--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]

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.

[takesitall]

I don't think I would complain.

[And he doesn't. He still hates going to these things and still spends a fair bit being paraded around like a prized cow, but he's able to escape eventually and find Ratio. They always end up chatting, just the two of them, and Aventurine ends the nights in a much better mood than they start.

One night, after escaping the crowd, Aventurine finds a quiet cubby somewhere and just sort of melts. He can't go looking for Ratio right now, he's exhausted from the dancing.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[And Ratio still hates going to these himself, but talking to Aventurine is always worth it.

As soon as Ratio can escape, he makes a beeline for the quiet cubby Aventurine's hidden himself in. As he slides in, he removes his headpiece with a small smile.]

Mind if I join you?

[It's half-joking, Ratio knows his company is likely welcome.]

[takesitall]

Please.

[He makes room for Ratio.]

I hate dancing. They want to do nothing but talk and brag...

[ignoranceisblight]

[Ratio sits down, setting the headpiece in his lap.]

Sounds like you could use a better dance partner.

[He's pretty sure Aventurine's aunt would never allow it, but...]

[takesitall]

Or at least a quiet one. [He sighs.] The women are the worst. I don't even like women.

[ignoranceisblight]

That makes the both of us. At least I can get away with scaring them off when they bother me.

[He shifts so Aventurine can lean against him.]