Out for a drink

[Owen du Blaine]

It had been a while since I'd last gone out on my own, without appointments to keep or people to meet. With the weather holding decently, if a little too hot for my liking, I made my way through the streets, purchasing a few small items of interest that were small enough to be tucked into my pockets. After a few hours, thirst wore on and I made my way into the Black Boar; I'd heard about it before, but I'd never tried it before.

Stepping in, I blinked to let my eyes adjust before making my way to the bar and taking a seat, calling out an order for ale as I did so.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I had been travelling around the city all day, making note of fabrics that I would purchase at a later date for a present for my mother, and a few scents that I wanted to experiment with, but buying nothing. The evening had left me a little listless and I was happy to be out in the fresh air, away from Jasmine for a little bit of quiet, or excitement, whichever found me. However, I would need some sort of nourishment, as my energy started to fade, having started out in the early morning and since I had not even stopped to sit and collect my thoughts.

It was a gorgeous day though, warm and sunny. I wore a simple white dress, floor length with thin straps in a soft flowing fabric. It seemed fitting. In time, as I walked, I came upon the Black Boar. I had never really sat and ate the fare there, but now was as good a time as any to give it a try.

I walked through the front doors, entering into the front foyer, able to see and hear the bustle and chatter of people and the help, taking orders and making their way from table to table. The dining area seemed full, but I really had no desire to leave and try somewhere else instead.

I stood, waiting for someone to seat me, when I suddenly felt someone lightly tap my shoulder.

"Excuthe me mithuth," the gruff man I turned to see said with a lisp. "But I notithed that them there tableth are pretty well taken. I am nechtht in line for one, I wath thtanding over there when you came in. Might you want to join me?" He smiled up at me with a semi-toothless grin.

I curtsied and replied, "no sir, thank you for your kind gesture, but I um..." I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to hurt this kind man's feelings, but I certainly did not feel like sitting with him and using my brain power to decipher what he was saying through his lisp, even if I was famished. Naamah help me I thought to myself as I fumbled for a reason, looking around anxiously.

[Owen du Blaine]

I'd sat long enough to finish my ale and had just ordered another when the late afternoon sun caught through the door as it was opened, emitting a pretty little slip of a woman. All in white, I noted silently as she entered, the folds of her dress falling in a rather pleasant fashion over the swell of her hips and thighs. Almost immediately she was swooped down upon by a balding man, and though I could only hear small snatches of their conversation, the look on both their faces was enough to tell the story. He, avidly interested, gesturing towards the tables with an obviousness that needed no words to clarify, while she was polite enough to try to hold him at bay.

Interested, and more than slightly amused, I watched from my seat at the bar, half behind another fellow that was leaning forward to demand the bartenders attention. This was far more entertaining than nursing my ale alone had been.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

"Well, why not?" he urged on, trying to get an answer out of me as I stood frozen to my spot, my mouth open awkwardly in questionable awe and dumbfoundedness. I looked around again, thinking to myself, trying to come up with a proper answer. I noticed a man sitting with a glass of ale in front of him. He looked to be rather amused, and it seemed, from the way he was looking over the situation before him, that situation involving me, that I had caused his mirth. Grand I thought to myself. I was ahrd put to look away, but his smile was stunning. I turned back to the man in front of me. Just think of something, anything! I thought to myself, trying desperately. I worried my bottom lip with my teeth.

"Well you see, sir," I said,my voice low and sweet, hoping to win his understanding with a little bit of seduction. "I am here to meet someone. I wasn't really waiting for a table, I was just... trying to see if I could catch his eye..." I slowed down realizing I had just gotten myself into a gargantuan hole. If this imaginary man didn't show, which he wouldn't since he didn't exist, this little man would be even more adament, thinking I had been left by some cruel excuse for a human. But if someone else less savoury showed to attempt to do the same... all in all this was not a pleasing turn of events.

"Well, do you thee him?" he whistled, gesturing towards the dining room. I glanced around long and hard, catching the eye of that man again. I looked at him, pleading with my eyes, hoping he would understand my plight.

