Private Tales Of Colleges and Clockwork

[Virdalia Deuxstrom]

Kaelyn stood dumbfounded for a moment, as he tried to gather his wits for a retort. However, he may have acted impulsively but was no fool. The Bloodwyn family could not afford any more offense to one so powerful as Petrus Iskandar. He kept his lips tightly sealed with barely contained rage and stormed off to rejoin his mother as Petrus followed Virdalia. Since he couldn't directly confront them, he would have to scheme to find a way to capture her back and he wryly smiled to himself as he began thinking of how he would manipulate the situation in his favor.

In the moments before Petrus joined her, Virdalia had found a few nightwear options in an armoire and her eyes settled upon a sheer moonlit chemise. She changed quickly, the fabric was a near-transparent silk slip the color of liquid silver. The neckline was embroidered lace, with a plunging V. Through the fabric curving over her chest, the pale rosy peaks of her form pressed faintly. The chemise shimmered in the candlelight as it hung over her slender body, too ill-fitted to overtly show her curves but it did hint at them.

She sat down at the vanity and began brushing her blonde hair with a delicateness she had never appreciated before. The door opened without a knock, and she knew only one man who would display that type of boldness without hesitation. She rose to meet him by the door, the gentle sway of her chemise teased the eye in a fluid, hypnotic rhythm. Standing in front of him once again, the faintest hint of a smile on her face and gray eyes swirling with a soft resolve as she spoke,

"My lord, I wished to thank you from the depths of my heart. Despite all my missteps tonight, you told me you still saw promise in me. That you believe in me, in some measure. No one has ever told me that... that I am someone worth believing in. I know I have much to learn before I can serve you appropriately, but I wanted to offer you my vow personally in private. You have my loyalty, my devotion, and all that I am, Lord Iskandar."

Her eyes had shifted after this to something a bit harder, as willpower and resolution shined within them. She bore her gaze deep into the man's captivating amber eyes,

"In the coming days, I would also like to take some time to speak with you to discuss my education. Not only would I like to attend the college, but I would like to start considering inventions and mechanical innovations that could serve your many enterprises. Seeing some of your facilities firsthand would be the best way to begin visualizing any areas I can make improvements with a creation of mine. Can we please have that arranged?"

She stood for a moment after her request and with some daring, she took his hand in hers and gently guided it up to her face. She tilted her head to allow the curve of her cheek to rest in the palm of his hand cradling it there. For a moment she closed her eyes, allowing herself a passing heartbeat then said,

"Forgive me Lord Iskandar, I know I don't deserve it. But just allow me one moment before we head our separate ways to bed to find strength in your touch. I only need this flicker of time to collect myself before our long, arduous journey ahead. I will never forget the kindness you showed me by giving me a second chance, to allow me to redeem myself."

She lowered his hand from her face, then tenderly kissed the back of his hand in a gesture of fealty and released it a moment later with a slight bow, then looked into his amber eyes that shone like molten gold.

"Goodnight, my lord"

 

[Petrus Ritus Iskandar]

As Petrus joined his half-elf and saw the young woman approach him, the sway of her chemise and the features it highlighted earned a quizzical look from the noble. It was a bold play in their dance of social seduction and testing the mettle of Virdalia. She was, it seemed, taking to the rigors of what her new life might entail quite well. Despite her overly-thin frame she still possessed curves enough to draw the eye, at least from most, but for Petrus these only earned a passing glance before his gaze settled on her eyes.

That swirling spark of resolve was, to him, more alluring than even her physical allure. To see Virdalia grasp onto this opportunity with both hands, not daring to let go without it being torn away from her, even tantalizing and challenging his sensibilities to maintain it. He approved. For he was both her patron and the one to test her the most thoroughly. He would not go easy on her as soon she would be mingling with even more cutthroat and ruthless social circles. Veiled smiles hiding dagger-like promises. Multitudes who might try and take advantage of her naivete and in destroying her wound him as well.

The Patriarch of House Iskandar said nothing for a long moment, his eyes ever intense and focused solely on Virdalia and her words. His palm was warm and slightly rough to her cheek, his thumb finding and brushing over her cheekbone in a subtle gesture of appreciation for her features. It was not until she kissed his hand and bowed that Petrus would inhale, and exhale, slowly before turning away from her at her bidding him goodnight.

Moving to the door Virdalia would not hear or see it open, contrary to whatever her expectations may have been, instead she would hear the telltale sign of the door locking as Petrus turned and a wholly new level of intensity in his gaze drank in Virdalia in her entirety. Heavy, precise steps carrying him closer as he murmured for only her to hear.

"I am afraid the night is not quite over, Virdalia. Though you will not be getting what you desire in this moment...."

He trailed off as a single finger hooked into her chemise's bosom and pulled the young half-elf closer.

"... that does not mean you cannot be taught a thing or two."

Virdalia Deuxstrom

- END THREAD-​