Private Tales A Softer Side

[Livia Quinnick]

Artesto. It made her smile, it breaking into a grin as she curled her arms tighter around him. "Then it is a good thing I have brothers to continue this family name." Livia rolled onto the tips of her toes to close the distance to his lips, leaving him with a soft brush of a kiss.

"From now on... I will wait to tell you." It was a promise she needed to make after seeing the hurt and frustration cross his face earlier. "At least try to. I do not expect to kill anyone else in the near future..." The guilt had been too much for her to bear, to simply do what she did best and sweep her emotions under the rug. Tell Arran was in the past now, many months gone now and it had not changed things between herself and the Initiate she had bedded with hours before their own near deaths.

Liv leaned her head so that it rested at Silas' shoulder, her breath tickling his neck. "You know there is no one else that I feel for the way I do for you? No one else I would go ahead and introduce to my family? I am always going to choose you, Silas... you." And she kissed his neck once, smiling.

A knock came at the door, and Okko's voice could be heard. "You are both not pashing are you? Mother's carriage is coming through the gates, if you would like to make your way to the dining room, Livs." And the sound of his footsteps receding came next.

Livia took a deep breath in. "In all honesty, I think she will like you. It would be hard to show, but I know she will. You grew up in the guard, your parents were guards, were they not? Mother will respect that foremost."

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

Silas closed his eyes and smiled against the brief touch of her lips against his. Until tonight, he hadn't considered the idea of marrying Quill to be a viable one, at least not so soon. This, though, the two of them in one another's arms, talking about it so naturally... It felt right. Like he'd be wrong not to wed her.

Gods know how many people spend their entire lives looking for a connection like theirs... Why shouldn't he seize it while it was in front of him? As Livia rested her head on his shoulder and breathed the warmth from her lungs into the skin of his neck, he felt the tension in his body melt away, the stress in his gut leaving him in a sigh.

"We're Dreadlords, Quill... Initiates, at least. Killing people comes with the job..." It wasn't an easy part, granted, and Livia seemed to take it harder than a lot of them. Now, he understood where that disdain for killing came from. It had been instilled in her since her youth when her hand had been forced against her own flesh and blood. Soft lips pressed against his neck, and Silas shivered underneath her touch. "I don't think there's anybody out there who makes me feel the way you do, Quill... I've checked."

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Silas pulled his head away from hers, a bit worried about being walked in on by her Mother, of all people. Thankfully, it was Okko giving them fair warning to ready themselves. Given what was coming next, Silas wasn't sure how much better that made him feel, though.

Stepping back away from Livia, he brushes himself off and does the best he can manage of fixing his tousled hair. He nodded to Liv's assurances and offered his arm for her to loop hers around, still a bit flushed in the face despite her comforts.

"Respecting my folks and respecting me are different things, though..."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

She hushed his worries and words with another kiss before pulling him beside her. Guiding him through the halls of her home, Livia and Silas arrived to the dining room that she had spent many dinners and parties in growing up. Her seat had always been on the right side of her father, who sat at the head of the table, but relief fell over her when she saw the setting had been reserved for Bannon. To Bannon's side, their mother.

"We are to sit on the left side, as guests." She was not sure if she should read into that detail more than needed, but decided that she had been away from home for over three years now. Bannon was heir, not their father's favourite.

Livia did not sit down immediately. Hand still wrapped around Silas', she took one last moment to look up at him. "You truly do look handsome... let that not distract us later when I intend to show you more of my home. Promise?"

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

That they were the first to arrive in the dining room did offer some relief. It would have been far worse to enter with the eyes of her family trained on their every move. At the very least, this gave him time to settle into his surroundings before the onslaught of pure awkwardness began.

Looking over the table, Silas noted where Livia mentioned they were to sit, along the left side of the table. If there was any significance to the seating positions it was lost on him, but he figured Quill would tell him if it was something he needed to know.

Better to focus on the table and the seating than the rest of the immaculate dining hall; he feared taking it all in at once would blind him with sheer sensory overload. How people lived in these palatial estates escaped him-- it was all just so damned excessive.

