Browsing the Wines

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

My life had been a flutter of activity of late, all beginning the day I'd received the letter of summons from the Queen. We'd spoken of marriages and ties, and when Delaunay returned from Kriti - and his former lover and their twin children - my life rose to a new height of movement. It always seemed something had to be done yesterday, details must be seen to, flowers ordered, dresses designed. The foods, the decor, everything down to the padded seats that would serve the peers of the realm. Add to that my moving from the de Somerville townhome and into Dels and the bloom of our relationship, and I likely should have been laying in bed right now, near exhaustion from the bustle.

Rather than that, I was on edge, gifted this evening with far more energy than I should have had. Mayhap it was nerves, mayhap something else; whatever the case was, I knew I needed to walk, a reprieve of sorts.

My guard walking inconspicuously half a dozen paces back, I felt as free as I could be, moving about the streets with a silken wrap that did no more than kept the sun off my shoulders during the day, and was little more than decoration at night. In this final hour before darkness, when the sun sank towards the cities outer wall, I pulled the wrap up over my shoulders, feeling as if a chill were about to descend into the air. Why I felt that way, I knew not, but regardless I ducked into an establishment I'd heard of, half out of curiosity, and half to escape the feeling.

El Parra was a new place and had much of the feeling to it. The wine bottles were all meticulously cleaned, everything arranged with precision and care. I'd missed the grand opening, and happily I took this chance to browse the selections, the isles quiet due to the late hour of my visit. Hopefully, I thought, they wouldn't close soon.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

'Twas rathre close to the end of the business day and I stood behind the bar with a rag in one hand and a goblet in another, polishing it lovingly before placing it above me to settle upside down between the spindles of the rack. It had been a fairly busy day, this whole business of being bartender, seller and owner of a shoppe was definitely hard work, and I couldn't wait for Naia to start out and relieve some of the stress from me.

I smiled, lost a little in thought about her, and the decent success of the fete as the candles and lamps cast an orange glow against the grey walls. I rubbed the top of the bar down with the rag once more before bending to pick something up off of the floor that had missed my attention before. And would you know in that moment I heard the front door push open and close. I stood up soon enough and was surprised by a beautiful vision with flowing blond hair and a fine cloth wrapped about her shoulders. I tilted my head sideways, a soft smile coming to my lips. I doubt she had seen me behind the bar upon her entrance.

"Good evening, my lady," I said with a short bow, "is there any way I might be of service to you?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

Whites, reds, drys, fruity.. The selection seemed endless, stretching on in dark bottles, and though I had some idea that the more luxurious ones would be in the back further, I didn't mind browsing through these first. I'd no real need to be anywhere soon, Delaunay being out this night on assignation at Valerian House.

When a voice spoke up I jumped, lost in my thoughts, though happily pulled away from what Del might be doing at this very moment. I understood his Shahrizai nature, but it didn't make it easier, either.

My eyes went to the direction the voice had come from, widened with startlement, and my hand splayed across my chest. I'd caught the gasp before it could manifest, though I was sure I looked foolish enough without that added on. "Oh," I said, blushing lightly for my folly. "No, monsieur, I don't think so... I'm browsing, but what for I'm not sure just yet." The smile I gave was slightly apologetic, and I continued before he could answer. "Were you closing up shoppe soon? I don't want to hinder you, if so."

He was handsome, looking as if he were well used to smiling - which, I supposed, was well and good if he worked with the public as such. I forced my hand to drop, and I held my wrap about my shoulders, the sea-blue of my dress settled neatly about my ankles.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

She seemed to be lost in thought, fore my voice brought her to a start, a silent one, and I couldn't help but duck my head, running my hand through my bouncy curls as I hid a smile at her reaction. After taking the moment to compose myself, I looked up at her through two rows of dark, thick lashes. She blushed prettilly, daintilly as though she could control it, just the perfect amount of pink touching the tops of her cheeks as she smiled demurely at me.

These D'Angeline women. They could undo any man with the simplest gesture.

"No, mademoiselle, please take your time. I live and breathe this shoppe. Should you wish to stay well into the wee hours searching through my stores I would not stop you." And it was true. I devoted blood sweat and tears to this shoppe as though it were a living being, my blood relative, a child even. The thought made me smile warmly. "Do not let me pester you, please, enjoy your search. And should you wish anything uncorked for a tasting, do not hesitate."

