RVA: Shadow of Doubt, Verbal Sparring
Mar. 18th, 2016 01:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jeriendhalThe investiture ceremony was attended by perhaps a hundred notables overall, with the Countess Darktail leading it, her husband and Lady Sallivera beside her. In turn the new Lady Highglider was supported by her own family, some ten in number. Also attending were a scattering of important nobles, including Count Longear and Countess Summerbreeze, representing the Ten in their duties as Minister of Justice and Minister of Prudence respectively, along with various representatives of the Military and Commoner castes from Lady Highglider’s new domain.
Ali was on duty on the outer perimeter of the grove, taking a slow stroll through the surrounding gardens while Lady Highglider ritually stripped to kneel before her countess and sundry witnesses to give her oath of Submission and Responsibility. Which would have been a little unfair, except that the Countess was also starkers, as she replied in the Mother Goddess’ name. Which in turn made Ali just as glad she wasn’t a Noble and never would be. If she was going to strip down for anybody these days, she didn’t want an audience bigger than one person. Okay, maybe two, but Lady Melanie was happily married these days.
She was drawn out of her musings as she spotted Zaker approaching, ambling from the opposite direction, on the same perimeter duty. Ali halted as Zaker did the same, giving Ali a two fingered salute, touching her temple briefly. For once the other bodyguard wasn’t smiling.
“How’s your knee?” Ali asked, as the silence stretched out uncomfortably.
“Better, thanks for asking,” Zaker replied evenly. “How’s your health?”
“Just fine,”
“Got the word just before the ceremony started that I’m supposed to keep my ears cocked for a security risk. I’m told you’re responsible for that.”
Oh, good. Lady Salli had been able to talk to her mother about that before the ceremony began. “It seemed to make sense,” Ali replied.
Zaker nodded. “I agree. Little surprised no one else around here clued in to it though.”
“Someone would have eventually,” she said.
“Oh, certainly. Just didn’t figure on you being the clever one.” Zaker gave a little bow, her expression actually respectful. “See you on the next go-round.”
As began to walk away, Ali called out. “Wait a moment!”
Zaker turned back. “Yo?”
“Who are you, really?”
Some of her usual ironic expression came back to her face. “Name’s Zaker. Thought I told you that.”
“You know what I mean,” Ali said irritably.
“I was hired by the countess to be a bodyguard,” Zaker answered more seriously.
“Oh, yeah? You don't’ fight like a bodyguard.”
“And how do you think I fight?”
Ali crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Like someone who knows the difference between when it’s practice, and when someone’s life is on the line.”
Zaker’s grin returned. “That’s why I’m a good bodyguard, same as you.” She saluted again. “Keep your ears open, Ali Pirate.”
“You too, Zaker Whatever-You-Are.”
The other bodyguard’s grin just grew wider.
Ali was on duty on the outer perimeter of the grove, taking a slow stroll through the surrounding gardens while Lady Highglider ritually stripped to kneel before her countess and sundry witnesses to give her oath of Submission and Responsibility. Which would have been a little unfair, except that the Countess was also starkers, as she replied in the Mother Goddess’ name. Which in turn made Ali just as glad she wasn’t a Noble and never would be. If she was going to strip down for anybody these days, she didn’t want an audience bigger than one person. Okay, maybe two, but Lady Melanie was happily married these days.
She was drawn out of her musings as she spotted Zaker approaching, ambling from the opposite direction, on the same perimeter duty. Ali halted as Zaker did the same, giving Ali a two fingered salute, touching her temple briefly. For once the other bodyguard wasn’t smiling.
“How’s your knee?” Ali asked, as the silence stretched out uncomfortably.
“Better, thanks for asking,” Zaker replied evenly. “How’s your health?”
“Just fine,”
“Got the word just before the ceremony started that I’m supposed to keep my ears cocked for a security risk. I’m told you’re responsible for that.”
Oh, good. Lady Salli had been able to talk to her mother about that before the ceremony began. “It seemed to make sense,” Ali replied.
Zaker nodded. “I agree. Little surprised no one else around here clued in to it though.”
“Someone would have eventually,” she said.
“Oh, certainly. Just didn’t figure on you being the clever one.” Zaker gave a little bow, her expression actually respectful. “See you on the next go-round.”
As began to walk away, Ali called out. “Wait a moment!”
Zaker turned back. “Yo?”
“Who are you, really?”
Some of her usual ironic expression came back to her face. “Name’s Zaker. Thought I told you that.”
“You know what I mean,” Ali said irritably.
“I was hired by the countess to be a bodyguard,” Zaker answered more seriously.
“Oh, yeah? You don't’ fight like a bodyguard.”
“And how do you think I fight?”
Ali crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Like someone who knows the difference between when it’s practice, and when someone’s life is on the line.”
Zaker’s grin returned. “That’s why I’m a good bodyguard, same as you.” She saluted again. “Keep your ears open, Ali Pirate.”
“You too, Zaker Whatever-You-Are.”
The other bodyguard’s grin just grew wider.
