Adieu to my critics

[Anonymous]

For one sweet, blessed day, Father had left the House, taking his disapproval, high expectations and whiny criticisms along with him. It had been a glorious day, a rare present which Gemini had taken advantage of to the highest degree, but alas, all good things come to their end, eventually. He did not greet Father as he returned home — hell, he wasn't even sure if he been in the House when he returned — but, through his own gossip grapevine, he had learned how Father had brought a guest home with him.

It's a real shame, he thought, when your information has to weave through the ears of a multitude of servants before it even bothered to reach the heir. As he sat at his vanity, his servant had told him the news, while painstakingly taking care to brush every lock of Gemini's purple hair perfectly into place. She's the heir to House Talii, is what they're saying, the servant gushed, his steady hands brushing Gemini's hair in front of his oversized mirror. All the way from Moonspear! It must've been quite a trip! They say she's here to befriend Lady Hearth.

Of course, the heir knew to take the servant's words with a grain of salt — but it would be nice to know the full story. Did he even have time to pursue it? Not really. It was quite early in the afternoon and it would be lovely if he could get out of the House before Father found him and realized how much money he had spent when he had left Fallial. He almost laughed to himself — that conversation was absolutely not going to be fun — but hopefully Father was busy with his own distractions to bother with his prodigal son today.

As he made his way through the House, that was when he noticed her — bright red eyes, bright red hair, definitely not someone on staff, by the way she dressed or looked. Ah, the guest, the other heir. He spun around, placing a hand on her shoulder — sorry, what's personal space, again? —  and leaned down a little, to her level, considering he was somewhat taller than her.

"The heir of House Talii, correct?" he asked, removing his hand. He smirked a little, placing one hand on his hip.

"Or rather, the heir of House Talii who thought it would be completely acceptable not to introduce herself to the heir of House Stone. Honestly, I'm quite hurt it's taken me this long to finally see what you look like." She hadn't even been here that long, but that wasn't the point! "No matter! This wrong shall be rectified immediately." He held out his hand, meaning for her to grasp it. "Gemini Stone, my lady. It's a pleasure." He was grinning as he said it — that cocky, infallible, ceaseless grin.

The High Lord had probably warned her about him.

[Anonymous]

The castle was very different then the one she was used to at home, though similar enough it was almost more jarring as she wandered through the halls. High Lord Stone had left her in her rooms and some servants were unpacking, but Rhonwen was never one to sit still. She had wanted to explore a bit, maybe meet Hearth. She recalled meeting the girl years ago, while their parents visited each other, but it had been some time.

When a hand came down on her shoulder, instinct and training kicked in before she even registered the words. Grabbing the wrist, Rhonwen spun so she was facing her 'opponent' and hauling his arm into a lock.

As soon as she realized who it was, she let go with a gasp, cheeks flushing, "Oh! I'm sorry! I wasn't expecting to be grabbed and-Oh shit! I'm sorry!"

[Anonymous]

So his hand had come down on her shoulder and then what in the everloving— !

None of his training with the knights had prepared him how to act in this situation. Granted, Gemini was a loathsome knight in the first place, but gods, he had not expected her to come out of nowhere and haul his arms in a lock. He could see his instructor laughing himself to death at this spectacle. Literally laughing himself to death.

Eventually, he was released (which was a good thing because, for all of his panache, Gemini honestly had no idea how to react in that situation), and she was apologizing. He stared at her for a moment — was... was this really the heir of House Talii? — and ended up laughing, shaking his head.

"Are you positive you're the heir of House Talii?" he asked, jesting. He adjusted the sleeves on his robes, smoothing out the wrinkles which had been caused by the scuffle, smirking. "I've never met a noblewoman who would so readily get defensive from such a simple touch." Then again, he was used to his Fallial girls — prissy, walking works of art, too delicate to involve themselves in anything that may damage their dresses.

[Anonymous]

Rhonwen's hands came up, tugging lightly at the intricate braid over her shoulder, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I just wasn't expecting to be grabbed. I'm so sorry."

Despite what er parents might have wanted for her, Rhonwen was in love with the Order of the Moon. She spent much of her time training with them as well as going on a few of the smaller hunts. It was one ofthe reasons her father had shipped her off. She was neglecting some of her more ladylike duties.