I turned my attention to the bar, rolling up the sleeves of my tan coloured tunic, polishing the table top to a high gleam.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

He wasn't d'Angeline, that I could tell off the bat, but there was a fine cast to his features that staved off anything more rugged that would have taken away from his beauty. I was d'Angeline, after all, and our culture coveted and loved beauty like none other in the world. "Thank you, my lord," I responded, thankful and warmly both. I didn't want to return home now; it was too quiet, too silent for my tastes, especially given the cold bed that would greet me.

I shuddered lightly at the thought and turned away from him for a moment, studying a small display of bottles that had fine grapes wrought upon the glass. What would Delaunay choose? What would I? I shifted, my fingers trailing over a bottle of white wine before I brought my gaze up to the man again.

"Mayhap you can help me," I offered, somewhat shyly, but the smile upon my mouth was naught but friendly. "Of all the wines in your shoppe - any, and all of them - which would you recommend based on flavor alone?" His curls were askew, unsettled from the way he'd run his hand through them a moment ago. One hung awkwardly across his forehead, and it made my smile lift a little for it.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I noticed that she had stopped in front of some of the reds, caressing the bottle. I smiled to myself before returning my attentions to the table. It wouldn't do me any good to be peering over at her while she wished for some privacy. But, soon enough, her voice, soft and melodious though shy piped up and I looked up from my work, tossing the rag and wiping my hands with a clean one before removing myself from behind the bar, opting to walk around it as opposed to vaulting over it, not wishing to look like too much of a fool.

I smiled kindly at her as I walked to her side, though remained far enough that I was not -- or I hoped I was not -- invading her space.

"Taste alone... well that really does depend on your tastes. If you are looking for something smooth, sweet but not terribly sweet, good to go with everything and a little bubbly," I said with a quick smile, "then I would go with the Cava de Cordova. It is much like your champagne, though sweeter and not as dry. Our older vintages are stronger, of course, but the flavours deepen as well." I said, furrowing my brows as I walked over behind the bar, grasping a bottle of both and walkin gthem over to hre so she might take a look. I couldn't help but to let my eyes wander over her. I was a man, afterall, a foreign man surrounded at every turn by God-like beauty.

My eyes moved from the top of her head, to the bottom of her sky blue dress, then back to her face, in profile, and prayed that the little stunt hadn't just earned me a pert slap in the face.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I watched him, the very nature of his body seeming as if it would coil and spring... and then he walked placidly around the bar, surprising me with it. My eyes went from him and to the bottles til he was well settled by my side again, and only then did I return my gaze to his face, casting my eyes upon him with a soft smile; the distance he stood from me was quite proper.

"Cava de Cordova," I repeated, tasting the name upon my tongue. The bottles I'd looked at forgotten, I turned my attentions in full to the shopkeep, resisting the urge to bite at my lip in thought. "I think something with more flavor, then, and less bubbles. I've naught to celebrate tonight that isn't going to happen again in the future..." And then I ducked my head slightly, sure I sounded a lush for my words. When I raised my eyes again, I caught his sifting over me, taking in my frame as surely as a bawdy whore in mont nuit.

My cheeks rushed with color again, though it wasn't the first time I'd experienced the look of a man gauging me, and likely not to be the last. Besides, he knew not who I was, so I could hardly blame him more than any other woman could. "Could you show me the older vintages, then?" My voice was clear, aloft even, drawing on the courtly guises that helped me at events. Now, though, it was habit, for he had me flustered.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I watched her blush not once, but twice as hard in the span of a few moments and couldn't help but chuckle softly, watching her.

"Less bubbles, older vintage it is then, my lady," I said with another smile and a bow, though I held it a little longer an da little lower, that befitting someone of a higher rank than myself. The way she had carried herself before was more of the quiet shy woman, but when she asked to see more, her features flashed with an aristocratic glint that was reflected slightly in her tone. I felt my own chest and neck warm a bit, praying I had not embarassed her, especially after being caught in the act of giving her the once-over. I sighed inwardly. I am just a man, afterall.

I turned from her in a swift motion and walked back behind the bar with quick strides. I stood, looking over the bottles, pulling out a few different vintages, including one of the oldest I had in the shoppe. It was definitely more dear in price, but was one of my favourites. Turning after every two bottles, I placed them on the bar until there was a selection of six wine bottles, all white.

"Well, if you wish to narrow it down, yuo can either taste," I said, grabbing two stemless glasses, "or you can tell me of your tastes and I might be able to discern something better for you." I quirked my head to the side, smiling nicely to her, trying hard not to be too much of a cad or a flirt with a woman who, for all I knew, could have been happilly married with little ones at home.

