She proceeded to lift her gil purse to her lap and reach a hand inside. From it she withdrew a small and folded piece of parchment. Holding it up to look as official as possible, she scanned down the lines of text. Jameson looked somewhat amused by the whole things. "You were left in charge of her estate. I did not realize how much she did trust you. Despite her angry words." This prompted a glance from her over the top of the parchment for a moment. "Neither did I.", she replied.
Her words were honest in that regard. Despite calling each other friends, Coatleque and Natalie had always acted with some measure of professionalism around each other. That was mostly due to her own mannerisms. Natalie had tried on occasion to loosen her tongue, but those vulgar conversations never seemed to go anywhere. The more Coatleque attempted to discuss serious matters with her, the more she would deflect the topic to more personal matters such as their love lives.
Brynnalia had since taken her own seat at the table across from Jameson to the Sworn's left. She leaned back now, watching curiously. Coatleque returned her attention to the will before her. "To Jameson Taeros I bequeath a set of matching dirks, as well as a case of fine wine from the cellars of our company house." Looking back up to Jameson over the document she added, "She states that these items are all of noteworthy make and bids you do with them as you see fit." After a slight pause she concluded, "At your word I shall have them delivered to your office. Or your personal estate." With that she folded the paper once more and returned it to her purse. She also removed her glasses and hid them away as she would not need them further.
Jameson nodded slowly and only once. His amber gaze turned distant for a moment before he allowed a small curl of the corner of his lips. "Dirks. And wine. Hmph." The Knight merely watched him, gauging his reaction to all of this. The man was a hard read, though. Most likely the best card player in Eorzea. She considered this as Jameson would dwell on his own thoughts for a moment. He leaned back in his chair. It was not long before his smile returned. "Very well then. Have it delivered to the Brass Blades headquarters. My men will take care of it from there." Coatleque nodded once. "As you say then. I shall take care of it the very next sun."
The approach of the butler to the table broke the conversation from there. Brynnalia turned her attention to him with narrowed eyes and an odd curl to her lips. She said nothing, however. Jameson simply nodded in agreement. "You have my thanks, Lady Crofte.", before looking up to the man as he cleared his throat politely. "Ah. My good man, North. Is the dinner ready?" Gideon bowed low in return. "Miss Crofte, Mistress Callae, my lord. The entrées appear to be quite ready for your appraisal." Coatleque smiled at him. It was not the same strained smile of acknowledgement that men like Taeros may give, but one of genuine gratitude. Of all those gathered here, she most likely understood the butler the most. Also, despite all the circumstances surrounding this gathering, Coatleque seemed oddly pleased to be here tonight.
Jameson merely nodded slowly, barely giving the man a passing glance. "Very well. Do proceed.", he commanded with an absent wave of the hand. To that the man quickly began to deftly arrange a series of plates on the table with a large bottle close by. Brynnalia merely watched him with curiosity, her green eyes following his every movement, studying his expression. There was no doubt that she was watching him closely tonight.
The conversation had seemed to lull. Taking charge once more, Coatleque turned back to Jameson with a bright expression. "I do believe you have some good news to share this night, Master Taeros. You certainly have spared no expense.", she said with a slight gesture to the table. Jameson smiled slowly and gave her a nod. "With dear Natalie's passing, I seek to make new friendships. I am left without a lovely Sworn I can trust and call friend." His words may not have been truly endearing, but Coatleque could still feel the warmth rise to her ears. Whatever could be said of Taeros, he certainly knew how to wield flattery. She remained silent and tried to focus on the meal being set before them, rather than where his eyes were wandering.
Gideon completed his setting of the table and stood close by to explain the night's preparations. "I endeavored to make the most of the location, milord, and sample some of the region's specialties." Jameson managed to tear his gaze from her to glance at the man once more with a nod. "I do hope my guests are pleased with your choices." He looked from the man to Brynnalia, and then back to Crofte. Gideon continued, "We have... tarragon-encrusted loin of lamb, with a light dash of basil butter. Fresh from the La Noscean fields, or so I am told. Accompanying, a stewed cassoulet of white parsnip... and, yes..." He reached for the bottle while arranging a series of fluted glasses before them.
