"The Delorme"
(The following was taken from live play.)


Down closer to Dockside the air began to change. The wind blew in off the coast, and the sun wasn't quite so hot. Dyarhk got away with tailored pants today; black. A white dress shirt cleverly wrinkled, wavey, breathable and in desperate need of ironing completed the look. But the wood-shining derbies on his feet did steal a particular piece of the flair. His jet black locks loomed over, hunched at his forehead. His walk sad, slow and uneventful. But his face fervently fought anything sad as he walked. He brushed paths with a few merchants closer to where he went on his tea-drinking deathwish to pay homage to an old tradition. Shady shoppes, that way. But it wasn't where he'd be heading.
His hands remained pocketed and he headed the other direction. The neon-lit gas lights that wrote Olivier's in script hoisted just over a green awning shelter. Red carpet underneath that. Dockside's own hidden little jewel.

The Siovanui popped into Rhy'Din.. and not in the spot she hoped for. Granted the feeling of nothing below her feet as she appeared in the air. Gravity being the evil mistress it is ? she'd drop. Boot covered feet touching down onto the ground while knees gave a small bend to take the landing. Lips pursed in annoyance, the Liltu portal holders have been slacking lately; blame the weather. Seirichi wore a simple outfit, like always. T-Shirt that read ''I have the body of a god'' with a picture of the chubby buddha. The rest of her outfit consisting of faded denim jeans and those nikes. The portal makers, though off their mark, at least put her in front of the restaurant.. just it seemed she came a bit early as Dyarhk wasn't there to meet her. Lips parted to let loose a small huff. The Siovanui would just have to wait.. and wait she did. It wouldn't be long before Dyarhk arrived.

He was in no ballroom, but it was a testament just to his shoes that they sounded like he were in one with every step he took. Pearle DeCausey, a fashion guru and artisan tailor of old, tried to keep him in the loop as far as class was concerned. The farmhand known as The Palliator still put his own spin on it. He approached this diamond in the ruff. But it was not the restaurant, but the woman standing outside it. Dyarhk inadvertently caught pleasant scent of his own cologne he'd slapped on his neck just that morning getting ready. Faint enough to stay hidden for the remainder of its short life. But the woman got him catching it with that deep breath he took. He stepped under the shade of the shelter and onto the fine red carpet that was so regularly cleaned, exchanged for another, and orderly maintained. Those long sleeves fed into his pockets where swarthy hands were sure to be. Rocking; slow. On those fine shoes. ?Waiting long?"

Brow rose at the sight before her. "Nice outfit." Then a shake of her head with an offered smile. "Nah. Not long. Just popped in a few minutes ago."

He smirked. "I just wish my shoes were as cool as yours." standing on one foot a moment, then back down. "Good. I was afraid not coming together would've been bad. But I do enjoy a walk. Get to see who's out. What they are doing. I should have asked you along, now that I think about it. All those night patrols you do. Or do you not enjoy all that observation?"

As the comment about her shoes came; a kick of the heel would knock against the ground before she took a step forward on them. Hands sliding behind her back to grasp one another while body leaned over just a bit. "Weeell.."
Dragging out her words somewhat while standing straight once more and shifting about. "Sightseeing isn't exactly that fun for me. People-watching coming up next to it. But you gotta' do what you gotta' do." A soft laugh let out. "Are we going to stand here all day or are you going to buy me lunch?"

"Of course I'm going to buy you lunch. Of course I'm going to wine and dine you. Of course I have to catch up to all this romancing Corea and Mia have been giving you. This old fool's gotta get himself back onto the leaderboard. Come on. You're wasting time!" taking her by the arm to point her where he wanted her (facing the front door) so he could take hold of that arm with his left hand now, and her right shoulder with his right hand, leading her inside.
The man spoke with some lot of confidence, he did. Like it wasn't him that shot the breeze so long, often, and unnecessarily. He was a talker. He used his words far more than any of his other tools, and mostly first before them as well. 'Nothing couldn't be solved by a well-spoken man,' he believed. But a story for another time. Inside that endangered species of a high quality restaurant entrance they walked. A door you would by first glance swear was a dark red, but upon closer inspection it could be interpreted by even someone unaccustomed to wood as a very fine, long-lasting oak. The red symbolizing the liveliness; the life still in the wood. A fine thing, regularly treated and cared for, just like the carpet. And, one of the reasons children were not allowed at Olivier's. Too many classic and expensive things, this door firstly, in place specifically, respectfully, for its customers. The respect was not yet appreciable for a certain age. Like the legal age of taking responsibility for your actions, you could eat here when you were 18. It preserved the romantic atmosphere.

