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year 5, quarter 3
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The all seeing eye is watching tonight nothing to hide. secrets in sight.
Oh how the city bored him. Mateus watched the people walking on the street with disinterest as he sat glittering in the sun at the patio of one of Torensten's most prestigious restaurants. He looked at the menu once more before pulling out a piece of paper and scratching out it's name on the list. "TOP THINGS TO DO IN TORENSTEN" it read with various different restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, and oddities to peruse. Some had already been scratched out from the previous day's activities. The girl who worked the front desk of his hotel had drawn up the list at his request. It'd been about a week since Lior left. An urgent call, one that could not be ignored and a promised return.
The first few days had been the doldrums. Mateus found he had no interest in anything simply lounging away in his room and ordering room service for his meals. His makeup lay untouched and the blinds drawn tight as he slept for most of the time. Still, after the third day of this, the quiet became too much. It hummed with a lonely melody that he hadn't seemed to notice in the room before it had its second occupant. When the girl brought him his food that night, he had asked for the list and she brought it back with speed.
This morning Mateus had decided he would demand the attention he lacked as he roamed the city. Rummaging through his trunk, he pulled an outfit he had had tailored for a festival although the details of the event hung hazily at the edges of his memory. His hair normally worn in horns or spiked with two long bangs, hung loosely down his back and splayed over his chest. Perched on his hand was a beautiful halo of silver adorned with fine jewels of deepest red and blue the shimmered their brilliance in the light. He was adorned in white robes the inner of which laced through with silver hugged his frame tightly and plunged deep down his neck allowing for fine necklaces of gold to contrast against the paleness of his smooth skin. The outer robe hung a bit more loosely it's trim in gold that danced and dazzled those who passed. He personified the radiance of light both sun and moon.
And thus he waited for his meal, catching the stares of many of the people he was watching. Still, somehow the looks he was getting still didn't satiate his desire to be noticed. His eyes narrowed as servers bumbled past him with food for those who had arrived much later than he had. Mateus bit at his lips and drummed his fingers doing his best not to catch one of them and demand an explanation. How he had been scolded by Lior when he had done that at dinner one night. The knight had acted like he had dishonored both of them with his behavior, and Mateus could feel the slight blush return to his cheeks at the memory. Still, Lior was not here and Mateus stomach rumbled, "Excuse me," he began as a server ran past him ignoring the words. He bit his lip harder and almost banged his fingers on the table in irritation.
When he almost got up to leave and demand an explanation, a gaggle of servers with silver trays suddenly swarmed his table laying more on his table than he had ordered. "What is this?" he asked suspicious of the amount of things being brought to him. "This is not what I ordered." he said sternly wondering if among them they had brain to have puzzled out that one person did not require five full meals.
The woman looked at him with a smile, "Oh, sir. The chef hand made these for you. They're his specialties." When Mateus gave her a quizzical look she continued her explanation "A man demanded we change your order to the finest we had and has already cleared the check." After that she bustled away before Mateus could ask anymore questions. What man? He looked around quickly for a sign of Lior, but the interaction described did not sound like the man at all. He poked suspiciously at the food trying to figure it out before dipping into the excess.
The meal had been devastatingly delicious, but still most of the food remained untouched. He hailed a passing waiter and palmed him gil. "Take the excess back to my hotel, and give it for the staff's lunch." Mateus had seen the slop some of them ate at the desk. Perhaps a proper meal might motivate them to clean more thoroughly than they usually would today. With directions told, Mateus rose and made his way from the restaurant pulling out his list deciding what to do next.
The art museum seemed to a popular choice of entertainment as Mateus queued behind quite the line wrapping around a city corner. The line moved slow seeming to move a person every five minutes or so. He pulled out his list again beginning to decide he would come back another day when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Here's your VIP pass, please follow me to the special entrance. A woman up ahead has already taken care of things." Mateus followed asking about this mysterious woman but not getting any real answers or a name. How odd all these displays from strangers, but he tried to shrug it off. He wanted attention and he was getting it. The two of them slid past the line and into the second set of doors before he was left to explore as he pleased.
Mateus worked his way from exhibit to exhibit as he appreciated the culture and atmosphere. It was quiet and ceilings were as his heels clicked on the marble floors. Sculpture of the gods of old and paintings of historical events dotted the rooms. The most striking room was the one of paintings of all the kings of old before the city had turned into a democracy. This is something he would have done for Castle Palamecia if he had been able to concentrate on anything but domination. The pang came from knowing now there would never be a portrait of him hanging anywhere and he quickly exited the room at the thought.
