Private Tales The Party Never Stops

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Evie frowned, slightly, for just a moment, head reeling with this new information. Both her and Liliana were thinkers, it was an attribute that made them work well together. It was also why that when Liliana warned her, Everleigh took it seriously. If it had been coming from someone else, nearly anyone of their other peers, Evie may have disregarded it and poked fun at them.

“Could it be some sort of announcement?” Everleigh asked, whispering to Liliana. She had decided that tonight, Liliana would do all the leading and she would merely follow. Despite having been born with the aptitude to constantly be moving forward, to never be in a position where she’d have to step back, mission success was important to her. Always. She wasn’t a sore loser, after all, the majority of the fun from gambling came from the fact that she could lose something important in an instant.

But when it came to academy dealings— no Vel Anir’s dealings, success was the only option. Or as close to success as one could get. And so, despite going against her innate nature, she held back, heeding Liliana’s words and thinking of their odds for success. Which, at the moment, seemed to be quite high. As long as everything went according to plan.

 

[Liliana]

"I think so." She said softly, glancing at Evie for a brief moment before her attention was drawn to a figure cutting through the dancefloor directly towards them.

He was tall, beyond handsome by most people's standards, his hair cropped short and a well groomed beard decorating his features. He was also the man that Liliana was here to kill; the son of the man whose Palace they were currently standing in.

With a confidence that was toeing the line of smugness he approached the two Anirians.

"Good evening, Ladies."​

Liliana smiled, cocking her head to the side and offering her hand to the man. He grasped her fingers softly, kissing the back of her palm as he looked up at her. "Good evening..."

She said, allowing herself to trail off as though she didn't already know the mans name.

"Edwin Cauldreth."​

"Oh, the Councilors son." Liliana said, her voice a picture of innocence. She glanced at companion. "Do you hear that Everleigh? It seems we have the attentions of someone very important."

The man laughed, looking at

"Not that important, Lady Lorel. My father is the one with the power, I just have a pretty face."​

He looked to Everleigh, offering a pleasant smile.

"Pardon, I know Lady Lorel by the wake of her family. Lady?"​

The man said warmly, clearly waiting to greet her in the same way that he had Liliana.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh watched the interaction between the two, remembering Liliana’s words from when they were in the carriage. She was supposed to act like a noble, right? Just follow suit in Liliana’s actions? It’s not that Everleigh was against lying, she had done it plenty of times and she would continue to lie as many times as it took for her to win or get what she wanted.

The danger with this was that by pretending to be noble if she slipped up, it would be noticed. If she were to make a flaw, especially now, would suspicion arise? Edwin Cauldreth didn’t seem particularly inebriated, and worst was the fact that because he held as much assurance as Liliana did, Everleigh would only be left to wonder if she messed everything up.

“O-oh,” a whispering, slight stammer, her voice taking on a lilt that suggested her to have been born soft-spoken. Her shoulders pressed up as her left hand went to clutch at the hem of the low collar of her dress. A downcast gaze, dipping down her head as she held up her hand, like Liliana had done but a slight shake of her fingers. “Forgive my imprudence. Lady Ebersol,” her last name falling off at a whisper as she shifted, to then hurriedly exclaim, “Although I hope you can humor me and call me, Everleigh. I’m rather embarrassed for my father’s love of alliteration and iambic meter that he recreated it with my full name.”

She hoped she sounded meek. Weak. Frazzled. An idiot. Maybe like Liza or Chasmine or Kristen, rambling and saying too much when no one asked. Because she hoped that with this charade, he’d leave her alone.

 

[Liliana]

"Everleigh, an utterly delightful name."​

The man said as he took her palm and softly kissed the back of it. He looked up at Evie with a wide smile.

"I hope you'll return the favor and call me Edwin then. Don't worry a drop about manners, I've never much cared for them. My father likes to pretend we're Noble, but I know where my great grandfather came from."​

Well at least someone knows their place in this house. Liliana mused to herself as she watched the whole interaction, delighted at the mask that Evie had put in place over herself. It was an almost wondrous thing to behold. Almost a shame to kill him.

But Cousin Elise got what Cousin Elise wanted, there was no way around it. The good Councilor had scorned House Virak, and such a betrayal meant a lesson needed to be taught.

