Lunch With A Friend: Maric & Lilli

[Maric du Verais]

I sent a letter to Lilli telling her of my return to the City of Elua as well as inviting her to lunch with me. Honestly I wasn't sure about what was to happen at this lunch, things between Lilli and I had been rocky from the start thanks to my immaturity and Lilli's stubborness. But we had been working on things before I had been accepted into the academy.

I hoped that this lunch would give us a chance to reconnect and I was both looking forward to it and greatly nervous. Either way I made my way to the Cour de la Reine and found a seat in clear view as I waited for Lilli to arrive.

[Lillianne Prévost]

I spent forever deciding to what to wear. Not to flirty, but still nice. But not so nice that it looked like I was trying. But nice enough so that he noticed. Elua save me... I finally settled on a green gown that I had bought with Queen Coretta the summer before, strapless with knee length skirts, a ribbon bowed just beneath my breasts. ( i82.photobucket.com/albums/j279/keairaeglantine/TdA%20Gowns/jh5815.jpg )

With a deep breath I entered the Cour de la Reine, looking for Maric. I didn't know really what to expect.

[Maric du Verais]

That I was nervous was an understatement, but as I sat in my chair waiting only to turn my head and see the stunning figure of Lilli in a green gown -a most provocative green gown- my stomach lept into my throat and I stood along with it. I stood so fast indeed that my sword end hit the table and sent it's contents jingling across it. I ignored it though, only giving it a glance before I straighted my doublet and moved to where she stood.

"Lilli." I said in a breath as I reached her, taking up her hand in greating as I bowed over it and placed a gentle kiss against her creamy white skin.
"It's good to see you again," I released her hand and stood straight. "You look lovely, as always. It never fails to remind me of just how beautiful you are." I said with a gentle smile, both fond and light hearted.

"Please, have a seat." I gestured to the table from where I came then moved to the chair across from my own and pulled it out for her to sit in.
"I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of choosing a table before you arrived." I added as I waited for her.

[Lillianne Prévost]

The poor boy forgot to breath, which told me that I had made the right choice in my gown. But no, not a boy. A boy didn't tower like that, especially with the heels I wore. "Of course. Though I will complain about your height. You went and grew without telling me," I said with a teasing smile, glancing up at him as I settled into the offered seat. Gods, he was so close... My pulse sped up, but I told myself to calm down. I still didn't know if things would ever truly be the same between us.

[Maric du Verais]

As Lilli stood in front of me and sat I could smell her, the scent of her filling my senses. My breathing increased for a mere moment and I let out a sign through my nostrils as I pushed in her chair.

"I apologize profusely." I said with a chuckle, trying to push aside that quick flash of desire that had my skin tingling as I sat across from her.
"I'm trying to think of ways to make it up to you but I'm afraid a proper answer elludes me." I teased as I picked up my menu.
"Perhaps I can start by paying for your lunch?" I suggested with a playful grin.

[Lillianne Prévost]

His manner was open and friendly, obviously attempting to return to the easiness that had existed between us. If he was willing then I would try too. Neither of us had acted well before - though it had taken a long time for me to admit that to myself.

"It's a start," I teased back, looking him over. "The time in the academy was good to you," I observed after a moment, a soft smile on my face. "You even carry yourself differently."

[Maric du Verais]

I began by picking up my menu and began to read but stopped with Lilli spoke.
"It was good for me." I said seriously, though I kept a friendly smile on my face. I thought about the time in which I almost died and how much it had changed how I saw things, they had changed me too.

"What about you." I added then, not wanting to put all the conversation on you.
"You have always been beautiful Lilli but it seems that every time I see you, you're more and more a woman." I chuckled.
"And always out of my league." I teased as I looked at her, my gaze resting on hers in a fond fashion, more so I would wager, I had always been attracted to Lilli and now was no exception.

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Oh, very smooth," I replied, propping my chin on my hand with a grin. "Is that what they teach at the academy, the art of complimenting ladies?" I didn't want to admit that my cheeks had flushed with pleasure from his words, or how attractive I found his fond smile.

[Maric du Verais]

"Oh no," I answered as I continued to smile and even let out a little chuckle. Strangely enough I could feel my cheeks warm and I wondered if I was actually blushing.

"No never ma'am," I took on a serious tone then. "Not in the military." I let out a smile then.

"No everything I learned about complimenting woman I learned on my own." I raised my hand up and breathed on my fingers before polishing them on my doublet in a proud manner. After that I laughed a bit self depricatingly and then wondered why it was that I felt so damnedly nervous around her.

