Gervasiel

[Drusia]

Suriah was having trouble not focusing on Drusia's attributes, since her attention had been so forcibly called to them earlier. The oddities were beginning to have no effect on her; it was as if she grew numb to them, so she did not give Argus a second look. She smiled shyly at the elf and nodded her acceptance.

Well. This is looking up. I'm glad I came back this evening.

I offer Suriah my arm. After a slight hesitation, she takes it, her fingers cool against my forearm. I lead her downstairs, pausing at the restaurant here. Hm. We can do better. I recall a very nice little place across the way. We head inside and are seated in a dimly lit (and pleasantly private) corner. We order (the house special looks excellent) and I request a bottle of white wine.

"So," I say over my glass, "I was going to invite you to join us on the way to Snamish, but I get the feeling that Lillith already took care of that. And, at some point, I think it would be good if I explained a little bit about the Errant war, but that's hardly dinner conversation. Which brings us back to more personal topics. Earlier, I asked you a little bit about your life here. I thought you might like to know a little about mine." She nods. Her shyness is rather fetching, but I will have to do something here at some point to bring her out a little more.

"When I'm not escorting beautiful half-elves to Snamish," I tell her, giving her a flirty smile to match my shameless (but accurate) line. "I enjoy singing, literature, and art. Particularly sculptures. And, as a Rinkai Erufu, I am sexually uninhibited and unashamed, especially compared to Veracian culture. This means that when I meet an unattached, attractive, and open-minded half-elf such as yourself, I do not hesitate to ask her to dinner in an attempt to create a romantic atmosphere that I hope will lead to something more." I take a sip of my wine. I set the glass back down and run my fingers over the back of her hand.

"If any of that doesn't appeal to you, let me know now," I tell her. "We can still have a lovely dinner either way - I'm very understanding of Veracian mores." I slide my fingers up the back of her hand, to the edge of her wrist, and back down to her knuckles. "But," I add slowly, "If all this does appeal to you.... Well."

I probably shouldn't attempt to begin a romantic relationship less than an hour since the end of a sweaty, hot, semi-violent sex-capade. Makes me too aggressive. Then again, maybe she likes aggressive. I can only hope.

-- Drusia

[Caoimhe Faelan]

[OOC: That made me laugh, so hard. I love it. <3 /OOC]

Suriah's apricot curls bounced slightly as she shivered, mouth growing dry with nervousness as Drusia traced her fingers. Her eyes were wide and liquid dark, like pools in her face, once again unblinking. Her child-like face took on a subtle, sensual quality as she allowed herself to take in Drusia's features in this setting. She'd never been propositioned before but she figured she could do worse - much worse - for a first time.

Subconciously, she purred a little in her throat, eyes becoming hooded and a small smile creeping across her lips as she considered it. She didn't speak much, because to her, her husky voice sounded unpleasant. For this she made an exception. "I'm listening."

[Graybeard]

Well, that was much ado about nothing, Sister Rose thought as she rejoined the group. The parrot hadn't really said anything she didn't know, apart from the urgency of collecting the Artifact; and she'd been wanting to get that dealt with anyway, the better to hasten the half elves on to their haven (and see her in-laws). The only interesting point was something not said. Apparently Bernie didn't realize how much Father Amalric already knew about what was going on in the area, for example that he'd already clued Rose in on the party "watching" Professor Indianel. Was this just a matter of the headquarters people not knowing what life was really like in the field? Probably. It didn't seem like anything to worry about, anyway.

"I hope Drusia and Suriah are enjoying themselves," she said to whoever was listening. "Now let's us go get something to eat too. I think I saw a place on the way into town that can accommodate the whole lot of us if we're up to it. Who's coming along?"

[OOC: Opportunity here to have other small groups spin off if people wish, but Rose and Kim will definitely be going out, and if Lillith is willing to join them, then of course, so will Brad ... who is going to have a certain encounter some time soon.]

[Drusia]

By Anilis, her hair is beautiful. Red heads have always been a personal favorite of mine. Luna's hair was darker, but...

I feel a tremor run through her. For an alarmed half-second, I think she's shivering, but no, she doesn't pull away. She smiles, and her eyes... those are bedroom eyes. My oh my, I didn't expect things to move along so well.

"I'm listening."

I haven't heard much of her voice, and in this moment that fact makes me a little sad. That husky voice of hers is very alluring. I'd assumed that she was of Sanguen descent, from the hair, but perhaps she has a bit of Rinkai in her as well.