Perhaps then, it wasn't the best place he could have taken Seiri to. But Dyarhk planned things out. Not fully, but to a certain extent. He could not predict what Seirichi would do. But he was prepared to amend anything that she may. An apology, words to make it right, and the man's own word, his bond. It was not much, but it was a powerful thing. And something that the owner here could appreciate. Dyarhk looked around the dark-lit room despite the daylight hour. The air-conditioning loving the fabric of their clothes and their exposed skin even more. Moderated to just that right chill. He placed his hand adoringly on the counter immediate by the entrance. A similar wood as the door only much darker and reflective. There a man looked up to them. A familiar face. Francois, Olivier's right-hand man.

"Dyarhk. Seirichi. A pleasure to have you both again. Would you like an intimate table?"

"Francois, that is just what we are here for. Thank you."

"Corea? Romancing me? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Another laugh. Though the mention of Mia would cause Seirichi to reflect on the woman. She hadn't been able to spend much time with her since winter came to Adenna. Off and on ? much like the time she spent going out with Corea. Her duty to Adenna was just pushing more and more into her social life.. but she had to remember; her mother went through the same thing, so she didn't exactly go into the job not knowing this. Thumbs hooked at her jean pockets as she followed Dyarhk inside. Pricy, expensive, breakable. That's what she thought with a glance about the restaurant. Dyarhk really was bringing a bull into a china shop right now.. but it's not like something would happen to make her fly off the handle, right? Things just seemed far too relaxed right now for that. Hand rose as their names had been called and gave a friendly wave to the speaker.

"Yo."

"But of course,? Francois began, replying to Dyarhk in kind. ?Seirichi, as usual, you stunt the beauty of our female clientele effortlessly." Handsomely commenting on the way she dressed. And he did a fine job of it. He grabbed two long and thin leatherbook menus and led them through the very minimally-occupied restaurant. Three parties of two, one of the pairs being spread out from the other two. All of them presumably lovers. It was a safe presumption, too, if they were eating at Olivier's.

Dyarhk helped guide the bull through the china shop until they arrived at one of the classier tables. Smallish for two people, but only two people who needed tremendous, excessive space. Eliminate that, and the table was quite spacious, as was designed. It had room for two persons' meals and anything they might order within some reason. Dyarhk walked over to a chair and pulled it out and waited. An open palm gave the seat further instruction to Seiri, the ill-acquainted with etiquette, while Francois struck a longmatch with great method and lit the crystal-vased candle in the center of the table.

"You know it." Bright smile offered in response to the words of praise. Sure, she looked a little out of place.. not little ? more like a lot. Those around her dressed for such a well established restaurant; but Seirichi? She felt comfortable like this.. and if she was going to eat? She'd rather feel comfortable over showy. Stepping calmly behind Dyarhk as she followed the two of them toward that waiting table. A perked brow shooting to the older man as he pulled out her seat. Then a raise of her hand to brush brown locks away while she moved closer. Opposite hand reaching out to give Dyarhk's shoulder a few nice pats before she finally settled herself down in the chair.
"Oo.. Swanky." At the lighting of the candle. "You got one of those violin playing guys too? That do it by the table?"

As Seiri had been led through the forest of an unknown region, a sense of being lost may have otherwise taken her. Not her ideal setting or environment. But she was not lost, despite the misplacement. Those handsomely dressed shoulders of the black-haired man were her beacon through this wood, and a sight ahead of her she'd seen for many years. Some things were a solid truth. And one of them had been following those broad shoulders. It never felt more comfortable.