With the museum thoroughly scoped out, Mateus left back for his hotel as the sun began its slow descent in the warm afternoon. When he entered, the girl came bustling from behind the counter running to and embracing him with a plentiful of thanks. Matues awkwardly struggled from the grasp and waved off the compliments turning his face up and away from her. "Oh you also got a letter while you were out." she exclaimed almost slipping as she ran back to the desk and back with the letter. Mateus nodded shooing her away as he opened the thick blank envelope.
You've been noticed.
Proceed to the entrance to the Underground
at sunset if you truly wish to enjoy
the real splendor of Torensten.
Yours truly - X
Mateus read the letter over several times as he entered his room. This would explain the odd occurrences of the day. Mateus thought over the idea wondering if this was just an elaborate scheme. Still curiosity got the best of him as he sat on his bed until the sun sank lowers and he made his way out to the streets asking for directions before heading to the Underground. As he approached he watched a man as he yelled about the end times. "The Gate's been opened and the dragons have brought with them the promise of the end."
Mateus just rolled his eyes until he someone approached wearing a mask made of silver obscuring their whole face. The mask resembled that of a dragon, horns protruding from the temples and a mean snout where a mouth shuld be. "Sir, please follow me." the girl's voice echoed behind her mask. As Mateus opened his mouth she beat him to the punch, "Please sir, no questions. I've not been permitted to answer unitl you've met him." She began down the stairs and Mateus followed his mouth pursed at this whole interesting endeavor.
He followed behind closely as the turned around more corners and through so many cross sections. Without a guide this place would lead to more than one lost person starved and left for dead. Really not wanting that to happen he kept with the brisk pace of the girl. The tunnels seemed to grow tighter as they walked further and further into the depths. And then suddenly the tunnel opened in a large cavern where in the center sat a jeweled manor house.
Once inside Mateus' hostess lead him into first room to the left. It appeared to be a cozy study the walls lined with books. Gold trays of wine and fruit lay on the table near a large couch of red velvet. "We're waiting for other arrivals, and then he will meet with you, sir. Please excuse me." The girl vanished from the room and Mateus took his time looking at all the vanity and exquisite features of the room as he waited with wine in hand. His letter had not been lying when it promised splendor.
Genesis decided on a day trip to Torensten because he wanted a break from Zack’s house. Not that Sephiroth wasn’t good company (though his social skills were lacking as much as Genesis remembered), but staying with him grated on both of them. Sephiroth was orderly and professional, and Genesis let his possessions ooze around the house as he pleased. Not to mention that Sephiroth didn’t seem to know how to handle Genesis when he was bored as well as Angeal had. No, a day away from each other would probably be good for both of them, so he left a short note on the table before flying south to Torensten.
The city seemed more bustling and friendly than Sonora had, and Genesis grimaced slightly at the faint scent of produce in the air when he immediately ended up walking through a marketplace. If you only added a tinge of manure to the smell, then it would have reminded him of a farm. How he hated farms. Especially orchards. Perhaps this had been a mistake.
He hadn’t bothered to hide his wing this time. Maybe it was seeing his own self-consciousness reflected back at him in Sephiroth’s face, but it reminded him of his defiant period after Shinra had bombed Banora when he hadn’t bothered to tuck in his wing anymore. Let them see what they had done to him. Let everyone see what a monster he was.
So Genesis confidently strolled down the street, with his black wing only partially folded in and hanging by his side. He heard the whispers and noticed the nervous glances, but he only pursed his lips and raised his chin slightly as he strolled towards the nearest bar. Let them look. He wanted them to see. And it certainly wasn’t so Sephiroth could feel better about himself. Of course not. So what if he was new and looked so ashamed of himself that Genesis just wanted to shake him until he owned what he was? It’s not like Genesis kept his wing out all the time now to help him be comfortable. Ugh.
Genesis ended up seated outside an upscale bar with a long-stemmed glass and a bottle of wine. He slowly drained a few glasses and watched the sun make its way across the sky until he felt pleasantly buzzed, deciding that he should do this more often. Finally, he stretched his wing a bit and signaled for the check, pausing when he opened the folded leather case and a sealed envelope fell out instead of the bill.
