Saying Hello Again (Timothee & Mirielle)

[Timothee de Morhban]

It had been some years since I'd seen Mirielle, but when I heard upon arriving in the city that she was here, I figured the least I could do was drop in on her and begin catching up with her. I'd met her during one of the times I'd been fostering in Azzalle, and found her to be rather pleasant company. We'd kept in touch over the years, and during my naval career, I'd had opportunities to go see her from time to time. The last time I'd seen her, though, had been just before she'd gotten betrothed and then pregnant.

Since that time, I'd risen to the rank of Contre-Amiral, and now found myself with a new 'honor', Naval Liaison to Crown and Parliament. I'd been so close to dealing a crippling blow to the pirates that plagued the northern coast of Terre d'Ange, I had to wonder if my timely new appointment had to do with someone taking bribes.

This, however, I'd done my best to push out of mind as I was shown into Mirielle's home within the capital. I was dressed in Morhban purple and black, since I did not think it necessary to wear my formal uniform for such a visit. Walking into the room where I was told she would receive me, I glanced around immediately to see if she was already waiting on me.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

It'd been a long time since I'd seen Timothee, and though news of promotions and the comings and goings of high officials had the tendency to bleed through the city like an open wound, I was quite out of the circle of gossip... Truth be, I preferred that way, though I knew it was inevitable to dive into it again. The title August had left Christelle by birth alone demanded no less, but when I thought of it that way I was glad for it. This way I could prepare my daughter.. I could prep her, and when she took it over, I could sympathize in a way I never could have just growing up in the Sovereign household.

I was standing, cooing softly to my daughter when a soft knock came upon the door that a Lord Laurent de Morhban was waiting for me in the ivory sitting room. A smile crossed my face and I paused to give Elle little kisses upon her cheeks before gently handing her to the wetnurse and smoothing my cobalt gown over my hips. "Thank you," I smiled to the maid before I made my way down, preferring to meet Timothee alone before introducing him to Christelle.

Once reaching the room, the smile that had crossed my face before grew; it'd been a long while since I'd seen him last, even with August and I's seemingly whirlwind relationship. "Timothee," I said by way of greeting as I crossed the floor to him, genuinely happy to see him.

[Timothee de Morhban]

She was not already waiting on me, but she was a mother and serving as a Sovereign, so it was to be expected. So I looked around the parlor, seeing that she had done well for herself, indeed. I was happy for her; she'd made that year in Azzalle, the first I'd spent outside of Kusheth, much easier.

When Mirielle entered the room, I turned my sea-blue eyes upon her, and smiled as she approached me despite the mood that had settled upon me since arriving in Elua. She'd always been something of a soothing influence, after all. "Mirielle, you are even more radiant than normal. Motherhood must really be agreeing with you," I responded as I moved to meet her, leaning in to press a light kiss of greeting to her cheek.

"How are you liking the capital? I was relieved to find that you were here, truthfully," I asked her as I stepped back again, though remaining within arm's reach of her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Smooth as always, Timothee greeted me easily with a compliment and a smile, and I laughed as I returned the kiss of greeting, pressing my lips to his cheek before pulling back. "Still a flatterer," I teased as I stood, smiling broadly up to him. Time in the Navy had done him well physically; he was fit and tanned, a hardness to him that spoke of dedication and hard work, something that little achieved the extent of behind a desk all day, tending ledgers and reports.

"I'm glad to see you as well; I hadn't heard you were back in the City again. I tried keeping pace with you for a while, but it seems you move around more than anyone I've ever known," I added playfully; being on a ship as he was, it was no wonder. Weeks, even months went between letters, and half the time when I received them they were so outdated that the information was near invalid. It was nice to hear from him, though, though and through.

"Let me get you a drink," I offered, touching his arm as I moved past him to the wet bar. "Anything in particular?"

