Norbert, having cleaned off and finished dressing, Luck patted it down and fixed up the tuxedo to ensure there wasn't anything wrong with it. Ironing out the creases like any good mother would do for their son before going to prom. She placed the sword back next to the door and waved to Norbert as the butler opened it. Motes of golden light appeared where she was before dissipating into the air.
Norbert turned towards the butler, knowing why he was there, and nodded before walking out, placing his hand on the sword. “Will this be required?” he asked the butler, tapping it with his finger.
The butler looked down at the weapon, and for the first time, Norbert saw an emotion come over his face—a grin that could only be described as evil with a hint of playfulness.
Norbert looked at his teeth, seeing them completely black, not a hint there; feeling his attention become trapped within, Norbert ripped his eyes away, his heartbeat already at a blazing pace.
“Though it would be funny to see, it wouldn't be required, nor would the mask. Guests need no fear for safety whilst within the lady's manor,” the butler spoke to Norbert his voice drifting off, no longer talking to Norbert but someone or something else.
Conceding to the man, knowing to get on neither his nor Vivienne's wrong side, if even the door handles could be dangerous to him. Giving a nod, Norbert took off the metal mask that was on his head, feeling naked without having it on.
Walking out of the room, as the door closed behind him, Norbert realized as he looked down on himself that all his characterizing features weren't him. Hearing something slithering and sliding downstairs, he was led to another room, and he hoped what he thought wouldn't be happening.
“She wouldn't dare,” Norbert spoke aloud, hoping someone would pick up on his distress.
As he had always seen, the butler's face was average, with no hint of emotion. Only the eyes betrayed him, a twinkle of knowledge and joy from what Norbert would soon see. The butler's mouth stayed firmly shut as Norbert was led down the stairs without his gloves on. Norbert used the handrail, the material feeling cold to the touch, trying to sap the life out of him.
Making it to the bottom of the stairs, Norbert turned around. The place had shifted, for where the drawing room used to be now was a long dining hall. Norbert could only see the table there. There were chairs on either end, cutlery and plates in front of the high-backed chairs.
In the centre, Norbert saw lines of candelabras lighting the room table, their flickering light dancing over the metal plates, causing the others to come together and reflect there as well. Walking through the doors, the butler stood on the side, not entering after Norbert as he looked at the table, causing himself to pause there for a moment.
Sat at the head, Norbert saw Vivienne smiling and indicating to one of the empty seats beside her. On the opposite side, Norbert saw Sally and the commander, both staring at him for a fraction of a moment before returning and turning back to Vivienne. Only a twinkle of recognition before being stamped out, not wanting to draw attention from the reptile in the room.
The last guest Norbert had heard before caused him to freeze in his place. Sitting there, on a special seat to allow the tail to stick out the other end, was a Kreevss. Their yellow, scaly skin flickered in the light, Norbert seeing it have a sheen that he hadn't seen before.
It caught the light like the cutlery and plates currently filling the table. Norbert turned to the seat beside the Kreevss that Vivienne had gestured to. Gulping as he sat down, he bowed slightly to them as he landed down at his empty plate.
Norbert tuned out the conversation as he sat next to one of the Kreevss, wondering when this entire thing would blow up in all of their faces. Everyone turned towards him as the food was placed in front of him. He nodded with a smile and a wave, turning his attention to the food now in front of him, the aroma wafting up towards him.
Noticing the conversation grow quiet, all eyes turned towards him, “Sorry, what was that? I did quite hear you?” Norbert asked around the table, making eye contact with everyone and seeing who had spoken to him.
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Vivienne smiled as she said, “Kaa, here. Was wondering how you're enjoying the tournament so far.” She asked Norbert.
Norbert stared blankly at Vivienne, knowing the woman didn't give any extra helpful knowledge. He knew he couldn't just tell the truth about his fighting and let the resulting war crime out to everyone. Knowing he would instantly get strung up.
“This is my First time making it over here compared to watching from afar—It's a different atmosphere. But the real killer is the price of everything,” Norbert said, letting his explanation trail off, hoping it would be enough not to wade any deeper into the pool of misfortune currently lapping at his toes.
