balls are {not} fun... (Fae)

[echolight4eva]

Theon hated balls. There were too many people in one place, too much heat, too much laughing. That was another thing he hated, laughing. He was so accustomed to his victims at the Pits that laughing was a sour sound in his ears. But his father had made him attend this particular ball, for whatever reason he wasn't sure. But he didn't dare disobey his father- perhaps he would pay attention to him for once. He wore a dark, navy blue suit with his hair slicked back. He hardly looked handsome, just stuffed up and peeved. He stood in a corner, slouching. He watched the dancers, his eyes somewhat glazed over and bored. Why couldn't he just leave?

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Faeldrin managed to slip away from the middle aged man who was showing an uncomfortable interest in her, claiming she had to visit the powder room. Instead, she slunk off to a corner to hide out for a bit, the same corner Theon happened to be in. She gave him a wary glance but didn't speak, hoping he would just ignore her. Adjusting her purple and silver dress, she leaned against the wall and let out a deep breath.

[echolight4eva]

Theon watched her approach his corner, somewhat relieved that she didn't want to talk to him. He didn't feel like talking- it might make him want to murder something. So it was just as well she didn't want to talk. He crossed his arm and snuck a glance at Lord Venture, gnashing his teeth quietly.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Eventually, despite her earlier thought, it was Fae who broke the silence. "Why must we come to these horrid things?" she said. She didn't know who this man was, but for some reason she wasn't worried about him tattling whatever she said to her father. He probably knew who she was, what with her parents constant flaunting of her, but he didn't look like he'd care.

[echolight4eva]

Theon glanced at her, his face still passive and somewhat annoyed. "Tell me about it. Is it just me or do they get worse every time?" He looke over her, thinking she seemed familiar. Oh, yes. She was that Elariel girl. He had heard about her. She was as beautiful as the rumors had said.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"I believe there's some merit to that idea," Faeldrin said. "Each house must outdo the other, and so each ball must be more elaborate. For us, it seems, that only makes them more unbearable."

[echolight4eva]

He gave a small, tight smile that almost appeared to be a grimace. "I believe you've cracked the case."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"It must because the number of balls I've been to," Fae replied. She was pretty sure she hadn't escaped a single one since she was 16. It was exhausting being paraded around constantly.

[echolight4eva]

"Ah," Theon replied. "I have managed to elude them as much as possible, but my father forced me to this one."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"You're lucky then," Fae said. She glanced over at him, her eyes turning curious. "Do you have an older brother, then?" There was no way an heir would be able to skip balls. She was still trying to figure out which house he was from.

[echolight4eva]

His eyes hardened somewhat. "I am the older brother," he said, an angry tone entering his voice again.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Fae frowned. "Then how did you avoid the balls? Surely your father wouldn't let his heir avoid public appearances."

[echolight4eva]

He grit his teeth. "I don't think you understand. I am Theon Venture, scorned elder brother of the current heir, Nazeal," he said, barely containing his anger.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Oh," Faeldrin said quietly. The bitterness and fury in his voice was unmistakable, and it frightened her. "I'm sorry."

[echolight4eva]

Theon noticed his affect on her and quieted down. "I'm sorry. Let's not talk about this."