[Timothee de Morhban]

"Yes, some white wine sounds wonderful," I responded as I watched her move toward the wet bar. I had been flattering her, yes, but that made what I'd said no less true. She'd been lovely enough, in her own way, the last I'd seen her. Now, she almost glowed with happiness. Then again, she'd always been good with children, so it made sense that motherhood would suit her.

Her mention of me being in the city caused me to frown briefly, but I explained before she could ask me about it, "Yes, well, I can't say its what I wanted, though seeing you again does make up for it somewhat. I'd have preferred, overall, to remain with my ship." Biting my lip briefly, I then went on to tell her, "You should find it easier to keep up with me now, though, since I've been appointed as the Naval Liaison to the Crown and Parliament. I have quarters in the palace, and will be in Elua until further notice."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

White wine it was. I set about retrieving two glasses, pouring both as I listened to him. I'd drink some; I drank but rarely these days, only when hosting guests and even then it was lightly done. Corking the bottle, I picked up the glasses and brought them back again, lifting Timothees to him without sipping from mine.

"Oh, how wonderful," I smiled as I handed him his glass. "Congratulations Timothee; that's wonderful. Easier on the postal service as well I'd imagine," I teased before raising my glass a little. "In that case, I'd like to propose a toast; to old friendships and new journeys in life," I offered, relaxed as I looked at him. He was dashing; I had a feeling many women would be pleased at finding he was staying in the city.

[Timothee de Morhban]

I took the glass of wine from her, also restraining myself from drinking immediately. Chuckling softly at her jest concerning the postal service, I nodded, then raised my glass to clink lightly against hers at her toast, and then taking a drink. "Thank you, though I'm not certain I was ready to leave my ship for the far more treacherous waters of politics. My admiral, however, seemed to disagree," I told her, my voice sounding a bit resigned at that moment.

I noticed the somewhat appraising look in her eyes as she watched me for a moment, and silently wondered what it was she was thinking. "So I seem to have little choice but to make the best of it. At least I know I have one friend here in the city, though I understand my cousin Gregoire is around as well," I responded, my tone holding a bit of relief as I gazed down into her eyes directly.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The wash of the white wine across my tongue was pungent, stronger than I'd been used to; throughout my pregnancy and even after I'd had my wines watered down. The flavor of this particular one was full though, and I welcomed it, savored it, holding it in my mouth a second longer than I likely should have before swallowing.

"I'm sure you're more than qualified for the position, and it's always good to have some family around. I hope your parents are fairing well; I've not been to Kusheth in some time." I responded, holding my glass rather than taking another drink. "I'm glad to hear you have a friend in town though.. Might I know who they are?"

A grin flashed across my mouth as I teased him, my eyes twinkling merrily as I met his direct stare with a playful one of my own. Brushing an errant strand of sunnied hair out of my eyes, I glanced about the ivory sitting room; decked in creams and golds, it was regal and lovely... but not the most relaxing and friendly room for an old friend. "Would you like to sit down someplace more comfortable, and meet Christelle?" I asked curiously, looking up the long inches to his face again.

[Timothee de Morhban]

At her teasing, I had to laugh. Yes, I'd certainly missed her wit, and her encouragement that I was up to the position helped, if it missed the point of my complaints a bit. It was hard to let go of the target that I'd had in mind, but I'd always been that way. "I thought you might have some idea, but if you have to ask, I'm guessing you don't," I responded playfully before taking another sip of the wine, savoring the taste of it. Most of what we got on the ship was rough stuff, fit for the enlisted sailors. That was one advantage, I supposed, to living in the capital.

Her offer to sit someplace more comfortable was most welcome, as was the offer to meet her daughter. "Yes, that sounds lovely, Mirielle. I was sorry to hear about August...I didn't really know him, but if you loved him enough to have his child, that's enough for me," I told her, remembering that I'd never been able to give her proper condolences on the matter.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

He returned my playful jest, and I was thankful that he hadn't changed so much that his sense of humor was gone. Timothee's life had been so much different than my own; he'd been fortunate enough to escape politics and the endless drabble for days at sea, endless horizons... I ached for the sea again. It was in my blood, having grown up upon the shores of the straights, letting the waves crash against the rocks lull me to sleep night after night.