Liv turned around to stare up at him one more time before they took their seat, and Silas offered that lazy smile of his in response to her words, a brow quirking up suggestively. "You sure? I think a distraction or two might be fun, in the right place..." He snickered, nodding gently, and leaning in to pepper a soft kiss along the edge of her lips. "I promise. I'll behave."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia fended off his small kisses, giggling and fixing him with what was an attempt at a serious face but she could not help but smile in his presence. It was such an odd feeling to have him here when she had spent so many dinners here just the family. "Silas!" She protested, this time taking a step away to plead with him. "We do not have much time here, and I would like to show you the home I grew up in. Who knows when we can sneak away for a night again?" Perhaps this may be the only chance she had to have her brothers and mother to get to know Silas. There was no way of knowing of where they both will be after graduation, but she hoped they both would be together.

The doors opened, and in filtered Okko. He shot them a grin and wink, stepping aside to allow the next guests to walk in.

Bannon found Livia quickly, a smile there that she suspected slipped from him before he could fathom she really was here. Attached to his arm, a woman of blonde hair pinned at the nape of her neck, and despite not dressed for the formal dinner, was still immaculate in fashion. Idella Quinnick had been fussing with her second son before his pause allowed her to look at the spread on the table. Seeing that there were two more place settings than usual, the icy gaze began to look around the room before falling on Livia and Silas.

"Livia..." Surprised, but she made no move to her only daughter.

Liv cleared her throat and turned to dip herself into a low curtsy, her head bowed slightly before lifting her green gaze to her mother. "It is good to see you again, Mama." She stepped to the side, taking Silas' hand and leading him closer to her mother. "This is Silas Artesto. We are... courting I guess." A strained smile there, but it was Okko who came to the rescue of both Initiates.

"You may get a wedding out of your children yet, mother!" He mused, grinning and winking once more before clapping Silas' shoulder. "Not everyone can be at a standard you trained our dear sister into having. Seems he did."

"Yes, perhaps we should sit at the table. The first course is probably waiting for us to settle." Bannon moved to withdraw the seat at the head of the table, gesturing for his mother to take it.

Livia shot Ko a look, surprised he would not sit at the head being the Lord of the house, but she had never sat at the table without her father before. She then looked at Silas and gave him a small smile. "Ignore Okko." And his talk of marriage they were still much too early to even contemplate. Her words made the elder Quinnick brother huff at his sister.

"Right. Rules of the house, if you remember your etiquette, Silas is to sit closest to Mother. It is only good manners that the guest gets proper time to converse with the head of the table." Okko gave them both a look before drifting to take his seat on the right of his mother. At least if Silas got lost in conversation and needed a save, Okko would be opposite him to help.

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

This was it, the moment they'd all been waiting for. Everybody except him, it seemed. Silas' eyes were drawn to the doors as they swung open, the sound of footsteps echoing into the room from beyond them. Every time somebody walked from the doorway into the dining room, Artesto felt himself flinch.

First it was Okko, the brother he'd gotten somewhat familiar with. Then came Bannon, and with him was a woman who Silas initially thought to perhaps be Bannon's own partner. She was an older woman, and not as formally dressed as the rest of them, but then she had no need to dress up when the aura of importance she exuded seemed to serve her just as well.

Silas looked past her, tilting his head to focus back on the doorway. Odd, nobody else seemed to be coming through. Livia's mother was either taking her time, or Okko had seated them too early after all. Gods, this was stressful. Why couldn't they just--

"Livia..."

The blonde woman spoke, and Silas snapped back to her. Only now did he connect the dots he'd anxiously looked past. This was no ordinary woman, this was Livia's mother.

And she was staring icy daggers at him.

Quill moved as quick as lightning, slipping her hand into his and pulling him over to stand in front of Idella. Artesto wasn't usually one to be intimidated, but something about all of the stories he'd heard about this matriarch, and the fact he was quite openly dating her daughter... it made him shrink under her presence.

Thank god Liv was there to do all the talking. She got the proper introduction out of the way, and Okko moved in for support before Idella could expect Silas to say anything himself. At least one of her brothers was trying to throw him a bone, if Okko wasn't already a rich man, Artesto would have offered him all he had to keep up the good work.

Still, that nagging common sense bug in the back of his blonde-matted head reminded him that he'd damn well better say something.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." Silas bowed his head slightly. "Livia has told me much of you."

At least he hadn't stammered. That was due to change though, being that he was to be seated beside her. Lords, these ritzy types even had assigned dinner seating? What was the point? He held back his gripes as he found his spot, shifting uncomfortably into his chair as he tried to focus on Okko across from him more than the head of the house sitting next to him.

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

"I wish that either of my sons gave me enough notice so that I may have dressed for such an occasion." Idella voiced as Bannon helped her in her seat. Her icy stare found Livia, who regarded her mother with the skilled patience of an Initiate. "Or perhaps been told my daughter was home."

