Rekindling

[forsaken_bard]

The soft sounds of his fingers across the strings. She would be here soon enough. He had to be careful with her, not like with Di'aliz. Lanfear was ruthless in her way. She would arrive soon enough. The prickling of his skin would warn him of that.

Comments

[nights_daughter]

The gate opens behind him, a line of light dividing into a portal before a woman steps carefully through. White skirts trail softly a fraction off the floor as she releases the weaves holding open the gate.

"Asmodean, you do not change," she observes before it vanishes entirely, a smile curving her lips and dark eyes resting on the harp in his hands.

[forsaken_bard]

A short chuckle. To the point as always, it seemed. They were both Chosen now, but that seemed to have changed little about them. The soft music continued unabated.

"Likewise, Lanfear."

[nights_daughter]

Strolling at an easy pace around the couch, she keeps her eyes on his face.

"It has been a while," she remarks innocently.

Indeed, six months had seemed a long enough time after the death of his former partner. Little Malacoda, who would have thought she would last so long?

[forsaken_bard]

A slight twist of his mouth as his dark eyes watch hers carefully. She had the kind of eyes that a man could drown in, and more than one had. A fact of which he was very keenly aware. Lanfear could be so very... creative. No need to restate the obvious, she was very perceptive. He had to be careful what he said.

"Yes, it has."

[nights_daughter]

An elegant eyebrow quirks. Is he going to agree to everything she says? How times change.

"And I would no doubt have noticed were you unwell, but why not be polite? How are you, Asmodean?"

[forsaken_bard]

An indifferent shrug as he set down his harp somewhat begrudgingly and rose to face her. His hands folded behind his back carefully. Dark eyes watching the beautiful woman carefully. She had such a pretty face, it was hard to forget how truly ugly she could be sometimes.

"I am well enough. And yourself, Lanfear?"

[nights_daughter]

"As much as ever I am."

Her small smile widens just a little, as if she sees something in his face that amuses her.

"Busy, but aren't we all?"

[forsaken_bard]

Another chuckle as he turned from her for a moment towards the windows. The lacy curtains that Di'aliz had installed had not been removed. He had felt no need to do so. It was not as if they were unattractive.

"Yes, indeed."

A pause.

"I have been a poor host, it seems. A glass of wine?"

[nights_daughter]

"How kind," she smiles.

Not that she'll drink it. It pays to be cautious, even when he has no evident motive for wanting her dead - not enough to try himself.

But then, Malacoda is dead...

[forsaken_bard]

Asmodean walked over towards the counter and remove a bottle from the cabinet, pouring himself a glass. He knew her well enough to know that she would not touch it. She asked for what she wanted directly. Calmly, he sipped the wine. He would not drink more than a few sips himself.

"So, let me now take my turn at being direct, for once. Why have you paid me a visit, Lanfear?"

[nights_daughter]

Through her eyelashes, she focuses a look on him than has struck less wary men speechless.

"To visit an old friend, perhaps catch up on his life a little? Why not?"

[forsaken_bard]

A half-smile from Asmodean as he gazed into the swirling crimson depths of his cup of wine. She was simply breathtaking and they both knew it. He better than most, and those simple little tricks of hers would simply not suffice for him.

"I am touched by your concern and interest."

A sip of wine.

[nights_daughter]

If she really suspected they would work, she would have begun with them. She shrugs gracefully.

"Both are things I seem to have neglected of late."

[forsaken_bard]

A twist at his mouth. She could be very sensitive if she wanted to be, or as was more often the case, wanted something.

"How very shocking."

A pause.

"So aside from a sudden interest in my well-being, did you have any other reason for coming here?"

[nights_daughter]

"Curiosity, perhaps."

Slender hands adjust her already-perfect hair contemplatively.

"I have the impression that your affairs and Mesaana's do not meet all too frequently, am I right?"

She already knows she is. But something about this...

[forsaken_bard]

A studious glance as his eyes narrowed slightly. His voice was more cautious. He offered an observation quietly.

"Mesaana and I have been... at odds on occasion."