For the first time in too long for him to remember, Raiden Redthorn felt as if he were truly alive. It made him ashamed to admit, but he had settled for the mundane when it seemed no changes could be made to the world they lived in. He’d been trying to propagate change for the past several years, and yet it never seemed to go anywhere.
When his father had told him to go to the Bennett ball in his place, he’d expected it to be the same as always. Dull conversations and even duller people. He had been ready to go for a few hours and then get out as soon as he had the chance. But something had been different.
There was a man at the party he’d never seen before. And since his parents had forced him to go to every one of these things for the last several years, there was no one he hadn’t taken note of. At first, he’d written it off as a passing interest and went on to keep to his plan. Drinking their good wine and staying out of conversations as much as he could manage.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t have any good conversations, it was just that after the first several times of talking to these people, it became clear their topics were limited. They were just as content to stick to the status quo as anyone else, and content to leave their society as it was. He’d somewhat came to the conclusion that they held these extravagant parties as a way to forget the problems right outside their door.
He certainly couldn’t. If anyone had asked him a few years ago what he wanted to do, he’d have told them he wanted to change the way Teodes treated its lower-class as lesser. That he wanted to fix what was broken in it by implementing ways to lower the crime rate in its capital. Now, he knew he’d be lucky if anyone paid enough attention to anything other than themselves.
It didn’t mean he was going to give up. All it meant was that he had to find a way around their general indifference to do it. To fix it. Although, he grimaced as he sat down in his living room lounge with a glass of whiskey, the members of his group were not much help.
Taking a small sip, he leaned back in his seat. A loud sigh left his lips as he stared up at his apartment ceiling. Sometimes he wondered whether they actually took their case seriously, or if they simply wanted to say they did. But then he thought that it didn’t matter so long as they pretended that they did enough to do something.
Still. It didn’t make it any less frustrating when weeks ticked by without any progress. His fingers tapped on the arm of his chair as the thought ended. Then he ran them over it again, his thoughts whirling.
That man hadn’t seemed to be the type who would do that.Raidencould admit that he wasn’t the best judge of character, but that didn’t matter. He wanted to bring him into his group. For the first time in weeks he felt the need to do something. He had something he wanted.
A part of him wondered why he felt so strongly about a man whose name he didn’t even know. The other part already knew. It had started with his very entrance and only grew with every passing moment.
The spark of interest had lighted when he had walked in. He’d been watching as he got surrounded by people as soon as he got there, his companion following along. Honestly, it had been impressive that he’d managed to deal with the people surrounding him so well. It could be overwhelming to be so suddenly surrounded.
His lips quirked in amusement at the memory. The man had hid it well, butRaidenhad noticed that he’d been surprised at the attention at first. It had been funny to see it when the clothes he was wearing were more than enough to draw it. People who frequented those parties were prone to circle like vultures when they found something of interest.
Raidenknew that as well as anyone, if not more. Another grimace contorted his face as he soothed it with the sting of alcohol. With theRedthornsbeing as wealthy as they were, there was nowhere he could go without being noticed. The only reason he had managed to avoid their attempts was his growing abilities to hide from them.
It wasn’t something he was particularly proud off, but desperate times called for desperate measures. He would rather simply avoid them then be drawn into the chatter. Especially when his head had been aching as much as it had. He’d had to take a pain-killer before he’d went in.
Back to the topic at hand, he’d been about to simply dismiss the strange man when the server had slipped. He’d been quite sure that green suit would have been stained red, or the golden dress his companions had been wearing for that matter. Which was why he’d been so surprised when that wasn’t how things had played out.
Instead of taking the sip he’d prepared, he’d had to put the cup down lest he drop it in his surprise. That would have been a disaster and he’d never hear the end of it from his mother had his suit been stained. Raiden could still remember the shock that ran through him as the man had quickly pulled the man back and somehow managed to catch the cup mid-air and manoeuvre it so that it fell into the cup.
But that had been nothing compared to the delight he’d felt coursing through him when he’d caught that knife mid-air. It had been spectacular. The way he’d caught it without even looking, simply plucked it from the air with his fingers. And the way it had been twirled after made the action seem casual.
