(1311-05-03) Wine and Conversation
Summary: Marco tries his charms on Jaide and Bastien in the Wine Cellar. (Warning: pretty forward and highly suggestive language)
RL Date: 05-03-2019
Related: None
bastien jaide marco 

Wine Cellar — Noble District

Stairs lead down to the heavy oak door, above which the sign of the place, the likeness of a Hellene amphora spilling over with wine painted upon wood, swings lazily in the occasional breeze. Beyond that door the entrance hall comes into view, where various kegs and casks of differing sizes are arranged in oenological allure before the roughly hewn walls of ancient stone. There is a chill down here on hot summer days, that will be efficiently battled in the colder months through the heating of a giant hearth to the back. The place has a decidedly cavernous character, alcoves to the left and right offering seating at small tables for two or three. Lamps are dangling by chains from the ceiling, shades of milky glass work from La Serenissima offering sufficient lighting. There are no visible windows, which means lamps will be in use even during the day.

Further to the back there is a small hallway branching off from the main area, leading to a medium sized chamber where the bigger barrels are stored. Here, a larger group of up to eight people can sit about a round table of heavy oak, while they are being served the rarer vintages or even the heavier spirits that are stored in a wooden cabinet to the back. Staff is mostly male, clad in black breeches and white shirts with dark red vests, knowledgable sommeliers of superior training that will be glad to wait on guests in person and offer insight into the variety of wines, red and white, from Terre d'Ange and a variety of specialties from abroad, that are available here.


The wine cellar is rather quiet this evening. A few tables of people are present but otherwise things are calm. Sitting alone in a corner is a young woman in an elegant gown of deep blood red. The subtle way that silken gown highlights her curves is meant to draw attention. Black trim has been sewn in thin strips across the corset like top of the gown to further highlight it. The blonde lady sits alone a glass of red wine in front of her. The seat across from her looks to have just been abandoned. She lets out a soft breath her expression hard to read but seeming to relax as she watches an older looking noblewoman that might have been her former company move towards the exit. Her steel blue eyes do a quick sweep of the room and then she beckons a server over. "More wine please." She gestures to her empty glass and leans back slightly, observing with a calm steady gaze.

Marco picks his way into the cellar with a book tucked under his arm. His eyes wander the area as he makes his way towards a seat. He blinks noting someone and considers for a moment and then he makes his way over towards Jaide and smiles, "You are new." He says as he drops into the seat inviting himself down, "Marco Mereliot. And you are?" He asks openly considering her eyes twinkling with mischief because… well it's Marco and he enjoys inflicting his presence on the unknowing.

Stepping into the Wine Cellar is a young man, wearing a doublet of emerald green with golden lacings. While he moves with a degree of elagance and grace, he doesn't quite seem like a nobleman. He stops shortly inside the room, as if he was looking for someone. Though not who he was expecting, he smiles widely when he sees Marco. He does not want to interrupt anything, so the youth sits down at an empty table.

As Marco drops into the recently vacated seat at Jaide's table the woman fixes him with a calm unblinking stare. There is perhaps a challenge in that gaze but otherwise her composure remains steadfast. She inclines her head just a touch as he introduces himself, her eyes never leaving his. "Jaide Ferraut." She replies easily. That twinkle of mischief in his eyes draws a flicker of curious interest to her own gaze. "I take it you desire some form of company then?" She inquires of him thoughtfully before her gaze drifts to the man in emerald green who just settled nearby.

Marco returns that gaze with those mischievous eyes. He shifts around and then he smiles, "Ah Lady Ferraut. A pleasure to meet you." He shrugs, "Truthfully I was planning to read but… this seat just seemed to call to me. Besides I've never been known to leave beautiful young women on their own." He pauses noting Bastien nearby and grins, "Or pretty young men. Shall we have Bastien join us? He's recently raised to his title and still making friends." He says brightly looking to Jaide as he follows her gaze.

Bastien hears his name and looks up. He blinks his smokey grey eyes at the two. "Oh, I.. I would not wish to intrude." He drags his canine over his lower lip, "I just came here for a drink…" So that's not quite the truth, but it's partially true. He looks to the young woman to see if perhaps she might be looking for an out to not be alone with his overly charming cousin.

"A pleasure indeed Lord Marco." Jaide replies smoothly her gaze showing faint amusement. "You are quite welcome to that seat. Though I do wonder why you would attempt to flatter me with your charming company." She smirks just a touch. Looking to Bastien she inclines her head. "You are welcome to join us if you wish. I would be pleased to meet new people. I have only just arrived here."

Marco smiles at Bastien, "See." He says brightly and nods solemnly, "Everyone needs a little Bastien." He says brightly and then he looks to Jaide, "And what brings you here?" He shrugs his shoulders, "Well attempting flattery seems a better way of having a pleasnat afternoon than greeting you with insults?"

