(x)

(Following this, years ago)

Anchorite Trianaar’s eyes flashed dangerously as Voshanin fled into the crowd, leaving her with this white-suited buffoon in silver mask. She may have appreciated his dark hair and strong, handsome jaw, but she didn’t care for the idiotic grin on his face, after he noticed that his friend and companion had both disappeared.

“That didn’t take very long,” Vindicator Theothar chirped, as though pleased, but not surprised with the development.

Trianaar was less enthused. “What didn’t?” her voice held an edge.

Theothar waved a big, white-gloved hand. “Nothing.” He plopped down next to her. “So! Anchorite Trianaar, was it? You know, that is a lovely dr--”

“Who was that?” she interrupted him, her tail flicking.

“Who?” he blinked, baffled.

“The woman you escorted here tonight, Vindicator.” Though not an Exarch herself, being the direct progeny of one apparently gave her authority to question him as a superior.

For an instant, Theothar felt cornered, his heart hammering not unlike how it did when Ishnia really lit a fire under his tail. “Oh! Uh… my friend Veri. P-Peacekeeper Veriinya, I mean. Why?”

“A Peacekeeper?” Trianaar’s expression softened, as though washed in relief. Nothing to worry about then. Not someone who had any kind of real importance or clout, and she wasn’t even all that pretty. Trianaar assured herself that Voshanin would return soon. In the meantime, she could entertain herself with this clod. “What were you saying, then? I’m sorry I interrupted… Theo.” She smiled, silky.

His worry prickled with alarm on the fringes. “I was just saying that… It’s a really lovely dress! Yes. And your mask, it’s so… pointy.” His hand waved around, helpless.

Trianaar laughed, a false, empty sound, but she looped her arm with the man’s and pulled close against his elbow. Might as well give Voshanin a taste of what he might stand to lose, while she waited for him to get his head on straight. At least for the moment, her drink was full.

This prompt has been in my inbox for months, and I’ve tried repeatedly to sit down and write it and each time… I keep stopping and going ‘hnngh’ because this was a really pivotal event in her life in both the MU and the AU and I wanted to do it justice.  

Today… I realized I needed to approach it from a different angle.

He adjusted the frothy lace at his cuffs, grimacing as the delicate fabric snagged on the gem-encrusted embroidery that impregnated the heavy cloth at his wrists.  Trianaar had picked out the outfits and he found himself wondering anew why he had agreed to escort her to this Naaru-damned monkey show.

“Smile, Voshanin.  You look as though you’ve been sucking lemons.”   The speaker smiled, her dark hair piled high on her head, gold glittering at horns and ears, echoed in the embroidery on her heavy frock coat and fitted leggings.   Ishnia leaned in closer, although the music and conversation swirling around them made it unlikely that they would be overheard.   “I don’t want to be here either, but if I have to play politics, you do too.”

Voshanin turned to answer her, sarcasm rising to the tip of his tongue, when a stir at the entrance to the courtyard drew his eye.  Large crystal fixtures had been affixed at regular intervals to provide soft illumination as the evening progressed, and two familiar figures had paused beneath one to speak with the Peacekeeper on duty.

Theo, he recognized immediately.  He had seen the elaborate mask hanging in his friend’s office the day before.  His companion, on the other hand… he knew the curve of those horns, the gleam of that silver hair, but he was more accustomed to seeing Veriinya in armor, not a dress. Especially not one that showed as much pale skin as the one she was wearing did. 

“Better close your mouth, you’ll catch flies.”   Ishnia’s fingers curled around his forearm, her grip iron-hard.   “There are eyes on you, man.  If you’re too blind to see what’s been right under your nose all this time, she is not cursed with the same affliction.”  

She was right.  Voshanin looked away in time to find Tria’s eyes on him from across the courtyard.  He couldn’t manage a smile for her- not with Veriinya’s radiant figure emblazoned across his mental landscape- so he retreated into formality, offering her a slight bow.  

