Topic: Tea and Gossip (Rated E)

JewellRavenlock

Date: 2006-10-02 16:00 EST
It was the day after Skyler's challenge to the Overlord Cory that Jewell got herself all dressed up and went to pay a visit to Longden Castle. It was a bit of a risk for her to go visiting their during the day--her bff might be sleeping, after all--but she just could not wait to have a chat with her!

She stepped out of her carriage before the castle, looking it over with a faint nod of approval; Tara certainly knew how to pick her homes. Usually the girls met up at the clubhouse to fulfill their tea party and gossip needs but a formal visit paid by one Lady Jewelsie Ravenlock to the Countess Longden at her castle was not unheard of.

She straightened her dress, the last thing she wanted was for the servants to be speaking badly of the Countess' friends, before moving to the door and knocking. She didn't even stir in her impatience to be let in, requesting the lady of the house to be informed that "The Empress" was there to pay a visit when the door was opened.

Talomar Longden

Date: 2006-10-03 14:48 EST
Little happened at the castle that Count Longden did not know about, other than the destructive mischief that his dear wife was frequently engaged in. He didn?t like spying on his angel, so Tara was often able to blow up parts of the castle without his awareness ? of course, until the explosions resounded throughout the hallways, followed by the screams of the staff that they were quitting.

He sensed Jewell?s presence at the door and appeared in the hallway just as the servants were about to open the door. They gave way to their Master, and Talomar opened the large door and greeted Jewell with a very sincere smile.

?Empress! What a delightful surprised!? He was dressed in black pants and a black silk shirt, black boots to his knees; being partial to black these days. ?Come in . . . come in! Please!?

He took her hand in his and led her into the central hall that was circular with marble floors and hallways leading away like spokes on a wheel.

?You look beautiful, Jewell; but then, you always do,? he added before she could add it for him.

For a moment he seemed to stare into space, and then the smile came back. ?I?ve just told my precious wife, who is pregnant again by the way, that her best friend is here in our home. She is all excited and was going to bake you a cake, but I told her that would not be necessary. Believe me, Jewell, Tara?s cakes are not for consumption ? at least not by friends and others whom you?d rather see live another day.?

He stopped and looked to a hallway. ?Ah, she?s on her way.?

JewellRavenlock

Date: 2006-10-10 14:32 EST
She was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by the Count rather than a mere servant and it showed in her smile as he led her inside, "Talomar, it's always a pleasure to see you and I must say you look quite dashing in all the black." Her compliments joined his own with a blush to her cheeks; she would never get tired of being told she was beautiful and her "Thank you" bordered on shy.

"Pregnant? Congratulations! You must be absolutely thrilled, are you hoping for a little sister for Marius this time?" Oi, now she'd have to go shopping for baby gifts again! She really needed to check out the new clubhouse and see if there was a daycare added this time, between Tara and Jewell they certainly needed one.

Grey eyes widened a little at the mention of Tara baking a cake and practically gushed out with, "Oh...oh not that isn't necessary at all!" A quick recovery was made so as not to insult his wife although his own words made it clear that he knew she was a horrible cook as well, "I'm sure the cake would have been absolutely divine to look at but a Countess needn't bother herself with such things."

The arrival of Tara saved her from having to think of anymore smalltalk, though she was sure she could find some story or other to entertain Talomar although he probably wouldn't appreciate her favorite tale of the fight against the headless horse that tore up the grass at the clubhouse that they had to take out just last week...

"Tara! I'm sorry to surprise you like this," a kiss kiss to her best friend's cheeks was given. She opened her mouth to make up some terrific lie of why she was visiting that would surely impress anyone listening and make them think the girls were actually serious for once.

Alas, Tara was just a tinsy bit faster in opening her mouth!

"I did not get evicted last time, Tara! My niece blew up my house, remember? And I only almost got evicted from staying at the Inn that one night because Skyler and I were making too much noise," she just went full-blown into the conversation, forgetting the Count was right there. With a sudden realization of eyes on her she blushed fully and lowered her tone, "I mean...um, you just have to show me that new sitting room you were talking about last night?"