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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 6, 2007 14:13:42 GMT -5
Ah! He did know it, as I was positive he would. "They're wonderful people," I said truthfully, smiling across the table at him. "I know August will be at the Coronation and fete; I'll introduce you if you'd like."
The worry in his eyes sobered me some, thought I put more effort into the smile I wore on my mouth. "Not really," I said, thinking quickly. I didn't want to lie to him and say nothing, but it wasn't something I would speak readily of. I wasn't sure how common-place the rumor was for that matter, and for another it wasn't about me. "Simple gossip is all. I try to stay out of it."
Setting my wine glass back on the table I watched him, appreciating not for the first time his company, and his handsome features.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 6, 2007 14:19:33 GMT -5
"I would be grateful if you would, Mirielle." I smiled, for the first time putting my hand on hers. "Gossip is one of the lesser evils, and sometimes it is forebearing. You are wise not to engage in it, but do not underestimate the measure of truth it can hold."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 6, 2007 14:57:35 GMT -5
"It's settled then," I said with a slight smile, referring to the introduction.
I sighed softly with his words on gossip; it were true, and he was wise for knowing it, but I hoped desperately that it was not. Strife wasn't something I enjoyed, especially between two people I'd grown up with, two brothers I'd watched in joy and in sorrow.
"I know," I said, attempting to pool away the thoughts under the weight of his hand. My fingers lifted of their own accord, stringing and playing with his for a fleeting second before I shied away, pulling my hand back. Boldness all over again, and a heart I guarded too well... But it was who I was, however inconviencing it might be at times.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 6, 2007 15:11:24 GMT -5
I'd enjoyed her smooth touch, and I grieved the loss of it a short instant.
Mirielle was getting somber, and it made me sad so see such eyes meant for mirth turned off to sadness.
"It always comes to pass, Mirielle. I promise you," I said in my most comforting voice. Looking at our wineglasses, I found that both were empty. I gestured to the serving lass who readily came by, and with a smile asked her to bring some more drinks.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 6, 2007 15:17:40 GMT -5
He was comforting me, talking in the same gentle voice I'd used with the children of my estate when they had scraped their knee, and suddenly I felt foolish for letting a rumor take over my demeanor. With a distracted smile to the serving girl, I looked at Gillermo, my breath short in my mouth; the urge to kiss his lips, to feel him against me hit me strong, and it was all I could do to fight it off. I'd been given a brotherly kiss twice now, however much it contradicted his flirting nature, and I found well that I had no intention of risking anything of that caliber anytime soon.
Shivering lightly I smiled, catching my lower lip between my teeth as I glanced away. "I know," I said, attempting to lighten the mood between us once more by correcting my own. "You're a kind soul, Gillermo. Thank you."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 6, 2007 22:16:57 GMT -5
I smiled, my lips itching to steal a kiss, and my body marble-like, did not move, obeying a greater instinct. "Kindred spirits acknolewdge one another, Mirielle, nothing more." I replied.
Attempting to lighten the mood, I asked, "Did you wish for dinner? It is well past that time, but we've been here a moment and I'm famished." To-Biko, breaking his silence, nodded vigorously his ascent.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 7:31:07 GMT -5
I smiled, glancing up at both he and To-Biko as he nodded. "That sounds wonderful, actually - I was beginning to get hungry."
My dress rustled as I stretched my legs a bit before crossing them, my hands toying with my empty wineglass. As if on cue the serving lass came up with a fresh order of drinks, and I gave mine a long look. It likely was a good thing to eat as this was my third glass of wine - I feared I'd be getting tipsy if I continued on with an empty stomach. "Thank you," I said pleasantly to the young woman, my lips splitting to show my teeth in a friendly smile. "Would you be so kind as to bring us menus, also?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 8:01:13 GMT -5
I was happy that Mirielle had not reacted to my observation about kindred spirits. It was the most inane thing I'd said in a long time, and I would have flogged myself for it under other circumstances.
Thankfully, the serving lass showed up at the ready, menus in hand, and we all were absorbed for a moment in the contemplation of our orders.
