A Coming of Age

[Torin Kilvin]

27th Frost 123

That a party was to be thrown had been known by all involved, not since any specific time, because it had been a given in their mind. Now the day was upon them and, as they were spending the coldest season mostly in the Valley and the manor that was being built for Lord Kilvin and his chosen kin was not yet ready to receive anyone, the Leukos' had graciously accepted the tole of hosts.

Timon was already in residence, as he had been for almost half a year, since Torin had gone to Sol'Valen to study with the elven masters. The youth had gone back to the shop attached to Kilvin's forge regularly, once a week, to see to any business that needed seeing too as well as to ensure the house was aired and in remained in good repair. On these trips, he had also stopped in to see that the construction of the manor was continuing as expected. The cellars had been dug, reinforced and bricked, and the upper foundations were well begun. It was not a project that Torin was especially bothered to see finished, so the work had progressed slowly, but steadily.

Because he had known that a party would be planned for his birthday, as it had been every year since he had been taken on as Torin's apprentice, he had specifically asked that no presents be given, as he wanted to request something specific from each of those he had grown close to.

The day dawned bright and clear, sunlight turning the packed snows to crystal all around the Starfall Keep. He was not sure if every one of those he had a request to make of would be present, such domestic events were not something everyone (Aurin) enjoyed and he didn't blame them for it. Torin, of course, would be, and the twins, and he could hope for Sivan and Huntress, though she had been absent for several months now. He would find time to see all of them in due course, he had no doubt, so was no worried. Asking his boons from whoever did show up would be task enough. He was not worried, but there was an undercurrent of nervousness that was part excitement, part anticipation and part trepidation.

A part of him felt like he was leaving something behind, which he was, something that he had fought to have for himself, but maybe would never feel that he'd gotten all of. Then again, when considering those he looked up to, maybe he would never fully lose either.

Dressing in the clothing he had himself paid for and ordered from a tailor to bring emphasis to both his height and the broadening of his smile shoulders, he made his way down to the private dining room used by the Luekos family, and him when he was their guest.

[Kala Leukos]

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House Leukos had taken the request in stride.

As far as Akshara or Aquilios were concerned, Timon was the heir presumptive of Torin Kilvin. Should the runesmith not marry and create heirs of his body, Timon would inherit the valley of the starlit dew. As such, they were happy to host a party for his nameday when Kaus brought the idea to them. At this point, they acceded to all of Kala's requests and most of Kaus'. They did consider the twins as individuals, but they had always been so bound together that they assumed a request from Kaus was also a request from Kala, and the twins had found the wunderkind who had become a vassal of their small house, and the fact that they continued to oversee Timon's education only supported the respect they bore the young man as Torin's apprentice and heir.

The fortress that was their home was not huge, but it was also not crowded with a huge family. The twins kept their rooms, of course, and the nursery had Aquilios' young son filling it. There was a quiet tension in the house that Timon had been informed was the fact that it seemed as though Aquilios' wife was once again with child, but that it was too early to make an announcement. Even with healers, the first few months of unborn life were delicate things and it was easier for a young mother-to-be to keep it quiet until certain milestones had passed and a healthy delivery seemed more sure. Such intimate losses weren't always best shared.

In any case, despite Lord Kilvin having his delightful doorknobs and Indric generally on hand to open portals for people, rooms had been prepared for those who wished to stay there.

When Timon descended into the dining room, everything was prepared, but only Kaus was there, sitting in one of the deep casements, exhaling over the glass so he could write invisible messages there.

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[Torin Kilvin]

It was fairly early and the family did not always eat together, so it wasn't unexpected to find only one other person on his arrival. Any sort of party was likely to be in the afternoon or evening. Finding his favorite member of the House was pleasant, and perhaps propitious.

Walking over to the window, he leaned in as though trying to see what was being written.

