Come Along, Come Along...

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

As time went on, so did Alejandro's restlessness. The fervor of a certain prince's actions were starting to fade, particularly with the departure of Princess Emmaline from the Festival. The preparations for relocating to Twinport were underway, but in all truth, there was little for a courtier to do. Yes, he could be having a meeting with Lady Rose, but ... he'd wait on that. Besides, he had done his political dancing about for the time being. Alejandro was a man of action rather than a man of words.

A letter had been sent to Carlos to Twinport, requesting that he prepare his armor for the coming joust and secure him a fine horse. This was in addition to ask for a report, more or less of how his men were behaving themselves and if there was any further news from home or the pirates at sea. Hopefully, nothing would be too amiss and he could follow through his plan.

What was that plan? Well, most exciting plans were best kept secret.

For now, he turned his focus on the lovely Lady Julia. With each conversation, with each encounter and with each gaze upon her exquisite form, Alejandro realized he wanted more and more. Alejandro found himself possessed by a man's desire for a woman, a duke's desire for an equal and a person of passion for his suitable foil and companion.

The evening meal came and went. The sun was settling in the west for its nightly slumber. The stars were emerging with promises of a clear night, though all knew the storms would soon be approaching. It was a perfect night to Alejandro. A perfect night for his little plan. The start of the plan was leaving a note with a rose upon it specifically addressed to Julia.

Fair Lady,

Come join me to marvel at the night. I am where you can not only admire the night sky and its glowing moon once, but twice.

A Charming Rogue

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

With apathy came a certain measure of recklessness in Julia. Freedom could be a heady brew, and now that she'd sipped from it, she found it rather to her taste. Keeping a distance from her parent until he departed for Twinport had not been too challenging, and knowing that her sisters were capable of tending themselves left Julia without too many tethers. She had decisions to make regarding her future, but those would be made soon enough. She could enjoy this brief respite from responsibility and simply wallow in the pleasures all too often denied herself.

Receiving the note, she brought the rose to her nose, drinking in its sweet fragrance. There could be no question of the author's identity, sparking a smile to her lips. A bold rascal he was, and a charming rogue. The man could be trouble, that much was for certain, but perhaps a little trouble was precisely what the doctor ordered for the Lady Julia. It was not as if she had a betrothed or a husband. She would not be wedding the Crown Prince. Unfettered meant she had only her father to answer to, and he was elsewhere.

Giving way to that urging towards recklessness and temptation, she seized a shawl and went in search of not only that charming rogue but the place whereby the moon and the stars could be gazed upon with appreciation twice in one night.


Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

The lake's surface was acting as a perfect mirror, fortunately for him. Had there been too much wind, the effect would be lost and the contents of his note rather silly. The moon was crystal clear in both places, as were the stars in the sky. It was all about the angle, however. The moon was high in the sky, thus one had to have a higher viewpoint to realize it. As such, the charming duke set up on one of the higher hills surrounding the lake. It was not far from the camp.

Should the lady need more of a hint, Alejandro had a torch staked in the ground to indicate his position and there were rose petals here and there along the path to the hill. There was a small chance that another could find them, but Alejandro was willing to take the risk. That was, after all, the point of life. The man had thought to bring a bottle of wine, but refrained. They would want both of their wits about themselves.

Or would they?

Dressed in fine, but comfortable clothing, the man waited patiently, smiling faintly at the reflection of the moon on the water.

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Silly the note might be, but Julia was enjoying the sensations invoked by her decision to throw caution to the winds. No doubt her father would do a double take at her choice to accept the invitation, her sisters likely to stare at her as if she'd acquired another head, but for now, the night was hers to do with as she pleased, and it pleased her to follow the trail left for her. The rose petals were a nice touch, confirming she was on the right path to the lake and the gentleman who awaited her atop the hill.

Gathering her skirts in hand, she spotted the torch with a faint smile. A beacon, was it? Deeming it such, she adjusted her path to one more direct as she began the slow and steady climb to ascend to his height. With the moon glowing above, reflecting in the shimmering waters, it promised to be a scene straight from a novel... if one or both didn't let acerbic tongues ruin it.

