An Innocent Drink

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"I do, a couple of times a week at least," I said with a nod. "There's a wonderful, semi-secret fruit merchant a street over where I buy quite a few of the more interesting items for the menu."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

"Palio?" I asked softly, a smile on my mouth. "Large boned, tall and broad?"

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"That would be the one," I said with a grin, pleased that she knew who I meant.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I smiled a little more; I always had liked Palio. He'd always been kind to me. "He's helped me out a few times," I started without thinking, then blushed and glanced at my empty teacup, changing the subject. He'd helped me out, alright, when a few different men tried to bully me into spending time with them. Palio had set them away on a straight path. Devon knew about it.

"He's a good man," I said, revising my statement as smoothly as I could. "I'm very glad to hear the owner of Desir has taken interest in his wares."

I looked at Plaisir as I said it, bolder than before, but still with a great deal of respect. He'd been so nice thus far, and was handsome toboot. I found today to be a lucky day already.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"He's a very good man and an honest business man, both of which I respect greatly," I said, smiling. "I am hoping though that not too many other restaurants find out about him, I rather like having such a selection of goods to choose from." I chuckled and leaned against the bar some.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

"Oh, a shame," I said quietly, though my voice held a small touch of tease. "I believe Devon gets some of his fruits from Palio as well." I glanced up at Devon, my smile widening a little. Hopefully I wasn't wrong.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

Chuckling, I rolled my eyes. "Fruit, on a menu at a place like this?" I teased, knowing the joke would be obvious on my tone. "The only fruit I buy is the lemons to keep you busy."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I blushed some, but smiled nevertheless at his good natured tease. "You're right - this place is far too crude for many fruits."

I teased him back and glanced at Plaisir, smiling at him to help include him in.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

“I don’t know, this place seems full of wonderful surprises in my view,” I commented, smiling.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"That's a very complimentary thing to hear from a man such as yourself," I said with a respectful nod. "I do buy other things from time to time- mostly for my younger sister, because she seems to enjoy them when she stops in, and her patron gifts made a good deal of the investment on the Patron."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

“She’s an adept?” I asked.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"Of Dahlia," I said with a proud smile. "As our mother was, once. Allisande has managed to make a good deal of impact, it seems. To think, my silly, haughty little sister becoming such a talented adept as to fund my insanities."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I listened as they spoke, not interrupting, nor feeling left out. My feet began to itch, though, for movement; I thought mayhap a walk would be in order shortly. A piece of me secretly hoped for company along the way, but if not, it wouldn't be the first time. And, likely, not the last.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

I couldn’t help but grin widely. “Allisande is your sister? I know her, she’s an amazing woman. She helped me with some tastings at Désir. I named a dish after her.”

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

I could have made an innuendo-laced comment at that, but I smiled inwardly and used some of that regal grace that had been handed down in my blood to simply nod in understanding. Besides, unless I was mistaking the signals from the man completely, he seemed more the sort to prefer men in his personal life. "It's good to know she has some good taste, then. She's become quite the lady-adept, much different from the annoying little sister I remember so clearly." I replied instead, smiling and then turning to Myth. "You probably don't remember my younger sister Allisande, do you? She went to Dahlia very young.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I thought a moment before shaking my head. "I remember someone, but not much," I admitted, my tone quiet if clear. "I don't think I really got a chance to know her before she left."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

“You should definitely take the opportunity if it presents itself, Allisande is a delight person,” I said, smiling.

The time candle showed me how late it was getting and regretfully I reached into my pocket to find some coins. “As much as I would love to stay and enjoy this wonderful time, I must be getting back to Désir. How much do I owe you?” I asked Devon.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"Alli should be in every so often, so you could always meet her on one of your visits," I assured Myth with a warm smile. "She's carrying now, so she doesn't come over more than once every couple weeks, but like clockwork she's always here."

At Plaisir's question I did a quick figuring. "Three silver should cover," I said nonchalantly and with a smile. "Though I think I should be paying you for coming here at all. It's not every day the chef and owner of the best restaurant in the City comes in to a modest tavern like mine."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

“Ah, but it will likely become a more common occurrence now that I know what I’ve been missing,” I said, grinning as I left four silvers on the bar.

Standing, I turned towards Myth. “It has been an absolute delight meeting you, and I truly hope you will take me up on my offer should you find yourself near my establishment.”

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

"I will, thank you," I responded, smiling at him. I liked him, as I liked Devon, and hoped he would come back here again. "Perhaps we'll run into each other again here as well."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

“That would be lovely,” I replied with a bow.

Smiling at them both, I inclined my head and then took my leave, feeling the best I had all day and unendingly grateful to them both for their company.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

Smiling as I watched the man leave, glad to have met him I gave Myth a small, mirthful wink and went back to wiping the counter, scraping the coins into a pouch that went beneath the bar in a hidden cubby. "You seemed to enjoy yourself," I told her with a grin. "Do you want some tea to take with you?"

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I looked back at Devon as Plaisir made his way from the tavern, a blush creeping into my cheeks. "Are you kicking me out?" I teased lightly, though without any conviction. Devon knew my patterns well enough that I would be making my way about town shortly. "He was very nice, yes. What did you think of him?"

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"Interesting, and a good man in general," I agreed with a smile. "And I'm not one to kick you out, of course. In fact, I was going to see if you wanted some company on your rounds."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I looked up at him in surprise, though I was quite pleased with what I thought I understood. "Are you free to come with me?" I asked, smiling warmly at him.

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"I can be if you want the company," I told her with a laugh, glad to see her smiling. "My relief tender should be here in just about ten minutes, if you can wait that long."

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

"I don't have much to do today, but I'd love to have you along," I replied, smiling at him still. I was surprised that he'd come with me, and happy all at the same time. "I don't mind waiting at all. How have things been around here lately? Business staying good?"

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"It's been steady, which I'd rather have than a huge boom where things die out soon after," I told her honestly as I finished the last of the dishes and set the rag aside, then got a mug of ale for myself and moved around the bar to sit beside Myth. "And you- how's business?"

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I nodded smiling. A look around here showed a good number were most likely adepts, and I didn't doubt Devons place had a good reputation with them as well as with the Dowaynes. "Things are slow with me right now," I admitted, giving a small shrug. "At least with modeling. There's a play over at the house down the street that I have a small role in Friday night, so that should be fun."

[Devon Kirasic(H)]

"I'll have to go see it, show my support," I told her with a grin, then took a long drink. "Or at least give people looks if they try throwing things at the stage, right?"

My tender for the evening walked in and I gave him a smile and wave; he'd been working for me for some time and I trusted him a good deal.