Well I'm upper upper class high society

[ladymoth]

» "And then when I got to the end of the race the damn horseman never came, he saw I won and hightailed it so that he wouldn't have to fix my bag and do you know what I heard from the people in the village over? I heard that the man spent a week in the forest after that just to make sure I wasn't skulking around and waiting to jump out and make him fix it! Can you believe that, all because I didn't have any money to pay for the bag he ends up waisting away in the forest for a week rather than do one free job- that i earned!" Addison finally finished a long and involved story about the time when his bag burst and the money fell out so he had to make a bet with a drunken leather smith to fix it.

"And then there was the time that a fanghur struck me out of the sky and I ended up landing in a den of them when-" Before Addison could finish telling Niko what could have conceivably added to the gravit of that situation a man cleared his throat and Addi had to turn his head back to look where he was going right before his nose hit the gate before the Danta manor. The man who cleared his throat asked he and Addison what business they had being there and Addison relayed the story of the ball and it's invitations, and how they were invited as well, being of the same blood and a honored guest and by the time he was done the guard simply chose to assume they were alright to be let in to save his ears from getting talked off.

Yes Addison was in rare form today, going on about how he had landed on his wing and broken it and how the smell of blood got the Fanghur riled up and how it took all his cunning to run franticly around the cave screaming for help, but Addison's story was slowing down and loosing momentum the further and further into the lair of Josk they went. Finally Addison said "I'll tell the rest later" in such a muted whisper that one would have thought he was in church.

He had fallen back now, letting Niko take the lead, as if they were walking into the same den of Fanghur that he had been describing. The servant knocked on Josk's door and announced Niko and Addison's names. At this point Addison was hiding behind Niko holding onto his sleeve.

[Elloria]

(Colored italics = thoughts)

Niko walked along and silently listened to Addison's story. Or rather, appeared to be listening when in fact he had tuned the angel out some time ago. He wasn't really in the mood to hear another of his friend's stories, but felt that it would be better if Addison blew off steam now rather than when they finally arrived at the estate. He had told the angel that upon arriving at the estate's gates, Addison was to keep quiet while Niko explained their presence there. He was beginning to wonder if the man remembered as they entered the nobles' sector and made their way to his family home. As they approached the estate, Addison launched into a brand new story and Niko gave an inaudible sigh. He was certain today was going to be entirely too long for his tastes.

He paused a little ways from the gates, but Addison didn't seem to notice. One of the guards - a different one from Niko's last visit - cleared his throat just as Addison ran nose-first into the gates. Niko raised one hand and covered his face in exasperation. And of course, Addison forgot to still his tongue and explained their purpose in being there before Niko could even open his mouth. He made a gap between his fingers and glared at the angel before turning his stormy gaze on the guard. The elf seemed to recognize him at last - or perhaps he just wanted to be shot of the angel; Niko couldn't blame him because Addison was sometimes best in smaller doses - because he opened the gates. Niko swept forward, Addison right at his side. The angel had decided to resume his latest story, much to Niko's chagrin.

Upon entering the house, a servant greeted them. It was Elrohir, who had served the Danta family since long before Niko and Josk were born. He naturally recognized the younger Danta twin and bowed deferentially before leading them to Josk's study. Every servant they passed bowed, though most also gave Addison odd looks. Niko's face was expressionless, but his eyes were dark with his irritation. He didn't wish to be in Ellesmera nor to attend the upcoming ball, but he had foolishly promise in the hopes that Josk would visit him. It had worked entirely too well. And for some bizarre reason, Josk had wanted Addison to come with as an honored guest. This was certainly allowed, of course, but Niko couldn't fathom why.

As they neared the study, Addison slowly fell behind Niko and quieted. This was both pleasant and bothersome. When Addison chattered, he was more or less normal. Silence didn't really befit him. As Elrohir knocked on the door, Niko turned slightly to look at the angel curiously. “I’m fairly certain he won’t bite your head off, Addi,” he murmured as the door slid open to reveal his older brother. He turned to face Josk and his entire demeanor changed instantly.

Josk grinned from the doorway, all Cheshire Cat and no Red Queen. In less than a heartbeat, he crossed the small space separating him from his brother and embraced Niko. Welcome home, my brother. I have missed you greatly.

Niko returned the embrace easily, a grin sliding into place. It is not quite home, but I have missed you as well. Too long have we remained distant.

