Sinfully Sweet - Daenara & Idaeus

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I had been in the City a mere week, and most of that time had been spent settling in. I had my servants to do things such as unpack and arrange furniture, but I did like to supervise. If one wanted something done right...

Today I wanted to get out and see the City itself. I had acquired a few D'angeline servants as well, and had spent some time quizzing them on the places to see and be seen in this country's capital. Of course, the moment someone mentioned sweets, I knew where I would go first. I had to admit, if I had one weakness, it was for sweets. As a child, Uncle Stavros often made me gifts of baklava, dripping in honey, or kouroumbiathes, covered in a fine powdered sugar. The thought was almost enough to make me homesick, but I told myself that there were sure to be new and just as wonderful treats here in store for me.

So here I was, approaching the Gateau de Savoie, with my mouth watering already. I entered the bakery and took in the sweet smell in the air. It smelled delicious, and I knew that whatever I chose, it would be amazing. There were several small tables scattered about, and a counter, and I wondered if I should sit and wait for someone to help me, or order at the counter. The attendant must have noticed my confusion, because she approached me with a wide smile.

"Hello, can I help you with something today?"

I smiled, everyone thus far had been very helpful and friendly. "Can you recommend something for a foreigner who wishes to try something distinctly D'angeline?" I asked, in my nearly flawless D'angeline. I had studied for quite some time to make certain that there would be no language barrier upon my arrival. The woman considered, then nodded.

"I know just the thing." She said, guiding me to a table. "Have a seat here, and I'll be right back with a nice creme brulee." Bemused by her mothering approach, I sat down to wait for what I hoped would be a culinary delight.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I wondered through the city with plenty of thoughts on my mind, though most of them pleasent for once. Even if I was still stuck at Mandrake at least my social life had become more interesting as of late.

I smelled the unmistakable smell of cooking sugar and spices, a smell that spoke to my hungry gut. While I was not one to over do it I could have a treat now and again without it affecting my body. I felt my money bag briefly before deciding I could indulge a little.

I walked into the store and looked around as I did. It was not very busy. There was a girl who looked to be Hellene sitting at a table. She was attractive, I decided and seemed to be waiting. There was no one else of interest in the store, the few other patrons were all with another party.

Since a sweet treat tasted better with someone interesting to talk to I walked over to her table, hoping that she would prove to be interesting. I noticed one of the bakers giving me a strange look but I ignored it.

I went up to the empty seat in front of her and pulled it out as if I was going to sit down, however I did do the more polite thing and asked, "is anyone sitting here?"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I was surprised when someone else spoke to me - and when that someone else was an incredibly handsome man. All D'angelines were lovely to look at, and it made me feel rather intimidated. Still, my own insecurities were no reason to be rude.

"No, unless of course, you wish to." I said, my way of inviting him to sit with me, all the while I was trying not to stare openly at him. It seemed almost unnatural somehow, that a man should be so beautiful. Still, I could hardly hold that against him, could I?

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I smiled, keeping it as nice as I possibly could, and took a seat. A server showed up next to me and I asked for a crepe with some fruit. My interest was now more in the girl before me instead of the desert.

"What is you name?" I asked. "Mine is Idaeus." I decided to leave off my house name for the moment, since I did not know how she felt about such things and didn't want to lose the conversation before it could begin.

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I smiled as he sat across from me and ordered. "I am Daenara Kutsouris." I said, in response to his question. "Idaeus, what a lovely name." It rolled off of the tongue nicely, as most D'angeline words did. Even their language was beautiful. One of my unruly dark curls (the bane of my existence at times) seemed to move in front of my eye of its own accord, and I sighed, tucking it back automatically. What would it be like to have such soft, silken, blond locks like his? The thought almost caused me to blush; here I had just met him and I was imagining touching his hair! To move my mind away from such thoughts, I said, "And do you have a tooth for sweets, Idaeus?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I watched her put the hair behind her ear. It was thick and dark, I imageined myself puller her up by it, if she were on her knees. The thought made me smile, though I used that smile in response of her question, "I will admit that I am not a huge fan of sweets, but I do enjoy them now and again."

I had no plans for the day so I decided to make Daenara my plan. "Tell me, do you visit this shop often?"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

"Actually, it's my first time." I confessed with a smile. "I have only been in the City a short time, and this is my first foray out on the town." I made a face and laughed softly. "I'm not sure what it says about me that my first choice was a bakery, but there you have it." I hoped I was making a good impression; Idaeus was the first D'angeline I'd held a conversation with that wasn't an employee of mine. Still, he seemed friendly enough, and not put off by my 'foreign-ness', so I supposed I wasn't doing too terrible of a job socializing.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

A new comer, I thought, possibly easy prey. My interest was growing, the less she knew about the Nightcourt the greater my advantages. I, at least, wasn't bound by a marque, but my house did not genearate as much warmth as some of the other houses did.

