Cloak and Scalpel

ABERLEEN ARC: Machiavellian

Author's Note:

I originally planned for this chapter to be VERY LONG (think twenty plus pages long), but I decided to split the final chapter of the Aberleen arc to make it easier to read. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

----------------------

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged back in."

Gusion couldn't help the teasing smirk he threw at his brother. Aamon held Diana's hand in his, his cold eyes wholly unrepentant as he regarded Gusion with aloof disinterest. It was a look Gusion knew well.

"I knew my dress would do the trick," Melissa declared smugly, a satisfied smile on her face as she placed her hands on her hips.

Gusion had to admit, Melissa's work was flawless. Diana looked absolutely stunning in the starry black gown. In fact-Aamon seemed to have a bit of trouble keeping his arctic eyes off her.

If only Berith and Vassago could see their older brother now.

"What'd we miss?" Diana asked cheerfully as they drew near.

"Only about a dozen more fireworks, and some of this ale," Lesley answered, holding up a tankard of the cold drink in her hand. Grinning, she handed it to Diana.

"I've never had ale before," Diana admitted as she held the rim up to her lips. She took a tentative sniff of the chilled drink.

"Me too!" Yin agreed, crossing over to them. "I've never tried this stuff from Moniyan before. I'm curious what it tastes like compared to the sake they have back in Cadia."

"No," Xavier snapped, shaking his head at Yin.

"Just one sip!" Yin complained, rolling his eyes at Xavier.

"One sip won't even get him hammered," Gusion pointed out, giving Xavier a small shrug. "Might as well let him try it before he goes back home, eh?"

Xavier sighed loudly and pinched the bridge of his nose in aggravation. "Fine."

Diana grinned then handed the tankard to Yin. "All right!" Yin cheered as he brought the tankard to his lips. There was a smug glint in his eyes as he took a swig of the drink.

Julian sighed loudly and shook his head as Yin's eyes widened. A moment later, he spat the ale out, a look of bewilderment and horror on his face as he stared at the tankard. "What the hell is this?" His voice was aghast as he stared at Xavier.

"Alcohol," Melissa answered as she rolled her eyes. "As in...the stuff you've been wanting to try since we left Lumina City?"

"It tastes like piss!" Yin made a funny face as he stuck out his tongue.

"How would you even know what piss tastes like?" Diana wondered aloud.

"I did tell you no," Xavier reminded Yin. He shook his head, the picture of disappointed amusement.

Lesley reached out and took the tankard from Yin's hand. To Gusion's surprise, she downed the entire tankard of ale, and rolled her eyes. "Don't waste good ale," the sniper told Yin, a delicate brow arched in fond derision.

"She sure can drink," Melissa muttered with grudging respect in her voice.

Julian nodded in agreement. He was staring at Lesley with the same grudging admiration in his eyes. "Admittedly, that was...something."

Gusion had to agree. In all honesty-he did find Lesley to be impressive. He'd never admit it aloud, but he liked her quiet confidence, and her lethal conviction. Lesley had the same sense of duty that Aamon possessed. And though Gusion found Aamon's sense of duty to be both stifling and old-fashioned, in Lesley it felt refreshing and...even appealing.