[Owen du Blaine]

When she looked at me, I almost said something, but it seemed as quickly as it happened she looked away again, back to the one who had interceded her. The man infront of me sat back again, opening the scene before me a little more; or at least more of her. The balding man was half hidden now, but I didn't mind - my eyes were not for him. Taking another sip of my ale, I unabashedly watched as both of them looked around as if searching for someone, though her eyes stopped on mine for the second time; only this time, there was a look of need in it that was unmistakable. Had I been a cruel man, I would have ignored her, but she was obviously in need of help... and what sort of man would I be if I left a beautiful little slip of a woman end up in that mans arms?

A grin approached my face, and I stood, keeping my chuckle in check as I walked over, long strides catching them within a few paces. "Excuse me; I hope you don't mind my interrupting," I said, barely glancing at the man. My eyes were trained on hers, the myriad of colors that was almost mesmerizing up close.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I saw the man arise, tall and muscular, but lithe, with an obvious smile. Oh please be coming to rescue me I thought to myself as he walked straight and tall to my side. I smiled up at him, his smile so contagious, seeing the mirth dance behind his gaze, which was instantly on my face, on resting on my eyes.

"Oh, well it's... you! I hadn't seen you in the crowd," I ventured, hoping he was indeed here to help me, and not make my situation any more painful than it need be. I turned towards the little man appologetically.

"Seems he is here afterall!" I beamed. "Perhaps another time?" I said politely. The little man just looked at the two of us, obviously upset at the interruption and the fact that a man really was here.

"Yeah yeah, thure thure," he muttered as he hobbled away, waving his hand dismissively.

I looked back at the stranger now with questioning eyes.

[Owen du Blaine]

I waited until the man had thudded off before I let myself give way to the laugh that was penned up in my lungs. "It's me," I teased, grinning at her, pleased to see the situation roll out so well. "Since we were waiting for each other, care to join me at the bar?" I asked, still teasing, though a touch flirtatiously as I held my arm out for her. She was beautiful, more so now that I could enjoy her features from close up, her dark hair framing her pale skin wonderfully.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I took his arm, laughing back. It was impossible not to, he jsut seemed so... carefree. Thank the Gods! It seemed that I caught the right man's attention. And it was only Naamah's mercy that made it so he was gorgeous!

"Well," I said, a grin still on my lips. "It is you afterall. Besides, it seems a very small price to pay for saving me from... well... you saw." I tilted my face upwards, unable to help my beaming smile. Then I recalled what made me look at him inthe first place. "Although, you know, you could have appeared a mite earlier." Then, noticing that I had forgotten to ask his name and introduce myself, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.

"So, may I ask your name, or shall I just call you my well-dressed knight?" I smirked, hoping to cover my embarrassment.

[Owen du Blaine]

I grinned all the more when she rather strongly pointed out that I could have walked over sooner, but had chosen to stay behind. "I could have," I agreed as I led us over to where I'd been sitting, "but that would have cost me a rather entertaining floor show."

I winked at her as we reached the stools before pulling hers out a little away from the counter. "I'm Owen du Blaine, though I rather like the way well-dressed knight sounds," I teased, waiting to see if she wanted assistance in sitting before I sat myself. "And what may I call you? Do you have a name yourself, or shall I refer to you as a maiden in distress? And one there only for how beautiful she is, might I add," I said, flirting, but still and honest statement.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

"Well Knight Owen," I said jesting as I curtsied, then rose and rested a hand on his sturdy, and noticeably strong arm to assist in hoisting myself onto the stool. It teetered precariously as I tried to gain my balance, giggling lightheartedly. "Maiden is far too innocent for me... I would much rather mistress in distress. Plus, it's slightly lyrical. But most people call me Sefirah no Jasmine."

I leaned an elbow on the table, resting my chin in my hand, looking at him rather calculatingly. "As for me being beautiful...," I pouted mildly, then brightened with a sly smile, "thank you for the complement. You are rather easy to look at yourself. Don't take this the wrong way but... there is something about your smile that makes me instantly want to giggle." I felt the heat rise to my cheeks a second time since I blundered upon Owen.

