Closed Start with a Dance (Kaie)

[Matthew]

32nd of Spring, 515 AV.
~

"I'm Kaie. Let's make this as painless as possible."

Memories flickered in front of Matthew like pages of a book that were quickly being flipped through. First was the Rearing Stallion and all the tables that needed to be cleaned. Next came the lesson at the Springs, with the Welcome Home children soon following. Faster the memories moved, only bits and pieces flying by with faintly whispered words blurring together. There was Brega's House, the Springs in Sunberth, the multiple missions that were shared with the Scars. Finally the memories reached the most recent, showing brief glimpses of the World's End Grotto, bath house and camping trip. The final memories were colorful. They were much more colorful than the rest.

When he awoke, he awoke with sweat covering his body. He rarely dreamed. When he did dream it was always something mundane and ordinary. It was a dream of shopping for groceries or talking a walk along the Zeltivan coast. Why was it changing now? He had started dreaming of people more often than anything else. The two people he dreamed of the most were Kaie and Dorian. Was it possible she had done something to him? Did it have something to do with whatever had caused such a recent upheaval of emotion within himself?

Eventually his questions would lull him back to sleep where he would begin to dream yet again.

"It's not so much what we feel, Matthew. It's about what we do with it. How we make them count for ourselves and those that matter to us."

He didn't want to do anything with it. He wanted to go back. He wanted it all just to stop. He wanted to be able to sleep without dreaming.

~~~

Dorian had seemed quite amused by Matthew's plans for the evening. He had quickly been silenced whenever Matthew had given him some coin to go spend in whatever way he had decided. When handing over the coin, something had driven Matthew to try something new. Something that he had seen on the streets whenever he had researched how to handle Dorian. "Don't spend it all in one place... son." The words had tasted just as foreign as they actually were. Dorian had blinked at him in surprise and confusion for a few ticks before bursting out into a loud laugh, then turning and trotting off to find something to amuse himself with. "You are bad at this."

About a bell later, Matthew was still pondering those words. Bad at what? Pretending he was a father? Or actually being some sort of father figure to the boy? He stood there in his deep thought, waiting outside of the room that him and Kaie shared. He had delivered her dress and simple pair of sandals to her earlier during the day, opting for something that would be relatively easy to move in. He had also made a point to find a dress that matched her favorite color. His expertise as a Harlot was obvious in the attention he paid to the little details. He was also wearing the same jacket and pair of slacks that he had worn on their first 'date', though the jacket was buttoned and also covering a button-up shirt underneath. A small red boutonniere was slipped into his breast pocket to match her dress, a black tie completing the entire outfit. The plan was to meet her outside of their room and escort her to the place that the dance was being held.

His parents' house. This was going to prove to be a very interesting evening.

[Kaie]

"This is utterly ridiculous."

The old sailor woman rattled off something in Fratava, much to the Myrian's irritation. Wrinkled, shriveled fingers tugged at long, wavy brown hair. Sitting still was never one of Kaie's talents. The old wooden inn chair creaked when she squirmed impatiently, which usually resulted in a stern yank from the old woman working diligently behind her. Bessie sat contently in the corner of the World's End Grotto room. Some sort of book sat in her lap. One set of painted nails skimmed restlessly from page to page. The other drummed carelessly upon a side table. The erratic rhythm was enough to drive anyone mad, least of all the provoked foreigner. Bessie's muddy eyes looked up to meet the Myrian's as if she could feel the heat of her gaze.

"Come on, don't pretend you weren't thinking it too," Kaie accused with a groan, crossing her tawny arms across her body stubbornly. Bessie shook her head and disappeared back into her reading. The Svefra on the other hand quickly went off with some sort of Fratava response again. It was all the savage could do not to spin around in her chair and inadvertently wreck what the woman had accomplished. "What was that?"
"She thinks you're acting like a little girl and should grow up," came Bessie's sigh from where she lounged back in the chair. Another page flipped. "I omitted the obscenities. Oh, and she said the next time you move, she's going to drown you in Mathew's Bay."

Her brow knit at that, mouth snapping shut rather decidedly. They might not have wanted to tease the subject, but she knew she was right. It all was rather ridiculous. There was hardly a part that wasn't. Matthew had asked her, a Myrian, a killer, a savage wearing a loincloth...to a ball. A ball where women wear dresses and dance. Worse, he was taking her as his date to meet his parents. It was a recipe for disaster and she knew it. The Svefra woman's hands gave a proud clap from behind her. Bessie's book shut with a thump and the beautician rose from her chair. A violent smile spread across her red painted lips and she began to prattle along in the Svefra's native tongue. Ticks later, the old woman shuffled her way over to fall into the chair with a victorious smile spread across thin lips. Bessie's shoes clip-clopped toward Kaie in exuberant steps.

