Dinner Invitation

Mid-day to most could be considered rather late (or perhaps early?) to those with a more nocturnal bent. However the current moment lies in Aya's daily cycle, it seems that hygiene or relaxation is, or was, the task for that moment. She exits the women's baths, clothes fresh yet slightly damp from her venture. Her next task appears to be sustenance as she moves for an unoccupied table.

Daechir sits at one of these tables, though obviously it is occupied (by himself). His hair is bound up atop his head in a complicated-looking bun that has kept the black locks largely free of water - though not entirely - and he smiles at the sight of Aya as she exits the other side of the baths from which he himself had exited only recently. "Aya!" He doesn't yell her name, but does call out to her, even lifting a hand in greeting though he does not wave it.

Aya may have been relaxed by the baths, though starts notably when her name is called. She notes Daechir's lifted hand a half-heartbeat later, which is also when the voice is fully recognized. A breath is taken and she alters her path from unoccupied table to Daechir-occupied table.

"Good day, Daechir," she offers in greeting as she reaches him. "Had I realized that you were also saturating yourself, I might have chosen a different pool to join you."

"As well I." Daed offers with a light smile. "And please, call me Daed. Daechir is so horribly formal." He laughs at his own words gently. The twinkling of bells echoing him. "I would be nearly horrified if everyone insisted upon calling by my whole name. Can you imagine? Sometimes I wonder what my father was thinking, but then... at others it is a little too obvious."

"I imagine that he thought to make your name as formidable or ostentatious as possible," Aya offers. Her own expression is decidedly flat and neutral, though the laugh tugs at one corner of her lips. "Failing that, annoying to pronounce. I have not used my full name in quite some time." A gesture to an adjacent empty chair. "May I join you?"

Daed makes an amused noise at Aya's words. "You are likely right. Certainly I find it an annoyance, if not particularly difficult to pronounce after all these years. I did not know that you were going by a pseudonym Aya. If you do not mind my asking... what is your full name?"

Aya claims the adjacent seat, regardless, one brow lifting slightly at the query. A minor arch, in comparison to the norm. "Ayaxandrea Rrostoavae," she offers. "There is an advantage with some measure of anonymity, as I am sure you're aware. Not to mention pronunciation. As well, surname and house have little weight, here, and even less so for myself." Despite both being rather recognizable in Charn. Not known for holding true seats of power, but for advising those who do. That and readily supporting whomever is most dominant or likely to be, which means the house has managed to wield some consistent influence for quite some time.

The mul'niessa man motions at the last moment for Aya to join him, obviously somewhat distracted. He smiles slightly at the mention of her whole name and nods in some recognition of it as well as general agreement with her statement. "I think that I could not avoid infamy if I tried, so I rarely make the effort. Surely I tried in my youth, but now..." He spreads his hands. "I find myself more accepting."

His own family was an old one in Charn, known to their adherence to the old ways, and being likewise to Aya's. It was almost certainty that their families had dealings with one another. Either in support or quiet battles for supremacy. "How have you been?"

That is a question not so easily answered... or perhaps TOO easily. Aya provides one, though, if a brief one. "In a word? Terribly. Yourself?"

The smile that was on Daed's lips faded quickly and he tilts his head somewhat. "Terribly?" He inquires gently, and waves off her question of his own well-being with one hand. "My own concerns are of little import, what is wrong Aya? First you tell me that I might hear that you are consorting with evil and now... What is going on?"

Aya exhales a long breath in a sigh. She then inhales to note, "If it is any consolation, the rumors are true, yet now past tense. I no longer consort with such things. Not after one I consider family was murdered or ..worse. Now that others I care for, yourself included, are now directly threatened. I voided the arrangement, as well, with myself as the collateral to be claimed. Neither do I expect that my killing him, as impermanent as it may be, improved his disposition." It is fortunate that she too a breath, first.