"Birthday wishes, or secrets?" He asked, tone one of humor. Kaus' presence filled the space and he breathed in, trying to catch the Avialae's scent with him being so obvious as to sniff him. Kaus would probably always be taller, but Timon had grown over the last year to the point when people weren't sure of his age until they saw his face. Said face was still woefully boyish, childish even, with only the barest beginnings of peach fuzz where he hoped he might one day grow fashionable facial hair to give the lie to notions of his extreme youth.

When Kaus turned to look at him, he offered a happy, bright-eyed smile that only failed to hold any form of sarcasm when it was for Kaus. The twin still set Timon's little heart aflutter whenever he looked at him, which the human knew, admitted, and tried to hate but couldn't. It was so very teenage of him, which he allowed, because he was one, but still hoped none of the magic wielded by those surrounding his life picked up on. His crush was not a secret, but the humiliating details of it, he could at least pretend, were.

The pair often sparred after breaking their fast and digesting enough that they wouldn't bring anything back up. Torin was present, and would likely be down any moment, not one to sleep in, unless Aurin was also in residence. The three of them sharing time in the training tower would be a fun way to start the day.

[Kala Leukos]

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One of his wings spread out as if to gather Timon in to protect him from the cold. That happened a fair amount, but as Timon hadn't objected, Kaus had never mentioned it. Perhaps it was a remembrance of keeping the boy warm when he got lost in the valley during a blizzard, or perhaps it was just the affection that had grown between them over the years. Kaus had first been glad for the young student to give him something to do with some of his spare time in the city given Kala was doing most of the work. Now, he was proud of the man Timon was becoming, though he never said that outright, lest that smile turn into a smirk more akin to one of Master Aurin's.

Timon's influences were certainly diverse.

"When we were little," he said, "Kala and I used to leave each other messages on the windows. Invisible messages in breath and light. I think it was before we actually knew how to write so I suppose we knew what they other had written because of the bond, but it did feel magical at the time..."

He smiled. His humor could evoke smirks as well, and he wasn't so far past adolescence that he couldn't speak to Timon on his level.

"I was just waiting for someone. I didn't want to eat alone. But since it's you..." His smile widened. "I suppose we can eat and you can tell me what you want to do on your nameday until the party starts in the evening. I think that's one of the milestones, actually. As a boy, your parties end with dinner. As a man, your parties begin with dinner and last until... well... as long as you do."

Kaus pushed off the window's deep casement to stand, his hand coming to rest upon the young man's shoulder as if to steady himself, though he didn't truly need it. Kaus spent so much time training his body, that it was rare he fumbled anything anymore. He squeezed Timon's shoulder and then led him toward the buffet. They had guests, so quite a few things for breaking one's fast were out—some kept hot in chafing dishes, others kept cold on blocks of stone inscribed with runes to keep them chilled. It wasn't quite Silfanore, but Starfall was full of magic if one looked.

He was taller than Timon, which sat right with him. For most of his life, he had felt too short given he would never reach the height of his Avialae father or elder brother. Difficulties in twin births, they had said, meant he was shorter than his male relatives, and Kala was shorter than her female relatives. Thankfully, he was still tall for a human. Poor Kala was not. No doubt it would have been a blow to his ego if his young protégé were to outgrow him, even if intellectually he knew that was silly.

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[Torin Kilvin]

The wing opening to pull him in closer, or shield him, had originally felt almost insulting to a pre-adolescent Timon who had been sure he needed no one's protection. Now it felt like something they shared, a gesture that connected them and made him feel wanted. He loved it, and it showed on his face more often than he would probably have liked. He had learned to control his expression to make shrewd sales, get better deals from other merchants, deal with workmen, not react when Torin was limping from Aurin's tender, all-night attentions, any number of situations. But with Kaus his feelings tumbled out over his face as though he were still twelve. With Kala as well, to a lesser extent, and he didn't try too hard to control himself around his other friends. It wasn't as though Sivan or Torin would judge him, though the latter did sometimes have boughts of over-protectiveness.

