A Simple Drink

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The sun was beginning to fall down from its massive height in the sky by the time my window shopping had begun to bore me, and without much thought I entered the first tavern I came across. Lucky for me, too, I thought as I crossed the floor to take a seat at the bar, for the place was well maintained and clean, the staff generally with a content look about their features.

Smiling as I settled myself upon a stool, I called for a glass of wine, arranging my dark blue skirts around me carefully, though without much thought.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Bored of my first day in the city, and in need for a distraction, I walked heedlessly on Mont-Nuit, my retainer in tow.

A tavern had been indicated to me as the new rage in town, and so I made for the Generous Patron. Besides, the name suited my tastes, I mused.

I sat at a table and ordered from the lovely lass who promptly greeted me a bottle of her finest bubbles, and allowed myself to absently look at the ladies who graced this place of their presence.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The simple fact that I was alone in the tavern was the only thing that kept my attention focused, drawing my eyes from the smokey glass that held my wine and to the rest of the room. A scan of the room was given, and as I was returning my attention back to my glass a figure walked in, and I watched him with unveiled curiosity. He held himself well, to be sure, with an easy gait that rolled off of him like someone who had been used to swordplay, and the retainer behind him was discrete enough that he fairly faded away into the woodwork.

With a start of realization I looked back to my wine; not embarrassed, but not wishing to cause any sort of strife if he were to be joining another lady in here; I was certainly not the only one. Lifting my glass in distraction I peered at the bottom, trying to discern if there was a mark as to who made the lovely smoked glass I drank from.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I looked around, and when I had taken stock of the available women, I set my eyes on a lovely, innocent looking thing in dark blue, a lone shopper perhaps.

Calling the inkeep, I asked, "Pray tell, my good friend," I asked as I slipped him a coin absently, "who is the lovely lady in blue?"

My coin was lost on him as he did not know her name, all I found out was that she had entered moments ago, and had not frequented the Generous Patron before, a limited information, really, as the place had just opened.

I took my glass and sipped it, observing the pretty girl over my wine, reflecting on whether I should make an approach, or not.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I had just taken a drink of my wine when an itch lit between my shoulderblades, feeling a pair of eyes linger on me. With an effort I kept my attentions forthward, though the longer the feeling persisted the less will I had, and in the end I inevitably turned slightly, looking over the room to discover whoms gaze it was that I had felt.

Table after table was looked to and discarded, and but a second before giving up my search I looked upon the handsome man who had walked in, meeting his gaze without a trace of fear. Still, color touched my cheeks as I returned his look, wondering silently who he was.

A discrete cough brought my attention back forth once more as I turned, the barkeep standing before me with a questioning gaze. Smiling I shook my head; no food, thank you. My gaze stayed forward as I was one to be confident, but not overly bold, and I was thankful I had chosen a gown that suited my curves well.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

By Asherat, maybe not so innocent a lass, I thought.

I pierced my gaze, and observed her just a bit more. Not an adept, and not a simple peer. This one was of high birth, a D'Angeline noble, very likely so. Not a bad place to start, I thought.

A small gesture of mine, and To-Biko was at the bar, discreetly giving an instruction to the barkeep in his strongly accented D'Angeline, and back to his place.

I hoped she would accept the drink, as I had specifically ordered the house's best.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

When the crystal glass was set before me, holding in it a white wine aged to deep perfection, I glanced up to the barkeep in mild confusion; I'd not ordered this. All I recieved in return was a shrug and a discrete finger-point, and without looking I knew well whom it was that had sent it.

Running my finger along the rim to bring out a light hum of noise, I turned slightly in my seat and looked to the man again, giving him a considering, if still friendly, gaze. While the idea of sending a drink was not inventive, it was the first anyone had offered me since my arrival in the City - and honestly I was not off-put by it at all. With a smile and a raise of the crystal glass I acknowledged him, my gaze not faltering as the color returned to my cheeks.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Good, I thought. She was not adverse to fine wines. A lady of quality, I reckoned. I raised my own glass in return, appreciating highly the vision of her playfulness.

Would I press on? Probably. I am not on to give up so easily. I pulled out a small quill I kept for such occasions, and wrote a note. Giving it to To-Biko, I gave an imperceptible nod.

Knowing the routine, To-Biko walked up to her, and bowing deeply, he silently left the note by her, bowed again, and returned.

My lady,

Will you allow me to introduce myself, or let me suffer in abandonment?

