In Honour of Tirva
Tirva’s Eve
The sun was just beginning to set over the small lake outside of Lucena on the Beth Plateau. On the shores of the lake was the ben Ishak house. The property was quite large, surrounded by a short wall with a beautiful arch above the driveway. The drive continued for a few hundred feet once inside the walls, passing through a meticulously cared for garden that featured rare and beautiful plants from all of Veodor.
At the end of the driveway, which formed a circle around a large fountain, sat the ben Ishak house. It was an older house, looking a few centuries old at the least, but had clearly been renovated to keep with the times. A few cars were already parked along the driveway and every light in the house seemed to be turned on.
Hayden arrived, driving one of his cars, a beautiful model, well made and expensive from a known car manufacturer in Sicaria, it made the most wonderful roar when you put it in gear. He found a place and parked the car before getting out, he wore a beautiful black shirt, with dark blue jeans and his watch on his wrist as he went up to the door and rang the doorbell. He had made sure to be presentable here, first time impressions and so forth would be a shame to have wasted.
After a moment a well looking older man opened the door, a smile on his face and a glass of what appeared t o be scotch in his hand. He looked to be about fifty years old, had a neatly trimmed grey beard, and wore a collared shirt underneath a sweater and blazer, as well as a pair of jeans. “Mr. Severt, come in, come in, we’ve been expecting you!”
Hayden returned the smile and went inside. “Hello, I take it you are Sara’s father, it's a pleasure to meet you.” He said as he looked around and extended his hand, hoping to be polite and give a good impression.
“Ha,” The man laughed, shaking his head as he shook Hayden’s hand. “I should certainly hope not. Francisco Rezzoni, at your service.” He performed a mock bow, complete with unnecessary hand flourish, ah, like the damn nobles, before showing Hayden into the foyer, a room that seemed to be made almost entirely of a light pinkish marble.
“Ah.” Hayden said, slightly embarrassed. “Well, it's an honour meeting you as well Mr. Rezzoni.” He said as he went into the room and looked around. “I will admit, I don't think I have seen many rooms made of pinkish marble, I normally see people go for the clean white marble.” He said looking towards the man. “I'm sorry I don't recognize the name, are you a friend of the family?”
“Sara never spoke of me?” He feigned like he had been stabbed in the heart. “How quickly students forget their teachers when they have gone and done something great in their own right. Aside from that, I have been friends with her father since our days in University.” He tapped the marble walls as he lead Hayden through the foyer towards the living room. “I suspect that Maria would have picked white if she were to build the house again now, but this building has built centuries ago.” He shrugged. “There is a certain charm to it.”
Hayden got a shocked look on his face, oh don't worry sir, she spoke quite some about it, before Hayden regained his position. “Rezzoni, of course how could I forget, Sablo and all of that.” He said while looking at the man. Hayden had no expected spending the night with the King Pimp of Sablo. “I'm so sorry, it slipped my mind, not sure how it could, I see your name now and again at students apply to the trust fund.” Or some to complain. “It's my bad, she has spoken about you.” He said, faking a smile. Hayden had to give it to the man, he surely knew what he was doing, for if it wasn't complaints, it was praising threw the sky, the man knew a few tricks, that was for sure.
“You had me worried,” Rezzoni laughed as they entered the living room. It was a large room, filled with people, at least the size of Sara’s entire apartment, with a bar at one end, and at the other, a massive leather sectional sofa centered around a burning fireplace underneath a television. The windows in the room looked straight out to the lake as the last gleams of sunlight reflected off of it. “Sara, your friend is here.” Rezzoni called as he entered the room.
Sara turned away from man she was talking to behind the bar and looked in Hayden and Rezzoni’s direction. She wore a simple pair of jeans and a grey cashmere sweater, her red hair was curled and resting on her shoulders. “Hayden, you made it!” She smiled as she hurried over to them.
“Of course I did!” He said as he gave her a hug. “I wouldn't miss it if the kingdom was on fire.” Knowing the recent unrest, it might not be unlikely.