Though judging from her youthfulness and the time of night she was carousing about, I guessed not.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

He bowed lower and longer than I'd have guessed - not that I thought him crude, of course, but he had just looked me over from head-to-toe. I could still feel the warmth in my cheeks, albeit receding, and I tried to will it away as I trailed him over to the counter, moving at a more languid, graceful pace than his brisk walk. I watched him, selecting bottles with a precision that I couldn't help but admire; to me, the bottles in this shoppe all looked the same. I could recognize the different flavors well enough, tell which was a finer grade than another, but by looks alone?

I paused before the counter, resting my hands lightly atop it as he arranged the bottles into a semblance of order. His two suggestions amused me, and I could feel it reflecting upon my face, echoing the smile that lifted my lips. "Normally I would suggest tasting," I mused, my smile growing a little more, "but you seem like an intelligent man... Lets try that route, then, to see if you can discern which I'd prefer."

Indeed, could he? I pulled the wrap off my shoulders, looping it over one arm as I awaited the little game to commence. This man, whomever he might be, had the glint of intelligence in his eye, not to mention he seemed fairly competent at reading people.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I tilted my head as she stood before me, removing her wrap, draping it over her arm, her demeanor had become less shy and less... for lack of a better word... harsh, though she was nothing of the sort. I glanced at her face, and her face only, not chancing to give her another once over and have her blush again... although it was rather becoming.

I smiled, staring into her eyes, wondering what manner of woman she might be and what her tastes might lean towards. I crossed one arm across my body, resting my elbow on it as I tapped my chin, the light stubble rough against my fingertip.

"Hmmm...." I pondered out loud, then, uncrossing my arm, moved one of the bottles to the side. "Not this one, too sweet." I tilted my head to the other side, and moved anotherone from the selections. "This is too dry." I murmured. It was getting harder, having only spoken with her for a few moments before I was made to figure her out. "One question to help me out here," I said with a smile. "Do you prefer the City, or the country?" It might not prove to help, but it was something to eek out the time so that it didn't seem she was so terribly difficult to figure out.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I felt his eyes more than anything, assessing and weighing me. Part of me wanted to blush and retreat again, thinking of Delaunay, but the very same thoughts lent me strength to remain, calling more on who I was before the engagement. Mirth flickered in my eyes as he began picking bottles out, counting them unfit for reasons only he understood... And slowly I began to relax, to forget that which bothered me when I initially walked in.

"The City," I answered, taking one hand to gather my sun-colored locks and brush them behind my shoulders, my eyes skimming the last two bottles equally before looking to him again. "The country is nice to get away to, but my heart has always belonged to the City of Elua, and for reasons that even I don't truly understand."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I nodded in understanding, watching her as it seemed she became less on edge in my presence. I wondered at that, what made her seem so closed. Mayhap I had assessed wrong and she was hitched to some lucky man. That would, of course, be my terrible luck. No matter. I smiled back, a little lopsided and a lot of playful before pushing aside the last bottle with a flourish.

"I believe, my lady, if you give this one a taste, you will find it to your liking," I nodded towards the bottle. "Would you like a taste before I divulge the name?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

His playful nature coupled with his flourish nearly made me laugh, and I stood watching him, my returning smile holding a large amount of good humor in it. I wondered, then, just who he was; he was comfortable, that much was certain, moving about the shoppe as if it were his own. He knew where the vintages lay, had a warm, inviting manner, and knew how to help relax a person, rather than making them feel uncomfortable. I wished, then, that I'd paid more attention when I heard gossip of a new wine shoppe opening. They'd said something of the owner, but I'd been too preoccupied to pay attention.

"If it pleases you, my lord," I said, a touch of tease entering my tone as I looked at the bottle he indicated. There was nothing truly to separate it from the others, and I couldn't help but wonder why he thought that one. Obediently I remained quiet on it though, my smile softening on my lips, as I brought my eyes back towards his dark-rimmed own once again.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

Ah! A smile from the pretty lady! And it was gorgeous, when she finally graced me with its presence. She should smile more often, but, me being unacquainted with her, it would not suit me to say so. Biting back the comment, and smiling, letting the mirth reach my eyes as it always did when I was feeling... well... playful, I brought out an elaborate corkscrew from a drawer under the bar, unwrapping the silver foil from the top of the bottle. This one had not been uncorked, and, though there were others for tasting that had been, I wanted her to taste it straight from the bottle. it did not need much airation to open up.

Uncorking it with a loud pop and an Aragonian cheer, I set the cork and screw down on the bar top, clapping my hands once and rubbing them together before holding the stemless glass and pouring the yellow tinged liquid about an inch into itss. Not too much to start, of course, supposing I was wrong.

