WIP Wednesday – Clans of Kalquor 9: Alien Indiscretions

                Wal rolled his eyes.  “Believe it or not, Diltan, some people could care less about rank.”

                It was an offhand remark, yet Diltan’s face heated at the words.  He had never told his clanmates about the time he’d tried to lure the Imperial sister Lindsey into de-clanning her low-ranking mates for his clan.  The memory of being shamed by her and the mothers of her clanmates made his stomach twist in a sickened loop.  He’d never been so humiliated in all his life.

                At least the four women had stuck to their promise to not disclose his ill-conceived attempt.  Diltan was ready to admit to himself he’d been an ass to try and worm his way into the Imperial Family.  He just didn’t want anyone else to know about it.

                To his Imdiko, he grouched, “I know rank isn’t everything, damn it.  I’ve outgrown that way of thinking.  Why do you insist that I still feel that way?”

                It was Rolat who answered.  “Because though you are a good man and a good Dramok, you are still ambitious as hell.”  He rolled the stones and made an angry sound.  He picked them up and tossed them at Wal, conceding defeat.

                Wal added, “You also remain a bit of a snob as hard as you fight that tendency.”  He grinned at Diltan.  It wasn’t clear whether his victory over Rolat made him happier, or giving Diltan hell. 

                Diltan grumbled, “At least you acknowledge I try.”

                His clanmates chuckled.  Wal rose and wrapped his arms around Diltan in an effort to make amends.  “It’s that effort that makes you so endearing, my Dramok.  You do have a good heart.  It’s not your fault you were born to such advantageous circumstances.”

                Diltan made a rude noise, but he didn’t push Wal away.  He was all too aware he had issues when it came to understanding the problems of the common man.  He’d been born into an affluent family, then he’d made himself ridiculously rich, then obscenely wealthy.  Yet he did his best to have empathy for others’ problems as well as helping out where possible. 

                Rolat also rose and winked at him.  “Don’t worry, my Dramok.  We’ll keep working on you despite your many faults.”

                Diltan scowled.  “You two didn’t exactly grow up in diminished circumstances yourself.”

                Wal squeezed tighter and let him go.  “No, we didn’t.  More’s the pity, because I see plenty of men in my court that think they’re entitled to special treatment simply because they’ve always been given such.  Sometimes I think too much money is as bad a condition as too little.” 

                The Imdiko had apparently decided Diltan had been teased enough, because he changed the subject.  “So ... the well-behaved twin.  Tasha?  Is she worth our suit?”

                Diltan brightened.  Being picked on for ambition had made him worry his clanmates would poke fun at him for wanting to pursue the cousin of the empress.  “I believe she is.  She and her sister have decided to enter the lottery rather than rely on Empress Jessica to introduce them to likely suitors.”

                Rolat seemed impressed.  “That’s interesting.  What’s the other one’s name?  The spitfire?”

                Diltan answered with impatience, since he wanted to talk about Tasha and not her dismissive sister.  “Cecilia.  I believe they call her Cissy.  Anyway, I mentioned to Tasha that our clan had been selected by the lottery to present ourselves to interested Mataras.  After speaking with her for a few minutes, she offered to see if our profiles had come up as a potential compatible match – with no prompting on my part.”

                He glared at his clanmates as if to dare them to challenge his assertion.  They snickered at him, but said nothing.

No release date set.