☩ A Divine Dinner ☩

[unholydecree]

Who: unholydecree , and any of the following who wish to show madcuriosity , stole_bread , fetched_water , others in their house?
Where: Espoir #24
Style: Third(?)
Status: Closed.
Note: Backdated to August 11th (because of my procrastination).
Also for new house members joining feel free to reply to ongoing threads or start new ones or whatever feels comfortable. :)

Comments

just going to sliiiide on over in here...

[spectaculaire]

Tamaki glanced at his watch as he approached the house. He was running just a little late, but still in time. Or at least he hoped. He had taken a little too much time when choosing the proper flowers for Alice and Cosette, as well as the gift for both Cesare and Valjean. Handling them all had been a little more difficult than he had anticipated-especially when considering how large those bouquets were. But even with so much, he looked completely composed, gentlemanly, and neat. He even managed to carry them all with such grace they looked less cumbersome than they really were.

So literally armed with presents, and he knocked on the door.

[unholydecree]

Cesare grinned momentarily at Alice, thinking what a kind thing that was to say. It was something Lucrezia would say to a guest partaking of Borgia hospitality. Genuine hospitality that is, not the sort they showed Prince Djem...

He shook himself of his thoughts turning any darker, thanks to the knock on the door and he turned to watch Cosette welcome whomever was at there.

The young man must be the "brother" Alice had mentioned, he thought, and Cesare bowed his head in greeting to him. "Good evening, signore."

The Italian smiles at the three of them. "What a lovely family you have."

[madcuriosity]

"RENE!" Alice, forgetting proper hospitality for the moment went to hug her brother tightly. She didn't see him very often unfortunately. She could have knocked him over if he were unprepared for her launching herself at him. She hugged onto the much taller blond in a tight embrace and had to find his face amongst the plethora of flowers.

"Rene it's wonderful to see you, and no one is late!"

[spectaculaire]

Tamaki smiled when Cosette opened the doors and stepped in, already handing one of the bouquets to her. "This is for you and I also have a gift for-"

He was trying to turn and greet Cesare properly, but he only managed to smile and make eye contact when a small girl suddenly ran toward him. He could only laugh as he managed to brace himself just in time as she launched at him, managing to pick her up for a small twirling hug before kneeling down to set her back on the ground.

"Alice! Energetic as ever," he couldn't help but laugh as he gave her a kiss on the forehead. "And these," he held out the bouquet to her, "are also for you."

He took the moment to stand back up so that he could now properly greet the nobleman. "And you must be His Eminence Cesare Borgia," Tamaki said, bowing deeply as he did. "I hope you are finding your stay here in Somarium pleasant, and that you will accept this small token from me as something of a welcoming gift

[unholydecree]

Cesare may not have recognized the particular artist, but the style and period were of his home and that he could greatly appreciate. He was surprised by the gifts and could tell this young man was of good stock; Cesare liked him immediately. He bowed his head in genuine thanks for the gifts, mostly ignoring the two girls as he admired the painting. His home really was too sparse, some paintings and decor would do it only good.

Once all the greetings were out of the way Cesare carefully set the gift aside (except for the wine of course) and naturally everyone migrated toward the dining area.

"It smells wonderful. What are we having tonight?" he asked.

[madcuriosity]

"Italian!" Alice responded as she continued to hold onto Tamaki's hand as they headed into the dining room. "Cosette and I made everything," which was normal practice in the house but the amount of food made was usually reserved for Sunday dinner and Christmas dinner. They certainly had the funds to eat in such a manner nightly, but it simply wasn't so. Their meals were by no means meager or spare but it simply didn't have the decadence the current feast had.

[spectaculaire]

"Oooh, Italian? I haven't had that in quite some time, actually, let alone it being cooked by Alice and Mademoiselle Fauchelevent," Tamaki said eagerly, letting Alice hold his hand and lead the way.

"It simply smells divine."

[unholydecree]

"I have little doubt as to its taste," Cesare commented quietly, sounding complimentary. He was in actuality rather dubious of this meal once he saw it. This was not the Italian he was used to, served as he had been by a host of cooks in the villas of his rich rather and the Vatican with the finest chefs in Rome.

In short, it looked like peasant food.

But he smiled politely and saw, along with the very gracious Tamaki, that the ladies were seated before taking his own seat and not saying a word about his true feelings. Politics often called for ingratiation however much it might be painful.

He might be relying heavily on the wine this evening.

"Will your father be joining us tonight, or is he away on business?"

[madcuriosity]

"Daddy is working late at the factory again, he apologizes for being unable to attend," Alice spoke up as she took her seat where she always sat. The head of the table was empty and truly, the place had been set for their father but his being away was last minute.

"But he might be able to attend later in the evening!" Alice hoped he could. She really wanted Cesare to meet her father.

[spectaculaire]

"It would be nice if he could make it, but it's understandable if he doesn't," Tamaki said as he waited before seating himself.

It had really been a while since he sat a full table like this. Even though he was living with his friends and he would eat with Haruhi at the very least, it was still different from being with "family." Particularly when in the presence of a noble figure like Cesare.

[unholydecree]

"That is a shame." Cesare had been hoping to make friends with the god-fearing man. Loyal parishioners could come in very handy, especially if they were wealthy. He was a man that saw opportunity wherever he could though and this did present an easier chance with the fair Cosette. If Papa was not home Cesare had a far greater chance of success on that plan.

Dinner was first though. Being the ordained priest he took it upon himself to say grace. If they were all protestant they would have to suffer his Catholic prayer.

"Let us pray," he said softly as he made the sign of the cross. "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen." He gave Alice a small smile as he made the sign of the cross over himself again.

[madcuriosity]

"Amen," Alice repeated although she didn't repeat crossing herself. Honestly she had almost forgotten to say 'amen' as she watched the Cardinal make the signs. She offered Cesare a small smile in return to his. Simply because they were Protestant, she thought, didn't mean that saying grace was all that different. After all, it was still thanking the Lord for the bounty on the table, that was the most important, right?

"Thank you for leading grace, your Eminence."