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nyandereneko) wrote2019-07-10 08:00 am
nyandereneko) wrote2019-07-10 08:00 am
Entry tags:
Brazen
Word Count: 1,142
Summary: Nova encounters an unexpected guest in the midst of preparing for an approaching formal event, and the exchange that ensues leaves both parties wondering how things will play out when they face one another again in an arena of formality.
*Author’s Note*: When I re-read this to edit it I lost my mind, the scene and the emotions and the atmosphere is just…HOO BOY. Another fic about me and this man no one knows about but that’s alright, I’ll singlehandedly change that through sheer willpower…somehow. It makes me a little happier to know based on the canon AU stuff by the creator that he is this kind of awkward, flustered, trying to remember to be proper mess that ultimately fails in the face of his feelings higlejfilsejfes but he’s trying his best, and so is Nova. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!
“Are you sure this looks alright? I really don’t want to embarrass myself, or anybody else…”
Spinning around and keeping an eye on the mirror, Nova’s stomach was tense with nerves. This was the first official formal gathering at the palace she’d be attending, and she was determined to make a good first impression. To the best of her ability, anyway. And in her mind, that mostly translated to keeping her mouth shut and her face neutral. She didn’t want to betray any kind of thoughts or opinions that might spark any uncalled-for conversations. She’d had a couple of meetings with individuals she knew she could trust, going over the basic etiquette and expectations she needed to know for this particular event. As prepared as she hoped to be, she couldn’t shake the apprehension that some random variable might show up and throw everything off, subsequently ruining everything.
“I don’t think the tailor would have agreed to work with this design if they were inclined to think it was inappropriate,” the woman that was helping her dress reassured, one of the court attendants Nova had been strengthening her acquaintance with quite meaningfully as of late. “You worry too much. Everything’s going to be fine. It’s just a party, and knowing the kind of people that will be there, and the amount of booze they’ll be serving…how you present yourself will surely end up being one of the last things on your mind…or anyone else’s.”
“You say that so confidently,” Nova sighed, playing with the fringe of delicate ruffles lining her extravagant skirt.
“That’s because I have experience with this kind of thing,” the attendant reminded her, her tone and expression imbued with lighthearted amusement. “I know how it usually goes, and what kinds of things you should really be worried about. In your case, I don’t think you should worry at all. You’re so ahead of the curve, and so cautious, there’s no way you’ll end up causing any kind of scene that might incite some manner of uproar or disruption.”
“Maybe this time will be different. Maybe just my presence will be enough to upset the balance and trigger the disaster of the century,” the young mage mused in a grave voice, and the attendant laughed.
There was a light knock on the door followed by the creaking of thick hinges, and both women’s heads snapped towards the source of the noise. “Sorry to intrude, I was just wondering—”
“You really barge into a room after knocking without waiting for a response? That’s rather discourteous.” The attendant was mostly teasing, but the startled look on the general’s face illustrated that he understood what she was implying.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t…but this isn’t a changing room, so why are you doing something like that in here in the first place?”
“That still doesn’t excuse your brazenness.”
She was enjoying playing with him now, and Nova wasn’t inclined to interrupt. Instead she examined her reflection in the mirror once more, helplessly captivated by the elegant attire she was lucky enough to call her own. She hadn’t actually been in the process of changing, so it wasn’t like Desair had committed any scandalous offense…but clearly the attendant was eager to keep him under that impression. She might have found it equally entertaining to watch him flounder as he attempted to defend himself, but her mind was too full of other things. Like the marvelousness of her dress, the giddiness of knowing she was going to be attending a formal gala for the first time in her life…and not just as any other guest.
While she was far from being on the same level as the other, more prestigious attendees, she was still a part of this palace that wasn’t overlooked. She served her post well and had made great strides in improving the skills she used to believe she’d never really get anywhere with. She had Lord Sangyun and his surprising decision to take a gamble on her to thank, but she also couldn’t forget the people that’d trained her, practiced with her, and aided her in rising to a rank she’d never considered within reach, even in her wildest dreams.
