Cardan's perspective (Folk of the Air)

Chapter 16, The Cruel Prince

Parties are wonderful. Filled with feigned laughter and brimming with booze, why should anyone ever resist the beautiful art of not thinking? Cardan already began drinking before he arrived, and was delighted to find an even greater quantity of wine there than he was expecting. As per usual, Locke is missing. "Sometimes the boy makes it difficult to show up at these things." A boy with small horns and a green hue to his skin gossips in the corner. Cardan shrugs then downs another glass. His friend could be as late as he damn well pleased. As long as the wine never ran dry. The prince has gorged himself on bottle after bottle, finally laying on the grass and allowing girls to fawn over him. Kiss his mouth, throat, arms, toes, whatever it is they like.

Cardan wasn't expecting to see her here. He certainly should have, after all, she's Locke's little trophy for the time being. His plaything. If Nicasia hadn't also been the plaything once, maybe he would even judge the mortal for her excellent decision making. He does judge her. She's smart, but not like that. Charming, but in a sort of disgusting way. Scary in kind of a... Well, no, she's just scary.

Jude Duarte.

An ugly name.

Perfectly fit for her horrible, ugly personality.

She arrives on Locke's arm long after the party had started. Wonderful. Cardan watches Jude from the corner of his eye, not bothering to move as a horned girl kisses his throat. He watches Jude's eyes pass over him. They hesitate for a second, maybe even half of that, then they move again. His naked chest suddenly begins to feel much colder. Cardan sighs, looking down at the girl with pretty daffodil hair that's kissing his calf. Maybe she's jealous. The thought perks him up quite a bit. He tries not to notice as Locke offers her a glass filled with some shimmering liquor. He also tries not to notice as she takes a sip, and immediately begins to cough as if it hurts. Maybe he does notice. Too much. Jude's gaze returns to him, her eyes alight with something he's seen on many other's faces. It seems to be very close to embarrassment. The horned girl moves to Cardans mouth, her hand sliding under his silly, ruffley shirt and playing with his skin. He doesn't stop watching her. Watching Jude. Watching as she watches him. What is she thinking? She turns away, her cheeks red. Hm. Lightweight. He continues to watch her as Nicasia walks up to them, her dress with all the colors of a sunset.. "I see a member of the Circle of Worms has chosen to grace us with her presence tonight." Nicasia smiles, her pretty face now facing away from the prince. Jude's pretty face is plenty clear. She looks annoyed. "But which is it?" Cardan turns his head from them, scoffing as the horned girl scrambles to his other side to keep kissing him.

"The one you don't like." Jude returns, possibly giving an attempted smile. Most likely not.

Nicasia laughs. It's high and off-pitch. It's annoying. "Oh, you might be surprised how some of us feel about both of you."

Cardan sighs breathily, waving off the two girls around him and sitting up. He yanks a bottle of wine from the table, sitting back down and popping it open. He throws his head back, drinking as much as he can without having to breathe. His head swims. He opens his eyes again, wiping his mouth and glowering down at the golden-shine now staining his hand. He glances up once again, just in time to see Jude pouring the rest of her drink into the grass. He scoffs. Of course, Locke doesn't notice a thing.

"O lady fair! O lady cruel! How I miss your sweet misrule." A naked boy shining with gold paint trills, his voice and song sending sparks of discomfort through Cardans blood. Locke leads Jude infront of the fire and they kiss. Jude seems to squeeze her eyes shut so tightly they might come out the back of her head. Cardan scoffs and he grabs the horned girl, taking another gulp of wine before kissing her.

I have better things to do than worry about one fool kissing another. 

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