“Good to know,” she laughed, taking his arm. “Come here, meet my father.” She guided him over to the bar, where an older man stood, making drinks. Though he looked to be about the same age as Rezzoni that was about their only similarity. He was of a slim build, was clean shaven, and wore a pair of glasses. Unlike Rezzoni’s brash confidence, he seemed reserved and dignified. “Daddy, this is Hayden Severt.”
“Of course,” he held out a hand to Hayden. “Antonio ben Ishak, pleased to meet you young man.”
Hayden shook his hand. “Mr. Ishak, it's a pleasure to meet you and thanks for letting me join you on this wonderful evening.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Antonio is fine, thank you. And you are welcome, we’re glad to have you. Can I offer you something to drink?”
“A glass of scotch would be fine, thank you.” He said. “I'm glad to finally meet you, Sara has spoken warmly about you.” He said with a smile. “I hear it was from you that Sara first gained her desire and passion to help heal the lives of others.”
Antonio nodded and pulled a bottle from below the bar, pouring Hayden a glass. “That’s what she has always said, but then, one wonders what else there is to inspire a clever young girl in a noble’s court? If she had said she wanted to be a politician I would have disowned her.” He playfully winked in Sara’s direction as she made a face of joking disgust at the suggestion.
Hayden laughed. “A good way to deal with such an issue.” Hayden looked at Sara with a warm smile. “But I don't know, I think she could make quite the politician, she has proved rather impressive at gathering support for her cause.”
Sara scoffed. “Just because I could be a good politician, and I could obviously, I could be good at anything, doesn’t mean that I’d have any desire to get involved with those snakes. Louiza excluded of course, I still can’t figure out why she would want to.” She certainly has the right spirit for it.
“My daughter’s pride, I’m sure you’re familiar with it by now.” Antonio quickly fixed a cranberry drink and handed it to Sara.
Hayden chuckled before drinking some of the scotch. “I have grown accustomed to it by now, it's one of the things I like, it's refreshing to be around someone who doesn't doubt themselves, or their goals. As for Louiza.” Hayden shook his head. “It's a good living to be in parliament, if you don't fall asleep all the time.” He started smiling. “A trait I'm afraid I will never possess.”
“And a good thing too, the country’s richest man with sudden political ambitions? Why, I fear you wouldn’t have much time to live if our benevolent leaders had a say.” Antonio said dryly finally getting around to pouring himself a glass of red wine.
“Dad! Don’t say that.” Sara complained, glaring at him.
Hayden couldn't help as his smile widened when Sara spoke. “It's quite fine, he is probably more right than I ever dare admit.” He drank a bit more. “Oh no, the dark nightmares that keep me awake at night, the life of me as a politician, the possible threats, the very small list of things I would manage to achieve before it ends.” He said jokingly.
“And as we saw at your gala, the truly important things can be done without entering politics at all.” Antonio smiled, sipping his wine. “You must excuse me, but a host needs to mingle, yes?”
“Of course.” Hayden said as he allowed Antonio to leave before turning to Sara. “I like him, he seems quite nice and relaxed, and it's always a plus he doesn't want to you be a politician.” He said looking at her with a smile. “I'm really glad you invited me here.”
“Oh, yes, father is the most relaxed person I know, discussing politics with Sir Rezzoni is that only time I think I’ve ever seen him even raise his voice.” She smiled back at him. “And I’m glad you came.”
“Yes, politics can do that to people.” He said, leaning against the table. “So, have you decided what project you wish to move on with?” He asked curiously. More projects to save the world, something selfish, or simply something mundane, what shall it be to keep that mind of your occupied?
Sara leaned against the bar and shook her head. “Not yet, not fully at least. But I think perhaps that I will sell the patent to fund further work. There’s still a lot more work that I need to do, and Adrian Sanchez has actually sent me an offer already.”
He nodded. “I'm glad to hear that, I hope that he is offering you enough so that you can start the next project.” He said encouraging. “I will admit, I was surprised to be greeted by Rezzoni at the door.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “He’s been a friend of the family’s for a very long time, he always comes to our Tirva party. Or do you just mean that he actually answered it? Because in truth I hadn’t even heard the doorbell.”