"I like you," I tell her simply. "I'd like us to be friends. And, to avoid confusion, for me friendship never precludes a romantic or sexual component. As an aside, most of the people I sleep with never become my friend - usually due to my tendency to move around as required by my duties. I bring this up now because I would like us to be friends as well as lovers, and I want to assure you that, unlike many Veracians, I find the two concepts are far from mutually exclusive." This country is so damn prudish, I always like to take a little care with that one. Also, I believe I'm a bit nervous. It's been a long time since I was so attracted to someone, and it's been a long time since I've had a relationship with another woman; both of these facts have me babbling slightly. I should move on.

"You should also know," I continue softly, "That I am very attracted to you. It has been a long time since I..." I pause, recalling the text of a love story Luna and I once read together. "'... since I let myself indulge in the headlong rush of youth's untutored passion,'" (1) I finish, letting the words from the old epic speak for me.

I let that hang in the air for a moment. Then, with one final caress, I release her hand.

"So, what I propose is that we have ourselves a pleasant dinner. Once we finish, that we retire to my room at the inn. If you are ready, I will sample the untutored passion I've felt in you, and I'll make sure you're well satisfied with the experience as well. If you are not ready, then we shall speak more of the things you should know, and my life, since they are all threads in the same tapestry. The choice is yours. But, for now..."

I saw the waiter with our food several seconds ago, but presentation is everything. He arrives with our meals as if on queue, setting them before us and hurrying away. The coin I slipped him on the way in is paying off, it seems.

"Shall we eat?" I finish smoothly.

-- Drusia



OOC: Good times. ^^ I've really been able to plunge in with Drusia recently.

Also, for those who were curious, here's the citation information for that quote.
(1) Carey, Jacquelin. Naamah's Kiss. Grand Central Publishing, New York. 2009. Page 213.

Carey is one of my favorite authors, and her works are a major inspiration for Drusia. I highly recommend picking up Kushiel's Dart or Naamah's Kiss if you're into fantasy novels, romance novels, or historical fiction. Great stuff. ^^ [/plug]

[Caoimhe Faelan]

OOC: I wondered. I love Carey's works, I've read all the way through Phedre and Imriel, I haven't started the newest series yet. <3

IC: Drusia's bluntness caused a slight flush across her nose and cheekbones, but her smile didn't waver; if anything, it deepened. Slight disappointment flashed through her mind as the elf withdrew her touch, but she quenched it quickly. There would be time, plenty of time. She listened to Drusia's offer and accepted fluidly with a soft nod of her head, curls bouncing again.

"Of course I would like to be friends." It seemed simple, almost obvious, to her, that that should be her answer.

"Shall we eat?"

"Of course. I hope you find it to your liking." Suriah watched Drusia with delight shining in her eyes, curiosity making her unwontedly bold. "Gervasiel is a small town, as you've noticed."

Suriah made the attempt not to sound quite so much like a bumpkin; it helped that listening to Drusia speak affected her own speech. She picked up the language patterns and even some of her new friends' accent.

[Sareth]

[OOC]I hope you don't mind my putting a few words in Sister Rose' mouth.[/OOC]

Lillith smiled as Sister Rose returned from dealing with parrots, though her eyes slid down the hallway frequently towards where Drusia and Suriah had slipped away. Sister Rose caught the look and gave Lillith one of her own. Lillith caught the questioning expression and flushed a little. "Sorry," she muttered. "I just... Do you think we should have warned her?"

"That Drusia sometimes hunts errants?"

Lillith shook her head. "No, I'm not worried about that. But the girl seems so innocent that Drusia's other habits may come as somewhat of a shock."

[OOC]And sure, Lillith can come along.[/OOC]

[Graybeard]

[OOC: The words fit just fine, and it'll be good and helpful to have Lillith along on the way to dinner, as will be seen...]

"No, I'm not worried about that. But the girl seems so innocent that Drusia's other habits may come as somewhat of a shock."

Sister Rose started to say something, but then caught herself. I can't be the whole world's mother figure all at once. They're beyond our influence, and besides, Suriah is probably almost my age, if I understand half-elf maturation correctly. She can't be that innocent ... Better let this one pass, as long as it doesn't hurt the trust Lillith places in me. "Could be, but I think she'll be okay," Rose said, hoping there was more conviction and confidence in her voice than in her mind. "Let's enjoy our dinner and let them do the same." They walked toward the place Rose had noticed earlier, making quiet small talk as various people tried to get equally various images out of their minds.