Bastien stands from his seat and walks over. He offers the lady a polite bow, "Bastien Aubrey de Mereliot. It is a pleasure. Please pardon my cousin. Flattery flows from his tongue as naturally as air flows into his lungs. He means no offense, if there was any." Seven years studying to be a courtesan does tend to give one a softer hand with words.

Marco watches as Jaide rises to go use the restroom and he smiles, "See you shouldn't apologize for such things. How are you Bastien?" He asks warmly eyes lingering on the young man with amusement. "Perhaps she was overawed by my presence and needed a moment?"

Bastien smiles and offers a slight shrug, "I am doing well. I did not embarrass myself in the competition of Eisheth, even if I did not win. There is no dishonor in losing to a better opponent. " He cants his head slightly, "And you, dear cousin, how fare you?"

Marco smiles, "Oh? Did you? Well I'm glad you feel you did well." He shrugs, "You know me. Keeping to trouble. It's a distraction of mine. And how is our Oliver?" He asks curiously.

Bastien's smile fades to a slight frown. "I have not seen Oliver in a few days. We had a difference of opinions, you might say. I worry that he might be too broken for me to help." He pauses, "It does not mean that I will not be there to help if I can, but I do not think I can be there for him as he would have me."

Marco blinks at that, "Oh… I'm sorry. I hope it wasn't anything I said." Marco actually looks worried about that and he sighs, "He almost seems to prefer to be sad or hurt." He says with a sigh. "And how are you doing with it?"

Bastien sighs and shakes his head, "I think the injuries to his psyche are much older than the ones that he feels from your parting of ways. He feels that he deserves to be blind and deserves to hurt for it. Apparently his father was an ill-tempered bastard of a man that began Oliver's misery while he was still young." He frowns slightly, "So he finds salvation of sorts through pain and misery. I just… I cannot willingly hurt someone like that even if it is to make them feel better." The younger man shrugs slightly, as he looks up, "Can we get some wine over here please?" He calls out to one of the servers. "I don't know how I feel about Oliver, honestly. I want to help him…. to put him back together.. but I am not sure that I can."

Marco inclines his head, "Yes… the source are far older and don't relate to me at all. Which is why it's hard to be more worked up over it." He nods and orders some wine and then shrugs, "Well then shall we discuss something else? How are you settling in?"

Bastien smiles weakly, "Yes, let us talk of other things." He chuckles, "From one disaster to the next?" He reaches up and brushes a wayward lock from his eyes, tucking it behind his ear. "I suppose well enough. I still wake up some mornings thinking it a dream and not sure what bed I am waking up in. I am utterly overwhelmed by the paperwork. The world of finance is totally maddening. Thank the companions for Lady Ortolette and my steward, for they have been gracious enough to help me figure the books out. " He pauses a second, grinning again, "But at least I have stopped introducing myself as Bastien no Lis D'Or."

Marco chuckles softly, "You should hire one of the Bryony to assist you in that matter." He says and he nods, "Good for you. It takes time but you'll make it." He grins, "Besides you should take advantage of your Lis D'or skills. Your knowledge. Insight… and well ability to distract." He teases.

Bastien laughs, with that near musical trill of his, "I think I can only start singing so many times before people start catching on. Seriously though, it will take some more time before it truly sinks all the way in. " He grins impishly, "I do not believe that everyone is so easily swayed by my charms as you are."

Marco winks, "You have no idea how delightfully charmed I am Bastien." He says playfully and he chuckles, "It's alright you have time to let it settle in and you're hardly alone. Besides there are… pleasures in the interim. Have you been back to the night court of late?" He asks curiously leaning forward and his leg lifting out stretching playfully tracing along Bastien's.

Bastien does not shy away from Marco's foot. He merely takes a sip of his wine. He terries slightly, "I have spent several hours in Lis D'Or, but that is more like running back home. I was convinced to attend the Rose Sauvage's Spring Blooming, but in truth, I arrived nearing its finale." He looks over at Marco, "You know, Marco, that the charm has been received both ways, right?"

Marco smiles, "Oh? What did you think of the bloomings? Any beautiful flowers catch your eyes? Perhaps we should both attend some salon together." He flushes and looks pleased, "I am…glad to hear it…You are far too beautiful. And I'm far too enjoying of such things. Perhaps… you'll tell me more of how you find my charms?"

Bastien chews on his lower lip and rubs the back of his neck, "I am not sure that the Rose Sauvage is for me." He blushes just slightly, "I think that I might be too delicate for their tastes." He chuckles slightly, "Perhaps… " He looks at Marco for a silent moment. "You do not need me to tell you how undeniably handsome you are, especially that smile of yours… the one that says you are alive and teeming with mischief…. that glint in your eyes that says that there is mroe depth there than you would like anyone to see."

Marco blinks, "Depth? Mmm the only depth to me I assure you is how delightful my smile is when you're sinking into the depths of my throat…or well other things." He says with a wink and he smiles, "Oh? So you're just thinking of my depths not the terrible things you want me to do to you?" He asks with a light pout.