"How are you enjoying our city so far?"
​

He asked the both of them, glancing to both Liliana and Everleigh. "It is delightfully pedestrian."

Liliana mused, not being entirely cruel.

"There is something charming about the...chaos of it all." Surprisingly, she did mean it. Most cities in Anirian territories tended to be organized, well put together, and built as cities that doubled as fortresses.

Alliria? Alliria was like a sprawling ant hill. Everything seemed cobbled and thrown together, with Palaces sitting right next to whore houses. For some strange reason she quite enjoyed the contrast.

Even if she did find it somewhat uncouth.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh held her breath for just a second as she waited for some sort of sign that she had messed up. But with the smile Edwin was giving her… had she possibly succeeded? She nodded her head, a soft peep of a “o-okay” coming from her lips as she brought her hand back to her side. She glanced over at Liliana, grateful that she was quick to speak. Perhaps her actions were fine then, it didn’t seem like Liliana was trying to cover up any sort of folly she may have committed.

Everleigh kept her gaze on Liliana as she spoke, considering what she said. It was different than Vel Anir, that much could be said, especially for a noble. But there were small, fuzzy pockets of memory that Everleigh tried to conjure up in regards to her childhood. Others like her had said similar things to confirm this that outside of the city, there was a sense of chaos there, too. But the memories were now so faded as she tried to remember things that she didn’t really care much about when she was five: like if the paths were straight or sinuous, the architecture, materials used, and placements of buildings.

“It was a lot to take in, entering the city and then reaching it’s center. There were so many unique things to look at.” Her words may have been a vague murmur, but one of the more “unique” things was the way species intermingled. Everleigh did raise a brow, counting a dozen times she saw a sight and how easily humans were mixing with elves or elves mixing with dwarves, as if they held the same sort of status. But, the poison eater supposed that here, it seemed like money was the true deciding factor of status.

 

[Liliana]

"Yes, well I suppose we are rather unique."​

Edwin mused for a moment, as if considering saying something, but after a moment he simply shook his head. A voice broke out from behind Liliana and Everleigh, the former turning her head to see the Councilor that had greeted them standing by one of the great columns.

He was staring at the boy speaking with the two girls, clearly waiting for his son.

"I'm afraid I must be going. More guests to greet. I am so very glad you could both make it, we'll have to speak more later in the night."​

"Of course." Liliana said with a dip of her head.

Edwin took two quick bows for both Liliana and then Everleigh before sweeping around them and heading towards her father. In almost the same moment one of the servants appeared besides them holding a tray, Liliana plucked a glass of wine from it.

She mused for a moment, then looked to Evie. "Perhaps we should keep mingling."

There were so many interesting people to meet after all.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh dipped her head, still very much so copying Liliana. If she could be her shadow, she would be. Her gaze was steadily still staring at the ground before finally flicking up. Her facade dropping in an instant and she was standing tall and proud once again.

“My unique comment was a poor choice.” She muttered, holding back a click of disapproval while looking at the tray of wine before her. She took a glass, copying the way Liliana held hers. But she wouldn’t take a sip, she would need a moment to hold back her expression of distaste, and she looked around, committing to memory how no one else seemed to flinch the way she had before.

“Sure, whatever you like.” Everleigh paused, wondering if she should ask this, especially now. “Liliana. Was it only House Virak that was invited?” The poison eater didn’t understand completely all the politics within the noble houses, especially the difference with greater and lower noble houses, however, she had picked up from the councilor that he had been hoping for a Virak representative instead of Lorel. Did he invite other noble houses?

The poison eater kept herself from blanching. Her gaze was steely, the smile on her face not reaching her eyes as she glanced at the initiate and then at others. A part of her expected to see at any second someone that looked like Kristen or Trix.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana took a sip of the wine as she lead Everleigh around the room. "It was fine. We're from Vel Anir, Evie."

It was an odd thing, teaching this sort of thing to someone else. All of it came so naturally to Liliana that she didn't even really think about it. Such things had been instilled in her right alongside everything else at the Academy. A privilege afforded her family.

"Alliria and our home have always had a...competitive aspect to them. They are our...not poorer, Cousins, but certainly more uncouth." She smile slightly, shaking her head. "That was how father always put it."

