Chapter 140: High Society

“That wasn’t completely terrible,” Rosalyn giggled as they made their way to the sidelines. “I mean, I was terrible at dancing but Kat helped with that and when you got there, Ann, it was just more fun to do whatever and I think I could do it again later if you two want?”

“I’m gonna hold you to that,” Ann giggled, leaning down to kiss Rosalyn on the top of her head.

“So, now we just walk around an’ talk, or dance, or do whatever we want,” Kat said.

“I figure we might as well meet people. I mean, that’s the whole point of a ball like this, right?”

“Eh, depends. Ye can pass the time pretty quiet if ye want. Don’t need tae get all in the gossip.”

“Yeah, but I’m new here and that’s a good opportunity,” Ann countered. “Even if we already have a reputation.”

“That’s not a reputation I wanted,” Rosalyn grumbled, sipping on her strong smelling drink.

“Well, it’s what we’ve got, and I’ve already apologised profusely. Better to face it and get past first impressions than let it fester,” Ann shrugged. “Let’s see if anyone’s looking at us.” Ann hummed as she scanned the room, watching dancers and the huddles of people standing and at tables. Several were glancing at them furtively, and a few angrily.

“Hey, Kat, what’s up with that group?” Ann said, pointing to a group of men and women off to the side of the dance. They were one of the few glaring daggers at them.

“Feck,” Kat cursed. “Exes. Well, the girls are. The guys’re people I, erm, turned down.”

“How gently did you turn them down to get that?” Rosalyn asked, catching sight of the party.

“Some of them may have, allegedly, ended in duels?” Kat grumbled, scratching the back of her head bashfully.

“You were literally beating them off?” Rosalyn gasped.

“Phrasing,” Ann mumbled.

“Aye. Some o’ them wouldn’t take nae fer an answer, an’ I had tae teach ‘em the meanin’ o’ the word. Just ‘cause I can kick the boys arses as well as the girls doesn’t mean shite. Buncha pansies.”

“Gods damnit, here comes one of them,” Ann groaned.

“I’ll handle it,” Kat said.

“No, no, let me give this a try,” Ann stopped her.

The man who approached was clearly a fighter of some sort. Average for a human, broad-chested and muscular, he glared up at Kat as he approached.

“Didn’t expect to see you back at one of these, highness,” he almost spat. “Thought we ran you off last time.”

“Not how I remember it, Trevor,” Kat sighed. “Last I saw, ye had yer arse in the air, snoozin’ on the tile.”

“I went easy on you.”

“Really? Ye’re gonna do this in front o’ me girlfriends?”

“Hah, like that’ll last more than a few weeks. Your flights of fancy are well known, Katlyn.”

“So, I’m Annita, and this is Rosalyn,” Ann said, trying to cut in and distract a little.

“I am not speaking to you,” Trevor shot back. “We all know who you are. The sluts who made a scene with the princess at that pit in the ground they call a Guild. Are you here to corrupt more of us with your clearly Warped nature?”

“Ye say tha’ again, Trevor?” Kat growled, taking a step forward. “We’re gonna have a talk if ye do.”

“Please, Katlyn,” Trevor scoffed. “You couldn’t take me if you wanted to. I have leveled since last we, ehem, spoke. Besides, if you want to sully yourself with these lowborn girls, that is your decision. I came to see if you had come to your better senses, and unfortunately must conclude you are still the same hot-headed brute from before. Who knows, maybe you liked squealing for everyone to hear?”

“Trevor, yeah?” Ann stepped forward, with a hand on Kat’s shoulder. “Look, I don’t want a fight. A mistake was made and we’ve made sure to make up for it. Insulting us like this is only going to make things worse for you. Maybe we can talk about something else? You, for example? I didn’t catch your family name?”

Trevor, thankfully, shifted his focus off Kat and onto Ann. He glared at her, then raked his eyes down, then back up over her body. “I guess even lowborn know manners. Trevor O’mearas. My family runs mining operations in concert with the Laytons, though our interest is more in the northeast. They mine gems and we for ore. Yes, both of us find plenty of the other, and no, we are not picky. I have never heard of the Kronforsts. Must be a small family?”

“Small, but ancient,” Ann said with a smile. “We’ve been up in the north for, gosh, our histories can’t even say.”

“And what business keeps a supposedly ancient line such as that afloat for so long? Must be lucrative.”

