Dinner for two lonely souls ~ Pala and Alicia

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Ponutis 22nd, winter, Era XII~ Darkening

Clarisse Von Dribblepot scurried from the Imperial Palace and through the bustling streets of Alleria Prime with her employers’ instructions ringing in her ears.

Table for two, in a quiet corner, not the private dining rooms but somewhere we can talk without everyone listening , cost is not a problem so ask them to put some good wine down for us and no Clarisse this is business not pleasure …well …er you know what I mean .

She did not exactly skip Clarisse was of an age where she watched children skipping without any urge to lift her sensible skirts and join in but not withstanding that she was a hopeless romantic. She had a jaunty gait to her walk and a smile on her face as she thought about what Palacrisis was doing tonight. She had been upset by J’lyara’s disappearance as much for her boss as for the children who seemed blissful unaware of the turmoil in the Imperial Consuls life. The thought that Pala was throwing off the months of gloom with a dinner date gave her step across the muddy streets a little more of the dance than a plod.

Through the foyer she thought about the third floor but decided that those detached dining rooms were just a little too discrete for a “business meeting”. No, one of the public tables on the second floor would suffice. She leaned up against the front desk and laid her sensible umbrella along the pristine shiny wood, Clarisse ran a finger along the top and nodded with approval at the lack of dust and waited for someone to come and deal with her.

When the booking clerk arrived she explained that she wished to book a table for two for this darkening in the name of the Imperial Consul for the Northern Reaches and his anonymous guest …who Clarisse whispered was “A lady of quality” she explained about the wine and asked that the table should be adorned with a vase of flowers. A quality establishment like the “Crown” should have no problems with any of the requests of her customers the scarcity of winter can be overcome by the liberal application of gold coins and on that basis everything was promised to ready for the time allotted.


Meanwhile

Pala’s apartments in the Imperial Palace were in uproar boxes were being opened and harassed servants were on the hunt. The problem with his job was that he as rarely in one place long enough to lay down sufficient roots to unpack properly. So the question of what to wear was as problematic as ever. The dove grey suit of jerkin and tight fitting trousers was stylish and elegant the blue silk ruffled shirt was new and rather smart, the bath and shave had been meticulous. He had the stick with the horses head handle, a purse of gold of in his pocket but his feet were still in a state of sock clad nudity.

He distinctly remembered insisting that they pack the soft brown leather boots and despite nearly half candlemarks searching his toes were still cold. A woof from behind a stuffed sofa in the corner of the living room broke the chaos, Pala dived over the top to be greeted by a wet sloppy lick from Mist the ghostbane dog and the revelation that the missing boots were providing an unlikely bed for the dog . Rosie the cether maid did a full teapot and muttered

That dog it’s always hiding stuff, I swear its got something wrong with it the kleptomaniac mutt .

Fortunately for Rosie the maid, Pala did not hear her remark he was far too busy hopping up and down on one foot trying to pull his boots on!

Now

Dignity restored he made his way towards the Imperial Chancellor’s private apartments in the palace and reaching the door knocked carefully, he straightened an all ready starch stiff doublet and clutched the single flower in his hand. If the door would open and a servant be in front of him they would see a tall man standing in the entrance clutching a single yellow rose. He would introduce himself and ask if her Imperial Excellency was available.

[Alicia Elsdragon]

Alicia did not fully understand why she felt nervous. She shouldn't, after all, this wasn't a date or anything, it was..... simply... well, two people going to eat some pracenda as friends and colleagues. She sighed as the maid who was working for her continued to brush her hair, she was starting to think that the evil woman was trying to brush it out.

And then, of course, there was the choice of what to wear.... so many difficult decisions and all to be made in such a short space of time. Still, she would have to manage and so she shook her head at the other maid who was showing her another dress "No, that simply will not do" she said and then yelped as the shaking of her head got the hairbrush tangled.....