Yes. A smile pulled his lips as he finished off the whiskey and sat the cup back in its place. He would need to talk to him. He needed to find out his name. There was nothing he currently wanted more.
When he’d followed him up into the upper floor, he’d almost been expecting to be greeted by a caught criminal. Although that wasn’t exactly what he found, Raiden couldn’t find it in himself to be too disappointed. Not when he’d gotten that promise out of the ordeal. All he had to do was meet him again.
Surely, he’d be able to convince him to join his group. The others had been relatively easy to convince. He hadn’t even needed to do much of it. Most of them were friends he’d made over the years and simply went into it for him and the other had accepted as soon as they’d heard his name.
Despite the stunt with the jump, he didn’t really expect this to be much different. Although, a spark of doubt lighted when he remembered that it had not been enough to find the identity of the mystery man in question. Some digging (read finally engaging with other people) had revealed he was from somewhere to the east.
Granted the way he learned this was through some complaining old man who seemed to hold a grudge against him for no reason, but it didn’t make the information any less valuable. Others had been less helpful. No matter who he’d asked, they couldn’t tell him much more than that he’d been at the ball with Ayla Westford.
The name was slightly familiar to him, but he couldn’t quite place it. He still didn’t know. But perhaps that was due to the pounding migraine he was currently experiencing. A fleeting thought entered his mind that perhaps he should cut down on the alcohol. It seemed to be doing more harm than good these days.
He didn’t remember needing to drink so much. He certainly hadn’t done so a few months ago.Raidenwas ashamed to remember that he’d thought it was dreadful how people so easily turned to it. He winced at the reminder. A hand going up to cover his face. If he could travel back in time, he’d slap his younger self for the comment.
Or maybe punch. That could more easily be passed off than a slap. He didn’t want people to get the wrong idea. But the urge to do so now was still overwhelming. He drank the water he’d placed next to his seat before the thought could lead him down the rabbit hole of memories which made him embarrassed.
Let no one say that one’s decision do not come back to haunt you. For it was in his experience that the most embarrassing ones would make you cringe from regret when you least wanted them to. Gulping the water made it easier to turn his thoughts in another direction.
Right.Cringyyoung mistakes aside, he really should stop with this excessive consumption. He was self aware enough to note it may be starting to be a problem. But the issue was that he didn’t have much incentive to do anything about it.
The last thought gave him pause. A memory of the strange man once again flickering though his head. His lips pulled up in a half-smile. He supposed he may have some incentive after all. Simply because he didn’t think a pounding headache would be of any benefit. If anything, it would be of detriment.
Raidenhad a feeling it wasn’t going to be simple to get that man to join his group. He knew that he’d fit right in and that it would give them some much needed change. But, the man seemed stubborn. And didn’t look to be the kind to be so easily swayed by wealth.
His fingers once again tapper along the arm of his hair. The distinct tapping sounds giving him much needed distraction. Would it be enough if he gave him money? But no. Now that he was thinking on it, it would probably be more insulting than helpful to his cause. His lips thinned.
No matter. He’d just have to wait a little longer to come up with a plan that worked. Whose to say he’d need one to begin with? Perhaps once he heard about the group, he’d be jumping at the chance to join. After all, anyone would be ecstatic to join such a prestigious group.
You sound very pretentious right now. Raiden didn’t know why his own mind was calling him out, but he hoped it would stop. He didn’t need it to tell him he was being the very caricature of a spoiled noble. It had already become quite clear.
By the gods, he’d just been thinking that he would punch his younger self from giving so many embarrassing memories and here he was making a new one. He’d blame it on the headache. It was far less confronting than the alternative.
Clearing his throat, he turned his attention elsewhere. It was times such as this that he was glad that he lived alone. No one would know he’d thought of it as such if they weren’t around to hear it. Which suited him just fine.
Liar.This time Raiden decided that he would ignore that voice. It wasn’t a comment he wanted to dwell on. Instead he decided that perhaps some rest would be a good thing. Between the roaring migraine and his own mind turning against him, he felt he may be on the verge of something he’d rather not be.