For now, Silas escaped the matriarch's scrutiny.

"The Lord Quinnick saw us both in Vel Anir. Invited us to dine. I, too, wished there was more time to prepare. Luckily, Silas here has a most useful magic in traveling fast." Livia gave Idella a polite smile. "It is good to see you again, Mama." She repeated the words she had used not even a minute ago.

Idella let out a soft sigh before casting a glance to her sons. "So it is just the Lord's whim this evening is such an affair? I thought we had agreed to a celebration after her graduation. To celebrate Livia's eighteenth birthday."

"She could be shipped off to the North, or the West for all we know. Let us steal her for a night. After all, there is much to celebrate now that Little Livi is a better master of her magic." Okko beamed at her. "The first Quinnick Dreadlord! We should have booted you off to the Academy sooner."

"I can feel the love, Ko." Livia rolled her eyes as the first course was being set before each of them. A warmed soup, most likely something light and creamy, but delicious nonetheless.

Idella now turned to Silas.

"Artesto? Affiliation with the Guards?"

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

Silas, by his own admission, had a big mouth that oft got him into trouble. That didn't mean he didn't know when it needed to stay shut though. The boy seemed to shrink back into his seat as the Quinnick matriarch had a bit of verbal sparring with her children, understandably irked by the unannounced nature of this meeting.

Sil had figured that might lose him a few points, but it seemed Idella was reasonable enough to not blame him for the choice that hadn't been his. Small favors, he supposed. In actuality, he was more concerned about anything being taken out on Livia. His love didn't seem as chummy with her mother as some parent-child pairs, but he could tell Idella's opinion held weight with Quill.

He didn't want her to lose favor over him.

Thankfully, Okko seemed an expert on navigating these treacherous waters, and with only a few reassurances it seemed Idella's ire was averted, at least for the moment. Silas managed to muster a small smile as his eyes briefly met Livia's his shoulders unwinding a bit as he allowed his defenses to dip, just a tad. It helped that whatever brew it was that was being passed around the table had an aroma that was to die for.

"Wow..." Silas held back the obscenity he would normally have used instead. "That smells incredible! May I ask what it is?" He hadn't even tasted the soup yet, and already wanted to know where he could scrounge some for himself once he'd left. Alas, Idella had finally seen fit to address him. At his name, Silas sat straight up and nodded quickly.

"Yes ma'am. Raised by the Guard until my talent manifested and I could be sent to the Academy. I'm to graduate beside Livia."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Graduation.

Her family blinked at her, as if remembering truly that they had sent her away to the Academy to learn to control her magic, to become the first Quinnick Dreadlord. The fact that she was already ready to graduate after four years of attending seemed to remind them how long it had been since they truly saw Livia living in this estate. Bannon contemplated this after sipping from his spoon, Okko had tried his best to not think too much on the night he escorted his youngest sibling to an institution known for the cutthroat life as an Initiate.

Idella simply was surprised with her only daughter.

"Sylvian... Artesto. Is that your father? Was good friends of my brother's, Fionn Adalstein. Elves murdered him when he was unarmed... your father attended the funeral." Livia had not heard her mother speak of the uncle who died before Bannon had been born, and it was probably back then that Idella Quinnick had talked at length about the Guard. The remaining siblings of Idella's and their grown children were all in the Guard, stationed in Vel Anir. Only on a few occasions had Livia seen a cousin or two during a mission, but they always kept to themselves than socialise with a Dreadlord, even an Initiate.

"Mother used to be a Lieutenant before she was married off to... my father." Livia hesitated at the word, but quickly spooned some soup to her mouth to keep from talking more. After a few spoonfuls, she brought up her gaze and looked to those sitting at the table. "She taught Ko and Ban how to wield a sword when they were young."

Even with her education at the Academy, she was still bitter that her mother had taught her something instead of Anirian Guards and their weaponry.

"Have you kept up with your ballet training, Livia?" Idella did not raise her gaze to meet her daughter's, busying herself with consuming her soup at a leisurely pace.

Livia stiffened, turning her head to stare at the sweet mead being poured into her crystal goblet by an attendant. "When I could not sleep, I would train until my feet bled. Just like the sessions I did with you." There was hardness in her voice, as if she were treading lightly around a topic she loathed but all the same took pride in. Not many got to see her as a ballerina, but knew of her to be a capable dancer. She was no free spirit like Houri when she danced. Livia was conditioned to pain to get her feet and legs and body to move with precision and grace.