He did manage not to bite his lower lip as the feathers brushed warmly over his back. The story was nice, like so much of how Kaus treated him, it felt inclusive. He couldn't help grinning when his friend called him a man, but he didn't look away, eyes following every expression and word.

Slinging his arm loosely around the tightly muscles waist so they could walk easily over to the tables, he answered the inquiry about what he wanted to spend the day on.

"I thought we could go to the training tower, once Torin is up. He needs the practice." It was a joke but also a point of pride that Timon, who trained much more often than his master-friend, was able to beat him in a sparring match four times out of five. There were advantages to being slight and very, very fast. Kaus always won, but that was why he was training Timon. He was a wonder with his pact weapons, good enough that he didn't leave Timon time to think about how gods-damned beautiful he was when he moved with all the grace of his race and a lifetime of training. Not having time to think with his brain, or have blood to do anything but defend himself, was a very good thing when they were stripped out of their shirts, sweating all over a sparring space.

Grabbing a plate and piling it with whatever took his fancy, he sat at the end spot of the table so they could sit near but still see each other, he began to eat. Usually careful to ensure he had a healthy diet, he didn't care that day. Even so, overeating was not something he would do before exercise so his portions were moderate.

Torin found his way into the hall before they had finished and dished for himself before joining them. There was a comfort between the three young men that had taken years to develop. Torin had realized and was in the process of accepting that Timon had helped raise him almost as much as he had helped raise Timon. They shared little inside jokes and spoke of the year past and the one coming. When they had eaten enough, they made their way up to the armory tower that was also used for the private training of those who lived and worked within the keep.

Aquilios joined them sometimes, but less often as his responsibilities grew. Timon liked the older Leukos, but they didn't have the same sort of connection he had with Kala and Kaus.

Once all three of them had sweated the morning away (having changed out of their finery for things they didn't mind getting dirty), they made their way to the lower parts of the castle, where hot baths were to be had. Timon did not watch Kaus get into, or out of, the water. There were moments he wanted to save for when they meant something. He had only ever been close to Kaus while he was naked one time, and that had been a matter of survival.

A light lunch was shared, and then Torin sat down with his apprentice to go over the details of the business that he had missed in his nearly six months away in Sol'Valen. This took a significant amount of time, and when they were finished, or when Timon realized that explaining any more was probably pointless, it was time to dress again for dinner.

[Kala Leukos]

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Kaus was intelligent, but not a genius. His mind was more agile than his sister's sometimes, but quickness of thought wasn't always an advantage. He missed things. He missed the adolescent passion in Timon. Kala had warned him that the youth looked up to him, and had repeated similar warnings without outing the lovestruck lad. Kaus took that seriously, of course. He did strive to be a paragon among Avialae, and always had. It was a point of honor. He loved Timon, and wanted to see him succeed and be happy. There was the care of instructor for pupil, and the responsibility of liege and vassal even though only great tragedy would make Kaus the Lord of Starfall and Timon didn't actually want Stardew Valley. And they were friends now, both because of time spent together and events lived through.

He didn't worry too much about the future. So much of his revolved around Kala, and Timon knew that. Timon was one of the few outside of Starfall who knew her for the budding goddess she was.

They trained. Aquilios did show up, and often did when there were divers others to train with. Kaus was the more skilled now, not having the mantle of being heir and all the responsibilities that entailed. He wasn't a husband and a father. Still and all, it pleased him to have surpassed his elder brother, though the heir's size and strength still provided a doughty challenge. But Aquilios liked Torin, as well, a man strong enough, who used different weapons, to give him a variety of challenges. He even sparred with Timon, giving the lad experience with a much larger foe and often winding him because it was 'like when the blademaster set me to catch a chicken from the yard,' which Kaus had assured Timon was a compliment.

When they were through, Kala and Aurin took a turn. She had developed the ability to adjust her mortal seeming, and so she trained both with and without her wings. Without her wings, she gave Aurin a run for his money with short blades and speed.

