Ari ♫ ♪ ♬ (gracenotes) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-06-02 01:23:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, arielle chiaro, aspel cassul |
Beyond the song that came before, before the song that's still to come, a stillness comes...
Who: Aspel & Ari.
What: Aspel torture, part 2 A conversation at the auction
Where: The Albrecht estate
When: Backdated, evening of Gemini 10th (5/31/13)
Rating: PG
Status: Complete
Ari had had an extremely busy and productive afternoon. Having left Aspel's apartment, she had wandered through the bazaar, her spirits high and her head in the clouds. On a whim, she had stopped at her favorite apothecary with a thought towards replenishing her stock of hand lotion. She had walked out with soap. It's made of three different types of honey, the clerk had explained; Ari's laughter had been so intense as to have her holding the counter for balance. It had taken her a solid five minutes to get herself under control and tell the woman that yes, she would be taking the soap, and no, she was not in need of any assistance. She thought about this now, as she wandered the tables displaying the items that would shortly be up for auction now that the date auction was over - and although she had not bid, oh, she had so much to tease Drake and Bella about now - and contemplated how best to spend her money. She had perhaps 1,000 gil to burn through after the jobs she had taken the last week or two, and a few things did look promising. That wine-tasting, for example... She picked up the plaque to study the details more closely. When she looked up, she spotted Aspel across the room, seemingly in casual - and bored - conversation with a man Ari didn't know. Along with her sleek dress, she was wearing gloves, Ari noted, and had to wonder if her hand had bruised. She had hit it pretty hard. And wasn't that just a thought to bring a smile to her face? She was practically in Aspel's line of sight, knew that the other woman wouldn't miss her presence forever. She raised her hand, offered a wave to go with her smile. She contemplated heading over to rescue her from the man who seemed to be boring her to death, but thought she'd wait and see if Aspel chose to approach her first. Admittedly, Aspel hadn't expected to bring in half of the final amount she'd won for the auction. Surely, she had thought before everything had gone to the wolves, that by the end of the auction everyone would be tapped out and it'd mostly be for her own personal amusement to see what little gil could still be pried from those who had held on to it. To think just a few hours before her and Vivi had been sharing jokes and theorizing what could possibly go awry with the rumor mill, or indirectly their very own lives, next. Well, this all certainly served her right thinking things would be simple. Regardless, the smith had joined up for the auction at the last possible moment, found a dress in the back of her closest - or at least that was the story she would tell if anyone asked - and signed herself up for the shenanigans of the night. Thankfully now, they were over. The closing bid obscene, and Aspel had been left to mingle about with those who lurked around. Admittedly, there were several people she had to stop and talk with to fulfill basic social contracts, to keep The Armory's name in good standing and assure her business... Even if she was now council. Aspel Cassul, Emillion Fighers Guild Councilwoman.... The title was a mouthful at best and something in her was still deeply shocked, reeling really from the offer and agreement she'd come to. Yet, she was stuck in old habits of maintaining bonds and relations with those who she was used to having to talk up for business. Now though, she supposed, connections like the man before her would be most beneficial in assuring the good name of the guild remained in tact. However, a reasonable out felt like it was soon to approach and she caught a brief glance of Ari from across the room, 'Oh thank Faram!'. She couldn't have asked for a better out if she had tried to make one herself. After dealing with Ari for business with the Founders Festival play, it had been recognized that the smith clearly had an in with the artists of Emillion and Aspel was loathe to let anyone thing different. Artists created some of the most stunning pieces, she had convinced several of her patrons of this before, which prompted them into paying higher prices for artists to design the pieces and then Aspel to bring them to life. It worked out well for all involved and made the pieces most exquisite in some instances. "Ah, My deepest apologies but I fear I must cut this short this eve." Her most sincere smile would be given, a bow of her head and a slight lean of her upper body. "We must continue this later however, as I would adore hearing more about your son and I do believe you would be most thrilled in my recent exploration into coloration variations amongst various versions of tempered metals. They have shown surprising, yet lustrous and breath taking results." A pause as Aspel dug through the small clutch she had brought with the outfit. "Please do feel free to drop by at your earliest convenience." The business card was offered out to him with address, phone