Altair/Ari/Alecta - Sackheim Inn
"Don't you both look lovely," Altair remarked, smiling at each of them in turn. "Well, now that we are both here, I suppose we can begin our evening." He called the waiter over and ordered a bottle of wine. "Let us try that 2001 vintage Ordalian sauvignon blanc," he said to the waiter, who returned not a minute later with a bottle, presenting it to Altair and pouring a sip for him to sample. Altair made a show of inhaling its bouquet before taking a sip and holding it in his mouth. "Very nice," he agreed at length, and had the waiter go around the table, filling each of their glasses in turn.
"So ladies," Altair said. "I do hope we'll have a pleasant evening together. Why don't we start by discussing neutral topics? Like..." he trailed off, waving one hand as though trying to pluck an idea from the air. "Fashion," he said at last. "They say that the most fashionable cut for summer has a higher neckline. Why do you think that is?" He took a sip of water. "I must confess, I don't immediately understand the appeal of keeping oneself even more covered up than before, particularly in summer, but then, I am a man, and I've been told that men are hopeless with such things."