"Unfortunately Madame our usual violinist has the day off." Francois riled a laugh out of Dyarhk. One the three other parties looked offended by. Lastly, he took his own seat and placed his adoring touch upon his laid menu before him.

"I actually think we are ready to order. For Seiri, if you would get her your finest ribeye. I will have a six ounce one with a salad. Two slices of velvet cake for us... and if you would please bring me your whiskey menu." he handed the menus back up to the man.

"Oh, of course. I will get them started right away on your meals." He bowed his head, menus tucked under his arm just as Dyarhk was bridging his fingers and his chin atop them. He vanished down the hall that led to the ?nests? of luxury beddings that overlooked the seaside outdoors. A very intimate dining space, but also a very different type of intimacy. Dyarhk was blending this afternoon, and the blend had to be exact. His eyes showed the seriousness at which he took this dinner. But ballsier than that, they showed how calm and comfortable he was in his own confidence. He wasn't worried one bit. His eyes reading every detail about Seiri they could without looking like it.

"You are okay?" he routinely asked.

Maybe it was the way she was looking about that caused the question to be asked. Eyes looking to those sitting about them at their own tables, doing their own thing. It made her realize that Mia hadn't exactly took her out to some place like this before as well.. Then again, the both of them liked being comfortable.. and this place? It was putting the woman a little on edge. Eyes darting back to Dyarhk as he asked his question; one that was given a soft smile in response. "Yeah, I'm fine.. Just feeling a little out of my zone, you know? It's like I'm at the ball or somethin'.. I should of wore a dress."

"You heard the man. You're enough of a threat to these princess-dressed women just in the clothes you're in. The legend your name's starting to fall gradually into... it's not just your strength people talk about." "It's your beauty." is how he would have finished. But leaving the blanks in sometimes enriched the message. And with Dyarhk's age, you spared your words sometimes. You made people listen to you all the more attentively because your words were rarer. It was one of the ways he had matured. But unquestionably, the child still dwelt within him. The child that made others comfortable when they, to put it simply, weren't. "Look at me. I look like I was just tossed through a vent fan. So you're not alone."

"Tsk.. Can't see why people would be talking about me here in Rhy'Din.." Even though she had seen the little bit about her in one of those gossip columns. Something she would have overlooked normally if it wasn't for Corea bringing it up to her. "Yeah.. we both looked pretty sh*tty, huh?" Brows rose as lips curled into a smile once more. Laughing out, a bit loudly, because of it. Glances coming her way were ignored while eyes kept their focus on the man sitting across from her. "You ever eat their dinner plates here before? Like.. is it good? I mean for the price and all."

"This looks good." Francois said, rolling out their food on a white-clothed cart. Both their steaks swam in a tiny pool of barely blood-tinted natural juices and smelled positively fantastic. Pinches of mint leaves garnished their cuts of meat and were sat before them. Their velvet cake slices sat to their topright plate regions, and two whiskey nosing glasses were sat before them. "If there is anything else you need."

"Naaah.. you're just excited to tell anyone that you know the great Siovanui, Seirichi." Snickering out at her own ego. "Joking, joking." But saving face in the end. She leaned back more to relax against that chair. "What else are you telling people? About the time you chased me around the house when I was younger and broke the lamp?" It was really her who broke the lamp.. but the story they gave to her mother had been completely different. "Niiice." Rubbing palms together at the sign of food. "Can I have some steak sauce?" Speaking out.

"I thank you, Francois. I think we are good." Watching the man go while he fitted a fork and knife into his hands. He looked over to the table at Seiri. "You know. How good of a mother you are. A friend. Those are the kinds of things I told him." He would have liked to have said more. He intended to. But he didn't. He shook his head and pointed to her steak with his fork. "Don't insult the cut, Seiri. Try it without, first."

He took the first bite of steak and swallowed it sensually. It was that damn good. Then, he was picking up that bottle again and looking over it. Obviously contemplating what Olivier had suggested. "Man said have it with dinner..." thumbing over the paper wrapper that was the only protection between finger and plastic lid.

