Don't Sneak Up On Me Like That [Valentin]

[Oliver]

16th Glade 122

As usual, Oliver had been getting use to his favorite place. The gym. A room full of obstacles, vault swings and various contraptions that aren't made for the average man, but more for the person who liked the forward challenges in life. The essence of the daredevil was in Oliver as he would begin his lap across the assault course, pouncing onto the bars. The sound of the air as he swung himself around was like music to his ear as he stopped; forcing his upper body strength as he suspended himself upwards. His hands shaking through the need to maintain the balance upon the pole. His grip tightened as he swung himself once again in circular motions as he let go.

The momentum of the swings flung him in the air as she spun in cycles of dizzying somersaults, before landing safely onto the balancing podium. He bent his knees as he maintained his balance further, jumping across stepping stone after stepping stone until he reached a further obstacle. He step back and took a running jump as he hurled himself at the rope, where he used his body strength to swing himself towards a course of trapezes; from which he would grab and swing with such grace, keeping his posture moving as he swung forward and grabbed them one by one, before finally landing firmly on his feet amongst the gym floor.

He was back on his ground as the alarm clock would ring. A smirk would enter his face as he looked at the time, with a designated one minute and ten seconds on the clock "New record, although I wish it was more challenging." He said as he would place a towel over his shirtless and sweat driven body. Every ounce of muscle seemed to glisten in perfection as he had finished his work out. He would take a huge glug of water, before splashing it upon himself like he needed to cool off. He was inflamed with heat, he didn't seem like he was panting either.

[Valentin]

Ill-named, ill-tempered, and now, most especially, ill-timed.

"Oliver."

In the time it took Oliver's towel to cross the line of his eyes, a single instant of fluffy white blindness, his brother appeared in front of him. There was no sound, no rush of air or sensation. One moment Oliver was alone with his quiet triumph in the gym, and in the next moment his brother was a foot from his face.

"I just got the mail from your woman-" If Valentin knew the name of his brother's assistant, he'd certainly never given any indication. Still, Valentin wasn't one to let people around him escape his notice, so perhaps he just called her that to be an asshole. "And I saw the letter from the shipyards. Tell me that you're playing some sort of elaborate prank, and that you have not been looking to charter ships to Ecith again."

Although he was in the middle of the estate gym, Valentin was dressed for business, as usual. Black tie, black slacks, polished shoes and a coat the hues of which the discerning reader will likely have guessed. He clutched the offending shipyard missive in one hand, though it wasn't addressed to him. Valentin was quite accustomed to reading and handling documents which weren't his.

"For gods' sake, brother!" Valentin seemed unusually exasperated, unable to cling to his usual snobby facade, "Can you not bear to stay in Gel'Grandal for more than a week at a time? I'm frankly shocked the Dean hasn't tossed you on the street, as many classes as they've had to cover on your behalf!"

[Oliver]

Oliver heard the voice; it's sinister low tone made him roll his eyes as Valentin appeared in front of him "You really need to stop sneaking up on me like that." He crossed his arms, he was slightly taller than the other man, meaning if the man would try and size him up, he would win by an inch. However, he didnt entertain his brother's need for competition; he was smart and intelligent enough not to engage in acts of resentment.

His eyes steered over to the side as he mentioned his 'woman.' He wondered if that was an attack on the assistant's masculinity as he knew he was a asshole, although he wouldn't result into lashing out back. His method was even better. Kill the man with kindness "Ahh, yes." He laughed as he shook his head "Almost forgot about that, but isn't it impolite to read someone elses mail?" He asked. He knew Valentin was an auditor after all, a shady one in fact. There was a different demeanour to the man. Concern? Worry? There was no telling what the man was thinking. He was always shady at the best of times; Oliver knew that, but chose to listen and take heed.

"Ecith? Who mentioned anything about chartering ships to Ecith?" He said pretending like nothing ever happened. He raised an eyebrow with a cocky smirk as he leant against the punching bag stand and made eye contact "Oh brother! Why do you worry yourself so much, the Dean is fully aware of my work and it's constitutional meaning to the Imperial Mandate." He laughed as he rolled his eyes, knowing how exaggerated as he moved closer and patted him on his shoulder

[Valentin]

"The Imperial mandate?"