There was money in Alliria, a lot of money.

That was the reason that House Virak was so involved here. Her cousins had been selling arms to the city for almost as long as anyone could remember. "I'm not sure if anyone else was invited."

She admitted quietly to Everleigh, not seeing the point in lying.

"I doubt it though." There were ambassadors of course, but not many other houses had tied here. "House Virak has had a long standing relationship with the Councilor in particular. I believe my Cousin is the one who last came here."

A shrug rolled over her shoulder. "Politics is half about familiarity."

Her voice seemed to trail off, eyes searching through the crowd.

"Help me find someone...stunning, Evie." She said, turning to Everleigh. "Someone who will catch the eye."

Aside from herself, obviously.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Thank goodness that Liliana was well versed in this political game. Everleigh wasn’t an idiot, that much could be ascertain as she could understand what Liliana was saying. She just didn’t have much of an idea of anything like this before hand. Much of her opinion on Alliria, on a scale of Falwood as a one to Vel Anir as a ten, rested somewhere at a four-point-five. And that low score came from her taught xenophobia and belief that greatness came from strong, indomitable armies.

“Someone stunning.” Everleigh echoed, walking around with Liliana. She felt put on the spot. Mostly because what would be stunning to someone like Liliana? Everleigh didn’t know who anyone here was other than those that Liliana had pointed out. Also, Everleigh felt like if they were talking stunning just based on physical appearances, her and Liliana had different tastes. Everleigh had a thing for blondes and Liliana had a thing for herself. Even if it weren’t about physical features, they still had different tastes: Everleigh cared more about fun while Liliana cared more about power.

Which was fine, just meant that the two girls would never be in competition with one another.

Gimlet gaze shifted from person to person, noting things about their dress, the way they seemed to speak. It probably would be best not to go right up to someone in conversation, right? Someone more alone? Someone more—

“Found it.” The perfect situation for Liliana, and even a safe choice for Everleigh. Off to the side, there was a small group of three young women, looking to be about the same age as her and Liliana. But the reason why Everleigh had picked this group, despite originally not wanting to bust into one, was because she had seen something that she saw on a daily basis: the strong reminding the weak what they were.

A lovely blonde with ringlet curls couldn’t seem to say more than a few words before the redhead and brunette would cut her off. Their laughter was soft, not loud or rambunctious, but Everleigh saw the blonde’s body language. The sideway looks to try and find an opportune escape route by hoping someone else joined the fray, twisting more and more away from the duo, and those small steps back every time one of the girls reached out to her.

Huh, maybe Evie really did have a thing for blondes?

When the blonde looked around again, the conversation now audible to the poison eater as she came closer, Everleigh made sure to lock eyes with her. And that was all that was needed for the blonde to finally make that excuse, extricating herself away from the other girls with a hurried farewell. The brunette and redhead glanced over to Everleigh and Liliana, their wolfish smiles turning into a thin straight line before practically turning their noses up as they turned their backs to the initiates.

“Hello, hello.” The blonde said. Everleigh was taken aback by how sweet her voice was, like honey. “My husband said there would be ladies my age, and I thought he had only said that so I would stop my whining about attending with him.” Everleigh suppressed a raised eyebrow. “Marchioness Todd Campisi,” she smiled warmly, enacting the needed formalities which Everleigh had yet to pick up on.

“Your name… is Todd?” Everleigh questioned, causing the Marchioness to giggle.

“No, no, that’s my husband’s name, Marquess Todd Campisi of Oban. My name is May.” She chimed. “Look, there’s my husband,” she said in a hushed, mischevieous whisper, delicately pointing at a group of old men talking to each other. “The bald one with the gut.” She clarified which caused Everleigh to blanch. She then openly laughed at the expression on her face. “Surprised? You must not be from Oban, Lady…?”

“Everleigh.” Everleigh brought her face into something more normal, and May nodded before looking at Liliana with a sweet smile.

Liliana

 

[Liliana]

Evie made an utterly delightful choice.

The woman they approached had been surrounded by a gaggle of what she could only assume to be paupers. Girls who had no poise or true sense of beauty. The two Anirians stood in place as their new companion approached them, Liliana taking another small sip of her wine as the woman introduced herself.