Daechir blinks at this news and shakes his head. "What do I have to do with..." He makes a motion with his hand to indicate all of what Aya just said. "Does the thing that you had an arrangement with merely threaten everyone you know?"

Aya shakes her head. "No, though I expect he would if he knew. We were witnessed together at the colosseum, so presumptions were made. Your safety ransomed." Her lips purse. "I have done nothing to threaten that, but I remain concerned. I could not warn you of it, before, so I do so now."

For a moment Daed is quiet, considering this concern seriously. "What leverage was used?" He blinks his red eyes and looks at Aya. "What weight against my life?"

It is now Aya's turn to somewhat dismiss the question with a gesture of her hand. "A bit of information that might sate some anger, but would ultimately change nothing. I will not be divulging it." She meets his gaze firmly with that assurance, yet there is still concern in her eyes. "Still, I earned his ire, and you gained his notice. I urge you to be cautious."

"A wise urging I am sure." Daed murmurs thoughtfully, his expression still too thoughtful. "Still, I hate to think you beholden to a creature of that nature for the sake of my life, even if it is only for some bit of 'unimportant' information." He arches one dark eyebrow at Aya. "And for all your words I feel rather unconvinced of its unimportance."

Aya regards him in his thoughtfulness; perhaps curious of gears turning and how. A moment is taken for her own gears to turn before one contrastingly snowy brow arches in return. "Would you accept, instead, that I consider your life of more value than the information?"

This brings a slow smile to Daed's lips and his eyes sparkle with a small measure of goodwill toward her. "That is kind of you; to place such value in me." It turns slightly rueful, but he doesn't lose that sparkle. "Even if I have no idea what value that is, that you would think of me at all... You have my gratitude for that Aya." He reaches out and touches her hand gently.

What concern Aya's eyes revealed isn't abated, per se, though it is displayed less. It could be that Daed has enough sparkle in his to spare a little? As well, her lips curl somewhat, implying that the smile may also be somewhat contagious

The touch on her hand might be something of a surprise, were its approach abrupt. "It is something rather new for me," she admits, expounding with an added, "in general, that is. It hardly seems one-sided, though; you did offer me sanctuary, Daed, and without knowing the details, much less the truth."

"It is new to me as well. Friendships, relationships not built on mutual benefit but rather shared experience and genuinely... liking someone else. Caring about them." He looks down for a moment, but only a moment, his soft smile lingering for the sake of the smile on her lips. "I would offer you sanctuary at any hour Aya. The fact that you put value on my life has more than proven that you deserve my welcome."

Aya blinks at the unexpected revelation. She considers herself an excellent judge of character, if only by need for survival by suspicion, yet he had always seemed so ... at ease? Still with the wit and sly of his bloodline, yet...

Whatever she thought, she was mistaken; it could simply be that his talents for deception exceeded even her judgement. Her smile grows further. "I will hold you to that offer." A hand is placed atop the one that touched or rests upon hers.

"As I recall, you offered a meal that I was forced to decline. I wish to correct that."

Daed's smile blooms into real pleasure. "It would be my great pleasure to buy you a meal, or if you prefer... We can retire to my home and I will attempt to cook for you." He makes a small amused noise. "Though I warn you that I am no great chef."

"Anyone can toss coin to get a meal," Aya notes, a hint of wry creeping into her half-smile. "I am more curious as to how not great a chef you might be... and I would very much wish that offered sanctuary and some respite." With that last, her violet gaze is more earnest than sparkling.

“Then I shall endeavor to please." Daed makes a motion toward the door. "Would now be a good time for you?" It was what she seemed to be implying, but assuming would only serve to make an ass out of him.

Aya nods and rises from the chair. "Now is perfect. I could eat, and we're both clean..." Convenient facts. That it would be wise for her to act sooner rather than later is another point that looms, but goes unmentioned.

She then offers her hand to him. Not in a manner to help him stand, but more to allow him to escort. They are ostensibly of noble blood, afterall; even if most do not know nor they, themselves, may not particularly care.

-End