Catching Up

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I arrived at the White Hart not too long after having left the doctors office, though I likely could have gotten there sooner had I not chosen to walk rather than take my carriage. The day was filled with sun rather than rain, though, and it felt wonderful to walk in it.

The tavern was much like I remembered it, though it'd been a while since I'd last visited. Taking a table along a windowed wall, I sat, exchanging a small conversation with a woman sitting at the table next to mine as I waited.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

As it stood, the doctor couldn't see me that day, so I was left to tend to myself. The assistant was pleasant enough to point out that my bandage would do fine for now. I would be able to see him tomorrow to get it properly treated, realizing it wasn't as bad as it first appeared.

That said, I made my way to the tavern. Walking in, I drew a couple of looks, but nothing to severe. I found Mirielle talking with another, and saw her eyes dart to me, mine to hers, mine to mirielle, and then hers to Mirielle, all fast, and she too note. I stopped a bar maid before I sat down sequestering for a jug of wine and two glasses. I could definitely use some dulled senses at the moment.

I sat down, and they were brought promptly. Just to make sure she didn't beat me too it, I spoke first.

"Don't worry m'lady, I've learned how to hold my liquor from my younger years." I said with a smirk.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The lady I was talking to cut off of her comment on the effects of herbal teas, her eyes darting from me to someone else and back again before I could even turn. When I did I was greeted with the sight of Tabien taking a seat across from me, and I gave him a smile before excusing myself from the lady at the adjacent table.

He spoke before I could, his unexpected words bringing a laugh from me. "I'm glad to hear it," I said, my smile light, "for your sake more than aught else."

I leaned back a little, thinking on our last meeting. "How did... What was it, Aragonia? How did the trip fair for you?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I starred at her for a little bit. "Aragonia....gods, I forgot, it has been that long." I reached for the jug as it was brought, and poured to glasses.

"I guess looking back since we last met, I stayed there for about another two years, and after my majority, I picked up and left, I haven't been back since." I looked into the glass, seeing the light refract through the liquid, making in glimmer. This might take a while I thought.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I took my glass with a small word of thanks, trying to not disturb his thinkings. "Ah," I said noncommittally, taking a sip of my wine as I did so. "The years have been well to you, I hope."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"I guess it depends on what you mean by that. Have I learned some things," I said, pausing for a sip of wine. "Yes, I have that. But I don't think I could say they came without a price. Hard lessons they were."

I met her eyes. "You? Or should I continue?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I nodded, thinking on a few lessons that I'd learned myself through the passing of the years. "Sometimes the harder lessons are the most needed," I said as I shifted my seat, barring my thoughts from delving into the rockier times of my past.

"They've been fairly good to me overall. There were always times when it was harder, but I cannot complain." Loneliness was the most of it, living in my Azzallese estate without a family to share it with, but I refused to admit to such to Tabien. It would only drag the humor down, and besides, I couldn't bring myself to admit it; I didn't even know if I could tell Gillermo should the conversation arise.

I smiled pleasantly nevertheless and took a sip of my wine, my fingers toying with the stem of the glass after I'd returned it to the table. "How long ago had we met? I was... Ah, thirteen, mayhap fourteen, I suppose. Over a decade, then."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Truth be told, it was but a minor meeting I'm sure. However, I do relish any chance to meet new people, for my contacts are few, and I still find myself with lots of time to spare."

No lie to that. At least now I had more things I could do to occupy my free time from whence I was but a mere child. Still, nothing is quite like enjoying anothers company.

"Did you ever read it, the book I mean?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I nodded as I listened, lifting my wineglass off the table as I relaxed back into the chair I sat in. "I did, actually," I responded, smiling. "It's been a few years since I've last laid eyes on its pages, but the ideas and thought processes were astounding. I can see why you were fascinated with it."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Thats good. I was quite well educated when I managed to make my way to Tiberium. You know, for all theories those modern writers had, I think those old Hellene philosophers and poets had it best." I swirled my glass and smiled.

"You could say I learned a lot of things there." I wasn't paying attention and let my thoughts drift to Delrae, "not all of them good." I said glumly the last part.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Not all memories are fond ones," I commented idly as he grew more somber, trying to remain neutral and not pry. "I think you're right, though, to a point. I have read a few more modern works, though, that could rival the thoughts of those of older days."

I gave a rueful smile, then took a drink of my wine. "I have to admit, though, that I haven't had as much time as I'd like to sit down and read, so you may well know better than I."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Well, that's a life dedicated to study I suppose." I glanced over her face. "How bout you. If I remember correctly," I paused thinking in remembrance, "You were under a sort of aegis from the Trevillions, were you not? How has that worked out?"

One could not forget the show of authority, and her charming nature against those guards.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I smiled, toying idly with my wineglass. "It was lovely," I said matter-of-factly, though with a warmth that held my true feelings in it. "The Trevalions are wonderful people; my fostering went quite smoothly. And you," I said, digging into my memory, "do you still shop for spices on a regular basis?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Hardly. Although compared to the bland food I've been eating, I've since taken it upon myself to savor D'Angline cuisine since my return. Bland rice and stale Miso may be hearty, but it was a necessity, not a privilege. " I remarked. Given that thought, I took another sip of wine, and didn't go back on my word, savoring the strong flavor, lest I forget it again.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I nodded and failed to comment, watching him curiously as he took a long pull of his wine and let it slide across his tongue. "I hear Aragonian wine is remarkably good in its early years in comparison to other countries," I said off handedly, taking a small drink out of my own glass. "I cannot say I've ever had the honor of being able to taste it, though."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"If I could remember the taste, I might agree with you." It occured to me that I was being overly vague. "Actually, I was only in Tiberium for a year, I've just recently returned from the far east lands of Ch'n."