"Your hair looks lovely, darling, really! Now for the fun part!" The beautician rifled through a small bag set upon the floor. One by one her tools of art were procured, all while she joyfully hummed a foreign tune. Brushes were twirled inside strange containers and worked along Kaie's face. Powder flew this way and that, colors swirled over her eyelids, black lined her bottom eye lids and darkened her lashes, cheeks were blushed, and red was colored along her lips. The beautician stepped back, muddy eyes narrowing critically as she examined her work. So long did it feel for the sulking savage that she could've sworn there was something terribly wrong. Then the woman's face broke out in a smile and she clapped her hands like an excited child. The Svefra sailor hobbled from her chair to inspect the finished product with a toothless grin. Shaking old hands offered a looking glass to the Myrian.

Kaie took the object hesitantly. Amber eyes scanned the eager faces of the other women skeptically. If only mother could see me now... Then they fell into the looking glass to inspect her own reflection. Brows shot up, head leaned forward, and the looking glass was turned this way and that curiously. She was not turned into the image of the upper class Zeltivans that she feared they would. The face looking back at her was still very much Kaie the Myrian, only the version of herself that might've always existed had she truly assimilated into the barbarian world. The tawny skin of her face was contoured and warm, eyes accentuated with bold, smokey browns and sharpened with the black liner. Maybe this is the barbarian version of war paint, but the women here fight with beauty rather than fear.

"Well?" the beautician's voice was almost nervous, the two of them teetering with suspense. Bronze hands reached up to gently tap along her hair. It was high in the front with a large braid trailing down her back. Kaie looked away from the looking glass with a blank expression to find their faces. Then she flashed them her teeth, which caused Bessie to squeal with delight and the Svefra woman to offer up some sort of other-worldly praise. "Perfect! Now for the dress!" Bessie clip-clopped her way to the closet. She returned quickly with the dress on a hanger. Red, her favorite color. He doesn't miss a thing.

Before long Bessie had the Myrian in the gown, and Kaie in turn rewarded the team of beauticians generously with twenty-five gold mizas. They thanked her, at one point making as if there were to rush her for a hug before thinking better of it, gave tiny little bows, and then went on their way. Finally the savage was left to the silence of the room and the buzz of her thoughts. Her fingers brushed down to inspect the smooth fabric of her attire, feeling the way it snugly fit along her slender frame. Feet slid into the sandals awaiting her on the floor.He's bound to be here any minute. A deep breath was taken, nerves exhaled rather forcefully, and then the Myrian was out the door.

[Matthew]

When Matthew slowly turned and fixed his bright blue stare upon the Myrian, there was a pause. His face was blank for a short length of ticks, steady gaze sweeping up and down her lithe frame in the form-fitting red dress. The sight caused something to curl within himself, something he was not at all familiar with. To the Harlot, it was merely an odd shift in the sensations that were contained within him.

Kaie would be the only one present to possibly notice the change. As he stood there examining her with that thoughtful expression and professional posture, his eyes simply changed. One moment they were that icy blue, filled with reason and intellect. The very next moment they were suddenly raging with heat and fire, filled to the brim with something utterly and completely primal. In that brief expanse of time Matthew would unknowingly reveal to Kaie that there was something else besides the anger. Something that was perhaps more dangerous.

Then there was a blink and it was gone, Matthew none the wiser. His brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before his mind automatically switched back to business, Matthew returning to the persona that Kaie was no doubt much more familiar with. The Harlot was not one to be confused. There was only thought, only planning, only intellect being put to use. The Myrian being wrapped within the soft embrace of the nice red dress was merely part of the plan. It was no use concerning himself with whatever the annoying sensations might be.

As he fully turned to face her, Matthew swept his stare over her yet again. This time it was slower, more focused, eyes flicking from detail to detail as he checked how well the dress fit and how effectively the beautician had applied her skills. After another few silent ticks the Harlot finally nodded, eyes moving up to meet her own as he spoke. "You look beautiful. Well done. Even better, they didn't try hide anything. Some people use cosmetics to hide what they perceive as flaws. You are not suited for that. You look best in your natural form and the cosmetics only compliment you. If anything, they almost make you look more fierce. Your hair looks quite nice as well." He was impressed with the talents of the beauticians. They hadn't changed Kaie a single bit, leaving her exactly as he wanted to present her and instead only helping to show off her naturally strong and sharp features.

"Shall we go? I will explain some things as I walk you there." With a polite smile the sharply-dressed prostitute stepped forward, turning and offering Kaie the crook of his arm to hold, giving a brief explanation of the simple side-by-side walking positions they would have on the way there if she looked uncertain. It wouldn't be long before they were off, the Harlot and the Myrian on their third date. Matthew had considered discussing the date with Aider, just because it felt polite, but in the end had decided the task was best left to Kaie. It wasn't like any sort of normal date, anyways. If anything, date was a word used in place of nefarious scheme when it came to the two of them.

The sun dipped below the horizon as they stepped out into the streets, Matthew guiding the way at a slow and relaxed pace. Every now and then they would see another formally-dressed couple seemingly headed in roughly the same direction. The ball was going to be a simple affair, held in one of the larger rooms found within the house that Matthew's parents owned. It was mostly an event for socializing, fun and food. "There are two main things you will need to keep in mind. First, outside of any violent thoughts that may come to mind, just be yourself. The secret is to act like this is normal. Yes, you are very different from all of these people. To you, they are barbarians. However, if you merely act like you belong, they will question any doubts they may have. They may even wonder if they are the ones out of place. Do not try to be anything other than the woman I brought with me. Do you understand?" His pristine face turned, peering down at her, Matthew only a couple of inches higher than the woman. He gave her a short moment to absorb and understand, allowing for any questions before he continued on.

