IceAndWave/PreparingTheWay

Preparing the Way

In which dinner is had, unease disclosed, and physical contact is unexpected but welcome...

The 19th Day of Resplendent Fire, Realm Year 763

The Iceflower Palace - exquisitely constructed, perfectly proportioned, as subtle as a brick. Cynis Asura - devastatingly beautiful, sexually rapacious, living in exile. The message that Venia had sent to her cousin returned shortly thereafter with a simple acceptance and a time listed.

The dinner setting was for two, a small but perfectly-prepared meal, with Asura greeting Venia in a dress that covered her from neck to toe, but which was apparently woven from spider-webs, given the completeness with which it clings to every curve of her body. "Cousin Venia," she smiled, "How delightful to see you again."

Venia has gone for the alternate effect here, a loosely draped swath of silk that clings to her form only in strategic places. Lace gloves, stockings, and a collar with a single black pearl finish it all off. She smiles herself and nods, taking a seat. "It fills me with joy to have something worth your time."

"Oh really?" Asura leaves the questing lingering and she sits down too. A brace of slaves emerge and begin removing covers and serving food.

Venia as usual doesn't spend even peripheral attention on them, her world shrunk down to the drink in front of her and the woman across the table. "If you don't mind, I will get to that. No doubt, we will reminsce and talk of other things afterwards."

"I'm sure that we will," Asura smiles, and eats delicately, "You look, as I'm sure you realise, stunning this evening."

Venia spears a bit of food, popping it into her mouth and closing her eyes to consider her response. "I have been told I always look stunning. I suspect that half the time, it is simply that no one can believe I wore that, despite my name."

"True. I remember what you told me about Ythena's reaction the time you visited her after class," Asura chuckles.

Venia smiles, but wags a finger. "Simply to be perverse, business first. I need to cash in that standing favor, in terms of what would make me trust you implicitly."

Asura straightens slightly, "Go on..."

"Gosul has not only been dealing with more criminal enterprise than was suspected, he has been trading with the Underworld. We are collecting even more evidence, but personal papers of his will be arriving here within the week. While of course I tell you this that you may ensure the safety of Tideholme, there is no reason that we both cannot profit from this." Venia continues, "I need investment money. I intend to be there for the customers suddenly bereft of a supplier after Gosul's most unfortunate fall from grace."

"Gosul is trading with the Dead? This is most... unexpected. I was aware of some degree of criminality, of course, but that is... beyond the pale, even for that pig."

"Asura..." Venia shakes her head, "You knew already."

"I had suspicions."

"Are we pretending we don't know each other inside and out now?" She sips slowly at her wine, indulging in another bit of dinner. "You are not the type to leave suspicions unconfirmed. I am forced to believe either he had you over a barrel, or you are in on it."

"Don't be naive, Asura. Gosul, while a being a disgusting animal, is useful - or was useful, once that documentary proof gets here. While I cannot personally stand him, he brings a degree of stability to this frozen patch of nowhere." Asura shrugs and takes a bite to eat, "The Realm believes in promoting stability, after all."

"I am mostly amazed that you did not have a ready protege to take over for him... though I suppose you could say that you do now."

"Gosul has survived three attempts to remove him that I am aware of. In each case the aftermath left everyone making the attempt dead, enslaved, or both," Asura shrugs again, "He has, until now, been very competent at defending his interests - and his life."

"I suspect he still is very competent. However, it is extremely difficult to withstand the forces arrayed against him. Even beyond what is currently going on, I have an ace in the hole." She pauses to appreciate the flavor of a bite. "I think I should apologize for my actions upon my arrival. I was still somewhat out of sorts... it is only recently I have reconciled myself to remaining in the north, and of course reconciling with you."

Asura smiles softly, "Why, Venia, I am touched," and clasps a hand to her chest. "Personally, I would not shed a tear over Gosul's fall, and I can't think of anyone else who would. The problem is, as you have said, his replacement."

Venia nods. "Hence my most humble supplication for your favor." Another bite. "Of course, it is not all one-way."

"Of course," Asura nods and takes a sip from a glass. "How much money would you need, initially?"