Though I rarely was.

Tilting my head I pushed the glass forward on the bar, the smell was soft, a very very light hint of vanilla, almost indiscernable, and a deep warmth, surprising for the grapes used to make the vintage. Not too sweet, not too dry, and definitely not dull, spiced with a gentle hint of nutmeg. I crossed my arms, a self-assured stance to take, and waited. It was a supposition, and a daring one at that, but once all in, it was pointless to show doubt.

"If it pleases you, my lady," I said with a nod of my head and an easy smile still on my lips.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

This man, whomever he was, was obviously not one for much pomp and circumstance. I'd experienced a good many shopkeeps in my lifetime, and most were really quite serious about their position and line of work. I couldn't blame them much, for taking serious their trade and livelihood, though it was refreshing to meet someone who was more playful.

I took the glass up from the counter, swirling it lightly, my eyes dropping to study the liquid. Crystalline, yellowed with the taint of the grapes that had made it, but clear, with a light aroma. Customarily speaking, I should have taken a drink, swished it and spat it back out again to test the wine, but such tactics were better left for those whose palates were more defined than my own. No, instead I raised my glass and tilted just slightly towards the man with a playful smile of my own, then brought it to my lips and sipped upon it to taste its flavor.

It was a startling combination of subtle and rich, both and I could tell off the bat that it was quite pleasing to me. Still, I held it upon my tongue a moment before swallowing, my eyes dropping once more from his and to the glass before rising again.

"Bravo, my lord," I said, a full grin upon my mouth now as I carefully set the glass down. "You surely are talented in your trade, for I do like this particular selection quite a lot. I only hope it tastes as well at home as it does here.. it's funny, how the atmosphere of a place can so adversely affect something like that, don't you think?" I smiled softly again, my fingers still lain about the bottom of the wineglass.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I watched as she raised the glass to her lips, a raised brow on my visage the only sign that I had a passing thought that I might be wrong. I watched her sniff the tinted liquid daintilly and take her sip. It seemed like forever before I saw her throat work at swallowing it down, but it did, and my eyes moved from her lips to her eyes, as her eyes moved from the glass to my own.

And then the moment of truth.

I clapped with a robust "aha" and a hearty laugh before calming down, clearing my throat and running my hand through my mess of curls, taking up her gaze again and bowing at the waist.

"I am glad that you enjoy it, though there was never any doubt," I said, straightening with a laugh and a playful wink. "And yes, as it is with food it is the same with drink. An atmosphere can affect the taste of anything, really, depending on the mood the atmosphere elicits." I thought for a moment, we were both rather easy with each other now, and I thought that we had an atmosphere that was friendly surrounding us. If it were to be different at home, did that mean she was unhappy there? I shook my head, not wishing to over step my bounds biting my lip to bite back the question.

"But I am sure it will taste perfect back home, mayhap even a little sweeter for it," I said with a smile. "And if not," I shrugged, "well, you are always welcome here for a glass."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

His reaction was more than I'd expected, and I stood, watching him bemused as he let out a laugh of great gusto before calming once more. His bow, too, caught me off guard, and I did laugh then, acknowledging it with a playfully gracious bow of my head.

"That's very kind of you to offer," I smiled in return to him, and honestly meaning it. "I admit, it's tempting enough tonight." I thought, then, of how strangely alone I would be tonight, of the rumor I'd caught wind of earlier this afternoon. Prince Deluanay, the Marquise d'Almoth had said, all haughty sniffs and ill-tempered glares when she thought I wasn't looking. Did you hear? He'd asked some Valerian adept to marry him before. And she turned him down." It was all giggles then, for the didn't realize I was close enough to hear... Or, mayhap they had, and that was the point of it. Not every family liked the de Somervilles, and how it must gall them that I was to wed a Courcel, strengthening the ties our family had upon the line that ruled Terre d'Ange. I'd left without comment, but confirmed it later, along with the name of the Valerian adept. Del was gone already... I could only imagine what the morrow would bring.

I dropped my eyes back to the glass again, pushing the thoughts from my mind. Aye, tonight wouldn't be the same at all.

My mouth opened before closing again, and I pulled every last ounce of courage I had. "Would you mind if I had a glass right now?" I ventured. He had an easy going personality, and even if he had looked me over earlier, it wasn't anything that I couldn't keep at bay, especially with my guard lounging outside the doors. "I fear my betrothed is.. out.. for the night, and the home is too empty for me to spend more time there than I must."