[Owen du Blaine]

I chuckled at her response as I waited for her to settle herself, wondering amusedly if she had more to drink than I had. After seating myself, I raised my hand at the bartender to catch his attention, then looked back at Sefirah with a grin as she spoke. "Why? Is there something stuck in my teeth?" I asked, teasing her again, hoping to make the blush go away - even if it did set the color off in her face nicely. "It's a pleasure to meet you Safirah no Jasmine - or, should I say, it was a pleasure to rescue you?"

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I chuckled as he teased me. I was never usually this light and friendly with absolute strangers, but something about his demeanor just made it easy. "Nothing stuck in your teeth, luckilly for you. It's just... contagious. And the pleasure is all mine, I'm sure. Afterall, it is what I specialize in," I flashed him a sly smile, my head cocked to the side.

"So Owen, tell me something fascinating," I ventured as I raised my head from my hand and sat up straight on the stool. I clasped my hands together and laid them in my lap.

[Owen du Blaine]

I chuckled when she turned coy, the tilt of her head speaking volumes as to what devilish thoughts lay behind those pretty eyes of hers. "Something fascinating?" I mused as I looked at her, leaning on the counter while I contemplated her curiosity. "I believe I just was flirted with a moment ago with a pretty adept," I said, winking. "And don't tell anyone else, but I think I liked it."

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

"Really?" I replied coyly, playing his game. He was a flash of sunshine. "That is fascinating. Mayhap you have her name? It's quite possible she thought you were absolutely adorable, and very gallant in your saving of me. Perhaps I could find out her thoughts and maybe I could arrange a meeting, I mean, so long as it wasn't right this instant. I am finding myself enjoying your company and would be very sorry to have to part with you over another adept." I suppressed a full bodied laugh, nearly straining to hold it in. I cleared my throat, staring into his beautiful hazel eyes, watching the colours dance around as his eyes smiled back at me. I wondered if he realised the mirth he embued in others.

[Owen du Blaine]

"I think she was a Jasmine," I said, scratching at my chin as I pretended to think before shifting my attention back to Sefirah. My grin came back slowly and I leaned towards her as if sharing in a secret, though it was all an excuse to breathe her in. She was sweet, a faint spice that made my blood heat slightly, and I had to focus to keep my mind on the conversation. "Though I think I prefer you to her, anyway. You don't mind, do you?"

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I couldn't help but smile when I saw his creep up, reaching his eyes. "Oh, no, not at all. Much like how I prefer you to... " then I rolled my eyes, remembering the man earlier. I went on, smiling still.

"I may even keep it silent, though it may cost you," I whispered, leaning in towards him as he did to me, placing my chin on my hand again. His eyes really did sparkle, all poetry aside. I found myself suppressing a girlish giggle.

[Owen du Blaine]

I just barely managed to contain my laugh, and I didn't pull away, keeping my close proximity to her. Her sweet, spicey scent made me want to taste her skin of her neck, just where it joined her shoulder. I could see the area now if I allowed myself to look, though my eyes remained on hers, the beautifulness of them and thier shape. "What would it cost me? Surely the price can't be too bad..."

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I giggled gently. Such a tasteful flirt I thought to myself. But it was a mite more than that. The way we talked, the banter, it was if we knew each other! And the feel of his breath just barely against my skin made me think of somewhat more, something more... playful. I felt my cheeks flush as I realised how silly I was being, thinking that. "Well," I said in a low murmer, flashing a coy smile, "for starters, perhaps a drink and a pastry. But like I said, that is only the beginning. Silence is definitely not a cheap commodity."

[Owen du Blaine]

I laughed then, though I sat back a little to do it, keeping my voice from being too loud in her ear. "That almost sounds like blackmail," I teased, my eyes never leaving hers as my grin grew. "But if I am to buy you a pastry, let me at least make it worthwhile. I know of a small place a few blocks away that makes some of the best I have ever tasted. Would you be willing to walk with me?"

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I cocked my head to the side, grinning wickedly at him. "It's only blackmail when you are on the receiving end. Otherwise it is just coercion. As for joining you," I offered him my hand, mocking formality, dipping my head in a slight bow, though keeping my eyes on his, "I would be more than happy to, my lord." I hadn't been this jovial in such a long time, focusing mainly on work and my mother. It was nice to let go for once. "And I will be the judge of this pastry haven of yours." I attempted a stern face, but couldn't manage one, laughing all the more at my inability to do so.

