[It would be a lie to say Constantin's mood improves as the party approaches; quite the opposite, but it isn't as though he crumbles out of fear, or anything. No, no, it's simpler than that: he's just so irritated and it's becoming a nuisance. The plan is stupid, they've done all they can to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible for something so reckless, and he's more or less put that out of his thoughts— it's too late now to go back on it without scaring Archimedes away from his own duchy likely permanently, and so... fine! He'll do the stupid disguise thing!
But it sours his mood that much more each time he steps back from the organization and the details and the work to remember that very thing: Archimedes himself. A poor leader and even worse financier, good god! Surely the real goal here is to educate the man in how to be less of a buffoon at his own job! So it's the waiting around to save his miserable life from assassins first that gets under Constantin's skin, and he appreciates Felix's presence at his side, at meals... but when there's a lull in organizing their scheme he has none of his usual quips to offer, or anything really. His heart just isn't in it!
He spends a lot of time staring out the window in the duke's study in silence, but listen- listen. He's alright.
The spell to mask his appearance is quick and easy when the time comes, the one thing Archimedes has managed to be honest about in his entire career, Constantin is sure— and as soon as they've confirmed Archimedes is here and Felix's people have eyes on him, Constantin is glad for the excuse to be as far from Archimedes as possible. He hates the outfit. He hates the party. He's decidedly not enjoying himself, but he's not enjoyed enough parties in his life to hide it perfectly, chattering away with the nobles that approach him and pointedly holding eye contact for just a little too long for comfort to gauge the reactions he receives.
It's boring, but Archimedes is supposed to be charming and even if Constantin wholly disagrees, he knows what to do. That includes not looking twice at the real Archimedes across the room, something the duke himself fails to keep in mind... Cool, add another point to the list of subtleties the man has to learn, and soon.
It's on Constantin's third graciously accepted and casually returned untouched flute of champagne that he pauses, about to set the glass on a servant's tray. He's met the servants of the house, that was part of the plan, and yet here is one staring back at him that he's never seen before. The startled look of confusion must give him away, as seconds later he's quite abruptly knocked to the ground with a tray of broken glasses, so—]
no subject
But it sours his mood that much more each time he steps back from the organization and the details and the work to remember that very thing: Archimedes himself. A poor leader and even worse financier, good god! Surely the real goal here is to educate the man in how to be less of a buffoon at his own job! So it's the waiting around to save his miserable life from assassins first that gets under Constantin's skin, and he appreciates Felix's presence at his side, at meals... but when there's a lull in organizing their scheme he has none of his usual quips to offer, or anything really. His heart just isn't in it!
He spends a lot of time staring out the window in the duke's study in silence, but listen- listen. He's alright.
The spell to mask his appearance is quick and easy when the time comes, the one thing Archimedes has managed to be honest about in his entire career, Constantin is sure— and as soon as they've confirmed Archimedes is here and Felix's people have eyes on him, Constantin is glad for the excuse to be as far from Archimedes as possible. He hates the outfit. He hates the party. He's decidedly not enjoying himself, but he's not enjoyed enough parties in his life to hide it perfectly, chattering away with the nobles that approach him and pointedly holding eye contact for just a little too long for comfort to gauge the reactions he receives.
It's boring, but Archimedes is supposed to be charming and even if Constantin wholly disagrees, he knows what to do. That includes not looking twice at the real Archimedes across the room, something the duke himself fails to keep in mind... Cool, add another point to the list of subtleties the man has to learn, and soon.
It's on Constantin's third graciously accepted and casually returned untouched flute of champagne that he pauses, about to set the glass on a servant's tray. He's met the servants of the house, that was part of the plan, and yet here is one staring back at him that he's never seen before. The startled look of confusion must give him away, as seconds later he's quite abruptly knocked to the ground with a tray of broken glasses, so—]
Felix—! [Hello!! Fuck the ruse!!!]