She had never visited Oban before, though she knew that Cousin Elise held some sort of tie to the city. Her father had told her once how Virak liked to interfere in other lands, but the conversation was so long ago she struggled to even remember.

Thus, she simply put an easy smile on her face as the woman introduced herself. "Liliana Lorel."

The Initiate answered as Marqueess Campisi looked to her.

A flicker of surprise ran over her face, though she managed to cover it almost instantly.

"Ah. The Anirians. My Husband has been whispering about the two of you all week. Wondering all sorts of things."​

"Oh?" She mused. "We must be very a interesting topic of conversation. Almost as interesting as our host..."

Liliana trailed off. "Well...at least his son."

A small laugh echoed from her lips, and her fingers twitched at the same time. Amusement, and something else was cast over May Campisi's mind. A web of joy, but also attraction, and just the slightest hint of shame.

"O-oh, Edwin...yes...well. He is quite something...but Vel Anir! Such a city must be utterly marvelous."​

May said, her cheeks a blush as she briefly glanced towards Edwin who stood across the room.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh tilted her head a bit, interest peeking up with why someone from Oban would speak about “the Anirians.” Of course, she had no knowledge of Liliana’s cousin, Elise, and her dealings with other lands and kingdoms. But there was that bit of curiosity regardless even if she knew the whole story. What made the Anirians so special? She wondered, even though her face didn’t show an ounce of confusion. She could keep a straight face when she wasn’t getting surprised by insane age gaps. Or seeing such a pretty, young woman with an older man that reminded Everleigh of a bovine troll.

Liliana didn’t even seem to have to steel her face, the way she spoke with all the poise and assurance in the room was impressive. Everleigh hoped it was a sign that she was pleased with the choice that she had made. And then, the punchline. Everleigh angled her head, following May’s stare and seeing that dreamy look upon her face.

Well, at least they’re closer in age. Everleigh thought, before also thinking that Edwin was a handsome sort, and didn’t pretty people tend to flock together?

“It is marvelous. Vel Anir is indubitably the best.” Everleigh agreed, noticing how as she spoke, May kept sneaking those glances at Edwin. She doubted she was really paying much attention.

“Do you know Edwin personally?” The poison pressed. Something had changed about May. Everleigh couldn’t say what exactly was different, but Everleigh felt it was always best to trust her intuition. After all, it had yet to fail her.

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t say we’re close, just that, well, you know. I’ve seen him quite a few times here and there, and he always makes a point to say hello.” May giggled a bit, before pausing, and a slight frown appearing. “You must be close with him, as well, if you’re on a first name basis. I wouldn’t have guessed that.” Everleigh raised a brow, noticing a hint of passive aggressiveness? Was May trying to suggest something?

“I’m on a first name basis with everyone,” Everleigh grinned, completely glossing over whatever point May have tried to made. “I’ve never been very good with names.” A lie. A senseless one. Everleigh was very good with names and faces, she had to be.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana let out a small chortle as she heard the slight venom in May's tone over Evie's relationship with Edwin. Perhaps I made the weave too strong.

She mused to herself for a brief moment, head shaking.

"Oh. Well I see."​

May said as she narrowed her eyes first at Everleigh, and then at Liliana. There seemed to be almost a territoriality about her, as though she were a predator defending her hunting grounds. It was clear her weave had been a bit too heavy handed, but perhaps that could be used to their advantage.

The daughter of House Lorel glanced at Evie for a moment, and then pursed her lips.

"He's not our type." Liliana said with a simple shrug, leaving it simply at that before she continued to direct the woman's mind.

"But." She mused out loud. "I have heard some rumors of his own."

That was an utter lie of course, but the woman was practically enraptured by her very words.

"Oh, really? What were they?"​

It was obvious that May was trying to appear as though the words didn't really matter to her. Yet she moved a bit closer to the two Anirians, as if they were holding some sort of conspiracy. Liliana smiled, and continued. "I heard he was enraptured by an Elf."

Yuck.

"Her hair as gold as the sun, her lips painted with a shade of..." She trailed off, glancing at Evie. "What was the color of her rouge, again Everleigh?"

