Lessons[Athena]

The knight found himself in a situation he never thought he'd be. Helping Athena hide, in his room to be more specific. He had roommates in the Castle Monastery of Helsreach, but this was different, Athena was a vain and demanding woman. She also had to kept herself concealed to avoid trouble. All in all, nothing but trouble for himself. Until recently she extended the offer to give him "lessons in subterfuge", useless to his quest but he figured it might help him with something else. Or someone else to be more specific.

Today was one of the day of those lessons, Albrecht had just returned to his room from a training session and his mind was slightly absent.

As soon as Albrecht walked into his room a soft jazz melody began playing, there have also been several alterations like rose petals spread across the floor and several lit candles have been assembled throughout the room. From the closed curtains of Athena's room a voice was heard.

Seduction, such a bad world isn't it? It's synonymous to trickery, deceit, to convince someone into an ill advised action. From the little information I have gathered I can tell that the people here are not really fond of it. However, people here are stupid and that's why you should listen to me."

The curtains opened revealing Athena lying on her bed dressed in a very elaborate white lingerie. She winked at Albrecht before giving a sly smile to him. His lesson had already began.

It took Albrecht a while to process what was going on, there was about 10 seconds of silence from him and a blank expression. The knight was not amused once he finally understood what this is was all about, the blank expression shifted to a frown. He never once checked her out, instead just looked at her straight in the eyes.

"...You look ridiculous like that. You should put something else on." Those were his first words after entering the room. She should cover herself with a blanket, put on a coat or go change. Now he wasn't so sure if when she talked about "secret feelings" she was only joking. What she said about controlling emotions made sense, but if she hoped this would be a practical lesson then it was ineffective on Albrecht."You didn't had to look ridiculous for this. I understand the effort but I just wanted some pointers, you know."

Athena lowered her gaze as she held one of the pillows close to her for a moment, her hair covered part of her face making her facial expression hard to read. "I see..." she said quietly as she held the pillow tighter.

"THAT'S THE WRONGEST POSSIBLE ANSWER, YOU BUFFOON!" Athena yelled out of a sudden before she threw the pillow aiming at the knight's face. "Take out your pen and note that down. When someone meets you there are two things they are willing to believe straight on the spot: One, that they are more clever and/or stronger than you and two, that you find them attractive." Athena changed her position now sitting with her legs crossed on the bed. "Remember that, understanding the person's emotion is key for manipulation. You will often find yourself victim of that, when you do correct it but don't let it show, don't let them know that you know. Got it?"

Albrecht staggered upon having the pillow land on his face, even with his supernatural reflexes he had not seen this one coming. For a moment he stared at the woman with a baffled expression as if she was insane. What even did she expected him to do in that situation? It was just so over the top.

"What the hell was i supposed to do then?!" He did not yell but he was clearly annoyed, given away by his tone and a short growl. Still he listened to what she had to say. So far it seemed to make sense. With a huff he spoke "Right... So is like they say 'play it cool' and get them to believe they have the advantage." Albrecht could occult information. Not so adept at making stuff up though. "So far it sounds like its all a social game of cat and mouse."

"Exactly, the key is to convince them that they are the cat. When someone believes something that makes them positive about you do not correct them, even if what they believe is false." Athena looked behind Albrecht at the door. "Let's take the nuns here as an example, they obviously have a crush on you or at the very least are fascinated by the whole gallant knight aesthetic you have going for yourself. Therefore should you desire anything you can have them get it for you, simply pretend you find them interesting and they will fill the rest."

She looked back at the knight "And before you complain about that being dishonest just remember that manipulation is the least violent method of achieving your goals. Coercion always has the threat of violence and being open about your wants will always attract others to oppose you. In fact, I'm positive this institution's politics are as intricate and complicated as Suzie Q's."

"Black armor and an ebony sword with skulls are hardly gallant, but you are the woman here." Albrecht shrugged, he really didn't understood how it was appealing. The Black Lion standard issue gear was made to intimidate. They had no intention to look good for civilians. "... I presume feigning interest in things they like is also a valid tactic?"