Sivan, it seemed, had been co-opted by Akshara herself. She had questions about the Hytori and questions about the Dratori, as well as many cogent questions magical. Knowing that he knew her daughter's divine secret and that he was trusted with such things, the Lady of Starfell felt she could ask important questions of him as well. He had greeted Timon, however, and promised that Huntress wanted to see him as soon as he could come to the valley. He didn't tell Timon about the litter because he thought it might be a good surprise, though Huntress didn't seem to care about the two-legged predilection toward surprises. Surprises kill, she had told him, her body language as eloquent as rolling eyes might have been.

Kala did make an appearance at Torin's request while he and Timon were talking business. She was there to answer questions as their noble investor and liege, but more to take some work off of her mother's plate. When Torin had his audience with Akshara alone, he would be prepared already and it could move smoothly. The lady knew that he was more comfortable with her children, and so let them do most of the detail work with him so their interactions could be more pleasant.

When Timon arrived at table, everyone was already there. Akshara applauded and everyone else did the same. Even Aquilios gently took his boy's hands in his and guided him to clap. The giant of an Avialae with a tiny winged infant in his lap might have been comedic except that many here had no father, or no father they wanted.

Some were already in their seats. The doors to the kitchen opened as soon as the servants heard applause, and they began to serve. Laughing, Kaus' hand found the small of Timon's lap and guided him toward the chair opposite Akshara, a seat of honor, it seemed. The rectangular table was not a formal dining room. Akshara sat between Aquilios and his wife on one end. She liked being the person the infant crawled over to get from one parent to another. Sometimes he would settle in her lap, a grandmother's dream. Timon sat between Kaus and Kala, the other guests sat along the longer sides of the table.

The first course was presented to him as soon as he was seated, his fine cloth napkin across his lap. Everything was one of his 'favorites' as reported to the cook by one of the twins, by Torin, or by Aurin. He wasn't going to leave that table unsated.

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[Torin Kilvin]

At New Years, two years gone, the youth had stolen a chaste kiss, but that had been in the height of the eclipse and he had worried that he might never get the chance if he didn't take it. Since then, he had made the conscious choice to wait. Kaus would certainly have brushed him off if he hadn't, kindly, but firmly, but that wasn't why he'd done it. At fourteen, he had wanted to remain a child as long as he could. His early childhood had not been good and he wanted to keep what remained of it for as long as it lasted. In many ways he had probably never been a child, but stepping into adulthood, he felt, should be deliberate, not something he just fell into without knowing how or when.

Now, he had a plan and didn't want to wait any longer, he couldn't properly act as a child anymore, so what was the point of not getting on with the life he wanted?

When he walked into the greater dining hall and found himself being cheered by those assembled, he broke into a wide smile, not blushing but happy. It was a poignant moment for many of them, not only because the youngest of the original forge group was considered an adult now. Aquilios with his son struck more than one heart with the pain of lacking such a father figure, to varying effects. Torin reached for Aurin below the table, just a touch, but it soothed the ache in him. Timon felt only greater gratitude for all the men in his life.

Joining them in the place of honor, he endured toasts, well wishes and congratulation with pleasure as they all ate, and drank. If the newest lady Leukos did not embibe of the birthday wine, no one was insensitive enough to comment on it. Timon himself did enjoy a glass, but he nursed it, knowing he wanted a clear head for what was to come.

When they had all eaten then fill and the servants were clearing the table in preparation for whatever dessert surprise was to come, a speech was called for, and Timon knew the moment was upon him. Clearing his throat and flashing a rude gesture at Aurin's comment that had the group of slightly inebriated guests laughing, he stood.

The preamble was all gracious gratitude, for both the party and all that had been given to him, all that he had in the world, by his friends, his family.

"Now, I beg leave to ask for more." He was granted this, so he went on, meeting the ones of Torin first.

"You took me from nothing and gave me all a boy could want. Or, all that I did, at least." There was a little laughter and Torin was shaking his head, knowing a boy could want far more than he had given. "I have learned, so much, though, perhaps not what an apprentice usually does. In the lessons I have learned for the business, I beg your indulgence to my belief that I have surpassed my master."