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

Alejandro heard her before he saw her. There was no need for her to mask her steps. She was not like that sneaky woman, Lady Vivianne. That woman could be as quiet as a mouse and could no doubt strike like a serpent when the occasion called for it. Lady Julia did not feel the need for such approaches to life. Turning about, he smiled as she came into sight and he approached while offering a hand.

Truly, Alejandro was pleased. He had been fully prepared for the possibility that she might not arrive. Yet, something had tempted her along. Whether it was him, a sense of adventure or mere curiosity, Alejandro did not know. He did not care. He was only pleased she was here. "And now the scene is truly complete. I do hate having such a lovely view all to myself. I cannot be that selfish!" The smile on his lips was playful.

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Julia was no spy, no sneak, but a proud, honorable woman. She had little cause to conceal her steps, particularly when she was invited to join him. Neither had anything to hide, at least on the surface. Approaching, she saw him and smiled slightly, accepting the gentlemanly hand offered to assist her in the final steps mounting the hill. The skirt of her gown made doing so a challenge, a nod thanking him for his courtesy.

As she landed beside him, a hand smoothing her skirts, Julia swept the area with an assessing, appreciative gaze. "It is indeed a lovely view, one I have not previously enjoyed. My thanks for the invitation, Your Grace." She smiled more warmly at him, amused at his charm. "I would not necessarily describe you as selfish, so on that point, I think you are safe."

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

"Lady Julia," he posed, he gestured toward the scenery before them, "We are away from the eyes of the Court and those that would rail against such a notion. Do you think we can dispense with formality and merely call each other our names? It'd be nice to put aside the titles, even if for a little while. Wearing the ducal coronet can be a little weighty from time to time. You'd think it was made of lead!"

He stepped back then, letting the moonlight bathe her features and he couldn't help but smile. "I am also faced with a difficult decision. Do I find you more lovely bathed in sunlight or moonlight? My life, you see, is fraught with difficulty." The smile was another amused one, "No, I may not be selfish but the temptation to be so is often strong."

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

His request made Julia ease back to study him for a moment, wondering just what mischief he was about. She preferred the barrier of formality, trusting it to him him in check, but knew that she'd have to risk it. "Very well, you may call me Julia. I have no nickname, as you're likely aware. And shall I call you Alejandro, Your Grace?" The final added formality was intended as little more than a teasing tweak of his temper, but she smiled to take any sting from the words. The night was too lovely to brook arguments between them.

Feeling him ease back, her brows rose at the unctuous flattery with which he spoke, though her lips threatened to betray her with their twitching. "I can see these decisions plague your very life away, and leave you shouldering a mighty burden indeed. As for temptation, aren't we meant to resist its siren call, rather than succumb?" He had already done so once, Julia recalled with a little too much clarity for her peace of mind, and debated whether she was prepared for a repeat of that auspicious occasion.

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

"I don't see you with a nickname. You are not the person for such. I cannot imagine calling you a Julie or a Jules." He shook his head. Those names did not suit her personality in the slightest. "No, you are a Julia, through and through. It is a lovely name, regardless and you bear it well. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about me comparing you to a jewel. That would be too akin for a pun to my liking."

He shook his head again, "If we were meant to resist them, then why are we exposed to them in the first place? To say such implies that it is a bad thing for us. To give into temptation? To give in beauty and pleasure? Why would that be a bad thing for our bodies?" It was interesting topic, to be certain and he was quite curious to as to her answer.

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

For a moment, Julia wondered if she was glimpsing the true face of Alejandro Cerevotos, or if this was yet another facet of his personality on display. A nod acknowledged his refusal to address her as anything other than Julia and that he intended to forego the pun on her name. "Thank you, I appreciate that. I have never found it an especially clever remark, in truth."

She tilted her head, her eyes raking over his face as he challenged her on the subject of temptation. Did he truly want her to answer that question? It was a weighted question whose answer might reveal much of both of them. Julia had no fondness for being exposed, yet courtesy demanded a response. "I believe too much of anything can be bad. And just because it is beautiful does not make it safe or healthy. Look at certain plants and fruits. Lovely they might be, but they can render a person ill or worse, dead."