Cocking her head slight, Rhonwen grinned a little, "I can't say I'm all that surprised you were so easy to best, if even half the rumors about you are true."

[Anonymous]

Ah, she was apologizing again. Really, it was fine — the only part of him that had been damaged was his ego, and that didn't stay bruised for long. "Don't worry about it," he brushed off, waving it away. "I'll just have to note never to sneak up on you in the future, is all..."

His crimson eyes lit up at her comeback. There was some sick part of Gemini that loved when people brought up the rumors surrounding him. A little masochist lived inside his hedonistic heart, and it derived pleasure from thoroughly trashing his own reputation — the more people knew about the prodigal son and his scandalous affairs, the better.

Gemini pressed a hand to his heart at her words, as if they had managed to wound him. "Ah, you've got me there, darling — right where it hurts! Alas, I can't argue with you on that." He removed his hand from his chest, placing it nonchalantly on his hip. "It's always good to hear that my reputation knows no ends. What have you heard about me, I wonder?" Sometimes a rumor would end up surprising him, although he was sure he had heard them all before.

[Anonymous]

"Oh, not much really. I don't pay a lot of attention to rumor." She shrugged her shoulders, finally letting got of her braid, relaxing a bit more now that the totally and complete embarrassment of her faux pas was fading a bit. Really, attacking people in their own house was a new level of social failure.

"What a vain one you are." Rhonwen laughed and shook her head. She had no interest in silly creatures like Gemini, "I was actually looking for your sister. Do you know where she might be?"

[Anonymous]

Not much. She hadn't heard much.

His face fell at her claim — another bruise to his poor ego. He let his hand drop from where it rested on his hip, studying her carefully. First she puts his arms in a lock, and then she doesn't even know, or seem to care, about any of the rumors surrounding him. Was she a noblewoman at all? He stared at her, for a moment, trying to gauge how he should even try to approach her.

Oh, and she hadn't even been looking for him anyway, she wanted to talk to Hearth. Hearth, of all people. Not that he had anything against his younger sister — he did love her very much — but, hello, the heir of House Stone was trying to converse with you and you'd rather go off and do another things?! Most intolerable!

"Ready to leave my company so soon? You've hurt me yet again — this makes it the third time, I believe." He sighed — as if he were truly disappointed. "I don't even know the name of my assailant. At the very least, an introduction is in order, before I just let you go gallivanting off with my sister."

[Anonymous]

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry, you seemed to already know me and I forgot my manners." She held out her hand, dropping into a light curtsy. She did have manners, she just was a little rusty with them, "Rhonwen Talii, heir to the Talii House. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She then lifted a single red eyebrow, a technique on of the Order members had taught her, "Now, your sister?"

[Anonymous]

Ahh, she was forgiven, then — he had known she was the heir, and that she hailed from House Talii, but hadn't been aware of her first name until now. And it seemed that, somewhere, she did have the manners of a noblewoman — it was just hidden beneath that strange exterior of hers. Still, despite all of the rumors, Gemini Stone was, as well, a gentleman, and he bowed before her curtesy, his grin returning to his features. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, my lady," he returned — and then, it was right back to asking for his sister.

"Honestly," Gemini sighed, brushing purple locks out of his face. "I had no idea my sister had suddenly grown so popular. Alas, if it is Hearth you wish to see, then so be it. If you'll follow me, my dear..." He began walking ahead of her, meaning for her to follow. Of course, he couldn't just tell her where Hearth was — what if she got lost along the way? No no, it would be best to escort her — it was only proper. "You're in for a long walk. My sister has a habit for making herself scarce." He wasn't kidding, for once. Hearth's room was in the tallest tower of the House — the view from such a high room fed her artistic muse, or something like that.

"So tell me, why do you wish to see Hearth?" he asked, curious. "One would think Father would've sent you here in an attempt to charm my brother, or something of the sort." He tossed this out in the air casually — mainly because he could've seen Rhys plotting something like that. His love for playing matchmaker was not restricted to Hearth, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Rhonwen bit back a sigh, not really wanting to have to spend more time with this idiot. He was really quite annoying and full of himself, though Rhonwen knew she needed to behave. That was the whole reason she was here, as Lucian hadn't yet mentioned to her the hope she might hit it off with Rhys other son.