and business name before giving the man a brief hug and exiting, quickly as she could, while still keeping proper appearances away from the man. With that, her way was made over to Ari, a smile, almost relieved and much more sincerely appreciative of the bard's company than the man she had been humoring, on some level's, before. "Have you enjoyed yourself this eve?" Fortunately, she didn't have to think long, because Aspel was clearly extricating herself on her own and making her way over. She seemed a little harried, maybe, but certainly more relaxed than she had been when Ari had departed her apartment earlier that day. She wondered, absently, whether she might be able to change that. For the better, of course. She smiled up at Aspel, took a tiny step towards her to narrow their speaking distance when she stopped, tossed her hair back over her shoulder. Another experiment, of a sort. "I had contemplated coming over to rescue you," she admitted, with an upward quirk of her lips. "You looked ready to fall asleep, listening to him." She gave herself a moment to frankly admire Aspel and her dress - in the first year of their acquaintance, she had only seen Aspel in dresses, but these days the sight was not as common - before continuing. "My evening has been enjoyable, though likely not as exciting as yours." Her smile was amused. "Shall I congratulate you on your stunning contribution to charity?" she asked. "Not that, in that dress, you should have expected any less." It would be a lie to say Aspel's eyes didn't follow the gesture of hair being pushed back before, however briefly, following the line of the bards neck. Though, it would take a second before the scent hit her. Was that... Honey?! Again?! Eyes dipped down to the table, trying to find the perpetrator, hopefully it would be quick if she were lucky but it would appear no such thing would be on her side tonight. Regardless, the slight smile grew to something a bit more deeply amused. "Had you?" A low chuckle was barely kept down at Ari's commentary regarding how the smith had looked as though she were about to take to bed. "Well, perhaps that will remain a story for yet another time." Was the best low reply she could manage in this instance. There was no need to carry on about how the nobleman was just dying to introduce his son to Aspel. Not to mention how good his boy was at everything under the sun, a perfect gentlemen, etc, etc. Honestly, some days Aspel simply wondered if the man was lonely and never indeed did intend to bring his boy around but felt as though he could muse over his son to someone who didn't know him without coming off as lonely. "Really, it was the least I could do." Her thoughts flickered to the docks. They were being worked on, and really, considering the trade port was a major part of the city, the business functionality of them had been restored as much as they could. However, it had still left families in questionable positions. It broke her heart. Though shifting, Aspel would snatch two drinks from a server passing by and offer one to Ari easily, without thinking. It was funny how much one little scent could distract her so. If it hadn't been for trying to place that, perhaps she would have recalled Ari's temporary hiatus from alcohol due to her performance soon to be upon them. "Silly me, to think I was entering at a point where the noblemen's purses would be tapped." So, the soap was a success, Ari thought, catching the shift in expression. Good to know. "I suppose you will have to rub elbows with all sorts of dull people now," she said after a moment. Not that she didn't have to do it for patrons of the arts once in awhile, but she tried to keep such things to a minimum in her life. "I may feel inclined to rescue you again in the future - shall we work out a signal of some sort?" She laughed. "Some sort of wink and nod, perhaps. I'll use it myself when drunk and wealthy young gentlemen swarm me at the stage door. You would come save me, I hope?" It was a tease, mostly; she was very good at evading her suitors herself, but it was certainly easier with a co-conspirator. "Well," Ari drawled, "I do hope you enjoy your dinner. You will have such lovely company." The idea of the countess fighting with some stranger for Aspel's time was frankly hilarious. She took the glass, but gave Aspel an inquisitive look once she realized it held champagne. "Much as I would like to partake..." She set the glass back down on the next passing tray, shrugged her shoulders. "In eight weeks, we can revisit the champagne. It will be a celebration, after all." "Mm, I suspect I shall." The words weren't exactly thrilled right now. Honestly, Aspel was tired and simply wanted to retreat to somewhere in the back of the estate with Vivi and drink wine and chat about how ridiculous all of this nonsense had been. Perhaps chatter like excited teenagers about how well the plan to sneak the sweet buns to Vivi's father had been even. It had been a rather good plan if Aspel dared say so herself. "Oh? Shall you be my Knight?" The thought was obscenely amusing in its own manner and caused Aspel's eyebrows to raise, a the words almost laughed in their own right. Though, a social Knight in shining armor, might not be a bad investment if