"Second. I do not believe you have seen me in a social situation like this before. I will act very different. While you will be confident in displaying your true colors, I will be hiding mine. This may include actions to further the idea that we are a couple. If at any point you are ever uncomfortable or have any questions, merely ask me to come help you clean up a table. We will find somewhere to privately address your concerns or questions before continuing on. Do you have anything you would like to ask?" They were moving into the nicer district of Zeltiva now, with houses that were fashioned out of intricately detailed stone engraved with all manner of flourishes and artistic detail. Matthew was as seemingly stoic as ever, unpeturbed by his surroundings as he focused on the woman next to him.

[Kaie]

Matthew was never an easy man to read. Always poised, always one step ahead of her in a mental joust. Those eyes of his were rarely penetrable. Even if he had neglected to ever reveal his detachment to the emotional realm of his humanity, the woman would've detected it after some time. Like an ice wall, his blue eyes curtained his thoughts from her. In that moment he had turned to discover her, however, that was no longer the truth. She saw something. It didn't last long, but for the few short ticks it existed, Kaie recognized something animal-like. Her own pupils dilated for the same amount of time, hairs standing on end as if in the presence of some sort of threat. Something was there, her mind and body knew. If only they knew what. If only it lingered long enough so that she might've bestowed upon it a name.

Now his gaze was analytical. Critical, even. The Myrian quirked a questioning brow at him. Is something about me unacceptable? My hair? Whatever they put on my face? the woman found herself searching internally while she waited for the verdict. It was only his praise that loosened up her muscles and coaxed a breath of relief. "Thank you," Kaie began, gaze falling to look over her own ensemble, fingers smoothing out the silky fabric. It had looked like such a constricting, unpleasant thing upon the hanger. Surprisingly, now that she had the dress on, she was bewildered to find she actually...enjoy it to some degree. "I paid the beauticians well enough, so I'm glad they met your expectations. I had a feeling you'd meant me to stick out, being what I am, while blending in. I suppose they took care to listen to do just that."

There was a momentary curl of her lips, but that faded the moment she remembered the issue at hand: she was leaving all her weapons behind. Well, not all. Her fingers curled into tight fists before unraveling to relax at her sides again. Leaving her kukri and knives behind were fine. Now that she was healed, toting a spear around seemed overkill. Without her trusted gladius she felt truly naked. It was a rare occasion it left her hip. She could only think of a handful of times now that she considered that reality. You're not in Sunberth anymore. Odds are you won't have much use for a blade at this event.

"We shall," Kaie agreed and approached with a likewise smile to meet him. Hesitation lingered when she set her eyes on the offered crook of his arm. Then she resigned to fall into the strange customs of his people as they went on their way. As The Harlot started with basic instructions for her to follow, the Myrian found herself falling back to Sunberth once again.

"Sunberth can be safe to be a part of, as long as you are willing to be a part of it."

The simple advice he'd given her that day he found her passed out outside Ruby's had dictated her every approach to the city. It saved her from thinking the better of her instincts by protecting the accused mage when she sought salvation from Zandelia, Fallon, and herself at the Market. It kept her operating within the pack mentality of the resident mob up until the very end. Zeltiva was a new city, but Matthew's message was the same: be a Myrian, but be one of them. The idea settled well with the stubborn woman, who found herself nodding along slowly like a new student receiving vital knowledge. If anything, her goal was to be as faceless as she could. The Girl Matthew Brought Along, that would be her identity. Matthew was the renown prostitute after all. Wouldn't it be him to worry, with the possibility of running into potential clients at his parents' very own ball? Other than racial obstacles, she merely needed to wear a mask in the same way Matthew mastered his ability to don his.

The second set of information was curious. Already did she feel as though the man was constantly hiding in social camouflage. The idea he'd be slipping into another persona, presumably to make whatever he wished to convey in the ball setting believable, was hardly conceivable at first. How many social skins does he have? At least the rest of his warning was familiar. They'd played the part of a couple before. In her mind's eye, the Myrian could still see the look on that bar maid's face when she heard the dashing specimen before her ask for the damned savage. That date had been fictional, though. A short facade for a small audience. It was child's play, the backstage. Now was time for the grand production. Time to be tested.


"It all sounds rather straight forward. You be whatever role you want to play, I'll adjust, and we'll make everyone believe we are the couple of the bell." A few faces they passed in the street took a double take at the finely dressed woman. Confusion riddled their features, an internal battle of prejudice and awe battling in their heads. With her free hand, Kaie patted at the side of her braided hair. She flashed the man her teeth, brow quirked in feigned innocence. "Haven't you heard? Parents love me." Tsu'kai's parents had anyway. They were a whole world and culture apart. And the tight sensation in her throat reminded her they wouldn't love her so much when they discovered what she had done.

"What are you parents like, Matthew? Are they prostitutes, too?"

[Matthew]

"I had a feeling you'd meant me to stick out, being what I am, while blending in."

