An Innocent Drink

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

Finally, a day off. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to lay around in my apartment, void of clothing and enjoying the simple pleasure of nudeness and a cup of lemon tea, or if I wanted to go out. In the end, I did a little of both, though I was careful not to stray near the window while I was relaxing. Somewhere near the middle of the afternoon, I dressed, fetched a few buckets of water to bathe with, then clad myself in a simple, straight-lined dress that had always made me feel pretty. I was luckier than most that lived in Mont Nuit; being a pincushion allowed me scraps of leftover fabric, and I was able to sew myself dresses once I'd collected enough. It took a long, long time, but it was worth it in the end. My weight didn't fluctuate either; I wouldn't let it, because my dimensions would be off as a model, and my hard-earned dresses wouldn't fit anymore. I couldn't afford to.

Making my way out of my apartments, I took the short walk to the Generous Patron, bent on seeing a childhood friend and owner of the establishment as well as mayhap meeting someone new. It took but a few moments before I was opening the door, stepping carefully into the establishment, my eyes searching the place for anyone I knew.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

At this time of day the bar wasn't terribly busy, and I was able to get some cleaning done, as well as chat from time to time with the regulars and keep an eye on the goings-on in my dining room. Not much was happening, but I did like to be prepared.

The door swung open and I glanced at it nonchalantly, then smiled to see the familiar face of Myth making her way in, quiet as always. "Good afternoon," I greeted her with a warm smile, gesturing to a seat at the bar. "How are you? Anything to drink?"

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

It had been an unusual day for me so in that I hadn't been able to cook a single thing. Today had one of those days where I was forced to focus on the business side of my life and by mid-afternoon I was drained.

Desperate for a drink and company that didn't have a pile of ledgers and numbers in front of them, I threw myself - figuratively - through the door to the Generous Patron and all the way to the bar where I found a seat.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

"Devon," I greeted warmly, making my way towards the bar. I'd only just sat when another came in and sat a few stools down from me, looking as if he'd had a rough day already. I glanced up at Devon and gave him a sort of 'oh my' look before smiling. "A mug of lemon tea, please."

I stole a peek over at the man at the bar, trying to discern if I knew him. It didn't take me long to decide that I most assuredly did not; his clothes were far too fine to belong to the rougher streets of Mont Nuit. I looked back at Devon once more, the smile still warm on my face. "I've been doing well -- how have you been?"

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"I've been as well as always, and yourself?" I asked as I brought down a mug, a small tin of tea leaves and quite a few slices of lemon. Her look amused me and I smiled wider to see her mood was good. We'd known each other a long time, and while she was as thin as usual, at least she seemed to be making her way. I'd offered her a job myself, but modeling the fine fashions of gentry was her chosen profession for the moment.

With a nod to show I'd be back I walked over to the new customer. "What can I get you?" I asked with a friendly, polite smile and tone, one that said I wouldn't be a bother if he wished to be alone.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Something strong that will wash away the film of finances that I have clinging to me," I replied wryly.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I smiled in thanks as Devon gave me my tea, curling my hands around it and enjoying the way the heat was transferred through the cup. It smelled divine, and I squeezed the lemons out into the tea before dropping the rinds in, not minding the cluttered appearance in my cup - it strengthened the flavor, something I enjoyed.

I kept my gaze on my work as he went down to the newcomer, a slight shyness taking me over.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"Ah, the bane of every business," I replied understandingly to the man, pulling out a good bottle of scotch from under the counter and placing a glass by it in easy reach. My smile was warm and easy, and I surreptitiously wiped a sticky part away a little further down the bar. "Would you like anything to eat?"

Picking up another bowl of lemons I slid them down to Myth with a small grin.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"In a bit perhaps, but first things first," I said, smiling as I poured myself a glass of scotch.

I smiled and nodded at the very pretty girl he'd brought tea too. "Please don't let me interrupt."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I caught the bowl just before it slid past me, glancing up at Devon with a small grin of thanks. I felt comfortable around him; he always had a way of cheering me up when I was down. Thankfully right now I wasn't. I picked up a whole lemon out of the bowl and held it up. "Are you hinting at something?" My grin bloomed a little more; I knew this routine well enough to know what was coming next.

The gentleman's words caught my attention and I peeked a glance over at him, smiling quietly. "You're not," I said softly, my voice lifted enough that he'd be able to hear me clearly.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

Smiling widely I picked up a paring knife from the far counter and set it lightly before her, gesturing for a bowl of stew to be brought forward. Such was the way it went with us- she drank her tea with lemon, and I got her to do a small bit of mostly-jesting work and convinced her to eat. I knew her build was important to her job, and therefore she controlled her appetite- but still, one had to ingest food at some point in order to live.

The bowl was brought out and I set it, a spoon and a hunk of bread in front of Myth with a significant look before turning back to see if my other customer was enjoying his drink.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

I smiled as I watched the girl and the man behind the bar interact. There was a comfortable familiarity between them that was relaxing and I tried not to stare.

Swallowing a drink of the scotch, I asked the barkeep, "Is this a private stock?"