When he turned his attention back to his commander, he found approval in her eyes.   “I must stroke the necessary egos in order to secure the funding for those equipment upgrades you’ve been bleating about.   If I have to kiss Exarch ass, you can kiss an Exarch’s daughter.  Make her happy, Voshanin.  That’s an order.”  

She turned away without giving him the opportunity to reply, her coattails flaring as she strode into the crowd, pausing here and there to speak with someone; invariably a highly placed Anchorite or one of the Exarchs. 

Veriinya was floating.   She had spent three weeks making her dress and mask, and it had been worth every punctured finger.  As soon as Theo had invited her to accompany him to the Masquerade, she had begun planning their costumes with delight and great enthusiasm, working with a the black and silver color scheme.

Theo’s response when he arrived to escort her had been everything she had hoped for.   He looked resplendent, his crisp white clothing contrasting beautifully with his dark skin and hair.  He was the perfect foil for her paleness sheathed in black.  

Theo had paused to greet a cluster of acquaintances, leaving Veri to her own devices.  She turned to watch the gathered guests and found herself face to face with a tall man she didn’t recognize; although the fine tooling in his leather mask and the ornateness of his costuming suggested someone of wealth or influence… likely both.  

The stranger smiled, gesturing toward the area roped off for dancing. “A dance, madam?”

Theo was still occupied, so she offered her hand, dimples appearing in her cheeks as she nodded her agreement, gesturing toward his mask.  “Should I tremble with fear, when asked to dance by a wolf?”

"Ahh, to be compared to a wolf.  Are you worried I will take a bite?"    White teeth flashed against dark skin as he took her hand and led her into the opening steps to the choros, his smile flashing again as she followed his lead effortlessly.  “You are quite a surprise, Peacekeeper.   I am impressed.”  Instead of the simpler version of the dance, he began leading her into the more intricate version, his pleasure that she could keep up evident.

Veriinya laughed as he drew her hands over her head, then took her waist and spun her away, her skirts flaring around her legs, although she was confused.   Who...?   He knew her, or knew of her, which was not entirely out of the realm of possibility.  

She didn't know many of the higher ranking figures at Karabor, but hers was a terribly public position.   She didn’t have time to consider before she had to shift her balance, her hips shifting so her hooves could tap out the sensual movements the dance required.    “I am afraid you have the advantage of me, sir… but I cannot say I am displeased to have made an impression.”

His laughter, low and rich, rumbled in her ear before the dance steps sent her prancing away, her arm sliding over the broad expanse of his shoulders. 

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?”   Trianaar pressed against his side, a glass of something golden and bubbly in her hand.  Voshanin forced himself to smile down into her face with an internal sigh.  Gods above, please don’t put me in the position where I must kiss this woman.  

“It certainly is.”   He felt a momentary flash of irritation; wishing unfairly that he had a different woman on his arm.  Ishnia was right; Trianaar was an important personage, and a favorable word with her father would go a long way toward securing the garrison's budget for the next quarter.

"Voshanin!"  A glass of something pale and sparkling was thrust into his hand as an arm went around his shoulders.  "You didn't tell me you had such a captivating companion for the evening! Introduce me!"

Theo.  Naaru bless you.   "Vindicator Theothar, this is Anchorite Trianaar.  Tria, Theo."   He started to go on, but looked up to see Veriinya, her long legs gleaming in the light as she tilted her head back, her lips curved in delight as someone drew her in close on the dancing floor.   He felt a flash of recognition as he took in her partner, noting the dark hair, the breadth of shoulders...   She turned gracefully, spinning away, then back into the arms of...  "Ahh, would the two of you excuse me a moment?"    Shit.  Shit shit SHIT.  Of everyone she could find at this party, it had to be him?

The dance had ended by the time he made his way through the throng of partygoers, and Veri, along with her dance partner... was nowhere to be seen.