It sounded idiotic even to my own ears, and I could only imagine how he must take it. For the third time I blushed, lightly this time, the color just fusing into my cheeks. "I'll be more than happy to purchase the bottle first, of course. Actually, I insist upon it," I added, venturing a soft smile as I began fishing my purse out.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

Her smile and laughter made her face light up beautifully, only to have something flash behind her eyes and then her face sombered for a moment as she looked at the glass, seemingly lost in thought. When she spoke, I was about to ask her why tonight of any and all nights, but she was too quick to answer the question that was just a second away from forming on my lips.

Her confession made me flinch. Ah... betrothed. Not yet married, but on the brink. It helped me understand the standoffish behaviour she exhibited earlier. Though I always had it in my head that D'Angelines were all about love affairs, trysts and romantic flings even whilst sharing a matrimonial bed. After all ... my mother.... I bit that thought in the bud, focussing on the matter at hand. Mayhap I was wrong about them.

I crossed my arms and leaned on the bar, peering up at her through my lashes as she went on, then exclaimed about purchasing the wine. Moving, I dislodged an arm and placed my hand firmly on her shoulder. Firmly, but not forcefully, and shook my head.

"My lady, you shall do nothing of the sort," I said, removing my hand for etiquette's sake. Her shoulder was so smooth, so soft and distracting. The line from it to her neck, the dip there, the straight length of her throat, her jaw, my eyes passed quickly along the line and I swallowed - hard - pushing whatever terribly letcherous thoughts threatened to surface back into the depths of my mind. "With a betrothed galavanting around town and leaving you to your own devices, well, I am glad you have found yourself in my capable hands as opposed to anyone else's." I said. It was a risk, again, me and my risks, but it had to be said. "Any man silly enough to leave you around for the picking must be rather out of his mind. No offense, of course, to you." I leaned off of the bar, pouring more of the wine into her glass, a little past the three-quarters point - she seemed like she might need it - and brought out a stemless glass for myself, plucking a bottle from under the bar that I kept there. It was a white, and my favourite. Uncorking it, I poured myself a full glass and sipped, looking to her to continue her story.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I was grateful to him, then, for the compassion he showed. He was interested in hearing more, that much I could discern, but I wasn't sure if I should say anything. Gossip had a way of spreading after all - and that only galled me more. How had I not heard of this before? Simple, my mind retorted. I'd not had anything to do with Delaunay for years, not since I was a girl-turning-woman. I shifted, trying to push the matter from my mind again, when his hand caught my shoulder up in a gentle if firm touch.

My eyes met his again, and I gave him such a smile as I could, hoping to keep the mood between us light, not to let my personal troubles darken it more than it had. "Nonsense," I responded gently to his refusal to let me pay. "I've coin enough to spare - besides, I'm sure I'm keeping you from your duties as well."

With that I paused, reminded of where we were, and the fact that I knew not his position here. Peering around the empty wineshop, I just barely kept myself from rising up on tiptoe to see over the wire racks. "You won't get in trouble, will you, for entertaining me in lieu of working?" I truly was worried for it, and I glanced back at him, not sure if I should feel abashed or not. I didn't want him to be chastised.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I shook my head with a smile as she declined my offer, laughing at her worried state. I peered into her eyes as she rocked on her toes to see if mayhap an overseer was overhearing everything and I'd be strapped and branded later. Her concern seemed genuine, but for the life of me I couldn't help the booming laughter that pushed its way past my wide smile. I doubled over, almost, resting my head against the bar for a moment, taking in heaving breaths.

"No, no trouble, my lady," I said, straightening myself to a standing position and bringing my hands down over my shirt from chest to stomach, smoothing it before pulling at the edge of the bottom of it. Both of my hands made a course through my locks this time as I laughed a gentle huff. "Not unless I can find a way to tan my own hide for dilly-dallying." I realised, then, that we had not really been properly introduced. I bowed once more, this time formally.

"Baltasar de Cordova at your service, my lady. Balta to my friends, which you have earned the right to use," I said, opening my eyes, looking up at her and winking, lightening the mood. "I own this little hole in the wall," I said with a laugh. It was anything but that to me, the place was my blood, my breath, my very soul made to fruition, to something tangible and real. "And who might I say fate has given me the pleasure of meeting this beautiful night?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

The sudden blazing bark of laughter near made me jump, had I not seen it coming first. Instinct would have made me abashed for my assumptions, but there was something catching in the peels of laughter, and I found myself instead smiling along with him as he straightened from his stance.