He spoke again, and I broke from my reverie with a blush; I'd lost myself. It took a second longer than it should have for the subject that he'd brought up to sink in, and with it came a dampening of my smile, but it wasn't as large as it would have once been; I was healing.

"Thank you," I said softly, my eyes dropping for a moment before lifting back to his again. "He was a good man... even better than he was when we were children," I added, trying to bring back the playful mood that we'd had before. Shifting on my feet, I began to lead him through my home, noting rooms as we passed them politely, though once we reached the stairs I led him up. "You'll love Christelle as well, I think," I smiled to him as we ascended, my wineglass still held in my fingers as if forgotten.

[Timothee de Morhban]

I nodded softly, partially feeling bad for bringing her out of her daydream the way I had, but glad at the same time to see that she seemed to be healing well from it. I followed behind her, and noted that motherhood had not taken the grace of movement I remembered her having. If anything, it had enhanced it, and could not help but wonder how many men had lined up to 'console' her following August's passing.

I didn't dwell long on such thoughts, paying attention to her as she pointed out the various rooms, on the off chance I ever needed them, a habit I'd picked up when dealing with pirates so often over the years. "I'm certain I will, Mirielle. She certainly has the most wonderful mother a child could want," I said with a smile as we ascended to the landing, once again recalling how good she'd always been with children. If anyone I knew was meant to be a mother, it had been her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Had it been about anything else, I might have jested on his flattering again, but this was one subject I took quite seriously. My smile was warm as I looked up at him, the color in my cheeks pink and strong. "You're too kind to me sometimes, Timothee."

The top of the stairs reached, I guided us down the hallway some, reaching the little sun room I enjoyed spending most of my time in. Before entering, I paused and spoke to the maid, asking for white wine and fruits to be brought up. "If you'll excuse me," I said, leaving Timothee in the room alone for a bare moment as I walked down the hallway to the nursery door. Gathering my daughter in my arms, I exchanged a few pleasant words with the wet nurse before I made my way back to Timothee, my smile having bloomed.

For all I'd given birth just two months ago, my figure had returned almost immediately with slight changes; my hips were rounder and less angular, my breasts fuller, but my stomach had flattened out. Much was due to stress and sadness, so my healer had told me; I'd gained little weight in my pregnancy, a genuine cause for concern. Christelle had been born healthy though, luck strong on our side.

"Timothee," I smiled as I entered the room again, my arms cradling my reason for living. "I'd like you to meet Princess Christelle de Trevalion... or, as I call her, Elle."

[Timothee de Morhban]

"The men on my ship would say that its to balance how terribly cruel I am to them," I responded dryly at her claim that I was too kind to her, before smiling back at her genuinely, without a hint of the sarcasm that had been in my voice. If I was kind to her, well, she had been kind to me when I was a stranger in her home province as a young man.

When she left me alone in the sun room, I remained on my feet, waiting patiently as I was guessing she would be back soon with the babe. Taking another sip from my wineglass, I looked about, happy for the sun streaming into the room. That was one thing I was already missing about being on board a ship.

Mirielle was not gone long, and when she game back bearing the princess, I could not help but smile again at the look on my friend's face. Walking to meet her, I set the glass down, and looked down at the baby's face. "She is beautiful, Mirielle. Then again, that is to be expected with her parents being who they are," I remarked; August, from what I'd heard, had been quite handsome, and Mirielle was Mirielle.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

His response brought a second rush of pride as I held her so he could see her and she him; at just over two months, her eyes were clear and bright, though she was still quite content to remain cuddled up in my arms, not struggling to push away and sit on her own accord. I basked in it, in holding her and loving her; being separated was difficult at best for me.