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

It was rare for anybody to speak of Silas' father to him. He had been a decorated man during his years of service, but as time passed on from his demise, so too did the memory of Sylvian Artesto. Sometimes, it almost felt taboo to speak of him, the Proctors would often shoot him looks when he said the name, he could've sworn.

That didn't quite make sense, though. Why wouldn't they speak of a celebrated war hero? The thought troubles Silas at times, but the memory of his parents was painful enough that he didn't mind not talking about them.

Regardless, he nodded along with Livia's mother. "Yes, Sylvian was my father. Azia Artesto my mother." He confirmed. Quite honestly, Silas remembered little of them; He'd been so young when they'd passed that the images in his mind were blurry and unfocused. Still, when he held his father's belongings, he still felt as though he were there.

His attempted compliment towards the soup seemed to fall on deaf ears, so he busied himself with eating the food, rather than praising it. It gave him something to do with his mouth that wouldn't land him in hot water-- He'd done well so far, but Silas couldn't help the feeling that this conversation was a precarious one. At the very least, the meal was delicious enough to ease his anxiety.

When the topic of dancing arose, however, he was unable to help himself. Lowering his spoon, he clears his throat and speaks up. "Livia was incredible at the Academy Dance a few months ago. She practically had a line of people waiting to dance with her." It was a slight exaggeration, but Livia had been popular that night, and she was far from a slouch in the dancing department.

Though he hadn't had the chance to experience that yet.

It was strange, though, that Livia spoke of ballet as something she resorted to on sleepless nights. Silas had certainly never seen her feet bleeding, and...

Well, he was usually what she truly resorted to.

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Idella's lips pursed at the mention of the Dance. She had picked out a dress made of Quinnick blue and pearl, but her daughter had went in something more pearl and pale brass. Nobility were sticklers for dressing in their house colours, but when her life had always been blue dresses and pearls, it was not nay wonder why Livia had gone her own way.

Livia gave Silas a small smile, opening her mouth to say something, but Bannon shot in quickly.

"Danced with a Urahil boy, I heard."

Okko raised his brows in surprise, giving his sister an appraising look.

Ban chuckled, "At least she brought home someone that grew up with the Guard, Mother and not a Urahil." Livia snorted at her brother, rolling her eyes but again, giving Silas a small smile. Her foot reached out to tap his leg, comfortable at least in this moment.

It was not like Livia ever thought about bringing home a boy, perhaps not until an engagement had been made.

There was idle talk throughout the soup course, and before long, the main course was being served. Stuffed chicken breast with beautifully glazed vegetables and a helping of mashed potatoes, it was not something they would have served at the Academy. Livia delighted at her plate, leaning in to murmur to Silas. "Mashed potatoes might be my favourite thing to eat and no one does it better than Lucerno. He studied culinary at Vel Lameus."

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

Silas had to try his very utmost not to cackle at Bannon's interjection. At the time, he'd been jealous of Leander for getting to dance with Livia, not to mention practically hanging off of her arm the whole first half of the night. That had worn off quickly, though, once it'd been revealed she'd more or less been trying to rile Silas up and make him envious by doing so.

Against the wishes of his humor, Artesto spared the table that detail, instead looking over at Livia as he felt her foot briefly brush against his leg. All things considered, he was happy with how things had turned out. They'd led her to him, and even if this was a somewhat uncomfortable affair, it was all the more simple with her sitting beside him.

"Bird-Boy and Zeph got sent through Lameus last week... came back with a bunch of neat stuff." Silas muttered back, reaching under the table with the hand not holding his spoon and resting it gently on her thigh. "We should go there, sometime. Sounds like it'd be a fun place for a getaway night." And one where they wouldn't likely run into her family and get dragged to dinner.

True to Quill's word, the main course was just as exquisite as the soup had been. Hell, Silas had thought the soup was the main course with its quality. the stuffed chicken and mashed potatoes were at a level they'd never serve at the Academy, and it'd cost you a fair bit of coin in town too.

"Again, I do apologize if I've intruded tonight." Silas piped up as the family prepared to eat. His hand squeezed Liv's leg gently as he addressed Idella. "The idea was suggested to us, and... Well, I feel strongly about Livia, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to show a little assertive action, yeah?"