“Hm?” Genesis turned the envelope one way and then the other, but he found no markings on it. Slitting it open with one gloved finger, he pulled out a thick sheet of paper. The letter itself was short.
You've been noticed. Proceed to the entrance to the Underground at sunset if you truly wish to enjoy the real splendor of Torensten. Yours truly - X
Raising an eyebrow, Genesis gestured for the waiter to come back, raising the letter as the portly man bustled back over. “If you’re coming onto me, then I wanted to assure you that you certainly aren’t my type,” he said with a roll of his eyes. The man laughed a bit uncomfortably, his eyes flickering to the wing spread out at his side.
“No sir. Someone paid your bill already and asked that this be delivered to you instead.”
“Oh?” Genesis paused and glanced past him at the interior of the bar. “Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess. So that means if I were to order more wine…”
By the time that Genesis left the bar, the sun was descending over the horizon, and he was starting to edge past pleasantly drunk. He generally recovered from that fairly quickly at least. Sometimes he wondered if he had the Jenova cells in his veins to thank for that. Not that he’d ever thank anyone for making him what he was.
Hesitating slightly, Genesis considered the crumpled note in his hand. The letter had an ominous edge to it, and he had a feeling that he knew what sort of hedonistic party he was being invited to. “Well threaten me with a good time,” he muttered, stopping to ask for directions as he made his way over to the underground.
As he reached the entrance, someone of ambiguous gender with a slender frame approached him, a full dragon mask obscuring their face. “I can take you to your destination if you follow me, sir.” Her voice finally revealed her to be a woman.
“Your note failed to mention anything about this being a masquerade,” Genesis said with some amount of irritation as he pushed off the wall and followed the girl down into the lit tunnels.
She laughed, a low tinkling sound that echoed in their close quarters. “It wasn't my letter, sir. And you don’t need to worry. You won’t need a mask.”
Something about this was starting to feel a little off, and he found himself wishing that he’d brought his sword along. Still, he had his materia, and he was legitimately curious about where this was going. If he never came back, would Sephiroth come looking for him?
The girl led him around so many twists and turns that Genesis lost count, before she finally directed him to a large house in the center of the cavern. Now that wasn’t spooky at all.
“The guests are waiting in here, sir.” She directed him to a room on the left, and Genesis walked past her into a room lined with books, pausing to take in the room’s only other applicant.
He was an attractive man with blond hair that was nearly as long as Sephiroth’s, and his ornate makeup, dazzling jewelry, and plunging neckline demanded that all eyes focus on him. Genesis was immediately reminded of his encounter with Kuja. Well, if this was the sort of party that he’d originally thought it was, then he had to say that he was currently impressed with the other participants.
“Well hello there,” he greeted the man, walking over to inspect the trays of fruit and wine that lay in the center of a table. “When the war of the beasts brings about the world’s end, the goddess descends from the sky.” He reached out to pluck a grape off the vine. “I take it you received a mystery invitation as well then. What do you think the odds are that our hosts have poisoned the food?”
The all seeing eye is watching tonight nothing to hide. secrets in sight.
Mateus sipped on his wine as turned from the ornate golden trimmings of everything over to the bookshelf. Some were in pristine condition to the point he wondered if they had even been opened yet, and some were wrinkled and yellowed, their distinct perfume an affront to the aroma of the wine. Still his ran his fingers over the spines of the books seeing if any of them sparked his interest. He plucked a few from their perch reading a few quick passages of each. Most were dry histories of the land, or obscure rituals for mysticism he would like to delve more into, but The Passion of the Dawn Maiden caught his eye. He saw with book as the prose read like liquid even from the first line as the content stung like rose thorns at the titular character. Passion. Pain. Divinty. All melded; all one.
Mateus was so engrossed in the novella that his shoulders tensed as others entered the room. His eye grew cold and steely as another dragon masked person entered followed by someone who, although had a face carved from mythril, seemed altogether plain. Mateus gave him a cold look over as the man descended on the food. "Greetings," he said flat as he tried to figure out what had stood out about the man to have garnered the same type of attention he had. Perhaps this mysterious X was not as particular as Mateus had thought upon receiving such a evocative invitation. Placing a finger in the book to mark his spot, Mateus stood a smile creeping across his face as he found he was still a bit taller than the new arrival.