“A bit of both I suppose, I probably should have expected him, afterall you did tell me your family and him was close.” He looked around the room curiously. “So, how is it that these parties normally go? Dancing close until the early hours of the morning?” He said with a playful grin.
She laughed. “Some dancing, but nothing quite like that. A lot of talking, a fair bit of drinking. They’re usually very relaxed overall.” She grinned at him. “Your practice won’t have gone to waste though, I promise.”
“I should hope not, otherwise I fear that I might regret that investment.” He said before finishing the scotch. “Or probably not, if not here then it can always be a worthwhile investment to spin you around later.“
“Right, there will certainly be some chance for it to come in handy.” She grinned. “But anyway, tonight is the party with friends and family. Tonight my father’s younger brother and sister and their kids will stay here and tomorrow morning we’ll exchange gifts and all of that. Then in a few days we head north and do the same with my mother’s family.”
Hayden nodded. “I'm afraid I don't have gifts with me for your cousins, or uncles and aunts, I only brought some for you, your parents and grandfather. I would have brought something for the kids, but I didn't know much about them.”
“Cash would work, they’re not picky,” She laughed shaking her head. “It’s fine Hayden, I expect being able to tell the other kids at school that they spent Tirva with you will be a good enough present for them.”
“Ah yes, because I am the ideal hero of every child at school.” He said laughing. “How old are their children?” He asked curiously.
“I was thinking it was more because you were rich, but perhaps you’re right.” She sipped her drink before turning away from the bar and towards the living room. “Ok, so, my uncle has twin girls, ten years old.” She pointed to a pair of girls with brown hair sitting on the couch, one in green, the other in red, but otherwise indistinguishable. “Maia is in red, Suzi in green. My aunt has a daughter who’s sixteen, Pilar, she’s there in the white.” She pointed to a girl with tan skin and dark hair in a white dress, talking to a boy. “And a son who’s fifteen, Miguel. I don’t see him though.” She shrugged.
Hayden nodded, scratching his head. “Right then, help me work up some last minute solutions.” he said in a cheerful voice. “Now then, I have absolutely no idea what a ten year old girl would want, but the other two. Now if I buy the girl in white a new car, I think she will forgive me.” He looked around for the boy. “As for the boy, hmm, a car in a years time could help him, or you could help me help him look cool and like a master in school, getting all the girls admiration.” He said jokingly about the whole ordeal.
“Ah, but how will they learn the value of a dollar if you simply buy them everything?” She laughed playfully, taking another sip of her drink. “If it helps I don’t think they bought you anything either.”
“It has a value?” He said, faking surprise. “Well at least that helps my conscience.” He said before looking around. “What about your mother?”
“In her office I think.” She shrugged. “Some kind of emergency that she needed to help fix. She’ll probably be back out to the party soon enough.”
Hayden smiled. “Ah, I look forward to meeting her.” He said before looking at all the people in the living room. “You know, you might have been right about Pilar and Miguel, I am sure Pilar would be a very popular girl if her schoolmates suddenly found out that her cousin’s, shall we say close friend? sat on more wealth than the combined royal houses, and could secure them entrance to all the fun clubs around town.”
“No doubt,” Sara chuckled, “but, to be fair, I believe she is already quite popular.” She motioned back in Pilar’s direction with a flick of her wrist and pointed to the boy talking to her. “That’s the third one of my parent’s friend’s sons that has tried talking with her tonight.” As she spoke a new song began playing over the house’s sound system, slower than the last couple. “Did you want to try that dancing?”
He looked over at Pilar. “I can't blame them, she looks quite lovely.” Quite reserved as well, if that boy is the third, either that or the two first were utterly dull. He looked back into Sara’s eyes. “However, she is nothing compared to the jewel of a star which I am looking upon now.” He said with a wide smile. He took her hand. “Sure, let's see if my lessons paid off enough that I don't embarrass you.” He said with a playful smile.