Yet again Albrecht found himself shrugging in response to something Athena had said. "Subterfuge is a tool, its how you use it that matters or says something about your character." He kept silent about her comment on the Catholic church, she was not wrong but he didn't had to confirm it. "Still, why dress like that?"

"Lesson number two, was Athena's reply "You should know when to show skin and how much skin. This lingerie is sexier than the naked body because it does two things, firstly it show much more skin than regular clothes but at the same time covers the most intimate parts so there is still some mystery. It will work wonders with you." Athena said as she took another look at the knight's clothes.

"Next time you are in training try to show just a little bit of skin. It doesn't even have to be something extravagant, go talk to a nun and raise your sleeves as you talk to her...well in your case there are no sleeves so I guess you could just scratch your belly or stretch long enough for your shirt to lift up. The promise of nakedness is more arousing than nakedness itself." Despite talking about something as frivolous as showing off your body Athena spoke with the same passion an academic would talk about their magnum opus

"... I can understand the concept, i still fail to see how all of this was necessary." Fake interest, subtly appeal to their carnal desires. He could follow the logic in that, even if he didn't quite understood what was appealing to women and failed to understand what certain things meant or would be read as. Apparently his muscles were desirable, a couple girls checked them out and a couple went as far as attempt to feel it.

"I see you take pride in this." Not so different from him taking pride in his martial prowess, she was proud of her social finesse. "Actually there's a reason i accepted your offer beyond learning new skills..." The knight for a moment turned bashful and hesitant, scratching the back of his head. "Its tangential and personal though."

"Oh?" Athena said immediately after he explained the reason of those lessons. "Looks like you already understand the art of teasing but now you just have to tell me. Are you perhaps trying to seduce a fair maiden? One true beauty who will bestow upon thee her virtue?" She asked in a mocking arthurian tone. "Or is it perhaps a fellow cadet? Did you get the ole dazzle dazzle from a freshman?" Despite her mocking tone Athena was really curious to find out the reasoning behind Albrecht's interest in her skills.

"Your guesses are accurate." He didn't mind her banter, he did take jabs at her as well, if anything it showed some form of comradeship. Albrecht would pull out his phone and show a selfie he had taken together with a purple haired girl, or its more accurate to say she dragged him into taking it. "I met her at school, we went out and i think we are a couple now... Either way, she can be quite forward at times and i'm not sure how to deal with it. I can't tell if she is just being playful, or if she actually means it or both. I don't know many people who could help me understand how these things work."

"Oh I see how it is." Athena replied as she changed the position of her crossed legs. "So she's too forward with her emotions and you can't deal with that because you're... well you. She didn't try to tease him this time but even he had to realize that he was way too stoic. "Maybe she enjoys having you flustered like this, I know how fun it can be to hold power over someone like that... although I think you would like to make her blush for a change isn't that right?"

Without waiting for his replied she added "I could give you some advice on how to do it but first I'll have to meet her. I need to understand what she's like before I make a battle plan."

"I know i lack tact or social graces. Otherwise i wouldn't be asking for aid." Albrecht was aware of his limitations, and inability to express or deal with feelings other than anger and hatred. "I wouldn't be surprised if that's her intention, she can also make... innuendos. I'm not sure if it is possible to make that girl blush, she has no shame." The thought of making Patty blush amused him, even if it somehow seemed nigh impossible, he caught her off guard twice but she turned it around.

"You sure about that? I was just hoping for some basic tips."

"She doesn't sound like a demure nun. I could give you basic tips if you want but it would be better to study my target first, after all everyone is different am I right?" Athena stood up from the bed and walked towards Albrecht putting her hand on his shoulders.

"You need not to worry, there is no person in Endymion who I can not outwit, and if there is I'm going to fucking end them, so there is no reason for you to worry. We'll make this shameless hedonist blush even if it takes your life."

"She is a highschool student, not a nun."He gave the girl a nod in understanding to what she said, though his eyebrows furrowed when she approached him."... You make this sound some dramatic showdown, its just dating. Either way, i appreciate the help." Patty was a ray of sunshine in his life, but shameless hedonist was not inaccurate.

"I'm gonna go for a walk now. Later Athena." Hopefully, when he returned she'd have put some goddamn clothes on.