[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Qf3fchG.png[/img][/center][hr][sub][color=darkorange]Location:[/color] The Eye of the Beholder[/sub][hr][hr]

Elio smirked as he looked over at the woman – all pouting and puffed up like a displeased little bird. But her eyes stayed trained on him. 

[color=darkorange]“You mistake me for a man of generous spirit,”[/color] he said lightly. He tilted the bottle so it balanced against the table along its bottom rim, spinning it lazily. The firelight danced through the amber glass, casting its glow against the wood. It matched the flickering light in his eyes. His posture never changed from the unbothered slouch. [color=darkorange]“Unfortunately I never had the chance to develop such benevolence. Too baseborn, y’see.”[/color] 

Not like her. 

Elio finally let his eyes drift over her fully. Her vibrant hair, the fine embroidery of her scarf, her expensive coat… she’d walked the short distance from the stairs to the table like she’d had a book placed upon her head. She looked at him now with confidence, if a bit of wariness (and interest, if he was feeling cocky (he was)). Everything about her screamed upper class (though, they didn’t do much [i]screaming[/i] up there, did they? Too prim and proper to do much more than tut or trill. But Elio was willing to help the little bird find her voice, if she’d like).

But there – her hands. They were slim, delicate things, sitting atop her crossed arms. Thin lines of dirt sat beneath her nails, separating pink from white.

Elio met her gaze again, that amused, unbothered smile still on his face.

[color=darkorange]“Better to be selfish when you’ve got to work for what you have.”[/color] He wondered what would come first, her in his bed or a drink in his face. He really should order her one, he thought, just to make it more interesting. [color=darkorange]“I saw an opportunity, is all.”[/color] 

Elio finally shifted in his seat, leaning forward. His muscles worked slow and easy beneath his shirt, pushing him closer to this highborn woman as he held her gaze. Elbows propped on the table, bottle held loosely in his workman’s hands, the corner of his mouth quirked up as his smile widened. The chaos of the bar seemed to dull to a hum as his attention narrowed to this woman and the way the firelight stained sunset across her features. Elio’s voice was low and conspiratorial as he murmured –

[color=darkorange]“I just can’t stand the prick who tried to sit here.”[/color]

Mirth danced in his eyes as he watched her. Then he leaned back to that familiar slouch, tipping his drink back into his mouth again. 

Someone new slithered up to their table. Elio finally looked away from the woman to see the newly serpentine innkeeper greeting them, alcohol thick in the air around her. He raised an eyebrow. The tail was new, but Elio could at least recognize this Dawnhaven fixture, even if she didn’t know him. Had he really been so unremarkable in these last two months? There wasn’t a barkeep in the capital that didn’t know him on sight alone. A fair few had banned him. 

Had he lost his touch? He’d simply have to do a better job [i]making an impression[/i].

He met her gaze with a smile as she eyed him ([i]ha[/i]) and offered her greetings. Elio smiled as he raised his pilfered bottle up to the innkeep — not that [i]she[/i] knew how he’d gotten it. 

[color=darkorange]“I’m well familiar with your bar,”[/color] he said, voice smooth. He’d cut and laid the stone himself. He’d laid enough patrons out and laid the rest up. [color=darkorange]“Wonderful selection you have.”[/color] 

And then she was gone again, and once again it was just the two at the table. Elio took another slow drink from his bottle, feeling the heat finally start to buzz under his skin. He watched the crowd.

[color=darkorange]“Say I [i]did[/i] have a cure for whatever it is that ‘plagues’ you,”[/color] he said, still watching the other patrons. He tilted his head towards her, casting her a glance. Elio raised the bottle slightly towards her in offering – though she’d have to reach towards him to grab it.

[color=darkorange]“Proud thing like you… would you even take it?”[/color]

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[sub][color=darkorange]Interactions:[/color] Thalia Evercrest [@Qia], Syraeia Leela [@PrinceAlexus][/sub]