lord redwald vannes (charismata) wrote in emillion, |
“Flatterer,” Ari said easily. But she had his measure, to a degree -- he flirted, like her, practically on impulse. She suspected it meant even less to him than it did to her. “And a quite impressive show it was. Thinking of giving the gamblers a run for their money? Or perhaps the stage magicians,” she said thoughtfully. “Might you make a dove or two appear for me, if I asked very nicely?” She grinned and added quietly, “Perhaps an obedient dove who could be instructed to perch on the head of the darling bridegroom and loosen its bowels.” The mental image had her grinning. “Or, barring that, shall we avail ourselves of some excellent wine? I can easily drink three glasses if you can.” And if she was drunk at the end of the night, well, someone was bound to volunteer to carry her home. It generally worked out that way. "A tempting idea," he replied dryly, glancing over at the bridegroom in question. Lady Vannes had made no attempt to hide her approval of the match to anyone within earshot, which only served to increase his frustration over this unfortunate business. Was no one safe from meddling mothers and arranged marriages? "And," he continued, turning his attention back to Ari, "three glasses is no trouble for me at all." Redwald usually didn't drink too much at these functions--there was always work to be done--but he desperately needed to get drunk tonight. Red waved over a server and procured a glass of wine for the both of them. He stepped forward as he handed her her glass, closing some of the distance between them--not to make a move (although it would certainly appear that way to anyone watching them), but so he could continue their conversation with little chance of being overheard. "Now, should we toast in honor of the bride? Or the fate awaiting Count Dead-Man-Walking?" “Whether we toast it or not, his fate is sealed,” Ari said with a small shrug. “To Vivi -- she with whom one does not meddle, for a whole plethora of reasons. May her birthday be… salvageable.” Clinking her glass against his, she took a sip. It was a rather nice Ordalian vintage, which was one of the things that noble balls had to recommend them. “I am shocked and appalled that you are not suitably merry,” she told him with a glint in her eyes. “Mourning your own chances with the lovely and ever-unreachable Genevieve?” His outrageous flirtations on the network towards the Duckling’s proprietress were a matter of course by now. "Hm," was Redwald's immediate response, a verbal tic he borrowed from Ophion when he wasn't in the mood to be particularly forthright. He frowned into his glass before he took a long swig. The orator was always opaque about when the topic veered toward his interest in the Countess; it was best to err on the side of caution when it came to the woman who was (allegedly) involved with their Guildmaster. "In any case, I'm certain the evening can be redeemed. I'm making my way over to our dear Vivi in a bit and I've been told I'm very good at cheering women up." He winked at Ari over the rim of his glass--it was back to being over the top and outrageous. She noted the deflection but let it go, though she did have to wonder if his alleged interest were in fact genuine. If it was, more the fool he; she was fairly certain that being interested in Genevieve Albrecht did not end well for almost any party. “Are you, indeed? Shall you pull the queen of hearts from her ear?” she asked, clearly amused. “I am always looking for ways to impress women, or so they say when they think I’m not listening.” "Ah, but someone as beautiful as you can coast by on your good looks," Redwald replied with a grin. He wasn't sure if it was the wine, the conversation partner, or the conversation itself, but he was slowly starting to feel less surly. He reached over to lightly tap the younger woman on the nose before continuing. "But I have to rely on my quick wit and cheap parlor tricks to attract women." He closed his eyes as he let out a self-deprecating sigh. "You've no idea how difficult it is for me." |