"It's a pleasure you meet you, Balta," I responded quite pleasantly, my eyes taking in the dark waves of his hair as he pushed his hands through it. The bounced as his fingers left again, and I found my smile growing, appreciating his coarser physical beauty. The stubble, too, I was unused to, but it.. fit him, somehow. "Congratulations on your grand opening, by the way. I hear the fete you held went over very well indeed." I smiled again at him, my lips holding it easy and sincerely, honestly meaning all I was saying.

"Ah, my name." I didn't know what to do; tell him, and keep secret all else? I wasn't one to gossip, of course. "Azabel de Somerville. My friends call me Aza, though... and I think you've the right to use it." My eyes twinkled in playful jest as I dipped a small curtsy to him, though the grin that lit my mouth ruined all the nicety of it.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

She smiled again - that beautiful smile that seemed it would be able to permeate all darkness without any difficulty, and charm any man, blind or seeing. I found myself returning it, a genuine smile.

"Ah word does seem to get around quickly here. Gossip flows as easily as wine and joie in the City hmm? But thank you," I said with a smile and a nod of my head.

My smile remained on my lips as she shifted a bit, though remained smiling, and gave me her name. For a moment I thought I had heard wrong, then my smile faltered, and then the weight of how I had been addressing her, my easy carefree nature and rapport with her had dawned on me.

My Gods! I was flirting with .... a princess?

I stood, awe stricken, slack-jawed though I snapped my mouth shut soon enough. I was caught between bowing or not bowing, wondering how she would take it, considering our new familiarity. But, I was not one to not give respect where it was due. Stepping quickly from behind the bar I stood before her, bending to kneel on one knee and holding that stance for quite some time.

"Princess Azabel... Aza..." I said briefly, worrying at how to address her. I looked up at her from my position, noting her smile and almost shook my head. I smiled back, rising to stand on my two feet. "I wish I had known earlier before I started acting a fool," I murmured, knitting my brows together and creasing my forehead as I ran a hand through my hair nervously. "I hope you don't think me terribly insolent to not have known."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

At first, when he spoke of gossip flowing as easy as wine, I immediately thought he was speaking of Delaunay and his bid for the Valerian adepts hand. My teeth caught at my lower lip and my eyes dropped, but in the next second I realized that wasn't the case; he spoke of his wineshop, now, based off of what I myself had said.

Gods, what I fool I could be, to let my head run away with me like that. As if this man, Baltasar, would automatically think of my would-be husbands past and present habits. It was just so new, so fresh in my mind... I distracted myself from my own line of thinking by taking a small drink of the wine, savoring the splendid flavor of it upon my tongue. Balta had not let me pay for this, but I would return his kindness somehow. That, I vowed silently to myself.

And then his reaction came once more, spawning this time off my name. Damned - I hadn't thought of how he might react, so caught up in our pleasant, carefree talks. His own smile slipped from his face like a serpent through grass, falling away as if it'd never been there. Immediately I mourned its loss, wanting it back to hear the heartening sound of his jests. It had done much, that, to lift my spirits.

Immediately I shook my head in response to him, my hair rippling and falling over the front of my shoulders with it. "No, not at all," I reassured, wishing I'd not actually given it to him. Something else, mayhap - Bella, my father used to call me. If only I'd thought of it... "Please, Balta, just call me Aza - or Bella, if it would help you forget my title. Tonight, I just want to be..." What, someone else? "...care free. In honorable ways of course," I added, giving him a wry smile. Leaning, I deftly plucked his glass up off the counter and offered it to him, my own glass taken up in my spare hand. "Please, lets just.. talk a while, if it pleases you. I miss your laughter already."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I watched as she leaned over the bar, plucking my drink from it. I took my drink from her as she offered it to me, and leaned against the bar myself, my smile returning at her heart felt words, and her little pun.

Well, who says the royals don't have a taste for humour or adventure.

I sipped my wine, a deep drink, filling my mouth with it before swallowing it down, hoping it to calm my nerves just a little bit as I tapped my fingers idly on the glass. Gods, no wonder she was so damned beautiful, descendant from some God's line, no doubt, pure and sweet with the ichor of them.

"Well, no no, of course not. Only honourable happening go on inside these walls," I said with a wink and a soft laugh, shaking my head and mass of curls. I brought my eyes back to hers, though they lingered over her locks, blond and shining even in the absence of true light, cascading over her shoulders carelessly. She had a carefree spirit, somewhere in there. She had shown it to me already a few times over, and I wondered what it would be like to have to suppress that for duty's sake. Yes, she deserved this night.

