At last, a drink in the City !!!

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I smiled to Noelle. She was kind and intelligent and though I think she was quite young, she had an air about her that let me know she was wise for her age. I was beginning to like the reflective girl and knew I should keep her in mind as a future friend. It was unfortunate to find so few.

"Its nothing really," I followed. "I mean nothing that you can't learn now. And its not as if the story is confusing or anything." I shrugged slightly with a smile.

"I'm sure that the Palace Library has plenty of books to read up on the subject of you like." I offered. "And I'm sure you'll find plenty of seedy characters willing to show you the Night Court for themselves." I teased with a wink.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I laughed softly with Phreyas tease, giving a nod to Jules without actually speaking. I'd not been there, new to the City as I was and held under lock and key before this, though I assuredly knew about it. There was one tutor I had, a young, stout man from the City, who was quiet... talkative... about it.

"It can be interesting, given you have the drive for the game," I said, looking to the redhead. "If not, it still has its ups; you just need look for them. Still," I said, giving her a teasing smile, "Are you interested in the Night Court?"

Looking to Phreya out of the corner of my eye, I gave a tiny smile, then transferred it to Jules as to not seem as if I were mocking; assuredly, I was not.

[Oriel nó Cereus (D)]

I couldn't quite supress a gentle shudder of pleasure, the first thorny bloom of the mischief that all adepts inevitably possess. A woman who had never walked the Night's redolent gardens, indeed, did not even know of what flowers she would find! I drank my wine slowly, watching the party of strange women with their heads lowered in affable conversation, my blue eyes devouring them in a long, sumptuous glances.

Unsavory, I gleaned, and other things of intrest to high born women. I smiled with my gentle, kitten teeth, and procured another bottle of red and a fresh glass from the barmaid - having garnered all that was necessary from their fast paced conversation, I decided to make my entrance.

I approached the fierce red headed girl, who sparked, I thought, in the manner of the many liberated women there were in my profession. That is to say, not like a whore, I thought, smiling in the docile manner that which was my art, but in the manner of a woman who prefers bare feet to heeled slippers - horses, perhaps, to adepts. (I was feeling mighty mischevious, indeed!)

"Lady," I said, setting down the wine in that unaffected, florid manner that is both enchanting and a little exasperaqting in adepts (do you do anything with efficeincy, a patron had once implored, during my artful unlacing of her corset strings).

I poured her a glass, smiling with lowered eyes. "On behalf of all blooming flowers," I said playfully, "this one's on Naamah."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I could not suppress a wide smile when the sultry little blonde, the Adept, strolled over with as much ease as though she were in her own home and offered me some wine. I chuckled and looked in amusement at Phreya and Noelle, wondering how they would react to the situation.

Jonas, as it were, was crimson like that dress I’d refused to wear last summer. I wasn’t sure if he was ill at ease from the situation, the encounter with the Adept, or the topic of conversation, or just my overall ignorance. For all I knew, he might have been simply trying to suppress a growing laughter.

I chuckled, trying not to laugh too wildly, and welcomed the distraction. “It seems the Night Court comes to me at the most opportune time”, I exclaimed with another chuckle of gratitude. “However to accept Naamah’s gift without enjoying it in the company of her Messenger would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it?” I asked with a friendly smile.

I did not wait for her to answer and added, “Please, by all means, do join us,” as I gestured to the closest attendant to please bring a chair. Heeding Noelle’s advice, I stood and offered her my seat in a gentle gesture while the attendant brought a fifth chair.

I wanted to tell Phreya and Noelle that this was what they could expect of me next time they met me, but a sense of pride prevented me to do so. Besides, both were intelligent women and I would have thought they would fathom that I was trying to implement their teachings.

The missing seat was delivered and I sat at the table, waiting to see what was next.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I almost, almost laughed when the blonde little adept came sauntering over, ignoring Phreya, Jonas and I, and addressed Jules with all the charm and ease of a playful rabbit. Biting just inside my lower lip, I watched as the dust-soaked girl not only recieved her more gracefully than I'd have imagined, but invited her to sit with us without second thought; the one thing I'd have not done was give up my chair. Ah, trivial things. Giving Jules a flash of a quick smile, I nodded my head slightly. Well.

Glancing to Phreya, I gave her an amused look, my dark eyes searching out her own. And what now? I asked her with the look, the laugh I bit back trying to resurface. Shall we leave them to their own?