His compliment wasn't lost on me, and I looked from her little face and up to he looked Christelle over. "I can only imagine how striking your children will be," I smiled, not teasing any longer. "Especially any sons.. devilishly handsome."

Whether or not he wanted to hold her I didn't know; I wasn't opposed to it, but not everyone wished to hold a baby just because they admired and complimented it.. Men in particular, I'd noticed. "Let me know if you'd like to hold her," I said almost off handedly, trying to keep him from feeling pressured as I almost immediately pressed on. "She's sleeping through the nights now, thank the gods! I was among the walking dead for the longest time," I added, grinning.

[Timothee de Morhban]

At her own compliment of me, I laughed softly, lifting my sea blue gaze from the baby to Mirielle's face and answered her playfully, "If it gets them in as much trouble as it has me, I would almost wish them to be more plain. Though now that it appears I will be staying put for a time, perhaps we will find out."

"Sure, I will hold her, if you don't mind," I responded to that offer, understanding full well what a sign of trust that was from her. Not that it was unexpected, precisely, given our long friendship, but I didn't take it for granted, either.

"I am glad that she is allowing you to rest, though. I remember how cranky you used to get when you didn't get enough sleep," I remarked, doing my best impression of an innocent look and, I am certain, failing quite miserably. Those memories, were, of course, due to pranks I'd pulled on her that had kept her up a few times.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I watched him quietly, thoughtful, trying to figure him out. He was still the same Timothee, but at the same time he had.. changed. Grown, mayhap, though I suppose it was to be expected. He was more serious than I remember... but on hindsight that was probably a good thing, considering our relative ages now.

When he agreed to hold her, it took me by surprise, but a strong undercurrent of pleasure coursed through me. I hadn't expected him to take me up on it, but that he did sat very well with me. "Of course I don't mind," I said, shifting her in my arms a little so I could hold her a little ways out from my body, ready to place her in Timothees arms. My eyes were all for Christelle, cooing softly to her as I surrendered her to him before letting my arms fall away. The smile on my mouth was a touch larger; seeing Timothee with a babe in his arms was shocking, but somehow fitting. He would make a good father some day, whenever he chose to settle himself. But then, so would Guy.

"Ah, gods, you used to torment me! I think the worst time was when you let a snake loose near my feet.. I was terrified the thing would slither up my skirts." Fond memories; amusement held strong in my voice, and I shook my head as I looked at him. "I don't have to worry about that any longer, do I?"

[Timothee de Morhban]

Smiling down at the child, I gently took her from her mother's arms, and was somewhat surprised that she did not immediately start crying. It was odd, holding a baby, in a way; I'd certainly never pictured myself as the fatherly type, and if my men could have seen me, they'd have likely cringed and made jokes about getting the girl away from me before I ate her whole.

Laughing softly at her recalling my favorite prank from the time we'd spent together as youths, I shook my head. "I'd say that my days of putting snakes up girls' skirts was over, but it wouldn't be entirely true," I responded with a glint in my sea-blue eyes, my tone teasing, "But I couldn't do that to someone's mother, now could I?"

Not that it had stopped me before, actually, but Mirielle was one of the few women I was not about to tumble casually into bed with. She was far too long a friend for such things, and had been through much recently.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

There were precious few outside my household staff that had been able to hold Christelle as of yet; I'd surprised even myself with my readiness in allowing Timothee to cradle her in his arms. An overprotective mother, mayhap, but I could hardly help myself; much of the time I looked at her as my only reason to survive, and if something happened to her I didn't know how I would go on. Any fear I might have felt, though, was strangely absent as he held her, even with the fact that he was obviously unused to it. She watched him quietly, sea-grey eyes wide against the ivory pallor of her skin, and not for the first time I wondered what she was thinking, what she was processing.