She grinned as well, leading him away from the bar to the area that had been cleared opposite the sofa. “How very sweet that you find me more attractive than a sixteen-year-old,” she joked. She placed her hands on his shoulders, moving slowly in time with the music.
He placed his hands on each side of her waist as he slowly moved with her together with the music. “I am sweetness itself.” He looked at her, taking a moment to enjoy the dance. “Then again, there is no one here who can match you. I enjoy the thought that even if I scouted the entire kingdom, the result would be the same.”
“Much better,” She said, smiling sincerely, “and your dancing has improved as well.”
“Naturally, anything to dance close with you.” He said as he moved along to the music. “I wouldn't want to embarrass you infront of your family on such a special day, or the first time meeting them.” He said as spent the time enjoying the moment, looking into her eyes as time stood still, before grinning. “Now the real question, has my improved dancing done enough to earn me a kiss?” He asked playfully.
“You have worked very hard.” She laughed, waving her hands from his shoulders to his neck and pulling him down into a kiss. Making him forget everything but the two of them in the moment. When she released him they heard a loud cheer and clapping, turning to see Rezzoni standing with her mother, smiling at him. She laughed as the color rose in her cheeks.
He blushed when the clapping began, and he looked around. “Well this is awkward.” He said in a hushed voice to her, as he chuckled and looked at Rezzoni and Maria.
“Yup.” Sara said, as Maria walked over. “Hey mom, how was your call, everything handled?”
“For now at least dear.” She didn’t look at Sara as she spoke, instead looking Hayden up and down with a critical eye before extending her hand. “Hello Mr. Severt.” She said professionally.
He took her hand and shook it. “Miss Ishak.” He said with happy tone. “I'm glad to finally meet you, and please, just call me Hayden.”
“As you wish.” Maria wore a dark black dress, her red hair tied into a tight bun, and spoke with an accent from the Ilse of Ece. “Are you enjoying the party so far, Hayden?”
He looked at Sara for a moment before back at Maria. “I couldn't really say no.” He said with a smile. “But yes, it's quite the wonderful party, I enjoy the less public events, I’m sorry I didn't have the time to get introduced to you and Mr. Ishak at the gala.”
“It’s understandable, there was business to be done.” She shrugged indifferently. “It is good to meet you now though. You and Sara seem...closer than I had expected.” She raised an eyebrow at him. As Sara’s eyes went wide and she stared at the side of her mother’s head in disbelief, but she said nothing, seeming much more subdued than normal in the woman’s presence.
Hayden looked at Sara, holding down a wide smile as he found her state interesting, the otherwise headstrong, brave and open nature of Sara completly gone, before he turning back to Maria. “I suppose we might be, we have known each other for some time now so I guess it's not entirely unlikely.”
“I see.” She paused, turning to Sara. “He’ll be staying in his own room I trust.” Without waiting for an answer she turned back to Hayden. Well, it was certainly clear who wore the pants in this house. “I do hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the party.” With that, she walked off to a small group near the bar.
“Sorry about that.” Sara said to Hayden, an actual blush having appeared on her tan cheeks.
He chuckled. “She disapproves.” he said as he looked at Sara. “Seems there must always be one parent that disapproves, and don't worry about it, I will be fine.” He looked towards Maria for a moment. “I almost fear giving her the gift, if she dislikes it I fear she will chew me out.”
Sara shook her head. “She wouldn’t do that...I don’t think...No, she wouldn’t. She’s not mean, just...protective? Mainly in the realm of protecting me from myself I think. So at the very least she would pretend to like your gift.” She laughed weakly. Good that you are sure.
“Ah, she is afraid I will hurt you then.” Hayden shook his head. “Let's hope I don't.” He placed his hand under her chin, lift her face slightly up as he smiled to her. “Be happy, at least you know she loves you enough to look out for you then.” He said sweetly. “But you never really came across as someone needing a guardian, so perhaps one day she let her worries die down.”
“Try telling her that.” Sara sighed. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to my cousins, and you can’t get Maia and Suzi mixed up, they hate that, ok?”
