Lunch with Simon

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

I will NOT giggle like some stupid, vapid girl, I commanded myself frantically around my flush. "Not as much as I was lost in your charm," I said with a grin. "I really am glad that you're the first person I met in the City."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled and cleared my throat trying my to let my nervousness get to me.
"I'm glad I am too." I looked to her plate and noticed she was finished.

"Would you like desert?" I asked still smilling.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Smiling, I thought for a moment, then looked back at him. "I'm full, thank you," I said politely.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled.
"Are you sure?" I pushed myself up slightly and peered around finding the desert tray, eyeing it I sat back and smiled playfully.
"Looks delicious." I said trying to tempt her.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Smiling at his eagerness, I said as I looked over at the deserts as well, "You're right, they do look lovely- I think I might have something after all." I wasn't really hungry, but I'd never been able to resist sweet things, and I wanted to keep him in this good mood. I was having more fun then I could remember having for a long time.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I chuckled.
"You don't have to," I folded my arms and leaned forward on the table, my eyes catching hers. "I just enjoy watching you eat."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Smiling and leaning forward to match his pose I said whimsically, "Thank you- it's good to know I'm more graceful in that respect than I have been at the conversation today."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled.
"Its not your training," I said reaching forward and touching a lock of hair. "It is simply the manner at which you live, it's the grace inside you, the beauty in the light that glows around you when you smile." I shook my head and leaned back.

"Forgive me that was...too forward."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Ialmost leaned toward his hand as it brushed my hair, flushing at his words but accepting them as his telling the truth- and then he was sitting back and it took me a moment to remember what I had been about to say. Instead, I said softly, "Was it too forward? I can't tell," as I tried to string my thoughts back together.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I nodded politely.
"For a public place like this," I looked around and then back at her. "And just having met you I'd have to say yes." I smiled softly

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Nodding back politely and a little abashed I smiled slightly and said, "I see," and cast my eyes down at my clasped hands, though my face didn't move. My first time out in the City and I was making a fool of myself. Mother would be clasping her hands in her grave.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I had offended her, nice one Simon.
"Not that there was anything wrong...I just mean...I shouldn't embarass you like that."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I'm not embarrassed," I said quickly, looking up at him. "I thought you would be. I guess I don't always know as much as I think I do."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I shook my head seriously.
"No, not embarased." I relaxed and cleared my throat pulling my chair closer to the table and leaning over so that she and only she could hear.

"In fact I find you far too intoxicating for being in public. Its not often I an able to dine with a beautiful young woman as yourself and it can be hard to be a proper gentleman with you distracting me." The corner of my mouth turn up to a half smile and I sat back properly.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

My flush deepened even more and I was, for a moment, completely unable to think or speak as I was caught by his words and gaze. No wonder I'd been warned to be so careful in this City, if everyone here was this charming and entrancing. I'd never been one for dalliance- in fact, I'd never even given a real kiss before- but I was starting to wish it was something I did indulge in.

After a moment my brain snapped back into working order and I smiled charmingly in return. "I'm sorry, but you seem so charming when you are so distracted," I said with a teasing air. "Usually I would be much more proper than you have seen me be, but I end up a little dazed from being around you."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

My heart raced and I had to take a deep breath.
"My lady, I beg of you not to distract me so in public. I will likely sully my family's name if you continue in such a manner." I smiled as the server's cleared our table and returned with the deserts. I looked across to my companion and smiled.

"I'd love desert, Duchesse?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

With a deep breath I was settled back into my old habits. My face smoothing into a serene and completely appropriate smile I nodded. "I think that's a wonderful idea, my lord."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled politely and glad for the distraction, I looked to Lessa.

"Which one would you like?" I asked offering for her to choose first.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Looking at the tray I skimmed my eyes over the desserts and chose a slice of a creamy lemon pie. Giving the server a small smile I said, "That one, please," and then looked at Simon and waited for him to choose.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled at her choice and pointed to the layer's chocolate cake.
"That one please." I said politely. Once our deserts were in front of us and the servers gone I leaned over and smiled.

"That was my second choice."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Smiling back, I still kept up my facade of respectability. "Then it seems that great minds think alike," I said as I picked up the desert fork and took a bite. As with the meal, it was exceptional. "I think it shoud have been your first choice- its' exquisite," I added once I'd swallowed.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I watched her for a moment enjoying the sight of her eating and took my own bite. "I'm not sure, this is pretty good." I said raising a brow.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I bet mine is better," I said teasingly, forgetting more a moment I was supposed to be behaving like a lady and not letting my tongue run away with me. "Then again, I guess I'm not like other people- I always choose sweet things over chocolate, unless it's a special occasion." I raised my brow to match his.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I chuckled and took a bite watching her as I did.
"What consitutes a special occasion?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

After swallowing my own bite, I said, "The usual- natals, parties, having a good day...well, in that case, I should have gotten chocolate then," I said with a laugh. "Though this lemon pie is so good it's almost on the same level with chocolate. I think I may have to replace chocolate with this in the future."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I chuckled and nodded taking another few bites, it was light and fluffy but rich and decaden. I put my fork down and licking my lips a bit to obscenely and continued to watch Lessa eat.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Another quandry- if I flushed, it would show that I had an idea of what he was doing. Nature had other ideas though, and I felt the redness rise in my cheeks as I finished the bite in my mouth and set down my own fork. I almost sucked it clean in a mimicry of some acts, but I just could not force myself to be that brazen. Besides, it would be like lying, as I had never done such an act myself. Still, I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and looked at him, wondering what would come next.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I watched her carefully and smiled.

"Would you care for anything else, an apertif perhaps?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Did I want a drink? Most certainly. Would it be a good idea? Absolutely not. Who knew how silly I'd get if I had more alcohol in my system? Still, common courtesy abounded. "I could go either way on the subject," I said with a smile. "You decide."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I fiddled with my napkin nervously.
"Well here's the impass. If we order something it means a longer chance to speak, if we don't...well I guess it depends on whether you wish to spend any more time with me this day."