“It looks…nice on you.”
She whipped her head around at his words, realizing that the bickering between he and the attendant had trickled off some time ago. So caught up in her own whirlwind of thoughts, she’d almost forgotten she wasn’t alone, but thanks to his comment, now she was hypervigilant. Heat flared in her cheeks, and her hands clenched tightly together as she struggled to process what he’d said. It was such a simple statement, yet her heart couldn’t seem to stop hammering, and she couldn’t seem to keep her hands from shaking. Did hearing something like that from him really matter to her…is that what her subconscious was telling her, a truth she wasn’t quite equipped to face?
“It’s extravagant, almost gaudy…there’s no denying that. But it makes you look…very regal. Sophisticated. If I didn’t know any better, I might mistake you for one of the guests myself.”
Now her head was starting to spin a little, tipped off balance by his unintentional assault of words. He cleared his throat in his hand and diverted his eyes, clearly becoming aware that he’d also been losing himself in the moment a little too much. Was she just imagining his cheeks turning a shade of scarlet similar to her own? Did he also have his hands clasped behind his back, now quite pointedly obscured from her view? What could he possibly be thinking, and was it anything along the lines of what he’d admitted to her, the generous compliments he’d offered her without having to be prompted? She swallowed hard as her fingers kept absently twisting and squeezing around one another.
“Thank—”
“Sorry, I just…I’m not sure what came over me. It probably seems a little silly for me to be saying things like that out of the blue. I’ll leave you to your business.” With that dismissive word he took his leave, Nova’s words falling to the floor like discarded stones.
She reached out for him, but he was already gone, and she knew she’d conducted the gesture in vain. She tucked her arm against her chest, feeling the erratic beat of her heart beneath the lavish fabric that adorned her. Even if she was a little disappointed that he’d robbed her of a proper chance to respond, at least she knew she’d definitely get another one at the banquet. He wouldn’t be able to avoid her there, but at the same time, that also meant she wouldn’t be able to avoid him. Was that really the type of situation she wanted to put herself in? She supposed only time would tell how things were meant to unfold from here.
Summary: Nova encounters an unexpected guest in the midst of preparing for an approaching formal event, and the exchange that ensues leaves both parties wondering how things will play out when they face one another again in an arena of formality.
*Author’s Note*: When I re-read this to edit it I lost my mind, the scene and the emotions and the atmosphere is just…HOO BOY. Another fic about me and this man no one knows about but that’s alright, I’ll singlehandedly change that through sheer willpower…somehow. It makes me a little happier to know based on the canon AU stuff by the creator that he is this kind of awkward, flustered, trying to remember to be proper mess that ultimately fails in the face of his feelings higlejfilsejfes but he’s trying his best, and so is Nova. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!
_____
“Are you sure this looks alright? I really don’t want to embarrass myself, or anybody else…”
Spinning around and keeping an eye on the mirror, Nova’s stomach was tense with nerves. This was the first official formal gathering at the palace she’d be attending, and she was determined to make a good first impression. To the best of her ability, anyway. And in her mind, that mostly translated to keeping her mouth shut and her face neutral. She didn’t want to betray any kind of thoughts or opinions that might spark any uncalled-for conversations. She’d had a couple of meetings with individuals she knew she could trust, going over the basic etiquette and expectations she needed to know for this particular event. As prepared as she hoped to be, she couldn’t shake the apprehension that some random variable might show up and throw everything off, subsequently ruining everything.
“I don’t think the tailor would have agreed to work with this design if they were inclined to think it was inappropriate,” the woman that was helping her dress reassured, one of the court attendants Nova had been strengthening her acquaintance with quite meaningfully as of late. “You worry too much. Everything’s going to be fine. It’s just a party, and knowing the kind of people that will be there, and the amount of booze they’ll be serving…how you present yourself will surely end up being one of the last things on your mind…or anyone else’s.”
“You say that so confidently,” Nova sighed, playing with the fringe of delicate ruffles lining her extravagant skirt.
