En Route to the Opening - Naia & Sarielle

[Naia Shahrizai]

I don't think I had ever been so nervous about going to a social event before. I kept looking at myself in the glass, touching up my hair, which I'd worn loose and in long curls down my back, and wondering if this dress was the right thing. It was blue, which I favored, and black, and it laced up the back fetchingly. I had dug deep into my purse for it, wanting to make a good impression on Balta. Not only would I soon be working at El Parra, but it really mattered to me that Balta's opening was a smashing success.

I finally decided that I was as presentable as I was going to get, and I headed downstairs to meet up with Sarielle, who was also attending the opening. I wondered idly if Gadleon would be there, and if so, what terrifically awkward thing I do to make it uncomfortable for my sister. I sighed as I paused at the bottom of the stairs, no, I needed to behave tonight, for Balta's sake. With that in mind, I waited graciously for Sarielle, rather than my usual manner of loud sighs and under-the-breath comments. Besides, I was too nervous and excited to worry about giving Sarielle a hard time.

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

The day was finally here when I would meet the man who had lured my sister into working for him. I was not too pleased with the concept, but decided to attend, meet him, and perhaps instill a bit of fear, just to get the point across. A pain sometimes, yes she was, but she was blood, she was my sister, and though our situation made us estranged, I loved her. And no one would ever hurt her.

I sighed heavilly, hearing her leave her room, the swishing of a gown as she padded down the stairs to wait for me. I was nigh finished, dressed in a Black and gold dress that parted above the knee to show my lower legs only when I walked. The back was a very sheer black fabric with small jewel-like beads sewn to it, a slit opening in the centre of the back. It buttoned over my behind, with skirts that fell flowing to the floor. I leaned closer to the mirror, darkening my lashes and around my eyes with khol.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a light shawl of a deep see through midnight blue fabric and headed down teh stairs.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I heard Sarielle coming down the stairs, so I turned to look at her. I had to admit she was breathtaking in black and gold, but I told myself it was only because we looked at alike, and I knew I looked stunning. Behave, I reminded myself, and to that end, I smiled politely. "I took the liberty of having the carriage come around front for us." I said, tucking my hair behind one ear nervously. "Ready to get going?"

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

Coming down the stairs I sighted Naia in a floor length gown and my hand came up to press against my chest. She was utterly stunning. I smiled crookedly as I remembered the day she had arrived. Dissheveled, encrusted with dust and travel worn. She did clean up rather nicely. The gown was a nice choice - the light blue playing upon the colour of her eyes, the darker blue accents the sheen of our black hair.

"You look marvelous," I said with a soft smile, "and you shall do fine tonight," I said, sensing her tension, for I felt it too. "And yes, that is perfect, thank you," I said as I bowed my head and padded in slippered feet the rest of the stairs down to the floor. "You must be excited?" I asked, though not too excitedly. She knew I was not happy with the business arrangement.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I couldn't help it, I preened at the compliment. Feeling magnanimous, I smiled and returned the compliment. "You look beautiful, as well. That dress suits you well." I started toward the door, pausing to adjust my skirts one last time as Sarielle spoke again.

"Yes, very." I was excited to see Balta again, more than anything else, but I kept that to myself. "Luckily I'm not working tonight, so I can relax and enjoy the opening." I had to throw that in, to needle Sarielle just a little bit. Even on my best behavior, some habits were too hard to break entirely. "Shall we?" I said, opening the front door and stepping out into the balmy night. Summer might be coming to a close, but you couldn't tell by the fine weather.

A light breeze played with my hair as I climbed into the carriage, and once I was comfortable, I felt the nervous tension building in my belly again.

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

I fought the urge to narrow my eyes at her barbed comment, and instead smiled. "Yes, let us go," and followed her out to the carriage, watching her climb in first. The driver knew where he was off to, so I simply gathered my skirts and climbed in after her, sitting across from her. This was her night, I suppose, to learn the tricks of the trade. It was my night, in turn, to judge and see if this man would be able to take care of Naia. No matter how prestigious an establishment one has, no one is safe from danger. Those risks increase when there is the consumption of alcohol. I sighed softly and closed the carriage door after us.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I was so full of nervous excitement, I could hardly sit still. I kept peeking out the window, picking at my dress, patting my hair, and just in general being unable to sit still. It was a bit embarrassing to be this way in front of Sarielle, who was always so unruffled it was maddening, but I couldn't help it. I was not only excited about the opening, but about seeing Balta again. Whenever I closed my eyes, I could see his face, and feel arms ... sometimes it was hard to sleep at night for thinking about. I was unaccustomed to these feelings, but I had to admit that there was something pleasant about the butterflies in my stomach, and the feeling of looking forward to something, instead of living so much in the past.

Looking over at Sarielle, I wondered if she noticed my nervous energy, and I tried to keep myself still. I wasn't sure if I wanted her to know how important this night was to me, and I knew I didn't want her to know how important Balta was to me. I decided to attempt conversation to cover up my nerves.

"Do you know a lot about wine?"

