A Very Pleasant Evening [Josette, Luc]

[Noemi de Trevalion]

So far this day had been one of the most fun I'd had since coming to the city. First I met Josette while on my walk and we went to the Temple of Namaah, then had tea, flirted with a cute boy, went shopping, and now we were going to her house for the meeting she'd arranged earlier with her waiter. I wasn't sure if this was how most days went in the City but if it was I was glad that I'd come, for this sort of lifestyle suited my wandering ways. Where was the harm in letting fun find you from time to time? It's not as though the responsibilities wouldn't still be there.

The West Borough looked much like I remembered and I talked cheerfully to Josette as we walked, asking questions about her usual habits and recent events, all of the things I liked to know just in case I should ever get invited. When we got to her gate I looked at the brown-haired girl with a smile. "So, are you ready to go inside? After all, you've got to get ready before that boy shows up, and I've got to get ready to hunt him down for you in case he doesn't."

[Josette Bradamante]

“Thank you for the offer, but if he doesn’t show up then he’s not really the type of boy I’d like to spend the evening with,” I said with a grin and a laugh as I showed her inside. “Can I get you something to drink or eat while we wait?”

[Luc Bradamante]

I had spent most of my day off lolling about the house. I had heard Josette leave earlier, and wondered if she would be back in tonight or if she would be enjoying herself in the City well into th emorning. And it wasn't until later in teh day, while I was in the kitchen, snacking on sweet meats and bread and wine that I heard the front door open and laughter and the voice of two women. Though ti was muffled from where I was, I knew one was Josette's voice, but the other I could not place. Ever the interested brother, I took my glass of wine, rose from my seat at teh table, and walked out into the hallway en route to the foyer.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I guess you're right about that sort of boy, and if you're having something I will too but I don't want to put you to any trouble," I told Josette with a smile after we'd stepped in, my eyes moving interestedly over the features of the house. It was as lovely as everywhere else I've been of late and I was gaining a very fine appreciation for d'Angeline architecture and design. "Your house is lovely." There was a sense of happiness and peace here that reminded me of a contented family home and that put me even more at ease.

[Josette Bradamante]

“Thank you,” I said, smiling. “Mother did most of the decorating. I’m just in charge of making sure the brothers don’t trash it all.” I laughed turned towards the kitchen, intending to take Noemi there and find us some sustenance.

I saw Luc coming out of the kitchen, wine glass in hand. “Speak of one of the devils,” I said, smiling wide. “Noemi, this is my brother Luc. Luc, this is my new friend Noemi.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I was met barely out of teh doorway by Josette, a smile on her lips, and her friend, a sunny haired girl with bright eyes and a smile on her face. How could I not smile in return? Well, if I weren't already smiling when they had come up on me I'd have been hard put to.

"Me a devil? Surely you jest," I teased Josie with a wink before turning my attention to her new amie. "Luc, at your service," I said wtih a bow, my free arm coming across my waist while the hand that held the wine glass extended to the side of me in a display of light mockery, though I was pleased to meet her acquaintance. I righted myself and leaned against the doorway of the kitchen. "And to what do I owe this pleasure, my ladies?" I queried, lips curving mirthfully as I looked from the one to the other. They were an interesting sight to see, opposites as they were. Josie with her dark locks and eyes, and Noemi with wheat-coloured locks and large, light coloured eyes.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Josette's description of her job in the house drew another laugh from me, even though I knew in my home these days it was probably more Cygnus trying to get Victoire and I to behave. "Well, I have heard that brothers can be pests that way. Before Cygnus joined the military he was always leaving messes everywhere, but my sister and I refused to clean up after him. It didn't seem to teach him a lesson though."

When she started toward the kitchen I followed her without a moment's hesitation, and as she introduced her brother I smiled cheerfully. He was handsome, that was true, and his features were enough like Josette's that you could tell they were related even if you hadn't been implicitly told. I waited as my friend introduced him and he seemed as light-hearted and cheerful as his sister, and at his bow I gave a deep, half-jesting curtsy in reply. "It's wonderful to meet you, Luc," I replied in a bright tone, then glanced at Josette and gave her a teasing wink. "He does seem to have very good manners for a devil. You must have trained him well, il mio amica."

[Josette Bradamante]

“He knows better than to act up in front of my friends or I’ll do the same in front of his,” I told Noemi with a grin and a wink before facing Luc again.

“We were going to get some refreshments while we waited to see if the evening’s entertainment was going to show up or not.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I took a drink form my glass, relinquishing my spot in the doorway and admitting them entrance.

"Please, enter the parlour," I teased, stepping back into the kitchen.