Half-lid expression was given Dyarhk's way. She always ate with sauce, it added more to the taste.. and she liked it. Still ? she would have normally questioned it, but this time she'd keep her lips zipped. Looking down at the meat that was said to be too good for sauce. Shoulders shrugged and she began to dig into her food. Taking a cut of meat between her lips and giving it a chew.. Okay, it tasted good; not just good, great.. but she still would of liked the sauce. A point of her fork given to Dyarhk. "Are you going to pour it or what? Wine and dine.. You said it, right? Well, hook me up.."

"Alright. Alright. Just trying not to break this damn thing." he muttered and placed the coiled wrapper on the tabletop and then twisted the lid off. There it was. The opened bottle of priceless liquid. He wouldn't smell it yet. He carefully.. carefuuuuully poured the flute-like whiskey glass to its teardrop fat-bottomed portion and then did the same for Seiri's glass. He waited until they both had it in their hands before he decided to question her. "You know how to drink that, right?"

This only caused her to blink. "... Dark, really?" Eying him. "Am I supposed to like.." Thinking back for a moment. A smile found her lips, one that asked if he was being serious with his question.. but knowing Dyarhk ? he was. "Am I supposed to give it a sniff and sip it slowly?"

He shook his head. "Wine is children's games compared to this. It's a completely different ballgame. You don't just smell it. You come back," He sniffed it. "You say Hello to it," he sniffed it again. "How are you," he sniffed it again. "Quite well," he sniffed it again. "And thank you very much," he looked at Seiri like that was it. "A lovable old handsy Scottish fellow taught me that." He wasn't even going to take a sip of his. He was going to babywalk Seiri through hers first.
"Now... once you've done that. Take a big mouthful... keep it in the middle of the tongue," he waited for her to do so. "See the intensity of the flavor? Keep it there. Keep it there. Keep it there. Okay, now, swallow. And take a big... deep breath." staring at her like he'd just been asking her to do something so emotionally committing like pose nude.

".................." Deadpanned look was given. Her brow twitching everytime he moved to sniff it.. again, and again, and again. Seirichi looked down to her own glass, then back to him. "... Ooookay."

He was crazy. Looney. Maybe they should stop off at a mental hospital on the way back to Adenna.. but ? more importantly, did she do what he told her to? Yes. She sniffed it.. again, and again... Then she dipped her head back and took what could be called a ``big mouthful``. Another twitch of the eyebrow.. and then she'd swallow. She looked to the glass. Inspecting it a few moments and what was left of the drink inside, then to Dyarhk. ".. I don't get it." Stick in the mud and no fun at all. Seirichi wasn't the best pal for these things.

He laughed and then clapped his hands together.

".. You know I hardly drink so I can't really appreciate this like you can."

"Oh Seiri. I'd love to have you in a drawing room filled with well-dressed smokers. We could play some great pranks." Lastly, he smelled the glass, his nose practically in it. Then he did the same as Seiri and took a big mouthful. Swallowed. And chased it with the very bottom of his glass. "Alright. Let's even ignore the taste for a moment. You saw how... painfully hard it was for him to pass this over to us. I wouldn't drink it with anyone I didn't think of, or more, like the woman he described back to us. You're worth the very best, Seiri. And though I hadn't planned this, at all... The fact still stands." he held his glass out to her before sitting it down.

Swirling her own glass about as she watched him drink from his own. Lifting the glass up and moving to finish it.. till he spoke of such a thing. ".. Sh*t.." Mumbling softly under her breath while lips curled once more into a smile. "Why'd you have to go and talk like that?" Tilting the glass right after to take in the rest of its contents and swallowing back without much of a pause to hold in the taste. Glass returned to the table, and soon enough did her elbow. Chin resting down against open palm. Eyes locked onto Dyarhk. ".. Anyone ever tell you that you sweet talk too damn much?" Smiling with her words.

The second chase was with a bite of steak. He chewed it around and closed his eyes. So many things in too short a period tasted too good. Togetherness. "Yes." simple answer.
He opened his eyes back and found those gray ones just the short way across the table. "Earlier... I was trying to say. I have been meaning to tell you something... and that's that, I'm glad to be back in Adenna. Closer to you and the kids."

Two smaller glasses poured. The cap screwed back on the bottle.