“Nope. We live off what we hunt. We’re a long line of Lupine, and have made our little enclave self sufficient.”

“Ah, isolationists. Well, at least you know how to stick to tradition,” Trevor sighed. “That’s at least one thing I can understand.”

“My reading says your family is part of the traditionalist faction, correct?” Ann continued, flashing a sharp-toothed smile.

“Yes. Well, most of us are, so that’s how we are aligned. I have a few cousins who think we should be striking out, scoping new opportunities, but they’re fools. Why seek out instability when you have what you need? Our family’s mines have blessed us for generations, and they will continue to for many more, Voltid willing.”

“Interesting. Does your family mine Bultrite, or is its main production more common metals?”

“We mine for any metal that might be present,” Trevor said, puffing out his chest. “If we strike a vein of Bultrite, then it is a very good year. Sadly, the metal is rare and worth a fortune. The Queen’s armour is made entirely of the stuff, and costs more than entire cities.”

“She does like showing it off,” Ann said with a polite chuckle.

“If I had a set like it, I would as well! For now, we will settle for being filthy rich.” Trevor paused, a look of slight confusion crossing his face as he looked back at his friends. “Ah, my companions have been left behind. This was… different from what I expected. Have a fine evening, Annita. Katlyn.” Trevor said, nodding curtly to Kat. Ann could see the resentment still smouldering in his eyes, but he was much calmer.

“The feck did ye do?” Kat asked as she watched Trevor retreat.

“Got him talking about himself. He was so pissed off and focused on you, I basically blindsided him with some knowledge about who he is and what his family does. I really don’t know more than that, but thankfully it was enough. Took the bait like I hoped.”

“Bren’d be proud,” Kat chuckled. “Think he does somethin’ like that when he can. Or he just talks ‘em in circles until their heads spin.”

“Easier when you know more about everything,” Ann shrugged.

“Better than I could have done,” Rosalyn said, walking out from behind Kat. “He was really angry at you, Kat.”

“I may have made a bit more o’ a scene than I said,” Kat mumbled. “May ‘ave humiliated him a li’l? Somethin’ like Bren can fight better than him. Bren got a laugh outta’ it, at least. Trevor? Well, he took it personal. I mean, it was personal tae begin wit’ but he’s held a massive grudge, apparently. Might ‘ave tae deal wit’ tha’ later when he gets more alcohol in him.”

“The night is young,” Rosalyn nodded, taking another swig of her own drink. “We have our own trouble to get into.”

“Oh no ye don’t,” Kat grumbled. “We’re not havin’ another incident.”

“What, nothing? That’s boring,” Rosalyn grumbled. She sidled up to Ann. “After all, Ann’s all dressed up in this slinky thing.” One ebony hand traced across black fabric, down to surreptitiously press against Ann’s groin. “Would be a shame if she got… aroused?”

“Nope!” Ann yelped, taking a quick step back and causing Rosalyn to stumble. She felt her cock stir slightly and started thinking of old wrinkly men. “Nope! Not gonna get me to pop a boner in this,” she declared.

“Aww,” Rosalyn pouted. “Even after you skipped on your underwear? Don’t think I didn’t notice that.”

“Gods you’re persistent,” Ann laughed, stepping back closer, but keeping an eye on the Druid’s hands. “No funny stuff tonight.”

“We’ll see,” Rosalyn said in a singsong voice. “I’m a little hungry. Let’s grab a snack.”

“Aye. Keep it light, we’ll be havin’ a full meal later. Multiple courses, whole thing. It’ll be fancy as Voltid’s halls.”

“One, is that fancy? And two, is it the kind of fancy that doesn’t fill you up and has you craving a burger after?” Ann asked as they started to make their way to the refreshment table.

“Voltid’s halls?” Kat asked.

“Yeah! They’re supposed to be made of pure gemstones and the rarest metals in the world!” Rosalyn explained. “Nothing compares to it in the stories, and the Gods are said to agree. We’ll have to ask Orenous if we remember.”

“Fer the second question, ye’ll be filled. Not sure what a burger is.”

“Ground meat in a patty on a bun,” Ann said, reaching for some finger food. She used a claw to snag a sausage and started munching. “Can put lettuce, tomatoes, onions, all sorts of stuff on it. It’s essentially a really big sandwich.”

“What’s the meat?”

“Cow. I’m not really sure which part, but it was tasty.”

