Gathering Post

[lcrpg_npc]

The Queen's official birthday celebrations might wait for the better, brighter weather of June, instead of the actual date just passed, but there was no lack of things to do in London this week, even if it was cooler and damper than the week before. St. George's day festivities were scattered throughout the city, competing with celebrations of the four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Getting around the city could be even more difficult than usual on Sunday, with multiple streets closed off for the London marathon.

There were exhibits - everything from graphic design to a survey of Sicilian history to the influence of underwear. And the same level of diversity could be found whether you were in the mood for music, theatre, good food, or late night fun. There was something for everyone, and no matter your plans - or lack of plans - you never quite knew what you were going to find, or who might find you.



[Week long gp! Tag in, tag others, and check in daily to see who's joined in.]

Comments

[thenorthman]

"I thought that I was, already," Eric stated with a hint of a smile. "I might have to up my game."

[codenamemilady]

"Always. Did you think I would make it easy on you?" Milady was in the mood for a challenge, and for being one, although not an insurmountable one.

[thenorthman]

"I was hoping you wouldn't," Eric replied with a half smile.

[codenamemilady]

"Wise choice. I'd say you should be stood up more often, but without our chance meeting, it wouldn't be the same." And Milady hadn't decided yet if she'd want to be more a sure date for Eric. She needed to know about him first, and what he might be good for.

[thenorthman]

"Sometimes, being stood up is a blessing," Eric replied, raising his eyebrows to dare her to contradict him. "Or, in your case, standing someone up."

[codenamemilady]

'It has led to a far more enjoyable evening so far," Milady agreed. Whether the opera would add to or subtract from that, they should soon find out, with the two minute announcement being made and the flurry of people getting to their seats before the lights went down.

[thenorthman]

"It's only just begun," Eric remarked with a hint of a smirk, and settled in to watch the opera.

[codenamemilady]

If Milady had cared to find parallels between her story and Lucia's, she could have done so easily, but she wasn't one to identify with others, and especially not someone weak enough to succumb to madness over something as simple as betrayal by the man they loved, being forced into a loveless marriage, or killing their new husband. Not that Milady often allowed herself to be forced to do anything.

(See choosing to attend the opera with an intriguing and attractive stranger rather than heed a summons from her handler.)

"Interesting performance," she said once the lights had come up again.

[thenorthman]

"It was," Eric confirmed, but seemed in no hurry to get out of their box. Everyone would be rushing out; they might as well let the crowd get out of the way, first.

[codenamemilady]

Milady saw no reason to rush. "I wasn't familiar with the story. Perhaps you were stood up out of fear for delicate sensibilities." Milady's 'sensibilities' didn't sound the least bit offended.

[thenorthman]

"Then it will teach me to be more discerning in my choice of - opera partners," Eric remarked, lips curved in a half smile.

[codenamemilady]

"Happy coincidence finding one, then." Milady's eyes on his, and yes, she had noticed the deliberate pause between his words.

[thenorthman]

Eric's smile stretched slightly. "What are you in the mood for now, then, Clarice?"

[codenamemilady]

"Drinks or dessert are fairly traditional," she answered, just enough twist on the word to suggest she was not. "As I've already blown off the plans I had for the evening, I suppose that leaves me at your disposal."

[thenorthman]

Eric held her gaze for a beat, clearly not in the least bit self-conscious about the silence that stretched as he made up his mind. Skipping drinks or dessert worked just fine for him; it wasn't as if he could partake in either. Not that sort of drink, anyway. "Come on, then," he stated, as he stood.

At his disposal. That sounded lovely. She was lovely.

[codenamemilady]

Milady didn't doubt her ability to get out of any trouble she didn't want to be in, so she lost nothing by letting him lead. For now. And she was curious what he might have in mind. Beyond the obvious almost all men had when it came to her.

She stood, giving him a tiny nod of her head in acceptance. The evening was only getting better.

[thenorthman]

They hit the night air, and Eric led her further away. "Let's grab a cab." Once they had, he gave the driver the address to the the Roof Gardens. There was drinks, and there was drinks, and she wanted to be spoiled.

[codenamemilady]

Milady had suggested he should spoil her, and the address he gave said he planned to continue doing so. It had been some time since she'd been there - on a mission, getting close to an MP's aide who'd been less useful than she'd hoped, but who'd wanted to impress the young widow.

"You've told me so little about yourself, Eric. Impeccable style, excellent taste," in what she didn't say, "With an easy, and deserved, confidence, but those are all things anyone could see."

[thenorthman]

"What would you like to know?" Eric asked, settling back in his seat and looking over at her openly.

[codenamemilady]

"Hmm..." Milady let him look, posture that invited men's gaze so engrained after years of practice it was as easy and subconscious as breathing. "What do you enjoy, other than rescuing women from an evening of boredom?"

[thenorthman]

"I enjoy rescuing myself from boredom even more," Eric replied, with a hint of a smile that somehow made it a compliment.

[codenamemilady]

"It's no surprise this is a mutually beneficial arrangement, if only for an evening." Those were, by far, the best in most cases. Otherwise why would they bother?

[thenorthman]

"What is it you do, Clarice?" Eric asked curiously.

[codenamemilady]

"I'm a widow," she stated simply, but the flash of cat-eyes suggested she knew it both was and wasn't an answer to his question. And to an extent it was true. Clarice Winters was a widow, and she did the things one might expect of a peer's widow who had no need to work.

[thenorthman]

"Then how do you fill your days?" Eric answered, clearly not going to take that for an answer.