Lunch for Jess and Joie

[Joie de Mornay]

I tilted my head slightly, giving Jess a long considering look; to oblige, or to balk? The lip that I hadn't realized was caught between my teeth was let loose as I rose, giving her a mutedly coy smile as I moved past her. The grey of my dress in no way stood out as vibrant, though neither did it blend in with the backdrop of the Cockeral, and I gathered my auburn hair to let it fall over my back as I approached the man seated at the bar.

I knew my eyes held a curious cast, and I glanced at his face only once before seating myself two stools down from where he sat; no point in crowding. Besides, if he wanted to pursue a conversation, he would, and if not then at least I wouldn't look silly sitting close to someone when other seats were open. Giving a smile to the barkeep, I ordered a glass of wine to top the soup I'd just eaten, though my ale sat half-empty upon the table by my sister.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

My suspicions had been confirmed. It is not often a lady will sit alone at a bar when she has someone else to converse with. I also caught her look at me. I smiled at the traveler and quickly dismissed him. He did not interest me.

I moved a few seats down the bar and sat next to the lady with the dark red hair. It really was gorgeous, I wanted to run my hands through it, mess it up a little, but I acted like a gentlemen and simply greeted her. "How are you this evening?" I asked.

[Joie de Mornay]

I hid a tiny smile under the facade of an itchy upper lip, rubbing it delicatly with middle knucle of my index finger as he moved over towards me, sitting himself to my right with all the confidence of a man used to dominating.

His voice is what drew my gaze, lifting it from the bartop to peer into his blue eyes. I was taller than he by an inch and a half, two inches, perhaps, while sitting, but it mattered little. "I'm quite well, thank you." I let a pause ensue before continuing, my voice soft, quiet, but no less firm than a lady who was sure of her words. "And yourself?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I looked into her eyes as she looked at me, they where soft, but had a spark of someone who enjoys life. That spark really intrigued me. She would be fun to play with.

Answering her question I said, "I am doing much better now." I gave her one of my most winning smiles to hint that it was her that made me feel better, which wasn't just empty flattery. I then held my hand out to her in a way that showed I'd give her hand a kiss of greeting. "My name is Idaeus no' Mandrake, what is yours?"

[Joie de Mornay]

"Joie de Mornay." A smile made its way onto my lips as I extended my right hand to him, palm down, fingers slightly bent in. It were all properly done, though I paid more attention to what emotion fell across his face than anything else. How interesting, this, and a Mandrake none-the-less. He must be putting one portion of his being ahead of the other, more dominating side, and the curiosity that scored the Mornay blood peaked in me right now, wondering what he was like otherwise. "I'm pleased to meet you, Idaeus." The smile on my face was soft, faint, though genuine, and I was torn between amusement and remaining as I was.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I took her hand and kissed it lightly, lingering for a few moments and enjoying the fineness of her fingers. I looked into her eyes the entire time, I then let her hand go and settled myself next to her.

"What brings you to this fine abode?"

[Joie de Mornay]

Amusement. That was it, coupled by another emotion that I couldn't quite classify as of yet, though it left me feeling mildly confused, mildly dazzled, but overall simply me. My smile remained as he lingered over my hand, though as he sat up once more and released me, I let it fall, dropping into my lap.

"Lunch, and to see the Cockeral." I glanced about me in indication, then returned my gaze to his eyes. "I've not been in the city long. What about yourself; meeting someone here?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I couldn't help but to smile slightly when she said she hadn't been in the city long. I wondered what her experience was with the Night Court and rather or not she had any. I planned on finding out later, but for now I kept conversation light.

"Your first time to the Cockerel, what do you think? I like this particular place a lot, good drink and a relaxed atmosphere." I shook my head ever so slightly as I answered her question, "nope, I'm here alone tonight. I figured I would go out into the city and see the sights." I smiled at her slightly to let her know I was referring to its human sights, especially hers.

[Joie de Mornay]

"Its lovely here," I answered, agreeing with him. "It is quite relaxed, and after travelling it is a god-send." There it was again, that amusement mixed with the unidentified emotion, and I found myself adjusting the sleeve of my dress to give me some small distraction from its mysterious pull, eyes faltering from his as he finished speaking, only to raise again and remeet. "And, Idaeus nó Mandrake, have you found any sights worthy of an indepth investigation?" A tiny smile played at the corner of my lips, though I left my gaze on his, coy for now.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

Inwardly I smiled big, but on the outside I kept my usual demeanor. I looked up for a moment as if I was thinking, a small smirk on my face. Then I gazed at her and said, "actually I have."

[Joie de Mornay]

"I wish you well in it," I replied, my voice soft, though strong and true. "Endeavors into some sights can be taxing until fully scoped... Or so I'm told, anyway."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I thought on Joie's statement for a moment and said, "true, though some are less taxing and more pleasurable." I thought for a moment, not even sure if that made perfect sense. I wasn't sure which was getting to me more, the drink or my own body. While the later was probably more to blame, it would just have to hold on for a little bit.

Still remembering the rest of her comment I asked, "have you had the privilege of scoping any of our cities finer things? The Night Court is a popular place to visit for D'angelines and those of other blood."

[Joie de Mornay]

The smile that had tugged at the corners of my lips came back now as he presented his inquiry of the city and, in paticular, the Night Court. "I've been to the Eglantine house for something to wear to the masque. Other than that, no, I have not." Tilting my chin down and my head to the side slightly, I peered out at him in silent inquiry, though said nothing of it as I answered his first question. "The Cockeral is all I've seen thus far, though hopefully I shall see more soon. Is there anything of the city of the Night Court that you might recommend?" The smile lurking upon the corners of my mouth lurched inwardly, and I let it creep up a bare fraction of an inch more, remaining a touch coy, a touch amused.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I held back the wicked, but playful, smile that was trying to take over. Instead I only smiled a little and leaned in closer to Joie. I wrapped a few strands of her hair around my finger, not pulling it in case it would startle her, and saying, "well, Mandrake does offer a lot, if anything, we have a lot of toys." I did let more of my wickedly playful smile come out, I kept hold of her hair and waited for her reaction.

[Joie de Mornay]

"Is that so?" I gave him a small, coy smile as he reached out and twirled a thin lock of my hair around his finger, leaning in a few inches myself with an devilish look in my eye. "Some say toys make up for what a creative mind cannot accomplish on their own." I paused, shifting my gaze from one of his eyes to the other, then sat back a little, still coy, the tip of my tongue slipping out to wet my lips. "I disagree. Life is about fun, is it not?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I was about to disagree with Joie's quote about toys when she told her opinion on the quote. I couldn't disagree with that.

I kept my finger in her hair, still slowly twirling the same strand, enjoying its smooth and silky feel in my fingers, part of my brain thinking about how it would feel to bury my hands in it and grip it tighter.

"Yes, life is about fun and what you want to get out of it. I can think of a place where we can have more fun than this." I told her, my lust slowly starting to rise in me once again. "That is of course your companion over there wouldn't mind losing you for a while." I glanced over at the smaller of the two, her hair a different shade of red. Keeping my tone light I added, "unless she would want to come with." I would be perfectly happy with just Joie, but one couldn't pass up the possible opportunity of two playmates.