Oh, that was a barb. Valentin fumed at that one. What would Oliver, thrill-seeker with not a care in his life for the intricacies and vagaries of the court of Gel'Grandal, know about his constitutional duties to the Emperor? Which of the two had spent the last decade in quiet, faithful service to ensure that the Imperial will was always respected, that the cracks between the disparate planks of authority throughout the empire were always filled with pitch? Had Oliver ever held a gun to a man's head and pulled the trigger, just because he- no, this wasn't a good time to be remembering that.

(But which of the two was going to have yet another song written about them, performed in the halls of power? And which was going to have to sit and listen silently?)

"Ahem. I'm sure your sacrifices are well-taken by the school, and by all those students who gave up on more sensible careers just for the chance to be taught by substitutes in your classes." That was better. Fuming was all well and good in private, but sincere anger opened up vulnerabilities. Valentin had learned long ago that poisonous sarcasm was unassailable.

He raised a hand, as if to hand Oliver his letter, then Blinked again as Oliver laid a hand on his shoulder. This time, Valentin reappeared several steps behind his brother, facing away, appraising the gym as though he'd never seen it before. This was a little trick he'd learned in dealing with taller men, especially of those races who towered over humankind- it didn't matter who had the height advantage if you forced them to move to face you.

"Fine, you're right, it's none of my business. Just make sure you tell Cecelia this time-" Another cold peculiarity, Valentin had insisted on using his parent's names, even in private conversations, "You know how she relies on your presence when she's badgering her friends to come to her parties."

[Oliver]

He stared at his brother as he rolled his eyes; he was petty and insecure about his own life, knowing that he profiteered from making lives a misery rather than pursuing a passion he had. Maybe Valentin would've been more happier in life. Though, there was no surprise that both had demons to deal with. Inner demons. They crawled through as they are the pieces that put humanity together. Emotions were high, but Oliver would always persevere through the needle sharp wit of Valentin; his literal, toxic sarcasm was always a constant battle that Oliver had to deal with.

Sometimes I wish he could stand to be nicer at times He thought. Perhaps he took his job too seriously, knowing that there was nothing in his heart but black, cold darkness. A snake that slithered around his every inside as depicted in the various paintings of the Graveplague. Still, he would pay the man a favor in kindness, but would act upon throwing some insults back his way as a measure of self defense "Well, all I can say is; your career may have got you far in life but your not very well liked are you?" He added with a shrug, knowing that Valentin would flail in anger.

"Anyway, instead of teleporting from your problems, why not face them?" He would further add with a smirk. Oliver was always the brat who would try and come up with reasons for competing with his brother. However, those reasons became less friendlier since his ascent to fame. Perhaps there was deep envy that Oliver had something that he didn't have. Sure, a stable job was everything in life, but Oliver found it more fulfilling to earn the things in life, rather than dabble in the likes of bureaucracy. It was his choice weither he followed in his grandfather's footsteps

"I'll be upstairs in the shower, then I'll be down for dinner." He said with a smile as he left the comforts of his gym, knowing the family would be excited that he was joining them for dinner.

It was somewhat exhausting for the man to juggle tasks, but he didn't mind it. It made him more humble; it was something his brother needed to learn. A lesson in humility. Perhaps that would make him more likable.

[Valentin]

Valentin didn't take much offense at Oliver's attempt at a dig. Not very well liked? Valentin pondered, What does that matter? None of the people in love with Oliver's public image and famed exploits knew the man. Influence, fame, power... Valentin had enough self-reflection to admit that he envied others those things, but none of the people whose places he dreamed of taking were likeable. Power begat friends enough to last any man.

As for teleporting from his problems? Well, on the other hand, it also meant that you always got the last word.

"Perhaps I do have a tendency to let my problems simmer too long, Oliver." Valentin smiled, and it almost looked genuine, "But they've yet to cause me to flee the country, let alone do it twice."

With that, Valentin was gone, Oliver's letter fluttering lightly to the gym floor, a last act of quiet pettiness.

