Charmer (MxM)

Chapter 6

"But-" He began to protest.

It was useless. Rion was a woman with a plan and once she had her mind set on something it was basically impossible to distract her from it. In this case she was hell bent on having Atlas socialize like a functional non misanthropic person for one evening- hell for one hour and she'd consider it a win.

"I would have been able to if you let me take more of my meds." He grumbled. The Aristocrat had been watching him like a hawk, making sure that he took only what was prescribed and nothing more for this evening. She didn't want him to snap because of the social pressure and pop more than what he was supposed to be taking to deal.

"Go find Winter. She arrived a few minutes ago while you were sulking in this corner doing a wonderful job of blending in with the furniture."

"I wasn't sulking."

"Yes. You were. Now go, she dressed up pretty nicely and I have a feeling it's for you. Talk to her, get a feel of what she's like, it might make it easier to Charm her, then you can mind control her to leave you alone." Rion commanded more than she suggested

"But her name is Winter Haru. 'Atlas protested like the reason for his reluctance was obvious. It wasn't, to Rion at least and she voiced as such.

"Haru, it's old, Renken I think, for spring." He explained flatly.

"Wait. You mean?" Rion then burst out laughing loudly, attracting the attention of a few nearby people who soon quickly forgot about her and went back to their own conversations.

"Yes. I mean."

"So, her name is Winter, Spring, and she's an Asram caste?" Rion forced out through her laughter. "Damn her parents must really hate her."

Atlas cracked a smile, he liked seeing Rion so carefree it was pleasant.

"Ok you're still going to talk to her though." She ignored his protests, physically grabbing her friend, rotating him in the direction of where she thought Winter was and gave him a shove.

Atlas stumbled forwards a little before catching himself. Shooting a glare at Rion over his shoulder he stalked into the kitchen. Or at least tried to stalk into the kitchen, there were too many people around so he more like weavedhis way annoyedly into the kitchen.

Atlas had been to a grand total of five 'proper' parties in his life, the house kind where everyone flocks to a host's place and drinks and smokes or snorts anything they can get their hands on all in the name of having a good time. Atlas liked to think of them as distraction addicts. Trying to escape the responsibility of having to work hard to rise in a world where it was very rare to elevate yourself through the socially political game of knowing the right people. The world had limited resources, and those who were willing to fight for it were the ones that got anywhere in life, it's how Atlas's father did it, it's how Atlas intended on doing it. It's how Rion was, even at the top she worked harder than anyone he knew so that she could stay there. It was possible to be kicked down a caste, the ultimate shame, but it was rare. If you were high enough it meant you worked hard to get there and that it wasn't really in your nature to slack off. Usually, it was those born in high castes that were kicked down, unwilling to take on the level of work that their parents had, you had to be over eighteen for any demotions, in a few rare cases those under eighteen would be promoted but children didn't often have that kind of discipline.

Realizing that he had been blankly staring at the door for a few pointless seconds Atlas sighed and pushed his way into the room. His meds always made him spacy, a passive side effect that was more irritating than it was a hindrance. It took him a moment to spot Winter, she was there sitting on the counter with a drink in her hand and a smile on her lips. Rion did have a point. Winter clearly had dressed up for the occasion, her long streaked hair carefully curled and a silver dress that looked almost liquid clung to her slim figure. Objectively she was pretty. Very pretty. Subjectively Atlas was not interested. He noted the moment that she set eyes on him, her eyes lit up and her grin blew even wider.