she were perfectly honest. Maybe she really would need to find one of those. "Perhaps if I tug at my earlobe thrice, and twirl around once? Do you believe that would be signal enough? Or perhaps that would be a bit difficult at a stage door, no?" Aspel really couldn't help but be endlessly amused by this, really. Even if she was sincerely considering it. "Vivi is always a perfect gentlewoman in all my years of knowing her." It had been some time since their first meeting, hadn't it? Perhaps she should bother trying to figure that out and surprise the other woman with some sort of friends anniversary in the near future, give Vivi a bit of something to distract her weary mind. She'd almost miss the look from Ari and confusion blasted across her features as the bard began to speak, that was until the second part of the sentence came up. "Ah," her smile turned sorry. "my apologies. I fear I know not where my mind has gone this eve." Which was a bit of a lie, she knew exactly where it was, it had been tossed in a storm of odd worries and a scented honey sea. Blasted honey. "I am uncommonly good at rescuing people," Ari told her frankly. "Socially and otherwise. Though can you imagine me in armor?" The thought was good for another laugh. "I'll be a knight in an impractical dress instead, I think," she said, smoothing her hands down her skirt. "It will make my twirling more effective. Although," she added thoughtfully, "it will perhaps be not quite as discreet as I'd hoped. Still, in order to watch you perform such choreography in the face of dull old men vying for your attention, I am tempted to agree." When the conversation turned to Vivi, Ari nodded agreeably and said, "I've never known her to be anything less. My wishes for your enjoyment are sincere, believe me." She waved off the apology about the drink, however. "No need to worry, it is a queer habit, I know," she said with a laugh. "Not to worry, I will make up for it - I was even thinking of attempting to win this." She gestured to the plaque describing the vineyard tour and tasting. "It might be a nice reward to myself in a few months." Less than a moment of consideration, and she stepped closer, tucked her arm into Aspel's, gave her a guileless smile even as she pressed a bit closer than necessary. "Walk with me," she offered. "I would like to see the rest of the offerings - and I've yet to contribute to the effort, after all. The second portion of the auction will be starting soon enough." "I suspect I shall need to keep such in mind for the coming months." Surely, there would be enough hub-bub, fancy talks, strange places, uppity people and other atrocities that Aspel would, undoubtedly, be in need of her fair share of saving. "It is a bit more a metaphor." The smith couldn't help but blurt the bit out before really thinking it through. Though, admittedly, herself and many of the holy knights had taken the whole 'knight in shining armor' stuff perhaps a bit more literally than some of the others would really think it necessary on most days. Mithril, while quite sturdy for the benefit it allotted in protection and movement combined, was not the strongest of armor metals and Aspel had found that out first hand on many instances. Thankfully, hardly anyone had ever asked why she chose to stick with such a... Flimsy metal for her particular class set. Even with her excellent craftsmanship, Mithril couldn't make it past the low end of mid-powered equipment. Ari's commentary regarding the supposed signal maneuvers was easily laughed at lightly. "It would be quite the scene, no?" The good humor from such a thought remained littered across her face regardless. "Perhaps a signal a bit more discreet then? I would loathe for you to accidently fall down said steps." 'And into one of those mens arms' was a thought that flittered across her brief for the briefest moment but would remain safely tucked inside her own skull. Faram. Where was that blasted smell emanating from? "Mm." Ari was talking, but honestly, Aspel hadn't even processed the words before the noise had been made, eyes dipping down and zipping around again, trying to place the unknown. Though, upon looking up it seemed Ari was speaking of drinking and an idle nod was given. "It would be quite a pleasant experience I do imagine." When the bard took up Aspel's arm her response was natural and instantaneous. "Certainly." Almost as if no question or thought of resistance had ever even occurred, because quite frankly, it hadn't. "Well, as a metaphorical knight, I'm fine as I am," Ari said lightly. "As long as the metaphor can also exclude swords and helms - my poor, poor hair - I shall be ever so grateful." She quite enjoyed the sound of Aspel's laughter, she found, and considered herself fortunate that she seemed able to bring it forth with some regularity. She half-joked sometimes that her primary purpose in life seemed to be simply being entertaining, and while others might not find such a descriptor flattering, she generally took pleasure in being the sort of person who could amuse others, even if it did mean being quite ridiculously silly at times. "Yes, I suppose once it becomes hazardous to my health, perhaps we ought to tone it down," Ari answered. "The smile and nod is trite but