[ This is the price Royce always pays for a life of relative solitude. As individuals go, a Hyponia with few friends also has few enemies; the family has unfortunately seen his value here, the value of a well-regarded ancillary with an entirely different surname, the value of a party as uninvolved in previous unpleasantnesses as a party can be.
But the hokk's a blessing, and there are cards, and Royce knows how to count both, so he does have to admit it's not as bad as he'd anticipated based on previous experiences.
And it really helps that a lot of people seem to have no clue whatsoever what family he belongs to, or indeed, if he belongs to one at all. Other Hyponias display their red proudly tonight, refusing to hide. Royce's choice of formalwear is rather less forthcoming, colors worn as if dragged out of him, and in the end by comparison he manages to appear as nondescript as he is polished.
After a couple games, Royce gets bored of winning at cards and takes his empty glass to the nearest bar to refresh it. And who should be waiting behind him as he turns back around but— ]
Rhys.
[ His voice betrays little surprise. Like, when does it ever, but there nonetheless does seem to be a small note of pleasure in it. ]
goodbye world
But the hokk's a blessing, and there are cards, and Royce knows how to count both, so he does have to admit it's not as bad as he'd anticipated based on previous experiences.
And it really helps that a lot of people seem to have no clue whatsoever what family he belongs to, or indeed, if he belongs to one at all. Other Hyponias display their red proudly tonight, refusing to hide. Royce's choice of formalwear is rather less forthcoming, colors worn as if dragged out of him, and in the end by comparison he manages to appear as nondescript as he is polished.
After a couple games, Royce gets bored of winning at cards and takes his empty glass to the nearest bar to refresh it. And who should be waiting behind him as he turns back around but— ]
Rhys.
[ His voice betrays little surprise. Like, when does it ever, but there nonetheless does seem to be a small note of pleasure in it. ]
Now how 'bout that.