Posted 05 November 2014 - 05:13 AM
Aaron entered the hall, his three shadows in step behind him. As they entered the room, Winston nodded politely, and broke off, both to converse with some of his contacts, and to get a good vantage point to keep an eye on Aaron. Viridian broke off in the other direction, likely intending to scout out the room for hidden hazards. Though initially she had wanted to be at Aaron's side at all times, Alistair and Odairn had come to Aaron's defense, reasoning that Viridian's presence alone would be enough of a deterrence, and that if she remained too close to Aaron it would interfere with his all important ability to socialize at his first ball since becoming heir.
The crowd parted for the Mistborn, beginning to whisper long before Viridian was out of earshot, especially with tin. Suddenly, Aaron felt himself growing slightly defensive of his new bodyguard. Who were these spoiled nobles to judge a woman who made life and death choices regularly? What did it matter to them if she dressed in an eccentric manner or failed to respond to "normal" social cues? While Viridian was difficult to work with, and could be abrasive at times, she certainly wasn't boring. And yet, instead of taking any interest in her or her life, these people who, regardless of class, parted before her as if she were a lesser Inquisitor, preferred to gossip about her within earshot, like she was some sort of curiosity at a zoo.
Perhaps that's why she dresses and behaves like she does, Aaron realized. It would surely be easier to deal with being excluded because of style of dress or intentional behavior than to be ignored because of who or what you were. In a way, Viridian almost reminded Aaron of Phyra, though the two women could not be more different in character or motivation. However, despite these differences, hadn't Phyra also reacted to being shunned by society by marginalizing herself with her conduct before people could shun her for some other reason?
"Shall we find you a table, Lord Aaron?" Odairn, of course, had remained by Aaron's side. After all, it wouldn't do to leave him unattended by at least one of his minders. At least the public setting would keep the Steward from lecturing him too much. Sighing, Aaron nodded, and gestured for Odairn to lead him to an open table. Along the way, several nobles of varying rank approached to offer their condolences on Mikhail's death, both to him personally, and to the Elariel family as a whole. As the highest ranking member of the family present, he accepted both graciously but efficiently, pausing only when stopped by Lord Perrault himself to compliment the host on the decor.
Finally, the reached table that was suitable to Aaron's rank that remained unclaimed. Odairn took a moment to discretely review the names and Houses of the nobility who had greeted Aaron upon his arrival, and then took his leave to inform the servers of the Elariel's heir arrival, and of the table he had chosen.
Finally alone, if he could consider being watched by a tineye and a Mistborn alone, Aaron gazed over the assembled crowd, searching for familiar faces. He caught sight of Daerra almost immediately. She was sitting in the same area as him, chatting with Aveline Sureau. Interesting. Daerra and Aveline had been fairly good friends up until two years ago, but hadn't socialized much since. Daerra had never fully explained to Aaron what had happened, and he hadn't pressed her. Now, he wondered why she had chosen to renew the acquaintance. No doubt Aveline was now a part of one of his sister's many schemes to gain power and influence, schemes that Aaron now had no reason to be a part of.
He forced himself to look away before he got angry again or Daerra turned to meet his gaze. Who, among this crowd of vaguely familiar faces, did he want to socialize with tonight? Aaron found himself searching the crowd for Marisha's well styled hair and intelligent blue eyes, or Nerid's curly mop of hair and lanky figure. It was wishful thinking, he knew, but after their encounter on the wall, he didn't know what to think. What he had said to her there had surprised him, almost as much as her responses had. He no longer questioned why he was acting so strangely; for whatever reason, Marisha had become someone special to him . There was just something different about her that made him want to be better, to be worthy of the regard of such an intelligent and incredible woman. He hadn't deserved her forgiveness by any means, and yet she had given it to him anyways. What did a person like Marisha see that made an absolute fool like him worth forgiving?
His mood brightened significantly upon catching sight of Adala, Delissia, and Sebastien. Though he wanted nothing more than to join them, he knew it would be impolite to approach them before first greeting some nobles who were closer to his station.
After a bit more searching, he picked out Caden's blond hair and muscular frame. Upon seeing him, Aaron was surprised he hadn't seen the potential heir to House Hasting sooner, both because of his exotic costume, and because of the woman on his arm. Eliza Fathvell was looking fantastic in a Southern Isles gown that matched Caden's ensemble, and comfortable next to a man rumour said she had only met days ago. The couple (for Aaron could think of nothing else to call them) were currently chatting with Eliza's cousin, Felix. Taking a moment to compose himself and to straighten his hair before realizing it did not need any arranging, Aaron crossed the room and offered a polite greeting to the rest of the group when he arrived, nodding to each in order of rank.
"Lord Caden, Lady Eliza, Lord Felix, it is good to see you all this evening," Aaron paused to pick at his jacket, "I fear I may not comply with the dress code, but if you would forgive me, and if I'm not intruding, might I join your conversation?"
"Of course, Lord Aaron," Caden intoned, stiffening slightly, if such a thing was possible. So, Lady Eliza has gotten the great Caden Hasting to relax! Now that's a feat if I ever saw one. That combined with her growing renown as the puncher of Riodan Casuana made Aaron wonder just who he was dealing with.
"Lady Eliza," Caden continued, "And Lord Felix were just telling me of their childhood together."