They both knew well that color the poison lipstick in Liliana's bag was.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Oh. Not passive aggressive but jealously instead. Everleigh looked at Liliana, and then at May, and figured that May could have had it worse. She could have been married to someone like Bull: hairless and stupid. Although, if Everleigh was somehow ever forced to even touch Bull (without the pretense of killing him), yeah, she’d probably be looking at Edwin with googly-eyes, too.

The thought dissipated as Liliana began to speak, and Everleigh listened to her friend speak. A slight curve of the lips as an elf was mentioned. Quite frankly, she shared Liliana’s disgust. And within good reason! Everleigh always found it so strange how every human man had some weird fantasy involving an elf. And the worst part was? Elf hair color was always seen as exotic and unique, and really, she disliked elves more so because people assumed she was at least half-elf (thanks to the purple hair and eyes) than because she found them to be irritable.

Also, elves lived a really long time. She wondered how many humans had a little tryst with an elf that was three-hundred years old? Gross.

“Crimson,” Everleigh answered, eyes flicking towards Liliana before looking back at May. “Your hair is beautiful, are the curls natural? It’s like you have a halo of light surrounding your face.” May seemed to soften up at the poison eater’s words, a small smile on her face from the compliment. “I think… wouldn’t crimson suit her more, Liliana?” The marchioness’ face was quite neutral and only accented with soft pinks and gold hues. “Red looks good on everyone, after all.”

 

[Liliana]

May reached up and gently played with her golden hair, touching and twisting it softly with a smile as though she were checking the color was correct. Liliana smile for a moment, glancing at Everleigh. She was suddenly even more glad she had taken the poison eater along.

She was proving quite adept at this.

"Oh yes." The Noble said with a broad smile.

"You think?...I mean...Why would it even matter, there's...there's nothing I could do of course. I'm a married woman."​

Almost conspiratorially May leaned in towards the two other women. The words were a cry, but not one of despair. May was almost seeking permission, as if Everleigh and Liliana could somehow open the gate for her. The daughter of House Lorel only smirked.

"In Vel Anir we have a saying." She whispered quietly. "What's good for the goose is good for the gander."

It was a silly saying, but it worked quite well in this instance. "And honestly, can you say that your husband's eyes have never strayed?"

The words were a guess, but an educated one. Liliana knew well that a man's loyalty was often questionable, especially rich men. May's frown almost seemed to confirm it, her head slowly dipping in a nod.

"Besides. I have the perfect thing for you." Liliana said, plucking the lipstick that Evie had poisoned from her clutch. "I think you'd certainly catch Edwin's eye with this."

Liliana mused as she pulled the cap off the red tube. "Especially after we slip the right words in his ears."

May looked to the lipstick, then at Liliana.

"Yo-you would do that?"​

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh watched the scene unfold. There was no sign of guilt within her, or, if there was even a single drop of guilt, it would’ve been because she didn’t care that she was about to ruin people’s lives. Because for her, this was going to be exciting, and fun was what Evie was constantly searching for.

“We’re on a first name basis, remember?” Everleigh pipped up, a teasing grin appearing. “And you did mention that he always makes a point to say hello. Sometimes, people need to be discrete, but there are plenty of other times when it’s best to seize on what’s yours. If you know what you like and know what you want, and something is both of those things? Take it. That’s the only rule I live by.” Everleigh said rather genuinely, that devious sparkle appearing in her gray eyes.

And it seemed to work on May. There was a look of consideration that was soon replaced with an assured resolution. Everleigh then looked at Liliana.

“Liliana and I will go speak to Edwin, stay here for the time being.” Everleigh’s mind was calculating the temperature in the room, the probability of how much lipstick May would streak across her lips. “Two coats,” The initiate said to May. “At least two coats. Men like shiny, red things.” It’s why war would always be a popular topic.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana smiled at Everleigh's encouragement as may finally plucked the lipstick from her grasp. "We'll make sure you get your way."

The Anirian said, no small amount of delight playing over her features as May eagerly nodded her head.

There was something so simply delicious about a manipulation like this. Breaking someone's mind was easy, especially with the new weave she had discovered back on the island, but this? This was satisfying, it was like playing around with a marionette.