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

"And I'm certain it's been quite overused. Makes you roll eyes but still smile politely, but on the inside you are groaning at the notion of it." Indeed, Alejandro did feel that the woman was a gem, but she didn't need to be described as such. There were plenty of other ways, fortunate. The language was a rich and diverse one.

Alejandro glanced toward the foliage just off in the distance, considering her words. She did make a very good point in that regard. "Then you agree that just the right amount can bring life to your soul and your very being? Let the fires burn hot and the energy expended?" He smiled at her, "Though, I agree. Too much burning and you run out of fuel. Or you may risk burning those you care about. Yet, that's a risk we take, isn't it? A risk in wanting to get close to someone, to show them who you really are."

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

A crisp nod lent her agreement to his words. "Precisely. I have other merits on which I prefer to be judged." Mere beauty was an accident of birth; her mother was a renowned beauty, and her father's strong features translated well in feminine form. Julia considered herself lucky on the physical aspects, developing her mind and wits instead.

"A balance is to what I refer, Alejandro." In deference to the evening, she spoke quietly. "Letting a fire burn too hot still means you get singed, or burned, but a controlled fire takes skill and planning. Risks are something to be taken in small measure, I believe. Choose unwisely, and disaster can befall you. Taken too often, you lose the thrill of a successful risk."

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

Ah, yes. She didn't really care to have her beauty complimented. Or rather, she didn't want to be identified solely for her beauty. Alejandro could understand that. He himself would be rather frustrated if people merely commented on his good looks and nothing else. This was a woman who wanted her strength and mind realized. "I really should challenge you to a chess game sometime. I think we would have a grand time. Have you played?" A hand was held out to her, wanting to take her closer to the ledge.

"That is true. You have to be careful about what risks you do take, but I think the greatest risk, no matter the circumstances are in trusting someone. It doesn't matter if you are trusting them as a friend, as a family member, or a lover, it is a great risk. Everyone experiences the pain of betrayal or rejection at some point in their lives, and yet, we still seek out those connections. It makes us a beautiful race, but a frustrating one, too." The smile grew.

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Beauty was an accessory, not a commodity. Julia knew of several less attractive young ladies in Demeria who had already made brilliant marriages simply on the basis of their dowries or the connections of their fathers. Admittedly, they were members of vassal houses rather than the ducal houses, but the point remained - reality dictated that beauty, like love, was a pleasant addition, but not a primary cause behind marriage. She was far too practical a young woman to be caught up in the foolishness of romantic or courtly love. That was left to her sisters.

She did, however, prize her intelligence. Perhaps it was a touch of St. Claire arrogance, but Julia considered herself on par with many of the noblemen in Demeria for intelligence. At his question, she smiled innocently. "I know the rules of the game. If you wish to play some time, I will endeavor to provide you with a stimulating game."

He did have a way of bringing back the point he wished to make, making her study him openly. Already, Julia understood that Alejandro Cerevotos was a man who lived for the risks he took; she merely had to remember his arrival in Demeria as evidence of that. He was also somewhat impulsive, but only when he stood to gain ground. That made him dangerous as well, and much as she attempted to deny it to herself, rendered him rather attractive to her. "I can agree with you on that point. I trust few who are not of my family, as you have no doubt observed. It is too easy to find yourself betrayed, and that is a risk I do not feel is worth taking."

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

The innocent smile was very interesting. Had he ever seen her give a truly innocent smile? He did not think so. Nothing was immediately coming to mind. That made him wonder just how skilled she was at the game. However, this did not deter him from wanting to find out. If anything, it made him all the more curious. "Something else to look forward with you." The smile was a playful one.

The woman seemed to initially hesitate. Alejandro circumvented that by reaching out to take hold of her hand and bring her closer to the ledge. The man was feeling a bit young in that instance, wanting to feel the night air and allow themselves to truly relax around one another. He had a feeling that Julia didn't know what to quite make of him. That made the night all the more fun! "Come. Sit with me." Arranging his trousers, he settled at the ledge and let his feet dangle over them.

"But when you do finally find someone worthy of your trust, it can be a beautiful thing. It's incredible," he said quietly, "You feel vulnerable, but so incredibly open and beautiful in a primal sense. It's hard to describe. It also makes it hard to get that feeling when you've been betrayed."

Lady Julia St. Claire