����������� My name is Gideon Zei.� Rather a lame start already, isn�t it?� This is the story of my life.� Or my life so far.� Or at least it will be once I get beyond the introduction.� But before I begin, I suppose it would help you to know who you�re reading about, wouldn�t it?� A brief description then.
����������� I stand just over six feet tall, and I�m not sure of my actual weight, but I�m proportioned.� I have muscles that I�m not ashamed to say I earned, but I�m not the body-builder type.� More like lean, I suppose.� I am a Wingly, which of course means that my hair is a soft platinum, and my eyes a deep red.� My hair is clipped short, a bit longer in the front to allow for bangs, and it is absolutely unmanageable.� It�s quite wild, the longer bits flipping up every which way despite my best intentions.� My skin is a bit dark for a Wingly, naturally so, betraying my heritage with all its creamy-skinned citizens.� Many people through the ages have told me that I�m quite handsome, but I don�t see it.� I believe myself to be rather average, actually.� Also, I find it necessary to mention the fact that I have a small mole just diagonally above my bellybutton.� I believe that means that I have digressed, and that I should begin my story.
����������� I was born in Aglis, the magic city, nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty years before the infamous Dragon Campaign.� Oh yes, let me explain.� Winglies age much slower than humans.� Much slower.� For every three hundred and seventy-five Human years, we age only one.� So, I was only around twenty-six when the Dragon Campaign broke out.� Now, I near forty, but I have managed to maintain my health quite well.
����������� In any case, I was born into a good Wingly family.� We had a nice estate in Aglis, and a smaller home in Zenebatos that we rented out when we weren�t staying in it.� My parents were considered nobility I suppose, as all Winglies were some kind of nobility, but my family only so on some low level.� We had human slaves, as all well-off families were expected to, but we weren�t cruel to them in the least.� From the time I was very small, my parents taught me the importance of respecting all living things.� Other Winglies, Humans, Gigantos, Minintos, Dragons, even monsters were real creatures with spirits, and that alone deserved respect.� They did, however, tell me to uphold the teachings of the Archangel, and to never allow myself to forget that Winglies are superior to all other creatures.� It was all kind of hypocritical really, but it made sense to me at the time.� We are superior, but we shouldn�t act like it.� I suppose it still does make some kind of sense.� Although I don�t exactly consider Winglies very superior anymore.
����������� My life as I child was typical for those days, happy I suppose, with no want of much love from my parents, but I was always lonely.� I hardly ever left the house.� I had no friends; I had only private tutors.� There were the servants, of course, but they were too busy calling me master and asking what I needed to actually stop and talk to me.� It was a bit frustrating, but I couldn�t exactly order them to have a conversation with me, could I?� My parents didn�t speak to me much when I was very young.� Only when I reached an age at which I could speak somewhat intelligently did they start to take interest in me.� Then something happened that seemed my only hope for actual companionship.
����������� I was nearly five thousand and six hundred, around fifteen, when it happened.� One of the lords of a much higher stature than my father had invited us to a party of gargantuan proportion.� The adults called it a ball or a cotillion or something like that, but to me it was a party.� This was a tremendous honor for us, so of course we accepted such a generous invitation.� I remember the night of the party; my parents were frantic with preparation.� They had me in typical Wingly dress attire, which I despised.� The outfit included baggy, silky white pants, trimmed in an iridescent blue and tucked into mid-calf high black boots with a very slight heel.� The shirt was white as well, the same silky fabric, also trimmed in a shimmering blue, but it didn�t cover very much.� It had no sleeves, and a deep V-neck that ran nearly to my stomach, before it met with a maximum of three buttons, in my case two, then it split once again into a backwards V, revealing my bellybutton.� It hugged the figure; being �slim and lovely� was quite popular in those days.� That meant having the shape of a woman, but appearing manly enough not to be considered weak.� More contradictions, hypocrisies.� But again, it made sense at the time.
����������� When we arrived at the manor of the Lord named Merja Gau, I was in awe.� The building was white marble, with wide, tall columns carefully inscribed with intricate scriptures, teachings of the Archangel or lows or something I supposed; I didn�t bother to read them.� It was evening by the time were to attend, and the sun had just set, leaving that wonderful time when the mood had the sky all to itself, shedding its gentle, silent light onto the city, somehow seeming to outshine even the bright lanterns of the manor.� A carpet ran from the doorway to the front gate, crinkling at the doorway steps and spreading to welcome the guests.
����������� Merja himself stood at the door, welcoming visitors with a warm smile and a kiss.� I was inspired by him, honestly.� He was little more than seven thousand years old, yet he had risen to such power.� His father was a commoner; Merja had ridden on no one�s coattails, yet no one seemed to know quite how he had come about his money.� Surely by no dishonest means, for they said that you could find no kinder Wingly than the head of the Gau estate.� He was popular amongst the other nobles, and well known even to the likes of myself, yet he always seemed to be rejecting normalcy.� Others they would have outcast, but they flocked to him.� I can understand why.
