Pride and Pestilence

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Davina observed this with a satisfying coy grin.
"Yes, history intrigues me immensely, despite what you may believe," she went on. "But I think since you are so intrigued by the subject so as to bring it up yourself, what of your history have you found that's so... captivating?"

[GoblinFae]

Ithel smiled his own little smile, greatly amused by his own thoughts. The fact she had no idea who he was only made it all the sweeter. "What makes you think that I have found anything my dear? Perhaps I am just a poor man hoping to find riches. What would you think of me then?"

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"Why, I'd have to wonder what sort of rogue would see himself into a Hellvion ball," she told him simply, never once letting that coy smile drop.

[GoblinFae]

"Rogue am I?" he chuckled, pausing in his paces to look at her. "Wouldst thou wound me so quickly after knowing me so little? Are you perhaps one that judges books by their covers Lady Davina? It is not a practice I would recommend especially if I were you."

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"Hardly," Davina pointed out, that smile kept glued to her lips. "I would never think such things after a first acquaintance. But there is no call for offense unless my jest happened to be correct."

[GoblinFae]

The nobleman laughed and shook his head. "A clever choice then my lady and no, I believe myself to be far from a rogue and closer to a gentleman when all is said and done. Though perhaps by evenings end you could enlighten me as to how true that statement may be. Would that meet your approval?"

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"Are you proposing an invitation to be a caller on my arm? It seems you solicit nothing less, if anything, for at least this evening alone."

[GoblinFae]

"I propose nothing," he responded quietly. "I was merely making an observation. If it is however your desire then I would be honored by your presence, Lady Davina. I would not dare on the other hand to keep you from your guests and avid admirers. You seem to have quite a number of those as it is."

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Davina's smile grew more broad, more pleased as her eye lids lowered as she studied him.
"Of course it is a desire," she nearly purred, pressing herself nearer to him by barely an inch, but he'd be able to feel the difference in the heat of their bodies so close, and the subtle brushing of her skirts against his pants.
"And you are hardly keeping me from anyone and anything at all. I am always more than elated to be able to show around new friends the extremities of my home."
She then gave a nod and moved towards the door.
"Shall I show you more, my sir?"

[GoblinFae]

He felt her closeness and yet did nothing got either encourage or discourage it. If she wanted to throw herself at him, Davina Callister most certainly could but that did not mean that he was going to be the one to catch her.

"Who am I to refuse such a lady? Lead on and this hole gentleman shall follow. I would be delighted to see more of your fine home."

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Davina's expression was about as smug as a cat in the cream.
"Then I shall lead on." And as she kept one arm secure to his, she guided him on a slow walk through the halls, pointing out a room here or there of idle interest, but using a slow drawl of her words and embellishing whatever tepid stories might derive, and somehow was making a simple painting of a wall flower almost seem scandalous, but doing so in a way that still preserved the innocence in their conversation. And that twist of coyness to her lips never once did leave them as she continued on and stopped just outside of...

"And this.." she said, feigning an exhausted sigh. "Is my room in the West Hall." And she leaned in to whisper to him, lips nearly tickling his ear, "A decidedly nicer room than my much smaller one in the East Hall, I assure you."

Her smile grew a bit more, touching her eyes as she added, "And this room has a lovely view of the gardens." And she paused, eyes taking him in like a cat. "Would you care to see it? Some fresh air might be nice..."

[GoblinFae]

Ithel recognized her game but unbeknownst to her, he would have none of it. Instead he kept his tongue and allowed her to lead him about like a puppy as she wagged her silver tongue. WHen she led him to her doorway though he could not help himself and smiled back almost patronizingly as he used his free hand to pat the top of hers that was linked with his.

"I do believe Lady Davina tha-" His words were cute off as the call went out for dinner causing his smile to widen some. "That it is time for dinner," he finished, drawing away from her closeness. "Shall we?"

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Not one to have her mood dampened so easily, she kept her smirk and nodded.
"Perhaps another time..."

[GoblinFae]

"Perhaps," he replied noncommittally. "Shall I escort you to your seat Lady Davina or is there another meant to have such an honor? I would hate to slight someone so early in the night. I prefer to begin my offending after having my fill."

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The smile on Davina's lips never once diminished.
"Hardly, it would be more inappropriate were you not to offer." And she took the pro-offered arm and stepped in close. "But you do realize you are my escort now, and I am always quite fond of escorts. So perhaps later, I will show you the respect in kind." And she gave a gesture towards the direction of the dining hall.
"Shall we?"

[GoblinFae]

He silently raised a questioning brow but did not allow the unspoken question to pass his lips. Instead, Ithel made good on his word and escorted Davina back to the dining room and her seat before making to withdraw to his own seat at the furthest end of the table.

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A bit off put the man was seated so far away from her at the table, Davina went on with as much grace as usual to draw out conversations with those seated to her most close. But even as she talked to the handsome men seated around her, her eyes continued to stray and linger towards where Ithel remained perched.

[GoblinFae]

Ithel found the dinner itself to be flavorful but the company to be lacking. It was to be expected he knew given his "new" status among the nobles of Hellvion but that did not hinder him in his efforts to silently observe and take in what information he could. Even lesser nobles such as the ones he had been seated with held enough knowledge of the province's rumors and secrets to make for worthy use later.

He made what polite conversation he could but otherwise kept his own peace. Ithel would only appear to most as a man calmly and pleasantly enjoying his meal even as other talked about him and around him as if he were not there. He wondered briefly what his siblings would think of such a formal dinner and was warmed by the thought that had they been there then the hall would have been filled with such havoc that Angsar himself would not know what to do with them.

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As the meal went on, Davina was hoping to catch a glimpse of this new man. As far as she was concerned, he was fresh meat and fair game. And she hadn't had a play thing in weeks. And though she wasn't looking for a husband, she still liked the idea to toy with it...
And this boy? He definitely looked like a toy.

So when she was... ignored? She pretended not to be flustered. Or even have it register, but inside that pretty little head of hers...
She was ever calculating, and when the meal allowed the guests a chance to begin an evening of mingling, she purposely was slow to rise and take her time leaving the dining hall, watching Ithel from the corner of her eyes.

[GoblinFae]

It was a blessing in and of itself when the meal at last came to a close. Ithel did not linger over the desserts as some of the other lesser nobles did but instead made his excuses and departed from the table, moving on to wander through various groups of couples. He caught what tidbits of information he could without seeming to be a nuisance and was even grateful when group was polite enough to let him join them. Their interests may have been dull but it was a social start at the very least. The thought of Davina desiring his attention was completely lost on him. He was sure she knew by now who he was and would cease in her attempts to capture his attention. He was the enemy after all.