All that... Enzo did not fault this Miss Nicolier her need for rest. Even if it was a lie, she'd likely find Minrathaus a daunting place. It would be a kindness to expose her slowly. "Well, I pray she rests well. I must admit, I am eager to meet the woman who managed to lock YOU down." he said, teasing. But it was a curiosity. Tiberius had always been a particular sort. Choosing his friends carefully, his lovers more careful still.
And besides that, Enzo had his orders. So much time away from home could turn a mind. Add the influence of a new love? Tevinter did not like competing for loyalty. Even the slightest suggestion... But Enzo pushed all of that from his mind. Plenty of time for that later. He'd not get what Legatus wanted in one night. Better to not worry about it at all. Better to put it out of his mind entirely.
Leading Tiberius into the booth, Enzo found himself keenly aware of the man's presence as he stepped to the side board. A bottle of red had been prepared, decanting in a wide bottomed container. He considered it for a moment while the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. No, this would not do. He was about to call for something else when Tiberius sat and spoke. He turned, regarding Tiberius' profile for a moment, a soft smile forming on his lips.
"I can hardly require an apology." stepping over, Enzo put his hand on Tiberius' should for a brief moment. "You were following orders, of a sort. And no one could have known the world would just go to shit while you were away." And gone to shit it had.
Enzo took up the decanter and stepped out of the booth placing it immediately into the hands of a butler who stood waiting in the hall to be of service. "Champagne. Two glasses." he said, then stepped back inside. He found it hard not to stare at Tiberius, but he did tear is eyes from the man to look out at the theater. It was an effort to keep his nose from curling as he considered the other Altus Houses in their booths. Some had petitioned to remove Pavus ownership, but the opera house could hardly snub such regular patrons. Too much of the budget was paid by Pavus donations. They could take his vote, but not his wealth.
A knock saved him from further persevering on his mistreatment and Enzo received the tray, dismissing the butler without a word. He set the tray down on the sideboard and uncorked the champagne, breaking the silence. "For what it's worth," he said, echoing Tiberius' own words as he poured, "You were sorely missed."
Bringing the glasses over, Enzo sat down, eschewing a formal toast and simply holding his glass out. "To your long awaited return." He drank, then allowed a slight sigh to escape him. "Now, tell me... who has harassed you since returning? Besides me, of course." he chuckled. "I imagine you're a desired commodity in The Game these days."
And besides that, Enzo had his orders. So much time away from home could turn a mind. Add the influence of a new love? Tevinter did not like competing for loyalty. Even the slightest suggestion... But Enzo pushed all of that from his mind. Plenty of time for that later. He'd not get what Legatus wanted in one night. Better to not worry about it at all. Better to put it out of his mind entirely.
Leading Tiberius into the booth, Enzo found himself keenly aware of the man's presence as he stepped to the side board. A bottle of red had been prepared, decanting in a wide bottomed container. He considered it for a moment while the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. No, this would not do. He was about to call for something else when Tiberius sat and spoke. He turned, regarding Tiberius' profile for a moment, a soft smile forming on his lips.
"I can hardly require an apology." stepping over, Enzo put his hand on Tiberius' should for a brief moment. "You were following orders, of a sort. And no one could have known the world would just go to shit while you were away." And gone to shit it had.
Enzo took up the decanter and stepped out of the booth placing it immediately into the hands of a butler who stood waiting in the hall to be of service. "Champagne. Two glasses." he said, then stepped back inside. He found it hard not to stare at Tiberius, but he did tear is eyes from the man to look out at the theater. It was an effort to keep his nose from curling as he considered the other Altus Houses in their booths. Some had petitioned to remove Pavus ownership, but the opera house could hardly snub such regular patrons. Too much of the budget was paid by Pavus donations. They could take his vote, but not his wealth.
A knock saved him from further persevering on his mistreatment and Enzo received the tray, dismissing the butler without a word. He set the tray down on the sideboard and uncorked the champagne, breaking the silence. "For what it's worth," he said, echoing Tiberius' own words as he poured, "You were sorely missed."
Bringing the glasses over, Enzo sat down, eschewing a formal toast and simply holding his glass out. "To your long awaited return." He drank, then allowed a slight sigh to escape him. "Now, tell me... who has harassed you since returning? Besides me, of course." he chuckled. "I imagine you're a desired commodity in The Game these days."
05-06-2024, 01:00 PM