����������� He was tall, over six feet, and he kept his gently curled silver hair nearly to his waist, but usually captured in a ponytail at the middle back of his head, so that it fell in graceful waves over his shoulder.� He, too, was dressed in typical Wingly attire, the only difference between my outfit and his being that his was black, with trimming in silver, and his had sleeves that ended with intricate embroidered trimming.� His hip-hugging clothes suited him nicely I thought; I remember thinking then how lovely the Lord was, for being a man.� He was slim, bordering on delicate, but one could tell just from looking at him that he was not lacking much in physical strength.� His face was, as far as I could see, flawless, with warm, gentle eyes.
����������� When I approached him in front of my father, he seemed to brighten.� �Gideon Zei�I�m glad you could make it,� he said gently as he took my hands in his, leaning forward and placing a light kiss on my lips.� I flushed slightly, not that it was obvious against my darkened skin.� It was only our first meeting; a kiss on the cheek would have been more appropriate.
����������� Let me take a moment now to explain, since readers outside of my own heritage may not understand the situation.� Winglies are extremely �touchy-feely.�� It is common for a man to kiss another man, or a woman to kiss another woman in greeting, with nothing sexual involved.� Always there is touching of the hands, and an embrace is not unheard of between good friends. In fact, you would most likely be hard pressed to find a Wingly that wasn't openly bisexual. It was all about getting pleasure however you preferred it, back then, or if you had no preference, any way you could.� However, a kiss on the lips as a greeting usually indicated close proximity, something that Merja and I certainly did not have at that point.� Not that I minded his assumption.� After all, a kiss even on the cheek from a Lord so high as Merja was something to talk about.
����������� �I would like to speak with you privately before you leave this evening, if that is all right,� he said to me with a warm smile curving his lips, his hands not releasing mine.
����������� �Of course, Lord Merja,� I answered a bit timidly as he finally relinquished his hold on my hands.
����������� �Good.� Welcome.�� He gestured for me to enter, and turned rather less enthusiastically to greet my parents.
����������� Inside, the mansion was even larger than it had seemed from the outside.� The walls were smooth white alabaster, the floor the mottled grey of glassy, waxed marble.� The ceilings were like that of a place of worship, gently curved up from the walls to peak at the center of the room, with delicate arches covered in ornate carvings over every doorway.� People filled the main hall and extended into the ballroom, all of them dressed so similarly that they all seemed to blend into one another.
����������� My mother urged me to mingle, so I did so a bit reluctantly.� A few women my age glanced my way more than once, and my interfering maternal figure near ordered me to ask a few to dance.� This was, quite possibly, the most dreadfully boring part of the entire evening.� The women�s personalities were as false as the faces and smiles they had painted on themselves, and I found not a single one of them to be worth the flesh and jewelry they were made up of.� Once I managed to escape from that, I picked at the food that had been set out, most of it far too rich for my taste, and finally was forced to succumb to the idle, inane banter that twittered across the ballroom.� I felt I would fall asleep standing, until Lord Merja came to call me to his private chambers.
����������� He led me into the relatively small, elegantly decorated room, closing and latching the large wooden door behind us.� The only furniture in the room surrounded a grand fireplace, and consisted of a large, red plush couch in front of a low wooden table, matching armchairs on either side of it.
����������� �Gideon, I�m very glad you came tonight,� he said with a smile, gesturing to a chair.
����������� �Yes sir.�� I obediently sat, silently reveling in the squishy softness of the chair, which accepted my weight almost eagerly.� �May I ask why?�
����������� He took a seat on the side of the couch closest to me, and I was surprised to see him so relaxed.� He actually slumped comfortably in his seat, one long arm resting on the side of the couch, delicate fingers gently gripping the rounded edge.� �You certainly may.� I have talked to your tutors, Gideon.� They say you are a bright student.�
����������� �I try, sir.�
����������� �And apparently you succeed.�� He paused, and though considering, then leaned forward on the chair ever so slightly, sitting up to bring his face just a bit closer to me.� �I�m going to get directly to the point, Gideon.� How would you like to come and stay with me, on a permanent basis?� I could get you better tutors, better trainers for your magic and your fencing, and I can offer you more political opportunities than you would have where you are now.� What do you say?�
����������� �I�I-I would consider it an honor, sir.� But, why should you with to offer this to me?� I am no one, and you��
����������� �You are a fine boy, Gideon.� I�ve been watching you for some time.�� He scooted forward in his seat once more, a look of almost childish excitement forming on his feminine features.� �Gideon, do you realise what we could be together?� No one would be able to stop us from doing anything we pleased.� We could go to Kadessa!�
����������� I hesitated.� �Is power all you are concerned with, sir?�
����������� He smiled, his expression calming a bit.� �Yes, I have heard of your virtuous nature as well.� Naturally it isn�t all I�m concerned with.� As I said, you are a fine boy.� I would be honored to have you in my home, and assist you in being all that you can be in any way I am capable of.� You will have a better life than you could have with your parents.� Of course, I wouldn�t prevent you from seeing them though, should you decide to stay.�
����������� Needless to say, I was aghast.� But an answer came perhaps a bit more quickly than it should have.� After all, this man was a stranger to me, and the only base I had for his character was the word of those superficial shells that I had come so quickly to despise.� Yet the answer flowed form my lips like water, before I could form a thought against it.� �I accept your offer, Lord Merja.� It is an honor.�
����������� �Wonderful!�� He stood and took my hands, urging me to do the same, and I flushed once more when I felt his lips upon mine.� �It will be arranged as soon as possible,� he said with a congenial smile.� �In the meantime, you should go and enjoy the rest of the party.�
����������� I suppose it was a face I made or the faint groan that escaped my lips, but something in my manner made him laugh.