Venia considers. "The longer we wait, the less I need, but the more risk." She checks against her ledger sheet, carefully drawn up and tucked into a fold of her dress. She names the high-medium sum. "For the operation being complete within two weeks."

"That is a not-inconsiderable sum of money, as I am sure you are aware." Asura grimaces slightly and then shrugs, "But it can be done."

"The benefits are hardly inconsiderable either. A perfect Judas goat, wonderful PR, and you tie me down into a trustworthy position as well." Venia ponders. "I do trust your tastes there haven't changed."

Asura's eyes twinkle, "My tastes have broadened since I came here, but there is a certain aesthetic to rope that I find attractive."

"There is always the question of chafing at the bonds. But that can sometimes be pleasant, and the best ropes allow for either." Venia wags a fork at Asura after plucking the morsel of food off of it. "By the way, Cassia prefers leather, and absolutely adores candle wax. Perhaps you can have some on hand after we return from Hood."

Asura's eyes open wide momentarily, but she recovers rapidly, "That is good to know, thank you." She raises her glass slightly, "The wax is understandable given her Aspect, but useful nonetheless."

Venia shrugs. "As is the leather. Better resistance, in the long run. Did you miss that?" She drains her glass of wine, moving on to the dessert drink. "That momentary shock."

"As I am sure you have discovered, I have not yet shared a bed, or anything else for that matter, with Cassia," Asura continues with a hint of bitterness, "You stole her."

"Borrowed. You are here, trapped with duties. She wants to know the world, to feel the world, and she wants it yesterday. Should I leave her trapped between her urges? I have never had any doubt that once she learns to appreciate what she has, she will return to you." Venia laughs slightly, shaking her head. "And here I meant to apologize." She stands, making her way around the table and settling into Asura's lap, resting one arm around her neck. "There. Is that better?"

Asura smiles slightly, "It is. A little." She looks Venia up and down slowly, leaning in to lightly kiss her neck, "I remember this..." she murmurs.

Venia tilts her head to expose more neck and most coincidentally cause the swath of silk to shift. "I would hope it was unforgettable."

Asura allows a hand to drop down Venia's back, "I certainly have felt no urgent need to purge those memories, despite later... events." She bites lightly at the proffered skin.

"I think those only add to the allure. Even now, both of us know that our best option is at the very least public rivalry. That in some years, we may be staring at each other over a declaration of war." She shivers a little at the bite. "It adds spice."

"Given our history, that seems fairly likely," Asura whispers, her hand stroking further down Venia's back to her buttocks.

Venia shudders. "Yes. But outside of one unfortunate event, we've never gone too far. I think we need each other too much for one of us to ever truly lose."

"We were formidable when we worked together, weren't we?" Asura kisses her way up Venia's neck between words, "Nobody really stood a chance."

A long, heated sigh interrupts what Venia was about to say. "No. Nobody. And we can have that again."

Asura lifts her head, her face a hairsbreadth from Venia's. "It is very tempting, dear cousin. And you know how bad I am at resisting temptation..."

Venia just smiles, a rather familiar gesture.

"Consider your offer accepted," Asura breathes, her hand sliding up Venia's back, fingers expertly locating the little clasp on her dress.

"And here I had thought you might want to sleep on it."

"Well, what's life without a little risk?" Asura smiles as Venia's dress cascades down, "But this is all the assistance I can provide." She leans in, bites.

Venia arches her back a little, reaching back to support herself on the table. "Outside of the obvious legal repercussions that would be your ruling, of course. I don't want Gosul just gone, or simply dead. I want him ruined."

"Why, Venia, this sounds personal," Asura's teeth leave little red marks wherever they travel on her cousin's skin.

"Think of it as making an example."

"If you can get the proof out in the open, then he'll be lucky to get out of Tideholme with his life, let alone any property," Asura's kisses wander teasingly, "Gereth, in particular, has a very poor opinion of those who would treat with the Dead."

"Mmmm... I suppose I will be having another dinner, then. I am surprised how complicated these things are when you are the general, and not merely the soldier."