Mateus did not reply to the poetics the man spoke as he took looked once again on the food on the table. Picking up bottle, he poured himself another glass watching as the amber liquid swirled and bounced in his crystalline goblet. He gave a a huff of disagreement as the man pondered if the food was poisoned. "I'd dare say that if our host wanted us dead, they had ample opportunity to do so before now," he said taking a long sip of his wine as he gave a cold smile to his companion. "It would be quite the obscene spectacle and over exertion just to gather a few strangers only for food to be our end." The slightest faint of a real smile twitched at edge of his cheek as Mateus defiantly ate a piece of cheese before walking back towards the bookshelf.
"Tell me," Mateus questioned not really paying attention to the books at all, "did they play such a game of cat and mouse with you as well? First it was the restaurant, then the art museum, then the letter at my abode." Mateus was surprised he had admitted so much so fast, but then again he wasn't. Hadn't Lior told him to be more upfront and honest with his feelings? Mateus swallowed his next sip hard and felt his throat muscle ache from it. Still he turned to ask more questions when the sight of it caught him off guard.
Facing the man's back, Mateus saw the half folded wing against the red leather. The candle lit in his mind as to why this man had been noticed in the same way he had. He wondered if it was just a prop, but watching it move in time with the breathing of the man proved it was as organic as the man himself. He gave a loud sharp chuckle as he passed back the room to his place on the couch. "Beautiful isn't it?" Mateus was referring to both the man's wing and the surroundings they were in as he waved his free hand in the air the smile not leaving his lips. "I wonder what other works of art this night has in store." He took a quick sip before finally introducing himself now he knew he was exotic as the man before him in beauty. "I am Mateus. A pleasure meeting you."
Genesis noted that the blond-haired man didn’t seem to like him much. He kept a smile on his painted lips as he spoke, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, and Genesis pursed his lips slightly as the man approached the table to pour himself a glass of wine. Genesis took the time to study him further while the man was distracted by the red liquid pooling in the bottom of the glass. He was almost unfairly beautiful with refined features and perfectly applied makeup. Genesis was by no means a short man, but this stranger still towered over him by a good few inches. His eyes were caught by the gold necklaces shimmering over the man’s toned chest before the blond finally looked up and replied to his suspicions about the food a bit scornfully. He even went so far as to pop a piece of cheese in his mouth, a smirk hovering on his lips now as he returned to his spot by one of the bookshelves.
Genesis laughed under his breath, a little torn between acting offended or not. He suspected that he would have been far more indignant had the man been less handsome. But between him and Kuja, he was starting to think that derisive and beautiful might have been his type.
“I suppose if you drop dead, I’ll know to avoid the cheese then,” he said with a faint smirk as he took a small plate and added a few pieces of fruit to it. He’d had more than enough wine today, and real food would likely be better no matter which direction the night headed. He started in on some cantaloupe as the man questioned if their hosts had pursued him as well.
“I wasn't stalked to your extent evidently,” he said with a slight laugh once he’d swallowed. “Just a winery. In theory, I flew in for only the day though, so I suppose I had no room yet for them to follow me back to.”
The man gave a chuckle from behind him, and Genesis shot him a curious look as the man moved to a location on a nearby plush couch. The smile on his lips was far more genuine now as he waved a hand at their surroundings and commented on their beauty. Genesis tilted his head slightly, not sure what he had done to finally win the man’s favor, but he decided that he wouldn’t look the gift horse in its mouth as he was finally able to put a name to the face.
“Mateus,” he echoed, as he moved over to settle in an armchair across from him, spreading his wing slightly to occupy the space easier. It was an elaborate name, but it did seem to fit him and his appearance perfectly. “Nice to meet you as well. I’m Genesis.”
He took a moment to pluck an apple off his plate, considering the contrast of the red flesh against his crimson gloves. He wondered if anything like Banora Whites grew in this world. If so, then maybe he’d have to remember the apple juice recipe that he’d come up with as a kid, he thought with a twitch of his lips. Perhaps Sephiroth would enjoy it.
“And what sort of people do you think our hosts are?” He addressed Mateus. “There are several ways to interpret the ‘real splendor of Torensten.’” Much like there were several ways to interpret Loveless. But at the end of the day, there was only one correct answer here, and he supposed they'd learn it soon enough. “My friend, your desire is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess,” he mused as he considered the apple.