effective. But by all means, please go ahead and tug on your earlobe, for clarity," she said. "Otherwise, I am liable to assume you are simply smiling at me with no ulterior motives." After all, it did happen with some regularity. As they strolled along the tables of goods, she could tell Aspel was distracted, and she imagined she knew the cause for it. She kept up a steady stream of meaningless chatter, commenting on this item then that one, expressing some horror at a particularly ostentatious necklace - hadn't she chosen to not steal one very much like it not long ago because of how ugly it was? - and tucking away thoughts of items she might wish to pursue. "I see no reason why it could not. Knights come in many forms." Though, the most traditional amongst them, and the ones toted and carried on about in stories were those with sword and shield. It was... An unfortunate fact for many of them. The Knight being reduced to some ultimate strong and heroic form, perhaps having a feeling of love or loyalty but little out to flesh them out as a whole, living, breathing, Hume. "Ah, but that would be a lie." She regretted the words as soon as they were out. However, she found her mind intermittently slipping into distraction which assisted in derailing her standard filters and precautionary measures for speech. 'Blasted honey.' It was so rare when her intentions were singularly purposed that Aspel could never admit to pure intention with good conscious, so most times, she simply avoided such topics altogether. The realization would strike after a fair amount of frustration had begun to well up. At first, Aspel had simply thought that the smell was due to something on the table, but the further down she moved, the more she realized the smell wasn't leaving. Was someone perhaps carrying a tray with something? Though, the thoughts would try to be pushed out of her mind. Certainly, the scent was quite distracting, and if she was perfectly honest, alluring but it could be attend to at a later point. As much attention as she could muster would be given to Ari and upon approaching the rather... Atrocious and gaudy looking piece of jewerly, in Aspel's opinion, a wicked smirk rose and she leaned in, stopping half way in as they weren't very far away to begin with when the full scent of honey rammed against her senses like a hard barrier. Ari. Honey. The two pieces were present and connected but forming full thought too just a moment longer and Aspel debated wrenching back, pulling away from the other woman but... That would be rude and make her look as if in a fit around so many people and... Her mind firmly stamped that pulling away from the other woman would be bad for a large and various assortment of reasons, some, much more valid and logical than others. Which in the end, would allow her to feed that desire to get just a little bit closer, to give into what had been tugging at her heart for so long, just a little bit more. "How much would you bet that came from Domina?" Aspel kept her voice low, assuring that no one around them would hear, that wicked, teasing smirk cropping up again before she wetted her lips, debating her options for a brief moment before leaning back. "I will admit I much prefer more... Simplistically based vintage pieces myself." Some of the modern designs were simply... Upsetting. Ari granted her an amused, sideways look. "Are you admitting to ulterior motives, madam?" she asked. "I never thought I'd see the day. Would you like to tell me what they are?" She could tell Aspel was distracted by the way she cast her eyes around, clearly searching for something. It was surreptitious in its way, but Ari was watching carefully and could not miss it when it happened. She might, Ari considered, even be distracted enough to answer the question, though that seemed far-fetched. She picked up the necklace between two fingers - nearly as heavy as it was ugly - and examined it with an incredulous look on her face. What a waste of perfectly good gemstones. As she was about to make comment, Aspel leaned into her personal space and... stopped, her expression shifting, confused to surprised to wary. Ari only smiled at her, not taking a step back, allowing the moment to stretch past the realm of comfort. Aspel seemed to come to some decision, leaned infinitesimally closer. Ari's smile warmed a fraction. "Only a fool would take that bet," she replied in a conspiratorial whisper. Domina's taste ran to the gaudy and unfortunate, as far as she could tell. If it could be embellished - even when it should not be - Domina's belongings were usually festooned with decoration twice over. "I wonder, does she glue diamonds to her teacups as well?" she asked, her voice still hushed as though they were sharing a secret. She watched Aspel's tongue as it darted out of her mouth to wet her lips and found herself biting her own lower lip, though she did not break the gaze until Aspel straightened and moved away. "Alas," Ari said airily, "however much money one might have, one cannot purchase good taste. A tragedy, really." Aspel's voice dipped a bit lower in volume. They had agreed, she would try if Ari would try, and as much as she honestly disliked the question, Ari had asked. "It would depend upon the piece." The