Timothees comment jarred me out of my wonderings though, and I glanced at him, startled, before an unhindered laugh fell out of me. "Oh Elua help all of us, you haven't changed a touch," I grinned at him, shaking my head in amusement before I turned to make my way over to the plants that sat near the window. They were all over the room, the plants; even in the depths of winter I had a room full of green to retreat to. Sunlight poured in through the numerous windows, warming it sufficiently that no fire was needed; my favorite room in the house with no compare.

There was nothing for me to tend to with the plants, and I looked back over my shoulder at him as he held my daughter, humor still heavy in my demeanor. "Mayhap I should procure a coin to one of the Houses for you," I teased, my eyes wrinkling a little as my smile grew playfully.

[Timothee de Morhban]

"Did you think that so much time at sea would put cold water in my veins?" I asked her playfully in response to her comment about me not changing. In ways, I had; I'd needed to, in order to thrive in a military environment. But the core of who I was had not changed, which was likely what she was picking up on. "If you saw fit to provide such a gift, well, it would be rude of me to turn it down, no?" I answered her asking if she should procure a Night Court token for me. I'd engaged servants of Namaah in the port cities, but never visited the famed Mont Nuit; something that was certain to change now that I was posted there.

I was surprised that the princess had not started crying yet, actually, but then my understanding of babies was very limited. Christelle seemed so calm, though, that it brought a certain sense of peace, holding her. Which was likely a good thing, considering the mood I'd been in since receiving word of my new post. I could use any peace I could get. "You might want to come take her, though, or else I might start getting funny notions about settling down and finding a wife so I can have children of my own," I chuckled softly, though I didn't move toward Mirielle yet. If she wanted to hold her daughter again, I would give her back, but despite my teasing words, I was just as happy holding her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Cold water? I think it'd heat up rather quickly if it were in your veins," I teased as I turned fully to face him, remaining as I was across the width of the relatively small room from him. Longer rather than wide, I was only a few paces from him truth be... well, a handful for me, only a few for him and his long legs. Timothee always had been fetching; I wouldn't be d'Angeline if I didn't see and recognize it.

When he answered my jest about a token, I laughed, deciding then and there that I would indeed give him one, and ironically I already had a House in mind, though I wanted to feel him out on it a little more. "Is that so? And which House shall I see about picking one up from, dearest Timothee?"

I grinned at him, my palms resting on the tabletop behind me as I regarded him. Picking up a token wasn't so easy as that, and truth be it wouldn't truly be a token, not unless I could negotiate something with a Dowayne... but if nothing else I could and would pay for his assignation, place a hefty payment down up front and have any remaining bill sent to my townhome to cover. I wasn't worried about the money; House Bellamont had been wealthy alone, and dividends from the Trevalions only increased it, though I tried my best not to think of that part.

When he commented on Christelle and his potentially thinking of finding a wife for himself, I laughed again and made my way over to his side, though I didn't reach to take her; I wasn't entirely certain he wanted to give her up, but I figured I'd let him make the first move if so. "You'd be a good father," I smiled as I reached my finger, stroking the back of my knuckle over her soft cheek. My smile softened as I looked at her, her mop of dark curls, before I looked back up at him again. "Whenever you choose that path, that is... but I have no doubts."

My hand fell away, and I stepped back a little, gesturing slightly to the side. "Would you like to sit down?" Part of me was awkward of a sudden; I hadn't seen Timothee in years and was speaking so familiarly with him, but part of me was glad we were. Our friendship hadn't faded though, something I was wholly and entirely glad to see.

[Timothee de Morhban]

My grin widened when she mentioned that water would grow hot quickly in my veins, meeting her gaze with amusement in my own. "Which house, indeed?" I began to answer her question, holding, my eyes sparkling as I watched Mirielle's lovely face. There was an obvious answer, given my heritage, and while my pleasures did run that direction, it was not my only interest in the Night Court. "Bryony house, or Valerian. Maybe even Jasmine," I told her without the slightest bit of shame or hesitation, "Somewhere I can cut loose before stuffing myself into my formal uniform to deal with courtly politics."