The all seeing eye is watching tonight nothing to hide. secrets in sight.
Of course he hadn't been. Mateus gave a small hmpf as Genesis explained he wasn't followed as much as Mateus himself had been. A one winged angel carved from marble as far as his face would attest to was still no match for Mateus' own ability to craft ad shake his own beauty as far as he was concerned. The dressing, the makeup, the innate beauty of his own being was more than enough to convince him that he belonged in this place. Perhaps even this Genesis and even Lior, if either would have consented to Mateus' rigorous example of beauty as a commandment rather than a societal endeavor.
"Genesis," Mateus would repeat after learning the man's name, his wine glass swiveling dangerously in his hand. What had this man done or created to be named as such. Still the mystery and humor in the idea tickled Mateus enough that he'd wait for the host or hostess to touch on the matter if they deemed it fair and appropriate discussion. For now he would simply smirk and continue to drink his wine.
"As such there are," Mateus agreed raising his glass as Genesis would conjure upon who are what their host could be or what the endeavors of the night could entail. "I would desire as my experiences of the the day have entailed that we are to be treated to a decadence unknown to the world above. Food, art, wine, and a host other other arts." Mateus took a long slow sip before emptying the first bottle he enjoyed into his glass before giving a good laugh at the man's poetry. "Is that so?" he woudl tease as his glass would provide the desire he so enjoyed.
The door opened but to Mateus' dismay it was but the same mask he saw as earlier. "X, will be with you shortly. I apologize on the delay on their behalf but business needed tended too." the slightly tinny voice of a now male voice came from the cool silver draconian mask before giving a deep bow. Mateus waved them away, but they continued regardless, "X would hope you enjoy this entertainment as you await."
Before he could argue a quartet of people in tights and singular person with violin in white robe would enter all adorned with bronze mask that echoed that of the silver servant before a dance would begin. Mateus would circle them before sitting a seat next to Genesis giving him a smile. "I would have wished for dinner and a show, but I guess this will suffice," he mused watching as the dancers bodies twirled and melded their bodies into the melody of the stringed instrument. The melody reminded him of something, but he could not put his finger on it."Do you know this piece?" he would ask of Genesis before sitting back and crossing his legs as the dark ballet unfolded.
There was a slight twitch to Mateus’ lips as Genesis introduced himself, so he raised an eyebrow as the man expertly twirled his wine glass. The red liquid swished dangerously close to the edge, but not even a drop spilled out over the rim. He wondered what the man had found so funny, but he waved it aside as Mateus mused on his own assumptions about their night.
“A decadence unknown to the world above. Food, art, wine, and a host of the other arts.”
Genesis laughed under his breath, still twirling the apple that he had plucked from the fruit table in between his gloved fingers. “That sounds fantastic to me. I am rather partial to poetry and the theatre. Among other things.” He left the other things unspoken, but he cast a slightly appreciative look at the man’s elaborate, open robe out of the corner of his eye. Wherever this night ended, he assumed that he would have a fascinating story out of it for Sephiroth. Not that Sephiroth would want to hear it, but of course Genesis would tell him anyway. Maybe he’d finally loosen up now that he was away from Shinra. The goddess knew that Sephiroth needed it.
At that moment, the door opened, and Genesis glanced up to see a boy enter the room wearing the same mask in the shape of a dragon as the girl who had led him down here. The boy explained that their host was still “attending to business” but would be down shortly. Genesis cocked an eyebrow at that, glancing at Mateus to see if he found the phrasing suspicious, but he looked more annoyed by the wait than anything. Maybe that wasn’t so surprising. The man’s appearance and demeanor suggested that he was used to being waited on. He looked like an elegant prince that had stepped directly from the pages of a play. The type who would have people burnt if he didn’t get his way. Genesis could appreciate that. All stories needed a villain, after all.
After a moment, the boy bowed and ushered in five people in bronze masks. One of them wore a soft white robe that made their gender difficult to distinguish as they took up residence in one corner and placed a violin under their chin. A cluster of notes swirled out and echoed darkly around Genesis’ ears, and he settled back against the couch as the four others grouped themselves in the middle of the room and began to dance. They were fantastically talented, and he watched the way they leapt and spun perfectly in time to the sound of the violin. Their flowing sleeves twirled gracefully around them, and the dim lighting played off the shimmer in their tights. He couldn’t see their faces, but judging by their lithe and muscular builds, Genesis thought he could pick out two women and two men.
