Private Tales The Stars, the Stars, the Stars

[Faye Valimir]

Faye had to keep her teeth sinking into her lip to keep from smiling too wide as he followed her down to fhe cellar. It was lit in torch light, on the last hour of light, but enough to put out light to allow her to navigate the genrous room. There was a door thay led to the wine cellar, but the rest of the space imitated a bedroom, among other things.

Opening the door to the cellar, she gestured for him to step inside. A sconce was already lit from her previous venture down here, so the shelves displaying bottles were visible.

"Please, take your time and choose one." She said, turning to take a seat on the made bed. Faye would wait to see if he would look around the room and notice the oddities. She was grinning, as if a cat playing with a mouse.

"Find anything interesting?"

 

[Talorgan]

Talorgan had his eyes on the wine shelf. He had to reach in to slide a bottle out to look at its label. He looked at just one before glancing over his should at Faye.

He did a small double take.

"Why is there..."

He almost dropped the bottle as he slid it back into the shelf. His gaze went from the bed to the walls.

"Oh. Oh."

She did manage to cause a slightly blush. Talorgan was lost for words for a few seconds. He felt his own breath tighten, suddenly affected by his imagination filling in the blanks.

"So...the parties are real then..."

 

[Faye Valimir]

"Best you get a taste of what to expect at one of Juny's parties " She nodded at the wall nearest to him, where a collar was chained to the wall. "Not a lot of men like to see these decorations. I wonder if they think they are not enough... they don't see the fun and adventure to be had."

That was what it was for her. The exploration, the fascination. Enjoyment to be had.

"I thought you would appreciate getting a glimpse on a small scale before a party. I was invited to one in a week's time if you would..." The woman arched an inquisitive brow at him, waiting to see what he would say.

She would not blame him if he marched back up those stairs.

 

[Talorgan]

"Best you get a taste of what to expect at one of Juny's parties " She nodded at the wall nearest to him, where a collar was chained to the wall.

Talorgan made a small noise. He tried to sound thoughtful, but it came out with a slight croak.

"Fun and adventure..." he murmured.

He gave a shake of his head to clear it.

"Sorry, I'm standing here a little shocked instead of talking to you," he said. His gaze was slowly dragged away from a wooden piece of furniture that was clearly for someone to be thrown over.

"So the plan is that we briefly attend a formal event, then go to a private party? Although I imagine they start late so we could get some food first. Keep up appearances."

"Alright. Let's do that," he said. "But, let's, er, why don't you tell me what everything here is for?"

She would notice the slightest tremble in his hand as he lifted the last of his wine to drink.

 

[Faye Valimir]

From that night, Faye had found how easy it was to talk to Talorgan, and therefore she had been quite patient to answer his questions. She had informed him of the things she kept hidden in the cellar, and shortly after, witha another bottle of wine brought up, they had migrated to her kitchen where more talk happened. She had told him memories of her father, about the lessons he had taught her, and of the mother she barely remembered for she had been young when she passed.

It was an evening where they shared vulnerabilities and dreams, for if they wanted their ruse to be believed, they should be comfortable around one another.

And so, over the next week, each day Talorgan would appear at her door and offer her his arm. They would walk through the Palace District, sometimes going to the pub for a meal where many would see them. They certainly had been noticed, for many people went out of their way to greet the supposed couple and walked away whsipering to their friends.

But tonight was one of utmost importance.

The week had gone by quickly, and despite the friendly banter between herself and Talorgan, how she dressed tonight was to be to the utmost perfection. She had an entire wardrobe of gowns, gifted by clients in favour of appreciation of her glassworks. Faye donned a dress a dress of a deep emerald, one that looked simple in silhouette but the fabric stunned at all angles. Her hair had been curled into a knot at the nape of her neck, allowing all to see the embroidery at the bodice.

"I have heard rumours, Miss Valimir, that you finally caught the eye of someone... special." Mused Lord Carenn.

Faye gave him and his accompanying wife a small smile. "It is nice to make new friends, is it not?" She deflected.