Asura chuckles, "There will be no need for a dinner with Gereth. Once the news gets out, he'll be smashing Gosul's door down with that sword of his in moments."

"Hrmph. And I won't get to watch... I suppose I'll live."

"The whole city will. Gereth is not subtle when it comes to the Dead," Asura smiles, "He lost his father and two brothers to them, and he has a particular hatred for their agents."

Venia smiles. "I think I like him." She bends back impossibly far to sip from a glass of wine still sitting on the table, nudging it back upright and twisting around to face Asura again.

"Bad Venia," her eyes twinkle, "If you want to seduce him, you may find your work cut out for you. He is completely in love with his wife, and has been since they were both children."

"And like all things, one day it withered on the vine... But I think I shall practice restraint. Friendship can be just as effective."

"I never thought I'd hear that from you. Next you'll be telling me you've found a boy or girl you want to settle down with."

"I was thinking about it, before my mishap."

"Really? That is a surprise."

"I am full of them recently."

"Then I shall have to keep an eye on you in the future, won't I?"

"As if you weren't eyeing me now." She poses.

"True," Asura chuckles, "But then you always were easy to look at."

"I always felt overshadowed by you..."

"Flatterer." Asura's lips dance across Venia's chest and neck.

Venia 's speech is slightly impaired by that. "'s true. You were always the flashier, more impressive one. I had to fight so hard..."

"You were always more," Asura bites contemplatively, "subtle than I was. But you affected people as deeply as I ever did."

Venia is saddened to find she didn't strangle the faint moan before it escaped her. "True. Took some doing, though."

Asura smiles against Venia's skin, and then sits up, reaching around her cousin's back to pull her close, "I know..." She kisses Venia deeply.

Venia pants ever so slightly when it is over. "Are we going to retire to a room, or should I resolve to wash chocolate sauce out of my hair in the morning?"

"I think the former," Asura chuckles, "I have better toys there."

Venia nods, sliding teasingly off of Asura to collect her dress. Better to have it nearby in the morning than stumble around the palace in a daze looking for it.

---

The 22nd Day of Resplendent Fire, Realm Year 763

Sian left his rooms at the Hearth's Song fifteen minutes ago, and now Venia finds herself outside his door, hand raised to knock. She pauses a moment to fix her hair, considering what to say to Aia and then does knock, thrice.

The door opens and Aia appears, "Yes? ... oh, it's you."

"Yes. Me. Can we talk?"

The door opens fully and Aia steps back, "Come in."

Venia does so. "I am sorry for bothering you if I am interrupting anything."

"No, it's OK. I was reading." She closes the door behind Venia, "Sian's out right now, if you want to wait for him."

"I was actually wanting to speak to you."

"Ah..."

"I assume Sian told you about my... small transgression."

"Yes. He did," Aia nods, "He's told me lots of things."

"I wanted to make sure you understood no offense was intended... I realize that I am encouraging him to take a lot of time away from you, but..." She shrugs. "I am not attempting to disrupt anything."

"I trust Sian. With my life," Aia sits down next to her book, "I don't trust you."

"How can I change that?"

"I don't know. Sian is so confused about you. This makes me feel bad."

"These are difficult times. I would offer to make you feel better, but I suspect that would be counterproductive."

"You can't help being who you are. But I would like it if you could be... less yourself around Sian."

"And be what instead, hrm? I prize the fact I can trust him enough to be myself. He is perhaps the only person in this heat-forsaken land who can see through whatever ruse I might employ anyway."

Aia sighs and nods, "I don't know. It's just that... I don't want to lose Sian, and his sense of friendship might lead him to do... things."

"Which things are the problem?"

"Sleeping with you," she looks directly at Venia.

"I think you mean fucking. We have slept together before."

"Yes, I mean fucking."

"Why would that be a problem? It's enjoyable, has few unfortunate side effects if you're careful, and it takes less of it than chocolate to get the same effect."

"Because of how Sian is, and how you are."

"Sian I can understand. He'd get attached. Being myself, I'm not sure how being how I am is the problem."

"You try to get people attached to you. You don't even realise it, I think, but you do."