Brynnalia pushed herself off from her recline as the dishes and the wine were brought forth. Her smile broadened. Coatleque noticed but still held her tongue. It appeared this woman could also appreciate some of the finer things in life. Or perhaps she was merely playing Taeros for all she could get. Their conversation a few nights prior certainly showed no love for the man on her part, he merely provided her gil at the end of the week. Mister North continued his presentation. "A selection of sweet ciders, milord, augmented with the tartness of La Noscean citrus which were picked directly from the fields one may view from this very balcony, milord. Of course, sir, I was assured by the staff that they still retain the, ah, potency of less subtle spirits." With that he bowed low and courteously to Jameson once more before stepping back and awaiting judgement.
Jameson glanced from his guests to the butler again. He was not hardly paying attention to anything the man said, but the descriptions seemed to have caught his ear. "Excellent.", he replied. Coatleque looked around the table before nodding to herself. "It all sounds wonderful.", she said. Her words were directed at Gideon, though she did not look towards him. Jameson continued, "Let us see if it deserves my guests' approval." Gideon merely inclined his head politely. "If it is sweet and potent, then it got me approval already.", Brynnalia added. "I await the deserved verdict, milord.", Gideon replied. Of the four of them, the butler surely had felt the most tension by now. Coatleque knew the feeling well herself. The deep and held breath as you awaited your Master's judgement after giving your all to the task at hand. She did not envy him, and even felt her own breath being held as she waited for Taeros to continue the service.
Brynnalia continued peering at the man, as a cat watches a mouse creep along the corner of a wall. He merely acknowleded her with a quick "Mistress?", and bowed curteously. Jameson lifted his glass, swirling it before his nose to take in its aroma. "Let us have a taste of this, hm?" Brynnalia smirked at Gideon then eyed her drink instead, taking it up as well. Coatleque waited for the others before also taking up her own glass. Jameson raised his to the two ladies. "To new friendships. And new beginnings.", he began. "And perhaps a renewal of trust. For Ul'dah.", the Sworn added as she raised her glass to his. Brynnalia merely narrowed her eyes as she raised her glass. She added nothing before taking a long sip of the wine. "For Ul'dah.", Jameson agreed as he tipped his glass towards the Knight, then drank. She watched him, he being the host after all, and only raised her glass to her lips after he had begun himself.
There was another pause as the tension grew. Jameson lowered his glass only slightly as he tasted the wine. Both Mister North and Crofte could probably feel their hearts stop in that moment before Jameson nodded to the man in approval. Relief. With that, the dinner could continue. Jameson's attention did not stay on the butler for long, after all, he was merely a servant. Coatleque wished she could give the man the praise he was due, but remembered her sense of propriety and merely set her glass back down. She folded her hands and awaited Taeros to continue.
( To be Continued... )
Her words were honest in that regard. Despite calling each other friends, Coatleque and Natalie had always acted with some measure of professionalism around each other. That was mostly due to her own mannerisms. Natalie had tried on occasion to loosen her tongue, but those vulgar conversations never seemed to go anywhere. The more Coatleque attempted to discuss serious matters with her, the more she would deflect the topic to more personal matters such as their love lives.
Brynnalia had since taken her own seat at the table across from Jameson to the Sworn's left. She leaned back now, watching curiously. Coatleque returned her attention to the will before her. "To Jameson Taeros I bequeath a set of matching dirks, as well as a case of fine wine from the cellars of our company house." Looking back up to Jameson over the document she added, "She states that these items are all of noteworthy make and bids you do with them as you see fit." After a slight pause she concluded, "At your word I shall have them delivered to your office. Or your personal estate." With that she folded the paper once more and returned it to her purse. She also removed her glasses and hid them away as she would not need them further.
Jameson nodded slowly and only once. His amber gaze turned distant for a moment before he allowed a small curl of the corner of his lips. "Dirks. And wine. Hmph." The Knight merely watched him, gauging his reaction to all of this. The man was a hard read, though. Most likely the best card player in Eorzea. She considered this as Jameson would dwell on his own thoughts for a moment. He leaned back in his chair. It was not long before his smile returned. "Very well then. Have it delivered to the Brass Blades headquarters. My men will take care of it from there." Coatleque nodded once. "As you say then. I shall take care of it the very next sun."
The approach of the butler to the table broke the conversation from there. Brynnalia turned her attention to him with narrowed eyes and an odd curl to her lips. She said nothing, however. Jameson simply nodded in agreement. "You have my thanks, Lady Crofte.", before looking up to the man as he cleared his throat politely. "Ah. My good man, North. Is the dinner ready?" Gideon bowed low in return. "Miss Crofte, Mistress Callae, my lord. The entrées appear to be quite ready for your appraisal." Coatleque smiled at him. It was not the same strained smile of acknowledgement that men like Taeros may give, but one of genuine gratitude. Of all those gathered here, she most likely understood the butler the most. Also, despite all the circumstances surrounding this gathering, Coatleque seemed oddly pleased to be here tonight.