Mateus circled his way around the dancers to make his way back over towards Genesis, and he almost looked a part of them—an ethereal figure sweeping around the masked figures. Sitting nearby, he crossed his legs and considered the group as he asked Genesis if knew the piece.
“I don’t think so, but then I haven’t been in Zephon very long,” he confided with a slightly bitter smile as he glanced over towards the violin player. He was starting to get his bearings in the world, but he supposed that he still had a long way to go. Holding up the apple that he was still clutching, he considered the dancers over the top of it until the music took on a darker tone. The dancers drew closer together, and their moves became a touch more sensual. Lowering the apple, Genesis chuckled to himself as they entwined, starting to wish that he’d brought Sephiroth along on his Torensten trip after all. He would have killed to see his face at a moment like this.
“When the war of the beasts brings about the world’s end, the goddess descends from the sky,” he murmured, setting his empty plate on an end table as he stowed the apple in one of his coat pockets. It wouldn’t hurt to take a souvenir from his time here. “I do believe I’m in need of wine now that I’ve eaten.” He had to circle his way around the dancers to make his way back towards the food table, but he didn’t mind. As he drew closer towards one of the men who spun towards him and extended his arm, Genesis couldn’t resist the urge to trail two fingers over the man’s shoulder and shoot him a wink before starting to pour himself a glass. He’d never been able to resist joining a show, after all. He rather liked being the center of attention.
Making his way back towards Mateus, Genesis sprawled back against the couch and took a sip of wine, savoring the bitter taste. “If you don’t mind my asking, who exactly are you?” He asked with a faint smirk as he glanced between Mateus and the dancers. “You dress like royalty. The wind sails over the water’s surface, quietly but surely.” He paused to take a sip of wine to linger on the Loveless quote. “Or should that topic of conversation wait for dinner?” He crossed his legs in front of him, feeling the weight of the apple in his coat pocket somewhere around his chest.
The all seeing eye is watching tonight nothing to hide. secrets in sight.
Mateus only gave a small smile as he nodded along to the sinister strings and Genesis saying he hadn't been on the world long. Had he ever even bothered to learn the name of this world? Zephon. The name sounded like an over proud mage renaming themselves, but the information was nice to know. He tipped his glass forward in toast as Genesis went to grab a glass of wine. It seemed the man was a flirt as he would interject himself into the dance to play with one of the men dancing. Still it didn't disturb the piece, so Mateus had no qualms with the man's need for attention for now.
"Oh," Mateus would say as the subject of conversation came to him. Mateus took a long slow sip before broaching the subject. Who was he? That question that he had been avoiding asking himself since he arrived save for moments of pure emotional breakdown was now a topic of polite social conversation. He gave a slight laugh giving Genesis a cool once over."How perceptive."
He went for another sip only to find his glass empty. He gave it an irritated glare that it dared be empty before sitting it down and crossing his legs. "Emperor in another life, but the title hold no wait in these waters, it seems." It was true too. Everyone he had told had either been indifferent or negative to the announcement, so he had stopped calling himself as such. Though if the man wanted to be subjugated, Mateus would be more than happy to play the role. "And of yourself," he wouldn't comment what he thought the man was until he had a chance to learn more of him. "I doubt our host has left any detail to chance, I'd assume they already know what they can of us."
The violin stopped and Mateus finally glanced over to see the dancers in a tangled mess of bodies. What succulent macabre spectacle had he lost to conversation? As it finished the door would open again. "Dinner is prepared, please follow me." the young page announced his face still hidden by his silver mask. "Shall we meet our host then?" he asked Genesis already straightening his robes and following behind the page through the few hallways to the dining room.
The meal looked like it would serve a feast rather than just the he, Genesis, and their host. Every vegetable imaginable lay on trays of silver, a pig roast displayed as an option with what looked like flank of Behemoth, and seared Chocobo. Stews bubbled and potatoes steamed freshly mashed. Mateus was a little relieved the Warrior wasn't here. The man would protest such extravagance to no end, still even as the though crossed his mind he grimaced at wishing the man away. Mateus walked over to one of the seats at the head of the table where a plate and goblet sat in wait. "X will be with you momentarily," the page said closing the door. Mateus looked over to Genesis a look of confusion. "You do suppose the staff will come soon to serve?" Although Mateus had been in Zephon long enough now to know that might not be treated to the decency.
