Bane Seventeen - Smile, Nod, and Refuse
Bane Seventeen - Smile, Nod, and Refuse
Sempers carriage landed with nary a bump, the pegasi pulling it through the air far too well-trained to allow for such a disturbance.
Luciana was grateful. While she did have her own ans of travelling about, they tended to be... sowhat less than practical at tis. Certainly, arriving sowhere on dragon-back was an excellent ans of intimidating lesser foes, but it didnt prevent ones thighs from chafing. Her flesh was too well cultivated for such things to truly bother her, but she had ruined a few favourite dresses over the years.
The finest silks tended to be epheral and thin, which also ant that they tended towards the fragile.
She put those thoughts out of her mind. She could acquire a carriage in Sempers style at a later date. Perhaps the goddess of contempt would even assist her in purchasing one.
The pegasi clopped along, pulling the carriage along a road whose pavent left much to be desired.
On the seats ahead of her, Valeria and Es were both pressing closer to the windows to peek out at the approaching city.
She imagined that there would be so level of inspection involved in entering the city, though nobles and select rchants were able to bypass such frivolities in the more corrupt cities. That would likely be the case here.
Luciana had worked... well, perhaps not hard, but so small amount of effort had been expended to ensure that Santafaria remained a perfectly corrupt little settlent. Not so much that cri ran rampant, but enough that guards would look the other way at the flash of gold and the city governnt was lax and careless. The kingdom of course received their tithe of taxes and such, enough that they didnt bother Santafaria too much.
They slowed by the gates, but were soon the next to pass. A guard, likely noticing the lack of driver, knocked on the carriages door.
Semper gestured and the window slid down--an interesting feature, that. The goddess looked into the face of a young man with utter disinterest. So, will you let us pass? Semper asked. She flared her cores power, loosening her hold on her own contempt so that it flooded out of the carriage.
The magic never reached the children sitting across from them. A complex bit of control for a mortal to achieve, but the bare minimum of what Luciana would expect from soone of Sempers calibre.
The guard whimpered and backed off and they soon trundled through the gate.
So, Semper said as the window was raised once more. Neither of them wanted to deal with the stench of a city. What great destinations did you have in mind, Luciana, dear? Semper asked.
I believe a simple stroll through the markets would be a nice start, Luciana said. There are a few small shops which sell so books, and the walk would allow us to unlimber our legs.
That sounds nice! Valeria said.
Indeed. The walking would also give you an opportunity to talk with the person with whom youre dating. A mont of public intimacy that risks little and allows you to probe the mind of the person you are with.
Oh, right, Valeria said. She glanced at Es, who blinked, then rushed to pull out pen and notebook.
Luciana resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Such expressions were beneath her. Es and Valeria... got along well. As expected of two friends. And she hoped that that was all they were.
She had tried to push things along between Valeria and Felix, but while Luciana was quite certain that Felix at least loved her daughter (though she was uncertain about the quality of that love), Valeria was proving... exceptionally thick.
Luciana didnt know if she should feel like a failure of a mother or not. Her daughter, brilliant with all things magical, with a creative and terrifying mind for many things, was absolutely useless when it ca to reading her own friends affections.
At the rate things were going, Valeria would be well into her adulthood before she started to notice all the signals she missed years prior, and while the post-hoc embarrassnt would amuse Luciana to no end, the goddess didnt know if she could endure seeing her daughter bumble around so foolishly for so long.
How could soone be so blind?
Luciana was distracted as Semper placed her hand on her knee. Shall we disembark, dear? Semper asked.
Yes, it would be a waste to spend any more ti cooped up in here, Luciana agreed easily. She climbed out of the carriage with the simple grace of long centuries of practised motion. Her daughter and friend clambered out with the graceless exuberance of young won at the height of their growing period.
Oh, look! Valeria said as she pointed across the street. They had disembarked in a market street. There were a few stalls along the sides of the road and more shops with great big windows from which various wares were displayed. Valeria reached a hand back, grabbed Es, then dragged the bookish girl after her towards a blacksmiths shop where sharp and pointy things had caught her eye.
Luciana picked an umbrella out from under the seat of the carriage and snapped it open above her head. It was an old habit, her skin would hardly sunburn now, but nonetheless she would rather not have to deal with the suns glare.
She shifted as Semper slipped her right arm around Lucianas left.
Youre being rather close, Luciana said.
We are supposed to be dating, are we not? Semper asked, her tone teasing.
I suppose we are ant to put on a show for the children, Luciana admitted. Though I wonder how successful your plan will be? Luciana gestured towards where Valeria and Es were talking in front of the weapons display. A confused smith was watching the two as they compared weapons. He seed to want them to not be handling bare steel, but the children were being careful and were handling the weapons with due respect.
Besides, Es and Valeria were both clearly cultivators.
My plan? Oh, I think its working out just fine, Semper said. They both watched as the girls replaced the weapons theyd taken, then it was Ess turn to pull Valeria along, this ti towards a small outdoor stall manned by an older woman asleep on a chair. She was selling books, used and beaten things that had seen several hands.
Luciana harrumphed and started walking, Semper kept pace, of course, clinging onto Luciana as she did. I will concede that Es isnt the worst choice for a spouse for my Valeria.
Oh? Are you giving up so easily? Semper asked. I did hope youd put up a bit more of a fight. It makes it so much more fun to imagine dominating you when weve had a good back and forth.
I havent given up yet, Luciana said. Youve rely misconstrued my partial statent for a full one. Es is a fine young woman. Im certain she will make you quite proud as an Archivist. But Felix is a greater candidate still.
Really? Semper asked. She glanced up to Luciana for a mont, as if trying to read her face. That wouldnt be so easy. Luciana didnt leak her emotions, certainly not physically. The only one who could read her was Valeria, and that had to be so sort of fluke. Tell , Luciana, were you in Valerias place, and you are quite similar to your daughter, what sort of spouse would you be looking for?
I dont know whether or not I should be insulted that you think that Im so similar to Valeria.
An older, more mature and womanly Valeria, perhaps, Semper recanted.
Luciana humd as she set that particular topic aside. Sempers flattery was enjoyable, but the question deserved her full consideration. A spouse... it has been so millenia since Ive considered the idea. I believe that much of the advice I would give to Valeria would apply to myself as well. Im no hypocrite.
Of course, Semper agreed.
It would have to be soone who has gained my confidence and perhaps my friendship. I am not one for spontaneous flings, and Im hardly ruled by my libido.
Semper tittered. Are you certain, Luciana, dear? We read the sa books.
Luciana refused to rise to the bait. There are, of course, the usual requirents. Soone whose intelligence is near to my own, who has so wit, and who is at least moderately attractive.
How very vain, Semper said.
Attractiveness is important, Luciana said. Though I wont deny that it can also be vain and petty. It nonetheless plays an important role.
I understand, Semper said. Fortunately for any spouse you might find, you are quite attractive yourself.
Luciana chuckled, low and dark. Yes, Im certain I would be quite the catch.
Perhaps I ought to learn how to fish then, Semper murmured. Oh, look, the girls are having quite a bit of fun over there. Lets go see what theyre up to, shall we?
Yes, of course, Luciana said. Her mind was on Sempers previous words though. What had the goddess ant by that?
She set it aside. First, she needed to get her thick-skulled daughter to learn how to pick up clues.
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