"I had my shots at him. I didn't succeed, or didn't try. I can be content with that. The north is harsh enough without someone stealing the love of your life, and thus I won't. I can't help being friends, and given Sian's proclivities, I'm not even entirely sure he'd stick around even if I did trip him into bed."

"I would appreciate it."

"I would be worried if you didn't. Can we speak of pleasanter things? I would hate to have this chat and secondhand stories be all of our experience."

"Of course," Aia smiles softly, "I have just been a little pre-occupied recently."

"Even I can understand that." She smiles. "How are things going along that front?"

The catgirl sighs, "I don't know. Sian won't tell me. I think he doesn't want to disappoint me."

"That would not surprise me. I suppose you know the particulars of what's going on, and why Sian is gone so much."

"You're doing something nefarious to destroy that fat merchant, yes?"

"No. I am bringing to light his own nefarious deeds. It's justice of a sorts." Venia smiles darkly, "I am wondering if you would like to, once things have settled down, work for his replacement."

"You?"

"Mhrm. Finalized the deal with Asura yesterday. Consider it a bit of an apology."

"I'll think about it," Aia nods, "Best I can do right now."

"Of course. I didn't even say what the occupation was anyway." She grins.

"True," she smiles back. "I'm supposed to be Sian's scribe, you know. But, really, I don't have anything to do. But it's better than where I was before Sian found me."

"That was essentially what I was expecting to offer you in the end. I am not much for the minutiae of business, so I expect to need some help."

"I never said I was any good at it," Aia chuckles.

"Mrm, you'd learn as I did, I suppose." Venia looks around, "Have any tea? Maybe with a bit of ginger?"

"I'm sure we do," she gets up, "I'll get some." She heads over to the door and whispers to the maid that appears.

"Thank you. Might as well have something warm to sip before I trudge off."

"It's not that cold," Aia says, "It's nearly summer."

"I was born in the southern Realm. It's cold to me."

"You can get used to anything. I was born in, or rather near, Chiaroscuro."

"You're joking."

"No. I was sent here, well some distance from here actually, by my mother. That was more than three years ago."

"Mmm... I'm not sure I want to get used to the weather though."

"Why don't you go home, then?"

"Exiled."

"Oh. Like me."

"Something like it. I may win my way back, but... I just don't know."

"Well, make the best of your time here. It's really quite beautiful if you know how to look." There's a quiet knock at the door and a maid brings the tea in. She pours out two cups and disappears, leaving the pot.

"The last time I went sightseeing, I got trapped in a blizzard."

"I can see how that would dampen your enthusiasm. Sian and I have been to some amazing places, though. And before mother exiled me we had visitors from all over Creation."

"That sounds pleasant. I had much of the same, though was preoccupied."

Aia sips at her tea, "It has been fun, and scary. But it's better than being a whore for a Storm Mother's court."

"True. Storm Mothers are no fun."

"You have no idea," Aia shudders. "Osikuthe is considered... unpleasant, even by their standards."

"It is good for you that you left, then. Though it is complex, Asura is no Storm Mother. I think I have at least had better luck with that thus far."

"You look like the sort of person who gets lucky quite often," Aia smiles.

Venia laughs genuinely for the first time in a while.

"I thought you'd like that."

"It wouldn't have been as funny from someone else." She sips at the tea.

"So..." Aia picks up a small cake and nibbles at it, "How long before you leave with Sian to... wherever you're going?"

"Tonight, likely."

"Try not to get Sian hurt, please."

"I'm trying not to get many people hurt. It'll be a long way to go before I make up for the ones I've killed, but I have time."

"Poor Venia," Aia stands up and walks next to the Dragon-Blood, giving her a hug.

Venia blinks at that. surprised. "Thanks... picked that up from Sian, or he pick it up from you?"

"It seemed like the right thing to do. Did you mind?"

"Not especially. I am not used to personal contact I didn't plan for, that's all. It usually kills people. Hmph. I am being dreary."

"It's OK. Sian gets moody just before he does something like this, too."

"Oh, dear. He is rubbing off on me now."

"This is all for the good."

"At least until I strt growing a beard."

"True." Aia grins.