Arching his brows for a second, Bastien looks at Marcos. "Nah, I think there is more to you than most people think. And that's okay. I like seeing part of you that others do not. Kind of like my own personal part of yours." He cocks his head to the side for a long moment, as he contemplates something. His pink tongue darts out and licks across the center point of his upper lip, "Oh, I didn't say that I haven't given that its fair share of consideration as well." He takes a slow, shallow drink of sweet red wine, "So, have you given it much thought?"

Marco shrugs his shoulders at that and smiles, "Well don't tell them. That should be our little secret. And I assure you I can be far more vapid than any give me credit for even if I have a useful mind at time." He says watching that tongue smiling and he sits up perking up squirming, "I… have. But it's hard for me. There are few times I see someone lovely and I don't imagine… depraved things." He admits, "Kneeling before them licking them…or seeing them squirming between my thighs."

Bastien smirks slightly, "It being my private part of you is what makes it best. I like having part of you that no one else does." He leans towards Marco, "So, is that all I am… a lovely face?" He sighs slightly melodramatically, "I suppose I can live with that."

Marco grins, "Well… I haven't seen much of you more than your face. Perhaps once I've seen more there is more of you that will distract my mind." He suggests.

Bastien laughs, "Well, I could show you more, but I believe that the guard might be called before I finished stripping completely." He glances around. "I don't think that this is that type of establishment, especially during the day." He grins impishly, "Besides I prefer dancing naked under the moonlight than under the biting sun."

Marco grins, "Perhaps I will find you in the gardens at the palace soon then. I would… I think enjoy that sight." He says and he admits and glances out, "Or perhaps next time we'll meet in an establishment more encouraging of stripping."

Bastien says rather calmly, "Either." He cocks his head for a scant moment, "Or both." Grinning, the young noble says, "After all, I do believe your deviancy was put in question at some point."

Marco smiles, "Oh? Was it? Well… I will have to address that." He grins playfully, "I hope I can rely upon your support in my pursuit?"

Bastien blinks, "I don't know… all I really have is rumors… mostly from your own lips. And while I am not saying that you are lying, I am not saying that you are not embellishing things a bit… So maybe you'll have to prove to me first." He grins impishly, "That is if you're… up for it."

Marco smiles, "A little embellishment never hurt anything." He grins, "What would you like me to prove? My depravity?" He asks and his foot rises pressing to Bastien again and smiles, "Well I've told you a few of the things I've imagined what do you imagine might mean depravity to you?"

Bastien reaches down and rubs the foot through the boot. He grins, "Well, that is certainly a good start." He lets his fingers work their way up the leg a little. "It certainly does give me something to look forward to."

Marco sighs happily pressing into that hand shivering as the fingers find his calves and he flexes lightly, "Tell me more of what you like? Do you perform often? Dancing in the moonlight?"

Bastien smiles a little contently, "In truth, I rarely perform. The competition was the first public performance… I had a miserable performance for Ortolette." He cocks his head, "Would you like for me to sing for you?" He chuckles. "I was only partially joking about dancing in the moonlight. I used to dance nude in my room with the window open at night. I always dreamed of dancing naked under the full moon in the Garden of Eisheth." He closes his eyes, "Singing and playing the lute as taken up the majority of my life for the last several years. It's practically all I know."

Marco smiles, "I'd love hearing you perform… singing or dancing." He smiles, "I look forward to seeing this." He admits and he sighs, "Mmm I would enjoy that sight might chase you through a garden."

Bastien starts humming softly and breaks into a soft, tenor's voice. He sings the song of a maiden, whose love goes off to sea, and she moans of her love while he is gone, and the joy upon his return. As he sings, the maiden's emotions rush over those listening to the song. From the tales of such, Bastien bears the gifts of a scion of Eisheth. Once he is done, he frowns slightly, "My apologies, Marco, it was hardly my best performance… " He smiles, "I will have to do a better job when I dance for you."

Marco smiles at the humming and smiles his eyes twinkling at the song. "Mmmmf…" He says sitting up licking his lips, "It's alright… I will look forward to the dance. ANd I enjoyed the song and the performance."

Bastien looks down and smiles, "Thank you, Marco. It means a lot that you enjoyed it. It truly does." By this point his fingers are plying the flesh around Marco's knee. "I can honestly say that no one outside of Lis D'Or has ever seen me dance, and even then few even then."

Marco blinks, "Truly? Will I be your first?" He asks playfully his thigh spreading his leg lifting against Bastien pressing and he shivers, "I should…go… but I will see you soon I hope?"

Bastien lets his hand slides down Marco's leg. "Yeah, I guess you will." He nods. "That is mostly up to you, Marco. I will look forward to it." He returns to his wine, taking a sip from it. His tongue sneaks out to swipe the taste from his lips. "Until then…"

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