True to their word, the doors would open and in would step in X with a personal servant. Unlike the other, their mask was golden and sparkled in the lighting of the room. The figure was black and red kimono wrapped tightly round their body with sashes of deep crimson and white."Good evening, gentleman," the voice was light and breezey and profoundly feminine as it echoed behind the golden dragon mask. She reached up popping off a part of the mask that covered her mouth before walking over and sitting at the head of the table. "Excuse my tardiness, but business needed taken care of. I hope your welcome was up to your tastes." She smiled snapping bringing her servant closer. "If you'd tell him, what you'd like, he'll serve," and already he had begun pouring wine. "Now then, let's begin. I have a proposition, but first dinner and time to bond. What are both of you doing in Torensten, and are you planning on staying long?"
Genesis paused with the wine partway to his lips when Mateus offhandedly commented that he used to be an emperor. There’d been nothing but the president of Shinra during his lifetime of course, but he knew the term from various plays and histories. Genesis had been only somewhat serious when he had said that the man dressed like royalty, but it appeared that he’d been more correct than he knew. If the stories were to be believed, then emperors supposedly ruled swaths of land that would have rivaled even Shinra’s grasp on the world.
“Coming here must have been disappointing for you then,” he commented with a grimace. “What sort of empire did you rule?” Mateus didn’t seem too pleased to answer his questions, but Genesis supposed that he could understand that when the man returned them in kind.
“In another life I was a soldier,” he said with a slight face. “But I abandoned that path long before I came here. ‘My friend, the fates are cruel. There are no dreams, no honor remains.’” He took another sip of wine as the dance ended and the same attendant from before entered the room to usher them along to dinner.
The dining room was larger than he would have expected for just the trio of them, but that was nothing compared to the spread laid out on the table. Genesis whistled lowly as he glanced between the various platters of meat and vegetables. It looked like no expense had been spared, and he doubted that they could have finished the meal even with triple their numbers. It looked like something the leaders of Shinra would have indulged in. As the servant took his leave, Genesis couldn’t suppress a chuckle as Mateus wondered aloud if the staff would return to serve them.
“Your royal roots are showing,” he teased lightly. “But I’m also certain they will with how the night has been going.”
At that moment, the doors opened again and someone with a more majestic golden mask than the others strolled in confidently with their head held high. Genesis blinked slightly as it turned out that their host was female, but he supposed that he shouldn’t have been surprised. No one had ever stated a gender for X after all. Genesis kept a careful eye on her as the woman took a seat and directed her servant to begin serving them. The boy poured them each a glass of water and a glass of wine before going over to serve Mateus first.
“For you, sir?” Genesis heard him murmur as he took the man’s plate. Meanwhile, X held her wine glass in front of her, twirling it expertly though she hadn’t yet taken a drink as she informed them that she had a proposition for them once dinner had come to an end. Genesis’ interest was piqued, so he scowled slightly when she seemed determined to hold a normal conversation first, though he quickly hid his expression with a sip of wine.
“I think so. I recently moved to Torensten,” he answered her question reluctantly. “I haven’t been in Zephon for long, and I’ve mostly been wandering around up until now. But I recently found someone from my old world who lives here, and I’d prefer to stick close to him for now.” Which was a favor to Sephiroth honestly. He doubted the man knew how to function without an army or orders to stab something.
“I see,” X mused, her expression unreadable behind her mask as she took a small sip of water. “It must have been a relief to see a familiar face. I did presume that you must not have originated here.” Her large eyes flickered to the wing on his left side, but there was only curiosity in her voice, so he didn’t mind it much. He hardly wanted to delve into that unless asked though.
“And you?” X turned her attention towards Mateus as the boy placed a full plate in front of him. “You’re far too bright a jewel to have originated in Torensten. You would have stood out before now.”
Genesis glanced at Mateus, waiting to hear his answer as he adjusted the apple that he’d stowed in his coat pocket during the earlier entertainment. Truth be told, he was interested in the mysterious emperor as well.
The all seeing eye is watching tonight nothing to hide. secrets in sight.
Mateus gave Genesis a sharp look but with the smallest of smiles as he would try taunt his lineage t him. He'd take the joke this time, but he hoped his eyes promised of less than favorable outcomes if the issue was pressed. Perhaps he was right though as his face settled back into complacency. What would he even do to the man? Give him a good shock? That would probably draw rather unfavorable attention both from the man and their host. Still his attention was drawn elsewhere as the door would open and X would finally make their entrance.
