Blind Dates: Julius and Anya

[Julius]

The borrowed rays of the moon shone down through the night air and onto a scene of serenity. A bored yet composed Julius sat quietly in the back of the dining room. His appearance was much more regal than that of his common attire. His hair, a golden braid draped over his shoulder, and his garb, a suit of midnight over a nearly moonlit shirt and ascot beneath. He wore a large onyx ring upon his left hand to accentuate his ensemble with hints of even more wealth.

He sat alone in the dimly lit room, waiting for the arrival of the young servant girl. He anticipated her absence and now wondered if he could salvage the evening still. His right hand rest upon his cheek and mouth in an attempt to hide his scowl. He had prepared greatly for this opportunity to acquire access to the Oslun family, and it now seemed all for naught.

[Sofi and Anya]

Anya didn't feel comfortable without Sofi there. "Oh, it'll be fine. Go have fun. I'll just be around the house this evening anyway," Sofi had said to her. Why did they both enter this blind date pool anyway? I suppose it's my fault. But she tried to stay positive. She had on a simple yet appropriate olive green dress, slim but not sensual. Her auburn hair was put back in the braid Sofi was known for making, but she was otherwise plain, choosing to rely on her natural looks to impress whatever true champion she was sure awaited her at her destination.

She had been told where he would be seated, so she knew just where to go. It was a pleasant evening. The smells of fine foods wafted through the air outside. Anya paused outside the door. Now or never, I guess, she thought, inwardly sighing. She pushed open the door and was greeted by a gap-toothed maitre d'. A few curt words pointed him to where she thought her date was, and sure enough, Changers be damned if he isn't a real winner. Long, flowing blonde hair, soft face, effeminate, all marks of a true gentleman...in any case, Anya sat down opposite him with a polite smile and told herself harshly to make the best of it. Maybe he really was someone she would be interested in.

[Julius]

Just as he had intended to leave, Julius chanced a glance up and saw the young girl not five feet from him. Her form was undeveloped and she lacked the dolled appearance his frequent associates possessed. He was unable to stop himself from putting on an intrigued grin, hidden only partially by his hand. As she took her seat opposite him, he followed her movements, quite interested in how the evening would now turn out.

Once she was seated he took in her smile, charming and delicate as it was, and brushed his fingers across his lips absently as he moved them from his face, revealing his grin. He stared at her for a moment, his blue eyes almost luminescent in the moonlight, deciphering her wants and needs; her intentions and plans. She would not be so easy to allure or fool with cheap words. He found himself more intrigued by her with each second.

Truly intrigued by her he thought to himself, “A woman after my own heart.” It was only seconds later that he realized he had spoken aloud, however softly, at a volume she must have heard. His face flickered in surprise only briefly as he bowed his head and let out a soft laugh. He returned to meet her gaze and said with his usual tone of endearment, “Forgive me, I shouldn’t say such things.”

His smooth voice came out in its usual splendor, more so than he intended. He found himself not wanting to use such common methods of seduction on this girl. She was different: a true opponent, a true accomplishment, and prize to behold. It only entertained him more that she had shaken him with no effort at all. This night was to be long, and truly unforgettable.

[Sofi and Anya]

Hmm. He was charming. "You would do well to be careful with your heart around me, pretty boy." How is this going to turn out? Anya wondered. She supposed it still remained to be seen. Intrigiung, nonetheless.

[Julius]

How very direct. Julius did not expect such mettle to be shown so early in the evening, certainly not in her first words. But of course, why would she not be so spirited? It had again slipped his mind: she is still young. Not once had he set his sights on one so young. What could he want from them? His head was swarming with thoughts of pride, desire, rage, fear, and defeat. What if all his experience and skill did him no good here? What if he was beaten by this girl? His head bowed for a moment, his eyes closed.

He raised his head with a smile, not some façade of a grin but an actual smile. Upon meeting her gaze he could hardly stifle a laugh whilst beginning to speak.

“My, my. You truly are a cunning girl.”

This time his voice had less of a romantic tune. It was his honest opinion instead of some seductive line. She had reminded him that he was not perfect. He had ignored both men and women anything but older than him his entire life. It was this that had brought him to a standstill this evening.

But, he was not beaten yet. He could see the way she looked at him, and could easily ponder what thoughts swam in her head. His gaze and voice had promised the world to men and women all throughout Marn for years. He could certainly woo this girl as well.

He spoke again. “And if I offered you my heart, just what would you do with it?”

He stared into her eyes with a hunger, a lust for the continuity of this game. He would rather be nowhere else than right here this night, proving to his pride that she would not defeat him. Even so, she would have him. He would earn this prize, the wealth of the Osluns be damned! He now wanted her, and he would have her.

[Sofi and Anya]

"Oh, I don't know," Anya replied, obviously feigning her sigh and look of boredom at her fingernails. She decided to call his bluffs until she was sure whether or not he was worthy of her. One way or the other, it was fun.

"Toy with it, as a cat does its plaything. Then hand it back when I was done." The last few words made Anya grow a seductive smirk. That would drive him nuts.

This was getting better by the minute. And they hadn't even been waited on yet.

[Julius]

“I truly yearn to know how a plaything of yours must feel. That is, do they beg for mercy as they’ve reached Nirvana, or are they lost in passion and crave you to continue their everlasting anguish of pleasure?” He gestures at the waiter while continuing to speak, never leaving her gaze. “Tell me, how well can you hold your composure while drinking? I desire you as you are now for the entirety of the evening. I want nothing less than the intricate goddess that sits before me. You are of a fascinating breed, and I…” He had let his words overshadow his thoughts. He was lost in the game, but no longer cared. This girl had shaken and probably beaten him. Maybe she has seen through him from the start.

Julius closed his eyes and showed a wide, toothy grin, revealing his near-perfect teeth that captured the moonlight. After a moment he looked back up at her and spoke.

“And I am smitten.” He laughs. “I honestly thought it impossible, but you have my attention, Miss.” He closed his eyes and laughed again. “How rude of me, I haven’t even introduced myself.” He offers the girl his hand the way one might to a frightened animal as a sign of peace. “I am Julius.”

She had won. She was no longer a prize, but a treasure. Something that must be had. And he would have her.

[Sofi and Anya]

My, my, this was the most fun she had experienced in recent memory, and a mere few minutes into things. The die roll of blind dates had turned in both their favors, it seems. "Anya, pretty boy," she replied seductively (but not too invitingly), choosing to use the formerly disparaging nickname as an enticer. Hmm. He seems intrigued by the hard-to-get bit. Time for some cat and mouse.

"But don't be getting many ideas; I hold my drink just fine, and I'm not letting any strangers in my door that don't have a perfectly good reason to be there." Anya completed the hook with a smirk and an exaggeratedly casual leg cross. Would she sleep with him? Now, that's entirely up to him, isn't it? Either way, it was going to be a fun night.

Anya also made a dismissive gesture at the server, who knew her enough from visits with the Osluns to prepare her tea (but not ask if she wants her usual entrée because that is annoying). Oddly enough, she wasn't hungry, though she hadn't eaten since late that morning. Too many jitters. True to form, Anya was still gritting her teeth at having to play games with Julius even though she was in complete control of the situation. She hated him for the span of a single thought before a glance stole the feeling and replaced it with pure hormones. She controlled her blushing as only the maidservant of a noble could.