Ciara & Court | Upstairs, overlooking the play
There was a lot more to Courtenay Auster than met the eye, Ciara had figured that since their first meeting. And she hoped to get to know him in other intimate ways before their time came to an end, but she wasn't so impatient as to press him for information in the middle of a crowded tavern, so he need not have rushed the topic along. For the moment it was enough that she knew the doctor was someone he considered worthy of trust.
"There's nothing to be gained from being passive," Ciara replied with a faint shake of her head. "If she is the sort that's intent on being offended no matter what, then nothing you do will make a difference anyway. Doesn't seem as though that's the case here though, so she's not likely to take kindly to feeling coddled. But being willing to listen to what she has to say is a good place to start. If you always make your opinion known right away, it gives the impression that you think she couldn't possibly be the one in the right."
With one exception. Courtenay's words caught at Ciara's attention even if she didn't outwardly react. Was that one exception the Adler sister that he had once dated? She wanted to know about that much more than she wanted Courtenay's apology or his explanation about Carnivale. It might have agitated her, coming from someone else, like it never would have occurred to her to remember what happened to use to her advantage. It didn't feel so much like a personal attack, coming from him though. "It's still just a party, Courtenay. Smart people don't suddenly stop paying attention when the music stops, that risk they pose is always there. But you're aware of it." She flashed him a small grin. "So have your fun, just don't get caught."