"Well, I haven't seen her in years and I wanted to say hello. We used to play a lot as children." Rhonwen gave a small shrug, "Though I wouldn't mind if you wanted to show me where your knights train."

[Anonymous]

Despite everything, Gemini did find it rather nice that this heir wanted to talk to Hearth. The poor girl spent most of her time locked up in her studio, and it was rare that she ever got to talk to someone else her age, nowadays. Apparently, they used to play together as children.

"Ah, did you really?" he asked, looking back at her. It would make sense that he didn't know such a detail — when Hearth was younger, Gemini had been preoccupied with his knighthood training — that ghastly affair didn't leave room for anything else in his life. "I'm sure she'd appreciate seeing you, then. The poor thing definitely doesn't get enough friendly company, nowadays..."

He wondered if Rhonwen knew about Hearth's stutter. It was something Hearth had developed last year — and she was so much more shy than she was when she had been younger. Ah, Gemini was not about to breach that topic! That'd be something the redheaded heir could find out for herself.

The heir raised an eyebrow at her suggestion of taking her to see where the knights trained. Ah, the one patch of land in Fallial he hated threading on — she wanted to go there? "That, my dear, would be an even longer walk," the heir noted, but grinned. "But, if you're up to it, I'd love to escort you there. Granted, it's not exactly a popular tourist attraction..." He smirked, shaking his head.. "Unless you're into ogling sweaty, glistening knights at work, that is." Ah, he was merely teasing! He watched her, leading her to the front doors of House Stone, fishing for a reaction.

[Anonymous]

Rhonwen shouldn't be surprised, but Gemini never seemed to shut up. He just talked and talked and never said much of anything. She just nodded, eyes lightly glazed over. Didn't he get tired of the sound of his own voice?

"Hmm? Oh, well, that's a view that doesn't often get old. Not that a lady would ever notice bronzed men straining all those taunt muscles as they work. Goodness no." Rhonwen flashed the heir a bright smile, "I was hoping to keep up with my training while I was here."

She just hoped Father hadn't told Lord Stone to keep her away from the weapons.

[Anonymous]

He was all cordial smiles, until she said that one word: training. His face fell, and for a moment, Gemini Stone was speechless. (She should enjoy the quiet, it would not last for long.) He gave her another glance over, raised a thin eyebrow, and wasn't sure whether to laugh or not. The heir honestly couldn't tell if she was being serious or not, but then he remembered that arm lock she had him in earlier...

"Training?" he echoed, taken aback. He still was not sure whether that smile was meant to taunt him or not. "Why, praytell, would you need to be training?" Gemini was honestly curious, although he may have come across as more shocked than anything else. He had never met a... a noblewoman who had the audacity to put his arms in a lock, and then totally dismiss him and then she was talking about training and gods, his head hurt.

They were outside now, out of the doors to House Stone and into the courtyard — over yonder was their destination. He wasn't particularly certain he wanted to let her near the knight's equipment, let alone be caught dead in Bonnywild Field. If there were knights training there who knew him, Kia help him...

[Anonymous]

"What?" Rhonwen noticed the shift in Gemini's behavior. It was rather hard to miss. She paused in her answer, smirking a little, "Well, I suppose your reluctance shouldn't surprise me. It was easy to put you into that hold."

She glanced around, interested in the layout of the manor, "I like training. I train with the Order back home. To hunt demons."

[Anonymous]

He stared at her, crimson eyes widened ever so slightly. Training, to fight demons. Regular ol' knighthood training had been hell for him, but to think, this one — this heiress, the noblewoman — was training to fight demons.

"Your Order fights demons?" Gemini repeated, floored, as if all he could do was echo her sentiments. "Truly, that... explains a lot about you." Her prowess in fighting, how easily she had managed to put him in a hold... He had never seen a demon in his life, really, had only heard stories, and had been thankful he'd never have to contend with any creatures like that. Yet, this one didn't seem to mind training with the very Order that slayed them.