Standing up, his mind wondered back to the lack if information. It had been as amusing as it had been annoying. Somehow he’d managed to go through an entire evening without revealing his name. Which was a feat in itself with how much people must have asked him for it.
It did, however, make him feel better that it had been a decision for the collective and not a targeted one. He had no reason to think it was, of course. But the thought had crossed his mind. No. The denial to give a name had not been a one-off.
All it did was make him want to find out what it was all the more. Clearly, he didn’t expect them to ever meet again. But, Raiden was determined to prove otherwise. He’d been going to every one of those balls for weeks, but now he had a renewed interest in them.
That man would have to show up to one of them eventually. He may not currently remember who Ayla Westford was, but the odd things he did remember told him that she’d need to come to one eventually. And with any luck so would he.
Raidenonly had to wait. And then he’d ask him to join his group. He still wasn’t sure how it would be received. With others he’d been quite certain that they’d say yes before he asked them. This time he had no such confirmation. This was uncharted territory for him.
He couldn’t remember the last time something had been uncertain for him. Growing up as he did, not much had been. The trend had only grown as he got older. It was a little exciting if he were to be honest. To not know the answer was a novel sensation, but not one he hated.
Even if he said no, Raiden would convince him. He’d been told on multiple occasions by friends and family alike that he was quite persistent. It was a trait that had helped him in more than one occasion and he didn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t now. Although James had also called it annoying.
That wasn’t quite as nice of a description, but he was ignoring the vote on the account that James was his older brother and would be bound to find it annoying. Lords know he found Ezekiel to be unbearable at times. And his younger brother was not nearly as loud as he knew he had been.
Not that he had much choice if he wanted to be heard. It would take a lot of work to get to where he wanted to go. If he wanted to make his plans succeed, he would need to be heard. And he had a feeling to do so, he’d need to get that man on his side.
Raidenwould convince him to join his group. Surely he’d agree eventually. And if he didn’t, then he’d have to show him why it was a good idea to join them. But that was the worst case scenario. If he agreed, it would make things easier.
And if he didn’t, then Raiden would just have to convince him. After all, how hard could it possibly be?
For the first time in too long for him to remember, Raiden Redthorn felt as if he were truly alive. It made him ashamed to admit, but he had settled for the mundane when it seemed no changes could be made to the world they lived in. He’d been trying to propagate change for the past several years, and yet it never seemed to go anywhere.
When his father had told him to go to the Bennett ball in his place, he’d expected it to be the same as always. Dull conversations and even duller people. He had been ready to go for a few hours and then get out as soon as he had the chance. But something had been different.
There was a man at the party he’d never seen before. And since his parents had forced him to go to every one of these things for the last several years, there was no one he hadn’t taken note of. At first, he’d written it off as a passing interest and went on to keep to his plan. Drinking their good wine and staying out of conversations as much as he could manage.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t have any good conversations, it was just that after the first several times of talking to these people, it became clear their topics were limited. They were just as content to stick to the status quo as anyone else, and content to leave their society as it was. He’d somewhat came to the conclusion that they held these extravagant parties as a way to forget the problems right outside their door.
He certainly couldn’t. If anyone had asked him a few years ago what he wanted to do, he’d have told them he wanted to change the way Teodes treated its lower-class as lesser. That he wanted to fix what was broken in it by implementing ways to lower the crime rate in its capital. Now, he knew he’d be lucky if anyone paid enough attention to anything other than themselves.
It didn’t mean he was going to give up. All it meant was that he had to find a way around their general indifference to do it. To fix it. Although, he grimaced as he sat down in his living room lounge with a glass of whiskey, the members of his group were not much help.
Taking a small sip, he leaned back in his seat. A loud sigh left his lips as he stared up at his apartment ceiling. Sometimes he wondered whether they actually took their case seriously, or if they simply wanted to say they did. But then he thought that it didn’t matter so long as they pretended that they did enough to do something.
Still. It didn’t make it any less frustrating when weeks ticked by without any progress. His fingers tapped on the arm of his chair as the thought ended. Then he ran them over it again, his thoughts whirling.