No one was forcing May to do what she was going to do. Even with the weave she'd cast over the woman's mind, the decisions were still all hers. Everleigh and Liliana were simply encouraging her base nature, that instinct.

"Just make sure to apply that right before you meet him." She reminded May. "You want his eyes to catch."

"Yes...yes of course. Thank you..."​

May's voice seemed distance, entranced, as if something had settled in her mind.

Liliana only smiled, then glanced at Evie. "Let's go find Edwin, shall we?"

The Initiate said as she slipped away from the Marquess.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh looked at Liliana. She seemed at ease. Which meant that this was probably going well. A twinge of pride pricked at Everleigh’s heart, her chest swelling up just a bit at the thought that she was doing a good job. She nodded her head at Liliana’s words, glancing at May once more to double check that everything seemed well, and then followed behind the blonde initiate.

And then she remembered that if they were going back towards Edwin, she’d need to go and harness some of that meek energy from before. After all, to break a character all of sudden would be suspicious and she was sure that over all, the idea was that the two of them wouldn’t be present in anyone’s memory. Which was why Everleigh had eagerly taken the glamor, not because she was vain but because she wanted to be more covert.

But, the poison eater soon realized as she glanced around, Edwin wasn’t in the original spot. Where had he disappeared to and so suddenly? The first thing Everleigh thought to do was to search for the councilor himself, and her dull gaze easily could spot him out in a group of people he was speaking to. But Edwin wasn’t with him.

She glanced over other groups, taking extra care to pay attention to corners or anyone who was wearing similar colors as him.

“Liliana,” Everleigh froze, catching sight of something that was quite unusual. She wasn’t sure if it a noble thing or a wannabe noble thing, but she tapped her friend’s shoulder, directing her attention over to two men off to the side. One of them was Edwin, eyes half closed in a second of bliss as one of the waitstaff frantically patted at a spill on Edwin’s inner thigh.

But the split-second expression, Everleigh knew it well. She knew exactly what it was. A euphoric thrill, the only kind you could get when you nearly escaped the claws of death or when you openly did something wrong and could get caught for it.

“The fucker’s gay.” She said, nonchalantly. Because. Of course. Of course he would be. “And maybe a bit of an exhibitionist.”

 

[Liliana]

Liliana came to a stop as Evi tapped her shoulder, her head turning almost immediately. Lips thinned as she took in the same sight, a loud sigh escaping her.

"Fuck." She swore.

She, of course, didn't give a single shit about Edwin's leanings. Only in so far as as how it would effect their mission. Such things had been well accepted in Vel Anir for centuries. Nobody back home really cared which way someone swung. The only thing that really mattered was that they were human, and loyal.

No controversy had ever arisen from a marriage of the same sex, though she knew that Alliria and other places weren't as welcoming to such things. All that mattered in Vel Anir was pragmatism. If you were useful, if you could serve, no one much cared of your private life.

Here though?

Here Liliana very much cared. This was like throwing a rock into a flour mill. Utterly disastrous. "I'm going to have to break him."

She said through gritted teeth, her gaze flickering to Evie.

"He has to die." Her words were a quiet, cutting whisper.

Liliana knew it was risky. She did not yet fully control the weave she had used on the island, worse, she did not yet fully know what it would do to someone. There was a chance that she could turn Edwin into a babbling moron incapable of keeping the drool in his mouth.

Still, she didn't see any other way. "We'll need to get him alone, Evie."

She said softly, trying to collect herself and pull back that tether of rage which had fallen around her.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh knew better than to say something as “let me poison him” because while it was a viable option, it was the worst option. Even a needle prick could be found under the right circumstances, many toxins often inflamed the area. Or she could try poisoning his wine, but that was just too suspicious. It could’ve worked if it was for someone who wasn’t important, and Everleigh could clearly see that the councilor could easily pay the best of the best to figure out what had befallen his son.

“Well, I don’t mind getting my hands dirty,” was all Everleigh said before handing her the glass of wine she had been holding. It was still full and really, Everleigh didn’t want to ruin the dress or turn the scene into something else. She then walked forward, her mind planning out each and every step.

