PW124: Making Amends

[Azuel Vyaduka]

He heard her words. Azuel’s eyes narrowed and his head turned to look at Ivone. He chewed on his lip. Latifa looked across the table and raised her eyebrow, a gesture not lost on Azuel. Hordes of silent communications were flung back and forth across the table. Had he not grown in just such an environment, Azuel might have found it maddening. Now, he found it oddly reassuring that Ivone was likely to miss most of it. Besides which, it was comfortable to fall back into routine.

Khayyam, not blind to such things, tightened his lips and moved them through the proper Puradyne prayers when Maalik returned, bearing bread and a jug of milk atop a tray. Azuel was surprised not to see the usual wine, but supposed that Maalik must not want Latifa to drink her fill in front of a guest. Khayyam seemed relieved as well. They were unified in their will to present themselves well, at least. Evidence for this continued to arise when Maalik sat down next to Khayyam, not a single movement betraying any sort of animosity.

Azuel’s thoughts turned to what he had communicated to Latifa. His unease had been noted, as indicated by her own returned expression; that eyebrow had also conveyed to Azuel that Latifa was more interested in what he thought of the matter than the matter itself.

He pawed at his potatoes with his fork, eventually slicing off a hunk and eating it. Latifa wasn’t willing to help him, then. That was one asset lost. He was going to have to sort through the puzzle himself.

The words that hung in his mind the most were her desire to become ‘more’ than a mere guest. The words were innocuous enough, it was true. But there was something to the way she said it that implied more; a rather fast progression from what was ostensibly a trip to secure Khayyam’s forgiveness. Azuel did not like where the thought logically extended to. If she was here to somehow exploit Khayyam’s guilt over the events of last year, or even merely testing the waters for that potential, he would...

Actually, he had no idea what he would do. He probably couldn’t do anything. Azuel slouched back down into his bubble of silence while shoving potatoes into his mouth. If she was a guest here, it was time they started treating her like one rather than some sort of queen.

Granted, his eating habits were still refined compared to Jafar’s, who noisily, cheerfully devoured his chicken from the seat to his little brother’s left. The situation made a fine testament to the fact that looks do not count for everything.

Azuel drew in a long, slow breath. Any gesture he could make would be pointless here. It was time he simply relaxed and focused back on the conversations which had been swirling around the room while he had been turning his thoughts to imaginary plots and meaningless suspicion.

His sister had turned to Ivone, apparently with the intent to make small talk. “So, how goes the perfumes, Ivone? I’ve heard you make the most lovely scents.”

[Ivone]

Ivone bowed her head and looked the model of propriety and piety as Khayyam spoke the Puradyne mantra. When the plates were passed, she thanked the person who passed them and took a small amount of each item, eating them with care and delicate manners. She complimented the cooks. Unlike Azuel, Ivone did not paw at her food. She chewed, she swallowed, and spoke only after her mouth was clear.

“Mm, yes! Tian had fostered my love of gardening and encouraged a hobby in the creation of scents, soaps, and other cosmetic items. Though my nose is not as expert as a trained perfumer, I have been pleased with the results.”

The Vyaduka table was a tense one flowing with undercurrents that put her teeth on edge, but she was trained well. Dinner progressed until its completion. Placing her fork and knife in the middle of her plate, Ivone dabbed the napkin around her mouth.

“Thank you for the lovely dinner. May I help with cleaning up?“

Her guileless gaze and smile was given to each member of the table.

[Azuel Vyaduka]

Having slowly discarded his suspicion over the course of the dinner, Azuel was now left with an entirely different impression of Ivone. Unfortunately for her, his new feelings were of distinct and profound annoyance. Ivone’s every motion was so calculatedly delicate that it made him wish he could yell at her and walk out in disgust. The chicken on the table had a more endearing personality, as far as Azuel was concerned.

Jafar and Khayyam clearly thought differently. Both beamed as Ivone suggested she might grant her aid, smiling as if she were the noblest creature in the world. Azuel didn’t care to examine his father’s reaction, partly because he knew he would find a resemblance he did not care to see.

Azuel stood and began silently gathering dishes and trays, understanding that it was generally the ones who set the table who would later end up cleaning the dishes. The routine might have been more reassuring had not Ivone joined in. Jafar did as well, while Maalik stood and moved off to do Teondinus knew what. Latifa smiled at both Ivone and Azuel before following. Khayyam dawdled behind, perhaps out of a lingering feeling of obligation to Ivone.

Azuel sighed, Khayyam glared, and Azuel shrank. How dare Ivone put him in this situation. He began to seriously resent the effect of her presence on their delicate family dynamics. He began to resent her, even though he knew it wasn’t rational or right. He tried to focus on gathering up plates and cups.