So, at that point, thankfully two full candlemarks before Palacrisis knocked the door, Alicia had decided that it was going to be a disaster and she would not be ready and she was cursed, just cursed. She had met Motito and they had gone out and that was it. She had used up all her happiness and she had forgotten how to date and she wasn't going on a date thank you very much, but that wasn't the point......

... and so on, and so forth.

So it was something of a miracle that when Palacrisis knocked the door, it was opened into a picture of calm sanity. The butler bowed slightly and nodded "Her Imperial Excellency is expecting you, Sir. May I take your jacket?" Alicia liked things to be done properly, and so Palacrisis was shown in to the lounge where the butler offered him a drink.

He did not have long to wait in the elegant lounge that was beautiful but not... personal.. in any way. Alicia had not yet had time to personalise it, and so although there were some portraits of the children above the fireplace and the odd ornament that was elven in design. The majority of the way that Alicia had made her mark on this place though was the flowers. She obviously loved flowers and the scent of fresh blooms filled the air as well as their colours adding vibrancy to the decor.

It was only a few moments later that Alicia walked in. After a lot of debating, she had chosen a black and silver dress. The top of it was a strapless black satin corset, plain and unadorned. It gathered in at her tiny waist and fell to the floor in waves of silver satin, covered with a very thin layer of black lace, giving the appearance of the skirt shimmering as she moved. She wore her hair piled on her head with just a few strands falling down to her shoulders. A tiny silver necklace nestled in her neck and matching earrings sparkled at her ears. She had a black shawl covering her bare shoulders and the tops of her arms, which was made of the same lace as covered her skirt.

She smiled when she saw Palacrisis, her face lighting up with pleasure "Well, good evening, Sir. I must say it's a pleasure to see you!" she looked slightly awkward for a moment, and then stepped in to the room " I am so looking forwards to going out - it's been such a long time!" she said with a soft smile. In honesty that was completely true. She'd been throwing herself into her work and this would be a welcome break. She looked at the rose and beamed

"Is that for me?" she asked, looking delighted at the thought of such a welcome gift. It was cheeky to ask, but then, she was known for being rather cheeky on occasion, she thought and smiled as she did.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Palacrisis had gently refused the drink proffered by the butler, it was not that he would not have murdered somebody for a whisky but he was not sure his stomach could handle it. He had told himself as he came over to her apartments that …. its business you damn fool nothing else , you are a married man and that’s it but he could not deny the churning stomach of nervousness that threatened to make its presence audible at any moment . He had given himself a strong talking too, be yourself, be natural ,no putting on airs and graces , don’t look at her too hard otherwise she will get the wrong idea and no gawping at her soft bits.

Considering that Pala was no stranger to the company and attention of woman he was acting with all the savoir- faire of a sixteen year old schoolboy with his first crush so whiskey was just the wrong drink. The simple fact was he was having a clash of conscience, he loved J’lyara even though she had apparently deserted him three months ago .He would welcome her back with no questions asked in the hope that she would find it in herself to tell him …why? But time away from the tender company of a lusty woman had been difficult he may have had some grey in his hair but there was nothing wrong with his libido and he enjoyed women. This was the first assignation with a beautiful woman since she had left him and he was nervous that he would not behave like a perfect gentleman.

The moment that Alicia came into the room his good intentions were put away in that place where good objectives are stored reviewed and then mourned for never having been allowed to play their part in the game of life.

She was beautiful, the dress was perfect, cut with elegance but with a style that said, that this was a gown to have fun in, Pala retained enough decorum not to allow his eyes to pop out but he was dazzled by her.

He gulped and then with iron control looked into her eyes and smiled. My lady you look magnificent any man in the empire would be proud to escort you to pracenda and yes Alicia this is for you a simple flower to catch the light in your eyes. he bowed as he handed the flower over and then with a boyish grin

Our table is booked for a half a candlemarks time and my carriage awaits in the palace courtyard so if you are ready we can take a short but leisurely drive to the “Crown “

Extending his arm in his best courtly fashion for Alicia to steady herself should she wish they made their way down to the carriage.

Palacrisis's driver the boy Dingwall knuckled his fist to his forehead and in a soft Sherian accent greeted them Serale your lordship, my lady, I promise not to hit any bumps in the road.