“That’s because I have experience with this kind of thing,” the attendant reminded her, her tone and expression imbued with lighthearted amusement. “I know how it usually goes, and what kinds of things you should really be worried about. In your case, I don’t think you should worry at all. You’re so ahead of the curve, and so cautious, there’s no way you’ll end up causing any kind of scene that might incite some manner of uproar or disruption.”
“Maybe this time will be different. Maybe just my presence will be enough to upset the balance and trigger the disaster of the century,” the young mage mused in a grave voice, and the attendant laughed.
There was a light knock on the door followed by the creaking of thick hinges, and both women’s heads snapped towards the source of the noise. “Sorry to intrude, I was just wondering—”
“You really barge into a room after knocking without waiting for a response? That’s rather discourteous.” The attendant was mostly teasing, but the startled look on the general’s face illustrated that he understood what she was implying.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t…but this isn’t a changing room, so why are you doing something like that in here in the first place?”
“That still doesn’t excuse your brazenness.”
She was enjoying playing with him now, and Nova wasn’t inclined to interrupt. Instead she examined her reflection in the mirror once more, helplessly captivated by the elegant attire she was lucky enough to call her own. She hadn’t actually been in the process of changing, so it wasn’t like Desair had committed any scandalous offense…but clearly the attendant was eager to keep him under that impression. She might have found it equally entertaining to watch him flounder as he attempted to defend himself, but her mind was too full of other things. Like the marvelousness of her dress, the giddiness of knowing she was going to be attending a formal gala for the first time in her life…and not just as any other guest.
While she was far from being on the same level as the other, more prestigious attendees, she was still a part of this palace that wasn’t overlooked. She served her post well and had made great strides in improving the skills she used to believe she’d never really get anywhere with. She had Lord Sangyun and his surprising decision to take a gamble on her to thank, but she also couldn’t forget the people that’d trained her, practiced with her, and aided her in rising to a rank she’d never considered within reach, even in her wildest dreams.
“It looks…nice on you.”
She whipped her head around at his words, realizing that the bickering between he and the attendant had trickled off some time ago. So caught up in her own whirlwind of thoughts, she’d almost forgotten she wasn’t alone, but thanks to his comment, now she was hypervigilant. Heat flared in her cheeks, and her hands clenched tightly together as she struggled to process what he’d said. It was such a simple statement, yet her heart couldn’t seem to stop hammering, and she couldn’t seem to keep her hands from shaking. Did hearing something like that from him really matter to her…is that what her subconscious was telling her, a truth she wasn’t quite equipped to face?
“It’s extravagant, almost gaudy…there’s no denying that. But it makes you look…very regal. Sophisticated. If I didn’t know any better, I might mistake you for one of the guests myself.”
Now her head was starting to spin a little, tipped off balance by his unintentional assault of words. He cleared his throat in his hand and diverted his eyes, clearly becoming aware that he’d also been losing himself in the moment a little too much. Was she just imagining his cheeks turning a shade of scarlet similar to her own? Did he also have his hands clasped behind his back, now quite pointedly obscured from her view? What could he possibly be thinking, and was it anything along the lines of what he’d admitted to her, the generous compliments he’d offered her without having to be prompted? She swallowed hard as her fingers kept absently twisting and squeezing around one another.
“Thank—”
“Sorry, I just…I’m not sure what came over me. It probably seems a little silly for me to be saying things like that out of the blue. I’ll leave you to your business.” With that dismissive word he took his leave, Nova’s words falling to the floor like discarded stones.
She reached out for him, but he was already gone, and she knew she’d conducted the gesture in vain. She tucked her arm against her chest, feeling the erratic beat of her heart beneath the lavish fabric that adorned her. Even if she was a little disappointed that he’d robbed her of a proper chance to respond, at least she knew she’d definitely get another one at the banquet. He wouldn’t be able to avoid her there, but at the same time, that also meant she wouldn’t be able to avoid him. Was that really the type of situation she wanted to put herself in? She supposed only time would tell how things were meant to unfold from here.
no subject
I like where this is going!