[Ivone]

When Azuel stood and began gathering dishes, so did Ivone. Jafar moved around to her side of the table and brushed against her now and again. She knew it was on purpose, but let it slide. Noticing Khayyam had stayed, she smiled at him.

“If it’s alright with you, may I join you in your study after?”

Khayyam nodded and surveyed the scene, giving Azuel a glare when the boy sighed. That boy… Khayyam looked at Ivone again, before deciding to help with the dishes, too.

“Let the boys handle this.” He moved to Ivone, who looked from Jafar to Azuel with a little uncertainty before wiping her hands. Jafar looked a little disappointed, but Azuel looked like he wanted to slap her. Hm.

“Of course, as you wish.” Ivone followed behind Khayyam into the main foyer, pausing only to pick-up her basket.

Khayyam’s study lay off of his room. A cozy fire crackled cheerily in the fireplace. Tapestries kept the chill from the walls, and carpets kept the chill from the floor. Khayyam gestured to a wingback chair on one side of the fireplace as he took a seat in his own. Ivone smiled and moved to the decanter, pouring a drink of brandy for Khayyam and giving it to him as he sat.

“Please, allow me.” Khayyam started to protest, but Ivone shook her head.

“I will hear none of it, Khayyam,” she said as she knelt at his feet and replaced his shoes with his slippers. “I am a wife without a husband, allow me this… please.” When she looked up at him, she looked so, so sad. Tears glittered in the firelight. A few even slipped down her cheeks.

“And, it is the least I can do.” Ivone reached for his hand and pressed it to her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Khayyam. Truly. What I said was harsh and unfair. You were Tian’s friend and I know that…” Ivone swallowed, “I know that … I know what you said was right. I must have been confused by the blow and the … the birth… and…”

Ivone sobbed and let the tears come. Her words were a lie, but the feelings were real. She felt Khayyam’s other hand come to rest on her hair and stroke it. Her words said she forgave him, but in his heart he knew it had been the battlemage. Suddenly, he felt old, or maybe it was guilt.

Tears had formed in his eyes, too. “Shh, Ivone, shh… there’s nothing for you to apologize for.” But he didn’t admit his guilt, oh no. How Vyaduka of him.

“You say you are a wife without a husband, what if I get you a husband? Hm? Someone better than that Merynir chap you’ve been seen with lately.”

Ivone allowed the tears to slowly dry, allowed Khayyam to pet her and console her, before taking the kerchief he offered. She dabbed her eyes and looked up into his face.

“I’d like that. “ At the mention of Aurelio, she gave a shaky laugh.

“Well, I… I wanted to start a business and despite his flaws, he was the best recommended. Isn’t that awful? But, look…” Ivone rose and moved to her basket, bringing it to him.

“Tian encouraged me to work on my hobby and here are the results. I… brought something for each of you as peace offerings.” Ivone smiled shyly as she pulled out the package for Khayyam. She watched his face with a hopeful expression as he opened the gift.

“It’s a cologne. As soon as I made it, it made me think of you. It smells … like you, to me.” Ivone blushed a little as Khayyam lifted the stopped and sniffed. His brows raised and a pleased smile curved his lips.

“I do like it.” He sounded surprised, but Ivone ignored that. Best not to think negative thoughts, they tended to show. Instead, she looked happy.


“I’m so glad! You know… Winter Solstice is coming soon. Do you suppose, I might leave these with you to gift to your family members? Except Latifa’s, I’d like to give her her's myself since she mentioned it at dinner.”

Khayyam nodded. “I think you should give them to them all yourself. Come…. Let’s do it now.” He stood and with courtesy, escorted her to each of the rooms where the family might be.

[Azuel Vyaduka]

Azuel scrubbed at the dishes absentmindedly, his sleeves drawn up to his elbows. He looked at Jafar, washing his own trays behind his little brother. It wouldn’t be long before they finished. Azuel weighed the possibility of speaking with his sibling on the matter of Ivone.

It didn’t take him long to disgustedly turn back to the dishes. It would be pointless to even try. He hadn’t been able to speak to his brother for so long, and he knew now the brute would only think of Ivone’s flawless appearance when judging her character. He would assume she was genuine, his little brother’s instincts be damned.

Azuel didn’t believe that people could admit they were wrong. His grandfather never truly had in response to Tian’s death, even if his behavior had changed slightly afterwards. Nor would his father ever do so regarding his distinct ‘not cheating if you don’t get caught’ philosophy in regards to his more dubious practices as comptroller.

