Lunch: Brys, Lessandrie and Maeve

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I smiled to Maeve and nodded.

"Tell me Maeve, what's Heliotrope like?" I asked as we walked.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

I smiled widely. "It is wonderful," I said. "I'm more attached to it than some other adepts; it's the only home I've ever known. But it's a peaceful, caring place to all who enter. Anyone can come into Heliotrope and feel loved."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I nodded again.
"Sounds lovely, I've heard that the future Duchesse L'Envers was once a Heliotrope adept."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Walking quietly and taking in the sights I nodded in agreement.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

I nodded. "She was," I said in confirmation, "but since her engagement I have not seen her. We were not so close, but she liked birds, I remember."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

"I have not met her but I know my cousin would choose a suitable bride for the future Duchesse." I thought for a moment of Evangeline and wondered what would become of her.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

"I wonder how the future Duchesse and the Duc's sister will get along," I mused. "My lady Evangeline L'Envers does not take kindly to Heliotrope adepts."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I raised a brow.
"You've met with the Duchesse?" I asked as we neared a resturant and I read the name 'Desir' on the outside.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

"Yes my Lord," I said. "On the street, once."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I furrowed my brows.
"Sounds like an unhappy meeting." I replied as we reached the doors and I opened them for Lessandrie and Maeve.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

"No my Lord," I said, stepping into the restaurant. "She has harsh words for someone with a face as fair as hers."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I chuckled softly.
"That sure sounds like her." I replied grining at Lessandrie then looked back to Maeve. "I'm sorry that she was like that."

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

"It's all right," I said. "I did not mind so much. I went home to my charges, and they cheered me up."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Smiling brightly I walked behind the pair, they waited until we were seated after thanking Brys for holding the door. It had been some time since I had seen Evangeline and I was in no place to make judgements. She was known for a short temper but perhaps the recent events had affected her deeply and soured her mood even more deeply.

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I smiled.
"I'm glad then." I said as a server arrived. "Table for three please." I said smiling still, he nodded and guided us toward a corner table.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

As we walked I let half my mind wander to the first time I'd come here, my expression placid from long practice.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

Following Brys to the table, I waited for them to sit before sitting myself. "How do my lord and lady occupy their time when not lunching in Night's Doorstep?" I asked. "If it's not too much to ask."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

Once we had sat at our table I looked at Maeve.
"Training." I said shrugging as a waiter arrived to fill our glass with cold water.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

After thanking the waiter once my glass was full I looked at the pair and replied, "Usually I'm quite busy but if not I'm reading or watching the birds in my aerie."

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

I smiled. "I also like to read," I said. "Mostly poetry."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

"I wish I had more time to read." I said taking a sip of water and picking up my menu.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

Sipping my own water, I said encouragingly, "That is too bad. Maybe you haven't found the right book yet."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I shrugged slightly looking over my menu.

"I've read plenty of books," I commented. "Its more that I don't have the time to devote to it souly."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"They can be very time-consuming," I agreed.

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

I smiled. "That's how it is with many things," I observed. "They have good and bad sides."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I nodded looking over the menu and finding something I wanted, the roast beef, and looked back at the two.
"That's true," I said taking a sip of water. "Priorities are one of those things."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I understand completely," I added with a soft smile. "responsibilities must come first, always."

[Maeve nó Heliotrope]

I nodded in agreement. "And all the more so when you have responsiblities to many, many people, like my lord and lady."

[Brys de Warrene (D)]

I chuckled softly.
"I don't have enough staff to have that many responsibilities." I said with a wink.