And he didn’t, a pleasant drive along the newly restored streets of the capital and they were drawing up to the front steps of the most famous tavern in the empire. A helping hand extended by her companion and Alicia would be able to alight from the carriage with no harm to the lace and silk of the hem of her dress and they were inside the “Crown”

[Alicia Elsdragon]

"Well, thank you kind sir" she replied with a smile. "You are most kind." she grinned at him and nodded as he said that their table was booked for half a candlemarks time. She took his arm and walked with him and graced the driver with a smile. "Thank you" she said, gently as she stepped into the carriage.

Inside the carriage she turned to Palacrisis and smiled "You know, it sounds bizarre but I found myself in a rather.. well, nervous mood before you came. It has been a while since I've been out with anyone and I was quite testy with it. But I've realised that that was because I am so much looking forward to spending a darkening in some pleasant company" she looked out of the window and spoke again, quietly enough that it was only just something that he could hear "Its all so... big, isn't it? Prime, I mean. I remember the last time that I was here, it seemed so big then. I had hoped that it had grown smaller, but it appears not"

She shook her head "I do have something of a tendency to warble, I am afraid. My apologies in advance!" she grinned as they arrived and she placed her hand into his as she stepped down into the "Crown". Once inside, Alicia beamed in pleasure at the place and how it had changed. "This is lovely. And might I say before the night begins that I had a lovely time. Thank you"

As they were seated Alicia watched Palacrisis and wondered aloud "So, how much of your time do you spend in Prime, Pala? I would love to hear your insight on the city itself?" she asked, one eyebrow quirked slightly as she asked. She did wonder what his thoughts on the place were.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The carriage rattled through the streets and as is often the case with two people gong out alone together for the first time , the talk was safe , non controversial almost like two skilled fencers circling each other to look for points of attack or defense. Pala admitted that he shared her nervousness and that he too was glad to spend a little time with someone else other than servants or the dog.

He nodded as she mentioned the size of the new city built by the strange Ikerealites but before he had a chance to reply they were brought to a halt and the business of getting out was at hand. The “Crowns” reputation was lived up to and they were swiftly and efficiently seated. Their table situated just far away from the other people dining so their conversation could not be easily overheard. The second flour gallery provided a fine view of the plebs below milling around the twenty sided bar that was a gleam of brass and glass and a wicked thought sped into his mind , from here it was a matter of little skill to flick bread roll pellets over the balcony and down onto unsuspecting drinkers.

He grinned as he pulled out Alicia’s chair and then slipped it in under the smartly dressed table; taking his own seat he leaned across and in a low voice spoke to answer her question.

Tonight is a night to warble so please warble or wibble away and I shall feel free to do much the same. I do not spend much time here in Alleria prime I am very much a wanderer these days moving between Centripax and Carmelyn as issues arise and I feel the need to stick my nose in.

He tapped the patrician nose with a finger and with a smile carried on.

I have not managed to get to Eunasia yet but hopefully the spring will settle that oversight yet saying that I have had a chance to look around the capitol. I had a spare morning and was in a mood of reflection so I sought out the first little hovel I ever owned, a sad little three room house in the Domicilium .It is still there a mean hovel but I loved that house all be it for a short stay but it made me think, that what the Ikerealites did for Alleria Prime was to build a shell, a façade, beautiful yes, but it does not hide the underlying meanness of life for the poor and down trodden. For a lad who started poor and worked his way a little up the ladder of life that hovel in some forgotten street was a stark reminder of how tenuous a little fame and wealth really are. The Allerians did a wonderful job for people like you and me but they did little for the people that we serve.

His forehead clouded and then as if he remembered he was with a beautiful elf in a wonderful restaurant he smiled again looking deep into her eyes.

Oh bother, sometimes I get a guilty conscience it creeps up behind me and thwacks me around the head to remind me I am a nobody , I shall try and ignore it whilst in your company. …….