That man hadn’t seemed to be the type who would do that.Raidencould admit that he wasn’t the best judge of character, but that didn’t matter. He wanted to bring him into his group. For the first time in weeks he felt the need to do something. He had something he wanted.
A part of him wondered why he felt so strongly about a man whose name he didn’t even know. The other part already knew. It had started with his very entrance and only grew with every passing moment.
The spark of interest had lighted when he had walked in. He’d been watching as he got surrounded by people as soon as he got there, his companion following along. Honestly, it had been impressive that he’d managed to deal with the people surrounding him so well. It could be overwhelming to be so suddenly surrounded.
His lips quirked in amusement at the memory. The man had hid it well, butRaidenhad noticed that he’d been surprised at the attention at first. It had been funny to see it when the clothes he was wearing were more than enough to draw it. People who frequented those parties were prone to circle like vultures when they found something of interest.
Raidenknew that as well as anyone, if not more. Another grimace contorted his face as he soothed it with the sting of alcohol. With theRedthornsbeing as wealthy as they were, there was nowhere he could go without being noticed. The only reason he had managed to avoid their attempts was his growing abilities to hide from them.
It wasn’t something he was particularly proud off, but desperate times called for desperate measures. He would rather simply avoid them then be drawn into the chatter. Especially when his head had been aching as much as it had. He’d had to take a pain-killer before he’d went in.
Back to the topic at hand, he’d been about to simply dismiss the strange man when the server had slipped. He’d been quite sure that green suit would have been stained red, or the golden dress his companions had been wearing for that matter. Which was why he’d been so surprised when that wasn’t how things had played out.
Instead of taking the sip he’d prepared, he’d had to put the cup down lest he drop it in his surprise. That would have been a disaster and he’d never hear the end of it from his mother had his suit been stained. Raiden could still remember the shock that ran through him as the man had quickly pulled the man back and somehow managed to catch the cup mid-air and manoeuvre it so that it fell into the cup.
But that had been nothing compared to the delight he’d felt coursing through him when he’d caught that knife mid-air. It had been spectacular. The way he’d caught it without even looking, simply plucked it from the air with his fingers. And the way it had been twirled after made the action seem casual.
Yes. A smile pulled his lips as he finished off the whiskey and sat the cup back in its place. He would need to talk to him. He needed to find out his name. There was nothing he currently wanted more.
When he’d followed him up into the upper floor, he’d almost been expecting to be greeted by a caught criminal. Although that wasn’t exactly what he found, Raiden couldn’t find it in himself to be too disappointed. Not when he’d gotten that promise out of the ordeal. All he had to do was meet him again.
Surely, he’d be able to convince him to join his group. The others had been relatively easy to convince. He hadn’t even needed to do much of it. Most of them were friends he’d made over the years and simply went into it for him and the other had accepted as soon as they’d heard his name.
Despite the stunt with the jump, he didn’t really expect this to be much different. Although, a spark of doubt lighted when he remembered that it had not been enough to find the identity of the mystery man in question. Some digging (read finally engaging with other people) had revealed he was from somewhere to the east.
Granted the way he learned this was through some complaining old man who seemed to hold a grudge against him for no reason, but it didn’t make the information any less valuable. Others had been less helpful. No matter who he’d asked, they couldn’t tell him much more than that he’d been at the ball with Ayla Westford.
The name was slightly familiar to him, but he couldn’t quite place it. He still didn’t know. But perhaps that was due to the pounding migraine he was currently experiencing. A fleeting thought entered his mind that perhaps he should cut down on the alcohol. It seemed to be doing more harm than good these days.
He didn’t remember needing to drink so much. He certainly hadn’t done so a few months ago.Raidenwas ashamed to remember that he’d thought it was dreadful how people so easily turned to it. He winced at the reminder. A hand going up to cover his face. If he could travel back in time, he’d slap his younger self for the comment.
Or maybe punch. That could more easily be passed off than a slap. He didn’t want people to get the wrong idea. But the urge to do so now was still overwhelming. He drank the water he’d placed next to his seat before the thought could lead him down the rabbit hole of memories which made him embarrassed.
Let no one say that one’s decision do not come back to haunt you. For it was in his experience that the most embarrassing ones would make you cringe from regret when you least wanted them to. Gulping the water made it easier to turn his thoughts in another direction.
