Theo Anders and the Black Exaltation[Worm/Exalted][Hiatus]

Sabah. Is. On. The. Ground.

The world seems to slow for a moment as all sorts of thoughts and plans race through your mind. You settle on one.

You are a Prince. The Dark Prince. Let none dispute this.

It is by your words those lesser than you are plucked from the mud of namelessness and lifted to places of high honor.

It is by your words those lesser than you are cast into absolute darkness, deemed unfit for even life in the mud.

You are a Lord of Lords. You bearing and behavior states this simple fact to the world's very weave. It was accepted by all you saw your deeds and actions, by all who heard your words.

You power, cold as death, flows through you, allowing your already keen eyes to pluck more from the scene. You see the hero worship of the redhead for Shadow Stalker, the dislike the other Wards held for the former vigilante. Of how the 'hero' saw the redhead as hers. You saw and knew all of it.

"My apologies," you give Vista a small smile as you turn fully to your destination, "I fear we must postpone our talk."

With that properly taken care of, you saunter (with purpose and with power flowing) imperiously past the other Wards, who only just beginning to react. Past the young socialites gathered, all whose looks are judging you for how you are handling this.

Just as Sabah begins to sputter out her denial, you impose yourself between her and Shadow Stalker, displacing the latter. Offering a warm smile, you pull your courtier, your Sabah, to her feet. There is blatant relief in her eyes, as well as copious amounts of fear.

Not at you, but at the situation.

You raged, your anger burned hot and fierce. You push it down, deep into your heart to cool.

The smile you aim at Shadow Stalker leaves no doubt of what you think of her and her actions and completely dismisses the redhead. Your dismissal was total, absolute. As attractive as she was, she had proven with words her worthlessness, how she was a lackey, and thus not worth your attention anymore than a misbehaving lapdog. More than that, you made it clear to everyone else she was not worth their time either.

Maybe, just maybe, if she had apologized or attempted to smooth things over, rather than back Shadow Stalker, she wouldn't suddenly be a social outcast in the group she aspired to. First impressions mattered, and she was now the pretty, shallow girl who best served as a silent, living accessory.

The way someone stood, the way they spoke, these things could say just as much as any amount of words. You were a Prince, and she... she was less than you.

"While I admire your," you take a breath and pretend to look for a fitting word, "zeal in desiring to protect the virtue of the girl my companion was speaking to, I do not believe it was necessary to assault her, given the misunderstanding you are operating under."

And it was true, your words had a visible effect in the crowd, even Vista who had appeared at your side a moment after you had begun speaking. Those words changed their perceptions and attitudes about the situation. Certainly, Sabah hadn't been at fault, Shadow Stalker had simply seen something, misinterpreted it and over-reacted. With violence. Against a harmless civilian.

After all -

"Not when my dear Sabah here is a fashion designer, and the girl did mention she was a model for some," again you pause for effect, "minor fashion magazines and catalogs of assorted small clothiers."

You kept your eyes on Shadow Stalker and gesticulate during all of this, certainly not backing down in the face of your lesser's defiant stare. She was a cape, but she was in a social position, one where she couldn't leverage her power, where she couldn't fight. Where she was nothing more than prey being run down by a noble hunter . This was the truth, obvious and clear-cut.

You were a prince.

More than that, you the alpha male present, and your very essence sang that truth to the world. That you were a charming prince who treated fairly with those who did likewise. To those who struggled against you, you were the most terrible of spectres, the Abyssal Dark Prince who beguiled and belittled them with words wielded like a rapier.

"I can certainly understand and sympathize that you are most used to a more... agressive environment, however, I believe that you owe my companion an apology."

You kept your eyes locked onto the Ward and tilted you head slightly. It was distantly possible that she could snap, that she would attack you, but you were luckily ready for that. You had taken an hors d'oeuvres with you, and kept the small toothpick sword. It would be something, at least.

But you suspected that she would take an out if given.

"And that would be that, yes?"

Shadow Stalker's chest began to move before she was cut off.

"Shadow Stalker," came Vista's very hard voice, laced with disapproval.

There was a titter of nervous laughter from one of the... oh, it was the one you dismissed.

"Fine," the dark Ward bit out, "Sorry, I over-reacted."

She didn't sound very sorry and all present knew that.

Finally, much too late, the soon-to-be-leader of the Wards Aegis arrived with Kid Win in tow.

"Stalker, with me. Miss Sabah, was it? I'm terribly sorry."

You watch them leave for only a fraction of a second before turning to Sabah. There are unshed tears in her eyes.

