The Start of Dinner -- Bleys and TashaIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | The Start of Dinner: Bleys and Tasha Upon examination of the seating chart, Tasha was delighted to note that there were individuals seated near her whom she had at least met. Helena sat directly across the table, right next to Jurt. And Morgan, with whom she had shared the meal at Tear's home earlier that day. As Chadwick escorted her to her seat she offered a smile to all of those seated nearby, with a shy smile offered toward the man whom she recognized as Merlin from his statues. Then Lord Mandor made his welcome and Tasha as amazed that he would call for a moment of thanksgiving, but she bowed her head, as her Gram had taught her and gave thanks for the food, her safe arrival and her new friends. When the servers came through her eyes lit up at the smell of liver and she licked her lips delicately. She saw that the king had chosen the same and she would have commented on his choice, but he was already talking with Helena and Amba. She took a taste and sighed contentedly. Then an unfamiliar voice spoke to her from her left. Bleys looked across the table to where Merlin had begin to engage Helena and Amba in conversation, and then turned to Tasha. "And have you enjoyed the beginning of your stay in Amber, Lady Tasha?" he asked. She turned her eyes to the elegant man to her side. "Oh, yes! It has been wonderful so far. And this pate is excellent. You should try it." She offered a forkful in his direction and then blushed, "Oh, but you are probably used to such meals all the time." Then her eyes widened as a pretty young woman with a book to her face came in and took a seat. Tasha noted her with surprise. "Rissa," said Bleys succinctly. "Or perhaps I should be more formal and say 'the Princess Larissa, younger daughter of the late King Eric, whose usurpurious reign was of mercifully brief duration. Nevertheless, he gave his life fighting gallantly for Amber and died cursing her enemies, which is more stylish than most of us manage. Would you care for some wine?" Tasha lowered the fork at the explanation of the latecomer, and peered across the table to get a better look at the woman being so described by her late father's accomplishments. Dying for Amber and cursing her enemies make Tasha's hackles rise and she turned her attention more fully on the man beside her, whom she knew from the seating chart was himself a Prince of Amber. Would he consider her an 'enemy'? "I've never been much of a wine drinker," Tasha admitted, while shaking her head indicating she did not want any. "But may I pass you some bread?" She leaned forward to reach the basket of bread, coincidentally giving anyone on the other side of the table a very good view of her cleavage. "Certainly," said Bleys, who was also in a good position to admire as he filled his own goblet with a rich ruby liquid. He stretched out a hand to take a bread roll. "And what, apart from familial amboition, brings you to Amber, pretty Mistress Minobee?" A brief interruption occurred as the footman removed their plates and served the next course - a delicious, delicately flavoured soup - a creme du Barry (a very delicate creamy cauliflower soup). "Familial ambition?" Tasha turned to blink in a befuddled fashion, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean." She smiled with a slight blush, "I came here to study." "But to study what?" asked Bleys. He poured some more wine into her glass. "And, one presumes, to be studied in turn." Tasha wasn't too sure she understood this conversation for it seemed to imply that she was not in Amber to undertake the Logrus Studies that her mother had discussed with her. "Yes, I'm sure Lord Mandor will wish to examine my proficiency... I did come at his recommendation."
|
