[color=lightgray][center][h3][color=4C93C2]Count Calbert Damien[/color], [color=LightSteelBlue]Cassius Vael[/color], [color=ffce00]Shahzade Munir al-Kadir[/color], [color=5486ae]Doctor John Williamson[/color] [color=4C93C2]Part 1[/color][/h3][/center] [hr] Count Calbert Damien had seated himself first at the table, expecting his son to follow. Instead of the blue suit he wore earlier, he was now dressed in an expensive black suit, his long hair perfectly laying down his back. With a smile on his face, he calmly picked up the menu and turned to glance over to the side, expecting his son to seat himself beside him. Cassius was not tailing his father as closely as the man had expected. No… Instead, Cas had stopped to chat up a hostess that had crossed his path shortly after they entered the establishment. He was a creature of habit after all. As he parted ways with the woman, she was left with a charmed smile and cheeks that were flushed with a rosy, red hue. His eyes turned back towards Calbert just as the man’s glance was searching for him. Making his way over to the table, Cassius took his seat next to the count. [color=LightSteelBlue] “I quite like the look of this place. It’s [i]almost[/i] too posh for my bastard blood…and yet there’s just enough rakish appeal to suit my tastes. [/color] Calbert met his son’s eyes and gave him a warning glance, despite the smile that graced his lips. Munir hopped out of the carriage, dressed in a suit that fit the setting of the evening. He took a moment to smooth out the coat of his suit and shook his hair out. For the evening, he chose to wear a simple black suit, matching black slacks and a cream colored shirt with the top two buttons undone. In terms of accessories, he also chose to be very simple. His hair was tied into a loose pony tail, secured with a small golden circlet engraved with the sigil of his house, but without any jewels. He also chose to wear a simple gold braided necklace with a small onyx scorpion pendant that is hidden underneath his shirt. Upon his entrance into the building, Munir gave the hostess a small nod and kept moving. [color=ffce00] “Count Damien. How refreshing it is to see you here. Allow me to get the first round of drinks for the table, in advance to what is surely to be a wonderful night of conversations amongst men. And you, sir. I do not believe we’ve met. I am Shahzade Munir al Kadir, pleased to be in your presence…”[/color] [color=4C93C2] “Your Majesty!”[/color] Count Calbert rose to give Munir a gallant bow. [color=4C93C2] “Shahzade Munir Kadir, the pleasure is truly ours. It is especially wonderful to be graced by your presence this evening.”[/color] He gestured to Cassius. [color=4C93C2] “And this is my son, Lord Cassius. “[/color] Cassius gave the Shahzade a charming, yet much more subtle bow than the one his father offered as he introduced himself. [color=LightSteelBlue] “The pleasure is all mine, Your Majesty. During my travels to the Alidasht I heard many tales about you and the royal family. To put a face to the name, and find myself standing among you this evening is quite the honor…I must say.”[/color] John’s arrival followed a few minutes after. A complete coincidence but how fitting is it that he wore the same outfit as when he found Violet with Calbert. Now he wondered if his arrangement tonight was predetermined, but oh well, John is going to have some fun with this. For now, he kept a neutral friendly face to both Munir and Calbert. [color=5486ae]“Good day, gentlemen. I see familiar faces.”[/color] John looked over to Munir. [color=5486ae]“Shahzade Munir. Peace be upon you. I hope you’re doing splendidly.”[/color] Seeing Cassius, John gave him a light bow. [color=5486ae]“I don’t think we’ve properly met. I am Doctor John Williamson of Varian. Though John suffices.”[/color] Calbert’s eyes fell swiftly on John like a hawk spotting its prey, but the pleased look on his face had not changed. In fact, the count had smiled at the doctor kindly as he allowed the conversation between the younger men to continue. Offering the good doctor a firm handshake, Cassius responded with a captivating smile of his own. [color=LightSteelBlue] “I remember you from the beach, doctor. It’s wonderful to fully make your acquaintance. I hope we are all prepared for whatever [i]gentlemanly[/i] escapades are in store for us this evening. I, for one, am quite ready for a drink.[/color] [color=ffce00] “Indeed.” [/color] Munir offered a short, but curt response. Munir raised his hand and hailed over a waitress [color=ffce00] “Please bring me a bottle of iced mead, and whatever libations these gentlemen requests” [/color] Turning his attention back to the table Munir continued [color=ffce00] “Please, at least for the event, dispense with the titles. We’re here as men, to have a conversation and share the joys of each other’s company. For the evening at least, I’m simply Munir, a man amongst men.’ [/color] [color=4C93C2] “Very lovely to see you again, Doctor.”[/color] Calbert finally greeted as well, wearing the same warm smile on his face as always. He turned his attention to a waitress, [color=4C93C2]“A glass of fine brandy, please, madam.”[/color] [color=5486ae]“Oh, I don’t think any of us are lacking gentlemanliness here.”[/color] John gave a mostly harmless and positive joke, as he accepted Cassius’s invitation, his handshake weaker than Cassius’s, but still firm. [color=5486ae]“Very lovely to see you again too in much better circumstances.”[/color] He greeted Calbert back with a genuine and charming smile. [color=5486ae]“An apple cider, please.”[/color] John made the order short without looking at the menu. Given their light bow before departure, they had it. Cassius greeted the waitress with a sly grin. The two shared a knowing glance as it was the same woman he had been chatting with upon entering the cabaret. Putting his menu down, his eyes traveled between each of the gentlemen at the table before giving his order. [color=LightSteelBlue]“Tonight feels like bourbon. And love, please bring the bottle.”