A pity her fiancé couldn't be the one to witness it, to invoke it. But who was I to judge on matters of the heart.

"And Bella," I said tasting her name, it was beuatiful with an Aragonian accent. "Bella..." I said again, absentmindedly this time, "do you know that in the Serenissiman tongue it means 'beautiful'?" I asked, swishing my wine before taking another sip. "Aptly so."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I was thankful when he did laugh again, thankful to hear the chimes of it, but too that he was relaxed enough again that he could do so. I'd seen the apprehension pass across his features, read the hesitance in his gestures, and it disheartened me even while I understood it. There were times when I used my title and the power given to me with my birth name, but there were times, too, that it hindered me more than anything else.

"No, I didn't know that," I blushed lightly. It sounded pretty indeed, with the twist his native tongue gave my rarely-used nickname. I switched to Aragonian, speaking it as fluently as I did d'Angeline. "You hail from Aragonia, don't you?" A smile graced my lips, and I looked at him, the way his hair fell in shining waves about his face, curls seeming to fall back together even when he raked his fingers through it. What woman wouldn't give, to have hair as such as he? And yet, it fit him somehow, complimenting the blue of his eyes - which, I could see now, were not only just blue, but grey as well. "I've visited there a few spare times, in my childhood. It's a beautiful country to call home."

Aye, I wanted to talk more. I didn't want to go home, didn't want to think on other things. No, I'd found a friend in Balta, and I was enjoying it, and more so the fact that he wouldn't find trouble in a superior for taking time out to speak to me, and drink wine with me. I almost laughed at the irony of the situation - it was as if we were in a tavern, yet it was very from it indeed.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

Her lips parted with a smile as her cheeks blushed pretilly. I could not ever remember seeing anyone blush with such grace and poise, and still a tad bit of something else... flirtatiousness? No never, I could never presume...

But before my mind could wander to those thoughts again, my eyes widened and brows rose, probably most unbecomingly, as she switched from d'Angeline to my native tongue, her voice and lips caressing the syllables with perfection, her d'Angeline accent sounding beautifully with the perfect inflection of the Aragonian tongue. It nearly made me shiver as I lowered my brows and smiled instead. Of course, she is of royal blood, we are a neighbour, it would be terribly unfitting for her not to know our tongue, and many others, no doubt.

"Yes, I do," I responded in Aragonian, "from Cordova, southwest Aragonia." My chest seemed to puff out with passion and pride as I looked at her, my smile widening although holding a hint of sadness as I thought of home, "and yes, it is beautiful, terribly beautiful. What we lack in human beauty our lands and skies make up for," I said with a chuckle and a wink before moving to grab my uncorked bottle and pouring another glass for myself, setting it down on the bar top and sipping from my glass. Hers was not done yet, so I waited to see if she wanted more.

"So you've been to Aragonia. No doubt you have travelled elsewhere. Have you any favourites?" I asked, eyes sparkling as I swirled my wine.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

What was he thinking? I could see a glimmer of something before he dropped his eyes, but it had passed too quickly, and by the time he'd raised his gaze to me again it was gone. Inwardly wondering, I just barely stopped myself from pursing my lips in thought, concentrating instead on the next words that came from his mouth.

"Cordova," I repeated, tasting the flavor of the word upon my tongue. "I've not been there, I don't think - or if I have, it's been long enough that I remember not. But if it's any testament to the name, though, it sounds... Lovely." And truly it did. I could picture it, the plastered walls, children laughing in the streets and trees of semi-exotic nature growing in obscure places. What must it be like? Rolling hills, or flatlands? "Besides," I added, flashing him a grin that was a touch impish, a touch playful, though mostly genuine, "if you are any indication of your people, then you're far from lacking in the beauty department."

I'd have said as much to any friend; why should it feel different to Balta? Pushing the matter from my mind, I adjusted the reach of topics as he did, sliding from one to the next. "Mmm," I mused, leaning slightly against the bartop as I took another small pull from my wineglass. Almost gone now, but not quite, and seeing him pause after filling his I offered my glass out a with a grateful expression. "La Serenissima, of course is beautiful, but comes a second to Aragonia." All the truth - there was no point in dissembling there. "If I had to choose though, it'd be two - Aragonia, and Hellas." I'd not been to many places, though I wished now that I had. I smiled, enjoying the carefree nature of our conversation and not, I reminded myself, just his company. "What of you, Balta? Have you any favorites?"