~ ~ ~

Valentin gathered himself after the Vault to his office in the house- he never let anyone see him breathing heavily, if he could manage it- and then took another minute to carefully smooth Oliver's words out of his mind. It didn't matter what Oliver thought of him, but his brother refused to listen to him about the matter of Ecith. He knew that it all seemed to be working out great for Oliver and his doting parents for the time being, but Valentin knew full well that a few lucky breaks preceded disaster. Even if Oliver wasn't captured or killed in some green-pelt pit (and Valentin knew his brother well enough; such a thing was only a matter of time) being an upjumped celebrity in the capital of the Imperium eventually meant that that some jealous power in the Court would finger him for the Inquisition's notice.

And that could sink not just Oliver, but the entire family.

No, he needed some way to make his brother settle, to direct his energies elsewhere. But what?

[Oliver]

After, Valentin disappeared, Oliver rolled his eyes and caught his papers. Hillary had walked into the gym after Oliver was finished and raised an eyebrow as he caught a glimpse of Valentin disappearing again. "Valentin being Valentin again?" He asked as he rolled his eyes. He knew from the eight years of service with Valentin and Oliver's family, that there was once a bond between the two brothers, that had been broken by one thing. Jealousy. It was something which saddened the butler who had been serving the parameters of his family for quite a while.

Oliver did his best to remain stoic and confident about the situation, but deep down he knew it was getting somewhat petty. With that thought, a nice shower would ease the skin of the situation "Yes, quite right. Oh well, shower time. He said as he left the gym.

~~~

Oliver went up to his room and stripped off his clothes as he stepped into the shower. The water glossed his skin, accentuating his muscular and athletic build that he had earnt through excessive training and practice. It was probably no wonder that Valentin had been so envious of Oliver. Smart, intelligent, good looking and yet dangerously thrill seeking. He turned around as he heard someone come into the room. He narrowed his eyes with caution as they glowed blue for a moment, wondering if he could sense things. He realised that Hillary had come into the room with some clothes. Formal clothes.

He smirked in retort as he rolled his eyes, before turning off the shower and getting out. At that moment, he wrapped the white towel around his waist, covering his nether regions. He walked out casually to the sight of Hillary holding a formal suit, shoes and slacks in his hands, along with a white shirt which Oliver rolled his eyes "Very funny, Hillary."

"I'm only trying to turn you into a gentleman" Oliver sighed as he stripped the towel off in front of Hillary and placed it on the bed as his glutes were exposed. The butler was shocked at such a risque move that he sighed and he shook his head "And a gentleman should be modest."He responded to the sudden predicament of Oliver being naked right in front of him. At the end of the day, Oliver didn't go by the rules in most cases. He made things go his own way, that's why he was successful "You're quite correct, Hillary. A gentleman should be modest" He smirked, making direct eye contact with the butler before going into his wardrobe and slotting something semi formal on for dinner.

~~~

Oliver entered the dining room as he noticed his father and mother sat around, but no sign of Valentin. He smiled as he walked through, before Cecilia bouted out in joy "Oh! What a joy... Victor look who it is." She shouted out as Oliver laughed in a hint of shyness, knowing how tiring dinner would be with the family. He was grateful for doing something right for his family, but sometimes the fame could be tiring. His name was plastered across the Imperium so it would seem. The next irritating thing would probably be Oliver doing magitech TV commercials. Sometimes the fame would give him anxiety, knowing he could also be an easy target. Especially to those who would want to take advantage of him.

[Valentin]

By the time Cecilia had finished with her jubilation, Valentin's seat had filled. With Valentin.

He was in the seat.

"Yes, yes, it's a wonderful reunion for all, most assuredly."

The shift in the mood of the room was subtle, but unmistakable. It wasn't that Cecelia or Victor disliked Valentin, exactly- he was still perfectly polite with them, as custom obligated- but they were both aware that the two brothers at the same table meant an awkward dinner. If Valentin noticed the change, however, he did not acknowledge it.

"I imagine everyone here has heard the news, by now." Valentin liked being the bearer of news, good or bad. It was one of those small ways you could hold connections in the Imperial government over others. "There's war brewing among our neighbors in the northeast."

That had been widely reported in on the Relay already, but Valentin kept going: "And that means they're ramping up security at home. Not because we're in any danger of an invasion, of course, but this... instability... is likely to afflict much of Karnor. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Inquisition asks that we increase the frequency of our reporting, as they try to keep the homeland out of any of that nastiness."