I shrugged a little, I didn't really care what she choose as her first destination. "I could think of worse places you could visit. You enjoy sweet things, nothing wrong with that."

I decided to get some of the more important questions out of the way. "I noticed you were here alone, do you not have a sweet person to escort you?"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I blushed a little at his question; it seemed the stories were true - D'angelines were quick to notice matters of the heart.

"No," I answered, "I have come to Terre d'Ange on my own, to perhaps see if I might be able to do some business here. Thus far, I have yet to meet anyone who might qualify as 'sweet'."

I was going to say something else, but the server appeared with our food, setting the plates down in front of us unobtrusively, then disappearing into the background. I looked down at the creme brulee with interest; it appeared to be some sort of custard. I smiled and addressed Idaeus before taking my first bite, "Speaking of sweet things, here are some now."

The first bite was amazing, delicious, blissfully sweet and sinfully rich. I knew immediately that this place would be a frequent haunt of mine.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

She was alone, all the better.

The server brought the treats and I thanked him with a slight smile and a nod of my head, I had my attentions elsewhere.

I took a bite as she ate, it was good but I could tell she was enjoying her desert more. Maybe I would try that one the next time.

"What sort of buisness do you have?" I asked, keeping my tone light, though I was keeping track of all that she said in my head.

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

"We are a family of shipwrights, for the most part. We do some odd exporting in spices, but selling ships is our biggest business. I thought that I might be able to further my family's interests here. At some point a business gets stagnant if you aren't looking for new trade." I realized suddenly that I had taken on something of a lecturing tone, and I crinkled my nose at my getting carried away. "I'm sorry, the family business is something of a passion with me, if you get me started I can talk about it all day." I had another bite of my dessert, before adding, "Which I'm sure would get very dull, very fast."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

The mention of her buisness perked my interest. I sounded vaugly like what my family did, well the family that I would have if they had not decided to abandon me. A little idea started to birth itself in my mind, if I knew something about my father's buisness maybe I could find a way to circumvent it. I did not know much, at the moment, but knowledge can be power, and power was something I liked very much.

I could not really plan anything if I knew nothing. I kept my tone sweet, letting nothing of my feelings toward my past show through. "It is ok," I told her with a smile. "I will admit I have a interest in trades as well. My father deals with inports and exports, though he doesn't deal with the selling or constructing of the actual vessels."

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

"Oh, really?" I said, instantly interested. One of the most important aspects of business was social, which most people underestimated. However, I had noticed that the more people you knew, the more business you could engender. "My father started out with exporting spices only, but where we live is ideal for the building of shapes, and he soon realized he would make more money that way. He had a wonderful head for business." I said, smiling as I reminisced about my father, who I knew only through Uncle Stavros' stories, though I felt as if I knew him well. "Terre d'Ange has been making a name for itself lately, you know, trade will likely pick up as more countries take notice." Which, of course, was part of the reason I was here.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I nodded, I had noticed some influx of foreigners, but I did not pay that much attention to the buisness side of things, at least not until now. I searched my memory for old history and found it wasn't that hard to find, though my knowledge of my family wasn't great since I was young when I left.

"My father works with a pretty wide variety of trade. I likes to connect people instead of work with product. He says its less messy." I smiled and shrugged, I didn't really have much of a clue if it was true. Though I shrugged more in jest than as an unknowlageble person.

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I chuckled at Idaeus' father's assessment. "That is very true, I suppose." Though I had spent my life up to my ears in ledgers and forms, and if I were being honest I would have to admit that I often preferred their company to that of other people. "Knowing the right people is often more of a key to success than having a good product. As the saying goes, 'it's not what you know, it's who you know.' "

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

"I think that is true in any buisness, most asuretly in mine." Since I had brought it up I asked, "have you heard of the Nightcourt?"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

Indeed I had, and in fact it was one of things I found the most fascinating about Terre d'Ange. I realized quickly that that must be what he meant by 'his business' and I had to fight a blush. Such things were not talked about very openly in Hellas, but I knew it would be different here, and I was determined not to be provincial about it.

"Yes, actually, I have read of it." I decided to take the bull by the horns and just ask him outright. "Are you an adept?" I immediately began to attempt to guess his House, but I simply didn't have the experience required and there were no obvious clues. Even without knowing, I still felt a thrill at meeting an adept of the Night Court, and wondering at what his life must be like.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I nodded, "indeed I am." She at least didn't seem shy about it. Not everyone outside of Terre d'Ange smiled on that aspect of our culture.