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"In this sort of business, nothing's really private stock, or so I believe," I replied with a smile as I picked up a dry cloth and began wiping out some fresh mugs one of the scullery girls, only about ten or eleven and a niece of mine, had brought out. After their lessons they often came here to earn some extra coin. "Does it suit, or would you rather try something else? I have a couple more kinds."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I smiled wordlessly as I took the knife from him, ignoring the bowl and the crusty bread (and all of its delicious smells) for a moment to slice up a few lemons. I kept my work off of his counter top so as not to mar it, pulling the knife through the pungent fruit with a smooth, practiced hand.

Once two lemons were sliced, I took a spoonful of stew and ate it slowly, my gaze wandering towards Devon and the newcomer. They both were handsome; Devon in a burly, well built masculine way, and the gentleman in a quieter, more... Hm. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He seemed quite friendly though, and I gave both he and Devon a smile as I turned back, starting on a third lemon.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Oh no, it's excellent," I said with a smile. "I was wondering at the possibility of acquiring a full bottle for myself."

I nodded at the girl again. "I'll even slice those lemons for you while she eats if it will improve my chances or the price."

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"That, you'd have to discuss with Myth," I told him with a smile and chuckle. "She's been slicing lemons for me since I opened this place."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"I don't want to step on your toes, but I do have a bit of skill at slicing fruit and I'll be happy to do so while you eat," I said, smiling at Myth.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

"I don't want you to step on my toes either," I said, offering him a small, playful smile. "But if you'd like to..." I slid the lemons to him before handing him the knife handle-first. "Thank you - that's very kind."

I glanced at Devon, wondering what he thought of it. There were a few times that people had offered to slice my lemons for me before, but there'd always been an undertone of lewdness that had quickly earned them a dismissal.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

She looked at me, and in her eyes I could see memories of some of my cruder customers- but I didn't get that feeling from this man at all, and he'd had very little to drink thus far. With a reassuring smile that said I'd bash his head if need be, just as I had those others, I nodded a bit. "Do you need any more tea?"

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Thank you," I said as I took the knife and lemons. "In truth, you're doing me a favor. This is a bit of a relaxing task for me."

I smiled as I quickly began slicing the first of the lemons into perfectly even slices.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

Devons look made me smile; I knew it, having recognized it on more than one occasion. "No, thank you," I responded to him. "Not quite yet anyway."

My attention turned to the gentleman next to me again, the smile still on my mouth as I scooped up another spoonful of stew. "Slicing lemons is relaxing?" I questioned quietly. I still felt shy, but was trying to overcome it. The more I looked at him, the more I liked what I saw, and his politeness was refreshing. "I can honestly say I haven't heard that before. It's very... unique."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Anything to do with food is relaxing to me," I explained.

I was onto the third lemon already. Instead of slicing it though, I angled the knife and took the peel off in one long ribbon. Then I took the ribbon and curled it into the shape of a rose.

"For you," I said with a smile, offering it to Myth. "In thanks. Between the scotch and your kindness I am feeling nearly myself again."

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

Well, that was a sweet gesture. The man seemed to be flirting a bit with Myth, but at least he was doing it in a charming way, without groping. I couldn't begrudge her that in the slightest, not when so many had tried to manhandle their way into her affections.

"Cooking can be relaxing," I agreed as I poured him another round. "Though I'm not much of a chef myself. It's finding the rhythm of it that I find soothing."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

The gesture was completely surprising, and warmed me from the inside out. I took it from him carefully so as not to jar the peels out of its rose shape, giving him a genuine, soft smile. "Thank you - that was awfully kind."

I knew what Devon was thinking without looking at him, especially by the way he spoke to the man. I blushed a little as I ran a finger across the outer rim of the lemon, before looking back up, letting the man speak, not wanting to interrupt with anything else. I was curious to his name, and what he did for a living. Something with food, obviously - a chef, mayhap, in one of the finer restaurants?

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Oh, I agree," I said, smiling my thanks as he refilled my glass. "The rhythm, the smells, knowing that you are creating something - it's all very soothing to me."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I listened with an idle ear as I ate another spoonful of the stew, my eyes straying to Devon a moment before glancing back to the newcomer. "Do you work as a chef somewhere, then?" I asked quietly, my eyes focusing on his, wishing I knew his name and not feeling quite bold enough at the moment to ask.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"In a way," I answered, finishing the last of the lemons. "I own my own restaurant and create the menus and offerings. I have a lot of help though, I'd never be able to manage it all alone."

Smiling, I slid the bowl of sliced lemons back to the barkeep.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

With a matching smile and a nod of thanks I took the bowl, putting it in easy reach of Myth again as I looked into her teacup to see if she needed fresh hot water. "I'm not that involved with the menu here- but it's warm, filling and tastes pretty good," I said with a little pride, but only because this was my home, and my place. I'd helped build it with my bare hands, and kept it up in the same fashion. "One of my brother's wives cooks for me, and we've never had any complaints."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"It looks and smells wonderful," I said, smiling. "In fact, I'd love a bowl if there's more."

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"Of course," I replied with a nod, giving a short whistle and sending Martique scurrying out of the kitchen with another bowl. Quietly I thanked her, then sent her back, pulling out a spoon from under the counter and setting it by my customer, along with a hunk of bread that matched Myth's. "I hope you enjoy it," I told him sincerely, then turned back to the mugs I'd been drying. People hated to be watched while they ate, I knew that, and so I busied myself with other things.