����������� �I understand the sentiment,� he said between chuckles.� �Unfortunately, they are, or at least seem to be, an integral part of an aristocratic life.� We just have to get used to them.� Come, there are people I want you to meet.�
����������� I nodded, and he led me out into the great hall once again.� I was introduced to many other lords whose names I promptly forgot.� Then, I was introduced to Rakari.
����������� �Gideon,� Merja said as we approached the beautifully dressed woman, �this is Rakari.� My sister.�
����������� She could not have been much older than me.� Her hair was curly like her brother�s, and to her his, falling on soft, loose curls down her back and over her shoulder.� Her skin was milky white, a contrast to her dark eyes.� She was dressed in a shimmering white dress, sleeveless, and the skirt feel straight down at her hips, except for a slit in both sides that ran about halfway up her thighs.� She was perfectly shaped, and her neckline was just low enough to show just how perfectly.� She didn�t wear the layers of makeup that the other courtesans showed, only a light silver coloring on her eyelids, and a pale pink shade on her lips.� She smiled, and I felt I would fall over.� I was in love.
����������� �Rakari�� Her name escaped my lips like a contained sigh, soft and sweet.� �It�s a pleasure.�� I felt a flush rise in my cheeks, and for once was glad of my tan.
����������� She gave a small curtsy, bowing her head to me as she did so.� �The pleasure is mine, Gideon.� My brother has spoken only well of you.�
����������� �Thank you,� I offered lamely, after a long hesitation, during which I fell into staring at the way that her hair brushed the sides of her face, her bangs drifting gracefully onto her forehead.
����������� Merja nudged me lightly with his elbows, and leans close to quietly speak next to my ear.� �Why don�t you ask her to dance?�
����������� I looked up at him with wide, incredulous eyes, and he chuckled.
����������� �I can see the look on your face.� Go on.�
����������� I swallowed hard and took a step closer to Rakari, who had turned her attention to another guest.� �Excuse me, my lady?�
����������� She turned to me with that sweet smile, a look that made my knees weak.� �Yes?�
����������� Again I hesitated stupidly, fidgeting with my hands as I glanced down to them.� �Would you care to dance?�� I hesitantly offered her my hand, and a shiver passed through me when her small hand gently clasped mine in acceptance.� I led her onto the ballroom floor, feeling the blush in my face once again as my other hand found her softly curved waist.
����������� She smiled, her hand moving to my shoulder, and we began to move to the music as I struggled to remember everything my mother had tried to teach me as a child.� �My mother tells me that you�ll be staying with us.�
����������� �He would be correct, my lady.�� I paused, glancing down to our feet before I meekly peeked back into her eyes.� �Does�does that please you?�
����������� �Yes, it does.�� I thought I saw her blush, but it must have been my imagination.� �Very much.�
����������� �R-Really?�
����������� She nodded, and my pulse quickened as she moved closer to me, her head resting on my chest.� My heart felt as though it would burst out of my chest; I was certain she would hear it.� But we only continued to dance, and out of the corner of my eyes I was sure I saw Merja standing to the side, a glass of wine in his hand and a knowing smile on his face.� I swear he winked at me as well.� Looking back, of course, I realise that the little bastard must have planned everything from the start.� But that didn�t matter just then.
����������� The night wore on, Rakari and I danced much more, Merja and I spoke of various things, and finally it was time for me to depart.� It was decided that I would return in three day�s time, for good.
����������� Merja and Rakari both bade me farewell at the door, but it was Rakari�s farewell that made me take the long way home.� She held both my hands and gave them a meaningful squeeze, and then she kissed my lips.
����������� I could only stand in awe as she held her lips against mind, and as she whispered �Goodnight� into my ear before turning and disappearing into the house.
����������� Merja chuckled.� �It would seem my little Rakari is quite taken with you, Gideon,� he observed with a tiny smirk.
����������� �The feeling is quite mutual, sir,� I answered without thinking, still staring after her for a moment before looking up at him with startled eyes, ashamed of my outburst.� �I-I mean��
����������� This brought a laugh from him.� �I thought as much.� I want you to know that you have my full support in courting her, if that is what you wish to do.�
����������� �I would consider it an honor, sir.� Thank you.�
����������� He took my hands, and his lips briefly touched mine.� �I will expect you in three days.�
����������� �Yes sir.