Valentin gestured to the decanter of wine sitting at the other end of the table, motioning to it like one might with a pet. The space around the bottle twisted, the beverage blinking out of reality momentarily, only to reappear in his hand. He poured it casually, stoppering the crystal vessel and setting it down again.

"Now I wouldn't dream of telling anyone here what they ought to be doing, but this is just the climate to focus on matters at home. Travel gets scrutinized more heavily, you know, and it's service in times of uncertainty which sticks in the minds of those in power."

[Oliver]

Valentin's presence made Cecilia and Victor look at each other as they pretended to smile, knowing that Valentin and Oliver together were tense. They initially knew it was a source of jealous, that he was the one who delivered the family's name from potential ruin. However, Oliver's passion and drive stood relentless, unlike most people who were pessmistic in this society; Oliver did not let anyone affect him "Ahh, Valentin. Have a seat, where just chowing down to dinner" Cecilia asked as Valentin filled the seat with his presence.

Eventually, Oliver sat down as he looked up at Valentin with a small smile as he listened to what was the news; however, Oliver knew exactly what they were talking about at the Academy. He had planned to take a look at some ruins in the Zerapheshi desert moments ago, but it appeared that those plans appeared to be thwarted by the war"You mean the war between, Kalzasi and the Fatherland, Zaichaer? There goes some plans I had." He said, bursting the other man's bubble as he knew what it meant to be the bearer of news. Oliver was incredibly blunt when it came to his reactions as he said things without mincing words. Sometimes, this was seen as harsh depending on the context.

Oliver listened to Valentin waffle on about the situation as he remained quite before he tilted his head "With the war on that end, that means it's going to be difficult to get by. That does make things terribly difficult; but I'm sure theres always a way around things. After all Valentin, it's not what you know. It's who you know" He smirked as he gave him that piece of advice, wanting Valentin to process that for a moment as the context of travel appeared to be something that he reached for the decanter of wine after Valentin was finished with it and removed the cap, before pouring himself a glass as he reached for the glasses of Cecilia and Victor "Well, that means the medical force might be under alot of stress then, what if our forces are sent over to help our comrades in Zaichaer" Cecilia wondered as Victor laughed "Aye, I think you two boys though, need a valuable lesson, especially you Valentin. I've been talking with your mother, about this and we feel we ought to throw some words of wisdom down" He said as Oliver crossed his arms and tilted his head, listening as he placed a forkful of steak and sweet potato mash "United we stand, divided we fall" He said before raising a toast with his glass.

Oliver always knew Victor for his awkward rhetoric at lunch, but they did has philosophical reasoning to their meaning. Perhaps, his father had learnt from lessons previously. Who knows what he might have been through.

[Valentin]

"I see. Well, thank you, Victor."

Valentin's tone was not that of a man grateful for some pearl of wisdom, but rather of one who has just heard some fearsome hypocrisy and is trying to process it. "United we stand, you say? But one has to ask- united in what? My goal has never been anything but the preservation of this family."

The man allowed himself a moment to calm down, to avoid the trap of growing riled by Oliver's inexpert jibes. He would try to be patient, to make them see reason. To understand that the danger was too great, however much they loved being the center of attention at parties- or, in Oliver's case, of having schoolgirls fawning all the time.

"I'm asking you to listen, once. Just once! The Imperium has grown turbulent. The war will not stay in Karnor, and if our dear Oliver insists on these adventures, we're all going to wind up under the glass from one Inquisitor or another. Whether or not you like it, the powers that be in Gel'Grandel will not fail to ensnare you in their games, and those are deadly. If you would all just hunker down for a few seasons, stay the course, don't attract more attention..."

Well, now he was raising his voice. And all they would hear was jealousy. Of course he was jealous, but he was also right, dammit!

And of all places, not Ecith. In Alexander's time, the worst you had to worry about were the natives, still fuming over the fall of Ailos. Now, though, with the pirates increasing their raids on Imperium freight and the Dawnmartyrs rising again in Karnor, Oliver's damned obsession with their grandfather's stupid legacy was going to get Imperial suspicion on all of them. How could they fail to see it? What could possibly be in those ruins to justify such a thing?