This was generally agreed upon, by Torin more than any.

"As such, though I have no intention of forgoing my duties, I wish to be done with my apprenticeship. I want to be a partner, lesser, certainly, but no longer within the confines of that arrangement." Torin agreed, a little sadly, but knowing it was entirely fair. He hadn't actually been teaching Timon anything for some time, and only the boy's age had kept the original contract valid. There would be a new one, as there was for Torin and Sivan.

Next Timon turned the Aquilios and Akshara, bowing slightly,

"Of House Leukos, who have succored and taught me without asking anything in return, I ask that you grant me a writ to trade as a merchant, so that I may put to use the skills I have learned from you."

It was a mark of trust, to grant a merchant your writ meant that the House trusted them to do honorable trade and pay a portion of their profits to back to the house. It was difficult to trade in any major way, without a writ, most respectable merchants would only trade with others who also had them, and trading internationally without a writ was considered smuggling in some countries.

[Kala Leukos]

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There was a smattering of applause when Torin agreed that Timon's apprenticeship was done. There were formalities to be seen to, of course, but it was agreed and witnessed by those here present. Timon was an apprentice no more.

When addressed, both Akshara and Aquilios sobered. The infant had been taken by a nurse so his mother could relax and enjoy the company and her dinner. Those at the head of the table were serious now, but not unsmiling. Akshara was aging and frailer than she ought to be, but her daughter's rise had given her a new lease on life despite her health problems. She still looked younger than her years, certainly younger than she had in a long time. In any case, she was aging gracefully and there was a warmth in her that had been absent for quite a while after the early death of her husband.

Aquilios had the seriousness of a boy whose life had required he become a man too early. The twins had been quite young, but he had been old enough that his training toward leadership had been accelerated and the weight of the future all the heavier for the loss of his father. His own fatherhood had warmed him as well, and perhaps the renewed strength in Akshara had taken some of the weight of responsibility off of his shoulders.

His wife looked curious. She was quiet like Kala, but often emerged from her silence with something cogent to say.

They all listened, but Akshara, of course, answered him.

"Timon," she said in a voice that could command or coax into sleep with equal ease. "We have marked your progress through your apprenticeship with interest. We have heard of your desire to learn from the twins, from mathematics to blades. Your desire to improve yourself has impressed us for years." Aquilios nodded along with this; she wasn't using a royal plural without the right.

"I would be happy to certify a writ contingent upon a business plan now that you have completed your apprenticeship. I would like to know what you plan to do in addition to your new partnership with Lord Kilvin and Master Len'Myren." Aquilios nodded once more, and his wife smiled with genuine pleasure at the good fortune he would reap due to his hard work and connections with good people.

Applause began once more, but stopped when Akshara raised her hand.

"You ask for more, and I would offer more. I know you have family in Kalzasi, and I know that Torin considers you family." She didn't need to add that she was quite aware that should her vassal perish, Timon was his heir. "I do not know your desires in this regard or if you have other offers. In any case, the question and the answer are personal matters and you should consider them. Know that this is a gift offered, but that there will be no offense should you not take it for whatever reason, and no reason for declining it will be required. There is a custom among our people that we have adopted. I hope the need never arises, but I want you to know that should your fortunes fall, you will find a soft landing in Starfall. I offer you a name that any citizen of Starfall will know makes you a citizen of Starfall. I offer you the name Leukosion."

Kaus' applause came first. Kala touched Timon's leg under the table. Her thought darted from her mind into his with a trick of Semblance.

This is a great honor, and you should thank her, but do not decide yet. I can explain the subtleties of it later.

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[Torin Kilvin]

The conditions required were those to be expected, and Timon would have felt himself a little cheated had they not been included. Going over his business plan with Kala was something he certainly hoped for, if the elder members of her family wanted to go over them with him themselves, he was more than pleased for that also. Criticism from those who wanted him to succeed was no insult. He had spent the majority of his spare time over the years studying the goings-on of the merchants, first the ones he traded with on Torin's behalf, then branching out to all that would allow his scrutiny. Some did not want to be observed, of course.