Josk pulled back slightly. “Well, let us not dwell on what is past. All will be set right soon enough.” He peered around Niko to find Addison hovering just behind. His eyes brightened even more. “Good, you brought Addison. This will be a fantastic excursion, don’t you think brother?” Niko snorted and pulled out of the embrace before herding Josk back into the study. Josk let himself be pushed back without resistance, beckoning to Addison. “Don’t stand out in the hall, Addison. We must catch up and such.” Niko looked back and smiled at the angel. “Yes, come make yourself comfortable, Addi.” With that, both brothers plopped into a pair of plush chairs that were near each other and waited for Addison to join them.

[ladymoth]

» Addison narrowed his eyes when Josk briefly looked at him and said how glad he was that Niko brought him, as if Niko had remembered to bring tea to a picnic. He felt like a commodity. He had felt unsure of his ability to stay away from Josk and his hair and eyes and skin and body and voice and general way of inhabiting a room, but Josk was making it easy for him to dislike the way he acted. He continued to watch the twins banter and hug and rejoice and his contemptuous expression soon turned to one of genuine confusion because he had not thought that Niko was capable of such... energy. Soon his mouth was hanging slightly agape. They were acting distinctly unelven, though he had to admit there wasn't a lot of edict on how Elven twins were meant to great each other, he was certain that no elf was socially permitted to hug as a greeting.

Josk looking at him and becoming him inside jolted Addison out of his marvelous silence. "Yes, alright" Addison said walking inside and pulling the chair that was half way between Josk's and Niko's up against Niko's and away from Josk's. Since Addison left the Danta house last he had concluded that he didn't want anything to do with Josk's dark mood swings... he preferred Niko's dark mood swings. Now he was letting Josk know in no uncertain terms that he was not interested in anything that he had to offer. "I'm sorry I missed you while you were in Ililrea" Addison said, phrasing his words carefully so that they could still be said in Elvish. He was sorry he didn't have a chance to block Josk's advances any sooner. "I was out on one of my runs, still trying to find the dragon sculptor that Niko fancies."

[Elloria]

Josk and Niko curled their legs beneath them as they sat in the large chairs. They were turned slightly towards each other, like two magnets attracted to one another. Josk quirked an eyebrow in amusement. Addison had spoken with too much care for him to believe that the man genuinely regretted missing his visit to Ilirea. He could hardly blame the man, considering the rather awkward beginning to their acquaintanceship. Niko frowned slightly at Addison. Though it was true that the angel had been off hunting down that sculptor, he had returned sometime near the end of Josk's visit - without much result. It was upon learning that Josk was still there that Addi had taken off again with renewed vigor. He hadn't thought much of it at the time. And now the angel was settling down beside Niko - as far from Josk as possible without being rude. He was about to comment when Josk spoke up.

“It was a shame, Addison. I had quite hoped to run into you. But we’re here now and it’s good to see you again.” The older twin smiled kindly at Addison before turning his attention back to his brother. “A dragon sculptor, was it? You did have an ungodly amount of those dragons scattered around your villa. You’ve developed quite a taste for them.”

Niko laughed brightly. It was always relaxed and carefree at first. Before the oppressive air of Ellesmera really got to him. When Josk consumed most of his attention and they allowed themselves an easy camaraderie uncommon amongst the elves. With the rest of the world, they tried to follow those etiquette codes closely. But with each other, what was the point? They were two hearts beating as one, as they had been in the womb. The atmosphere they created was warm and comfortable, uncaring of the world's opinion of it and ready to enjoy life as they saw fit. “Yes. You can blame Addison for that. As I told you in Ilirea, he likes to drag me out and about the city. My home has felt...empty since Mchumba passed. The need to fill it was merely delayed.”

Josk laughed with his brother. “Addison’s fault, eh?” He looked at Addison once more, his silvery eyes bright and happy. He leaned forward slightly, the better to see around Niko. A smile lit up his face, making his eyes seem even brighter. “Breaking my brother of his scholarly habits, then? I must say I appreciate it. He never used to be such a stick in the mud as most of the Ilireans are.” Niko swatted Josk lightly on the head. “They’re not sticks in the mud. They’re just interested in educating themselves and the world.” Josk grinned. “Exactly. Sticks in the mud.” He looked back at Addison. “Do you travel often, then, Addison? I know you’re a courier, but what about in your spare time?” Niko twisted slightly to watch his friend, waiting for a response. He was curious, for he had never thought to ask the angel anything like that before.