Before he could finish two waitresses approached the table and offered them menu’s and the delicious business of choosing what to eat and drink could begin. Everything looked delectable and from the aromas drifting from kitchens and other tables everything smelled enticing. Wine and drinks were another problem but he solved that by ordering bottle’ s of Arakmatian red and white wine for them to try… ..of course if Alicia would like something else it was not a problem gold was not a problem now …

Fortunately guilty conscience did not make another appearance.!

[Alicia Elsdragon]

As Palacrisis moved her chair in for her, Alicia murmered her thanks and smiled at him. Then, as he sat, mischief danced across her misty grey eyes as she spoke "Do you know, I think that if I tried hard, I could hit that man over there right in the bald spot with a breadstick..... or any other random foodstuff that I feel the need to aim at him" she beamed, humour and mischief combining to make her face seem much younger, although it quickly fell back into a slightly quirky smile instead "Sorry. My sense of humour, if it can legally be called that, has gotten me into more trouble than I care to remember in the course of my life. So I should behave myself should I not?" her lips pursed into a smile and she looked at him intently as the conversation moved on.

"It must be hard trying to stretch yourself between three provinces" she said, quietly, wondering just where he called home these brightenings. He explained then about his guilty conscience and she rather got the feeling that it was about a sight more than just the fact that he started out poor. Still, that was not something to discuss right now, so she looked at the menu and ordered "I'll have the Veperes, please" she said, and handed the menu back, looking back to Pala. Once he had ordered and the waitress had gone, she spoke to him quietly "We both know that the reality of life is very different for a lot of people than it is for us these brightenings Palacriss. Your guilty conscience is reminding you of what's true for us all, Palacrisis. That we are all born with nothing, and since we leave it all behind when we go, we die with nothing too, save what we have actually achieved in between. I ... I dont know. I just try to do my best for the people that we serve. When the brightening comes, if it ever does, that I am serving myself, not them, then I am giving up my job. Until then, I hope that I do the best I can and get rewarded a ridiculous amount of money for it." she smiled slightly.

She looked back into his eyes then and for a moment, just a brief fleeting moment she stayed there simply looking at him. Then she shook herself slightly and grinned "So you see... warbling it is. Tell me, if you would, what do you do to relax? When you are not working?"

This told her more about the man that everything he did at work, she firmly believed. It told her who he was when he was no-one more and no- one less than Palacrisis D'Jones. And that she found quite fascinating.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The dinner date was settling down into that easy familiarity, that good food and wine bring to any table. Palacrisis had ordered a Crafties Crabs as an entree and then decided on rack of lamb and finished with Kempota. Their conversation as befits people of their rank was of matters broad reaching and yet tinged with the spark of fun that two attractive people enjoy on such occasions.

He chuckled at her mind reading act and flipped a gold crown on the table. I bet you two to one that you could not hit your target before the evening is out by the time you get around to it old baldy will be so drunk he will not stop swaying long enough for you to hit him…..a mouthful of the delicious crab and he replied .

Your sense of fun and my temper well they can get us into trouble ….I remember in Tearsfall just after I was appointed thane, Aeri sent an aid caravan. There was little enough to eat for those who had not fled .I was ready to do anything for the people and swallowing my pride was a small sacrifice for bread but the general in charge of the militia refused it, we had a blazing row in the middle of the square and I told him I would stick his head in the horse trough if he did not cool down …..I learnt a lesson that day that it’s not wise to rile up the military but oh it was fun at the time.

He took a sip of the wine and settled back in his chair as she spoke again of the plight of the people.

We live in hard times Alicia, rebellion and discontent is in the air, orcs and elves in disharmony, crime rife and a new government searching for a direction to lead the people towards. What ever we do it must be for the benefit of those who have no voice , their needs are simple bread, shelter and warmth and then a sense of self worth, be it in the task they perform however so humble or lives lived in a world of security. It is the least that we can do yet it seems so hard to achieve.

He cut into the lamb and chewed a small piece with evident enjoyment before answering her enquiry.