Smart Myrian. Her acceptance and understanding of the social strategy he presented only further proved her intellect. There was a blossom of brief emotion in the pit of his stomach, Matthew examining it for a split-tick before shifting his attention to more important things. There was a lot to focus on. His Auristics had advanced to a point where he could sense auras without any effort on his part. While this method was only able to sense the surface of any given aura that was within close range, it was still yet another thing for his senses to process. Sometimes Matthew wondered if it was close to overloading his mind with information. Thankfully, Kaie's curious voice spoke a question that was interesting enough to completely and utterly capture all of his focus at once.

"My parents?" He suddenly realized that he hadn't actually ever shared any of this information with anyone. Kaie was probably the person he had encountered on the most regular basis in the past few years and he hadn't even thought to share it with her. To him, none of it had ever mattered. It had never been important. That had just changed.

"My father is Edward Parker and my mother is Theresa Parker. My full name is Matthew Wayne Parker. My father works with the local sailors and my mother teaches medicine. She is the head teacher of medicine at a local university." Did Myrian's have universities? "A large school." The pair of them walked slowly through the streets, Matthew's pace patient and leisurely. "They do not approve of my profession. If they ask about it, I plan on telling them I have begun to pursue a different career path. I am not ashamed of my choice, but I know it will put their minds at ease to believe their son has moved on to what they consider better things. It is the easiest path, I feel." Blue eyes scanned the path before them, searching for something specific. His search was interrupted by a sudden voice coming from the side, that of a young male who was about to complicate things. "Matthew? Is that you, Matthew?" The Harlot blinked once, pausing mid-step and slowly turning to face the source of the voice. It was in that turn that the evolution quickly took place.

His arm dropped from her grasp suddenly, slipping down the curves of her side that was furthest from him and taking a gentle but firm hold on the slope of her hip. He lightly tugged her closer into him so that the curves of her side molded with the muscle of his own side, his body suddenly seeming to loom an inch or two taller next to Kaie. It was a very subtle change in appearance, though one that would make their shared pace quite a bit more intimate. What had once been perhaps an inch of space between the two of them was now nonexistent. Why would the Harlot make such a seemingly insignificant change? It was for the young man that had spoken and was now quickly approaching. He would see Kaie, but then his eyes would slide to Matthew, taking the young man into consideration and then realizing that Kaie was claimed. That was the entire purpose. With a small change in the way he held himself and the way he held her, suddenly he projected an aura of ownership. Not in such a way that she became an object of his, but in a way that claimed her as more than a friend. She was his to look at, and the rest of them were merely privileged.

It served a similar purpose for the female that accompanied the young man. It was only natural that her eyes would discreetly appreciate Matthew's beautiful appearance. However, she then quickly realize that Matthew was already enraptured by another. His pose and posture spoke of complete and utter pride at the beautiful creature that had accompanied him. It was just the simplest of adjustments that would silently state that Matthew and Kaie were a couple. However, that was not the full extent of the evolution.

"Edward? What a pleasure to see you again!" Matthew's face warped into something almost unrecognizable, lush lips curving into a broad smile that offered a glimpse of white teeth, free hand reaching out to offer a handshake to the pimple-faced blonde youth that was grinning back. His date was a young woman with a pale face and green eyes, who offered both him and Kaie a polite little nod. "You always did have a good memory, especially for handsome faces such as my own." Edward chuckled at his own joke, nudging his date and winking at her as if to make sure she noticed how very funny he was. "Right, of course. Let me introduce you to my date. This is Kaie." Blue eyes glanced down at her, a cue that it was time for her to show just what she was made of. The two couples would find themselves walking together now, one particular two-story house looming closer and closer. They had nearly reached their destination.

[Kaie]

It all fit the man as snugly as his form-flattering jacket. After all, it only made sense. Matthew had always been the clever, academic friend she could count on to adequately handle even the most concerning of circumstances with all of his detached grace. He'd mastered anatomy, applied it to his intimate pursuits behind closed doors and between the sheets. His sense of reason and logic had simplified impressively complex dilemmas in a way that made solutions rather obvious. Knowledge in medicine had probably saved her from another round of battle with infection already. A well-rounded man could only be the offspring of equally successful parents. What he'd learned from his father, Kaie couldn't be sure. Yet it would seem evident to her that the man took after his mother, the apparent leader in medicine at a Zeltivan school, as Matthew had informed her with his off-handed explanation. No doubt he was the sort to be wildly immersed in his academia as a boy.

The Myrian found herself wandering back to her own roots. There were no known brothels in Taloba, but she wondered how her clan might react had she chosen Matthew's path. It was an easy question to answer. They would shun her, condemn her for exploiting her body rather than bringing glory to the Goddess Queen or bettering herself as a warrior and asset to her people. Quickly she began to comprehend just why the man would opt to wear a mask and lie through his teeth. Seasons away from home, and even the Myrian had to admit that she still sought her parents' approval from abroad. She offered him a firm nod of understanding. Lips parted to question his past and his family further, to seek out more information on the mysteriously intriguing Parker clan, when a voice redirected her attention.