[ladymoth]

» Addison watched the twins fool around and hit each other over the top of his head, the expression on his face was similar to one experiencing vertigo; watching Niko come out of his shell was disconcerting to say the least. And as Niko began to talk Addison began to withdraw and start acting the way Niko would.

"I fly." Addison answered shortly, barely making eye-contact with the elder brother. If he looked into Josk's eyes then it would all be over. It took all of Addison's will power not to say "I fly, I knit, I try to find people who might be related to me, I use my delivery log to draw people who use Iliera's park, I look for sales on cakes, and I visit Niko and make him go shopping" and all the many ways to expand on these things. Addison's eye twitched

[Elloria]

Niko tilted his head slightly, curious at Addi's refusal to meet Josk's eyes. He didn't remark on it, though. He was curious about the angel’s sudden taciturnity, but Addi’s earlier excuse for missing Josk’s visit had reminded him of something. He turned back to Josk. “When was the last time you bothered sculpting anything? I forgot to ask when you came to Ilirea and haven’t thought much on it since. You used to create the loveliest sculptures.”

Josk felt slightly saddened that Addison wouldn’t meet his eyes. He had hoped that, with a bit of distance, perhaps the man would come to terms with whatever issues he had with Josk and they could at least be friends. Apparently things had gone in the opposite direction. But he wasn't allowed to dwell on how to fix it, for Niko was pulling at his attention. “Hmmm? Sculpting? I haven’t thought about it in years. I’m a bit more preoccupied with the Hive and family business these days. Did you know we own a trading company in Ceunon? A very lucrative spice business, if you can believe it. I don’t even know anyone in the family who likes spices.”

“Really?” Niko said incredulously. His eyes were skeptical, but amused. “Well, I suppose it’s better than owning a brothel or two. Respectable trade, spices. You really should take up sculpting again, though. You thought I had an ungodly amount of dragons, but if I recall correctly you have an entire gallery dedicated to housing your works.”

Josk waved a dismissive hand. “Tch. That wasn’t just sculptures. There are several fairths down there as well. But there’s nothing new. The most recent is...five decades old? Perhaps closer to six. And that’s just a fairth I made for...” He coughed slightly, his face reddening. “But that’s not even in the gallery. Anyway, I suppose you’re still writing as always?”

Niko grinned. “Yes, I write when I have time. Unless, of course, Addi decides to distract me in favor of buying sweet pasties from the bakery.” He turned around to look at Addi again. “Say Addi, would you like to see my brother’s gallery? Those dragon sculptures have nothing on his work.” Josk rolled his eyes, silently stating that Niko was exaggerating as always. Niko, of course, didn't see this. But he knew that was probably what his brother had done. Josk didn't like to show off his artwork, but Niko delighted in bragging about what his older brother could do. He had always been jealous of Josk's skills with his hands and his superb control over magic that allowed him to create the fairths he did.

[ladymoth]

» 'yes! defiantly yes, what are we waiting for' Addison thought in his head, his eyes flashing briefly "That Sound's beneficial" Addison voiced, but got to his feet a little too quickly. God help him and the fact that he thought Josk was the most interesting thing on the face of the planet.

"I have never had much of a tolerance for Fairths, anything that duplicates a scene exactly can't really be considered art" Addison said suddenly choosing to go on the offensive, just asking Josk to stay away from him. Addison, who's life's mission was to ensure everyone was perfectly happy, did not have firm footing when it came to being passive aggressive. As soon as it came out of his mouth he felt like a grade-a asshat, as if he was a regular nineteen year old human, petty and immature.

[Elloria]

“Addison, what on earth is wrong with you?” Niko asked sharply. It didn't bother him that the angel wasn't a fan of fairths - everyone was entitled to their opinions about was and was not art. However, he certainly did not like Addison's tone when he stated how he felt about fairths. It was like he was attacking Josk personally and that was something Niko would never tolerate. They’d had to put up with it from their mother; they didn’t have to tolerate it from anyone else, though Josk usually held his tongue. Thus Niko rushed to his brother’s defense without thinking at all. And earlier, when Addison had said going to the gallery sounded beneficial. When did the angel ever sound so stiff and formal? “It’s understandable if you don’t like fairths, but there’s no need to be so harsh about it.”

