A Late Arrival (Spicy!)

[zozee9]

Smiling to herself, Illi took a sip of her drink. She had nothing more to say. Should she even say more? If he wanted to talk, he would continue the conversation, right? But... this wasn't like her. Sighing, she recalled the first time she spoke to him. She had been outlandish then, but he had also been quite rude to her. To think that she would be sitting here at his side months later was a bit surprising.

"So... have you read any interesting books lately?" Illi finally asked, hoping it would cause an enthusiastic answer.

[visualspice]

The reply would have been an interesting one indeed, for he chuckled with his lips closed as he smirked and regarded her for a moment before he replied.
"I've acquire a new book on antique guns, the history behind the making, so to speak. The book itself is rare, written by some famous author from Hyoite who had once been a Connlaothian but did not like the politics here and the laws, so left for something better. Even his story is an interesting read, which is a brief chapter int he back of the book. Though I would guess you'd hardly be interested in such a story," and that wolfish grin appeared as his dark eyes danced.
"You have already declared to me the sort of stories you've enjoyed and I dare say I had picked up one most recently I think you would like. It made me think of you none the less, as it was about some royal duchess turned pirate in order to save her home land. It was written very well, and how compelled I was to ready it surprised me. Then again, it did hint on some history I was interested in, and it seemed the female writer, a certain Riza Jones, knows her stuff about rifles and the sea. But what about you?"

And here he cocked a brow and observed her.
"You tend to be quite the book enthusiast. Have you read anything that has completely captivated you?" And as he waited for her answer, he took a long drink from his goblet.

[zozee9]

It was true that Illi was hardly interested in such boring and informational books, but she did allow that antique guns seemed like a good topic, at least. Surely having such information would be useful in reading (and writing) books that included gun use. However, the part about the author leaving Connlaoth stayed in her mind, even as he continued talking.

Illi did not want to bring up such politics, not at a huge table, but luckily Davishire brought up another topic that interested her even more. "Riza Jones?!" She laughed lightly and continued, "Of course she knows her stuff about rifles and the sea. That book is a spiced up autobiography, you know. She stretched the truth for literary purposes, but her life was full of adventure. Have you truly never heard of her?" She had been searching for a Riza Jones book for years, but they were incredibly hard to come by. "I don't suppose you might allow me to borrow the book? I have read so much about it, but have never actually read the book itself." She paused, shook her head, and smiled deviously. "Oh, what am I doing... I can't ask for a book on your birthday! Forget I said a thing, I shall bring it up more politely at another time, my dear wolf."

Taking a deep breath, Illi laughed again. She was trying to bring up a conversation topic to get Davishire to talk, but there she went, ranting like normal. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to mind. If she didn't know better, she would almost say he enjoyed listening to her talk non-stop.

"I have read more books than I could name in the remainder of this meal but, unfortunately, there has been nothing that has truly stood out. I have read many great books, but when you read as much as I do, great books are no longer completely captivating. I still search for a book that has that extra spark." Her smile twitched as she added, trying to hide her solemness, "If I were able, I would write it myself. Alas, I do not possess such skill. Oh, but if you would like recommendations, however, I could give you plenty."

[visualspice]

Davishire looked at her with a look that could only be described as wolfish pride. He raised a large hand and waved off the idea.
"Bah, what is a birthday good for except social proprieties? The only good thing to come out of this is a chance for me to see you again, and I wouldn't let Angsar get between me lending you that book. Perhaps when the meal is complete, I'll escort you to the library and if you desire, you can select some books.. that is.." he went on, with a chuckle. "If you can find one that sparks."

[zozee9]

The second Davishire mentioned his library, Illi's face lit up. Any unease or nervousness she had been feeling before had completely vanished. "Oh my, nothing sounds better!" she enthusiastically responded. Her sudden energy and loudness caused a few extra side stares from the guests, whom she ignored. "Hopefully our experience in the library will be better than last time," Illi added teasingly before finishing the rest of her cake.