"And entertainment?" I queried, a raised brow as I looked from Josie to Noemi. Though I had only known the girl a few moments, she seemed rather well innocent. Perhaps it was just the golden locks and the bright smile, an eyes that did not assume or judge. "Pray tell what sort of entertainment are we talking? Tumbling acts from Eglantine?" I asked prancing jovially over to the kitchen table where I sat upon a stool and continued to drink from my glass, pushing the bottle across the table should they like to partake in a bit of imbibing before the fun arrived.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

It seemed as though Josette and Luc got along at least as well as my siblings did and I smiled as I watched them, then walked into the kitchen and looked around interestedly before looking back at the siblings and giving Josette a look of understanding. "Oh, so that's how it works then. My brother is older than me and left to join the military when I was eleven so we never really had to worry about such things." With Luc's question I glanced at him, then her briefly, not sure exactly how much she'd want her older sibling to know about her plans. Leaving her to answer the question I instead laughed, my eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'm not exactly sure everything that Josette wants to do but Eglantine tumblers is a good idea, isn't it?" I teased.

[Josette Bradamante]

“It’s a marvelous idea, we shall have to try that next time,” I said, grinning and picking up the bottle Luc had sent our way. “Tonight though, I think we’ll have our hands full.”

Grinning, I gave Noemi a wink as I poured us each a glass. “Dear brother, is there any food left or did you clean us out again?”

[Luc Bradamante]

I laughed, wathcing her pour them both something to drink.

"No no, I promise, I have left at least some crumbs for you and your guest to munch on," I teased, winking at Noemi before I turned away from teh table to procure something. "I know I have left some cheese and bread adn sweetmeats, that's what I was feating on," I said as I procured some of each, turning around again I caught Noemi's eye, "and I assure you they are of the best of qulity," i said, kissing my fingers, "magnifique!"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

As the banter continued I watched Josette pour the wine, sitting down politely, smoothing my skirts as I did so and resting my forearms on the edge of the table, resting my chin on my joined hands. "So we'll do the Eglantine tumblers next time," I told Josette in a jestingly sure tone and with a firm nod likely somewhat ruined by my grin. As Luc teased his sister back I returned his wink, my eyes sparkling with mirth as he joked and teased. "And I would never even think to question your taste, Lord Bradamante," I replied with a laugh. "That does sound very good."

[Josette Bradamante]

“Oh, don’t flatter him, his head will just swell more and he’ll keep trying to impress you,” I said with a grin as I handed her her glass and took a seat at the table.

“Thank you,” I said to Luc as he set some items on the table, smiling at him fondly.

[Luc Bradamante]

I laughed at her words, rolling my eyes, but smiled as she thanked me.

"You're welcome kind sister," I replied, "though.. wait... what do you mean by try to impress her. Come come now, I am sure my bright smile, strapping good looks and jovial nature have already done a fine job," I teased, eyebrow raised as I took a swig from my glass of wine and grabbed a morsel of cheese to pop into my mouth.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

With a smile of thanks to Josette for the wine I took a sip, then just barely managed to swallow before I laughed lightly at the conversation. "And do I get any say in this at all?" I asked in a playfully aggrieved tone, eyes flashing in mirth. It was wonderful to be around a family that reminded me in some ways of my own, especially with Victoire being so busy lately. "After all I'm the one that's supposedly being impressed." With another wink for the siblings I took a second sip of my wine.

[Josette Bradamante]

“It’s best to just go ahead and act impressed, otherwise he will just get more and more desperate and this actions will become more and more outrageous,” I said, grinning at Noemi and then giving her a wink.

Looking back at Luc I said, “Oh yes, dear brother, you are very impressive. I have to wade through a sea of girls every time I come up the drive.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I laughed at them both, my head falling back as it left my lips, a bubble of loud laughter before I sighed heavily, waving my hand in the air flippantly. "oh well, you know, some men just can't help that they have throngs of women chasing them," I said with a laugh, "and if I have not yet impressed, my lady," I said with a jovial bow, "I am sure I will. Like a wine I get better with time."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"But what if I want to see what sort of lengths he'll go to if I don't act impressed?" I joked to Josette, trying to repress my laughter, eyes flashing as I tried to keep my expression as impassive as possible as I looked back across the table at Luc. Then I took another sip of wine to cover the grin that was likely spreading across my lips at that very moment. Well, he was cute, so why not tease him a bit? It was all in good fun and I'm sure from his confident manner, and Josie's as well, that they were both more than used to it in their own way. "I almost think that might be more fun than just playing along for the sake of saying I did."