“Well Alicia I read whatever I can get my hands upon, I admit that I do not always understand all that is on some of the pages but it wiles away a candlemark or two. Of course the children are a comfort and a joy most of the time, Meyra my adopted daughter is a delight and shortly I shall be holding off suitors at swords length. She is in Diana with Raliric Ered’Gard’s daughter taking lessons from one of Aeri’s nuns. Kallick came to me in Tearsfall I was friendly with his father, a dorin and over a bottle of scotch one darkening we vowed to look after each others children should the worst come .Unfortunately he was murdered and so I have an adopted dorin cub as my son, he is training to become a squire under Raliric down in Centripax.”

“So what else do I do? Well its remarkable who wants my ear so I often invite people to dine with me informal gatherings for people who like to boast they have met the Imperial Consul , but its useful I hear things that would not normally come to me through official channels. “

“I planned to take further instruction in the sorcerous arts but that is something I shall have to do when things quiet down a little but I suspect that may have to wait until I am in my dotage but all in all my life is busy and fulfilling in the main. I miss J’lyara dreadfully but life has to go on. …

He looked down at his plate as if embarrassed to speak her name whilst in the company of another woman but shook his head to drive that feeling away looking up with a soft smile he asked

Enough about me I am really a dull soul. What is it that gives you joy?

[Alicia Elsdragon]

At the sight of the crown on the table, Alicia raised an eyebrow at Palacrisis and laughed gently "I love nothing more than a challenge. I accept the bet" she said, with a wicked grin "Although, I do feel that two of Alleria Primes more senior officials sitting and throwing breadsticks may not go down too well, you know. .. although it seems that you have already had your share of trouble.. well if we get arrested, I hope you have no plans on dipping any one else's head in any trough" she smiled gently and looked down at her food, picking at it daintily as she listened to him speak. She nodded rather sadly at his assessment of what they must do, and she spoke quietly

"Feeding people is no easy task, Palacrisis, as you know. We are faced with a remarkable opportunity here and I hope that we step forward as an Empire and take it. History will judge us, though, of course, no one and nothing else. "

As the conversation meandered its way through the darkenings food, Alicia smiled and nodded "I love reading also. And also pretty much anything and everything that I can get my hands on. Although I have to admit that if I am ever finding it hard to sleep the Articles of Imperium will usually send me off" she said, with a most serious-looking wink as she spoke "The thought of having children hold enough to be squires and so on is amazing to me.... although no longer having to change them will be a pleasant reprive, I'm sure" her eyes lit with love at the mention of her children, her face taking on a completely different expression.

As he spoke J'lyara's name, Alicia saw him look down at his plate and she reached her hand across to his in that universal gesture. She placed her hand on his and she smiled gently "Of course you miss her, Palacrisis. But hope can be salvaged when all else has faded. Never forget that... it is important to talk and have friends. If the brightening ever dawns that you let J'lyara go in your heart, then it may become easier for you. But if and when that happens, it is not this brightening, nor will it be tomorrow, I feel..." the young elf smiled gently, taking her hand away once again and then answered his question.

"What gives me joy? Family, friends, love and laughter" she said, with a smile, then continued "Honestly, Palacrisis, since I came to Alleria Prime the first time, all those era's ago, I have moved from one bad relationship to another, first with my babies father, and then with Motito. What gives me joy now is knowing that I am able to live on my own and be my own person with my babies. I am beholden to no one and I have my own space to reflect and consider my life. So, in honesty, my family andmy job are my main focus, and that is how it is likely to remain for quite some time I think. Eventually, one brightening, I would like to settle down, but I have rather given up on that person being out there for me at this point. I am, after all, an Elf and so I have time, if nothing else"

She smiled gently and in a most prim and proper manner then and a breadstick flew from her hand in a single swift movement, slowly flying over them and down, missing the target by quite a way and landing, instead, directly in the tankard of a particularly burly looking man. Alicia repressed a snort and grinned at Palacrisis. "Double or nothing you do better?" she asked, mischief on every aspect of her face.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The meal was finished the waitress had taken away dishes and plates but the basket of breads remained despite the slight query on the girls face as Palacrisis placed his hand over the rolls. They were ammunition and he had his eye on a particular round granary cob about the size of his fist…but not yet!

