Have a Drink On Me [open]

[cordy_estwynde]

Who: Everyone!
What: Tavern's grand opening
When: Monday Evening
Where: The Frolicking Stoat
Special Note: New thread for each conversation, please (not for each post)

Comments

[creaoi_ang_cor]

She hadn't looked like Cassandra from the side, especially when she was wearing... that. Cris was caught between shock and a half-smile. Shock, because he was surprised to see her, and their last encounter hadn't exactly ended well. A smile, because her reaction to seeing him seemed better than he might've thought it would be.

He did want to apologize for how things had gone last time. But spitting out an apology while she was clearly prepared to play the role of the bar wench seemed... rather awkward.

So he decided to play the role of customer right back. If it was obvious that it was a game, that would be one way to tell they were really all right. He folded his arms and looked up at her appraisingly.

"Actually it's business on my mind tonight, but if anyone was in the mood to be seduced, I wouldn't object." Really, really cheesy, but deliberately so. Use flowery language and eyeroll-inducing lines to let her know it was all play-acting. "What can you tell me about the wines in this establishment? I'm looking for something that amuses the palate."

[cassie_of_troy]

Cassandra smiled wryly. "I'd say that if you drink enough, anything will amuse you at a certain point," she replied tartly. Oh, Cris would have enjoyed Troy in its golden days. All the drinking and philophizing and philandering. It would have been a lot of fun for him. Still, he had had his fair share of fun, and based on what she had seen of him at the demon celebration, he was continuing down that same path. "But you of all people should know that."

She watched him for a moment, qirking her eyebrow. Cassandra glanced down, at her costume, then back up at his face again. "See something you like?" she quipped.

[creaoi_ang_cor]

She was surprisingly good at this. On the other hand, he probably needed to stop being surprised at the things she did, or he'd never stop.

His eyes followed the same path hers took, out of instinct just as much as out of the game.

"One or two things," he answered once his eyes had met hers again, and realized just as he'd said it that he'd reached his own breaking point. His rakish smirk split into a grin and he sputtered out a short laugh. He shook hie head. Oh well, the game was over now, but at least now he knew he could talk to her without feeling uncomfortable.

"It's good to see you again," he said, not smiling at her genuinely. He indicated her outfit. "I didn't recognize you at first. It's... certainly a departure from your usual dress."

[cassie_of_troy]

Cassandra, frankly, was relieved that they hadn't gone any further. She had learned a lot about flirting from watching other girls do it, but to be perfectly honest, she felt mostly guilty about doing it. As if she were somehow betraying Othryoneus. When Cris laughed, she sensed that she could stop and her smile became a bit more natural. Well, as natural as any smile of hers could be.

"It's dreadfully uncomfortable," Cassandra said, picking up a handful of her skirts and rustling them. They were crimson. Cassandra herself had never worn a color so bright and they were still quite surprising to her eyes. The bodice, meanwhile, was black and smooth to the touch. She had a matching red wrap in her hair, her curls spilling over it like an overflowing glass. "Cordelia gave it to me. Said it would be more suitable for the business. I'm still wondering what kind of business she meant."

[creaoi_ang_cor]

Cris gave her another look up and down- more cursory than before- then looked back up with a nod and a shrug. "It's not much different from what barmaids wear in my world. Now, I wouldn't ask me to explain why, but the trick usually is to go as far as possible with the flirting without ever actually going further than that." Of course, he'd known a few barmaids in his time who had been willing to go further, but from gossip he'd gathered that they were looked down upon by the girls who fancied themselves more professional. "And that wasn't bad flirting, especially for your first night. I'd say you're well on your way."

[cassie_of_troy]

Flirting. Oh dear. "Well, we'll see," she sighed. "To tell you the truth, taking his position has gone against everything I..." Everything she what? Believed in? Was taught? Was told to do? Trained to do? Groomed? She wasn't entirely sure where she was going, so she just shook her head slightly. "I'll keep it in mind," she said.

Change the subject, her subconscious screamed. Change it now. "So...how is life under the demons treating you?"

[creaoi_ang_cor]

"Better than I'd expected," he admitted, and was surprised to hear himself say it. That didn't make it less true. "After hearing all those horror stories about war, I'd thought for sure we were doomed as soon as the demons took over. But if Royal's really willing to let us settle down here..." he shrugged. He didn't want to think about what would happen if the reverse were true. "At the very least, things are more exciting than they ever were under the elves."

[cassie_of_troy]

"I suppose so," Cassandra replied diplomatically. "Although I mself am always a bit skeptical of too much excitement." Who cared? "I had dinner with Royal a little while ago. He's certainly an interesting, colorful character. I'm not quite sure what to make of him." At least, she supposed, he hadn't been eyeing her breasts. This dress was making her a bit uncomfortable.

"Then you mean to stay, as well?" she asked.

[creaoi_ang_cor]

"For the forseeable future," he nodded, and unconsciously put his hand in his pocket, where the folded-up list was. He glanced around again, then back to Cassandra. "Actually, I wasn't lying when I said I was here on business. I don't suppose you could point me in the direction of your boss...?" Her boss Cordelia.

Cordelia.

OH. That's where he had heard her name before.

[cassie_of_troy]

"What kind of business?" Cassandra asked. Her eyes flicked around the room and she caught sight of Cordelia near the bar, being bright and charming as ever. Having found her, she focused back on Cris. "What sort of business do you have your hands in?"

[creaoi_ang_cor]

He wasn't sure how to take the question, especially when asked twice like that, so he decided to just answer honestly. "The drinks business. More specifically, the making thereof." Had he mentioned that he was interested in that during their last meeting? He couldn't remember. "Used to be more of a hobby of mine, but now since it seems I'll need a fresh source of income if I don't want to keep eating the swill they call food in this town..." He caught himself starting to ramble, so he shrugged and got back on topic. "So I'll be setting up a brewery. Exclusively for this tavern, at least to start out. Give the place something truly unique." Apart from the fact that it was run and staffed by people from the tree, of course.

[cassie_of_troy]

She nodded. "I see." And she did.

"Well, Cordelia's over by the bar, playing the hostess." She smiled. The role came so naturally to Cordelia. So easily. At least, she made it look easy. Cassandra occasionally found herself wondering what else was beneath that pretty surface. Doubtlessly more than Cordelia wanted anyone to know. But that's how it always was. "I wish you luck getting her attention. She's the center of the universe tonight."

[creaoi_ang_cor]

"Much obliged." They would have to talk more, soon. But for now, they both had business to attend to. Cris called out as he began to back away in the direction of the bar: "I'd wish you luck getting attention, but I don't think you'll need it." Cheesy, sure. But this time he meant it.