As such, Azuel believed that Ivone’s declarations were too direct to be genuine. Her words were surreal and alien to him, especially in light of her aggressive pursuit of companionship over dinner. He was nothing if not observant. Sometimes, this meant understanding what he did not know. Something about Ivone wasn’t adding up. He would have to ask his grandfather if he had spoken with Ivone at all beforehand, or done her any noteworthy favors. Maybe they hadn’t met in person, but perhaps as her trustee he had preformed some minor action which had spurred Ivone’s guilt to such levels.

The more he thought about it, the less appealing discussing the matter became. He didn’t want his grandfather to think any more ill of him. Setting the last of the dishes aside, he supposed he’d just have to be subtle about it and wait for an opportunity to present itself.

His jaw tightened. He supposed speaking with Latifa was an option. Unfortunately, if her actions at the dinner table were any indication she thought his paranoia just that. The final alternative would be speaking with Ivone directly. He already did not trust himself to speak with any grace to the woman. Barring the looming end of his days in the university, his life had nearly fallen into a comfortable routine. He could acknowledge that the threat Ivone posed to his life’s stability, particularly in his relationship with Grandfather, gave him heavy biases against her.

Azuel hated himself for the turbulence of his own emotions. Above all, he did not wish to act recklessly, and the rapid shifting of his feelings from suspicion and guilt tormented him with the possibility of doing just that. In the days to come Azuel suspected he was going to be his own worst enemy.

He set aside the last of the dishes without sparing them further thought. His piles were immaculate by comparison to Jafar’s, so the tiny imperfections of his distracted assortment would be overlooked.

He rolled his sleeves back down and wandered up to his room. A book would serve as his distraction. He did not want to spare this new problem anymore thought. He had enough to worry about with his existing difficulties, such as his father’s continued pressure to find stable work and his final year at the university.

It seemed to Azuel that he had hardly balled comfortably atop his chair before he heard a knocking at the door. Judging by the amount of footsteps, there was at least two people outside. Azuel had an uncomfortable notion who those two people might be.

As he walked over to open the door, he kept his book held in his hand, hoping that his grandfather would at least feel a small bit of indecision over breaking him from his studies to aid in entertaining Ivone. Never mind that the book was on tangentially related to what he was supposed to be studying; Khayyam and Ivone did not need to know that. He didn’t expect it to give Khayyam serious pause anyways.

He pushed open the door and waited for them to speak first.

[Ivone]

Ivone glanced up at Khayyam before smiling at Azuel.

"I ... also brought Solstice gifts." Ivone looked down at the basket, shyly. "They are my own creations. I hope you like it." The look she gave him was a winsome one, guileless and full of shy hope as she reached into the basket and held out the present. It was neatly wrapped, showing the care taken.

Khayyam slipped his arm around Ivone's shoulder as if to give her strength or support, in a grandfatherly sort of way. He could be demonstrative in good ways, when he was feeling benign.

[Azuel Vyaduka]

There was little to be done for it. Though he now intensely disliked Ivone, considering her personality shallow and influence on his life negative, his grandfather was right there. Azuel smiled softly and accepted the gifts. He intended to throw them in the trash as soon as his grandfather wasn’t looking over his shoulder.

He wondered on that point. In the course of a single night, Ivone had turned his grandfather from a source of support to a force of antagonism. He would soon be without allies in his own family if her influence on his grandfather grew, unless Latifa counted.

Instead of voicing any of this, he instead felt forced to say, “Thank you kindly for the gifts. I am sure they are of fine quality.” Fortunately, he kept enough resentment from his voice as to render his mistrust undetectable. That said, his slightly excessive politeness did not seem lost upon his grandfather. He received a faint narrowing of the eyes in response.

It was due time to butter him up then. Khayyam had always had a weakness for flattery, as it was apparent Ivone had already discovered. He chose his next words carefully, both complimenting his father while leaving the implication that he was not here at his door for Ivone’s sake. “Was there anything else you needed of me, Grandfather?”

Khayyam nodded curtly. “Yes. The hour grows late, and I was wondering if you might walk her home.”

He paused, the sole tell left within his words. “...Of course. I’d be happy to.”

[Ivone]

Ivone glanced up at Khayyam for a moment, before looking back to Azuel.

"Thank you. I'll just deliver the rest of these, then come find you."

The pair moved down the hall to Jafar's room. Ivone knocked and waited for Jafar to open the door, still accompanied by Khayyam.

"I feel like I've been a bother, Khayyam," she murmured to him. "Are you sure I can't just leave these with you?"