Looking up from the menu, I asked both to Mirielle and To-Biko "Is anything striking your fancy?".
To-Biko looked at me decisively, but waited for Mirielle to reply.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 8:07:27 GMT -5
Glancing up from the menu, I nodded at Gillermo. "I think so; the glazed salmon sounds delicious." Indeed it did, and I set my menu down upon the table softly. I hadn't had salmon in years, eating instead fish from the sea and not that of lakes and rivers, but I'd always loved its particular flavor. To-Biko looked sure of what he wanted and I bit back a grin for it, looking at Gillermos handsome face instead. "And you?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 8:17:56 GMT -5
"I hesitate. There is a pheasant roast that seems rather enticing, but I'm seeing some rather enticing steak on the menu as well." I drummed the table with my fingers lightly, then made a decision. "Steak it is, I haven't had any in a while."
The serving lass came by and I let To-Biko place our orders, suppressing a terrible laughter when I saw him order fried snapper, his third serving in the last few days. He had compulsive tendency, that was to be reckoned with.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 8:23:05 GMT -5
I gave a grin to him, watching him debate with all seriousness. "My supper last night was steak - here's hoping yours comes close to being as good as that one was for me. I don't know if any cook could rival Jilla..." Honest truth, though I gave a slight lilt to my voice that suggested a faint hint of teasing. She was a fantastic cook, and I was fortunate to have her.
I handed my menu to the girl with a curious look to Gillermo, seeing in his eyes a surpressed laughter with To-Bikos voice. What had tickled him so? Still, I wouldn't ask as his laughter had been shut of to mute, though I couldn't help but glance from him to his large companion.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 8:26:52 GMT -5
Mirielle looked at the both of us in stifled confusion, and I couldn't resist laughing any more, and it exploded powerfully, To-Biko following suit good-naturedly.
I wiped a tear, and apologized, "I'm sorry Mirielle, it's only that this one," I pointed at To-Biko with my chin, in the manner he sometimes used to designate me, "has yet to diversify his taste. Fried snapper and Kuign'Amann have been his ordinary for the last 3 days."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 8:48:01 GMT -5
"Oh, that just means he sticks with what he knows is good," I said, giving To-Biko a grin and a wink. "Though honestly I couldn't imagine having snapper, fried, broiled or any other way."
Wrinkling my nose is a jesting fashion to puncutate my words, I shook my head slightly, a smile trying to come out.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 11:04:39 GMT -5
I laughed again, followed by To-Biko's joyous roar. "I'll remember that when you come to dinner, then, Mirielle. I'll keep the snapper for him, and save the salmon for you, it's a promise."
My smile turned devilish, and I gave in to the temptation to ask "Was there something, however, that might sate your taste for danger?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 13:07:41 GMT -5
I laughed and thanked him, for if he served me snapper I would be hard pressed to actually eat it. Turtles were interesting creatures, though I'd never before pondered actually eating one.
With his devilish grin and daring words I inwardly quickened, though I kept my voice honey-sweet, giving him an innocent smile to match it. "That, my dear Gillermo, is information that must be earned."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 13:47:27 GMT -5
I smiled again, my face taking on the mask of understanding. "Then earned it shall be, Mirielle. I have much patience for what is worth waiting."
Our orders came, and the serving lass set before To-Biko a plate of fried snapper, an interesting dish if there ever was one, though I'd never developped a taste for it. Mirielle's salmon was lovely, a beautiful dish colorful and tasteful, at her image.
My steak... ah! It was more then I'd hope for. After a gracious word of thanks to the serving lass, I wished Mirielle and To-Biko to enjoy their meal, and cut a heart slice of the bloody meat. It tasted wonderful.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 13:59:29 GMT -5
"Hopefully so, Gillermo, though I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatched." My smile became teasing and merry as the serving girl came about, cutting off conversation for the moment.