[/color] As the waitress took her leave, Cas addressed the table once more. [color=LightSteelBlue]“A Prince, a Count, a Doctor, and a Bastard walk into a bar…sounds like the setup for a terrible joke.”[/color] He stated with an amused smirk. [color=ffce00] “I thought we were dispensing with any titles this evening, Cassius. Yes, our lives are as different as the drinks we’ve ordered, but we need not discuss that, I feel. We’re simply here to enjoy one another’s company, no?” [/color] Munir quipped, leaning back lightly against the finely appointed leather chair. Munir also took the moment to survey his surroundings, to take in the decor of the place. Back home, places like this would have light music playing from a live band, lively conversations being shared among patrons, drinks of all types being consumed and flavored herbs being smoked. Munir’s name, and his tab, at these establishments, were stuff of legends. Not simply because he is the prince, but also how he conducts himself. This specific establishment, while similar in decor and atmosphere, was unknown to Munir. He had been so focused on one specific person these past few days that he did not really take the time to familiarize himself with the sights and sounds of the city. [color=LightSteelBlue]“Of course, Munir. It was but a humorous thought. In truth, I am glad those of us from different worlds can gather here and simply enjoy a nice drink as well as the comradery that comes with it.”[/color] Cassius quipped back. [color=LightSteelBlue]“Speaking of comradery…shall I offer some congratulations? I believe I read in the paper that courting season is going rather well for one Munir Ibn Raif al-Kadir, is that correct or just more tabloid rumors?”[/color] By this time, the waitress had quietly dropped off their drinks of choice. Munir picked up a glass of iced mead and took a small, but still very refreshing, sip. [color=ffce00] “Mm. It’s just rumors, I assure you. I’m here just to enjoy the season and all that it has to offer.” [/color] Munir responded with a dry smile. Setting his drink down, Munir continued [color=ffce00] “I must say, having ventured North on my father’s orders, this trip thus far has been eye opening. All this Northern hospitality, and the beauty, you know what I mean. “[/color] Munir finished with a sly smirk. John’s drink was dropped off, but he took out his handkerchief and cleaned his hand, then he leaned his cheek on his hand holding the handkerchief.[color=5486ae]“I’m glad to know you are impressed, Munir. I too am impressed, even as locals. The terrain is like that in myths and fairy tales, without the unicorn, the fairies.”[/color] Only then would he take a sip of his cider. [color=5486ae]“Have you passed by my hometown, Kolonivka?”[/color] After giving Munir a knowing smile and wink in understanding, Cassius cut in with gentle enthusiasm. [color=LightSteelBlue]“Ah, Kolonivka. I spent time there during the solstice. There are few things more magical than a proper Varian celebration. Never saw the spirits myself, but that feast was special.”[/color] He commented, leaving out the fact that he had been there on a contract with the Wolves to subdue and interrogate a rather vile human being that ended in the man finding himself in a rather icy grave. [color=ffce00] “Mm. Yes. No, John, I have not been to Kolonivka. I do wish to make a trip there sooner rather than later. Such wild country, what with all the snow and wind. That begs the question. Have you gentlemen been to the Land of Sand and Sun?” [/color] Munir said after taking a small sip of his iced mead, the cooled honey wine flowing through his chest, bringing about a sense of joy and the taste of sweetness. At the mention of Kolonivka, Munir did his very best to hide his frown, having recently been through the ordeal with Mina and Count Sebastian… [color=5486ae]“Hmm, glad to hear we have been treating you well.”[/color] John said, letting the flow of the conversation dry up his throat a little more. [color=5486ae]“Not yet, but your openness has been encouraging me to take a personal visit myself, although…”[/color] He swirled his hand, gesturing towards his overly stuffed attire. [color=5486ae]“I’d imagine I would need to be more careful.”[/color] His jokes aside, [color=5486ae]“I’m planning a vacation there to coincide with their, I believe it’s called, Sands of Unity Festival. I’ve heard that scientists of both our kingdoms are predicting a comet coinciding either in the evening of Ventu 15 or early morning of Ventu 16.” It would also be a great time to be learning about Alidasht astronomy. Their desert lands were home to a lot of beautiful astronomical events.[/color] [color=LightSteelBlue]“And as for me…”[/color] Cassius stated, beginning to answer Munir’s question. [color=LightSteelBlue] “I have graced the Alidasht with my presence a few times over the years. The natural beauty of your land is almost unparalleled in my humble opinion. And the good doctor is right…I spent a few months under contract quelling a trade dispute that turned far bloodier than necessary, and even amongst that chaos I could not help but be in awe of that magnificent desert sky every night as I laid my body down.”[/color] [color=ffce00] “Under contract you say. You’ve stopped some bloody trade disputes? While I’m glad you were in the employ of someone else, I wish you had brought that to the attention of the law enforcement we have in place in Alidasht, Mr.Cassius Vael.” [/color] Munir said, tone slightly different as it seems to him that Cassius implied that he had killed folks during his quelling of the bloody trade dispute. However, given the current atmosphere, Munir left the matter at that, deciding not to pursue it further. [color=5486ae]“You seem quite the traveler, Mr. Cassius. Quite a negotiator too.”[/color] He said, laying his cheek on his palm. [color=5486ae]“May I ask what you do exactly?”[/color] The doctor was also curious about the Bastard label he gave himself earlier too, but he decided to keep quiet on that for now. [/color]