Head snapped to find the speaker. He was a young man with a woman on his arm, both parties dressed for roles likened to the whore and his savage date. The foreigner's eyes swept across the pair, studying their gestures, looking for signals that indicated an immediate threat. Instead she found the beaming grin of the blonde male as his gaze settled upon Matthew. A fondness riddled his expression in a way that marked him something of an old friend to the Parker beside her. Friends? Another family member? Some sort of associate? The analysis of the man ended when she felt the harlot's hand slip. He'd seized her, tugging her firmly to his side until their bodies melted into one another. Her breath left her in a sudden exhale, eyes blinked in surprise. Already had Matthew's persona radically changed if only in the way he held himself. The performance had begun.

Kaie followed in Matthew's steps after a tick was taken to assess the situation and rapidly adapt. A warm grin broke across her features as if she too had the pleasure of running into a familiar face once forgotten in time. Her arm reached behind his lower back. A tawny hand rested over his external obliques, reinforcing the lack of space shared between their bodies with a gesture of possession of her own. I am his as he is mine. It didn't take long for the other woman in their midst to find herself unintentionally ogling over the presence of the profoundly handsome man her companion called out to. The Myrian's gaze found her, and either out of politeness, guilt, or embarrassment, her brown eyes dropped away momentarily. Even then the other girl, all dolled up and dressed in forest green, was in a far more comfortable place than the Myrian.

She could feel her own palms starting to sweat. A minor release of adrenaline occurred. Constantly she over analyzed her gestures, wondering if her smile indeed seemed genuine, if the other couple could see through their facade. With her introduction came her moment to play her part. It would be a trial by fire. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Edward. Matthew has told me much about you. Finally I can put a name to a face," Kaie tried with a false allure of confidence in her own lies. Her strong accent raised some eyebrows. Truth be told, it was quite a poor fib and awfully cliche at that. All she had to go from was her experiences working for a prestigious merchant in Syliras, trying to mimic their language and gestures. In that tick, she would've prayed to any deity so long as she didn't fail her first test.

Edward's beaming grin widened and he shot Matthew a gracious look. A hand fidgeted with his jacket, righting the expensive piece of clothing into its proper place. "All good things I hope! It's nice to finally see a woman on your arm, Matthew! Let us walk together, shall we?" He chuckled and drew his date in closer. The pair of couples continued their strides side-by-side. It was a challenge for Kaie not to stiffen with strangers so very close her and her friend. However, the notion she might very well trip over her own gown at some point that night was far more troubling. "I've heard your parents' event tonight is to be exquisite per usual. Everyone's been wondering about what ever happened to their son. They'll be eager to find out," he continued to jibe in good nature. The woman in the green dress merely continued to smile politely as if too shy to enter the conversation just yet, or maybe she was still trying to figure out the enigma that was the exotic woman on the arm of the fine man Edward was so fond of. "So where exactly have you been? And what adventure found you in the company of your date?"

[Matthew]

His attention to detail did not limit itself to what dress he had purchased for Kaie, nor did it limit itself to fine-tuning the impression the fake couple gave off to all those who glanced at them. To Matthew, attention to detail when it came to his chosen profession was the closest to art that he would ever get. To Matthew, there was no line to worry about crossing. Even if certain details would only be noticed by both him and the Myrian, he would still give them proper attention. It was part of the puzzle. Every piece was required.

The way Matthew touched Kaie was a perfect example of such a thing. As her bronzed arm reached behind his lower back to further secure the lack of space between them, the Harlot made subtle little adjustments here and there. He shifted his weight to one foot, changing his posture so that his muscles shifted just a bit, rippling against Kaie's own body and clicking their flesh together just a single breath tighter. As the two of them turned to fully face the other couple, Kaie would soon feel Matthew's fingertips slipping from the curve of her hip to the small of her back, patiently and carefully tracing the defined lines of muscle that he could feel beneath the material of her dress. Matthew was teasing her in a way that their company would not be able to see even when they were right there in front of them. It wasn't a required part of their act. However, with the way that Matthew's slowly-tracing fingers danced down the small of her back to come dangerously close to where the curve of her rear began before mocking tracing back up... it was obvious that he thought it was a required detail.

Matthew was distracted for a second as he sensed Kaie's brief surge of unease, blue eyes flickering down to glance at her. She seemed to recover quickly however, allowing him to return his attention back to Edward's words. “I don't know if they were all good things, Edward. Are you asking me to lie to my beautiful date? She is rather dangerous when she is angry with me. I've learned not to press my luck.” His arm and hand had returned to wrapping around her waist and holding her hip, giving it an affectionate squeeze as he tossed Edward a playful wink. “I've been travelling to further my studies in medicine. I've visited Syliras, Mura and Sunberth. Each city has been a fountain of new knowledge. I met Kaie in Sunberth. She works as a mercenary and is extremely skilled with a blade.” Edward's eyebrows briefly rose as Matthew revealed what some would perhaps see as an odd choice of careers. The Parker son had spoken of it in a rather casual tone, however. Perhaps it wasn't as odd as he thought? Edward merely nodded and smiled, doubting himself. Matthew was quick to notice, blue eyes glinting for a moment. Perfect.