G.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I nearly laughed aloud as I recieved a note penned so freshly that the ink had yet to dry upon its parchment. Begging a quill and ink from the barkeep I noted back to him below his own handwriting, my script finely practiced to a light flow.

Good sir,

I did not expect you to wait this long, but I'm well pleased with it. Please, introduce yourself so I may thank you properly for the drink you have sent.

M.

His servent had left as he'd handed it to me, and so I delivered it to the barkeep with a soft beg for him to take it. With an amused smile I took a drink of my white wine and sat back, waiting patiently for the gentleman to come.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Well met, I thought as i read her delightful note, both her spirited words and her pretty penmanship. She liked games, or at least, was able to appreciate them. This would be fun, I thought.

Leaving my table but a moment, I strode over to her, and bowed a deep bow, my sword at the hilt the sign of my lineage.

"I am Gillermo Stregazza, and very pleased to meet such quality in expected places, My Lady."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I smiled as he bowed and introduced himself, taking note of his name without letting it show upon my face. "A pleasure to meet you, Gilermo Stregazza." My smile warmed a touch as I sat where I was; getting down would have been awkward to say the least. "I am Mirielle Bellamont - thank you kindly for the wine."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"It was only natural that a lady such as yourself be served only the best, and that a gentleman, such as myself, saw to it," I replied.

"Would you care to join me at my table?" I pursued, ready to offer my hand should she need help getting off the stool.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

A smooth talker, I mused, and one apparently used to getting what he wished. Confidence rolled out of him like steam from a kettle, and while I was able to appreciate it I did not want him thinking I was a bimble-headed chit that cared only for finery and compliments. Failing to comment on his fine-woman statement I gave him a second considering look, then glanced over to his table-mate and apparent servent. He assuredly wasn't d'Angeline, though Gillermo obviously wasn't himself. Partially, I thought, with the fineness of his features that blended nicely with the off-handed ruggedness that hung about him, but not fully. Not with that last name, if he were born to it true. Still, a flicker of intrigue flashed through me at what our neighboring country might give in the way of nobles and lordlings, and I settled the fragile glass down upon the bartop.

Giving Gillermo a soft smile I slipped from my chair unaided, the same as I would have otherwise, I picked up my crystalled glass. "I would love to," I said, looking up at him.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Smiling easily, I ignored her rude consideration of myself and of my loyal companion.

Lady Bellamont was distrusting, an attitude which I was accustomed to in the course of my functions. I had overcome High Nobles and Adepts alike, from Jebe-Barkal to Eire, and her barrieres would likely not be unsurmountable.

She, however, was no ruling monarch,just another one on the list of pretty women I might, or not, court. A beautiful woman to look at, doubtless, and spirited. Very well. I know to appreciate a challenge. Besides, if anything, her presence would be entertaining.

Smiling frankly, I offered her my arm, adding: "You see me elated that you accepted to join me."

When we had arrived to the table, a few strides later, I pulled her chair and set her back, performing the small act of servitude as a token of my respect.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

His arm was solid as I took it, lending to my previous thought that Gillermo knew how to use the sword he wore so easily by his side.

"Thank you," I said as I settled, my voice appreciative. "You're not the only elated one." I smiled at him once more, settling my skirts around me. "I am too, in all good honesty. This is the first chance I've had to talk to someone in the City since arriving outside of a few letters of correspondence from an old childhood friend." Glancing at his hulking companion, I felt a small wave of smallness cover me - he was larger than anyone I'd seen before, though I was thankful he seemed pleasant enough. Giving him an inviting smile I turned back to Gillermo, my gaze taking in his handsome features. He was a sight, assuredly, and one I found rather pleasing to look at.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Really?" I replied with a measure of joy, a pinch of confidence, and a dash of playfulness in my voice. "It seems the Fates have their eye on us, as they would say in Kriti. You are, in turn, my first encounter in the city as well."

I took my glass and lifted it elegantly : "I propose a toast."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Kriti? Intrigue, intrigue.

Smiling in return I lifted my glass with his, holding it aloft into the air. "A toast?"

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"To first encounters, and whatever happiness they may bring," I toasted, looking into her eyes from under, my eyebrows the mantle of mischief.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The spark of mischief that lit his eye made my smile a touch more devious, though I didn't hesitate to gently clang the tip of my glass to his. "Hear hear," I said softly before taking a drink to seal the toast, still looking at him with a small, coy smile.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I took a sip of my drink, my gaze still locked on hers.