[visualspice]

Davishire felt his cheeks heat a little at such a comment,a nd lifted his newly filled glass of wine to his lips.
"First of all, we're not in costume here, so I think we can manage. Besides," he gave a small laugh as he relaxed into his chair. "This is my own private library. And I maintain it-"

"To the point of obsession," Davina cut in, as she waltzed their way. She leisurely lifted her own wine glass as her brother scowled.

"There is nothing wrong in keeping a study flawless."

Davina chuckled.
"If that helps you sleep at night.." And slowly her eyes drifted towards Illi. And she feigned ignorance. "So, who is your lady friend?" And then witha  feigned gasp, she added, "Tell me this is not the morbid queen from the masked ball." She looked the woman over and gave her a coy smirk.

[zozee9]

Illi shot a worried look towards Davishire. She didn't mind Davina's teasing, but she knew he might. Illi wasn't one to respond with rudeness, unless it was a well timed witty retort. And in this case, she had just the thing.

Raising her eyes to meet Davina's, she responded, "I can see how the wine would deceive eyes that are ignorant to both books and our precious Connloath history, but surely you are neither of those? Unless, heaven forbid I say it, you had more wine inside of you than I had on myself. But, of course, that could simply not be the case either. So, no, I'm afraid I can't be that morbid queen you are referring to."

[visualspice]

Davina cocked a brow at the woman and looked down at Davishire.
"My, you have a way with picking women."
And her smile only grew as she saw the smolder in Davishire's eyes and the threatening smile he wore. She gave a patronizing pat to his shoulder.
"Now, now, don't look so grumpy on your big day. You know the day is still young...." ANd her eyes trailed from Davishire over to Illi. "I suppose, however, you'll have plans even for the night."

[zozee9]

Illi just beamed an innocent smile as Davina started to tease Davishire, ignoring the poison in her words. She started to take a light sip of her drink before laughing and almost coughing it out. The fact that she had the guts to imply their plans for the night astonished Illi and almost impressed her. She was blushing, of course, but the ridiculousness of the statement overrode her embarrassment.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were jealous!" Illi responded while laughing her heart out. She kept her voice low enough that most other guests shouldn't have been able to hear her, but her laughter was bringing more stares nonetheless.

[visualspice]

"Oh, but of course," Davina said with a sexy little pout. "Why, I adore my big brother," she went on, placing an 'affectionate' hand to his shoulder as she gave it a light squeeze before practically draping herself off of it. "Naturally I'd be jealous he'd try to replace me."

Davishire growled.

"I normally hold my tongue on your mannerisms, Davina, but as it is my birthday," he began- but that was a good enough cue for Davina to cut in.

"All the more reason for you to be shared with everyone and not be so tangled up in meager conversation with just one woman. Come.." she pressed, giving a light tug to his arm. "You and I have a lot of mingling to do." And she gave a sympathetic smile to Illi. "Such are the obligations of the host."

[zozee9]

Illi, worn out from the journey but simultaneously full of energy, had no plans on letting Davina just walk all over her. She imitated the smile (something she was quite good at, for her imagination made her fond of acting) and responded, "The obligations of the host, and of you, though not at the same time. I saw you doing plenty of mingling already Davina, so why don't you take his spot and we can get to know each other better?"

Taking another sip of her wine (though this time not spitting it out), she added, "I'm sure your brother does not need you to coddle him in conversations. I have personally found him to be quite an agreeable man, and any guest here for his birthday has no right to think any different. Come, sit with me."

[visualspice]

Davina's eyes shined; impressed, as she looked the girl over head to toe, but at such a suggestion, Davishire gave a rough shake to his arm in hopes to remove his sister, and once she loosened her grip, he stood up.

"Unfortunately, Davina, Illi and I have prior obligations that involve us standing and chatting on the other side of the manor without the likes of you. NOw if you'll excuse us..."
ANd he turned his back to his sister and offered out his arm to Illi.