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

"Ah, come off it, Silas!" Okko grinned, looking proudly around the table. "I invited you. Even if you were not a suitor of my sister, just a friend or an acquaintance, I would have still extended the invitation."

"Although I would hate to think what this assertion would come to." Bannon muttered.

"Ko said I can be free in my choice of suitors, not like the other girls." Livia said as she sliced her her vegetables delicately into small pieces.

"On the condition that I would still approve.. and I certainly do." The Lord Quinnick gave Silas a reassuring grin and wink. "If he lasted this long with her, then I think that speaks volumes on his part."

Idella cleared her throat, before taking a sip of her sparkling wine. "Regardless of all that, I still expect you to take steps out in society, Livia. If you intend to serve in the reserves, then you have time to reconnect with Vel Anir society. Of course, Mister Artesto can escort you."

Liv lifted her gaze to her mother, watching her face. It was big of her to extend such a courtesy, but she knew Okko's word as Lord had to be obeyed. "Thank you, Mother." Of course, it was a fair suggestion as Livia needed to rekindle with society if she wished to take over the pearl trades in the family. "I am sure if Silas has the time, we can attend a few balls." Where he would need more silk vests and luxury jackets made for him.

 

[Silas Artesto]

More dances? To say Silas had mixed feelings about the idea of attending formal balls was an understatement. He felt himself cringe at the suggestion, but then Livia would be on his arm the whole time, openly displayed as his partner. For all the trouble of dressing up and palling around with the rich and snobby, to be seen together with her in such a major way... well, it had its appeal.

"I can make time, I'm sure." Silas was able to force the words out, despite not being sure how he felt about them. It was probably a big deal for Quill's mom to give her the blessing to parade her around that kind of crowd, he figured. To refuse it wouldn't earn him any points. Cutting off a piece of chicken and popping it between his lips, he bit down to hold back any reaction to Okko's implications, intended or otherwise.

It didn't stop the near moan he let out around the absolutely divine meat, though. God damn, if food could taste this good, why didn't more people make it like this? Seemed downright backward to force tasteless slop down your gullet when you didn't have to!

"Livia didn't tell me she was aiming for the reserves though, I suppose we just hadn't discussed that yet." He glanced beside him at his girlfriend, raising an eyebrow. Silas had intended to serve as a Dreadlord, and he'd more or less expected her to be right there with him. If the reserves were something she wanted, though... Artesto would consider changing his goal.

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia sighed, giving her brothers a pointed look before turning her head to look to Silas.

"It was my plan from the start." Because she never had thought she would be useful more much else.

Bannon gave her a weak smile, but it was her mother that spoke instead. "Forgive us, we are unaware if your plans have changed, Livia. It was your word that we were not to communicate while you were at the Academy."

Livia could hear it veiled in her words. Hurt. Just like the hurt she experienced leaving home and leaving behind the worst memory she had. What she had cost their family.

Clearing her throat, she began cutting up her food again. "Plans can change." She said simply. There were other avenues she could serve under, like the Vigilite, which have extended an invitation for her to meet with them.

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

Silas wasn't sure how he felt about the blunt declaration, or whether the guilt in his gut for dredging up what seemed to be a sore topic was justified or now. For now, he gave a neutral nod, turning to look back down at his plate.

The reserves... they'd never been his plan. Silas wanted to serve, wanted to be out there doing the best he could for his home. It's what his parents would have wanted for him, what he owed the Guards who helped raise him. In all the chaos, maybe he'd just assumed Livia wished for the same.

Obviously, she had other plans.

He knew Quill was somewhat insecure about the utility of her magic, and while he'd done his best to encourage her to see the potential she had, there was only so much Silas could say. He was no therapist.

"No matter her decision, I intend to remain by her side." He instead affirms, offering a small smile, if for no other reason than to distract from his worry. "So long as she'll have me."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

All she could do was reward Silas with an appreciative smile. The rest of the dinner would pass by with pleasantries and idle small talk, allowing Livia and Silas to tell some stories about their missions and life at the Academy. Her brothers listened eagerly, whereas Idella made little contribution to the stories being told.

Dessert was served, a helping of apple pie and cream, something Livia had wished they could take back with them to the Academy because she knew Houri was a sweet tooth, and Thraah would never say no to an opportunity for delicious sweet treats. Perhaps the recipe would suffice and they could attempt it one of these upcoming Midnight Munchies adventures.