Josk placed a placating hand on Niko’s arm. He appreciated that his baby brother would still leap to his defense without hesitation - in fact, he dearly missed it. He couldn't begin to imagine how different life might have been if they had remained together. But they hadn't and, as much as he loved it, he didn' t want his brother possibly ruining a friendship because of whatever issues lay between Josk and Addison. His voice was level, though he didn’t quite keep the hurt from his eyes. His fairths were what he was most proud of. “It’s all right, Niko. I take no offense at it. He just feels very strongly about the matter, isn’t that right Addison?” Josk rose smoothly from his chair, straightening his shirt slightly. He held his hand out to Niko, who took it without hesitation and rose as well. “We can still show him the gallery. And who knows? Perhaps we can show that fairths are not just exact replications of a scene.” He smiled and started pulling Niko out of the study.

Niko hmphed at Josk's reaction - typically passive, as always. He looked back and gestured at Addison. “Come on, then, if you still want to see.” Niko and Josk silently led the way down the corridor, heading back to the main hall where a massive spiral staircase that led to all levels of the house was located. Their fingers interlaced as they went. They had often been teased in Ellesmera and Ilirea for the habit, but it was a comfort thing. They felt secure when they were linked, whole. They turned as one and began descending the staircase. The art galleries - a half dozen - were beneath the tree's massive roots on the first level of the basements. The wine cellar was just below that and other vaults below that. They exited at the first level and went halfway down the corridor to the third door on the right hand side. Here, Josk slipped his hand from Niko's and reached out to open the door. As they stepped in, flameless lanterns flickered into life and cast a soft glow over the large gallery.

Sculpted clay figures set on pedestals dotted the open floor while statues stood alone in the corners or between the pedestals. The four corner statues were of the Danta family - Miala, Tios, Niko and Josk. Were it not for the fact that they were made of colored marble, one might have thought that the statues were alive. From the fine lines furrowing Tios' brow to the individual strands of Maila's long hair to the indentical looks of mischief gracing Josk’s and Niko's faces, there was very little detail left out of their forms and faces. The various sculptures were mostly of animals, though a few depicted forest scenes - always with that same attention to detail that made them seem alive.

The fairths, on the other hand, were almost exclusively outdoor scenes - the gardens on the estate, the forest surrounding Ellesmera, the meadow that Josk and Niko had often played in as children. What few weren't of nature contained images of Niko and Rensu. These were more vibrant than the rest - Niko staring at some parchment with a look of intense concentration, quill in hand; Rensu crouching to sniff at a clump of violets. It was like a snapshot of the scene, yet brighter somehow - happier. Niko paused by one of the sculptures near the door - a doe and her fawn staring raptly into the distance. Josk walked a little farther in and moved to a fairth of Rensu. He was curled up beneath a flowering apple tree, reading some novel.

[ladymoth]

» Addison took the verbal abuse from Niko to the chin, like a man, because he felt he deserved it. All the same he couldn't make it seem as if he was agreeing with Niko that he was wrong, and that he would be civil. Josk was acting even worst than when he ignored him, now he was acting like a neutered dog; no Josk he knew was that up-beat. Perhaps it was the presence of Niko, or perhaps Josk was laying on the civility to make Addison look bad. Addison decision it was the latter; using Josk's behavior on their last visit guide his decision.

Addison had two choices, he could play politics with Josk, each trying to out-shine the other in a battle for who was more over whom, or he could act like a total brat and make Josk's diplomacy dike break in half. The taste of ill-directed words was still in Addison's mouth, so he choose the former; he would try to act more gentile than Josk; the gentleman. Addison had a sense it couldn't be done.

They wound there way around the center of the tree into the vaults in silence. Addison's mind was whirring trying to think of new ways to distance himself from Josk, but the longer he stared at the back of Josk's head the more he thought 'even the back of his skull is perfect, I didn't even know I had a preference over those.' and so every step he took make his heart beat a little faster over the manipulative elf he refused to love.

Addison let the twins guide him through the gallery, falling back a little to take long looks at the sculptures, but it was the fairths that got him. He knew about the emotions that permeated the pieces, and every new fairth he looked at made the pit in the bottom of his stomach grow larger. Until the last fairth, the apple blossom portrait defeated him and he thumped his head against the rock and started to cry.

[Elloria]

Niko slowly made his way over to where Josk was standing. Addi seemed suitably awed by the fairths, so he left him to make what he would of them. He stood silently beside Josk and looked at the apple blossom fairth. From what he felt from Josk, he could only assume this was Rensu. One could tell he was tall for an elf, even while curled up as he was. He had an olive complexion with dark blue eyes and short curly brown hair. In some regards, he seemed more human than elf yet his features were sharply defined like Niko's. Though slim his muscles were well-defined. Yes, he was handsome but a character existed in the fairth that Niko doubted many saw. “He made you quite happy,” he murmured. Josk simply smiled in response, small and melancholy.

