The Bird and the Cat

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

Laurent took it as a good sign that he was making her laugh. Fortunately, it was not exactly at him, but with him. As cold and evil sounding the family description was, Carissa was not meeting any of those expectations. Such qualities made him feel more calm and at ease around him. He could be his true self, even if that got him into trouble from time to time. "Well, they do say that the truth can come from the wine, and I am prescribed to the more optimistic interpretation rather than the cynical."

He gave her a speculative look. "Well said, my lady. I may have to take that advice, even though I believe my elder brother follows that particular credo with his all his heart. Do you recommend moderation in such a pursuit?"

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

She smiled, averting her gaze for a few minutes' thought. Carissa could all too easily hear Rupert's voice in her ear, urging caution and a level of distrust for this charming and handsome young man. No one of the Court, he often said, possessed pure motives, not even the high and mighty de Lacs. "I always recommend moderation, my lord. It is never prudent to lose one's head or wits in excess of any kind."

Carissa shifted to study him lengthily - in another woman, it might be construed as a seductive gaze, but her blue eyes were too frank to be mistaken as such - before she smiled impishly. "And I do prefer being witty, don't you?"

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

Fortunately or unfortunately for Carissa, Laurent was a man that was a bit clueless when it came to women. He was well aware of his attractiveness, but when it came to the feminine appreciation of such, he could be helpless. The fact that she gazed at him for so long, however, gave him some hope. "Ah, quite true, regardless of our stations. I have seen many a person lose a great deal for a few moments of pleasure, no matter how wonderful."

"Wit has its uses," he confessed, "But so does the tangible interaction with an agreeable person." Did he really just say that?

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

He did, and it brought her amusement to bear. "Agreeability is not normally considered one of my virtues, Lord Laurent. Does that put you off, or merely intrigue you all the more?" After all, she was one of those dreaded, sinister de Veres, the head of a family of known vipers, surely he felt some reservations at lingering in her presence and speaking so openly to her.

He was not her usual partner in the game of verbal mumbletypeg, however, making the conversation all the more interesting and worth the pursuing. Granted, it was a dangerous game to play, but life was all the better lived for danger spicing the aire.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Oh, I think you'll find I am very intrigued," he countered smoothly. Why he was doing this, he didn't know. Actually, yes. He did know. He was doing it because he wanted to. His sister and brother may detest the family for what they are, but Laurent believed in giving people chances to prove themselves.

Laurent felt confidence surge within him, but he did not let it get to his head. "And I imagine you're equally intrigued with me. So, here we are, two intrigued individuals. Whatever shall we do?"

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Studying the young man - not so young, really, he was likely at her age or perhaps a year or so older - Carissa smiled faintly to herself. It was admittedly a bit bizarre to flirt with him, knowing their respective houses were completely at odds, but it also gave her a tiny seed of hope that the feud could be settled and peace restored. "I have to confess, I do have a fair amount of interest where you are concerned. The question is a good one, but also I have to wonder," she looked up at him through the fringe of her lashes, "how high a price we might pay for pursuing these intrigues, respectively and collectively."

Much as she hated to douse them both with cold water, there was no escaping the grim reality of their situation. "Though truth compels me to add, there is unmistakable appeal in playing the secret card."

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

Ah, the inevitable downside to being a noble. Reality always had a tendency to creep in and ruin the moment. Laurent could hardly fault her, of course, for bringing it up. She was not just any noble lady, she was a duchess. Laurent was about to make a practical argument when she brought one up herself: the secret card. The thought of keeping a secret from his family was at first, revolting. Then he realized that it had been a rather long time since he had had something wholly to himself.

"I do agree with that appeal," Laurent found himself, moving on impulse to pick up her and lightly press a kiss upon the knuckles. "Life is an unfortunately short experience for us all. Time spent wondering how things might have been sounds ... unpleasant."

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

"And you are not fond of anything unpleasant. Who could be?" Keeping her tone light, Carissa offered no resistance when he drew her hand to his lips, gracing her bare knuckles with a brush of his lips. For one who had been absent from Court for some time, Laurent de Lac was clearly a natural courtier. A hint of amusement entered her smile as the banter continued unhindered, despite the less than subtle reminder of the reality they shared.

"As for secrets, I've found they can be a good thing, especially when that pesky reality compels the truth to remain hidden for a time due to..." she halted, seeking out the appropriate word, "unfortunate obstacles that need to be overcome but are serious enough that they won't be easily nor swiftly overcome, you might say."

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

What an interesting turn the conversation had taken. He had no way of predicting this outcome, but he was nonetheless pleased. He had a feeling that his family would not approve, but he had to look out for his own happiness in this regard. Laurent worked very hard to keep the smiles upon his siblings' faces, especially in light of how his mother behaved. Now it was time for him to find his own reasons to smile. Carissa, it seemed, certainly knew how to make him smile.

Laurent nodded in approval of her words, "Tell me, Lady de Vere, do you have an appreciation of food that brings life to the palate? Particularly of such foods that are best shared than savored by oneself?"

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Neither family was likely to approve the mild flirtation in the form of a conversation that had been struck up between Laurent and Carissa. Certainly they weren't going to be happy to hear she'd actually enjoyed the man's company and intended to enjoy it in the future. It was one of the few times where she was glad to be the head of the House and answerable only to the King. Seeing him smile made her own return, and so why not pursue what interested her along the road of resolution? Perhaps she had more than her share of the de Vere recklessness to her after all.

A soft smile bloomed at his question. "As a matter of fact, I do. Flavors to me are like dances. Each is unique and they require appreciation, the moreso for being enjoyed in excellent company. Preferably with wine to join with it. What of yourself, Lord Laurent?"

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"I very much prefer to enjoy wonderful food in the company of others, particularly those I find agreeable. "Perhaps, then, you should join me for dinner in a few nights. I need time, of course, to prepare a menu to excite the both of us. But, would you care to set the theme of the meal? I will take the care of the rest, including the location."

The location, of course, would be well away from prying eyes and wagging tongues.

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Such a temptation set before her could not be resisted, try as she might. Carissa was only a human woman, and for once, it was nice not to be judged as one of the vipers of de Vere, only an attractive woman who shared common ground with an attractive men.

"A theme? Perhaps the fruits of summer would be fitting, seeing as we're enjoying a particularly fine season?" She had no doubts they'd find a discreet location in which to meet and enjoy their feast.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"The fruits of summer," he echoed the thought and chewed on it for a moment. A slow nod followed. "I agree with that. I know where I can find some of the exotic fruits, too." It would be a fun meal, that much was for certain. He even had some ideas for complementary items, as well. The smile was anticipatory. "I shall make the arrangements. Perhaps a few days time?"

Once he received her answer on the date, he picked up her hand once again and pressed a kiss upon it. This time around his eyes never left hers. "I must be going, but I'll send you a note. A pleasure, my Lady. A true pleasure." The hand was released, he turned and walked off the terrace.