[Josette Bradamante]

“You have a point,” I said to Noemi, grinning. “Luc is quite talented at making a fool out of himself without trying; it would be interesting to see what he does with some effort.”

[Luc Bradamante]

Ironed my eyes at Josie though I laughed, obviously amused to the brim. "You've not seen anything impressive until iyouve seen my death defying feat of juggling..." and then I picked p three pieces of cheese, showing each to each of them. "Please do not try this Witout the supervision of a trained professional such as myself. Cheese has sharp edges and eyes never fair well against sharp edges," I teased, all seriousness in my tone thought my demeanor belied my mirth. I began to juggle the pieces of cheese, doing good job of it, even closing my eyes and tossing them extra high so I could reach for another piece to add to my little game.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Josette's agreement and Luc's reaction drew a wide, enthusiastic smile from me and as Luc started to juggle I couldn't help but watch in fascination. I'd never been able to do something that dextrous with my hands so anything of this sort had always amazed me. "Of course, the sharp edges," I joked back, nose wrinkled slightly in mirth, and then when he did his tricks I couldn't help but clap for a moment. "Bravissimo, very impressive!" I admitted in a mock-grudging way though my smile probably gave away that I'd found his performance fantastic from the beginning, and I glanced at Josie with another smile. "Maybe you don't need any Eglantine tumblers to entertain you after all."

[Josette Bradamante]

I added my applause to Noemi’s, laughing as Luc juggled.

“I am rather certain this show is all for you,” I told her in a near whisper. “I’ll keep to the tumblers.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I laughed, distracted some, though before I could falter I popped one fo them high in the air, grabbing the other two in my hands and opened my mouth, catching the falling piece, and chewing it before I took a bow.

"I am glad you both enjoyed the show," I said with a laugh and a wink. "I do aim to please, and entertain," I grinned. "So tell me, what sorts of trouble have you two been up to today? Breaking hearts, no doubt," I teased before biting into one fo the two pieces I had left. Josette had whispered something to Noemi, but I had not heard it, and thought little of it. Women will have their secrets and their temptations, afterall.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Josette's near-whisper drew yet another laugh from me and I smiled more widely as Luc finished his act, catching a piece of cheese in his mouth with a flourish. "And a great entertainer you are," I replied with nod, nose wrinkling with mirth. "If you two ever come to visit me I'll have to work very hard to make sure you're just as entertained. As for what we did- well, what if it's supposed to be a secret?" There was an obvious jest in my tone at this point. "Besides, if we were out to break hearts I doubt anyone would have stood a chance as we'd be thick with boys crying outside of the windows."

[Josette Bradamante]

“Don’t tell him it’s a secret, then he’ll just spend his time trying to get it out of us,” I said, laughing. “Between breaking hearts we went clothes shopping. I’m going to need you to move out of your room so I can have your closet as well, dear brother. You don’t mind sleeping in the stables, do you?”

[Luc Bradamante]

I laughed at the pair of them. They seemed to make quick friends and it amused and heartened me. I liked to see Josette happy, and it seemed that Noemi was happy as well. I shook my head though.

"What? Move out of my room? Can't I just build you a pretty armoire, or two, or five?" I queried, waving my hand in the air as the number increased. "Sure it might make movement around your room more difficult, but who dosnt like an armoire... or ten... or fifteen...."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"But then she wouldn't be able to open all of them and all of those dresses would just sit and collect dust," I replied, laughing cheerfully and giving Luc a wink. "Besides, if she has too many wouldn't that just mean she'd have to get more dresses to fill them? Eventually there may not be space to walk for all of the gowns." Victoire and I both had a lot of clothing but it was lessened somewhat in that sometimes we could share gowns and shoes if it was agreed on.

[Josette Bradamante]

“Luc’s just showing off again since I had yet to mention what a master craftsman he is,” I said, my smile held a touch of pride now for my brother. “And yes Luc, you can build me one more armoire and I will try to keep my wardrobe confined to the ones I have.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I beamed at her words. She was always proud of me, my sister, always had been the one to take the most interest and pride in my work, aside from myself and I walked over and embraced her in a silly, but still heart felt, hug, giving her a kiss on teh forehead.

"My biggest admirer," I teased before pulling back. "True, too many armoires might be an issue, but just one more might help ensure i dont find frilly things in my closet, well, frilly things that aren't mine," I teased with a wink and then a laugh. "I shall have the drawings to you by the end of day tomorrow, for your approval, my lady," I said to Josette with a lopsided grin, bowing playfully before I pranced back to the other side of the table, picking up another square of cheese and eating it.