Vivienne smiled at his remark, and Kaa nodded their heads, turning back to the rest of the conversation. The new guests had lost their interest as they stabbed their fork into their food, causing the table to rattle.
“Do you dare to continue to hide the black-masked man who insulted my people?” Kaa said, glaring at Sally sitting there. “And what are you doing, Captain Oblek? You meant to be neutral and find this person!” at the end, Kaa shouts, and all formalities of being tactful go out the window.
Vivienne steps in, stopping either Sally or Oblek from stepping in. “the reason why I am here is to stop allegations like that from either side,” Vivienne says, looking between Oblek and Kaa, her heavy words filling the room.
Kaa looked silently between them. “Are you going to elaborate or give more details on this persons presence?” They said, looking towards Oblek.
The captain looked impassively at the lizard person, not registering that they were even being talked to about it. With a harrumph, they pushed their empty plate forward, away from themselves.
“I believe there is nothing more to gain from this conversation; I will leave.” Kaa said to Vivienne.
The witch was smiling, waving towards the door as Norbert heard it open. Turning around in his chair, Norbert saw the butler there, standing to the side of the open doorway. Kaa left as Norbert saw the butler close the doors behind the Kreevss. There was a hint of a smile on their face from the situation that had just occurred.
As the door closed, everyone was quiet for a moment. Norbert counted in his head how long it would take until someone said anything, breaking the silence. He made it to twenty before Vivienne spoke. “Wasn't that interesting?” she asked around.
Captain Oblek just snorted as he left the room. Not wanting to be in the presence of the witch or their guest anymore. Without even saying a word to Norbert or Sally, he left, the butler once more opening the door and following behind. Norbert lost track of the pair as the door to the dining room closed. The snake's head once more, looking towards him.
“Why the hell did you do that?” Norbert instantly said to the witch, holding the knife in his hand; his anger slightly decreased as he went for another piece of meat, cutting it up and placing it in his mouth, letting it melt.
“That little play, is the easiest way to remove suspicion from you and all of us,” Vivienne said, pointing around the table, before adding on, “and because it's entertaining,” she said to him.
“You're sounding more like Count von Count, so please stop.” Norbert said to Vivienne.
The witch was about to open her mouth when Sally interrupted her. What are you doing in this place? Vivienne said something about another guest, but I never knew it was you.” She said to Norbert.
Shrugging his shoulders, Norbert turned towards Sally. “Thought you wouldn't that surprised by now.” He said to her.
Only receiving a nod in return, Sally turned to Vivienne, “Don't burn us all playing these games. And Norbert, be careful.” She said as she also went up from the table, finishing it. The doors once more opened up for her as the butler closed them.
Oblek turns to Norbert, “Any closer?” The question rang around in the air, Norbert trying to remember what the captain could be referring to.
With a shake of his head about finding the witch, Oblek did not respond as he followed out after Sally. With only the two in there, Norbert turned to Vivienne as he continued eating, the other plates having been emptied.
“Was that necessary?” He asked the witch.
“It is not for me, but it is helpful for yourself. Flaunting yourself around allows you to walk above without being suspect, even though your name is the same," Vivienne explained to Norbert.
Nodding his head at a concerted point, he brought out his identity card for Morenas and the token used for the tournament. Neither of these others will ask about it, as it is rude to procure if not part of the agency that handed it out, "Vivienne told Norbert as he placed them back in their appropriate spots.
Norbert nodded in understanding as he sat there thinking over the conversation, “I hope you do want me to kill Kaa.” Norbert told Vivienne, “It would be a shame with all their sparkly scales.” Vivienne only nodded in response as Norbert took another bite, a thought coming to him: “If the Kreevss don’t want to be associated with lizards, then what do they want to be associated with?” Norbert asked Vivienne.
“Dragons.” She replied with a single word.
Norbert winced in pain, realizing the errors in his way—It's the the same as calling a bunch of people monkeys; yes I deserve all the hate then," Norbert asked her. The witch only takes another bite of food in response.