Ari ♫ ♪ ♬ (gracenotes) wrote in emillion, |
Ari hadn’t realized who her companion at the bar would be until she had already approached -- she had seen the peacekeeper in a gown on several occasions now, but it still seemed incongruous -- but she did not let that deter her. “Golden Chocobo, virgin,” she told the bartender, before turning her most charming smile on the other woman and saying in a teasing tone, “Hello, my old friend. Fancy meeting you here.” Siana pursed her lips when she heard the familiar voice and, instead of addressing the other woman right away, put in her own order of drink to the bartender. She did not intend to stay here longer than possible, now. “Cabernet Sauvignon.” Then she turned to face the woman. “Hello to you, too.” “Any particular reason that you’re looking grumpy tonight?” Ari asked curiously. “You’re alive -- it’s a party -- no one is doing anything you can consider objectionable unless you count the people taking full advantage of the mistletoe, and even then, I wouldn’t call that objectionable so much as…laudably opportunistic.” Siana’s face was colored unamused, and while she knew she did not owe her any explanation, something was, perhaps, better than silence if only not to give her an opportunity to poke at her further. “I am enjoying myself. Everyone expresses their enjoyment in different ways.” “As you say,” Ari answered with an incredulous look that said she was unconvinced. She picked up her drink as it slid across the bar towards her and said, “To our mutual enjoyment, then?” Siana stared at the woman’s drink as the bartender brought her her own glass, and she let out a long suffering, frustrated sigh. “Very well,” she muttered, lifting her glass to meet hers. “So,” Ari said, “do tell me -- I am dying to know. How does an esteemed lady of your station find herself chasing… alleged criminals for a living?” She smiled cheerfully as she added, “We seem destined to land at each other’s sides after all, darling, we may as well get to know one another.” The woman’s choice of words did not go over Siana’s head, but she held her tongue. “It is an honor to serve and protect my city and its citizens,” she said instead. “For honor, then,” Ari mused. “Not enough of that in marrying a disgustingly wealthy man and providing him with an heir and a spare?” She toasted her again and said, “As a matter of fact, I happen to agree with you -- better a peacekeeper than an ornament.” It was to some surprise that Siana realized that she was smiling, but perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing. In her experience, only those not of nobility well understood the sentiment, and it was always refreshing to find someone who voiced it as she did. So, with that, Siana returned the toast. “Indeed,” she said. “Not much better, granted,” Ari continued in the same light voice, “but any improvement must be commended, I suppose.” At the look that crossed the other woman’s face, she let her smile widen. “Oh dear. Have I overstayed my welcome, do you think?” Siana closed her eyes and let out a slow sigh. Of course. That was foolish on her part, she hated to admit. “Not at all,” she answered, her voice strained as she decided to take her leave of the bar. Manners were still important, unfortunately. “Have a good evening.” Ari had to laugh at the other woman’s obvious and sudden haste to get away. “Such a well-mannered escape, how can I protest? Not to worry; I was just leaving.” She rose from her seat and with a little wave added, “I am bound to -- have a good evening, that is. Do try to do the same, hmm?” And with that, she took her leave. |