Re: log: dietre a. & daniel w.
Daniel was well aware that Dietre was nervous. He could hear his heartbeat from where he sat, but he showed no sign of it, smiling his relaxed smile consistently and preoccupied with his miniature surroundings. When the heartbeat did not slow down, Daniel decided that Dietre was just a naturally nervous person, something that surprised him, as the young man's conversation had been decided and concise in his memory. Opinionated about his poetry. Daniel approved of opinionated people, in general, and he was not yet familiar enough with the internet to understand its usage as a shield or open method of expression.
Daniel's eyes moved to the glass and then Dietre's face. It was poor manners to drink without toasting a guest, but Daniel found this nervous conceit charming, and even reassuring. He took the glass from Dietre, and while he downed wine with far more enthusiasm than taste in these days, he let it drift past his nose once or twice and then sipped it with slack lips, his eyes on Dietre's face. It was probably a little overdone, but that was Daniel. He waved an aristocratic hand. "Whatever your preference."
He looked at the dog. "I am not offended. I am owned by a white cat that would not approve of my offering my favors elsewhere." He sipped again, more generously. It tasted very young to his learned tongue, but he didn't disparage it. Waving the disparaging comment out of the air, Daniel replied, "Your artistic license. Do not let the opinions of others concern you."