Blondes at Lunch

[Shona Tertignan]

“You’re telling me,” I replied with a small puff. “He claimed I would make him lose his shirt, if he played at Baccarat, and that he preferred small bets.” I gave her a naughty grin. “But if he wants me to lose my gown, he’ll definitely have to lose his shirt… and I think he wants me enough.”

I didn’t care, I appreciated the challenge. If he didn’t want the game, oh well… I’d do without him.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I chuckled. "I imagine he would have to loose quite a bit more than just his shirt. You don't seem like one to fold easily," I said with a brow raised in suggestion.

[Shona Tertignan]

“When it suits me,” I replied with a wry smile. “Sometimes the price for losing is better than the price for winning.” I always lost purposely to potential patrons who struck my fancy. It made them think they had won me over, satisfying their need to satisfy their self-importance, and yet, in the end, it was I who had the upper hand for it. That made me smile brightly.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I chuckled, finishing off my juice. "Oh, I understand that one. Bryony isn't the only one to teach such things."

"Now I'll be right back, I have to powder my face, and speak to the handsome waiter, Tony." I told her, rising with a wink. "I won't be long."

I slipped away, catching Tony's eye on the way and quirking a tiny smile. He nodded ever so slightly, and I found him waiting for me after I finished with the necessaries. More flirting though nothing improper, and a whispered name so he would know who to ask for when he arrived at Cereus. He kissed me just once, shyly, before I returned to Shona with flushed cheeks and a little smile on my lips.

[Shona Tertignan]

I couldn’t resist, it was too rich. I didn’t so much as stare as Nyx made her exit, but I did note the way the man twitched anxiously while waiting for her. Gods, but the girl would make a Cassiline break his vow, and take them again so he could renounce them anew.

While she was gone I finished my food, and had a thoughtful drink.

“Well, how was that?” I asked with an amused smile. “Are you going to make him sell all his belongings for one night with you?” I was so amused, I couldn’t take that smile off my face. Nyx would have made a fine Bryony adept, no doubt.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"Not all of his belongings. He has more than one job, so he can keep some of them," I replied with a teasing smile. "He must have forgotten to remove the pin on his lapel when he started his shift, it was a coat of arms. Almost looked Aragonian. And it went quite well, thank you." I added with a grin.

[Shona Tertignan]

"Right," I replied, grining wide. "Tell yourself that, save your conscience," I added, teasing her. "I'm willing to bet the poor boy will be simpering until he has his way with you. He's good looking," I said, "should..." I pretended to dig the name out of my memory, though it was quite fresh, "should Keegan be worried?" I had another sip, and smiled, trying to contain my laughter.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

She was obviously trying to contain her laughter, but I didn't bother. "No, Keegan shouldn't be worried at all." I told her, still chuckling. "I look for things beside devotion in a man." I laughed again.

[Shona Tertignan]

“Oh, that’s good,” I replied with a little grin. “What do you look for, for example?” I was curious – I’d never looked for anything in anyone. Only pleasure and opportunity. Well… that wasn’t exactly true, but I couldn’t allow myself to go there.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I shrugged a little. "Keegan makes me happy, makes me laugh. He does the little things for me." I wasn't sure how to describe it.

[Shona Tertignan]

“So that’s what love is…” I said thoughtfully. “Little things.” I smiled quietly, taking it all in. “You know, in that respect, I have a lot to learn from you.”

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I blushed and looked down, pleased that an older adept thought I knew something they didn't. "I'm very lucky to have found him."

[Shona Tertignan]

"Sure looks like it," I replied with a little grin. "I'm happy for you, you look happy." I didn't add it, but I couldn't help but thing I'd have that man's hide if he hurt her. I was getting passing fond of Nyx.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"I am. It's hard to be anything else, when I have him to cheer me up." I told her with a smile. "I had a horrible assignation the other day," I continued, my face darkening. "I'm just glad Keegan was there for me. I needed someone to tell me I was beautiful."

[Shona Tertignan]

“Oh?” I explained on a low, inquisitive tone. “Do you want to talk about it?” I asked with a concerned look. Inwardly, I shook my head. Nyx should never need to be told she was beautiful – she was rather sublime herself. I gave her a smile that was a bit strange, because in my mind, two conflicting emotions battled. One was the desire to sketch revenge plans, if only for the fun of it, the other was to reassure her of her beauty. Bah. Her Keegan had done the latter, maybe I should concentrate on the former, I mused.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"A newlywed wanted to surprise her husband with a threesome. He didn't appreciate the surprise," I said, my voice slightly dry. My facial expression clearly showed that I was unimpressed.