 

[Talorgan]

This time Talorgan had to share the family coach with his older brother Lyrrander.

"Isn't it nice that your brother has started to court someone?" his mother said politely.

She wasn't truly interested in Talorgan's life. She would get her hands on port and would vanish into the event with the other family matriarch.

"Yes a local glassworker. Lovely," went Lyrrander. He didn't seem particularly interested either. He had his sights on a worthwhile marriage and saw his younger brothers antics with wild human tribes as bringing down the family reputation.

Talorgan rolled his eyes. He was wearing a dark green cravat that was tucked into his tunic. They had decided that a slight color match would make the point that they had made plans together.

"At least he is in the city for another week," Talorgan's father grunted.

As soon as the carriage pulled in, Talorgan made his swift exit. Free from his family, he took solace in one minor bit of formal socialising and he could escape it for some time.

He took a glass of wine and meandered through the crowd, looking for Faye.

 

[Faye Valimir]

"Will you keep working in your workshop once you marry?" Asked a lady that guided Faye through the party, arms laced together. She peered up at Faye, who was taller than most women present and still insisted on wearing her heels.

"It is a Valimir tradition that must live on." She replied swiftly, knowing that this was always her freedom. If she were to truly marry, her trade was to never end. The Valimirs have always been artisans in Thanasis, and she was not going to let that end with her.

Her companion made a soft sound, as if agreeing and approving aloud was a shameful thing, but Faye could see that the lady admired the glassmaker for her clear values.

"It is much too early to speak of such a thing. I am simply enjoying where things take me." The same thing she always spoke off at functions like these, even without a courtship. "Besides, I do like a man willing to learn somethi—"

But the words fell from her lips as her eyes spied him. She couldn't helo but smile, for she almost laughed loudly at how Talorgan was dressed to perfectly compliment her dress. The lady, she could not remember her name, caught on and murmured about leaving them be.

Faye, released from taking a turn about the room, curled her arms around Talorgan's leaning in to whisper, "I fear I may not be able to take us seriously in front of this crowd." She chuckled, grinning widely. Most will think she was truly lovestruck and not at all amused their ruse caught on so quickly.

 

[Talorgan]

His visits to the city were usually tedious affairs. Talorgan had a few friends who liked to hear of his trips. There were a handful of scholars who liked to categorise the flora and fauna of the wilds who would take his sketches and stories and document them.

Part of him wanted to rebel against the conformity of the event. Thanasis has swelled it's wealth by loaning dragon riders to the cities far West. This was a display of that wealth, gained by burning foreign soldiers to a crisp.

But Faye looked quite stunning as she stood patiently waiting for him. It was all supposed to be a ruse to make their lives easier. Talorgan was still nervous about where they would be going later, but part of him knew how he would see her. He wanted that very much. More than he felt he should have.

Talorgan only smiled a little as he balanced those thoughts in his head. He took in the faint shimmer of her gown and dipped his head. He took her hand.

"I will try," he mused. "Are we taking a little walk and then meeting for our first and last dance?" he asked quietly.

Would people expect to listen in our their conversation? He hasn't prepared to construct fake conversations for passers-by.

 

[Faye Valimir]

"I fear it may take a few dances tonight to satisfy the rumour mill." She said lowly, being sure to smile softly as if their whispering was something sweet. "Three dances tonight. If we are to take a break, if I were to go get a refreshment, then I expect you to keep looking for me as if you could not bear to have me out of your sights..." That was the love her father had for her mother. They were the stories he told a younger Faye whenever she was restless, and listening to his memories of her mother always pulled her out from her thoughts.

"A couple of hours and then we are right to take our leave." Her hand squeezed his, as if a secret had been passed between them. It was good fortune that Faye had no other invitations for the rest of the month concerning attending a party of a patron, that after tonight she could properly begin her holiday. She had a friend out in the country she could stay with, or even her aunt's home so she could be present for her cousin's birthday... But should she extend the invitation to Talorgan to visit her? Their ruse was fresh and new, and even if they were not in the public's eye, they needed to make it known the two were smitten.