Just a Drink [open]

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

Things in the war had taken a turn, or that was the last news that anyone had, and that seemed to have changed some people's perspectives on the world a bit. Patrons were as scarce as ever and the ones who were still around were almost consciously desperate to forget their troubles in some arousing bit of flesh or a performance. It's as though they thought the only times they were in danger was when a war was around the corner, but then again when had they ever really had anything to worry about? Certainly their food came to them at a comfortable time no matter what.

But even so their stuffy ways got a bit old after awhile and chancing that no one would be calling for me that night I'd slipped out, heading to the Doorstep for some cheap drinks and a good time, if one was to be found. I had friends here anyway, people who wouldn't be trying their best to push me to some limit that they couldn't define and I needed that too. Everyone deserved their chance to relax, didn't they?

With a smile and a centime I secured myself a mug of ale and sat at one of the back tables, watching everything that was going on and waiting for a familiar face, or at least one that didn't seem too stuffy or rude. You never could tell who would come in here.

[Estella de Cartier]

Busy was the best word to describe me. Busy, but happy. Though not busy like the nobles would say they are busy - busy attending fetes, busy with their estates, busy shopping. I was busy pick-pocketing, honing my skills, making life as bearable as possible for myself. And happy that I was doing well and had not been caught in a very long time, happy too with the memory of Bayard still fresh, even though I had not seen him in what felt like an eternity. Though he had always promised, if I ever needed him, he was there. I found myself feeling... nostalgic... a little bit, and missing him, though I would find it hard to admit right out, and in need of something to drink. And so I went to the place I normally went, the doorstep's little gem, run down, shoddy as it was, everyone knew the Cockerel, everyone went there, from high ranking nobles to little street urchins like myself. Whoever wanted a cheap mug of ale and a little bit of excitement was welcome, so long as they had coin. And I had more than enough for myself for the evening.

I decided to wear a gown, nothing fancy, mostly plain, with sleeves to ward off the chill, and in a dark green so as not to draw attention. My ahir was caught up in asimple caul, and my face was bare of any makeup. I wore a dark cape as well, one with a hood that i removed as I entered the establishment. Even with the drums of war beating heavily, the place was still rife with patrons of all kinds, and it made me smile a little that even in trying times, the d'Angelines were still seeking out fun, and solace. I looked about shortly, though not much, my eyes just scanning as my lips parted into a soft smile before I sat down at the bar and grabbed the tender's attention.

"One mug of ale," I rodered, putting my coin on the bar for the man. he nodded and went about getting it. I turned about on the stool to face everyone else, and looked around, still much caught up in my own thoughts to be noticing the things about me. It was not the best thing for a pickpocket to do, but I wasn't looking to pick pockets tonight, just to blend into the scenery.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

My powers of observation still seemed to be serving me well, or at least well enough, because I didn't seem to be missing anything. That included Essie, wearing a dress of all things, her hair clean and bound up, looking far more confident and yet distracted than ever. She was clever and always focused at least while she was working, but then why would she be pick-pocketing in a gown anyway?

She was my friend and more and I could have always gone over and asked what she was doing, but for now I just wanted to watch her. Besides, there were any number of reasons she could have been here all dressed up, looking as beautiful as ever and ordering a drink while she looked out over the crowd without really seeing anything. The only way we could have ended up in the same place at the same time like this was pure luck and for a silly, sentimental moment I almost wondered if asking too much would make it disappear.

Hopefully she wasn't on some sort of date though. ...Wait, what was I saying, that would be a good thing for her, to move on with a regular life and all of the happiness she could get from it. But all the same maybe my luck would hold and she'd be there with free time, so we could spend it together, and that would be just as pleasant for her.

Without any further ado I finished my drink and rose, then moved through the crowd, careful not to make any waves or step on any toes. From the glimpses I caught of her between the moving, talking, laughing people she was as distracted as ever, and a smirk crossed over my face as I moved next to her stool and stood against the bar, raising my hand for another mug. "So, on some sort of hot date?" I asked in a low, jesting tone, eyes flashing as I tugged at her cowl gently.