A slight sway into some old man she didn’t know, and she spewed forth apologies one right after the other as she slowly began backing away, ears pricked for when those incoming footsteps were just close enough… and she quickly pivoted with a wide step, crashing into one of the waitstaff carrying a tray of hors d'oeuvres. The man was sturdy and focused more on steadying his tray than steadying Everleigh. Good. A slight spin, a shout of shock, all to cover the fact that she had broken her left pinky and ring finger of her on volition so when she fell, no one doubted her as she sobbed out:

“My ankle!” Everleigh wasn’t a cryer, she had never been successful in producing fake tears, mostly because the feeling was so foreign to her. However, two broken fingers and a bit of a bruised tendon in her foot could even cause the poison eater to have tiny rivulets of tears flow down her cheeks. Remembering how Liliana had played with her hair earlier caused her face to red as she whimpered out, “please don’t look at me, it’s too embarrassing.” Her uninjured hand going up in a meek effort to shield her crying eyes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you,” the waiter said quickly, but instead of looking at Everleigh he looked around, obviously distraught as more and more eyes fell onto him.

“I-it’s oh-okay.” Another whimper, another sniff, and Everleigh made like she was trying to get back up on her own before wincing and gasping in pain. Really she had just pressed her injured fingers against the swell of her hip, but her work was done.

The man was still clenching onto the tray, looking about ready to pee his pants as someone loudly said “One would think he’d know better to put that tray down and help her up. I can’t carry her, bad back and all, but back in my youth…” it took a lot of Evie not to grin.

 

[Liliana]

She was about to say something before Everleigh suddenly darted off and took matters into her own hands. For a brief moment she frowned, having to bite her tongue from shouting at her companion to stop. These things had to be planned carefully.

One wrong step and al-

Oh.

As the scene began to unfold it became more than obvious what Everleigh was trying to accomplish. A wicked grin spread over Liliana's lips for a brief moment, before then being replaced by a mask of sheer horror and panic. "Evie!"

She burst out loud, using the nickname where everyone could hear.

Back in Vel Anir it might have been seen as an obvious ploy, and Alliria was hardly innocent, but the two girls had so far seemed nothing but normal. Quickly Liliana rushed through the crowd, reaching the other woman and bending down besides her.

"Oh no. Oh dear." She said. "How could they let this happen?!"

Liliana demanded, and almost on cue Edwin suddenly appeared.

"Everleigh! My goodness. I am so so very sorry. I can't believe this happened. Please let me call a doc-"​

"Can't you see she's hurt!?" Liliana demanded, placing a gentle hand on Everleigh as Edwin seemed to stop for a second, and then suddenly glanced through the crowd. He looked to his father, a man now utterly fuming.

"Yes, yes of course I'm sorry. Here let me carry her, there's a bedroom now far and we can call the doctor there. In Private."
​

Liliana nodded, sniffling as though she too were biting back tears. Whispers were rushing through the crowd, some of scandal, others wondering how such a thing could have happened.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

For a moment, Everleigh felt like she was back on that piece of rock, soaked to the bone in frigid salt water, talking to Liliana about approaching the camp with that guard of hers. She had hurt herself then as well to have a more authentic, beaten look. She was used to it. Sometimes with her gambling she had to lose a little to win big. And she’d make sure that this mission would be completed. The only thing she didn’t like was how now they were seen alone with Edwin.

She could only hope that with Liliana’s weave, everything will be smoothed over okay. She looked over at the noble woman, a flash of seriousness as Edwin picked her up bridal style. Everleigh blushed naturally this time, after all, even if Edwin was gay, it was still a bit nerve-wracking to have someone picking her up so gently. She dipped her head down low, making sure she kept her injured hand covered.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as he began to walk away from the scene. She then looked at Liliana and with a slight hiccup in her voice added, “I’m sorry to have ruined your fun time. For the both of you. I don’t mean to be such a burden, I’m just not good in heels.” A half-truth. Everleigh had very good balance and athletic ability, she could walk just fine in heels. The truth part was that heels were uncomfortable and it hadn’t been all that hard to have her ankle give out.

It wasn’t long until Edwin had entered a private bedroom and then ushered Liliana inside. Everleigh was placed onto the bed, supine. She rose up a bit, seeing a maid hovering at the door frame. That wouldn’t do.

“Is there anyway I could get some ice, please?” she said, making eye contact with the maid. Before Edwin even needed to say anything, the maid was always hurrying away, leaving the door open.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana wept.