answer was vague, yes, but in its own way, it did answer Ari's question and actually, quite truthfully considering all. The smith simply hoped it had been low enough, and honestly, it rightfully should have been, to not have been over heard. Though, the reality of the matter, the true answer was that yes, more often than not her actions held at least two or three purposes at any given time. It was a simple flaw her mind and way of life. There was never one repercussion for any action and the outcomes could be infinite. A butterfly's wings in Kerwon after all. "A fool you say?" A short laugh slipped out, eyes dropping away for a moment before rising again. "Then it would seem I should revel in the fact that my company has much better sense than that, no?" Aspel had to bite her tongue to repress from the swallow of laughter getting out that she felt from Ari's idea of Domina gluing diamonds to teacups. The thought of the loud and brash woman who swagged about without care or concern, not investing in attempting to be nice or lacking offense sitting in some chair somewhere with a small cluster of diamonds and a tube of glue, slowly setting each one and waiting for it to dry was perhaps, one of the most hilarious images she had, had all night. "Quite so." Aspel easily agreed, and really, who could blame either of them? "Perhaps some other ware will be of more interest?" That was suitably vague enough that Ari clearly perceived the message not to pry. Instead, she only said lightly, "Someday, perhaps you'll tell me of them, then, but do not feel I am rushing you; I'm curious, certainly, but I like your smiles on their own merit, so please do carry on." She chose not to add that she rather hoped Aspel did have ulterior motives when it came to her. She did not think they would be the sort to which she might object. "Oh yes, I may be foolish at times, but I would not call myself a fool of that magnitude," Ari replied with a laugh of her own. She did not bother to smother it - what harm if someone saw her laughing with a friend? Certainly none that she could see. The image she had conjured was amusing, though after a moment, she added, "No, actually, she might have to have a servant glue them for her; she would lounge on a fainting couch, scantily dressed, and watch with approval. But that's neither here nor there." As they continued along the line of items to be auctioned, she saw a few things that piqued her interest - books and scrolls, mostly, one rather nice emerald pendant, and a basket of healing items she was fairly certain she could not afford. "Will you be bidding, or have you exhausted your savings?" she asked with curiosity. She had missed parts of the auction, having been engaged in conversation several times by her neighbor in the spectator seats, but some of the numbers Aspel had tossed out earlier had been rather incredible. "Perhaps," There was a hesitance, a consideration of the moment. "sometime when we are not quite so surrounded." in public was what she really wanted to say, but that would only most likely draw more attention and really that was the last thing that Aspel tended to desire. As much as she was jovial and friendly in public, knowing far too many people for her own good perhaps, she really much preferred the quiet company of a few friends in private areas most of the time. Though, being in a private place with Ari at this moment most likely would not be to her benefit. "It would required to be quite a grand magnitude, no?" The comment was easy, subtle in its own right while playing off of what the bard had just carried on about. No laugh would be given in this moment but Aspel's smile did pick up a bit, the ideas being rolled around were quite hilarious. Though, then came the diamonds and the teacups and the smith had to bite her lower lip as the smile grew at Ari's presented imagery on the topic. "Perhaps, mention how that one diamond is a bit too far to the left before carrying on about how can there never be good help." Aspel had met types like that, and had nearly been rubbed raw from their attitudes and perspectives of privliage. Certainly, she had come from her fair share of it, but even then, there was a line that one must respect. A weak smile was offered when Ari made mention of the smiths bidding for this evening. "I fear the auctioning of dates has run me dry." Though admittedly, there weren't any particularly extensive items that had really caught her interest. The pendant was quite pleasing but not needed in the least, if she had had more gil perhaps... The thought was idly tucked away for later. Along with the other ones lingering through her head. "Ah, yes, the stereotypical lazily lounging lady," Ari said with another giggle. "Well, I like diamonds myself, but I'm glad not to be one," she said after a moment. "I imagine such a life to be dreadfully dull, and it would be fairly exhausting to be that full of myself all the time." She had an ego of her own, certainly, and some might even say it was somewhat inflated, but she thought it was hardly worth mentioning in comparison. She shook her head when Aspel mentioned ruefully being quite out of money after the date auction. "It was certainly a spectacle," she said. "I do hope the results were to your