He turned his attention back to his dinner companion his concentration complete as she spoke

You know Alicia you are not the only one who has problems with love and relationships, there was a girl in Tearsfall, we had declared love for each other and …well you know the sort of thing that happens We were very close yet she left me, not a blasted word or note. I was devastated and yet funnily it was the catalyst for me. I gave up the Tearsfall job and moved south met J’lyara and became an Imperial Consul … he shrugged …. if I had married the girl in Tearsfall perhaps none of this would have happened. The fates move in strange ways and sometimes I feel like a puppet on the strings of the gods being pulled along on the winds of fate. There will be a new love in your life Alicia …I know you do not believe it now but the gods are planning yet another surprise for each of us, it may not be soon but I will wager when it does come it will happen when you least expect it .

He had ordered brandy and whatever Alicia wanted and settled down to savour the fine bouquet, he toyed with the bread roll running it around and around in his fingers. Old baldy was holding forth getting louder and redder faced as bumper after bumper of wine poured down his throat. A merchant or trader possibly he thought he tensed getting ready to throw the roll but alas his target leaned forward to shout some lewd remark to his companion obscuring his aim.

He leaned back waiting for his next chance. Its odd Alicia I had been toying with the idea of buying an estate in the country somewhere to escape to when life gets too much to bear but I hesitate believing that somewhere there is another twist in my tale. I have a small farm near Taralon but I never have had the time to do anything with it so I was thinking of Centripax being midway in my patch. Yet something holds me back perhaps I shall look again once winter finishes.

Alicia ‘s hand snaked out like a striking viper but speed is not everything and all that happened was that a bemused fat man was looking at his pint pot where there had been good crown ale was now a bread roll, and a puddle of ale that was seeping down the front of his trousers. He looked around but there was nothing to see after all the well dressed couple on the second tier of the inn was far too sophisticated to throw bread at a body.

Baldy brayed a loud raucous laugh, throwing back his shiny pate and opening his mouth wide, Pala winked at Alicia and with a flick of his wrist sent the hard cob spinning through the air. As a lad he had been a bit of a local expert at stone throwing and what’s learnt deep in the muscles of the body is not normally forgotten. the roll flew downwards and ……landed on the table it bounced and shot away and headed towards the expensive twenty sided bar.

[Alicia Elsdragon]

"I believe you" she said, looking at Palacrisis, smiling slightly "I believe that destiny is like a river, really. It has currents, you see. Bear with me, this gets stranger" she smiled gently at him her eyebrows quirking gently as she spoke "The river pulls you in a direction, but you have the option to swim against the current if you want to... but frankly, its hard work and eventually things will get to the point that you're just too tired and sore. So you can swim against the current a while, but eventually, you'll probably end up going in the direction the water is pulling you. I sometimes think that I think too much you know. So yes, everything that happens does so for a reason, and one brightening it may even make sense... one brightening"

She did not sound entirely convinced about this, but she smiled gently. "An estate in the country? Its nice... I used to live in one, you know. But the conclusion that I've come to is that its about who you live near, who your friends are and that sort of thing. I don't know Palacrisis, I've lived in a beautiful place with ugly people and vice versa. I have no doubt which one is better"

At the failed attempt by Palacrisis to throw the bread roll, Alicia laughed gently at his movement."Now, you see, all we have managed to do is shame ourselves mightily... but you know, Palacrisis, it's so nice to sit and talk with someone. When did politics become quite such a lonely profession, I wonder" she mused quietly, looking askance at Palacrisis as she considered the rather sad truth of that.

