--Statuesque--

[takesitall]

[Once again, Aventurine--Kakavasha, but in public he goes by Aventurine to keep his allure--has been dolled up and brought out to be shown off and fawned over at one of his aunt's galas. He and his sister are lucky, their aunt was able to locate them and get them out of a bad situation with the death of their parents, but...well. Parisa knows damn well that her brother is just being used as a status grab, what with his general beauty and intelligence and general good luck. But they can't do anything about it. They haven't got the money to get away from their aunt.

So Aventurine is dolled up and brought out to the gala, sitting more or less by himself in the garden. Like a statue.]

Comments

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas Ratio cannot say he particularly wants to be here. He was dragged out to this gala by his own relatives (he'd really rather be working), but eventually he manages to escape to the garden.

The heavy headpiece he's wearing isn't as needed out here as it was inside, but it's staying on for now.

He does take notice of Aventurine, but he doesn't say anything.]

[takesitall]

[A small cluster of people come into the garden and beeline for Aventurine, who goes from clearly tired to clearly faking it as they all chatter and fawn over him.

He wants to leave so badly.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Eventually, Ratio speaks up, annoyed.]

Do you all mind? I came out here into the garden for some damn peace and quiet, and I doubt I'm the only one! Give the man some breathing room and me some peace.

[takesitall]

[The people, Aventurine included, look over at the strange man. The harpies seem intent on ignoring him, but one of them recognizes the mask and ushers the others out. No sense in getting the Ratios on their bad side.

Aventurine, stunned, turns to him.]

...thank you for that.

[ignoranceisblight]

... You're welcome. I've heard quieter flocks of starlings, and if I found them irritating, I can't even begin to imagine how annoying they must have been for you.

[takesitall]

Honestly, I didn't even really hear them. I've gotten good at just tuning people like that out so they're background noise. I just deal with the headache later.

[ignoranceisblight]

I'm almost envious--not of the later headache, but being that skilled at tuning them out.

[Finally, the mask comes off; this guy's at least pleasant to listen to and the worst of the noise is back inside.]

[takesitall]

[Oh, pretty.]

Mm, I've had to be after so many years. I'd have gone crazy otherwise.

[ignoranceisblight]

[A grimace.]

My sympathies. I almost feel like nails on a chalkboard would be more pleasant than the likes of those types.

[takesitall]

One of them will want to marry me one day. I have to get used to them then, so might as well start now.

[ignoranceisblight]

A pity. They hardly seem to be worth your time.

[takesitall]

They're not, but Auntie says. So.

[ignoranceisblight]

Well, she's wrong.

[Hmm...]

The one that ushered the others off at least has something superficially resembling sense. She's still as vapid and flighty as they come, but the rest... [He shakes his head.

And if he has scathing, unflattering commentary on the majority of the group, well. It's both a genuine warning about each one he points out and perhaps an attempt at making Aventurine laugh. He really does not hold back his opinions at all.]

[takesitall]

[The commentary does get Aventurine to smile and eventually laugh, quiet but real and not faked like he might for a bad joke.]

Goddess, her hair was that bad, wasn't it?

[ignoranceisblight]

[Aventurine's smile and laugh prompts a smile from Ratio in return.]

It certainly was. She really ought to find a new stylist--either one with better ideas or one that will put their foot down on her worse ones.

[takesitall]

I don't think the people Auntie invites to her galas would ever hire someone with a backbone, unfortunately.

[ignoranceisblight]

A shame, because some of them really could use someone to tell them no. Really, you'd think with how focused these people are on appearances, some would try better hairstyles or less stupid-looking outfits.

[takesitall]

You'd think.

[He smiles.]

I forget, did I give my name?

[ignoranceisblight]

You didn't, no.

[And admittedly, he didn't ask or give his own name.]

[takesitall]

You can call me Aventurine. Auntie might get mad if I gave you my real name, she tends to do that. Says it makes me more appealing.

[ignoranceisblight]

Your aunt needs to prioritize better.

[Just saying.]

Aventurine. I'm Veritas Ratio.

[takesitall]

Her priority is showing me off.

[Ratio, Ratio...]

Oh, the scholar?

[ignoranceisblight]

[He makes a face at the first part, then nods.]

Yes, the scholar. ... My relatives dragged me out here, but perhaps it wasn't so bad this time.

[takesitall]

I'm sorry they made you come to Auntie's gala...but I am glad you came. It's been much less miserable this time.

[ignoranceisblight]

I'm glad I did too. I've enjoyed talking to you.

[And he does not say that lightly.]

... Perhaps coming to these more often won't be so bad. To keep you company, if nothing else.