In tow, following in Taneth's wake, they left the Inn and walked down the porch steps. Slipping up along side the bouncy blonde, he placed his hand to the small of her back again, lightly guiding her to the area near the alley where he'd parked the Austin-Healey. Forest green with tan leather interior and right-hand steering, he opened the left side door and helped her into the passenger seat. "It's a nice night out tonight, let's do this right, huh?" Proceeding to unlatch the ragtop, opening the driver's door and climbing in with a raffish grin, he let his gaze linger a moment in admiration, hand at the ignition. "You look good in here, petite."

The engine turned over with a well-tuned purr, and he shifted the car into gear, wheeling onto the road then slowing to allow a coach and four the right of way. This was nice, he reflected. It had been a long time since he'd just gone out on the town with a companion. Plenty of sweat-tossed nights and still-dark morning farewells, but dinner, conversation and dancing" No, that was something the "old man" frowned upon. Familiarity was dangerous. At the thought of his employer, his face darkened and full lips pulled a brief scowl.

"So, this Tasha gave you some mace" That was she the other night, right, the silver-haired elf" She looking out for you, ch're, afraid I might get a little too frisky?" His chuckle rumbled from his chest, warm and merry like the twinkle in those sky-clear eyes as they drove through Rhy'Din's night streets towards the University area and the College Green district.

Her blush was sweet, and Rafe smiled. That smile slipping to a sidelong grin as she spoke of the mace. "You have nothing to fear from me this night, petite. Just fun, food, and foot stomping."

The lights of College Green came into view and the rubber of the Austin-Healey's tires whined low along the asphalt as he down shifted. With her cloak's opening, he took his gaze from the road a moment, tucking his chin and skimming a look along her seated form. "I cannot wait to see the whole of that dress, ch're." Cerulean eyes flashing hungered for a moment he licked full lips, changing gears again as they climbed a hill. The neon glow off the entertainment quarter just up ahead of them.

"This little beauty came with my job, petite; a perk of my employment. The gentleman I work for is a very generous sort. I thank you for your kind words; I do enjoy the way she....handles." A rapacious grin growing wide on his tanned and stubbled face. "So, tell me, petite, how long have you been in Rhy'Din, and where were you hiding your loveliness before that?"

Rafe drove them along the main drag, caf's, clubs and bistros on both sides, down alleys and side streets; his chuckle rolling deep as questions came at him rapid-fire. "Your second home" Hmmm....Beautiful and mysterious." The engine of the Austin-Healey dropped to a rumbling purr with another down shift, its motion slowing as Rafe turned into a side street, slipping to a spot at the curb opposite a corner building with a flashing neon sign stating its name: "Delacroix's".

"Haha, petite you are a wonder!" Opening his door and closing it, he moved around to the passenger side and opened it, holding out a tanned hand to help Taneth from her seat. "I promise you, ch're, I will answer all I can of all you ask."

Cool fingers wrap around Taneth's as she steps out, and in a breath, Rafe has her pulled to him so their bodies touch. Her hand still held fast, cerulean blue eyes gaze down ravenously into grey-blue, his voice a throaty rasp as he dips his head, turning her hand over to place a heated kiss into her palm. "For the nice eyes compliment, petite."

Releasing her hand and stepping back, his own slides along the front fender of the Austin-Healey. "All beautiful, powerful, and complicated things are referred to as 'she", ch're. You up for some great food and even better dancing?" A nod over to Delacroix's as he descends the curb to the street, reaching back to take her hand again.

"You are right, ma petite, that is a great dress for dancing." Cerulean eyes took in the whole of her, lingering appreciatively on the length of her legs. Her hand in his, he lifted that hand and twirled her around once as they crossed the street to Delacroix's. "As for keeping up with you? I do believe I am up to the challenge, ch're." Once more his chuckle rumbled from deep in his chest and sky-clear eyes sparkled with mirth.

Up onto the opposite curb, he held the door open for her. Inside was a riot of color from neon signs, strings of christmas lights, and all manner of things hanging about ceilings and walls. There were stuffed and rubber alligators, plastic crabs in nets, fish on plaques, fake pelicans on upright logs, strings of colored beads, fleur de lis in all manner of presentation, black and white photos of coastal scapes and unfamiliar faces dressed in glittery costumes; all lending a carnival-like atmosphere to the large area. And the smells! Exotic spices, heady aromas of sauces and seafood, hot peppers and smoke fires bathing the air about them as they entered.

A giant of a man with a considerable girth slapped Rafe on the shoulder, smiling, nodding to another male with pointed ears and purple and gold hair who nodded back and held up two menus. Rafe took up Taneth's hand once more and followed after the waiter just as a five piece band mounted the stage area that took up the entire back wall beyond a huge dance floor.

Keeping her close as they wove through the crowd seated among the other tables and chairs overlooking the dance floor, Rafe spoke intimately against her ear. "I was dying for some crawfish "touff?e one night and decided to visit this section of town. I had never been here before and soon came upon the most wonderful scent wafting down the streets. It led me to this place and the most excellent trout meuniere amandine I have ever tasted."

Pulling out a chair for Taneth as the waiter showed them to the best table in the house, one with a front and center view of the stage just at the railing above the dance floor, Rafe leaned over as she sat and brushed his lips along the curve of her neck. The touch was brief but heated, and his words found her ear once again. "I do not know why we have not met before, ch're, but I am awful glad we finally have."