“Oh, well, then we’ve got somethin’ similar. Ground meat intae a patty is a pretty basic concept. We just call ‘em patties, though.”

“Not even after whoever came up with them?”

“Came up with mashing meat together into a disk?” Rosalyn asked. “Is that so novel a concept?”

“I… huh. I guess not? Hamburgers were named after a city, so it’d be like calling them Thaltendoners or something like that?”

“Doner?” Kat asked, picking up a glass of wine.

“We’re gonna be on food forever if we keep this up,” Ann sighed. “Giant stick of meat roasted on a spit, vertical, that you cut little bits off.”

“Guessin’ that’s more street food?”

“Yup. Only had it once, so I dunno much about it.”

“Fair. So, do ye want tae talk ta more people? Got plenty around.”

“Anyone you think would be interesting to talk to?” Ann asked.

“Nae,” Kat shrugged. “Ye’re the most interestin’ person here, an’ none o’ them even know it.”

“Aw, I’m boring now?” Rosalyn teased.

“Hardly, ye minx. Ye know what I mean, though.”

“Yeah, Ann is pretty neat,” Rosalyn giggled. “I might just sit a little of the socialising out though? Find myself a table and try not to make myself obvious.”

“You still not doing great,” Ann asked, bending down to look Rosalyn in the eyes. “Careful you don’t overdo it with the drink. There’s still a lot of tonight left.”

“I know,” Rosalyn nodded. “I’ll be careful. Promise. Just enough to make me not want to crawl into the dark void where the ceaceless eyes of the high and mighty can’t see me anymore!”

Ann rolled her eyes. “I mean, you have the high table, too. You can just go up there, and we know most of the people who’re supposed to sit up there.”

“Oh, duh,” Rosalyn smacked her forehead. “I’ll go and watch, then. Keep an eye on my girlfriends as they talk to other people. All alone. So forlorn.”

“Drama queen,” Ann laughed. “See you in a few?”

“Yeah. Go have your social person time. Shoo!” Rosalyn waved Kat and Ann off, grabbing a few more snacks bundled in a napkin, drawing some attention as she wrapped it all up, and made her way to her seat.

“She’s so cute,” Kat sighed as she watched her go.

“We love her way too much, don’t we?” Ann agreed.

“No such thing as too much,” Kat shook her head. “Now, what trouble are ye gonna get us intae?”

“Trouble? I’m just going to…”

“My, what a striking figure you cut, Annita,” a voice from beside them purred.

Ann turned to see an older woman. She was… something. Ann couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she was definitely not human. She was shorter, maybe a few inches taller than Rosalyn, with wavy brown hair and dark grey eyes. Her cheeks and eyes wrinkled as she smiled, speaking to a long life of laughter or scrutiny. The dress hugged a trim, and modest upper body, but the skirts hid anything past her waist.

“Thank you, ah…?” Ann trailed off.

“Acima. Acima Grogan. Katlyn, you haven’t spoken about your aunt?”

“Acima, we’ve been o’er this,” Kat sighed. Her face said she was annoyed, but her body language, less so. “Ye’re like, what, twice removed or some shite? I’m not gonna bring ye up tae every person I’m with. Why do ye pull this every time I come tae a ball?”

“Obviously, an old nutter like myself has nothing better to do than torment my niece,” Acima laughed. She then reached out her arms, and Kat fell into the embrace. “Oh I’m glad to see you’re safe, Katlyn. I worry about you, being out in the wilderness, fighting for your life.”

“Ye don’t need tae,” Kat grumbled, pulling back with a smile. “I’ve got Ann, Rosalyn, and Bren fer that. Plus, we picked up another fer the party. A Thrundol who Bren’s gotten himself stuck tae.”

“The one with the Debt tattoos? I hope those aren’t to Bren. That will cause a stir.”

“Well, they are,” Ann said. “Lucia’s obviously not hiding that, so I guess it wouldn’t hurt to confirm.”

“He already asked you to be his second?” Acima asked Kat.

“Aye, aye. Ye drilled that intae him early enough.”

“Good. Boy can handle himself, but not in a duel,” Acima nodded. “Sorry, Annita. Had to check in on family. You know how it is. So, how did you meet Katlyn?”

“Quite literally accidentally,” Ann said. “I was coming down from the north and got lost. I wound up out near the Belt of Seeds and passed out in this ancient mansion. When I woke up, Kat and Bren had found me.”