"Will you be alright?"

She nods.

"Just," she swallows thickly, "just gonna need a sec."

"Excuse me," comes an adult male voice, "I need to ask you a few questions."

You take in a breath, and turn ready to completely explode on the cretin who would interrupt you comforting your Sabah. The wind in your sails is taken out abruptly as you see its Velocity. You still want to lay into him, but a member of the Protectorate is far different game than a Ward. He's also looking at you and not Sabah.

"Vista, can you?" he makes a vague gesture.

You look back at Sabah, with a questioning glance. You are more than willing to tell them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine right now. But she's already in the tender care of Vista, who is leading her away. Though the older girl does spare you a look and a smile.

She will be alright.

"Don't worry about you friend," Velocity's hand comes down on your shoulder in a very unappreciated gesture, "Vista is the second best Ward to have comforting someone. Only Gallant is better at it."

You turn to Velocity, subtly knocking his hand off your shoulder.

"I believe you had questions," you say gesturing off to a slightly more secluded area.

You spend the next ten minutes answering the same questions, if differently worded, over and over again. You patience is wearing thin, and you are actively contemplating disemboweling the hero, when Max shows up and berates the man for questioning you without him present.

"-If you need anything else you can contact our lawyers! Questioning a minor without legal consult or a parent present over anything! How dare-"

The horribly offended rant is hissed quietly as to not draw attention to it, but you father gets his message across. 'Leave him the fuck alone, he just cleaned up YOUR mess.'

Then you spend the next three minutes answering your father's questions. Thankfully, he believes you the first time. One question is particularly pertinent.

"She's a lesbian?" Max asks with a frown.

"Not as much as she thinks she is," you say and subtly gesture to your forehead, "but far, far more inclined to enjoy the company of women than men."

"Tell her that she could keep that quiet within earshot of certain people. Or she should find a 'beard' she is comfortable with being associated with," he indicates you with a small gesture, "if she intends to frequent our circles. Nessa and Jessica are the most likely to be understanding of her tendencies, given their own, but Aaron, Ophelia, several others, and the entry level positions would.. punish her."

Seeing as you've walked in on Jessica and Nessa enjoying each other, you can understand why they'd be the most understanding. Of course, they were identical twins and considered it masturbation. Still, you had been in the end phase 'girls are icky' stage of your life, and purged the actual memory from your brain.

Damn your younger self!

You nod.

"I'll make sure she knows."

And the two of you part, back to your own contemporary social circles. You go looking for Sabah and Vista, but are quickly intercepted by a fast moving Amy Dallon.

"You're Theo Anders!" she says out of breath and with a smile.

"You're Amy Dallon," you counter dryly and with a small smile that sends her blushing, "Have you seen Sabah?"

Something dark flits across her face, before she resumes smiling.

"Um, I think I saw her go to the bathroom after Vista finished talking with her," the world-renowned healer looks down for a moment then back up, "Could I, um, talk to you for a moment? In private?"

What Do?:
[] Go with Amy
[] Go to the are near the bathrooms to wait for Sabah
- [] Amy can come with
- [] Amy can't come with
[] Sabah said she would be alright. She can come find you when she's ready. Select a new group to target.
- [] Write in
-- [] Amy can come with
-- [] Amy can't come with
[] Write in

Social Targets - A repeat of Wards will be directed at Vista. A repeat of the younger generation of New Wave is unavailable, as they've scattered to the winds(Dean is with his parents, as is Eric(with his). Amy is right in front of you, and Vicky is somewhere). Armsmaster should be available the snip after the next one. General socialization is locked in at minor interactions, no more can you go forth and get panties for an extended period of time.

=====

You have 3 major interactions left and 4 minor. Anything with Amy will eat up at least a minor depending on sub-votes and stunts.

Vista got in a good roll(which is why she got to speak up and shut down Stalker from responding any way other than apologizing), and TDP fucking nailed it(10 successes after auto suxxes). Aegis rolled like shit though, which is why he was so late to the party.

Exquisite Etiquette Style isn't running right now.

(Totally meta knowledge right now, but Sabah managed to score you an autograph. Sabah has successfully gained Theo Anders (Super Awesome (and Sexy??) Guy Friend))

XP Gain: 4 xp

Mote gain: -6 motes

XP Purchases:
[] Purchase
- [] Write in
[] Bank

You have a chance to more accurately define what Sabah means to you as an intimacy.

Sabah (???):
[] Write in
[] No, don't like her that much