[Owen du Blaine]

"You can be the judge of all you like, my lady." I gave her a bemused look as I stood and tossed a coin onto the bar to pay for my ale, then held my arm for her. "Don't forget to wave goodbye to your friend," I said, teasing her outright with a flash of a grin that threatened to overtake my face.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I nearly fell off my stool at his words. I glared up at him, then seeing the grin flash across his face. Ah Elua, I had to laugh. I took his arm gently, my hip pressed to him for a moment before I checked myself. I peered up at him through my lashes. "Mayhap I will give him more than that if you don't mind yourself, my lord," I said wickedly, the corners of my lips twitching in a sardonic grin.

[Owen du Blaine]

I grinned at her for her words as much as her reaction. "Well, if that's the case, far be it from me to stand in your way," I said, angling us towards the poor mans table as if I were going to lead her over to him.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

For a moment I thought he was serious, making me lean into him, trying to nudge him in the other direction. When I looked up, I knew he was joking. I glared at him again. "Fine, you called my bluff!" I said, mildly exasperated. "But if you think that I will be so foolhardy to let myself walk into another set up like that again," I said, raising an eyebrow and wagging a finger in front of my upturned lips, "You have another thing coming to you, my lord." I giggled gently, leaning into him again, finding it very comfortable, but pulling away immediately, thinking he might take it as me being far too forward for the few moments we've spent together. I felt araging blush threaten to redden my cheeks. "So where are we off to?" I asked, ducking my head as best as I could to hide my cheeks, but not wanting to pry my gaze away from his eyes.

[Owen du Blaine]

I grinned openly at her as I steered her towards the door again. The man had lifted his head and looked at us, confused, and I merely nodded my head in his direction in greeting before leading Sefirah out into the early evening sunlight. She'd pulled away from me again and I gently guided her back closer to me, enjoying the way her slim body felt next to mine, and not wanting to miss out on it if at all possible. "A small little place," I said as we began walking down the street to the west of where we were. "Easily skipped over. I don't think I'd have known about it except I complimented my head cook on his pasteries so much... I think he felt guilty when he finally told me he'd been buying them."

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

He steered me in a B-line for the door, pressing me to him. This time I stayed. I didn't mind if he didn't mind.

I laughed as he explained how he found his pastry get-away. "Your head cook?" I started laughing immediately. "You mean to tell me he doesn't make his own pastries? How odd," I mused, my arm around his. "well doesn't that defeat the purpose of a head cook? I mean, are they not supposed to be the ones running the kitchen? The know all and end all of all things cullinery?"

[Owen du Blaine]

I shrugged with an amused smile as we moved down the street, sifting between other strolling couples and small clusters of people. "I don't know, but he fills my pantries without running my reserves dry, so I am not going to complain. Besides, once you taste the pastries this shoppe offers, you might well understand why he does what he does," I teased, grinning lightly at her.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I smiled back. "Well, like I said, I would be the judge. I am from Jasmine, as you know. We relish ourselves in knowing how pleasure tastes." I left him with that flirtatious note, and a raise of an eyebrow. I was determined to keep this look on my face, willing myself not to laugh this time.

[Owen du Blaine]

"Of course, sweet, honorable lady," I said as we walked, bowing my head formally to her with only a tiny hint of a smile. "Your tastes far surpass my own, I am sure."

A tiny teasing lilt took my voice and my grin threatened to come back, though I managed to keep it at bay as I awaited her response.

[Sefirah nó Jasmine]

I almost laughed, my lips quivering as I fought against it. I raised my head haughtilly, though still not tall enough by a long shot to look down my nose at him, so I looked up into his mesmerizing eyes instead. Bad idea. The hardlined stance I was about to take dissolved instantly and a giggle escaped my lips.

" I suppose we will find out soon enough, my lord," I said, flourishing into a one-handed curtsy, as he held my arm. I stood back up next to him and laughed.

"Maybe we should hurry along, people may be looking at our rather intriguing scene and wondering what those two obviously mad people are doing in the public eye!"