“Mm. I’ll have to find other means to impress, then.” There was something odd about this man, just on the edge of Quinn’s perception. Magic that read bruise-black and purple, an iron tang on the back of one’s throat. No question that he was a powerful mage in that one discipline, but perhaps a bit of a dabbler elsewhere.
Finally, the presence of a desire demon, a mental impression rather like taking a bite of overripe fruit. Intense sweetness, but off putting in texture. Did that explain the carefully banked hunger he sensed? Quinn shook his head, clearing his mind. Demons were somewhat outside his expertise – only that the Blind Eye was crafted to prey on vices, just as they were.
“I do.” It would not do to say too much more in that regard. Quinn’s visions and luck had saved his life many times over, but he preferred to keep his magical talents under wraps if he could help it. It made it ever so funny when a seer or mind mage tried to cheat beneath this roof.
“Ah, I believe it's a special production from House Felinus. Bottled to commemorate Archon Arvina’s ascension. I hear they water the grapes with lyrium infused water in the weeks leading up to harvest.” Supposedly, this led to some mild alterations in mood in those who could afford to overindulge. Relaxation, mild euphoria. Quinn rarely allowed himself more than a single glass when entertaining a guest like this. He wanted his mind sharp – and the guest’s somewhat less so.
“Back in Antiva, perhaps.” Quintilian shrugged, as though the matter were now inconsequential. For the most part, it was. He hadn’t seen his birth family since childhood. “I naturalized some years ago and cut all my ties to the south. The Circles there are – were, I suppose – disagreeable. Frey is a House of one.” He bowed his head for a matter of seconds and spread his hands, then broke that faux humility with a grin that showed teeth.
Searching for a match for a sister, hm. Then the other man was indeed some species of lordling. Quinn’s ears pricked up as he thought about it, tasting that it was true. He drew his legs up onto the couch and turned to face the other man.
“I could put the word about for you, Lord …? If you'd prefer gentlemen callers to offer themselves up at your estate. Or, if we were friends, I might even let you know if any on your shortlist are in debt to me.” Quinn paused to drain his glass, bending to put the glass back down.
“Otherwise, if we’re not to be friends, there will be a show in a little while. You’ll find cards and games aplenty on this floor and the next.”
Finally, the presence of a desire demon, a mental impression rather like taking a bite of overripe fruit. Intense sweetness, but off putting in texture. Did that explain the carefully banked hunger he sensed? Quinn shook his head, clearing his mind. Demons were somewhat outside his expertise – only that the Blind Eye was crafted to prey on vices, just as they were.
“I do.” It would not do to say too much more in that regard. Quinn’s visions and luck had saved his life many times over, but he preferred to keep his magical talents under wraps if he could help it. It made it ever so funny when a seer or mind mage tried to cheat beneath this roof.
“Ah, I believe it's a special production from House Felinus. Bottled to commemorate Archon Arvina’s ascension. I hear they water the grapes with lyrium infused water in the weeks leading up to harvest.” Supposedly, this led to some mild alterations in mood in those who could afford to overindulge. Relaxation, mild euphoria. Quinn rarely allowed himself more than a single glass when entertaining a guest like this. He wanted his mind sharp – and the guest’s somewhat less so.
“Back in Antiva, perhaps.” Quintilian shrugged, as though the matter were now inconsequential. For the most part, it was. He hadn’t seen his birth family since childhood. “I naturalized some years ago and cut all my ties to the south. The Circles there are – were, I suppose – disagreeable. Frey is a House of one.” He bowed his head for a matter of seconds and spread his hands, then broke that faux humility with a grin that showed teeth.
Searching for a match for a sister, hm. Then the other man was indeed some species of lordling. Quinn’s ears pricked up as he thought about it, tasting that it was true. He drew his legs up onto the couch and turned to face the other man.
“I could put the word about for you, Lord …? If you'd prefer gentlemen callers to offer themselves up at your estate. Or, if we were friends, I might even let you know if any on your shortlist are in debt to me.” Quinn paused to drain his glass, bending to put the glass back down.
“Otherwise, if we’re not to be friends, there will be a show in a little while. You’ll find cards and games aplenty on this floor and the next.”
07-23-2024, 02:26 PM