With the close of dinner, the diners retired to the sitting room, a different room to the one Livia had shown Silas on arrival. It was here that Idella now got a proper look at her daughter. "Let me see your posture."

It was not a straight spine and relaxed shoulders she was after, but Livia sighed and left Silas' side to kick off her shoes and stretch her feet a little before taking the stance she always had when her mother instructed her. Her left foot stood on their toes, the foot arching like a seasoned ballerina, her right leg straight and lifted behind her as her arms came to gracefully hold position.

"Well... your legs are still strong. Core too." Bannon and Okko watched, moving to take seats by the gentle fire burning in the hearth. They invited Silas to sit with them, leaving the mother and daughter to catch up the only way they knew how. "But your arms. You built muscle, and have no corrected your pose."

"I am holding them steady." Livia countered.

"Yes, I can see that." Idella then pressed her hand against Livia to test her balance and resolve.

Unyielding.

"Happy?" The younger inquired. Idella hummed and shrugged. Livia relaxed, falling back to the flat of her feet and smoothed her dress skirts out of habit. She looked to Silas, giving him a small smile. "See? Been dancing since I was three." Professional, calculated, and easy to adapt. Not a free spirit that hears the emotion in music, but rather the swell of the melodies that would pair with her own movement and stature.

 

[Silas Artesto]

There was nothing quite like a little tension in the air to really bring out the flavor in your food. Maybe it was because Silas had come into this little get-together expecting some sort of dramatic confrontation, but the absence of one almost felt even more stifling. Every bite he took for the remainder of the meal, he found himself stealing looks at the family surrounding them, half expecting one of them to finally tire of the charade and throw down the gauntlet.

The gauntlet never came, and the rest of the meal was painfully cordial. When the plates lay empty and the glasses dry, Idella led the lot of them to another room, which seemed to serve no other purpose but to sit in after dinner. Artesto held his tongue, but what he had thought was a wondrous estate now began to verge on excessive.

At least, until he sank into the cushioned chair he was offered and felt his stress melt away against the cloud-like seat. Forget about excessive, give him thirty of these chairs, a fresh one for every month.

He turned to ask as much of Okko, when he noticed both of the brothers looking rather stoically forward, to the mother-daughter pair's somewhat odd reunion. Silas felt his lips curl, not at what Livia was being asked to do, but the expression on her face. Quill hid it well, but Artesto knew when she wasn't enjoying something. This song and dance, being tested on her posture like a little porcelain doll? Silas wanted to snap at Idella for her.

If he didn't know that Liv would take the brunt of the punishment for such an outburst, he would have.

Instead, he bit his tongue and waited for Idella to finish. Only when she seemed satisfied that she wasn't going to find any obvious faults did she back off, and Livia offered him a comforting smile.

"See? Been dancing since I was three."

"You've been holding out on me." He teased back, leaning forward in his chair. "Here I thought you were just worried I'd outshine you this whole time. Guess I'm the one who needs to worry about that." Not that their dance would involve much toe-standing. Silas had other things in mind for the two of them, much more exhilarating. Ballet wasn't exactly a couples activity anyway.

"And for the record," He spoke quietly as Idella stepped away. "I think the muscle is a plus."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia gave him a raised brow, staring at him coyly.

A knock came at the door, and a maid reminded Okko he had to pay visit to a friend. With a curse, and a sheepish apology to his mother, Okko came to embrace Livia tightly, before clapping Silas on the back and said his farewells. He would see them at breakfast in the morning, and then he was gone to play noble Lord even as the hour grew late on the time keeper.

"And I think I should retire now." Idella did look weary, and Livia remembered she had spent the day in town. "Breakfast, Livia, before you return to the Academy?"

"Yes, mother."

Idella quietly left the room, leaving only Bannon in the room. "Right. Now that they have both left, this is the only time I can sneak away from the house and visit this lovely girl I am seeing." He still made no move to leave his seat, frowning at the sheer thought of having to leave.

Livia snorted. "A girl you chose or one our dear mother picked out for you?"

"One I like."

"Ah," Livia smiled, gaze drifting to Silas. "Then he means to meet Aceline. A girl from town." Not Vel Anir proper, like their mother would have gone at lengths to secure a good match for her sons. "Aceline used to teach me piano, you see. Ban took quite a liking to her, and let me say, the music the both of them made when my lesson was finished..."

