Attending a play

[teo]

“Do you enjoy that? Watching how people interact? I have a sister who is fascinated by the interaction of even just two people. Get a group together and you’d think she’d just been named Empress,” I said, grinning as I began to spread some more dip on another piece of bread.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I laughed softly. "I do enjoy it. It keeps me afloat at court, but more than anything, I enjoy it." I took a sip of tea, the warmth just right.

[teo]

“That’s the important part,” I said after swallowing and wiping my mouth with a napkin.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"What do you find enjoyable about court?" I asked, the sweet peppermint of the tea filling my senses.

[teo]

“Nothing, truthfully,” I admitted. “I feel out of place and awkward at court. I know it’s my duty to make an appearance at some of the court functions, but they just make me long for home. For the open spaces and my friends and family.”

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Yes, I know how you feel. They can be downright claustrophobic," I agreed, nodding my head.

I thought on Delaunay and the hunt fete. Now that had been a whole new level of too close. I still wasn't sure if I really had disliked it or not.

[teo]

“Though I must admit I found certain parts of the Beltane fete truly enjoyable,” I said, giving her a smile.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Oh really? Which parts?" I teased, then smiled. "Forgive me, I don't except you to answer that."

[teo]

“The parts with you, those were the best parts,” I said, giving her a happy smile.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"You find so many ways to flatter me," I said with a shy smile, daring a glance up at his sincere eyes. He really was so sweet. I wished I could be brave enough to reward it.

[teo]

“But you make it so easy,” I told her, my smile turning into a playful grin.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

The grin that splashed across his face was too cute, I had to chuckle and shake my head. "I'll try to make it more difficult then," I replied with a smile.

[teo]

“Oh good, a challenge,” I said, still grinning.

I pushed the plate away, finished with my snack. The server came over to ask if we’d like anything else. “I’m fine,” I answered, then looked to Mercedes.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"I'm fine as well, thank you," I told the server with a smile. Part of me wished to linger, but we had already done so and I didn't want to end up boring him. "You realize that you have to make it more difficult as well. I can think of far too many good things to say about you." I was able to say in tease what I could never say seriously.

[teo]

“Do I have to? I rather like it when you say nice things about me,” I replied, teasing in return even though it was very true.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I smiled. "But it wouldn't be a kindness to give you a swelled head," I pointed out with chuckle. "It would be as difficult to get through a door as if you were wearing a gown with panniers."

[teo]

“I promise to make it difficult to say nice things if I start having to find bigger doorways,” I said, grinning.

The server returned with the check, which I paid so we could leave whenever we were ready.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

Once the bill was settled, I rose. "Well, I suppose you aren't as bad as some," I conceded with a smile. "You're not nearly arrogant enough to let most of it fill your head with nonsense."

[teo]

“Maybe I just haven’t spent enough time at court,” I said, chuckling and rising as she did. I came around to the other side of the table and offered her my arm. “Shall we?”

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I took his arm with a smile of thanks. "Of course. Though I think the court is missing out on your presence," I teased as we headed out of the restaurant.

[teo]

“And I think you are just too kind for my own good,” I said, chuckling as I led her out and headed towards her carriage. the night was drawing to an end, no matter how much I didn’t want it to be so.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Perhaps, but I doubt it," I said with a grin. "You, however, are a refreshing breeze after all the stuffy court rooms." I squeezed his arm lightly.

[teo]

I grinned, unable to help myself. I just couldn’t help enjoying when she said nice things about me.

“Thank you,” I said. Her carriage was very close, too close. I wanted to take her hand and run off to the little park I’d seen a couple streets over. I wanted to hold her in my arms and kiss her, feeling her body against mine as I drowned in her beautiful mouth. I wanted to do nothing but that until the sun rose, just hold her against me and kiss her for hours on end. The thought made my skin heat and I ducked my head slightly to try and hide my thoughts from showing.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

He grinned at the compliment, and then turned odd. It was shyness, but something about it made me concerned. “Is… is everything alright?” I asked hesitantly. We were only half a block from my carriage, I could see my men readying themselves again after spotting our approach.

[teo]

“Yes,” I said softly, taking a breath and looking at her again. “My thoughts are just running on on their own. Forgive me.”

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Of course. I'm sorry if I said something offensive," I said quietly. It was the only logical reason that I could think of as to why he went so odd.

[teo]

“Oh gods no! Not at all. Mercedes, I promise you there was not a thing wrong in what you said.” I felt like such a fool for having made her think such a thing. My skills at hiding my thoughts and feelings were so atrocious, I should know better than to attempt it, for it usually ended up like this.

“I was thinking about what it would be like to kiss you,” I admitted softly. “I know I shouldn’t be and I’m sorry, but that’s what it was.”

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I blinked, and then my cheeks went red and I looked away. "Oh," I managed, voice soft. "I accept your apology then."

And then we were at my carriage. It was too soon, and yet not soon enough. "I... I would like to see you again Teo. Soon, if possible? Will you write me?" I looked at him then, thoughts swirling in my head.

[teo]

“I will, you have my word,” I said, smiling. “Thank you for tonight, it was amazing.”

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"No, thank you," I replied honestly. "I shall see you soon then." I squeezed his arm lightly, smiling as I did so, before releasing him and stepping up to the carriage. Another smile, and the footman closed the door and hopped up to the front of the cab. I pushed the curtain aside and waved once before we drove off.