[Azuel Vyaduka]

Khayyam nodded gravely. “Don’t mind Azuel’s curt nature, my dear. The boy spends far too much time with books; his personal skills have, I am afraid, atrophied.” He sighed deeply. “Perhaps if he were younger, I would limit his reading time. It is not healthy, I know. But he’s nearly a grown man now and I have resigned myself to taking a secondary role in his life. He must make his own choices soon.”

If little Azuel failed to, perhaps he might wind up another puppet of Maalik like his older brother. Khayyam shuddered at the thought.

He placed a hand on Ivone’s shoulder reassuringly as he guided her through the halls, “You’ll find his siblings much more receptive, don’t fret.”

Jafar opened the door, and it was not long before he had eagerly accepted the gifts of a beautiful woman. Latifa’s reaction was much the same, though she was bold enough to paw and poke at Ivone while receiving the gifts, her grandfather's scowl at her "blunders" be damned. Khayyam swiftly led Ivone away from his granddaughter, and before long the pair found themselves before Azuel’s door once more.

[Ivone]

And, Khayyam was right. Jafar and Latifa were much nicer to her. Latifa cozied up to her side and peered at the presents, going so far as to lift Ivone's chin with a forefinger and compliment Ivone on her luminous skin. Not for the first time did Ivone think Latifa was flirting with her.

FInally, the pair were back at Azuel's door. Khayyam knocked this time.

"Azuel, come. It is time to take Miss Ivone home." Ivone waited uncomfortably. Azuel was not a friendly person, nor was he easy on the eyes. In fact, he had a dopey sort of expression that made him look stupider than he actually was - a fact of which Ivone continued to remind herself. That one would need to be watched.

[Azuel Vyaduka]

It was with a heavy heart that Azuel set aside his book. He had been so lost in the midst of learning about the Eyropan province of Madaal that he had completely forgotten about his upcoming escort duty. Needless to say, he was not happy about the reminder.

Pushing himself from atop a worn but comfortable chair, Azuel meandered to the door. His faintly curving path was intentionally drawn out, sparing him for a single precious second. He reluctantly pulled at the knob, molding his face into an impassive mask as he did so. Sadly, impassivity may not have been the emotion his grandfather would have had him express.

“Of course,” Azuel said simply, his voice even and a bit overly flat. Soon this would be over, and he could return to his room to read in peace. It would all just be an uncomfortable memory, a bad day hidden within his otherwise tolerable week. He moved past his grandfather and Ivone before making a small, nonchalant guiding motion with his hand, “Come along then.”

His grandfather didn’t appear wholly satisfied with how that had gone, but refrained from commenting once again. Instead, Khayyam said his goodbyes and moved off to do whatever business had been left to him as judge. Azuel had mixed feelings about that distinctive lack of response which he did not care to fully explore at the moment. Or ever.

His gaze fixed on Ivone for a moment before he set off. He wondered why she was really here. Maybe an apology really was a part of it, but he got the distinct sense that there was something more going on. He had paid enough attention to his family politics to know that Ivone had worked closely with somebody named Aurelio. Maybe he was to blame, or had some angle which had landed Ivone in this convenient position.

He eyed the floor as he walked. Without servants to clean it frequently, it was not so polished that he could see his reflection as he might have been able to in a more frivolous family’s estate. That suited him just fine. He didn’t want to examine himself, scared as he was of finding a paranoid, scared child masquerading in the body of a young man.

Instead, as he approached the large front doors he resolved to ask Latifa what she knew about Ivone’s position. There was a chance she would simply ridicule him, but it was a risk he was prepared to take. Putting a hand on the heavy handle, Azuel pulled inwards.

There was a soft patter, and Azuel was suddenly aware of a cold chill at his feet. He blinked at the unexpected vision of white outside for a moment before realizing a mound of snow had built up against the door, only to collapse when the supporting structure had been whisked away from its side. He shrugged the miniature avalanche from his feet and grunted in surprise. He looked over his shoulder at Ivone. She was not exactly wearing winter attire.

How horribly inconvenient this weather was. His grandfather would have his head if he made her walk home in snowfall this deep. “It seems we will have to find you some accommodations for the night, Ivone.”

[Ivone]

Azuel’s demeanor was not lost on Ivone. Another glance to Khayyam found a mirrored, impassive expression. The two were very much alike in many ways. Azuel even favored his grandfather in looks. As Azuel gestured, Ivone nodded murmured her thanks.

“Khayyam, I will visit with you again, soon. Thank you for your family’s hospitality.”