liking. Drake was quite adamant last week that he'd get no bids at all, which shows how little he knows. And speaking of your would-be conquests," she added softly, leaning in again and lowering her voice, "it seems one of them is disappointed that you dropped out." She had noticed Jareth some time ago, staying in the periphery of her vision always. Just now, when she looked up, he had a rather bewildered look on his face. "A very strange man," she mused; he had spoken barely two sentences to her the day before as she had tended to Li's injuries after the fight, and she had been left with the impression of a man who had a great many thoughts bubbling under the surface and expressed none of them. The thought from Ari, how she enjoyed diamonds but was glad not to be one was particularly puzzling and caused a curious look to etch itself over Aspel's features for a moment, distracting her from the sweet smell over the other woman. "Curious." There came that ever present tick, once again. Then Aspel realized just how distracted she had been again when the last sentence made absolutely no sense, until the whole thing was thought about once more. "Ah," Aspel's smile became a bit more gentle. "yes, I would imagine it lacking in fulfillment." While the Cassul women had not been known for staying still, she had a hard time picturing herself even a fraction less ingrained into Emillion society as she did now, in the precise manner in which she was. A low laugh slipped out. "It was not what I intended, but all was for good cause." A slight pause would be given, the next words low and thoughtful as she leaned near to Ari, a hand reaching out to delicately stroke at a fabric that seemed particularly soft. Oh she was so fond of soft things. "I pray I can assure correctness for my misgivings." Those words had not been intended either and Aspel bit her lip. This blasted honey scent and so much sensory distraction was making her feel a bit like she was losing her wit. Fingers curled back into her palm slowly, before removing her hand and letting it drop back to her side. Clearing her throat, Aspel forced a smile, a hand coming to pat at Ari's arm. "Do you know Drake well?" Maybe if she were careful, she could figure out what was going on without blowing her plan. A confused raise of brow was given to Ari's assessment of someone being disappointed that she had - a glance was given over her shoulder without much thought, completely the wrong way to go about it, but then she caught sight of just who Ari meant. "Ah." Something odd flashed across her face, a curiousness and also the briefest bit of discomfort before another smile rose. "It would seem so." Turning her look back to Ari. "Were there any conquests you had thought for this night?" That might be an emergency derail tactic in one way, but flirting never hurt and Aspel smirked a bit, the slightest cant of her head. "Misgivings?" she parroted, looking up at Aspel curiously. "What do you mean? As for Drake," she continued, her smile mischievous, "I would say I know him quite well. Although his obvious - and rather hilarious - soft spot for Zacheus Aleyne is something new, or else I've not been paying as much attention as I should." There would be incredible amounts of teasing to ensue the next time they saw each other, surely. She wondered if she could get Zach to attend her party on Sunday - Lille seemed more likely to show up, but she was not deterred. "Well," Ari said, giving Jareth another curious look. He looked back, clearly unabashed to have been caught staring. Disconcerted, she turned back to Aspel. "I do hope he's chattier with Bella than he was with me, considering how much money she spent for his company." At Aspel's next question, she gave her a long, amused look before replying, "None that I might be willing to purchase with gil," she replied finally. "But the evening is young yet, so I suppose we'll see." "Ah," A hesitation was given, considering her circumstances. "I had a... brief lapse in judgement near the beginning of bidding." It really was a terribly unfortunate bit of luck on that. Though, Ari's next words proved she might have a stroke of luck with it all yet. Perhaps she had been best involved in that bidding war considering what had transpired near the end of it. If she had bowed out after conceding perhaps that rather loud fellow might have won and Drake had not seemed terribly pleased with such notion from what she could tell of emotions skimming across his face as she watched him with different paddles going up to purchase a bit of his time. "I..." Aspel took another glance back at him for a moment curiously, seeming to consider something before her words came out a bit slow. "will hope so as well." A blip of time slipped by and an eyebrow rose. "And how did you two meet?" Because Ari had indeed said that they had met, and talked. This was beginning to make her feel a bit desperate when it came to her past and what to do about it. Though, Jareth claimed he would keep quiet, it was always a bit hard to tell. The smirk grew. "No? The smith couldn't help but be terribly amused. "There is more than one way to buy time." Though admittedly, it would be just as easy to claim that someone was 'earning' it as well. "I see," Ari said. She