The two couples stepped by the small salt water pool that was found in the front of the Parker Manor, the large living space looming before them. “Edward, I hate to cut our reunion short, but I wish to introduce Kaie to my parents. I will find you later, alright? It was wonderful to see you again.” Edward grinned and nodded, offering a little wave. “Sounds good, Matthew. It was a pleasure to meet you, Kaie.” The two couples entered the house and then immediately split. Edward and his date headed for the foyer on the second floor, travelling up a winding staircase to enter the room that had been cleared for couples to dance in. There were between a dozen and two dozen couples roaming the house, each of them offering Matthew and Kaie a small smile and nod as the Harlot led his date further into the first floor of the house.

For a moment they were alone, Matthew's firm voice almost immediately speaking softly. “Do not let your mind wonder what they may think of you. It doesn't matter, does it? Tonight you are my lover, are you not? Every flaw that others might notice are only seen as perfections through my eyes. For all of those perceived imperfections that you or others may see in yourself, you still command my loyalty and affection. Isn't that how lovers are?” His eyes glanced down to her for a moment, actually calling upon knowledge she had given to him back at the hot springs in Sunberth.

Then they stepped through a single door that led into what looked like a kitchen where two people awaited. Theresa was a short woman with kind eyes and short brown hair, dressed in a simple but beautiful red dress. Edward was taller, dressed in a gray suit and possessing intense brown eyes. Both parents visibly softened at the sight of their son, small smiles turning the corners of their lips. “Hello mother, father. It has been so long.” A kiss was given to the side of Theresa's cheek and a firm handshake shared with Edward, the whole reunion a rather reserved and polite affair. “Mother and Father, I want you to meet my lover. This is Kaie. Tiger woman, this is Theresa and Edward, my mother and father.” The few words of Myrian were spoken as an affectionate nickname, the foreign language causing both parents to briefly hesitate before they refocused their attention on Kaie. All eyes turned to the Myrian, the woman once more shoved center stage.

*Myrian

[Kaie]

Gods was he good. The gentle wandering of his gentle, calculating fingertips left a trail of gooseflesh in their wake beneath the fabric of the dress. Air filled her lungs in a casual breath, but lingered there just a few ticks too long. It was as if the sheer shock of his falsely intimate touch had frightened the oxygen into hiding within the organs themselves. The exhale that followed was smooth, careful as if the most natural of motions needed to be carefully guided to maintain a level of exterior coolness. An irritation arose in the Myrian's consciousness. A frustration. A subtle stiffness entered her frame that only the man molded so firmly against her body could feel. Still the fingers wove their delicate pattern down her lower back before reversing, and the woman made no move to put his teasing to a proper end. Matthew only knew her too well. So well that he knew he was letting her own head run circles around itself in light of his gesture. Part of her wanted to hate him for up. Nonetheless, she kept face right up until the moment he adjusted his hand elsewhere and dove back into conversation.

Medicine. That's one way to put it, she internally mocked, fighting the twitch of the corner of her lips that threatened to break into a grin. That quickly faded when his explanation of herself was oddly accurate and completely factual. Pointed chin turned his way and there was brief look of surprise in her eyes when she stole a quick glance at him. Then she centered herself back on Edward and the quiet girl on his arm to offer up a nod of confirmation. "Oh, he's just flattering me. Actually, I've never seen it for myself, but I've heard he's also rather incredible when it comes to wielding his own blade. Perhaps those are stories for another night." The Myrian couldn't help but add smoothly as the pair of couples passed a lively pool of water. All the while she was doing quite the battle with herself to keep the smugness off her face. Judging by Edward's laughter and suggestive raise of his eyebrows toward the harlot, she'd succeeded in passing it off as an inappropriate innuendo regarding Matthew's foreign conquests. If only they knew.

It wasn't until they passed the pool of water and turned toward a massive establishment that Kaie realized where exactly they were going. The Myrian blinked twice, but it was rather obvious she'd never seen a home as impressive in construction or size as the one before her. It might've been at least three longhouses high. From the front she had no idea how wide the place was. Candles inside lit up just about every window and bright torches illuminated their path. Dozens and dozens of members of the Parker clan must live inside. Generation after generation, so many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our longhouses could never fit nearly so many. The awe was written across her face. "Yes. Such a pleasure, Edward," was all the savage could muster in a detached manner as she carefully surveyed the looming manor. Her feet were moving again with her date before she had even registered their motion.

The Myrian composed herself once they'd entered the Parker Manor. Now and then her widened eyes or raised brow conveyed her interest in the home's many luxuries. Unaccustomed to the swirling hems of expensive dresses, the gentle shrill of string instruments, and the polite laughter of party guests made it seem as though the Harlot was carting around a child rather than an adult. She almost forgot to amicably smile back to the faces of strangers that eyed her as they passed. It was only the soothing yet determined voice in her ear that gave her center again. Somehow the words sounded vaguely familiar. "The good ones, yes," Kaie answered lowly through what she had come to understand was the polite grin. At least that what it looked like upon the other female faces around her she was trying to mirror. Letting Matthew lead them into the kitchen-esque room where two individuals stood, the Myrian found herself trying to believe the cosmetics upon her face were truly war paint.

Time to meet the parents.