They gazed at the fairth for several long moments. Silence had settled onto the gallery, though neither noticed at first. Silence was something they were used to. Theirs had never been a loud or boisterous household. Not that elven households are loud and boisterous, but theirs was a quiet home even by elven standards. Thus, they were unfazed by the quiet that permeated the gallery and were slightly irritated when it was disrupted by a loud thump. As one, they turned to see what the source of the sound was - Josk leaning slightly around Niko - and were surprised to find Addison with his head against the earthen wall. More surprising still, he was crying. Josk blinked as Niko moved to Addison's side. Niko rubbed a hand soothingly on Addison's back After a moment, Josk joined his brother, standing on Addison's other side. He squatted down to look up into Addison's eyes. His own eyes shone with concern. What had upset the man so badly? Tentatively, he reached up to brush away the tears streaming down the man's face with a warm hand. He said nothing, letting Niko ask the questions. “What’s wrong, Addi?”

[ladymoth]

» "He knows what's wrong" Addi said flinching away from Josk and turning into Niko's shirt "don't bother asking him though, he'll just deign it" Addison felt sorrow for Josk and pity for himself all at once. The things that Josk lost were tragic, but right now Addison was loosing Josk and having lost him once before he felt as if someone were ripping off his scabs. He couldn't help but feel Josk's losses were greater, Rensu's death cost Josk his freedom and his happiness, but for Addison felt for all the world Josk was doing the same to him.

[Elloria]

Niko looked at Josk quizzically as he wrapped his arms securely around Addison. There was even the slightest hint of anger in his silvery eyes. He had known before that Josk had done something to aggravate Addison, but had assumed it would be something the angel would soon resolve without Niko’s interference. His brother was quiet and generally ingratiating, but when moved to anger few people could withstand the ferocity of his wit and words. But Niko could not remember a time when it was impossible to repair whatever rift Josk managed to create. Yet whatever had transpired between his brother and Addison was more than even the angel knew how to work through. And while he didn’t wish to berate his brother, he couldn’t help but feel upset that he had put Addison into this state. Without a word, he demanded an explanation for why his friend was so grievously upset.

Josk sighed and rose from his squat. With no hesitation, he let his mind and Niko’s intertwine. The memory of that first meeting between elf and courier played in his mind’s eye, nearly perfect in its recall. He felt no shame in how he had behaved. Rensu was not and perhaps never would be a topic that he would tolerate discussing. Niko had understood that from the very beginning. Josk saw no reason to really regret it, save for the pain it seemed to be causing Addison. And even that was hardly enough to disturb him to any great extent.

Niko let out an aggrieved huff as the images of Josk's memory swept through him. His brother had changed greatly since their education had ended. No, that wasn't quite true. They had both begun to change from the moment they entered Ilirea. Why else had they parted so bitterly? It hadn't remained between them long, but the fact remained that they - who had once been inseparable - had parted ways. Though it would be impossible to completely separate from each other, it was possible to envision a great gulf separating them. What do you intend to do about it?

“I don’t intend to apologize, if that’s what you’re asking. I did that before he left. Ask him yourself. As for the kiss, well.” Josk shrugged. “It’s not as if Addison’s unattractive. But if he wants to think of me as a devil, that’s his business is it not? We have not known innocence since we hit our first decade, Niko. That’s all there is to it.” He sighed and looked around the gallery. Perhaps asking for Addison to come along had been a mistake. Perhaps even bothering to attend the ball was a mistake. Would it be so terrible to miss out this year? “Tch. Let us leave the gallery. I think it’s approaching dinner time anyway.” He spun on his heel, his hair fanning out slightly behind him as he did, and strode from the room.

Niko sighed as his brother left the room. He rubbed Addison's back soothingly as he considered all that had just transpired. When had Josk become so distant and seemingly uncaring? He wondered if the Hive, coupled with Rensu's and their mother's deaths, had broken his brother so thoroughly. He could only speculate, but it made sense. They would need to discuss this at a later time. He tilted his head down slightly and murmured, “I’m sorry. We sometimes find it difficult to imagine the pain of others or conceive that we cause pain to others. Sometimes it is as if we are the only real people.”