Lunch for Jess and Joie

[Jessamine de Mornay]

As always, the Cockerel was bustling, though at this hour it was a considerably less bawdy crowd than would appear later in the evening. Nodding and smiling to the waitresses and patrons that I knew I led Joie to one of the side tables and sat down on the bench, waiting for my sister's reaction.

[Joie de Mornay]

I could not help but let slip a thread of wonder, finally being in the place from which I'd heard so many stories of as a child. Sitting across from my sister at the table, I unconsciously straightened my skirts, struggling to compose my features. "Its.. fascinating, Jess."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

Smiling and laughing at the sense of awe on her face I reached out and ruffled her hair. "It's the stories that matter, not the place," I told her affectionately. "Love it for what it is now, not what it was."

One of the waitresses came over- a girl whose name I hadn't gotten yet but I recognized. Smiling at her widely I ordered a glass of ale for each of us and then she departed. "You shoudl come here at night when it's busy and boisterous."

[Joie de Mornay]

I gave an indignant grunt as Jess ruffled my hair, struggling to straighten it and tame the strands; thankfully I'd left it down and relatively undone. "I always did hate it when you did that," I said, giving her a pointed look before dissolving into a laugh, both at her and myself. "Ah, I think I'll love it for all it is, both past and present. Really, though, it is quite charming."

Settling onto my bench, I looked around at the patrons as they came and went, then gave the waitress a smile as she came and left. "Oh, dear sister, I think I shall have to."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Then make sure you remember to," I said with a smile, chuckling as she tried to straighten her hair. "By the way, you didn't mention how Granny is doing- is she as saucy as ever?"

[Joie de Mornay]

"You know it," I said, laughing at the thought. "She'll never change. The last time I saw her was over lunch befor I left, and she ended it by trying to teach the maid a few curses she learned as a child." My laughter was light and airy, the smile upon my lips spreading further. "She sends her love too, of course, and demands you write her more often."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"I'll remember," I promised.

About this time the waitress came back with our ales and I picked up a mug and held it out for a toast. "Do you want to do the honors or shall I?" I asked in Eiran.

[Joie de Mornay]

Grasping the clear-cut handle of my mug, I lifted into the air paralell to hers, grinning as I spoke in Eiran. "To family, love, friends," I paused, my chin lifting, "And unthinkable fun." Clanging my mug against hers, I laughed and sat back, taking a sip to the toast.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Cheers," I said with a smile as I took a long pull on the ale. "Next toast is mine though, and I learned a LOT of good ones from Granny."

[Joie de Mornay]

"Of course." I grinned as I took another drink of the ale, relaxed and happy to be with my sister again. "Lets hear one, then!"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Not until the next mug, you lush," I said, my face a mockery of indignance and my tongue sticking out at her. "Besides, do you really want to be stumbling though the markets drunk? We'd end up with lots of useless little things and hate them in the morning."

[Joie de Mornay]

I'd have blushed if that would have been said by anyone else, or in the presence of anyone else, but since it was just Jess I merely laughed, shaking my head. "Oh, no. This mug or the next, it's all the same." Leaning forward, I gave her a coy smile, and could almost feel a glint appear in my eyes. "So. What have you been up to here?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Keeping busy," I said innocently, but with a wolfish grin on my lips. "What's this problem you've been having with your current lover? Do you need me to beat some sense into his thick skull?"

[Joie de Mornay]

A soft groan left my lips as she spoke, my fingers rising to my hair to give me something to do while I answered. "Oh, Elua, Jyrion. He was the son of our seasonal gardener, remember? Anyway, he and I became quite close, though I saw it as more fun than anything. He didn't, apparently." A look of pained helplessness came over my features, and I stifled another groan with a small laugh. "In the end, I ended up having to duck from him every time I went outside, and even inside when I wasn't in my room. It was a nightmare, and," I paused, my amusement at my own situation growing, "part of the reason why I wanted to come to the city so badly. He's impossible, really. I don't think he's even accepted that its over between us." Taking another swig of from my glass, I looked bemused to my sister, my legs crossing for comfort under my skirts and the tabletop.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Men can be so dumb sometimes, though I have to say it's rather sweet and storylike that he fell in love with you so quickly. Did you actually TELL him that you didn't want things to go any further or just pull back? If the latter, absense may only compound the problem." I took another drink from the mug and swallowed quickly. "Still, he should have taken what he could get. I have, luckily, avoided all such problems."

