Evening, Day 5

[lei_miao_shan]

The gazebo is lit with lanterns draped in soft, red silk.  Lena brought them down from my rooms earlier today and set them as I'd asked her to.  They are too small and few to give much light, but what illumination they do give spills like blood along the gazebo's painted floor.   I smile at the sight.  It has been almost three weeks since my last

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[norn_verdandi]

As I join Karina on the porch, I smile and greet her with a kiss on the cheek. She's looks as pretty as usual, but her dress is a new one to me. She's even done her hair differently. She's dressed to entertain as the host and this is a slightly different Karina than I'm used to. I've been looking forward to this event since Karina first mentioned it. I've never seen a dance of this type and I'm dazzled by the colors of Miao's outfit. She's incredibly beautiful and I can barely look away as she moves through the dance with quiet grace. I had no idea she danced until Karina mentioned it and I'm thrilled to get a chance to see this.

Looking around, I see quite a few people I haven't met yet. There's a man with long blond hair and a few of the townsfolk as well. I dragged Iago here as well as he's been mopey for the last few days but won't tell me why. And he stopped hitting on me two days ago. I wonder if he's coming down with something. I hope he doesn't give it to me.

I lean towards Karina and quietly ask, "Does Miao always dress so pretty? That fabric isn't like anything I've ever seen. And do you know everyone here? And please, tell me to shut up if I'm asking too many questions."

[karina_vb]

With a grin, I silently thank the gods for Verdandi's presence. She's a welcome distraction from my fears and from that Valmont. The man beside her isn't Maryk, which is surprising, but I learn that it's Iago. The bartender she mentioned. He's cute, but doesn't seem anything like the flirt she described. Perhaps he's not feeling well. I play the gracious host and give them both a kiss on the cheek.

"Does Miao always dress so pretty? That fabric isn't like anything I've ever seen. And do you know everyone here? And please, tell me to shut up if I'm asking too many questions," Verdandi says quietly. I laugh.

"For the dances, yes. She looks gorgeous, doesn't she? The blonde is a doctor from the carnival... I can't remember his name. Of course, you know Valmont and everyone else that works here, I think. No one comes to these without permission. For safety reasons, you know." I place my hand on hers and smile. "You're not asking too many questions, don't worry."

[iago_excolo]

Verdi's pulled me along for this excursion, telling me I'll have fun. I just wanted to stay home and drink some more. Damn this woman for getting me out and damn that other woman for affecting me so. Glass... No. Don't think about her. Just pretend it was all a dream. A nice, little fantasy but not real. Never real... Damn...

There are quite a few people here and Verdi greets this gorgeous creature on the porch with a kiss. Karina kisses me, too and the scent of unknown female flesh gives me a wake-up boost. This performance might actually be a spot of fun tonight.

Looking over Karina, I ask, "Do you mind if I smoke, luv? And I'm assuming you're the lady in charge here. Verdi's said quite a bit about you. All of it good though." Chuckling, I add, "Are you as good as she says you are?"

[karina_vb]

"Yes, feel free to smoke." I'm intrigued by the black cylinder he pulls from his silver cigarette case. It's not a regular cigarette and I wonder if maybe that's what Maryk was smoking the other night.

"Are you as good as she says you are?" Ahh, so there's the Iago 'Dandi talked about. I give him a winning smile and curtsy.

"Better." I look at him through lowered lashes in invitation. I throw Verdandi a teasing look. "I regret that I have not had the pleasure of 'Dandi's company."

[norn_verdandi]

Watching Miao's movements across the gazebo, I'm listening with half an ear to Karina and Iago. He's started flirting again and Karina seems to like it, too. I catch my name and smile brightly at Karina. Pleasure? Karina? Wait. Did I miss something?

I turn back to the gazebo and laugh to myself. Better they entertain each other for the moment. Miao's just done a little half-turn and she's still swaying to the music.

[iago_excolo]

Karina's quite sexy, and as the madam of this establishment, I'm sure she knows how to ply her craft. I'm not interested in sex tonight though. Not with her and not with any of the others but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy myself otherwise. Karina seems an expert at this verbal game of innuendo and there's nothing I like better than a quick game of tease.

"Better...I regret that I have not had the pleasure of 'Dandi's company."

Grinning wickedly, I lean towards Karina and remark, "Me either, luv, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying. Maybe if we joined forces, she'd be helpless against us." I take another drag off my smoke, adding, "How could she possibly resist two such charming and determined companions?"