When more was unexpectedly forthcoming, he turned his attention wholly to Lady Akshara. The results were certainly a surprise, and his brows rose up into his artfully tumbled hair at the offer. Taking his cue from Kala's welcome voice in his mind, he stood, blowed deeply, thanking Lady Akshara and promising to give the matter the thought and consideration it deserved. For all his seeming ease with a set of manners that exceeded Torin's understanding significantly, he was a little stunned. Would the name make him family-adjacent, or only associated with them? The thought of being part of the family, who he respected and, in some cases, loved, made his chest warm, but...

He glanced at Kaus, who seemed thrilled with the idea. Kaus wanting him for family was something that Timon wanted, but not as a brother, or anything similar. When he had his seat again, he gathered his thoughts back into order and turned to Sivan, then Aurin, then Kala. Once he had all of their attention, he said,

"I have a similar gift to ask from each of you, and I don't imagine it would be a surprise. Now that I am my own master," Here he smiled affectionately at Torin, "I want a set of abilities that will aid me in my life to come. I have trained with each of the magics available in the Rune Orchard, and chosen those which fit me best. I ask one from each of you, if you are willing. Not all at once!"

He finished with a joke, holding up his hands as though to stave off being jumped by the three he was asking.

Torin looked uncomfortable but tried to hide it, keeping a smile on his face. His fear for Timon receiving Runes had been expressed throughout his apprenticeship. But it was his choice now, and even Torin had to admit that his own second Rune had come much easier than the first.

[Aurin]

On the surface, Aurin was urbane and charming. He had to be. A part of his job was keeping Lord Yserloo Choi from ruining the Golden Peacock Theater while also allowing the lordling to use his status to ensure the continued financial support of Kalzasi's elite. The Leukos family were strange to him. They actually seemed to say what they meant and live up to the sort of honor codes most of their ilk only used to secure their own privileges.

Elwes was wrapped around his shoulders, sleeping. She had fed before she came, not wanting to feel the mountain cold. He didn't want her in Hahseu until they figured out what the hells was going on with the Mad King, the Myriad, and the damned cursed key that Talon Novalys wouldn't just take off his hands to protect his precious city... But digression.

The novelty of her had worn off for those other guests present. Not all of them knew she was a rathari, but they all understood that a cold-blooded creature would do better siphoning his body heat than left on her own.

He was sitting next to Torin, of course. Their knees were touching under the table, and sometimes his hand touched the runesmith's leg there too, but otherwise, he was not embarrassing the man. Now was just not the time or place. He would certainly sodomize the lord later, but for now, all he wanted was to support the dignity he had earned in the world. Though he hadn't admitted it even to himself, one of his greatest fears was ruining the dignity and position of anyone he considered his own, whether that was Torin and Timon with the Leukos lords or, impossibly, Arry with his desert peons.

But it was also in the back of his mind not to show undue ownership of Torin here. Akshara and her progeny needed to see Torin as a self-sufficient man; he was a lord, after all. They also needed to see that he was open to marriage and children given that was how generational wealth worked. He was going to have to find a wife for Torin...

While they were eating, he did occasionally send errant thoughts into Torin's mind just to fuck with him, of course. But after he thought, I wonder if Akshara has a taste for ginger, Timon rose to speak and Aurin offered him his attention with nary a smirk to be seen.

He smiled and nodded approvingly at the request and the answer. Torin would have succeeded without House Leukos' patronage, but it had come faster and easier for it, and he was glad that they had become Torin's friends and supporters, Kala even becoming his goddess. Aurin didn't truck with the gods, truly. Only Eshar seemed to understand him at all, and he was fucking them, not worshiping them—although he assumed they took some divine nourishment from fulfilling his desires. He was glad Torin had them. They would be helpful whenever Aurin, inevitably, failed him.

