintoff’s hand. He’s not as good at controlling his expression as the businessmen xe’s been hanging around since xe was eight. The glint in his eyes is clearly approving.

On the other hand, Lady Zaintoff remains silent and impassible. And though her expression is that of a statue, so are her lineaments. Remarkably beautiful, if made colder by her blue eyes and night black hair. If her name didn’t already hint at her being the blood sister of the Imperial Princess, her appearance certainly would do so.

A door opens on the upper floor, where xe knows that secondary entrance is. Xir father’s steps are confident as he comes into the room, pretending to have been in the house the whole time. ‘“Duke Zaintoff. I apologize for being unable to join you right away.”’

‘“It’s truly no problem. Your son is a remarkable young man,”’ the Duke says, offering a handshake to xir father. ‘“I was hoping I could talk to you and your wife in private.”’

‘“Of course. I’m sure our children can be trusted on their own,”’ xir father immediately offers. He sends xem a glance out of the corner of their eye, a clear instruction.

‘“May I suggest the gardens, your grace? The weather is wonderfully pleasant today,”’ xe says, xir head bowed.

The Duke smiles, all business. ‘“That sounds like a wonderful idea, yes. Do take care of my daughter for me, yes?”’

‘“Of course, your grace.”’ Xe turns to Lady Zantoff and gestures to the door leading out onto the patio in the distance. ‘“If you would like to follow me, my lady.”’ Xe waits for her to nod before leading her out, leaving their parents behind.

They walk in silence along the paved path. and Dajsper makes sure to pull out a chair for her so that when he sits they will both have their backs to the cameras. If there is one thing xir father’s arrogance is good for, it’s this: he would never think that Dajsper could outsmart him on purpose.

‘“I apologize for the lack of entertainment. I fear I learned of your visit quite late. Would you care for anything to eat or drink?”’ xe says.

She smiles at xem, just as cold as she’s been the whole time. Tough there’s a spark of interest in her eyes. Suspicion too, and maybe even curiosity. ‘“It’s quite alright, though I suppose I wouldn’t mind some water.’”

Dajsper calls for a staff member with a gesture, asking them to bring water and glasses, but xe pours it for her xemself. As she lifts the glass though, the sun catches on a ring at her right pinky and glints off of it.

It’s nothing more than a detail, almost unnoticeable. That is, if Dajsper hadn’t spent the past two years in close contact with Syphe. And close contact with Syphe trains you to look for details, no matter how unwillingly. Details are, after all, the key to truth. And this? This is a familiar detail, though Dajsper has only seen it in moonlight rather than sunlight.

Almost hesitantly, xe taps a rhythm on the table, blocking the camera’s view with xir shoulders. Lady Zaintoff doesn’t flinch or startle, but she does glance rather intensely at xir hand. No good. ‘“I must admit, I haven’t seen you before at the Galas.”’

‘“I don’t enjoy them much.’” She raises an eyebrow at xem, still as perfect as marble. Her eyes are fixed on xir own though, and she pointedly glances at her hand on the table. ‘“The music is dreadful,’” she says. Beneath it, she taps a rhythm of her own.

Dajsper laughs politely. Xe draws figures on the surface of the table, and speaks when xe catches her looking. ‘“Quite true. May I ask then what music–”’ xe starts, and doesn’t skip a beat when xe lifts his finger from the table mid-sentence. The camera sparks, its circuit fried. What a sudden technical failure– ‘“you enjoy? I’m partial to electronic one myself,’” xe grins.

Lady Zaintoff’s eyes are on the camera — smart, so much smarter than her father made her look like — before settling on xem with a smile. It’s not a kind one. ‘“The kind that covers up the sound of me punching you on a pub floor.”’

Dajsper grins. ‘“Ah, I do think I’ve had the imprint of your ring in my shoulder a couple of times.”’

‘“Fully deserved for being a condescending asshole, I’m sure.’”

There’s the Nova xe knows. ‘“That’s quite the language for a princess,’” xe smiles.

Nova glares at xem, not moving an inch. ‘“That’s a lot of judgment from a sir.”’

Dajsper, secure in the knowledge that no cameras can see xem, grimaces. ‘“Understood.”’

‘“Fortunately, or I would have had to question your so-proclaimed genius,”’ ey says. Ey looks xem up and down and taps eir fingers on the glass. ‘“Should I guess that the ward I’ve heard about lately is a certain volatile ghost?”’

Dajsper smiles sharply. ‘“Has anyone ever told you that you look beautiful when you show off your intelligence?”’

‘“Flattery won’t get you anywhere.”’ Ey looks to the side, where xir father’s study lays within the walls of the house. Xe can see all of their parents through the window.

Nova’s expression shuts down the slightest bit. ‘“How much longer do you think they’ll keep pretending to be giving us a choice?”’

‘“Thirty minutes,”’ xe says. ‘“Maybe forty if your father pulls up something unexpected. My father is extremely direct in his business dealings.”’

Nova snorts, a sound far sadder than anything xe’s heard from em in the year xe’s known em. ‘“That’s all we are to them, aren’t we? Business.’”

‘“The perks of polite society, I’m afraid.”’

