Cloak and Scalpel

ABERLEEN ARC: Daylight

The moment the door opened, Gusion could tell Aamon was not pleased to see him.

Normally, his brother's face was a blank canvass, a perfect pokerface he adopted when dealing with other nobles and matters concerning the state. It was a pokerface meant to intimidate and hide his true emotions, and Aamon often wielded it to great effect.

But, of course, having grown up with the duke, Gusion knew the subtle tells Aamon possessed. Such as the minuscule crease that appeared between his brow, and the subtle narrowing of his eyes. Also, his mouth would go in a thin line. It was the expression he used when he often chastised his younger brothers for whatever tomfoolery they had committed.

Aamon was wearing that exact same expression now.

He wasn't wearing his jacket and had on his leather vest and violet undershirt. It was a rather casual look for the normally regal Duke Paxley.

"Yo!" Gusion smirked at him.

"Impeccable timing as always, Gusion," Aamon sighed as he crossed his arms. He leaned against the doorframe, the picture of elegant grace. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yeah, where's Diana?" Gusion asked as he attempted to peek over Aamon's shoulder. He glimpsed into the room just as Diana hopped off a table.

"And why," Aamon began tersely, "are you looking for my fiancée?"

"That Yin guy wanted to go around the town and check out the Mask Festival," Gusion began. "According to that Donna Granny, the festival begins at midnight, but people usually start partying at sunset. We ought to go and check it out, yeah? Might be fun."

"I'd rather not—"

Diana poked her head over Aamon's shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a sparkle of excitement in her eyes. She didn't look the least bit upset about Annalee's insinuations regarding Aamon earlier, Gusion noted. Though he did notice her lips were a bit swollen.

"Did you say party?" she asked, a grin on her face. She glanced up at Aamon. "It sounds promising Aamon, don't you think? A Mask Festival party might be fun you, know! I think we could all use a small breather, especially Melissa. Besides, we might find someone who'd be willing to sail for Cadia while we're at it."

And there it was, Gusion thought. He could practically see his older brother's eyes softening as he regarded the woman beside him. "Very well," Aamon conceded with a sigh, a small smile curling his lip.

Diana grinned at him, before reaching on tiptoe to give him a quick peck on the cheek. Aamon's eyes widened ever so slightly as she ducked underneath his arm to join Gusion on the other side of the door.

"Who's coming?" Diana asked Gusion, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

"You, me, Lesley, and I think Xavier and the others, too," Gusion answered, tilting his head as he thought. "They're actually downstairs already."

"Let's go!" Diana all but pushed Gusion towards the stairs at the end of the hallway. She paused, as though forgetting something. She turned towards Aamon. "Coming?"

A curious expression crossed Aamon's face then, Gusion noted. It was a look that bordered on amusement and downright discomfort. And that was strange, he thought—Aamon was one who was neither embarrassed nor discomfited.

"Go on ahead," Aamon told them. "I've a need for a cold shower. I'll follow shortly."

———————————

Lesley Vance was not one for fun.

Ever since a young age, she had been brought up by her father to serve the noble House of Vance. Unlike the other great Houses of Moniyan, House Vance had earned its fief only twelve years ago. It was amusing to think that the duke of House Paxley was far older than the fief of House Vance, if one thought about it...