[Lillianne Prévost]

I giggled at his jesting, then wondered if the sound was too girly, too young. I never would have worried about it before, but Maric had definitely done some growing up while he was gone. "In response to your earlier question, I've been getting by. It's been tense in the City lately, with everything that has gone on."

[Maric du Verais]

She giggled and I lowered my gaze for a moment as I smile brightly to myself at her response and then looked back up at her. I didn't want to seem cocky or nervous, I wanted to make a good impression on Lilli and I didn't want to do something to make things strange or awkward.

When she spoke on things being tense I lowered my gaze again though this time it was because I was sad at the reminder of having to have left her the last time.
"Yes," I said gently then reached out and touched her hand. "How are you getting on with things?"

[Lillianne Prévost]

I looked at him when he touched my hand, and then away again. I wasn't sure I could tell this story while looking into his kind eyes. "Uncle Azriel... is marrying. I didn't jump up and down with approval, so we fought. It's... I won't lie, it's been tough without him. We were finally mending our last fight when this whole marriage thing came up." I bit my lip for a moment to control my voice. "With everything that's been happening, all the death and uncertainty... I just wish he wasn't so mad at me."

[Maric du Verais]

I reached out and cupped her face, my thumb brushing over her cheek.
"I'm so sorry." I said softly as I held her face in my hand. I didn't want to say too much, I wanted her to feel like she could talk openly if she needed to. I hated seeing her like this though, her face so sad. I wondered if she had had any fun in the last little while, she was still young and didn't deserve that sort of weight on her shoulders.

[Lillianne Prévost]

I bravely attempted a smile, though the corners trembled. "I never told you in my letters, because I kept hoping that it would all blow over. That... I don't know, that he would see marrying that girl was a mistake, or at least why I might think so. But..." My voice trailed away and I closed my eyes to try to gather myself. I didn't want to cry in the middle of the Cour de la Reine.

[Maric du Verais]

I saw her become upset so much so that she was on the edge of tears. I got up immediately and moved to sit beside her, my arm going around her shoulders.
"It's alright." I said softly, leaning into to kiss her temple. "It's alright."

[Lillianne Prévost]

I turned in his arms to busy my face in his neck. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get upset," I whispered against his collar.

[Maric du Verais]

I felt a shiver move over me as she pressed her face to my neck but I pushed it away and focused on stroking my hand through her hair.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." I said gently. "Would you like me to take you home?" I asked then, my voice soft.

[Lillianne Prévost]

He was uncomfortable. I could feel it in his body, even though my eyes were closed. But I let myself relax in his arms for just that little bit longer. I needed someone who understood. "You're not comfortable with that," I finally responded, pulling away just enough to try to smile. "But I appreciate your offer, truly."

[Maric du Verais]

I reached up and cupped her face with my hand.
"I'm not uncomfortable with that at all." I said softly, my thumb and finger going to her chin for a moment and my eyes flashed to her lips. How badly I wanted to kiss her. For a moment I was silent, my eyes on hers.

"I want to do what ever you desire." I said finally, my hand dropping away as I tried not to lean in and kiss her.
"What ever makes you comfortable."

[Lillianne Prévost]

His eyes, his eyes told me the truth. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with the idea, he was too comfortable with it, which made him uncomfortable because he was turning into quite the gentleman.

Suddenly we were back to where we had started. Both wanting each other, but me too afraid of getting hurt to commit. Once more I had to make the decision. He had grown up so much, and it felt like I hadn't grown up at all. I wasn't in any better of a place to decide now. Was I?

But he was waiting, and I didn't have time to dissect my every emotion. So I chose what felt right. "Take me home," I finally whispered, and leaned in to do what we both wanted, even if I was scared, and pressed my lips to his.

[Maric du Verais]

My heart beat, steadily racing as she leaned toward me and I did the same and leaned in toward her as she sealed the kiss against my lips. Firm and hot my lips pressed back, one hand slipping around her waist gently as the other reached to cup her face, my blood racing in my veins. The kiss was chaste though, little more then two pairs of lips pressed together for a fleeting moment in time before I pulled back to look at her. I wanted to ask if she was sure, if that was what she truly wanted, but I also didn't want her to think I was second guessing anything.

I nodded silently then in aquiesence of her desires and rose, my hand out stretched for hers.
"Your wish is my command my lady." I said softly, a gentle smile apon my lips at having had the pleasure of tasting her.

[Lillianne Prévost]

I took his offered hand and rose, noticing the way our palms fit together, mine so small in his. My lips were tingling from our single kiss, and I couldn't seem to take my eyes away from the myriad of emotions that flitted across his handsome features. I couldn't help but smile back at him shyly. I knew that tonight would change our relationship forever, and it scared me. But the happiness in his eyes kept me going. Silently we left the tea shoppe, and he took me home.