Binary

Chapter Thirteen: Improvising

Lady Argus's shrill laugh caused Xora to jump. She had been spacing off again, staring into the reflection of her soup.

"...and then of course no one could use it," Neri said, finishing his story. He smiled as Lady Argus regained her composure. They had been talking for hours, and Xora was sure Neri hadn't told her a single true story all night.

"Oh well, at least you tried," said Lady Argus. She was an older woman, slightly leaning on the heavier side, hiding her weight in the extravagant dress she wore. The chair she was sitting in could have been a throne, it was some sort of dark wood, heavily carved and inlaid with patterns of silver. The dinner table they were sitting at extended the whole length of the huge dining room they sat in, but they were the only ones there.

"I did indeed," said Neri, "that's the whole problem with communism though, trying isn't worth much. Coming to Starlust really made me realize that."

Xora smirked. Lie.

"Tell me about it," said Lady Argus, "our capitalism isn't all it's beefed up to be either."

"This castle says otherwise," said Neri, "this might be one of the most impressive places I've ever seen."

Xora rolled her eyes and sipped her tea. It was cold.

"Really?" said Lady Argus blushing, "you flatter me too much Neri, I know Cire's Council of Queens meets in a giant castle in the trees."

"Well, it's a big building certainly," said Neri, "but it's nearly empty. Hardly anything in it, certainly nothing like that."

Neri pointed to a taxidermy boar's head on the wall opposite them.

"No stuffed animals?"

"None," said Neri, "Nashara don't hunt, we're herbivores."

"Well, that explains why you haven't touched your steak! Why didn't you say anything?"

Xora tore off a chunk of bread and rolled it between her fingers with a sigh.

"Well, I didn't want to impose."

Lady Argus laughed her shrill laugh and Xora jumped again.

"It's really no trouble. I have the best waitstaff in the land, guests of mine want for nothing."

She snapped her fingers and somewhere from the darkness a couple of servants appeared.

"Bring him something vegetarian," she ordered, "and have the chef change dessert."

"Oh you're too kind," said Neri, smiling sweetly at her, "that's so gracious of you."

"Feel free to ask for whatever your heart desires while you're in my home Neri," said Lady Argus, "any friend of... um..."

Neri coughed into his napkin, "Xora!"

"...Dora Skystorm is a friend of mine!" finished Lady Argus. Xora smiled at them and didn't bother correcting her.

"In that case, how about a tour?" Neri asked.

"Of course!" shrilled Lady Argus in excitement, "I'll show you around. While the chef prepares dessert."

She clapped her hands and more waiters and waitresses appeared to take the dishes. Xora grabbed another roll as they started removing the plates, and the closest servant wordlessly offered her the butter as well.

"Thanks," breathed Xora slapping a thick coat on the bun, before hurrying after Neri and the Earl, who were already moving to the other room.

The castle was massive, and every chamber was stuffed with superfluous ornaments and collections. Neri and Argus talked for hours about various tapestries and rugs. Xora quietly ate her bun and nodded when they asked her anything. They went to the bathhouses, and the libraries, there was even a greenhouse with a pond. Finally, as they passed through an annex, Neri pointed down a dark hallway into a large parlor with a fireplace and asked, "what's in there?"