They were about half way to the restaurant, and Rose was saying something about the -- quaint -- accent of the inhabitants of southern Veracia, when she found herself almost running into her cousin. Brad had been in front of her, striding resolutely along with Lillith, of course, and Rose hadn't been paying attention to what he was doing (gaping moon-eyed at the lovely object of his affections, probably), when he suddenly stopped in his tracks as though paralyzed. He was rooted to the ground; his gaze was turned from Lillith to a side street beyond her, at the end of which the Millenarian temple could be seen; and his complexion had gone to beet red as unspeakable anger surfaced on his face.

Uh, oh. I have this bad feeling... "Brad, what is it?" Rose inquired. "Is there something wrong? Can I --"

The flush deepened from that of a beet to an improbable plum color. "Annie," he managed to get out through teeth clenched with rage. "I saw her coming out of that church down there, I'm just sure of it. And --" His complexion couldn't have gone any darker, yet somehow it did, and the rage doubled in its intensity.

"And -- that man was with her," he snarled, in a tone of voice Rose had never heard before.

[Drusia]

She nods ascent, agrees that she'd like to be friends. My smile softens. It would be nice to have a real friend again - it feels like a very long time since I've had one. Family, yes. Lovers. Comrades, like Rose and Argus. But friends... those are harder for me to find.

"Of course. I hope you find it to your liking." Suriah watched Drusia with delight shining in her eyes, curiosity making her unwontedly bold. "Gervasiel is a small town, as you've noticed."

Such lovely eyes. But there's also a hint of anxiety in her voice. Not about us, but about Gervasiel. I nod.

"The food is wonderful," I assure her. "You know, Snamish is actually smaller than this. Because of the Errant War, half-elven communities typically remain small and difficult to find." I don't want her thinking I have anything against small towns, even if I was born a city girl.

"I'd spend more time there if I could, but I end up traveling a lot. And I've found that even the smallest hamlets can be home to amazing surprises. Unique food, music, art. I make it a point to look for those obscure but wonderful things and pick up a few. The recipes and art, I like taking home to Snamish, but the music I share along the way as I travel."

I return for a moment to my entree. It really is quite delicious. I set aside my artistry and let my pleasure at the dish, at the company, at the evening as a whole show clearly on my face. As much fun as I had seducing Kurou, that was a game of covertisy. This is something else. A friendship, perhaps a romance if I'm lucky. I'd like to revel in the possibility for a bit longer, but our food is nearly eaten, our wine nearly drunk.

"Would you like to stay for desert?" I ask her, "Or... not?" Desert would prolong our pleasant dinner conversation, which would be nice. Or we could retire to the inn and succumb to the desire that has been coiling between us all evening, which would also be quite pleasant. So, as far as my question goes, either prospect is a win. I wonder which it will be.

-- Drusia


OOC: More dinner conversation or on to the inn - whichever you prefer. ^^ It really is win/win.

[Sareth]

"That ma... Oh." Lillith colored. However, she quickly stepped around to stand between Brad and the church. "Rose... Perhaps that drink?"

[Graybeard]

Brad's rage vanished as quickly as it had kindled, to be replaced by the flush of embarrassment. To behave like that in front of the woman he loved ... "I'm sorry," he said softly, managing a weak, sheepish smile. "There was some great philosopher of ancient times, I forget his name, who wrote, 'Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now.' I should take that to heart. What I -- saw -- it's in the past. I shouldn't worry about it any more. Let's think about the future. Our future." He met Lillith's eyes, not even noticing whether they were rolling or not.

Sister Rose definitely was rolling her eyes; Brad could be a little, well, melodramatic at times. On one level, of course, she couldn't blame him. He hadn't been quite as giddily head-over-heels with Annie as he was with Lillith, but not far from it, and losing her to a rival must have been utterly devastating to him. Even though he'd calmed down instantly when Lillith acted (how did she do it? her calming ability was almost preternatural), he must be feeling terrible, terrible pain inside. Rose was glad she'd dropped her Empathy spell; accidentally turning it in Brad's direction right now would be an uncomfortable experience. She was also glad that she'd kept the handgun that he'd turned over to her earlier (narrowly missing shooting her in the process). Lillith might have settled him down, but no point in taking chances ...

At the same time, Rose wondered, just what was the Millenarian priest and military officer doing here, Annie or no Annie? From what she'd gathered from Wife Number Three, Bindiel spent a lot of time on the road, but why here? To run into him in this place, at this time, seemed a highly improbable coincidence.

Unless, of course, it wasn't coincidental.

Rose was a thoughtful, pensive woman as the group resumed their trek toward the restaurant.