[Oriel nó Cereus (D)]

The red haired woman stood, giving me a fleeting moment to appreciate her lithely muscled build – what were they feeding pretty young peers, I wandered, thinking of my own tiny wrists and the thin brackets of my hips. Scrawny, one might say, had my features not come together under Naamah’s careful discrepancy. To me, beauty had always been an aloof companion. It appeared when one wasn’t looking and faded quickly. Could it be cultivated? The red head certainly had done a fine job of it – perhaps, then, I should be riding more horses instead of patrons! Or perhaps ride patrons more like horses? Mandrake adepts were always in notorious good shape; all that crop cracking didn’t just come from the wrist, I suspected, unless there was more to their art than I knew.

(Of course, there was).

When she offered me her seat, her gallantry made me blush, examining the faces of the dark haired woman who were seemingly more remote in their enthusiasm for the company of an adept. Unfazed, I mused, after too many romps on Night’s Door? No matter. An adept’s duty was to charm, her passion to love. And love these women I did already, in my own manner. They were the most unorthodox assembly I had met with on a tame afternoon at the Cockeral; something, then, must bind them beyond peerage. Something intriguing, if the red head was anything to judge by.

I settled gracefully into my chair. “You’re much too kind, lady, to have only been looking at wine,” I said, smiling coyly. “Perhaps we should share?” My innocence was feigned but not my sense of play. An adept was not always working, but she was always serving Naamah spirit. I did not doubt my goddess would have done the same.

I nodded in polite regard of the other woman at the table, as well as the sole male presence at the table. I suspected amidst all these female currents he would not be the single pulse of my interest.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I had been so eager to show my newly acquired good manners that I was forgetting the essential. This is an adept, and I am sitting with peerage, possibly even nobility or royalty for all I know. And I know nothing. I gave to my companions a quick look of apology. It was embarrassing to be so spontaneous.

A little officially, I replied to the new arrival: "Forgive me, I should make introductions. Here are Phreya, Noelle, and Jonas. I am Jules." Purposely, I had imitated Noelle's introductions. I maintained my goal to practice the lessons learned. It would not be said that Phreya and Noelle had lost their time on me.

In his chair, Jonas was reclining, arms folded together. Was he unhappy about the new developments? Had I done something wrong ? I did not know.

Noelle was on the edge of letting something loose, I could tell. I wished secretly she did. I liked her kindness, and I was hoping one day she would allow herself to be more free. Polar opposites. I smiled at her with laughter in my eyes, happy to see some amusement in her.

Picking up my ale, I downed another large gulp of it and smiled over it, at Phreya, wondering how this went for her. She seemed to have made an offer to use the Palace library, if I'd understood her well, and I wanted to take her up on it. How to address this ?

He must have sensed my inner conflict, or maybe I was just taking too long. Smiling politely to the adept, Jonas asked "and to whom do we owe the honor?"

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I eyed the adept curiously and made no remark, my eyes glancing over her form and then back to Noelle. There was something in her own eyes and I smiled softly to the girl. There was a hope that I would make better friends with Noelle and though the young girl Jules was...interesting to say the least...I wasn't sure she was my cup of tea.

I inclined my head to the adept as Jules introduced us and looked back to Noelle with a soft grin.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I didn't move as my introduction was given; instead I studied the adept, watching as she pipped and popped and flourished, however gracefully. She wasn't bad, truly, and a part of me was amused by her demeanor, so unlike my own. I did not think Jules would saunter off with the blonde on first meet, but who am I to say? Human nature is a strange thing indeed.

Simply holding my wineglass after refilling it, I glanced from the adept to Jules, a small smile forming on my lips as she flashed me one. From there I turned my gaze to Jonas as he spoke, appreciating not for the first time his handsome looks; Jules had best hold onto him, or he'll be stolen out from under her before she knows it. There are too many in the City whom would tred where they were unwanted, and some would do it for the simple game of it. Still, it was not my concern.

Lastly my eyes fell upon Phreya, and as soon as I caught sight of her grin, my own amusement flashed back in a muted smile. She was quite beautiful, the Princess, but more than her looks I appreciated her personality. She was one I thought I could learn to trust, and not for her titles and bearings.

[Oriel nó Cereus (D)]

I noted the growing social crackle at the table - a look between the dark haired women, an anxious static red head, and the necessary question that linked it all - who was I indeed?

"I am Oriel no Cereus," I said, lowering my eyes decorously. These women were not usual Cockeral fodder. Had I displaced myself? I dismissed the thought. When one crossed Night's Doorstep, one was imploring all mischevious patrons of the night with a beckoning hand. Perhaps my mischief wasn't of a devious enough nature - this thought greatly amused me, and inspired another gentle, sleepy smile, a sweep of my gleaming eyes around the table.