Right.Cringyyoung mistakes aside, he really should stop with this excessive consumption. He was self aware enough to note it may be starting to be a problem. But the issue was that he didn’t have much incentive to do anything about it.
The last thought gave him pause. A memory of the strange man once again flickering though his head. His lips pulled up in a half-smile. He supposed he may have some incentive after all. Simply because he didn’t think a pounding headache would be of any benefit. If anything, it would be of detriment.
Raidenhad a feeling it wasn’t going to be simple to get that man to join his group. He knew that he’d fit right in and that it would give them some much needed change. But, the man seemed stubborn. And didn’t look to be the kind to be so easily swayed by wealth.
His fingers once again tapper along the arm of his hair. The distinct tapping sounds giving him much needed distraction. Would it be enough if he gave him money? But no. Now that he was thinking on it, it would probably be more insulting than helpful to his cause. His lips thinned.
No matter. He’d just have to wait a little longer to come up with a plan that worked. Whose to say he’d need one to begin with? Perhaps once he heard about the group, he’d be jumping at the chance to join. After all, anyone would be ecstatic to join such a prestigious group.
You sound very pretentious right now. Raiden didn’t know why his own mind was calling him out, but he hoped it would stop. He didn’t need it to tell him he was being the very caricature of a spoiled noble. It had already become quite clear.
By the gods, he’d just been thinking that he would punch his younger self from giving so many embarrassing memories and here he was making a new one. He’d blame it on the headache. It was far less confronting than the alternative.
Clearing his throat, he turned his attention elsewhere. It was times such as this that he was glad that he lived alone. No one would know he’d thought of it as such if they weren’t around to hear it. Which suited him just fine.
Liar.This time Raiden decided that he would ignore that voice. It wasn’t a comment he wanted to dwell on. Instead he decided that perhaps some rest would be a good thing. Between the roaring migraine and his own mind turning against him, he felt he may be on the verge of something he’d rather not be.
Standing up, his mind wondered back to the lack if information. It had been as amusing as it had been annoying. Somehow he’d managed to go through an entire evening without revealing his name. Which was a feat in itself with how much people must have asked him for it.
It did, however, make him feel better that it had been a decision for the collective and not a targeted one. He had no reason to think it was, of course. But the thought had crossed his mind. No. The denial to give a name had not been a one-off.
All it did was make him want to find out what it was all the more. Clearly, he didn’t expect them to ever meet again. But, Raiden was determined to prove otherwise. He’d been going to every one of those balls for weeks, but now he had a renewed interest in them.
That man would have to show up to one of them eventually. He may not currently remember who Ayla Westford was, but the odd things he did remember told him that she’d need to come to one eventually. And with any luck so would he.
Raidenonly had to wait. And then he’d ask him to join his group. He still wasn’t sure how it would be received. With others he’d been quite certain that they’d say yes before he asked them. This time he had no such confirmation. This was uncharted territory for him.
He couldn’t remember the last time something had been uncertain for him. Growing up as he did, not much had been. The trend had only grown as he got older. It was a little exciting if he were to be honest. To not know the answer was a novel sensation, but not one he hated.
Even if he said no, Raiden would convince him. He’d been told on multiple occasions by friends and family alike that he was quite persistent. It was a trait that had helped him in more than one occasion and he didn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t now. Although James had also called it annoying.
That wasn’t quite as nice of a description, but he was ignoring the vote on the account that James was his older brother and would be bound to find it annoying. Lords know he found Ezekiel to be unbearable at times. And his younger brother was not nearly as loud as he knew he had been.
Not that he had much choice if he wanted to be heard. It would take a lot of work to get to where he wanted to go. If he wanted to make his plans succeed, he would need to be heard. And he had a feeling to do so, he’d need to get that man on his side.
Raidenwould convince him to join his group. Surely he’d agree eventually. And if he didn’t, then he’d have to show him why it was a good idea to join them. But that was the worst case scenario. If he agreed, it would make things easier.
And if he didn’t, then Raiden would just have to convince him. After all, how hard could it possibly be?