He laughed a little to himself, placing a hand on his hip. "Your father must be proud of you, no? His heiress, a skilled fighter, aspiring to be a member of his Order." He looked down at her. "An ambitious, but perhaps untraditional, noblewoman." A grin tugged at his lips. "Ah, so is that why you're here? To smooth out those rough edges?" It figured that Father would be entrusted with such a task... "I wonder if letting you near the weapons is a good idea, if such is the case..."

[Anonymous]

"You haven't heard of it?" Rhonwen gave a fierce, bright smile, "Oh, I'm sure I'm not supposed to play with weapons while here. And here you kept giving me the impression that you didn't like to follow the rules. And I don't think my father is all that proud of that part of me." She waved her hand dismissively, "He's not ashamed either, I think he just wishes I went to more parties. He's upset that Lorin is missing," Her smile faltered a little at the mention of her sort of betrothed, "He's worried I wont ever get married at this rate. You know, typical father things."

[Anonymous]

Gemini opened his mouth to retaliate — because, truly, he believed that rules were put into play simply for him to break them — but he was beginning to wonder if this was a rule that should be followed. Eventually, he shook his head, a hand on his hip, sighing. "You've figured me out, alright," he acknowledged with a small laugh. "But I'm starting to wonder if this one of those rare rules that should be followed..." Granted, he wasn't going to not let her near the weapons just because he felt iffy about it. What kind of person would that make him in the process?

He frowned a little, removing his hand from his hip. The name Lorin was familiar, and he only knew the basics about the man at best — the prince, who had gone missing, for what seemed like ages ago. He had categorized him as 'dead' in his mind and left it at that— he hadn't the slightest idea that people still referred to him as 'missing.'

"I don't think fathers will ever stop worrying about their children," their heir commented, almost pensively. He frowned a little, serious for a second, but then laughed, shrugging. "Even if they're pretty much near perfect." From his cocky smile, it was obvious he was referring to himself.  "He shouldn't worry. I'm sure you'll turn out to be the perfect noblewoman by the time your stay here is up." He shook his head. "Father will see to that, I'm sure."

He'd do his best to make his friend proud, Gemini knew. He'd do what he couldn't do for his own son.

Finally, they had arrived onto Bonnywild Field. Gemini, whose gait was normally relaxed and leisurely, effectively quickened his pace as soon as they stepped foot onto the grounds. "The weapons storage isn't too far from here, I believe," he muttered softly, casting his gaze to and fro, as if he was being followed. "While we're here, let's take care not to disturb the training knights..." His voice was hushed, quiet, as if he was, for once in his life, trying not to draw attention to himself.

It was a weird thing for Gemini to say — normally, he wouldn't give a damn about disturbing anyone — but the last thing he wanted to do was draw the attention of any knight who knew him. Kia, he wouldn't hear the last of it! Best to make this a quick affair — in and out, like nothing ever happened...

[Anonymous]

Rhonwen noticed Gemini's discomfort and paused, "You know, in our just...fascinating conversation, I forgot that I'm supposed to be meeting your sister. I know I made you bring me here, but it would be rude to keep Hearth waiting."

For all she had teased him, Rhonwen felt uncomfortable at his reaction. She hadn't meant to actually bother him and guilt say heavy in her belly.

[Anonymous]

As soon as Rhonwen brought up Hearth, Gemini swiftly turned around, back out of Bonnywild, without missing a single beat. "Ah, poor Hearth!" he muttered, shaking his head, placing a hand over his chest. "She must be waiting for us right now, bless her kind soul. She's such a patient one, but you're right, truly. It'd be in bad taste to keep her waiting for too long."

He was quite certain that he had, somehow, let Rhonwen see how uncomfortable he was – either that or it was just written all over his face – and he made a mental note to learn how to play it cool in Bonnywild. No matter how smooth he normally was, this knights' training grounds was the one place he could be tripped up easily.

"Hearth knows the way down here, if I recall correctly. She'd have no problems taking you down here, whenever you want to get some training in," he went on, confidence slowly returning. "Just make sure not to accidentally pull any of your fancy fighting maneuvers on her. Poor Hearth's got a delicate constitution, really, she'd be in for such a shock!"

[Anonymous]

Yeah, there was something very strange there. But Rhonwen wasn't going to pry, at least not right now. It wasn't really her business about what Gemini's problems.

"I'm sure we'll figure out how to spar. But thank you for showing me to your sister."