When she asked if I would like to sit down, I nodded. Yes, I'd spent a lot of time sitting in a carriage over the past weeks, but there was a huge difference between the bench in a hired coach, and a real chair. As she led me to somewhere to sit, I told her with a soft laugh, "I really need to keep you away from the crew of my flagship if I want you to keep such a high opinion of me and my potential fathering skills."

I noticed the bit of awkwardness from her, and wondered what might have caused it. I felt quite comfortable with her, as if little really had changed. But then, she was the one who had been through the death of her daughter's father. I'd been away adventuring, more or less. I was not about to bring it up, though, and risk making her even more uncomfortable.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

It was nice, being able to talk and joke without worrying about undertones, words left unspoken, ulterior motives.. Just to be able to relax and talk with no disguises, and with a friend from the past as well. He met my jests with ones of his own, and I laughed with them, my gaze going up to his as I led him over to the few items to sit upon; a comfortable couch, a settee, two padded chairs. "So," I said as he finished speaking of which Houses he'd prefer, "Mandrake it is then."

A grin bloomed over my mouth full and unblemished even as I said it; had we been children again, I very likely would have been squeaking and ducking away. As it was now, I wrinkled my nose a little at him in tease, my eyes sparkling before he spoke of his ship. I laughed again; Elua, I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed and jested this much. It felt almost unnatural.

"I'll be sure to avoid all ports and docks with any d'Angeline naval ships in it," I grinned, looking up at him. Pausing near the couch, I offered my hands out to him a little bit in an offer to take Christelle; I didn't want him feeling as if he had to hold her the entire time, and truth be I loved cradling my daughter. "Would you like me to take her back?" I asked, unassuming, my voice gentle and light.

[Timothee de Morhban]

I raised an eyebrow at her suggestion of a house to visit, giving her an incredulous look. What she didn't know was that I'd given a Mandrake-trained servant a go once, not long after I'd begun my naval career. I'd made it through the assignation without giving my signale, but it was not an experience I wished to relive. That didn't make the jest any less funny, though, and I laughed as we came to stand before the couch.

"You'd be fine so long as you didn't mention that you were a friend of mine. Or went to an inn with them, but I'm sure you have better taste than that in men," I teased back, and nodded as I handed her daughter back to her before sitting down comfortably on the couch and waiting for her to join me. I had been fine holding her, really, but I knew that Mirielle would eventually miss holding her.

Waiting for her to sit down as well, I relaxed, keeping my gaze on her. I wasn't staring, precisely, but it was difficult at times to keep from admiring her, especially when the smile that Christelle put on her face was lighting up her face in such a fashion.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Cradling Christelle in my arms, I sat next to Timothee, though rather than sitting back I remained forward, Christelles body laying along my legs with her head cradled in my hands. Making little faces at her, I grinned and kissed the tip of her nose before I looked back at Timothee, feeling a little foolish, but not enough to smother the smile on my face.

"Is that so?" I asked about the soldiers. "And if I were to say to them that I was a friend of yours, what would they say in turn?"

I fair grinned at him, honestly curious as to what he might say. For all I knew the ways of politics, I was fairly naive when it came to military and naval.. well, anything. What did men talk about when they were away like that?

[Timothee de Morhban]

"What would they say? Kushiel have mercy, for they certainly would not, on me anyway," I laughed at the thought, looking toward her as she sits forward cradling her daughter. Imagining that it cannot be terribly comfortable to sit that way too often, I reached toward her with one hand and began a firm but gentle neck massage, meant to ease any of the tension that might come from being in that position. "You would hear hours of tales, no doubt, about what a cruel master I am, how carthaginian slavedrivers have more kindness in their little fingers than I have in my entire being," I went on bemusedly, my strong, nimble fingers working at any knots I found in the muscles there.