Setting down my glass, I eased my gaze to a simple, nonchalant, conversationnal look. "I always look in the eye when I toast. In Aragonia, it is a sign of deviousness not to do so when toasting, and since the first time I'd toasted in Amilcar, I'd always kept the habit of it. Besides, I have nothing to hide," I added with a warm smile.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Neither do I," I replied, letting my gaze drop as I carefully set the fragile glass on the table. Raising my eyes again, I looked back at him in a friendly manner.

"It sounds as if you've travelled quite a bit. Where, if you had to choose, is your favorite place to be?"

My wording was purposely vague, for I wondered with a thought as to how he would recieve it. A smile was on my lips still, my features never altering from friendly. It was, after all, how I felt, and I was very much interested in his return answer.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Without hesitation, I replied immediately, "This very place. In truth, I did indeed always choose Terre d'Ange over any land, aside from my own, though given the opportunity, I prefer life in Terre d'Ange." There was no playing this time. I was using my strongest weapon to win her confidence : pure, unabridged and undoubtable truth.

How convenient, this time, I mused to myself. In Menekhet, the same question would have gotten me in trouble.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I could hear the honesty in his voice, and coupling that with my strong d'Angeline pride left me liking Gillermo more than I did previously. Something about him still struck me as more of a ladies man than not, but that was well and fine by me. I did not come to Mont Nuit to find a suitor.

"I'm pleased to hear you say so," I said softly, my smile gentling on my lips. "As any true d'Angeline might, I would think."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"I live to please," I replied earnestly with a wide smile, both pleased to see that truth was still my ally, and that Milady Bellamont was softening up.

"What of you? Where does your heart beckon ?" I asked in genuine interest, estimating her smart enough to understand the double entendre.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Home," I said with a slow smile, letting him take my answer as he would. "In all good truth I've never been out side of Terre d'Ange; I was fostered young and the family to whom I went to was stable in Azzalle. I stayed with them until I was eighteen, and from there I went to my own estate." I was leaving the information I gave him simple and slight, telling him some of my past in explination as to why I'd not gone anywhere, but leaving the important details out - who I was fostered with, why I stayed so long. If he was interested I would gladly tell him, though while I appreciated his show of boast I felt no need to give one in return.

Tucking my hands into my skirted lap I settled back in my chair, any unease I had had previously from sitting with two strange men draining out of me.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"You stayed past your 16th natal," I observed. "Were you happy with your foster family?"

I expected there was more to it, but prying never was a winning card with women such as Mirielle Bellamont. With women such as her, respect was key. Besides, I did not like to act in duplicity in my personnal life.

"I've never been to Azzalle. Will you tell me of your birthplace?" I asked, sincerely curious.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"I was," I said, smiling. "Very much so, actually."

I was impressed that he had observed my overlapping of tradition with the length of stay I'd endured with the Trevalion family, and I thought he might be curious as to why I'd stayed longer. Leaning back slightly in my chair, I looked at him before speaking anew.

"My parents died during my stay with my foster family, and they kept me longer to assure my safety. I owe them much, and love each of them dearly."

A slight hesitation caught me, though I continued to speak without much delay in effort to answer his question. "Azzalle is beautiful, bordered on one side by the bountiful sea and on three others by the lush land of Terre d'Ange. I'm honestly thankful I was born there and not elsewhere." I smiled, one hand raising to toy with my wine glass. "I hope you're able to visit there some day."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I listened to her with undivided attention, my hand on my glass and my head tilted towards her in confidence. Her tale was a sad one, really, and I was touched that she shared it with a near stranger.

I kept a short moment of silence before I spoke, reflecting on how to react to it, but also in respect for the departed.

"I am truely sorry about your parents, Milady," I said, my eyes reflecting the memory of sorrow past as I thought of my own father. "It is visible though that you had nonetheless a happy childhood," I observed, thinking she was a balanced person who exhibited the signs of a happy upbringing.

Smiling with mirth, and a little teasing, I added "Azzalle sounds lovely, is that an invitation?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Please," I said, catching sight of the sorrow in his gaze, "Don't be sorry. Events play out for one reason or another, and I truly was happy in my childhood." I didn't wish to pry into his own upbringing, or what had caused the spark of sadness in his eye, and with a soft smile I merely looked down to the toying my fingers were doing with my glass.

His teasing voice brought my attention back up, and with a coy, teasing smile of my own I answered him. "Of course it is, my lord Stregazza. I would like to invite you to visit Azzalle at any time."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

A tease, I noted. But two can play this game. "Be careful what you offer, Mylady," I jested, "I may take you up on such an enticing offer."