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bladesandwings · 8 years ago

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Shattered Expectations

It was all Laianath could do to keep his temper as he lowered the brush to the rest and sat back. His eyes went to the man waiting quietly in the corner for him to finish. "I'm done."

This was not a position he had ever thought to find himself in, compromising almost all of the few limits he'd once set for himself. But then he had always thought if he found himself into trouble it would be because he'd walked into it himself, not because some girl he barely knew had made up some sort of tale that cast him into the worst possible light.

He was desperate for work, in fierce need of the protection this Duke's 'good name' might give him if he could only get the man to hire him. He forced himself to smile at the man's agent as he came to collect the paper, even though he wanted to clench his teeth and punch him. He'd had his pride, but pride was not going to keep him alive and free.

Still, if anybody else had been willing to give him a second look he'd have walked out the moment the man handed him a brush. He expected the men who wanted to hire him to want some demonstration of his ability with the blades he was selling. He was willing to provide it, as he had done for this Duke's agent. But he had never had a single person ask for a written exam afterwards.

How proud must this duke be to insist that his protector be not only skilled with a blade but literate and at least somewhat schooled in the classics. Laianath was, he had even made the odd attempt at poetry. It was not lack of confidence in the paper that made him so angry.

He had sworn he would never work for a nobleman. Now he was left no choice but to hope that the man reading over the paper would find his calligraphy acceptable enough to allow him even a chance to meet one.

He could already imagine the man, fat and sweating in fine silks that could never be pretty enough to cover up what he was. Bloated on his own pride and unearned position. Laianath gritted his teeth.

"This will do. Come back tomorrow."

Just that and his fate was decided. The agent had already turned his back and there was nothing for him to do but pick up the blades beside him and the tiny scraps left of his dignity and go.

***

He should have been happy to have the job, but all Laianath could think as he paced back and forth in the small room awaiting the Duke's leisure was that he hated everything about this. He'd have no choice but to bow and scrape and flatter. And the worst of it was that he knew the moment it ever became the least bit more convenient to do so he was certain this Duke would throw him to the wolves the same way the merchant's daughter had done.

"He will see you, go in." The agent didn't linger for a response.

Laianath took a deep breath, ran a hand over his hair and let his hands rest for just a moment on the familiar solid weight of the blades at his hips. He'd find something nice to say no matter how sickening the man was to look at. He needed this work, he reminded himself, even if it was the last thing he wanted.

Sliding the door open he stepped in. The room was a pleasant one, graciously furnished, lovely hangings on the wall that were likely worth more than he'd ever earned in his life. Books and scrolls were piled about, a wealth of knowledge he could hardly imagine having so readily at his fingertips. He spent a moment looking over the room, scanning it from one end to the other.

Everything he might have expected was there, the lacquered table, the cushioned seating, the beautiful patterned vases. The scent of flowers and delicate incense in the air. There was even some tall, snow pale beauty standing at the window that must be the Duke's mistress. All that was missing was the Duke.

Laianath cleared his throat rather awkwardly. "Excuse me..."

There was a soft rustle of silk as the beauty at the window turned and Laianath sucked in a breath as he realized that moon colored vision was not some woman, but a man, with features as fine and delicate as an ivory carving but still decidedly masculine. Beautiful. "You must be Laianath." The man said in a voice that matched the lips he'd somehow got himself caught up in staring at.

It took him a breath too long to realize he should answer. Clearing his throat he nodded hastily. "I am. I'm here to work for the Duke..." He'd been given a name but he wasn't sure he was even supposed to use it. "I'm his new bodyguard..."

The vision chuckled at him, a brief silvery pleasant sort of sound that made his own lips quirk up before he caught himself. "And I'm the Duke."

It wasn't possible. Laianath found himself looking stupidly around the room once more as though he expected the fat silkworm of a noble he'd imagined to materialize. But there was no one else, just this man with his hair and skin like moonlight and eyes the color of evening. "Oh." he said finally and knew he sounded like an idiot. "I'm here to protect you. Ummm, that is it's an honor to serve you of course."

He thought the man was laughing at him. He could almost see it in the light in those pretty eyes. "Is something wrong?" The Duke asked.

Laianath wasn't sure he had the right answer. "I'm not sure I know how to talk to a Duke is all." He answered finally one hand lifting sheepishly to the back of his neck. But that wasn't the truth at all. His mother had made certain he knew exactly how to address a nobleman, years ago. He just wasn't at all sure how to talk to -this- Duke. He hadn't expected him to be pretty.

#Laianath #Sathyrios #Laian #Sath #Laian and Sath #Revelation Online #rp #writings

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