I deemed my name sufficient in their company. Their conversation I would not trespass, until I knew what sort of propriety was required.

It made me shiver beneath my lacings. The pleasure of my service, the delights of a dreamy afternoon spent among books and the easy mobility through which one could travel the fiercer organs of Elua's city, these were the small joys of my life, an adept's life. I wandered if these women had intended the same humble indulgences when they entered the Cockeral, or if something more pressing had driven them here. I was always forgetting that all the world was not a bedchamber, and not every D'Angelline I should meet an eager antendent of slumber parties, a playmate in dress-up clothes. Perhaps I had taken my freedom for granted. Perhaps, after all, a beautiful whore was not the vigorous heart of social unity.

Perhaps, but not for certain! Nothing was certain, but in the company of mysterious peers, I would let them lead the dance.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

This was getting uncomfortable, and I was getting confused. I had asked before inviting the adept to our table if it would be inappropriate and noone had objected, so why the cold welcome?

I brought this on, I might as well deal with it, I thought.

Smiling an easy smile, I turned to Oriel and said "Well, it's very nice meeting you, Oriel. As you might have guessed, my companion and I are new in town, and we have been fortunate enough to meet Noelle and Phreya. I am still trying to get my barings and understand the city better, you see, and I have much to learn."

A look of gratitude shone in my eye as I turned to the two dark haired women and, smiling, I added "Both of you have been exceedingly patient, and generous in teachings." My voice dropped a little in humility, as I added "Thank you." Will I be able to repay this kindness one day? I wondered to myself. I hoped they understood, both of them, how thankful I was.

As I said this, Jonas stood up, and bowing slightly to all of us, said "If you will excuse me, ladies, I will return in a moment." A bit surprised at his abrupt manners, I nodded. He left without further comment.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

Raising a hand to my mouth, I tapped a slender finger upon my lips, watching Jules become uncomfortable as she, apparently, was settling down, and Oriel as she appeared mildly unsure of her place.

"Pleased to meet you, Oriel," I said abruptly, letting my hand fall back to my lap. "I must say, from all I know of Cereus, you are... ah! Chipper, for lack of a better term."

Glancing to Jonas as he left, I turned my gaze to Jules, a brow raised slightly. "I think you'll do fine in the end, my fiery redheaded tablemate, should you think before you act." I smiled with the last, hoping to blunt whatever cut my words might have given; truly, it was not my intent to make her feel less, only more. Taking a look to Phreya, I wondered silently what thoughts traced her head as she remained quiet, then turned my attention back to Jules. "Where did you come from before the City, then? I don't think you said before."

[Kendrick Deveroix]

The carriage ride was a bordering on goodly, and by the time Jonas and I arrived at the Cockeral, I was fighting the urge to fume. Why had she come? No notice, no carriage, no one to watch her back but Jonas. He was a good man, and she thought she were good with a sword, but if some baffoon truly wanted to get his hands on her.. Well. It wouldn't be that hard.

Throwing back the carriage door before it finished rolling to a stop, I stepped out and headed through the inviting doors of the age-old establishement, my face schooled to a broody calm. There - the dusty little thing at a table full of women, the only fire-head in the place.

"Julie." One word, one tone, and I stood where I entered, focusing my gaze on her.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I was happy to see Noelle was opening up. It was strange to carry the conversation, when I was probably, of all at the table, the least capable for the task.

Where did Jonas go?

"I promise you I'll make my best efforts to be more reflective, Noelle, you can take my word on it. As for where I hail from..." reluctantly, I continued "I came from..." my voice broke as I saw my brother, my beloved, so beloved brother, standing at the entrance of the Cockeral, and I felt blood leaving my cheeks, and coming back to them in a rush of joy.

Kendrick ! I had missed him so much !

I swallowed and bravely continued. If he was to find me here, I should be as composed as I had just learned, though all I wanted was to run to him.

"Jonas and I rode in from Namarre," I finally gasped.

[Kendrick Deveroix]

My brows furrowed as she continued on with her conversation, and I thought momentarily on simply leaving. If she wanted to play hostess at a table in a City foreign to her clad in naught but breeches and dirt, well. I was tempted to let her.

Turning my head, I gave a short command to Jonas, who moved immediatly to Julies side. "Madame Deveroix, if you would be so inclined to join me for a moment, I would be ever grateful." My tone was flat, and without waiting on her responce, I turned my gaze 'round her table. Two dark haired beauties, one with a slender neck that fairly screamed Courcel and the other with thoughtful eyes, and a young, honey-haired girl; she, I figured, was an adept, though from which house I could not say.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

Camael curse him! Jonas had gone to Kendrick. I should have known.