didn't, really, but it didn't seem Aspel cared to elaborate. Her mind drifted again to Drake and his shy smiles at Zach - and then Bella and her apparently mutual interest with that white mage. "There were a great many surprises to be had, certainly," she said. "I might have gotten carried away too, had I been bidding. I'm certain there was no lasting harm done." Her personal qualms aside, it seemed only a bit of fun, in the end. "I ran into him yesterday," Ari said after a moment. "There was... a bit of a scrap." And that was a bit of an understatement. "Things got heated, in several ways. We helped each other out, in the end." And Li, but she wasn't going to mention him to Aspel again, not when things were going well. "He looks a little lost," she murmured; the man was still watching them, which was rather disturbing. The events of the day before had hardly had a calming influence on her as it was. "Call me an idealist, but I'd rather it be given freely," Ari answered after a moment. A bell chimed and she sighed. "Unfortunately, we may have to continue this discussion another time," she said with some regret. "I do have a wine tasting to win - the thought of which will keep me going these next weeks. Shall we?" She gestured back towards the chairs that made up the bidding area. "That is most certainly my deepest wish." No harm done and in fact, if she could assist in some backhanded way before the end of it all, that would be even more ideal. Hopefully, in the end, Zacheus would get to keep his money, they would both get their date and a free meal and Aspel could have her apology on the table and everyone would be happy. "Did you?" Aspel's tone picked up a bit more seriousness than she probably would have given most simple responses. "What ever happened?" The smith was trying her best to keep her tone even, lacking in concern or anger, but if Jareth had even remotely upset Ari perhaps he would need to be reminded of just where he stood once again. Wetting her lips briefly, Aspel tried to push her thoughts aside and her body had tensed a bit, she did her best to relax. "Perhaps he is unaccustomed to such a beautiful woman walking arm in arm with a high priced auction item." It was an attempt at a joke. Who knew if it would work. "I would not concern myself with some idle looks." "it is," Then came that bell. "a nice idea." Aspel finished her sentence before giving a bow of her head to Ari. "We shall." Was the easy response, and shifting, Aspel would begin to move in the proper direction as long as Ari was also ready to go. An idle thought fluttered by with the scent of honey accenting it and in a moment when the bard seemed focused forward, a glance would be tossed back to Jareth. Perhaps she... No. "Simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," Ari told her. "A friend of mine got a taste for adventure, and I followed him into trouble." She noted the tensing of Aspel's posture, was grateful she hadn't thought to mention that Jareth had been carrying Li's unconscious and broken body at the time they had spoken. "I do that so often," she added ruefully. "I ought to be more careful." In truth, thinking of the events of yesterday made her stomach do a slow turn. She had been perhaps slightly more affected than she had claimed, although she had successfully pushed all of it out of her mind. "When he looks at you, I do not think he sees a price tag," she said lightly, changing the subject; she found she did not want to elaborate. "But be that as it may - let him look, the view is certainly fine enough by any standard." "Isn't it? We can certainly discuss it another time," she added; people were gathering now and it seemed that Vivi and Domina were nearly ready to begin again. "Perhaps I shall speak with you after?" "Ah." Would be the singular word response. It seemed that perhaps that would be the best course of adventure at this time. "Perhaps, the next time you consider it, you should give me a call, no?" At the very least, Aspel could assure that Ari wouldn't be harmed in any manner. Not that the bard seemed particularly scraped up but if Jareth was to be out on these ventures again, she certainly would want to keep an eye on them all. "No?" A low hum would be kept in her throat before an idle 'curious' slipped out. If she were honest, Ari was quite correct but that hardly seemed a matter of debate that needed to be brought up at this time. What Jareth was or wasn't here for was technically neither of their business at this point in time and... Perhaps it shouldn't ever be but there was something in his reappearance, his regularity of the network, the way he made her feel that provoked her into old behavior and thoughts and... As much as she wanted to be gentle with him, he also was dangerous to her. "Most certainly." Was all Aspel would offer back, an easy smile present on her lips and a thought fluttered through her head again, one that needed to be stomped out before it caused her more problems than not. "Perhaps," A pause would be given. "You would not mind a bit of company at your side for the auction?" The confirmation from Ari seemed quite positive and the easy smile widened a bit. With that, the smith would accompany the other woman into the auction hall once more. |