The man was dressed almost as sharply as his son, and his stare was just as grasping. There was something commandeering in his firm features. Something ambitious in the way he carried himself. And yet it was the woman beside him that commanded the Myrian's fullest attention. Her dark eyes held a kindness within a round face framed with short hair. The red dress wrapped about her body elegantly in its simplicity. The amber eyes of the jungle-born did not waver in the presence of the older woman's stare. In fact, Matthew might've noticed that the stature of the Myrian changed entirely shortly after the pair entered the room. Her spine had straightened, chin lifted, and she had altogether stilled. That polite smile she'd recently picked up remained as Matthew approached his family, whose moods quickly elated at the sheer sight of him. Kaie shot him a proud glance at the sound of her mother tongue, before immersing herself back into the new conversation. Something told her this one wasn't going to necessarily be quite so easy.

"Hello," the woman began warmly, in spite of the pause between the parents as they began to connect the dots between the spoken foreign language, her own unique characteristics, and her dreaded tell-tale accent. "It's an honor to meet the two of you. You have a beautiful home." It was the safest route she could find given her current predicament. To say she was out of her own element would be quite the understatement. She might as well have been on a different planet.

"You've raised a talented son. He's proven quite gifted in the realm of medicine. I understand he must've gotten it from his mother. Matthew has told me you're the Head of Medicine at the University." It was undeniably a string of statements crafted in strategy to please the Parker clan matriarch. It was her approval that the Myrian was raised and conditioned to seek. Overseas she had discovered that men ruled in the barbarian cities and cultures. That did not make her inclined to lead a life that was innately to bring pleasure to the males in the societies abroad she dwelled within.

[Matthew]

He had briefly felt her stiffen. Something had felt different in the air for a single tick, something he did not understand. Their relationship often seemed to include a sort of struggle, some sort of tension that was constantly in the air. While it made no sense to him, it had always felt natural. It had been something that had so subtly and slowly developed that the Harlot had rarely even thought about it. They had just simply gotten to know each other better with a friendship that was rather unique. One of the things that Matthew had gotten to know was her body. There had been a lot of time to study it. She was no doubt very familiar with the way that Matthew always seemed to be shamelessly appreciating her body on something that seemed like a professional level to him. There had been moments of brief touch, much like his current touch upon her back, that had helped him come to understand it even more. Why was there something new and foreign, then? It irritated him. Frustrated him.

When she had made the joke about his sword Matthew had made sure to break into laughter just a split tick after Edward did, making an effort to appear like he understood the joke. Thankfully it clicked a short moment laughter, causing the Harlot to toss Kaie a sideways glance. She looked like she was trying not grin. He had seen the corners of her lips ever so slightly twitch like that many times before.

If he noticed that she was rather stunned by the size of his house, Matthew gave no sign. In all honesty he had always assumed that Myrians had houses like the rest of them, though with slightly different decor to match the local culture. He had no idea how very wrong he was. He was content to merely smile and nod, keeping up appearances while making sure they weren't intercepted again by some other couple. It wasn't long before he was distracted however, her response to his question about two lovers causing him to ponder. “The good ones?” He had always thought that you either loved someone or you didn't. The idea that there were good and bad lovers threw a new twist into things. It wasn't a physical activity like sex. He would have to ask her more later.

Something about Kaie once again changed when they entered the kitchen, different than the change before but still unfamiliar to him. She had seemed to straighten a bit. His mind filled with more questions but he quickly shoved them down, knowing he wouldn't have the chance to ask any time soon.

Matthew watched closely as the Myrian introduced herself. It was immediately obvious that he had made a good choice in asking Kaie to come with him to this event. While his parents seemed briefly confused by both her accent and exotic appearance, it didn't take long for them to brush it off and step forward, their happiness with the situation overwhelming their questions. Wide smiles suddenly spread across their faces, Theresa moving close to give Kaie a quick hug while Edward gave a hearty chuckle. The mother was the first to speak, her soft voice both kind and excited. “Thank you very much, Kaie. It means so much to hear you say that. He always showed a talent for it. We were honestly somewhat worried that you would never find the happiness that love can bring, Matthew. We never saw you look at girls with a spark in your eye. I am so happy you've found someone to feel that way for.” Edward nodded in agreement, his voice deep and slightly loud. “Your sister would have been happy too, son. She always said how much she wanted you to give her another sister.”

There was a brief shift in the air, Theresa shooting her husband a look. Edward, seemingly realizing whatever mistake he had just made, coughed and attempted to recover. “More importantly, we've always wanted grandchildren. At least two. A boy and a girl. Think you can do that, Kaie?” A bellow of laughter exploded from somewhere deep in his belly, the man giving Kaie a friendly clap on the shoulder while his wife drilled a hole through him with a silent and disapproving stare. Matthew didn't intervene, letting Kaie handle it herself, already confident in her abilities. After giving them a bit more time to talk, Matthew would gently try to progress the evening forward. Prolonged conversation of any sort would make the charade easier to see through. “Just to make sure my wonderful father doesn't embarrass me any further, I think it might be best if I helped Kaie escape from his presence. Are you hungry, Kaie? My mother is a wonderful cook. If not, I can give you a tour or we can go straight to dancing.” The choice was really hers. He had no real schedule of events. Meanwhile his mother was eager to cater to whatever Kaie needed while his father was merely grinning at the fact that his son was apparently joking with him.