With that she and Khayyam parted ways. Ivone followed Azuel in silence, wondering what the young man was thinking. His stiffness, his impassive expression, and the way he had behaved earlier implied he didn’t like her. Ivone wondered about that, too.
When Azuel went straight to the door and opened it, six inches of snow fell against his feet. He seemed surprised. Why? It had been snowing when she’d arrived.

“It seems we will have to find you some accommodations for the night, Ivone.”

Ivone peered around Azuel, the snowfall was definitely heavier than before.

“I’m afraid you’re right.” Ivone looked to Azuel, sharing gazes with him for a moment. “I’m sorry to inconvenience you.” Ivone’s gaze searched Azuel’s face, looking for some sign other than annoyance and impassivity.

[Azuel Vyaduka]

Azuel’s expression remained tellingly and carefully neutral. The weather might be inconvenient for him, but it seemed remarkably convenient for her. An excuse to stay and wreak havoc upon his grandfather’s guilt? If she were truly here for such a purpose, she had just been given a gift from Teonidus.

He took a second glance outside, disguising it as an attempt to kick the snow out of the main hall. Some small part of him suspected foul sorcery, but the snow was covering everything. No small magic could blanket Marn so, and it would be even more irrational than his present outlook was to assume Ivone had the backup of a mage of such might.

Attempting to banish what he thought his growing paranoia, he instead focused his efforts into pushing the door closed. Enough snow had tumbled inwards that he had to force it, his muscles visibly straining with the effort. It certainly did not help that the door itself was of considerably greater than average size, being one half of an ornate double. The damnable standards that descendants held themselves to; Azuel swore if he could change one thing about the world, he would remove the pompous posturing of the upper classes.

He turned back to her and entertained the thought of confronting her here and now, asking what she was doing coming back to pick at year old scars. It didn’t take him long to reject the notion, deciding it to be reckless. There was also a small part of him that was afraid of confrontation, even if she was nothing more than a petite young woman. If she turned out to have a perfectly valid reason for being here, or even really was nothing more than what she seemed, he would wracked with guilt and insecurities for days.

He decided to proceed as he had been. His hesitation had taken but a short second during which he examined her, so he transitioned his thought to his immediate problem. “We do have a guest room, but you were unexpected. I haven’t seen fit to enter for some time and have no clue as to its condition.” He debated offering his own room if the guest room turned out to be covered in cobwebs or some such sorry state, but he still did not like her. It was with a small bit of selfishness that he did not raise that suggestion just yet; perhaps the room would be fine and he would not need to feel guilty at all.

He told himself he’d make the offer only if and when he judged it to be necessary, but had no idea if he’d actually go through with it. He could really use the safety and security of his own bed tonight.

[Ivone]

Ivone naturally fell in to helping close the door. It would be rude to just stand there and watch when Azuel was having such a hard time closing it.

"I'm the sure the guest room will be just right for the need. It's only for a night, right? As you can imagine, I did not anticipate the weather turning this bad. Do you suppose your sister might loan me appropriate sleep garments?"

Ivone sighed and turned to look out the window, at the heavy snowfall. "I can't remember the last time winter was so harsh. Can you?" Her voice was soft, almost distant as if she were lost in thought. Her pose was unguarded and natural.

[Azuel Vyaduka]

Azuel would have liked to reach up and rub at the ache that throbbed throughout his forehead, but resigned himself to a simple deep breath. Ivone’s helpful actions did not fit with the image that he had constructed. The dissonance brought him what felt like physical pain.

Ignoring the strain, he nodded. “I’m sure she would. I suppose that is our next destination.”

He looked her direction for only as long as it took to confirm that she would follow, and then began walking back up the stairs. Upon arriving at Latifa’s door, he knocked. There was a good deal of hesitation, but Azuel could hear shuffling on the other side. He waited patiently but wondered what could possibly be keeping her.

It was only when Azuel was starting to feel awkward that she finally opened the door. She took one look at Ivone before turning back to Azuel. “Already so enthralled that she had to stay the night?” She mocked, “And here I was starting to think women weren’t your thing.”

A twitch rumbled through his body, a cringe worked its way onto his features. “Damn it, there is snow. Lots of it. She needs to stay the night.”

“She needs to stay, or you need her to stay?”

“Shut up.” His voice was rough, but she only smirked. Her posture became more upright, shoulders back, as Azuel’s slunk downwards. “Do you have some clothes you can lend her?”

“Certainly, dear brother. A wide selection, courtesy of our wealthy parents.” She waved Ivone inside, “Take whatever you like.”

It was another little barb, but one that was weaker and likely to be missed by Ivone. Oddly, its weakness gave Azuel some small measure of strength. His posture righted itself as he waited out of his sister’s room for Ivone to choose something.