Davina raised a brow at such a reply.
"Illi?" Such an informal response,a nd she stared cooly over at the girl to see to whom she'd oblige.

[zozee9]

Illi grinned at Davishire's unmasked attempt to get rid of Davina. She knew it didn't quite fit with social normalities, but that didn't bother her in the slightest. Her family was full of rambunctious troublemakers, even if some put up the pretense of being proper.

"Well, Davina, it seems my invitation has been declined by someone else! I'm rather shocked," she responded. She wasn't shocked that Davishire had declined it, but simply that Davina hadn't beaten him to it. Illi stood up and accepted his arm before continuing, "I'm afraid our conversations will have to wait until another day, for it would be blasphemous of me to ignore the wishes of the birthday man."

[visualspice]

Davishire made haste to usher he and Illi away from his sister, but he could still feel her cold green eyes on their backs. He tried to ignore it and turned to Illi.

"Let's just keep walking until we can find a place less crowded and peaceful. I'd recommend the library, but Davina would know too well to look there." Sighing, the pair stepped out into the hall where a second grand stair case crawled up to the second level of the castle- and to the living area of the family. But that wasn't where he was looking, as he guided Illi along to the shadows beneath it.

[zozee9]

"The library would be obvious indeed," Illi responded as she happily walked beside Davishire. "I must say, your house truly is a work of art. I knew it would be big and beautiful and all, but it is grander than all my expectations. I can't help but wonder, is your family the sort that keeps a room just for artwork?"

Illi was intrigued about where they were going, but something stopped her from asking. The idea of a surprise, however small, seemed rather fun.

[visualspice]

Davishire shook his head.
"No, good heavens. Though it seems we have rooms for just about everything." He gave a wave of his hand towards more paintings littering the halls. "Each room has at least three or four paintings a piece. I'd say the entire place is an art gallery." Though he didn't sound as enthusiastic as Illi must've been. If anything, he spoke as if it were an irritation.

[zozee9]

"The entire place is a gallery?" responded Illi excitedly. "Oh, I imagine the only thing better would be having the entire place be a library. Now that would be the perfect place to live. I must say though, I do appreciate artwork. It isn't as elegant or complex as books, but can still convey a lot nonetheless." She paused to look at Davishire, her gaze lasting longer than she knew it should have. "Have you ever had a portrait painted of you? If so," she paused and turned her head back to the hall, "I would love to see it."

[visualspice]

Davishire forced a smile, which seemed almost like a snarl. But in truth, he too wished the paintings could have been books, but her last query almost caught him off guard. Almost. He snorted and looked at her.

"There's a recent one down the hall."
And his face wrinkled slightly, expression dripping with displeasure.

[zozee9]

Illi, now determined to hold off on making eye contact with Davis hire in fear of embarrassing herself, did not notice his expression. "Oh, please do show me at some point! I always thought I would enjoy seeing a painting of myself, just to see how I look through someone else's eyes. But it must be so dreary sitting there for them to paint you, I imagine the only way I could stand it is with a book in my hand."

After a slight pause to catch her breath, she added,  "Do you paint?  Oh, not that I want you to paint me. I mean, I wouldn't dislike that, I wouldn't mind being painted by you, but that's not what I'm asking. I mean, just... Do you paint?" She stared at her feet with a cherry face. 

[visualspice]

Though his grin went from sour to amused, he still looked grumpy, even when he grinned.
"Paint? Bah!" he swatted away at the idea. "I couldn't paint myself out of a corner. Heaven's no, I don't paint." But he paused to observe her. "Were you asking because you wanted some painting partner? I'll read with you, but painting and the likes... you might as well ask me to help with sewing," he went on distastefully.

But he paused a moment, realizing they were far away from the party, the music just a lull and the only other noise shared was the ticking of a nearby clock, and their voices. He observed her and her rosy cheeks and found himself saying, "You look nice tonight."

Nice. He kicked himself inwardly. He could have chosen a million better words.