Jameson merely nodded slowly, barely giving the man a passing glance. "Very well. Do proceed.", he commanded with an absent wave of the hand. To that the man quickly began to deftly arrange a series of plates on the table with a large bottle close by. Brynnalia merely watched him with curiosity, her green eyes following his every movement, studying his expression. There was no doubt that she was watching him closely tonight.
The conversation had seemed to lull. Taking charge once more, Coatleque turned back to Jameson with a bright expression. "I do believe you have some good news to share this night, Master Taeros. You certainly have spared no expense.", she said with a slight gesture to the table. Jameson smiled slowly and gave her a nod. "With dear Natalie's passing, I seek to make new friendships. I am left without a lovely Sworn I can trust and call friend." His words may not have been truly endearing, but Coatleque could still feel the warmth rise to her ears. Whatever could be said of Taeros, he certainly knew how to wield flattery. She remained silent and tried to focus on the meal being set before them, rather than where his eyes were wandering.
Gideon completed his setting of the table and stood close by to explain the night's preparations. "I endeavored to make the most of the location, milord, and sample some of the region's specialties." Jameson managed to tear his gaze from her to glance at the man once more with a nod. "I do hope my guests are pleased with your choices." He looked from the man to Brynnalia, and then back to Crofte. Gideon continued, "We have... tarragon-encrusted loin of lamb, with a light dash of basil butter. Fresh from the La Noscean fields, or so I am told. Accompanying, a stewed cassoulet of white parsnip... and, yes..." He reached for the bottle while arranging a series of fluted glasses before them.
Brynnalia pushed herself off from her recline as the dishes and the wine were brought forth. Her smile broadened. Coatleque noticed but still held her tongue. It appeared this woman could also appreciate some of the finer things in life. Or perhaps she was merely playing Taeros for all she could get. Their conversation a few nights prior certainly showed no love for the man on her part, he merely provided her gil at the end of the week. Mister North continued his presentation. "A selection of sweet ciders, milord, augmented with the tartness of La Noscean citrus which were picked directly from the fields one may view from this very balcony, milord. Of course, sir, I was assured by the staff that they still retain the, ah, potency of less subtle spirits." With that he bowed low and courteously to Jameson once more before stepping back and awaiting judgement.
Jameson glanced from his guests to the butler again. He was not hardly paying attention to anything the man said, but the descriptions seemed to have caught his ear. "Excellent.", he replied. Coatleque looked around the table before nodding to herself. "It all sounds wonderful.", she said. Her words were directed at Gideon, though she did not look towards him. Jameson continued, "Let us see if it deserves my guests' approval." Gideon merely inclined his head politely. "If it is sweet and potent, then it got me approval already.", Brynnalia added. "I await the deserved verdict, milord.", Gideon replied. Of the four of them, the butler surely had felt the most tension by now. Coatleque knew the feeling well herself. The deep and held breath as you awaited your Master's judgement after giving your all to the task at hand. She did not envy him, and even felt her own breath being held as she waited for Taeros to continue the service.
Brynnalia continued peering at the man, as a cat watches a mouse creep along the corner of a wall. He merely acknowleded her with a quick "Mistress?", and bowed curteously. Jameson lifted his glass, swirling it before his nose to take in its aroma. "Let us have a taste of this, hm?" Brynnalia smirked at Gideon then eyed her drink instead, taking it up as well. Coatleque waited for the others before also taking up her own glass. Jameson raised his to the two ladies. "To new friendships. And new beginnings.", he began. "And perhaps a renewal of trust. For Ul'dah.", the Sworn added as she raised her glass to his. Brynnalia merely narrowed her eyes as she raised her glass. She added nothing before taking a long sip of the wine. "For Ul'dah.", Jameson agreed as he tipped his glass towards the Knight, then drank. She watched him, he being the host after all, and only raised her glass to her lips after he had begun himself.
There was another pause as the tension grew. Jameson lowered his glass only slightly as he tasted the wine. Both Mister North and Crofte could probably feel their hearts stop in that moment before Jameson nodded to the man in approval. Relief. With that, the dinner could continue. Jameson's attention did not stay on the butler for long, after all, he was merely a servant. Coatleque wished she could give the man the praise he was due, but remembered her sense of propriety and merely set her glass back down. She folded her hands and awaited Taeros to continue.
( To be Continued... )