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I smiled as she complimented my country, pride swelling even more within me as she did, though I had to chuckle as she called me, of all people, beautiful. "They call me the Cordovan Angel," I said with a soft laugh, scratching the back of my head with my fingertips before shaking out my curls and bringing my gaze to hers. "They believe I've inherited my looks from my mother," I said wtih a sly grin though keeping the truth to myself for now. "Though the beauty in the women there is different, it could never hold a candle to the women found here," I said appraisingly as my smile rose in one corner, crinkling the corners of my eyes.

I felt I could confide in her, but my heritage was a secret my mother had told none but me for twenty-two years. I could not betray her confidence after having known Bella for less that number in minutes, even if I wanted to. She had trusted me with the truth of her status and the knowledge that her finace was out, and it seemed somewhere she didn't approve of.

She passed me her glass with a smile and I nodded, uncorking her bottle and pouring her another glass of the sweet wine. The fragrance always got my mouth to watering, though for the moment I wished something with a stronger taste. I handed it back to her and watched her lean against the bar lackadaisically. She seemed so easy going, so free.

"Ah well, as or me," I said, taking a larger swig of my wine, "I would have to say La Serenissima and Terre d'Ange. Serenissimans have to be some of the most overtly passionate people, watching them court each and the romance they portray," I said, shaking my head in reminisence, "and Terre d'Ange because well... how could one resist a place so close to the touch of gods," I said with a smile, "though I have not been to Hellas or Krite."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

When I complimented his beauty, I could tell it made him uncomfortable, but it hadn't erased the smile from his face. He didn't believe me, then? Or mayhap he was humble enough that he put it off, as one might expect of someone who put more stock in inner beauty and strength than outer. Either way, it made me like him more, and I was hard pressed not to try to make him understand that I'd said it out of truth.

And then? Then, he spoke of the beauty of Terre d'Ange, and for a passing moment I wasn't sure if he were hinting at myself, or if he were merely commenting. Deciding not to take it for more than it was - as was best, I reminded myself - I focused instead on what he said next. "La Serenissima truly is beautiful," I responded with a softer smile, reminiscing. "It's been a while since I've been there - or anywhere, really, but the courts are grand, and the people very hospitable. You should visit Hellas, though, if you ever get the chance to go... it's beyond words. Mayhap a discrete trip to study the difference in wines," I offered slyly, grinning at him with a playful cast.

Idly I tipped my glass towards my mouth again, tasting the subtle, spiced vanilla flavor with appreciation. Truly Balta did know people well to have picked this out so perfectly for me. I lowered the glass and looked at it for a moment before peering back up at him again from under a rim of kohl-darkened lashes. "May I beg of you the name of the wine, as well? Mayhap I can come in disguise next time and manage to buy a bottle from you." Another tease, another jest, all in good humor and fun. My eyes sparkled slightly as I watched him, comfortable in the relaxed air of the wineshop.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I noticed recognition flash in her eyes and a mite of confusion before she started speaking again. I knew somewhere in there she knew that I was calling her beautiful, and that she was. If she did not believe it I would be certain to vow to bear fisticuffs to whomsoever tried to tell her otherwise. She was beautiful, gorgeous, a vision of what those in my homeland would call perfection and she stood before me, sipping a wine that I had created when I was but a boy alongside my father.

I grinned at her suggestion. "Yes, that is very much how I came about getting here, really. I convinced my father that the best way to sell in another country was to infiltrate that country and learn from the inside out. Of course, this ruse could be used for any other country, I suppose," I said, swirling my wine, then dragging my gaze from the floor, up her body to her eyes, "but be sure not to voice a word of this. Should my plans get out, well, who knows what havoc that could cause and then my hasty return to Aragonia... it would be rather tragic," I said with a chuckle, moving so that both of my arms, crossed, supported my body as I leaned against the bar. I looked over to her, her locks glistening in the soft candle light and my mind wandered to wondering how they would feel flowing freely between my fingers before I shook my head, looking to my wine and running my fingers through my own hair.

"As for the name of the wine," I said with a chuckle, "I have called it Anjelita de Cordova. It was one of the first wines I created... with my father's help of course. And," I said with a chuckle, closing my eyes and shaking my head, "I would love to see you do this. I would be hard put to figure out which interesting character would be you, but I am certain there would be something to give you away... your sparkling eyes or honied locks perhaps, unless you can disguise those well enough. It could be a running game. Everytime I am right and figure out your disguise, the bottle is on me, everytime you get away with it, you can pay. Although that would have to be a lot of visits and I'm not so certain you would want me drawing conclusions about your drinking habits," I said with a catlike grin, half expecting her to swat at me and my flirtatious poking of fun.