Bannon chuckled, "Be glad I locked the door after you had left." He glanced at Silas, "The locks here are not too difficult to manage. If you cannot lock a door, I advise not doing anything you wish to be caught doing." And he winked and them both before moving to stand with a groan. "I should of made her come here, but Okko does not approve. Ace is practically a week away form her wedding..."

He laughed at the face Livia pulled, waving to them both before leaving the two Initiates in the sitting room.

"Well... want another tour, Artesto?"

 

[Silas Artesto]

The undeniable pressure in the cozy little sitting room slowly began to ease as it became less crowded.Okko was called away, and after nearly knocking the wind out Silas with an overeager pat on the back, bid his farewell. Idella was next, and Silas had a hard time deciding if she was truly exhausted, or had simply become bored with trying to find flaws in her daughter.

That left only Bannon. He was certainly the one he'd learned the least about. Admittedly, he'd had little attention to spare: Idella's presence was too powerful to not demand your focus, and Okko had a way of making himself known whether you liked it or not. Silas would have almost enjoyed a bit of time to poke around this one's brain, but he too took his leave, admitting quite blatantly he was sneaking out to see a woman from town.

Among other topics...

Well, Silas couldn't claim the Quinnick family was particularly shy about their affairs. It was easy enough to smile and laugh off the story of Bannon's indiscretions with Aceline, in fact, he might have actually taken a bit of comfort in knowing he wasn't the only 'lower-class' type of folk who'd been brought home by a member of Liv's family. It was harder though, to pretend he hadn't the faintest idea of what Ban was referring to when he said not to get caught 'doing anything they wished to be caught doing.'

Mainly because the thought had certainly crossed his mind once or twice. Watching Livia interact with her family, not as some fearsome Dreadlord initiate, but an ordinary woman... There was an appeal to it that he couldn't shake or deny. This was the girl he' fallen so hard for, this beautiful thing that so rarely showed through the tough and tumble exterior that the Academy tried to instill in all of them.

This was the Livia who came to his room at night.

"I'm not the type to get caught doing anything." Silas chuckled, a bit awkwardly. It was pretty tough to get Artesto to blush, but the shade on his face was definitely a bit darker than normal. "But I thank you for the heads up. I'll keep it in mind." As badly as he wanted Livia, he wasn't about to risk putting her in a compromising position and ruining his reputation with her mother. Who, if tonight had been anything to go by, ran a very tight ship.

He waited until the door clicked shut before he stood up and walked toward Quill, the nervous little smile turning into a face-splitting grin.

"Seems Bannon think we're up to no good." He puurs, slinking his arms around Liv from behind and pulling her back against his chest with a soft kiss to the back of her ear. "Maybe he thinks we intend to make some music of our own." With every sentence, his voice seemed softer. So why did it almost seem as though he was taunting her?

"And maybe... I'm interested in that." He whispered, before slowly pulling away and donning an innocent smile where his impish grin had just been moments ago.

"But yes. A tour. Without the company. That would be nice."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia could not help the sly smile he brought out in her, that feigned innocence he put on as his lips spoke of something innocents would not do. Her hands went to take his, pulling him in close and wrapping his arms around her. "You know, there is a fee before the next tour. It is a special one after all." Without waiting for him to reply, she leaned up to catch him in a soft kiss.

It only lasted a few seconds before she withdrew and pulled him along beside her to show him the rest of her home.

The Quinnick home was large, terribly ostentatious, but it was the very picture of a place one would think Livia Quinnick would have grown up in. In her dress, walking the halls, she looked nothing like an Initiate. She spoke of her memories as a child, glad to be able to tell him of the fond memories she had here. How her brothers taught her a game with the Quinnick magic and Livia always won despite the extreme measures of Okko or Bannon went to hide their treasures from all participating.

Finally, Livia brought him towards the doors that lead out to the courtyard, and the famed gardens beyond that.

"Now, picture a young Livia having tea parties every day out here." She grinned, arm looped around his. Liv rested her cheek at his shoulder and gave a soft breath of a laugh as the lantern light gave a beautiful warm glow over the flowers and plants. It looked a maze, but Livia lead him through without a problem, coming to a stop just shy from a large dome where sweet peas grew and flowered. It was the same inside, some blooms hanging down and brushing the tops of their heads.

"Here, I would read my books."

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

He'd never been so happy to pay a fee in all his life. He'd been practically begging for a moment alone with Quill all night, just to steal one kiss, ever so short, was exactly what made all the awkward tension he'd endured worth it. It came through on the cheesy grin on his lips, nearly reaching his ears as he stepped forward and fully embraced her for those scant precious moments they shared.