"If you will excuse me, for a moment," I said to my tablemates, as I stood and curtsied.

By the look of it, my elder brother was not pleased with me, but I couldn't suppress a small spring in my step as I walked up to meet him. I knew he would give me a hard time, but I was so happy to see him, I grinned a large smile and responded, "Of course, my lord," as flatly as my voice allowed it, which was, to be honest, very little.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

Cereus, I had been partially right. I was about to contemplate the young twig when we were interupted by Jules'...brother? Or perhaps cousin and chaperon. She was taken from the conversation before I had a chance to find out.I had to smile slightly at how the day was turning out.

I turned to Noelle and smiled at her comment on the 'chipper' Cereus girl but kept my countenence on the subject. I was just likely to put my foot in my mouth if I didn't.

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

Lately I'd been coming to the Cockerel and other assorted taverns more frequently, needing the respite from the walls which were, far too often, leaving me without assignations far too often. At least beer would allow me some peace and the scent of other people playing their games.

In my trademark black, this time embroidered in grey on the jacket, I moved through the crowd with confidence, hair hanging loose as I made my way to the bar and watched the room, observing what I could.

[Kendrick Deveroix]

We were polar opposites, Julie and I, and have always been so, even in appearance. I were dark haired where she was fire and flame, her skin paler, mine darker. It never surprised me when people couldn't pick us out as siblings, though most of the time we fought like them enough to give it away. Both of us were stubborn, though she were louder where I was more reserved in it.

Letting my brows stay furrowed as she fairly bobbed up to me, I grunted as she attempted to mimick my flat tone; she sounded more like she had indigestion than anything else.

"Eluas balls Jules - what in the seven hells are you doing?" I said as she finally closed the distance, keeping my voice pitched so none but she and I would hear. "I'd ask you to not tell me you came with no one else but Jonas, but I know you better than that. Why did you not come directly to the townhome? Do you know with whom you are seated here?"

A flick of my eyes, no more, and I glanced to the long-necked swan capped with ebony hair, then back to my sisters ever-joyful face. "She is of House Courcel, have no doubt. You sit with the blood of the woman who rules our country, dressed in dirt and dust and mens clothing!" Shooting a glare at Jonas, who undoubtedly was the source of her clothing, I looked back at her. "Elua Julie. I'm tempted to string you up by your toes for this one."

It was then, I think, that the irony of the situation came upon me, and an abrupt grin twitched at my lips, trying to come out. "It is time to leave, little sister. And," I said, leaning over slightly to whiff her shoulder, "It is time to bathe."

The grin came out with that one, and, fully expecting to be cuffed for it, I leaned upon the support beam I stood next to, not flinching back from whatever blow she might deal. I was still a great deal vexed with her, but this was not the time nor the place for such conversations.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

Tilting my head a fraction as Julie was called away by a tall, dark haired man, I turned my gaze to Phreya, raising my eyebrows some. "Chaperon?" I said quietly, my lips twitching. "Poor girl."

Raising my wineglass to my lips, I took a bare sip and set it down again, using it more for distraction than anything else. I was not so vulgar as to sit and watch the redhead with the man whom called her away in obvious distaste, though without her at the table it was strangely quiet. Catching sight of a man clad in black, I watched him as he moved through the crowd, confidence streaming from him in all good obviousness; who was he?

Turning my gaze back to Phreya, I gave a smile, setting my wineglass down. "Princess Phreya," I said quietly, voice soft so other ears wouldn't pick up on her title, "I must say, I'm thankful you came here today, though I am surprised to see you; not so much as because it is the Cockeral, but because of the slim chance of it in a city this large." It was the oppertune time, I assumed, to let her know I knew. There was a quiet lull as Jules disappeared, and I was not sure if another such chance would come about again. She gave her introduction without title and I honored it, and would continue to do so publicly, but playing along when I knew otherwise was too close to lying for my tastes - not something I'd have a like to do with a Princess, nor any other of whom I thought I could call friend.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I gave a small half grin to the clever girl sitting next to me, Noelle was that for certain. But I had seen her eyes flash to the dark figure walking through the crowd and recognized him as Mordred no Mandrake. Interesting to say the least. I turned back to Noelle.

"Its something that occupies my time." I replied with a wry wink. "And I know that you knew." I continued. "Thank you for playing along."