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

I sat across from her, though I looked more to the side of her, or so it would seem, watching her out my peripheral vision. She touched at her hair several times, fidgeted with her fingers, picking off imaginary dust from her dress, and I had to wonder why she was so nervous. I recalled the conversation Gadleon and I had had and knew that, especially if she were to be at court, which she should be, and presented to the family, she would need to be learned in our ways. Of course, this would require more than just token conversation and a great deal of trust, and neither of us had had the time nor made the effort as yet to rectify those issues.

Regardless, tonight was not the night for them, and addressing her obvious nerves was probably not the best thing to do. Instead, I joined her in conversation, hoping to bring her mind away from whatever it was that was bothering or exciting her so much. I knew this was big but, was it so big that she would nigh unravel with nervousness?

"Yes," I answered shortly, turning my gaze fully upon her, "I know a bit about wine. I wouldn't say that I am a trained connoiseur like some," like this Balta character, I thought to myself. "Tis not a terribly difficult thing to learn. it just requires a bit of patience, some time, and good taste," I said with a smile. "Have you been learning more about it?" I asked, keeping the conversation going.

[Naia Shahrizai]

Even though I was the one who had started the conversation, I found that in the heartbeat of time between my asking and Sarielle answering, my mind was already wandering. I was imagining what Balta would look like tonight, and if he would have time for me, and I had to force my mind back to the conversation at hand.

"Somewhat, yes. Balta has been showing me some of the finer points of the flavors and textures of the wine, and how to tell them apart." Among other things, I thought, and had to smile in remembrance. I realized that I was probably grinning stupidly, and I quickly wiped the smile away and replaced it with the sulky look I usually kept on my face. "I'm sure I will learn quite a bit more once I have spent more time there."

Impatiently, I peeked out of the carriage window. Why did it seem as if this was the longest carriage ride in history? "Are we almost there, do you think?" I asked absently, chewing my lower lip and sighing deeply.

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

She was lost in thought, but brought herself back as she naswered my question, ending it with a wide grin. I was woman, and one who knew the wiles of men. I knew what that smile meant and I felt my jaw clench as I grit my teeth.

"Yes, we are almost there. No need to fret," I said, a little irritated. She was not that old to be having so many bedfellows, and not that long in the City either. I looked at her pointedly, narrowing my eyes, not in anger or in a challenge, but in thought. "This Balta," I said as I watched her, the grin turning to nervousness as she chewed her lower lip, "how old is he?"

[Naia Shahrizai]

It was subtle, but I could tell that I'd managed to get my sister's hackles up. My inner delight helped to combat my nervousness and I relaxed slightly. This dance between us was familiar territory. At her question, I pursed my lips, thinking. Had we ever discussed our ages? I didn't think so, though it was quite obvious that he was older than I. I shrugged and answered, "I'm not sure, actually. I would say, older than me, but younger than you." I smiled serenely, though there was the tiniest jab in my response. Sarielle was by no means 'old' but she was seven years older than I, so I felt entitled to give her a hard time about it.

I could tell by the slowing of the carriage that we were nearing our destination, and I realized that I was less nervous now and more excited. I'd spent a lot of time on my appearance tonight, and I was confident that I would impress. If not Balta, then somebody, I was sure. Perhaps I could even sneak away with Gadleon again, and right under Sarielle's nose. That thought was cheering, and I turned back to Sarielle with a smile that she had to know by now meant that I was up to no good.

"You'll like Balta," I said, "I promise."

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

I almost laughed as she tried to ruffle me with the age difference. Age was not one of my worries, at least not yet anyway. But I was happier for her as her tension seemed to ease, even if at my expense. The carriage slowed, taking another corner, and then slowed further to a halt.

"I am sure I will," I said to her wih a genuine smile. Her sweet facade was transparent, though at least she tried to hide any mischievous thoughts. I wasn't worried though. She seemed to want to impress this Balta character thoroughly, and making an ass of herself was the least apporpaiate way to go about accomplishing that. As the driver came around to open the doors, I wondered who might be attending, and smiled warmly at the thought of Gadleon, though the three of us in one building... I sighed softly, saying a silent prayer to Kushiel as I stepped out of the carriage first.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I felt the carriage roll to a stop and my stomach lurched slightly. Before I could respond to Sarielle's agreement, the driver was opening the doors and my sister was exiting the carriage. I followed suit, stepping down and looking at the storefront. It was brightly lit and there were already quite a few guests in attendance. I felt a thrill for Balta's success, and wondered how he was faring under the scrutiny of so many D'angelines.

I smoothed my skirts once again and then took my sister's arm. "Shall we, then?" I asked, smiling and tugging Sarielle along toward the entrance. Now that I was here, I was full of excitement, not only to see Balta, but for my first 'event' here in the City.

[Sarielle Shahrizai]

Ah, yes, there was the Naia I missed, glowing with excitement and anticipation, and, dare I say, happy? A bit of the child I knew was able to shine through her tough exterior, and I smiled back freely.

"Yes," I answered simply as we walked through the door arm in arm, near mirror images of each other.