[Estella de Cartier]

Lost in my own head, and my own thoughts, I hadn't even noticed the red-haired little mischief maker apoproach, or stand next to me, until I heard his voice, low enough that I could hear, but loud enough that it was ehard over teh din, and felt the light tug. I was snapped out of my thoughts, and had to wonder for a moment if my thoughts themselves had conjured him up. I knew I could not be hallucinating, seeing visions of him as I turned and looked upon his smiling face, that crooked smile, afterall, I had not even drank the mug that sat on the bar, close to my elbow. I hadn't noticed that either. But when I did look upon him,, my eyes went into focus, and a smile spread across my lips quicker than the flash of lightening.

"Bayard!" I cried out, more in happiness than surprise. "Oh Bayard you silly little," I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh yes, hot date indeed, a man I pick-pocketed last week saw my grubby little face and was utterly taken by me," I said with a laugh, shaking my head, the few loose tendrils I left out of the caul to frame my face glancing against my cheeks. I turned in my seat to face him, and before he could react, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms about his shoulder. "Oh I have missed you, truly, and," and then I chuckled a bit, pulling back and feeling my cheeks warm just slightly, "it's rather an interesting coincidence that you are here," I murmured cryptically, leaning in towards him as I did. Oh! I was so happy to see him. So very happy.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

I'd wondered how my pigeon would have reacted to my surprising her, but she didn't jump more than a little or scowl, just looked at me before smiling and saying my name before jesting back. In all honest I was relieved that she had a joke to follow my statement rather than something more- seriously affirmative- but I simply gave her an arch smile of my own. Not a moment later she'd turned to face me and wrapped her arms around me, a tingle of pleasure moving through my body and stirring some other things to the surface.

Whoa, slow down there, body. Let's try to just have some plain fun first. Besides, you're trying to follow the rules these days and her especially you don't want to push too far.

A low chuckle left my throat as she continued and I wrapped my arms loosely around her waist. "Oh, I've missed you as much, I'm sure," I replied, cocking my head slightly and feeling a shudder of desire start up my spine. It was a good thing I'd been practicing this self-control thing. "And is that a lucky coincidence? Here I was wondering if the dove still wanted anything to do with rats and pigeons," I teased. "I should get you a drink so you're too tipsy to run away."

[Estella de Cartier]

His arms around me felt as comforting as they had that night... ah that night, and I felt myself blushing just slightly at the mmemory. I was made quite possibly the happiest girl that night, and it was all because of this silly little imp before me, his smile cocked just so, head tilted only a little, eyes as mirthful as ever.

"Oh but of course, the dove loves to slum now and then," I teased shaking my head as I laughed and turned just slightly to face teh bar and pick up the mug that had been left for me.

"Aye, you might want to try that, but perhaps after I've finished one. I can hold my own but to have two drinks on teh go at once... well some might think me a little bit of a drunkard don't you think?" Then I looke daround and laughed. "Though I don't think that would be unwelcome, do you?" I teased. ti was so easy now to let my guard down around Bayard. he made me feel at ease in my own skin, and gave me no reason to need to watch him mindfully. Sometimes it even felt like he just made me feel safe... .like even in my station and walk of life, adn teh danger that surrounded it, being alongside Bayard meant I would be safe.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

As she turned away I did the same, leaning against the bar and picking up my own mug to take a drink as I considered what she said. Essie was always clever but this evening she seemed in rare spirits and I was glad of it. And if I assumed I had a hand in it, what of that? I was cocky by nature and I wanted to believe that I'd made her day better, even if she had come in here dressed up- then again she hadn't been smiling and talking before, and now she was. Proof enough for me.

"Finishing the one you have to start would probably be smarter. Best to not make too many people wonder why the lovely noble lady is putting so much cheap mead in her belly," I teased, letting some of the commoner drawl enter my voice. "But they'd be underestimating you, pigeon. Let's keep that our little secret though, what do you say?" Reaching over almost idly I twirled one of the loose tendrils of her hair around my finger. Interesting, it was so easy to ignore everything else happening in the room right now. "What brought you out in a dress tonight?"