Glancing back to where Jules had gone I turned back to Noelle and grinned.
"Brother." I said after I had studied their stances carefully. Something Fronsac had taught me.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

Giving Phreya a smile, I bowed my head but a fraction to her, lowering my eyes as I did; anyone who saw wouldn't see me scraping to a royal, but merely looking down at my dress, picking an imaginary fuzz from it. "It wasn't my place to give you away. Besides," I said, looking back up with the same smile, "I think you and I are on the same page, and with more than just that."

Turning my head as she addressed the question of the male who came in and demanded Jules away, I looked at him, then to her. "Ah - I can see some little resemblence, but not enough to make it for certian. How do you know?" I wasn't second guessing, merely curious as to what knowledge she had that lent her aid where mine failed me.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I certainly like Noelle more and more. Turning again to look at Jules and the man then back to Noelle I replied;

"Two things," I said turning into her and smiling. "First is not anything but my heritage. A gift of my Shahrizai blood," I reached over and took a sip of ale then smiled. "Second, is the trainning I've been given over my time. Once from my father and once from a dear friend. Both trained in the arts of detection."

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I listened for a few seconds after she finished speaking, then abruptly laughed, realizing she wasn't going to divulge in her secret. Well and well, for I didn't blame her in keeping knowledge; what you had that someone else lacked was your gain and their loss.

"Well," I said, giving her an amused smile, "As far as I know I've no Shahrizai in me, for my dark hair is no where as eye-catching as your blue-black, and I wasn't fortunate enough to have a father nor friend trained in such ways." My smile faded to kindly, and I sat a touch straighter. "Still, if this Jules was called away by her brother, and elder to be certain, then I would have to think beyond doubt that she has come to the City rather... Unexpectedly." Pausing, I glanced to his face, all fumes and ill-repressed anger. "And he certianly doesn't approve."

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I chuckled softly.
"Its nothing that can't be learned," I said looking back at the duo. "Its simply a matter of reading, observing." I said watching the man's face.

"See how he smiles ever so slightly. If he was truly angered, if he was in charge of her life completely then he wouldn't be so."

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

Glancing back to the man, I observed him with a face schooled to stillness; just another peer glancing across the room should he look over. "You're right," I said, sitting back some. "From the way he looked before, though, I can't say I'd have expected to see him smile."

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I chuckled and nodded taking another sip of ale.
"Its all in the observation." I offered.

"Thats a smile only an older brother would give his mischievious sister," I chuckled again thinking of Delaunay. "I would know."

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

Was that Princess Phreya I saw conversing in the corner with a group of others? I'd garnered their attention for the moment, but let it be- they could approach me if they wished, at least until I managed to catch a bit of interesting conversation that I decided to join.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I smiled in turn, picking up my wineglass to take a sip. "I wouldn't know," I said, holding the glass in my hand. "I grew up the eldest of two girls; my father was quite tight in how much freedom I had, so I never saw many of my cousins or how they interacted with their siblings."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I looked down as Kendrick was doing exactly what I expected him to do, scold me like a child.

Why had I not gone directly to him? That was the one fault I could not justify, and he was right to be angry with me. I was angry with myself, for that matter. I had left home for him! He was the sole reason I had been willing to risk the abandonment of home and the love of my family, to find him, to bring to him the love of the Estate.

Julie, my unruly girl, your mind is wandering again! I heard my father's voice.

I blushed. I had only wanted a last moment of freedom before I was smothered by the City, and it had turned into a delusionnal tale of social ladders and propriety. Before I knew it, one pint had become a pint and a bottle of wine as I'd spilt some on Noelle's slipper, and I'd become engrossed in the conversation, momentarily putting on hold my mission.

"Jonas has nothing to do with this, leave him out of it," I said softly. "If anything, he tried to reason me, so if you need to be angry, be angry with me."

When Kendrick told me Phreya was of House Courcel, my lip trembled a little. Had I done any harm?

I took a deep breath and looked up, straight in his eyes. How I loved him in that instant! I wanted to jump in his arms, like I did when I was a child. Think before you act, Noelle had told me. It would not be proper, in this forsaken City of Elua where people are below and above others.

Feeling more collected, I conceded, "You are right, Kendrick, it's time. But I don't think Phreya would like me leaving without saying proper goodbyes. She and Noelle have given me quite a bit of advice, and I would be loathe not to apply it. Besides, I want to thank them."

I turned around and started walking back to the table, but a thought came to mind. Returning back to Kendrick, I whispered to him, with a mix of concern and a little bit of tease, "If you want to come and greet them, and maybe apologize for whisking me, you should know that no House names have been given at the table. I don't think Phreya wants to be identified as who she is."

With that, I took in a deep breath, and started walking as calmly as I could back to the table.