Well, she looked like she was weeping as Edwin carried Everleigh to one of the private bedrooms off the beaten path. She kept her head low, her hand dabbing the tissue in her hand to her eyes. It was an act she was surprisingly adept at.

When they reached the room she almost immediately went to Evie's side, hovering over her like a caring sister. She watched her friend as she asked for ice water, waited as the maid swept away and Edwin joined them at the bedside.

"I am so very sorry, Everleigh. I thought father had hired better servants. We really to screen the-"

His words cut off mid-sentence as Liliana's fingers twitched.

A breath filled her lungs, and she called upon that same power she had summoned on the island. She pulled, reached deep within her core. That same net she had thrown over the mind of the sorcerer, that manipulative touch that warped the thought of even the strongest man.

It cast over Edwin's mind as she spoke. "Stop."

She commanded, her voice the thunderous tone of a goddess.

Edwin seemed to freeze almost instantly. His entire body fixed like a statue. An odd sort of silence drawing over the room as he peered down at Everleigh.

"Evie." Liliana began, glancing towards her new servant. "Are you alright?"

It was a remarkable thing, that she even bothered asking in a moment like this.

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh was still, regarding Edwin’s different mental state for a moment and curious if everything had worked. And it seemed like it did, because at the strangest time, Liliana asked if she was alright. Everleigh nodded her head, getting off the bed and standing up. She showed Liliana her gloved hand, the two broken fingers were inflamed and swelling, but really, Everleigh didn’t feel it too much, the adrenaline doing it’s job.

She wiped at her face, hoping that Liliana understood that yes, the tears were real because that’s how the body worked, but it’s not like she’d actually cry, especially out in public. She was tough, really, she was.

“Just two broken fingers on my right hand, nothing much to worry about.” She was left handed, and if everything worked well with May, then it wouldn’t matter if two fingers were broken. “I can limp about to keep up the act.” She added, glancing at Edwin. She was impressed, it was exactly like before. She’d ask Liliana if it was harder or easier this time, figuring it had to be easier. After all, Edric wasn’t a powerful mage.

 

[Liliana]

"That was very brave, Evie." Lilianal praised, reaching a hand to slowly stroke her fingers through her companions hair.

Edwin seemed to stay in place, his form entirely frozen.

He was like a golem, every muscle, every little bit of him put into place by Liliana's magic. The weave cast over his mind was an all encapsulating trap. A horror that most could only fear in the greatest of their nightmares. The boy had lost his very ability to think.

Slowly Liliana's gaze flickered towards him. "My magic may have been a bit too strong/"

She admitted quietly.

"I think he is little more than a husk." The mage on that island had been stronger. His will more powerful. In comparison Edwin proved to be an ant. Charming, smart, but with the will of a peasant all the same.

"I think it's a good thing May will kill him." Liliana said with a shake of her head. "He'd be little more than a slug now."

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh tilted her head a bit at Liliana’s words, yet her cheeks grew red the moment Liliana began playing with her hair again. Only Liliana had ever touched her hair. And did so without a ounce of fear. It brought such contentment to the poison eater, and only reminded her just how powerful Liliana was— for only someone who felt they were on par with Everleigh or stronger than Everleigh would dare to do such a thing.

Or maybe it was something else. Perhaps power had nothing to do with it.

“It’s not brave, it was needed.” Everleigh murmured before glancing at Edwin. The thought that maybe Liliana was so friendly with her because of something such as camaraderie or even maybe a sense of friendship quickly faded. No, Liliana held immense power and Everleigh still hadn’t figured out exactly how it happened. There were too many secrets between the two of them. Both of them still had tricks up their sleeve that neither were willing to share. Everleigh couldn’t imagine sharing anything with anyone. The academy had taken that sort of “trust” away from her long ago.

“Losing your mind completely is probably one of the worst things that could happen to anyone.” Everleigh agreed, poking at Edwin’s arm. There was no reaction. How strange. How frightening. A frisson went through her and Everleigh realized at that point why she seem to be so enthralled with Liliana: she could offer her a fate far worse than death whenever she wanted without rhyme or reason.

And it was utterly exciting to play this sort of game.