I leaned forward a little bit then, putting my face closer to hers, but not to the point of touching. My smile grew and I asked, running a soft finger over the back of one of her hands, "how do you feel about that?"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I shivered involuntarily as his finger ran across my hand, and it was all I could do to hold his gaze. "How do I feel?" The question caught me a bit off guard, but then I imagined that not all foreign born people would respect the Night Court and it's adepts. "I find the concept intriguing, actually, and perhaps one day I shall pay a visit." I couldn't believe I'd said the words, even as they left my lips. Poor Uncle Stavros, he would have a heart attack if he saw how forward I was being!

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I smiled internally at her shiver. I slowly trailed my finger off her hand though, I was playing my moves carefully.

"You should," I told her. Then, adding with a wink I said "The Nightcourt has a lot to offer,"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, and I busied myself with taking another bite of my dessert. I could hardly argue with what he said, however, as the Court of Night Blooming Flowers was one of the things that had brought me to Terre d'Ange in the first place. It was a fascinating idea, and I admit I'd had thoughts of visiting.

"Perhaps I shall," I said, regaining my composure. "Perhaps you could recommend a House?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

Daenara was somewhat cute with her embarrassment, though I could think of much more interesting ways to make her blush. I would behave myself though, at least for now.

I studied her for a moment, some patrons were easier to guess than others. "I am sure there are a few you would enjoy. I could see do well at either Jasmine or Orchis. Do you know what the different Houses of the Night Court offer?" While she had a touch of shy I didn't think she would be one ot jump into a contract at Mandrake.

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I nodded, still feeling a little shy, but on surer ground. "I've read of them, so I do know the House mottos." I smiled. "I think your assessment is well done, Jasmine or Orchis would catch my fancy. Mayhap Heliotrope... devotion is an underrated quality, don't you think?" For myself, I liked nothing better than the idea of having someone utterly devoted to me; that idea of love was part of what had brought me to Terre d'Ange in the first place.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I thought about it for a moment, devotion. It could be a good quality, depending on what one was devoted too. If se was referring to Heliotrope, however, that was a devotion I neither looked for or felt.

"True devotion is rare,' I said, "I can see how it could be a good quality. Are you looking for a Heliotrope?" I asked, "someone to be devoted too you?"

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I blushed again - Idaeus had hit the nail the mark neatly. "Perhaps." I said, then laughed softly. "Do you think it's foolish of me? I have to say, it seems like it would be nice to have someone that cared for you to the point of devotion." I smiled wryly, then added, "Even if you did pay them for the privilege."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

It would seem odd to pay for that, at least to me. True devotion would come without a price tag. I thought about my reply for a moment and then said, "purhaps it would be nice to have someone truly devoted," I then added with a smile, I did not want to get into a serious argument or discussion right now. I wanted to enjoy myself without starting an arguement. "I think true devotion would come without you having to pay." I paused for a moment and then added, "though I can understand wanting to at least taste the feeling, if even only for a few hours. I have fulfilled a few fantasies for my patrons."

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

I had to agree with him - true devotion was what I truly longed to feel, not something that I had paid for, though he was right: a taste would be a fantasy come true. "It is true, artificial devotion seems as though it would only whet one's appetite for the real thing."

When he mentioned fulfilling fantasies, I decided to assuage my curiousity but just coming out and asking him. "Is it considered terribly rude if I were to ask you to which House you belong?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

One benifit of learning self control is that you can hold back laughter when it is needed. I could not imagine why your House would be a secret. Foreign people really could be amusing.

"It would not be rude," I said as if her question was a everyday question. "I belong to Mandrake." I left it at that, curious to see what her reaction would be.

[Daenara Kutsouris (H)]

Mandrake. The word itself seemed to be filled with forbidden promise, deeply-buried longings, things which might be felt, but never spoken aloud. In every fantasy I'd ever entertained, I had always consciously stayed away from thinking about Mandrake, it frightened me, yes, but there was more to it than that, and that was something that I found even more frightening. I tried not show my fear/fascination, though I wasn't the best at hiding my thoughts.

"Interesting." I said faintly, trying to think of something else to say. What was it about the word 'Mandrake' that had suddenly gotten me tongue tied and flushed? It was rather embarassing, and I tried to pull myself out of it by being honest. "Mandrake is the House I fear I know the least about, it always seemed rather intimidating."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

Daenara's reaction did not surprise me. I smiled warmly, though it was rare for me to do so. I had learned over the years how to approach the subject with even the most timid. It was natural, I suppose, to not want your House thought poorly of o matter what actualy happens there.

"There is no reason to fear Mandrake, we do not use our skills on anyone who does not want it. We are also taught to read a person so that we know what they can or can not take. There is also a signale, if someone says that word than we stop at once since it lets us know we have gone to far."

I reached out and touched her hand again, purposly moving my finger across it softly, teasing her skin. "With a talented adept," I said, adding just a little want to my voice, "I think even you can enjoy Mandrake."