[Shona Tertignan]

I snorted. “He clearly had little taste,” I told Nyx. I’d had threesomes countless times, and enjoyed everyone of them. It took some skill, though – it was so easy to anger one of the two patrons by taking just a little less care of them. “Was it your first, though?” Gods, first impressions matter so much, I thought. Let this not be a scar to prevent her from accepting further assignations.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"My first time with two patrons," I replied with a little blush. I couldn't help but smile though at her snort. It was nice having someone on your side. "My fourth assignation."

[Shona Tertignan]

“I hope it won’t stop you from accepting couples’ patronage in the future,” I told her with just a little concern. “It can be fun, really, and the patron gifts are most generous.” I didn’t want to sound patronizing, but I did want to try and reassure her that her experience wasn’t a standard practice, so I said it sweetly, as a confidence. Four assignations… it wasn’t a lot, but then again, she was young. “The other three went well, I assume,” I offered with a grin. She didn’t look overly traumatized.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I nodded with a smile. "And I'm quite looking forward to my fifth." I said. I still wasn't going to think on Elliot's reaction if I could avoid it, but her words were comforting. After a moment of thought, I added, "I'll consider a couple again, but I will insist on meeting both of them beforehand. I don't want a repeat experience."

[Shona Tertignan]

“A wise idea,” I replied with a smile. “You know, my most loyal patrons are a couple, in fact, and it is one of their patron gifts that allowed me to complete my marque.” I let my mind wander to the entranced waiter, and added, “Think he will be patron number 5?”

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"A hopeful sixth patron. My Shahrizai gets priority, since he asked first." I said with a little laugh. "Truly though, he was... intriguing."

[Shona Tertignan]

She was quite visibly itching, no, dying to talk about him, so I chose to indulge. I took a sip of my wine, holding it in the fashion of the courtiers, though I made a comical face as I spoke, as though I were an old aunt listening to the fascinating tales of the young ones, who still had lives. Just a whimsical act. “Well do tell, Nyx, do tell,” I said encouragingly. If she wanted, I’d tell her a story of my own thereafter.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I blushed. "I just can't help but look forward to this assignation. He seems like the perfect patron. Charming, generous, very attractive. And then he has that darker edge to him, that I find entrancing."

[Shona Tertignan]

I chuckled. “Looking forward to an assignation is always a good thing,” I replied with a little grin. “I look forward to my assignation with my own Shahrizai as well, even if he is different. I like a challenge…” I smiled a little cattily. It was true. Besides, I kind of liked him, even if only for the way he wanted me, quite visibly.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I chuckled. "I can see the scheming brewing in your eyes," I teased her.

[Shona Tertignan]

I laughed in amusement. “Oh, that’s just me playing, Nyx.” I told her. “You know, I’m trained to scheme, true enough, but I do it for the fun of the game. I couldn’t care less about the outcome, as long as the challenge was worth it.” I winked, and added, “I rather find the pleasure of the game often compensation enough.”

It was true. The idea of ruining a peer with my charms didn’t appeal to me – it was in fact something that would make me stop. I prided myself on treating my patrons well, contrary to others who were greedy minxes. I couldn’t help but think of Saffryn. She was mean.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"A true adept of the Night Court then, not just one of Bryony. I'm amazed patrons aren't begging you for your attention as we sit here," I said with the smile only a little sister can duplicate. "I must admit, games can be an awful lot of fun," I added, looking to Tony. He noticed, and smiled slyly.

[Shona Tertignan]

I smiled back, beaming a little under her compliment. “We make quite the pair,” I admitted with a smile of pride. “You and I could turn them all into simpering fools, if we unleashed our powers,” I mused with a little grin.

I was pondering confiding in her – no doubt, I’d talk to Fisher about it, but it would be different. Another would have offered it to her then and there, but I am slow to trust, and on the cautious side. That the thought came to me so early was in fact surprising. Still, there was no harm in discussing one of two things. “I’ve been coaxed before,” I said with a mysterious smile.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"Oh? Something tells me there's a story behind those words?" I asked with a grin.