#earthrunes

***********

A gentle curtsey, taking it as a compliment. "And what of you Lord? Tell me, what do you do when not attending court?"

He answers Coradel "I try to lead in the only way I may, rallying my House brothers and sisters in gentle direction and unity. Not always easy I am sure you know"

"I believe the term is 'herding cats,' Lord. But I meant, what do you do in the rest of the world. A career? A hobby? You may have heard that I am very engaged in equestrian interests, for example."

"Ah, my mortal area of battle ? I am the owner of some news media outlets, a newspaper that also has a web presence. As for hobbies? I do enjoy a game of poker at times"

"Oh? Perhaps sometime we should have a game."

"You play poker?" He seems surprised

"Oh, well...I've heard it has its appeal. Might be fun," she says with a smile and a sip.

"poker as I play it can be a bit cutthroat, Baroness. A game of manipulation in parts. I play it very well"

"Ah. Then, no time for a dabbler at chance? What a pity."

"I am merely being sensitive to your vulnerability"

"My...?" A little spark in her eyes as she turns to face him. "Surely you did not just call me weak, Lord?" Her tone is actually very playful.

"in horse riding or swordplay I am sure you are expert. In poker, by your own admission, you sound untrained. It would be like a race between a beginer who walks in lazy circles and a master jockey. weak? no. rather inexperienced"

"Mmmm..." She toys with her glass, considering. "And it would be so very embarrassing for the jockey to be beaten by the beginner. Yes, best we protect your sense of superiority," she says with a wink.

THAT gets an arch of the brow "If you persist in such talk, I may yet invite you to a game so you may better understand how kind i was in my intent to you"

"You let me know when, Lord." She offers her free hand to him and curtseys. "For now, I take my leave of you, but this meeting has been a pleasure."

He takes it and lifts it to his lips, kissing ABOVE the skin rather than making contact of such "it has been intriguing. i will give it that, enjoy the gather, baroness" And he lets her slip free

"You as well." And slip free, she does.

She slips free and looks about only to see someone is heading towards her..