"That, and how I keep all the best women to myself. That one, I might actually be guilty of once in a while, though," I added with another laugh. I'd heard these complaints many times, and it likely showed in my tone. Of course, all sailors complained of their officers in such a manner, and most officers took it as a badge of honor. It could almost turn into a competition, of sorts, to see which crews were capable of the most coloful tales of woe at the hands of their superiors...I'd simply been blessed with a rather imaginative bunch on my flagship.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

As I leaned and played with Christelle, I felt the couch shift slightly and Timothees hand along the back of my neck, rubbing muscles I hadn't realized were stiff until he'd begun. My lids fluttered lower for a moment before I caught myself, but I remained as I was, smiling down at my little girl as his fingers worked at my muscles, and I found myself wishing I was laying down to relax completely. Mayhap a trip to Balm was in store for the future, I thought distractedly.

To all his claims I merely made a soft 'mm' sound just before I turned to smile at him, my teeth showing in a little grin. "If you're doing this to distract me from all your callous ways, it's working," I said, my grin growing a little more before I sat up, adjusting how I was sitting to something more comfortable. I gathered Christelle in my arms again, cradling her gently, but propped up so she could look at Timothee or anything other than the ceiling and my chin.

[Timothee de Morhban]

I noticed Mirielle's reaction, and could not help but grin a bit at her words. Her teasing didn't stop me, though, or even faze me, really, as I continued working firmly at her neck to loosen those muscles as I replied, "I will have to keep that in mind in case you ever begin to catch on." Chuckling softly, I continued until she shifted, and seemed as if she were more comfortable, ending the small massage with the lightest brush of my fingertips. It might have seemed meant to tease, but I did it without thought, really, since it was a skill I typically only used on women I was trying to seduce.

In the new position, Christelle was able to look at me, and I noticed her seem to focus on me for a moment. When she did, I quickly crossed my eyes and stuck out my tongue, just for a second, as if trying to keep Mirielle from seeing what I did, my face returning to its normal, fairly serious demeanor.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

His response brought a soft laugh from me, but I was almost immediately distracted by the brush of his fingers on my neck. Goosebumps rose along my arms unbidden and catching me by surprise, though I tried to play it off as if they weren't there, caught off guard as I was. I glanced from Christelle and to Timothee again just in time to see his tongue dart out at her and his eyes cross, and the laugh I gave a moment ago came back again, especially as he tried to pretend he had done nothing of the sort.

"You are positively silly," I said. It was far from the most eloquent thing I could have called him, but Timothee and I's relationship had never been formal. Settling back against the couch, I watched him with a little smile on my mouth. "Somehow I don't doubt you could charm the most callous and resistant woman in the City if they didn't keep their wits about them. Just cross your eyes," I added, teasing.

[Timothee de Morhban]

I noticed the goosebumps as I withdrew my hand from Mirielle's neck, and even I felt the temptation to play further with her. I wasn't certain, however, that I'd be willing to cross that line fully with her if it came to it, and I was not about to risk the long friendship on the possibility of insulting her by not doing so if it came to it. So I relaxed, instead, and laughed at her words concerning my abilities to charm any woman in the city. If only she had any idea of some of the women I had charmed of late.

Her words brought a situation to mind, though, that I figured I should share with her. Of anyone I might have known in the city, she was the one I would least want to catch by surprise with it. "As it turns out, I might have need of that ability. It seems that, while I was at sea, father was working...on my behalf," I knew I sounded a bit sarcastic, but she would understand why soon enough, "Imagine my surprise when I arrived in the city, and found a missive waiting for me, letting me know that I've been betrothed."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I listened to him as he spoke, though what he said next came as a shock. "An arranged marriage?" I gasped, then immediately blushed at my girlish response, but it was as big a surprise as I thought he could have told me.

"Elua, I'm sorry," I breathed. "Do you know whom you're to be wed to? You have some say, I hope," I added, worried for him and his future happiness.