To-Biko and Gillermo both ate with a hearty appetite, and I almost laughed for the sight of it. My salmon was tender enough that I didn't need to slice it with a knife as was truly proper, and as such I simply ate it with a fork. The flavor was wonderful, and at next I tried some of the spiced steamed veggies on the side, finding myself more hungry than I had origionally thought.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 14:05:23 GMT -5
To-Biko looked at Mirielle in askance at her chicken comment, and I laughed. "Don't worry, Mirielle, I don't have the spirit of a farmer, and can't handle poultry to save my life. I'm rather good a sealing deals, however, so you might be surprised at the final outcome."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 14:07:01 GMT -5
"Oh?" I asked, setting my fork down to take my wine. "That sounds like a challenge to me."
I grinned and glanced at To-Biko before looking back to Gillermo, amusement in my features as much as it was in my voice.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 14:16:29 GMT -5
"I've never backed down from a stimulating challenged, Mirielle," I replied very earnestly.
To-Biko nodded very vigorously. He knew. In the past years, he'd seen me take on difficult negociations, and win them. After all, he owed his life to one of my bets.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 14:30:30 GMT -5
"Somehow I don't doubt that," I said with a little grin, my gaze holding steady on his even while I saw To-Biko nod out of the corner of my eye. "And, praytell, did you win the majority of those stimulating challenges?"
I was teasing him now, not trying to prickle him, though I thought by now he knew me well enough to guess so, or I hoped anyhow.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 14:33:50 GMT -5
"If you had to guess, Mirielle, how often do you think I loose at this game?" I asked with a shrewd smile.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 15:09:28 GMT -5
"Little enough that you still have good confidence," I said, returning his shrewed smile with a soft one of my own, echoing around merriment.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 15:28:11 GMT -5
"A kind assessment, and, coincidentally, a correct one," I replied with warmth, as I toasted her. "How's your fish?"
Next to her, To-Biko was a silent figure of contentment, the bane of all turtles for a moment, at least.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 15:51:41 GMT -5
I nearly grinned, though the small take between us had showed me a side to him I'd suspected at, and still suspect now - only stronger. Gillermo was a ladies man, one used to getting what he want, and I had no intention of handing myself to him like a Night Court adept. Gods did I want to, with his lean muscles and handsome face, but I held myself higher than that. Barely.
"It's delicious," I said happily, giving him a smile. "How is your steak?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 16:09:04 GMT -5
"Tasty and hearty," I replied on the same tone. "I haven't had such filling piece of meat in a long time."
Taking a leap at the lull in conversation, To-Biko jumped in, much to my amusement. "This snapper is also superb, Mylady," he said. "Are you sure you won't try any?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 19:45:22 GMT -5
I blanched some before I could catch myself, and gave a small laugh for my inane reaction to his thoughtful question. "I don't think I have the stomach for it right now," I said with a regretful smile, hoping my initial reaction didn't cause him any embarrassment; it did for me. Sparing a glance for Gillermo I busied myself back into my salmon, peeking back up at the two of them.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 21:51:58 GMT -5
I looked at To-Biko with mirth, containing a smirk of my own, as I saw one edging on his lips.
Picking a bite from his plate, I chewed and swallowed, years of practice at eating foreign foods coming to my aid, and made an appreciative sound, though I hated the turtle dish myself.
Seeing Mirielle's reaction to it, though, was well worth the trouble.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 7, 2007 21:57:04 GMT -5
They laughed at me! I deserved it, I knew, but... Giving Gillermo an unreadable look, I deliberatly reached over and speared a piece, albeit tiny, of turtle from To-Bikos plate. Raising it up so they could both plainly see it, I took my wine glass in my other hand and placed the turtle into my mouth.
A look of utter disgustion begged to come out though I bit it back, chewing the turtle less than half a dozen times before swallowing it... and immediatly taking a long pull at my wine after.
Manipulated easily into that one, but it was worth it, and with a grin I set my glass back down, calmly working on my salmon again.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 7, 2007 22:06:02 GMT -5
I allowed the chuckle to rise to my lips, and it burst out, my own admission feeding it some more. "It's horrible, isn't it?" I asked, laughing whole-heartedly, as To-Biko grumbled something about my poor gastronomic tastes.
I smiled at Mirielle, "You are a courageous woman, I like that," I said with a warm smile.
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