The addendum from the woman he hoped was an insatiable cougar surprised him, though, and his aura was just entwined enough with Torin's that he would have to explain the flare of jealousy at it. Of course, he didn't know in what circumstances he would actually be honest and vulnerable enough with Timon to offer any sort of adoption beyond what already existed unsaid between them, but he had managed to be in the boy's life a long time and now he was a man. If he was a father to anyone, it was to Timon.

But why would Timon want to be a Kavafis? He smiled applauded. He began to carefully extricate his aura from Torin's, hoping he wouldn't notice during these momentous announcements. Aurin didn't want his feelings leaving his chest right then.

The request for magic was not unexpected. Aurin would already have marked him if he hadn't deferred to Torin, who wanted to wait. He opened his mouth to speak, but then remembered he ought to defer to Kala in this situation. Timon had marked her out, and Sivan too. While he could speak first to allow Sivan a little space to formulate his answer, it were better he let Kala answer first as this was her home and she was, well, a goddess-in-training.

Kala didn't rise; this wasn't a formal occasion, perhaps. There were spots of heightened color on her cheeks, whether from wine or excitement. She did seem more relaxed, more open with her laughter and her words here among her family, which was strange to the point of anathema to Aurin. He understood that there had been difficulties in the family, but many of them seemed to have resolved. He didn't know the details, but he also didn't know how one went about mending fences with family. Of course, his wanted to kill him, so...

"I am certainly willing to teach you or initiate you into a magical discipline," she said carefully. "My caveat might vex you, though." She smiled apologetically. "To leave behind one apprenticeship only to enter into another. It wouldn't be as all-consuming of your time. We could work around both our busy schedules, but I cannot in good conscience put you at risk or put others at risk without your consent to be led by me until I deem you able to continue your magical studies without overview. If that is not too heavy a yoke, then yes. We can discuss it more at length while we are here or later when we return to Kalzasi."

Aurin found himself nodding in approval, then curtailed it. Having had shit teachers and having been a shit teacher, he wouldn't stand for Timon having a shit teacher. But he knew Kala was not that. Aurin didn't know how to express his gratitude to Valencia Grey, the one person who had taken the time to guide him from initiation to mastery of a craft. Perhaps that was why Traversion felt like power, whereas the others still felt like 'tricks' in his mind. Perhaps that was why he kept offering Valencia sex. It was the only way he could think to repay her properly.

Kala and Sivan would make excellent teachers.

He... well, fuck.

He happened to catch Kaus' face for a moment. The young lord was clearly happy for Timon and, Aurin could tell, a little hurt he hadn't been asked for the same. Aurin had seen him fight, often wielding magic deftly while also flying and wielding a blade as if it was no more difficult to do one task masterfully than to do all three at the same time—masterfully.

These fucking people. He was glad Torin and Timon had them.

He was glad sometimes he was allowed to sit at this table.

"Oh." He realized Timon had turned his gaze upon him, and others had followed suit. Aurin was no actor, but he had learned early how to play roles, had learned a thing or two from the courtesans of the Velvet Cabaret and the artistes of the Golden Peacock.

For some reason, he had trouble pulling up a mask.

"Oh." He still couldn't manage to pull up a barbed smirk, let alone a confident smile. His voice was rough and traitorous.

"I mean, of course, kid... I would have already, but Torin wanted you to wait until you were a man grown. So here we are. You're a man grown. My tricks are your tricks. We'll talk later, too." He grabbed for that. Akshara and Kala had both given him affirmatives to his desires while also maintaining some control over how they went about giving him what he desired. "Of course. What's mine is yours..."

If it sounded flippant, it wasn't.

If his hand had found Torin's under the table and was now squeezing it rather too hard, well, he loosened his grip as soon as he realized.

"Lady Kala and Siv will be better teachers, but I'm yours. I mean... exploit what skills I have."

Then he managed to shut himself up with a drink.