[Joie de Mornay]

"Oh, I don't think he's in love with me. I think its more lust than anything... And I did tell him, repeatedly." I shifted upon my bench, adjusting my seat for comfort. "He's stubborn. Or daft, I'm not really sure which. Still," I peered at her, my amusement holding. "What do you do for fun here? Met any interesting people?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Of course- I don't think I've ever met a boring person," I said with a smile. Slipping into Eiran- I knew there was almost no chance of anyone overhearing to understand the language and I wouldn't gossip in such a public place otherwise- I continued, "Well, there was the L'Enver's fete, where I met Caraf no' Heliotrope- she was, anyway. She's now engaged to Duc Elliot L'Envers, who I also met at the fete. They're both good friends of mine, especially Caraf- another sister to add to the flock. I'll haev to see if she can come by in a few days and visit so you can meet her. Also, there's Douleur no' Valerian- she's a good little sister and has helped with with some research. As to the boys- I think you should meet them in person, I could never describe them well enough. If you want me to, though, I'll try."

[Joie de Mornay]

I smiled, bright and interested, my hands clasped within my lap. "That sounds wonderful. I knew it wouldn't take you long to get situated and meet people, but I'm happy that you're truly becoming settled." I glanced around the room of the inn, then let my speech twist back to Eiran and I looked back to her. "The boys? Any one for you in paticular?" A devilish grin lit my lips, not assuming she'd answer, but the question had begged to be asked.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Not so much- I was never one to settle down," I replied sweetly. "They're my friends first, and if anything more comes from it than that, it's a bonus." That was, after all, true in most cases for me, and any exceptions could be mentioned later. "What about you? Intend to make any friends while visiting, or any idea how long you're going to stay?"

[Joie de Mornay]

"I plan on staying as long as I can; really, theres nothing for me at home. You are to take over the responsibilities, and good riddance for it." I smiled, running a finger over the handle of my mug, toying with the cool glass. "I'd love to make friends and be out and about; I don't plan on staying home all the time. Really though, I'm so happy to be here." And I was, truly, down to the marrow of my bones.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"I'm happy you're here as well," I said with a grin. "And you'll make friends easily, but until you do, feel free to borrow mine. Well, most of them. Some are shy." I knew my sister as well as I knew myself- she didn't need watching over, only occasional reassurance, and she was raise the same way as I, so no concerns about chaos in the household. Really, I didn't even think of such things, except to reflect on some people got along so poorly with their siblings, like Cendrillon. "I'll be around a bit, so if you want to do something you know how to get ahold of me. If nothing else, I still usually sleep in."

[Joie de Mornay]

I laughed at the notion of borrowing people, my good humor sticking readily and keeping my spirits cheered. "I'll keep that in mind, I assure you, but thanks Jess. You're a fantastic little-big sister." The tease was gone as I smiled at her, glancing around the room once more in a vain attempt to memorize the room. Truly, it was fantastic to be here. "You still sleep in late? Ah, some things never change." That was one of the small differences between us; I'd always rose with the cockeral as it crowed in the morn, while Jess would hold her slumber until the mid-morning hours. "Still, I hope I am able to meet people while I'm here. It would seem such a disappointment if it weren't to come to pass." A wry grin lit my lips, and I knew without looking at her that she'd know my impish intent.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

Raising a brow, my grin becoming devilish, I nodded in agreement. "Then I hope you have as much fun with your quest for friendship as I have- take a stroll through the Night Court at some point in time, that usually turns up 'friends' pretty easily. Just be careful- this isn't like home, you don't get respect simply due to the matter that you're a living human being."

[Joie de Mornay]

I nodded, returning my gaze to her before answering. "I figured as much. I can't imagine the standards here are like they are at home. In a way I'm almost glad for it; if nothing else, it'll make things a touch more challenging than they otherwise would be." I took a soft breath, thinking quietly for a long moment. "Tomorow, I think. I will go tomorrow."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Ooh, getting an early start," I said in mock awe. "Any ideas for which House?"

[Joie de Mornay]

I laughed, feeling a flush enter my cheeks. "Not Valerian. Mandrake mayhap? Have any suggestions for yourself?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

A little amazed that she would want to go to Mandrake; even family can suprise you sometimes. "Well, it would depend on what you wanted to experience."

[Joie de Mornay]

I shrugged, the gesture light, simple. "I don't know, honestly. Maybe not even Mandrake." A grin spread across my lips, and I continued on in a soft voice. "Ah, perhaps I won't go tomorrow, and give it more thought." A small pull at my ale, and I settled myself, peering around the room once more.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"You can always go and look around- at least then you'll get an idea of what draws you," I said lightly. "And it's not the house that always matters as much as the adept themselves, or so I have found. Besides, there is no crime in considering a path before you walk it- just that it's not my way doesn't mean it isn't someone elses."

Looking down at my mostly-empty mug I grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Want another?"

[Joie de Mornay]

"That's a good point," I said thoughtfully, tilting my head softly and peering back at her. "I'm not melding my path to match yours by any means. I just am not sure at the moment.. Overwhelmed mayhap. A lot has happened today already." I smiled and raised my glass to my lips, draining the rest of it. "Another? Absolutely." Setting the glass down upon the tabletop, I became amused, my smile quirking slightly. "Much more and I might become unsteady, but food should settle that."