"Here I thought..." He muttered as their lips slowly pulled apart, "That I was an honored guest of the Quinnick household. Making me pay to play, now?" As if he ever complained about 'playing' with Livia. His willingness to fool around with her, even without a true relationship label, was what had brought them together in the first place. Silas's arms fell away from her, fingers trailing across her hips as the fell to his side. "Must be real premium service, then..."

Artesto stepped aside to let Livia lead in the rest of the tour, one he was certain would be more enjoyable and less akin to walking on dull knives.

As they got underway, Silas quickly noticed how different this was than being led around by Idella and the rest of the family. With them, it felt as though he was being presented with rooms of a home, small sections of a massive estate, ornately decorated, each with their own form and function.

True, maybe, but a bit boring.

Now, even when they crossed into places he'd already seen, it wasn't the same. Livia always had a story to tell about every inch of this place, always had a memory that brought just a touch of softness to her voice. She wasn't presenting him with rooms, but with experiences; the experiences that had turned her into the girl she was now.

The girl he'd fallen head over heels for.

By the time they reached the garden, the idea of it being a tour had long left his mind. It was little more than a leisurely walk with his girlfriend, baked in a soft, romantic light that dimly lit the beautiful blooms surrounding them. Quill nestled against him as they moved, and Silas peppered light kisses against her temple as she painted all of the pictures for him.

It was intimate. Beyond what he'd ever experience before.

"It's beautiful out here, Liv..." He muttered, smiling as he squeezed the girl tucked against him. "This place... even if you hadn't told me, it would remind me of you. It makes me feel that same warmth. If... that makes any sense?"

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Liv smiled.

It was hard not to do when he looked at her in that way. And being alone with him, it was about time they could continue the day they were to share in Vel Anir. That moment seemed like some other time than just this morning. "You always make sense to me, Silas." And because to her own ears, that sounded very sweet and corny, Livia snorted and laughed. "I have only ever had good memories here... and that one bad memory I ran away from... I feel as if I can bear it because you are here."

A distraction. A good one. Although she did not say this to him, Livia could not have returned here without him.

"Come, sit." She pulled him down to the pebbled stones that made the flooring of this canopy. "Usually I had cushions to lie on but... this will do."

Silas Artesto

 

[Silas Artesto]

Silas could, by his own admission, be a smarmy and self-important bastard sometimes. When he was out in the field, moving faster than any of his teammates were even remotely capable of, dizzying even the most vicious of foes? Yeah, it was pretty damned easy to get a big head. Who could blame him?

For all his ego, though, Livia had a way of speaking of him with an importance-- a gravitas far beyond that which he'd ever give himself. Quill spoke as though he made so notable a difference merely by his presence alone, bringing peace when her mind felt turmoil.

Perhaps it was the method of their relationship, how it had began as simple fooling around in a bed during bad nights, but Silas had always counted himself to be the lesser of the two of them. Livia was... well, she was simply better at most things. He'd just been lucky to be there at the right time for her to lean on.

But sometimes... right now, for example, she made him feel like he was important. Like he had something to fight for. The woman tugging him down onto the pebbles, smiling up at him as she sought his company in a place she called comfort. That was his reason. And honestly? It was all he needed.

"Quill, I..." Silas sighed as he sat beside her, leaning against her and wrapping an arm around her midsection to pull her in snug against him. "I want you to know that I've had fun today. Yeah, it's been awkward as shit, and I'm pretty sure your brothers think I'm just here to jump your bones, but... I've enjoyed tonight." Artesto turns his head, and presses his lips gently, to hers. "Thank you. For pushing me to come. Nowhere I'd rather be right now than here with you."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia let out a soft burst of laughter. She smiled, as she often found herself doing in his presence, and felt her heart swell at his words. He also stole her breath, one that was about to tell him all the same things, but she had wanted her breath back. Her face changed. Determined. Motivated. "As long as I have you..." but she could not finish her words as her lips pressed to his.

They were alone again. No one was going to come out here to disturb them. No one was going to be looking for the young Quinnick, not when they all had their own evening affairs to tend to.

Her hands went to the ribbon at her waist, pulling it free from her skirts to allow herself to now move without the layers of silk and sheer. Livia wore a thin silk skirt beneath, falling to her knees and making it easier to move to straddle his lap. She knew he would not complain, not when her lips found his once again to silence any of those protests should he have the silly mind to voice them.