And as she considered that, she wondered briefly where the river might be pushing Palacrisis and whether he was swimming with it, or against it.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

He smiled softly as she spoke “You know I had much the same conversation with Nell Du’Galle a little time ago, we talked of some overriding influence shaping our actions without our being aware of it .A guiding hand pushing us in a certain direction rather like your river analogy. Sure we can swim in the opposite direction if we are truly sure that we are right to do so equally we can doggy paddle and stay where we are sometimes it is best to do nothing and wait for events to unfold. It is not always correct to blindly follow the tide just because it is easier. However if our paths are predestined as your example seems to say then all we can do is tread water and look out for on coming log jams.”

“The problem is Alicia is what is the correct thing to do at any given moment and that is the real trick, go with the flow, stay where we are, or fight against the tide. We have free will but I cannot help that is far less of a factor the higher up the ladder we climb circumstances dictate our action, we react to what is presented to us rather than being able to foresee the possible events of the future. It’s a conundrum to be sure, so I think for the winter I shall just tread water in Alleria Prime!.

The incident with the bread rolls seemed to have passed without reaction which Pala was grateful for, it was not really a good idea for two grown up people to disturb the waters of life any more than they should but the frisson was worth the risk and that got a quite chuckle .He really was enjoying himself, conversation and good wine with no edge or plan other than to simply enjoy a darkening away from his four walls.

” It is indeed Alicia, I get so bored staring at my walls of an evening, and there are the disapproving looks I get ….he chuckled again Why or why are there all those gloomy portraits that seem to adorn every wall of every office I have ever worked from? All dead, all of them ,grim old men, who look down on the current denizen of the office with a sneer that says “I could do better than you”. I swear one day I am going to throw them all out of my window and burn the lot in the palace courtyard. Then Alicia I could say I am truly alone and do not have to suffer their ancient disapproval”

“At least then any decisions I have to make will be mine not those of a committee of portraits…. he laughed again I really do not know why its so lonely for us, we are a team or will be once Milo whips us into shape but we are the tops in our trade so people look up at us, expect that we know all the answers all the time but and he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper we know the lonely truth that we have to work damn hard to appear to live up to the reputations we have from sitting on the seats of power. We cannot share the big decision we have to make because we are judged by the people and by our peers. Asking for help can be seen as a weakness and there are plenty out there that envy us and are only waiting for us to blunder. So its lonely because of the sheer weight of power and authority we hold.

He was being garrulous and he knew it the wine the brandy and a beautiful woman it was a heady combination but he did not care.

[Alicia Elsdragon]

"Going with the flow is something that often time means you need a better view of what's ahead than you have. It's the unseen twists and turns that always surprise me" she mused, swirling the wine glass and watching the wine twist around in its confined space "I dont think that its a predetermined thing, but more like a.. a jigsaw I suppose. Or a river that has lots of tributaries. Each person that we meet, each time we encounter a situation, it shapes our future. It has ripples. It alters the flow of the river. I don't know I think maybe I've gotten a little lost in my own analogy here!" she smiled, and shrugged slightly "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that life is a winding road, isn't it?" she smiled and listened to his next words.

At the idea of the portraits Alicia looked at him and frowned slightly "Pala.. it's your office. Take them down, get rid of them. It isn't someone else's place that you're taking care of. It's yours. Get rid of them and replace them with something beautiful. We should all be surrounded by beauty, not glaring portraits of misery. Because you are right, Palacrisis, there are many who would seek to take what power we have from us. But I have a slightly different philosophy to you. Let them try. My actions will stand or they will not. If they do not, then perhaps I should not be in office at all in the first place. So if I need help I will ask, if I do not understand I will say so. Honestly, and here I am talking too much, no doubt due to the combination of good wine, good food and better-than-good company" she smiled slightly but her misty grey eyes were serious "I believe that if we are lonely it is because we allow ourselves to be. We embrace that loneliness because it is a price that we think we must pay for the priviledge that we have been granted. It is self destructive and unnecessary..."

She stopped and looked at him with an expression of concern "Did I mention that I warble too much whenever I am given an opportunity also? Please, forgive me" she said with a soft smile "I have a tendency to speak my mind too quickly... I'm sorry" she flushed, rather embarrassed that she had gone quite so far this time. She looked down at her hands and wondered whether she had offended him greatly.