Immediately after phrasing the question, Matthew's hand would suddenly start to move once again, lightly tracing both the curve and muscle of her lower back through the fabric of her dress. His parents would not be able to see it of course, but wasn't that the point? The taboo. The adrenaline. Did the Myrian not thrive when fire flooded her veins?

[Kaie]

It could've have been more than a few beats, but every tick between her compliment and Mrs. Parker's reaction was agonizing. The suspense stroked her nerves. They're just being polite. They hate me, they hate me, hate me, hate me. A savage of all abominations in their beautiful home. Murderer. Cannibal. Myrian. Only her own shock strangled her dreaded thoughts. They did not stare her down with damning disapproval, nor did they spit slander to ward the foreigner out of their mansion. Instead, just like that, Mrs. Parker attacked the surprised Myrian with nothing more than a warm hug. Kaie did her best to recover, smoothing out her brow and giving that polite smile a more genuine twist. She had the sense to return the woman's hug. Not too brief, not too long. As soon as she felt Theresa's hands begin to slip from around her torso, Kaie too released her. Exotic, steady stare observed the faces of the parents before her before they swayed to Matthew.

So proud. So ecstatic. So relieved...and yet so somber. Their reaction prompted the foreigner to gaze at the Harlot in a similar light. Standing there before the people who created him, who loved him, and who embraced him after obvious separation right there in the home he was raised in, Kaie couldn't fight the sensation of pity. Could it be so that the man had never in his life known what it was like to love? To love so crazily, so stupidly as most had the luxury in their youth? The notion prompted sympathy and more questions, but the most important one she was clever enough not to voice was over the mention of his sister. Her brow furrowed. Something bubbled to her mind's surface.

A couple walking side by side, fingers laced together with hands that swung when they stepped. Ahead of them...
A boy, bounding through the rising and receding tide along the beach. A mess of dark hair shook when he darted here and there, giggling, laughing, smiling...
And the girl, scolding the small child as he wove through the sand leaving a mess of tiny foot prints. Her hair was just as black, eyes just as blue.

The Myrian blinked. The dreamscape faded away from her conscious mind, waved away as a fiction that came only with sleep and a strange dream that included Matthew. Her clan bought into the hidden messages and futuristic prophecies of such phenomenons, but the woman had no time to contemplate what weight it bore. The room at gone apparently uncomfortable at the mention of Matthew's apparent sister, to which he earned the briefest of a perplexed expression from the ignorant Myrian. Edward's hearty laugh refocused the exotic visitor and she found herself laughing along with him. "I suppose that is only for the gods to decide, Mr. Parker," she jibed in return, mentally assuring herself that his friendly gesture upon her shoulder was of no harm. Other than Dorian, Kaie couldn't imagine Matthew very fond of the responsibilities, burdens, or joys of fatherhood. Besides, with luck, she'd be blessed with more strong women in her bloodline first.

"That's an incredibly generous offer, Matthew, but I can't possibly tie your mother up when she has so many other guests to look after. Why don't you show me more of the house?" She placed a teasing hand on his chest for effect. A reciprocation for the sudden jolt of alertness he caused her when his hand traveled to her spine. I thought civilized barbarian types were supposed to be modest around family, the rich, and the powerful? The idea was becoming more and more irrelevant with the quickening of blood through her veins. She should've known better. The Harlot rarely plays by the rules. His profession demanded risk, thirsted for wrong in all the right ways. "I'm interested in seeing more of the place you spent your childhood." Okay, so maybe she was putting off the whole dancing thing. The box step he'd shown her on their little camping trip was easy enough with practice, but applying it in front of barbarians with experience? It was unnerving.

After the proper goodbyes were said and the couples parted ways, the Myrian's tension would ease from her body like blood from a wound. The excitement and the fire he'd ignited in her was troubling. It was wrong. It felt right, right in a way it always had a tendency to when the two played their nefariously dangerous games, but wrong all the same. Aider. She was committed to another. She shared her bed with another. And yet he's not here, and you neglected to mention to him this extravagant ball...let alone the role you're playing this very moment. Kaie had done nothing wrong. She was her own woman, independent and strong. She didn't need a lover's permission to do as she pleased and when she wished. Something had changed since they'd left Sunberth though. The wretched city had altered the Myrian and she supposed it molded the Nykan, too. Did it damage the beautiful romance they had as well?

"I heard a woman in this city say 'you can tell a lot about a man by the house that built him.' I want you to show me what formed your frames. Show me the room that speaks to you the loudest." Kaie looked up as him as they moved. There was something determined in her eyes. A curiosity, maybe? A desire? In any case, she hoped the man would oblige her request before they entered the nightmare commonly known as the dance floor. "What did you do with Dorian? Your parents don't know about him do they? Him or your blessing?" Her voice dropped when she posed the last string of questions, eyes darting around to spy any lurking eavesdroppers with an insatiable thirst for gossip. Luckily, most seemed rather self absorbed and wooed by the Parker-hosted social affair.