“Sounds like Orenous had a hand in that,” Acima giggled with a wink. “Fated encounters are her thing after all.”

“You have no idea,” Ann mumbled nearly silently.

“I follow my scriptures quite closely,” Acima said. “The Goddess has had her fingers in all sorts of relationships and events. Some consider her manipulative, while others see it more benevolently.”

How did she hear that? Ann thought. She took another, closer look at Acima and noticed her hair twitching. She’d dismissed the bundle of hair before, but it twitched again. Could Acima be some other race she didn’t know about? Then the hair flicked again, and Ann saw pink skin. She was a Vulhardrin! A rabbit! Those were her ears! Ann almost gaped, slamming her mouth shut, and controlling her excitement.

“I try not tae think about that bein’ a thing. We lost a teammate right before we met,” Kat said.

“Oh, my apologies,” Acima said.

“It’s fine. We’ve made sure his family’s been contacted. We were gonna do it ourselves, but shite happened.”

“That is a commendable thing to do.”

Ann was trying to pay attention to the conversation, but she was transfixed by Acima’s ears. Something about them just caused her to tunnel vision, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Her breath hitched slightly, and she grit her teeth, forcing herself to pay attention to anything else.

“That’s my Kat,” Ann said, trying to sound normal. “She’s been a great help getting me acclimated to this kingdom. I’ve been learning so much in the past couple months.”

“Well, you have given yourself a heavy handicap within high society, both by your own actions, and by getting involved with Katlyn, but you seem charming enough. I did mean what I said earlier about the striking figure. That hat really makes your eyes shine. Very predatory. Fits your distinct features.”

“Well, you can thank Nolton in Graven Keep for that. Wonderful snake man who insisted on the hat. Now that I’m wearing it, he was totally right.”

“I will have to meet him next time I’m out that way,” Acima nodded with an easy smile.

“So, what do you do, Acima? Like Kat said, she really hasn’t talked about you. I know the Grogans are all about information, but you?”

“Nothing much. I run our public relations branch in the outer city. We have offices everywhere, as any good information broker would, and that was my assignment. It is rougher than most appreciate, but I find the work satisfying, and the people fascinating. My agents are some of the best, and should you ever need information about anything happening in my area, give us a ring. We’ll make sure you’re squared away right quick, for a fee of course.”

“No freebies fer family,” Kat explained.

“Especially family,” Acima winked at Kat. “Nothing easier to come by than information from family. Looser lips and all that. So, what are your plans for the night, Annita? Can I call you Ann?”

“Sure, why not,” Ann shrugged. “Not too much. I’m here to talk to people, dance with Kat and Rosalyn, eat some good food, and try not to get into too much trouble.”

“Well, avoid the Forgolds then,” Acima said, hooking a thumb to a group on the other side of the refreshment area. “Arthur isn’t here, but I know you already had a poor introduction. His family is aware, and won’t try anything outwardly antagonistic, but they won’t be friendly if you try.”

“What was that about freebies?” Ann nudged Acima.

“Oops, must be the drink,” Acima winked back. “Now, I have some gossip to get into with the Layton girl, so please excuse me. Have a wonderful night, you two, and introduce me to Rosalyn sometime. She looks beautiful in that dress.”

“Will do,” Kat said, giving her Aunt another hug. “See ya!”

“She was nice,” Ann said, watching Acima walk back into the crowd, making a pointed line to Krisnaal.

“Lady has nothin’ but business on the mind. She’ll be sellin’ that story ye gave ‘er at a premium. She’s nice enough, but be careful.”

“Got it,” Ann nodded. “So, who next?”

Ann scanned the floor trying to find another interesting party to engage with when she saw a group gathered a bit further away. There were five or six men and a gaggle of women surrounding what looked like two people. One was out of view, hidden behind the crowd, but the tall green woman with a furious glare on her face stood out.

“Shit, looks like Lucia and Bren found their trouble,” Ann said, nudging Kat and nodding in their direction. “Should we get involved?”

Kat took a moment, scanning the situation. “They’re tryin’ tae intimidate him. Won’t work. I’m more worried about Lucia. Let’s get closer, grab that table fer a moment, and be ready tae intervene if he needs us.”

“Sounds good,” Ann nodded. She grabbed a few more snacks, a glass of wine, and followed Kat to the table.

“Slaver!” She heard one of the crowd snarl at Bren.

Kat’s hands clenched as she sat down.