Ey doesn’t slump on the table, but eir shoulders lower. The weight of a title. It’s something xe’s familiar with. ‘“Long list?”’ xe asks, if only to pass the time.

Ey meets xir eyes with a soul-tiredness that xe deeply resonates with. ‘“You’re the twenty-third.”’

Dajsper almost whistles. Xe doesn’t, but xir eyebrows shoot up. ‘“You’re the first.”’

‘“They started high.”’

‘“They started late,”’ xe corrects. ‘“I… traded my ability to choose months ago.”’

Nova’s eyebrow rises again. ‘“In exchange for taking in this ward?’”

‘“Someone really should have said something about your smarts.”’

‘“I’m taking that as a yes.”’ Ey’s brows furrow and Ey scowls at xem. ‘“Why would you ever trade your choice for that ghost? That’s just idiotic.”’

Dajsper clicks xir tongue, but holds xir words at bay. ‘“He wasn’t safe on the streets.”’

‘“You’re fucking with me.”’

Dajsper meets Nova’s eyes and slowly shakes their head. Ey huffs, low and bothered. ‘“Fuck me, Wraith is a street kid. How in Void did he survive in the Underground? Isn’t he, like, twelve?”’

‘“Thirteen as best as the doctors can guess.”’

Nova’s lips pull downward. ‘“And to get him off the streets, you’re getting married off at seventeen?”’

‘“Eighteen in two weeks. If they can push whatever they have planned off until then, no one can accuse them of pressuring me anymore,”’ xe says, grabbing the carafe to refill xir glass.

Nova barks out a sad laugh. ‘“Yeah, I’m familiar with the concept. Eighteen in a little more than a month.”’

‘“And dead if we get caught in the Underground?”’ Dajsper asks, only half joking.

‘“Disowned at the very least. And with that it’s anyone’s guess,”’ ey huffs, lifting eir glass in a mock-toast.

Dajsper turns again to look through the window. They’re still talking animatedly. Xe narrows xir eyes. ‘“Say. I may have a… proposition for you.”’

‘“Go on.”’

‘“It’s rather hard to be caught by a member of the Underground,”’ xe starts. ‘“I know I wouldn’t catch anyone. Would you?”’

Nova raises eir brow, but grins. ‘“I would not. Are you suggesting an alliance perhaps?”’

‘“I am. The problem is convincing our parents. Well, more your father,”’ xe amends.

Ey snorts. ‘“Relies entirely on your parents. He won’t listen to my requests.”’

‘“Ass,’” xe mutters, which gets xem a laugh from Nova.

‘“That’s him alright. I suppose I may have an additional proposition for you as well though,”’ ey grins. ‘“How do you feel about causing a scandal?”’

Dajsper tilts xir head and smiles sadly. ‘“I try to keep the scandalous ways in the Underground, I fear. I still need to be my parents’ perfect son.”’

‘“Erun Dessiv Wiroski, isn’t that right? Though you don’t seem a lot like him right now,”’ ey challenges with a raised eyebrow. ‘“Though to be fair you don’t seem like Voltage either. You don’t make me want to punch you as much.”’

‘“You’re not as much fun to irritate as Nova either, Lady Zaintoff,”’ xe says.

Ey huffs. ‘“That’s more like it.’”

Dajsper sighs and glances back at the window. Their parents’ discussion seems to be winding down. They’re running out of time. ‘“I suppose I’m not… opposed to the idea. But I can’t be as much of an active participant.”’

‘“I’m alright with taking the fall for it,”’ ey says. ‘“As long as I get to start a fight the next time I see Voltage. There’s a caged match that I was really looking forward to tonight.”’

‘“I could have Wraith place a bet for you, if you’d like.”’

‘“I still want my bar fight.”’

‘“Then I guess that shall be the price I pay,”’ xe says.

Nova grins. It’s a feral thing that makes xem think of bloodied fists and chipped teeth. ‘“Would you cause a scandal with me then, Erun?”’ ey says, offering xem eir hand with the palm down.

This time, when xe takes it, xe does press a kiss to its back. ‘“I would be honored to. Though I suppose if we are to be accomplices, you may as well call me Dajsper. It’s the name I favor.”’

‘“You may call me Irami then,”’ ey offers, a wry smile on eir lips.

Dajsper smiles. Xe stands up and offers a hand to Irami, the perfect picture of a gentleman. ‘“Well then, Irami, may I suggest the art room? It’s suitably excusable and out of the way without being ignored.”’

‘“How daring. That sounds like a truly wonderful idea,”’ ey returns, taking xir hand to stand and putting eir hand on xir elbow when xe offers it. ‘“I do hope your reputation holds true. If you’re not at the very least a good kisser, I will be severely disappointed.”’

‘“I suppose you will find out for yourself soon,”’ xe says. Ey laughs, a clear and ringing sound that makes xem smile. It might not end up the worst thing to happen to xem, whatever comes from this.

It might even, as Irami presses them into a wall and pushes eir lips against xirs, be fun. It certainly is when a housemaid finally finds them — breathless, Dajsper’s suit jacket somewhere on the floor and xir pressed shirt halfway off — and yells. And as someone pulls Irami off of xem, xe’s forced to admit ey might be the better kisser of the two. Xe’s never been quite this dizzy.

❊