I set my glass down for a moment, and rest my hands on the table.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Ch'n?" I asked, surprise reflecting in my voice even as my interest perked. "What were you doing there if I might ask?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I let my gaze drift to the window, watching a the people pass. I'd almost forgotten my hand, but a quick throb chimed in.

"Repenting mayhap." I murmured, almost subconsciously. I moment of silence passed before I realized what I said. I turned back to her gaze, trying to hope she didn't here that.

"I was doing some searching."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

He mumbled something; what, I didn't know, though after he did he was quiet. I didn't want to break the moment for him, but I was beginning to grow a little uncomfortable, wondering if I were intruding on him more than aught else. Then again, he were the one to suggest going elsewhere to talk. Still confusing as the last time we met, I see.

"Searching," I mused, keeping my voice curious without being intrusive. "Must have been for something exotic to we d'Angelines. Did you find whatever it was you were looking for?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I turned back, and looked at her face as she spoke. Somehow, I knew she was being nice for my sake. Surely, I was being less than forthcoming.

"Forgive me M'lady. I had a bit of a traumatic experience, I guess I've been reluctant to talk about it, and I feel it makes me poor company. I should try to be more sociable." I said with a regretful smile.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Ah; there was more than what met the eye, then. I had an inkling that it was so, but I'd been proved wrong in the past; best not to act until you knew for sure, and even then sometimes silence is the best key. I shook my head a little, giving a small smile born of ingrained politeness. The last thing I wanted to do was to make him feel uncomfortable himself, and apparently whatever had happened wasn't a subject he really talked about much.

"No, don't feel like you have to be cheerful for me," I said, looking at him before glancing to my lap to straighten my skirts. "If things have been difficult for you, then being such would likely be false; I'd rather have a grumpy Tabien than one who puts on a mask to please me. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, though." I paused, then looked back to his eyes. "Would it be better if we parted ways now? I'm staying in the City; if you find you want to chat again, you could look me up."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"What, no, not at all." I responded quickly. "These are things that won't go away in a day. In all honesty, I've gone far to long without some nice company to talk to." I flushed a little. "It's just that I don't have much to discuss beyond my studies and my travels. I'm not well informed enough to keep up with the chatter of the country, so to speak.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Alright - I just wanted to make sure you hadn't had a change of mind," I said, trying to reassure him that I wouldn't leave, and that I didn't mind staying here. "I know the feeling of having little to discuss at times; most of my time was spent in my estate in Azzalle before traveling to the City." I paused, thinking. "Were you able to attened any fetes or places of interest in Ch'n?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I choked back a laugh. "Fete's hardly. No, it was more like exile. I spent nearly all of my time doing hard labor and martial training. It was a far cry from any social vacation, and for a while, I couldn't understand my supporters." I drummed my fingers quickly on the table.

"But, I won't say it was a wasted trip. I just learned some different things than your average D'angline peer, I guess."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Oh," I said, my lips parting in immediate surprise. "It sounds as if you've had a hard life since we last met. Are you planning on staying long in the City, or do you have plans to continue your travels?"

I didn't know what he had been into and I didn't want to push; if he wanted to speak on it more, I had a feeling the subject would alter back. Just because I didn't press to know didn't mean I wasn't interested.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Oh, absolutely. At least for awhile. My exploits have shown me a variety of things, but I'd much prefer to enjoy my native country for a good many days." I swirled my glass a bit, ignoring the throbbing in my hand.

"To be honest, I never got to know Terre de Ange all that well in the first place. I call it home, but..." I looked her in the eye. "I wonder if is a true fit for me."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Our conversation seemed intent on remaining on the more serious side, and I peered at him with my head tilted just slightly. "How is it not?" I asked, my tone carefully devised in attempt to be more curious than invasive. "Unless you have outside blood, our ancestrial ties are bound here rather than elsewhere. Forgive me if I overreach, but whatever incident you have lived through must have been large; I couldn't imagine not considering Terre d'Ange my true home, even if I had an estate elsewhere."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

It was nice to hear some reassurance. "Thanks my lady, that does mean a lot. Please speaki freely, I'd appreciate it. I suppose I just thought that It would be so easy to live her, and everything would fit right, but." I took a drink, quick and urgent. "It's like wearing a form of dress that everyone says you look good in, but still feels slightly itchy,"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I nodded as I listened, feeling for mayhap the first time like I understood Tabien a little more. Even back when we were kids, I didn't quite know how to take him. "I understand," I said, my voice reflecting a frank honesty. "I don't like putting face on at court, but nearly every time I'm engaged in it I have no choice. It works, but it doesn't fit." I looked at my drink, then took a sip of it. "We all have to do what we need to, but if you don't need to be here, why are you?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"I guess I'm not sure where I need to be?" I shrugged. "I'm hoping that my calling will find me, and If I'm lucky," I paused looking around the room. "Perhaps it will be here, don't you think that would be for the best?"