An unpleasant feeling washed over him. The horns and nonchalant attitude struck too close to his heart after Genesis' had been insistent on bringing up the past. For a brief moment he allowed himself to believe this woman Hilda herself until the silkiness of her voice forbade her from being the naive girl of Flynn. Still it did nothing for his mood as he ordered a bottle of the finest wine to be brought to him as well as the finest cut of each thing entertained to them. As he set into the feast provided to him, he listened intently to the winged man and to X as they discussed their purpose in Torensten.
Mateus gave a sly smile as the conversation would come to him. "I've been here some time. Oh I've been through these streets many a time, perhaps your glance was elsewhere." He noticed the slight purse from X's lips at this proclamation which only fueled by wine made him bolder. "Torensten is a bore at the moment. I only stay because," and that's what hit him the hardest. Why was he here. The warrior had been gone so long and their relations never more than furitive glances at understanding. Still the weight of it made him feel guilty for trying to cast him aside, "A companion of mine asked I stay for the time being." What was Lior up to in his "urgent mission" perhaps it was someone else that occupied his thoughts now. Matues stabbed his steak with such ferocity that the juice flew to his napkin threatening to hit his outfit. Still perhaps the journey proved harder than imagined. Perhaps he had his own tower to climb. "So here I'll stay for the time being."
And what else was there to do. X smiled at him in turn before looking at both of them her eyes hidden behind the plate of draconian gold. "Well then," she said not seeming to eat anything. "What is it that you both truly desire from this city?"
The servant boy finished bringing Mateus his food before sweeping over to Genesis, and he glanced at the boy’s mask sharply for a moment, wondering why even the servants chose to hide their faces. Still, X was engaged in conversation with the majestic blond man at the moment, so he doubted he’d get a chance to ask before they were finished. Pointing out a few dishes that he’d enjoyed back in Midgar, Genesis settled back in his chair and sipped his wine as Mateus answered what he was doing in Torensten.
He chose to needle their host a little, which made Genesis smirk into his glass. But when he finally gave an honest answer, Genesis was surprised to hear the slight hesitance in his voice before he mentioned a companion who had asked him to stay. It was clearly not a topic that Mateus wished to dwell on, because he skewered his steak with more force than was necessary as soon as the words left his painted lips. Clearly he and whoever he was living with were having some difficulties. “Oh? You two must be quite close. That’s always beautiful to see.” Genesis raised his glass to him slightly as a full plate of choice meats and vegetables was placed in front of him. He wasn’t trying to be mocking (well maybe a little), but he thought the man would give something away in his reaction. If Mateus and his partner were going through a rough patch, then Genesis was happy to show him an enjoyable evening before flitting back to where Sephiroth was waiting at Zack’s house.
X went on to ask what they both truly desired out of Torensten, and Genesis hesitated slightly, twirling his fork around some asparagus. But in the end, the weight of the apple in his coat pocket made his answer easy. “The gift of the goddess,” he proclaimed boldly, and while X didn’t seem to miss a beat, her lips twitched faintly into a laugh below her mask.
“I was told that you enjoy poetry. It can be quite the enjoyable art form,” she said smoothly, and Genesis’ opinion of her improved immensely despite the sketchiness of the entire situation. “However, I could take that in several different ways, and I was hoping to get to know both of you without any ambiguity. So if you don’t mind…”
Genesis scowled faintly, though he supposed that he didn’t really mind translating. “A fresh start,” he finally said. “To do everything here that I wasn’t able to in my own world. And of course, to be entertained. I can’t stand to be bored by someone.” He gave her a pointed look as he laced his next line with Loveless. “My friend, do you fly away now? To a world that abhors you and I? All that awaits you is a somber morrow, no matter where the winds may blow.”
X’s eyes behind her mask looked a little piercing for a moment before she laughed softly. “Well, then I certainly hope you’ve enjoyed the entertainment that we’ve provided for you thus far,” she murmured, before turning her attention back to Mateus.
Genesis watched him as well as he finally took a bite of fish. He hoped that they’d get to the point of their masks soon, but he had a feeling that might be explained during X’s mysterious proposition. Pity that patience was never his strong suit.
