My mildly improved mood comes once more crashing down. I close my eyes briefly and hope that whoever it is goes away quickly.
When I turn to see Parth I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was really sweet the last time I had seen him and I did genuinely enjoy our chat. On the other, he is absolutely not going to leave quickly.
"Hello again Sir Redhaven."
"Hey! It is a pleasure to see you once more Lady Blackwood!" He sweeps into an overdramatic bow, beaming all the while. The enthusiasm pouring off of him like the suns rays.
Once more, I feel my mouth quirk up into a barely there smile. (Entirely against my will mind you).
"Indeed. This is my personal servant Anne." I gesture at my side introducing her as Anne curtsies, personal servant the highest title I can give her in public. "What are you doing out and about today?" Why I am currently making small talk is really anyone's guess but here I am.
He gives a bob of his head in acknowledgement to Anne, before once more looking at me. "I was supposed to pick up a delivery for my father but apparently it has been delayed. So, I decided since I was already out here I might as well enjoy myself a bit. What about you lovely ladies? I rarely ever see you around."
The fact that he actually acknowledges Anne in his question is a little surprising, most nobles simply treat servants like they are part of the furniture. Against my will he rises a little higher in my esteem. The fact that I can tell Anne also likes him doesn't help. She has always been a pretty good judge of character, and I can see out of the corner of my eye the way her smile is real and her posture relaxed.
"I just finished a dress fitting down the street and we were about to go look for somewhere to eat." I do not make the offer for him to join us but my tone is open and not completely discouraging if he were to decide to make the offer himself.
However, I am still well aware that however pleasant he is, it won't last. I need to keep that in mind, remind myself of this fact. Sooner or later the niceness will fade. Also, even if he was very adamant about not caring at the ball, my reputation really is rather fearsome. (Though I'm not sure of the specifics of it this time around). It would not be entirely surprising if, after meeting me at the ball, he learned more about me and changed his mind.
"Well if it would not be too much of a bother perhaps I could join you and show you around. I know this area like the back of my hand and I am still on a mission to prove that you are undeserving of your cruel reputation Lady Blackwood."
It really is so hard to remember just who he is when he is on the charm offensive like this. Or maybe I'm just lonely and desperate for any form of kindness. Probably the latter.
"I suppose I would not mind your company, especially after our last conversation got cut so short."
He beams at me, I feel a little like I'm staring into the sun. "What sort of place were you looking for? I know all the best spots to grab a bite."
When I hesitate a moment, about to say something vague about not really caring, Anne jumps in. "My lady was looking for somewhere quiet. Somewhere with more simple foods, I had thought of that sandwich shop the next street over but its become so popular it is always crowded."
Nodding sagely Parth decides, "I know just the place, follow me my ladies."
However before he can begin to guide us Anne once more speaks up, "I'll leave my lady in your hands then, good sir. There are some errands I should run."
I blink rapidly, caught off guard. I know full well she doesn't have any errands to run, her entire job is to serve me. She smiles at me, delighted and mischievous. "I would not want to interrupt your time with your friend my lady. We can meet back here in, say, 2 hours?"
Still in a little bit of shock I reply, "sure, see you then." Mostly on automatic. Then she's gone. I am alone with Parth (this was not the plan, Anne come back, what do I do). Also, friend? I met the guy once.
"Shall we?" I turn, and Parth is there, offering his arm. My brain still stalling a bit, I take his arm. I decide that interrogating Anne on why she abandoned me like this must be left for later. In favor of dealing with the current crisis of being left alone with a man I barely know. (And whom I also know way too well)
He begins strolling and I follow his lead. He leads me down a side street and into quaint little diner with a sign on the door reading 'little paradise'. It is tucked so out of sight that I had not spotted it until we were directly in front of the door. When we walk through it has a couple of customers, but isn't crowded. There is soft music playing from a record player behind the counter.
A waitress comes up quickly to greet us. She's a little on the older side with laugh lines creasing her face, she looks exactly the way kind mothers in stories are described.
"Oh, Parth good to see you again. It's been a while, how've ya' been?" She asks cheerful as she guides us to a table.
The two chatter back and forth as we slide into a booth. Me on one side and Parth on the other. The booth is made of some kind of leather and it is soft and squishy like a well loved armchair. I kind of never want to leave.
"I see you brought a lady with you this time too you little rascal." Tuning back into the conversation I look over at the lady as she gives Parth a playful look before turning to Anne and I. "Forgive my late introduction I'm Martha, this rascal has been comin' here for years. He's like another son at this point. He's never brought any friends here before though, it's good to see he's finally gone and got some."
"It is nice to meet you as well ma'am." I give a dip of my head from my seat, not entirely sure how to reply to the outpouring of words, or to the knowledge that apparently she also believes us to be friends and that this is the first time he has apparently brought someone here.
"Oh and your so polite too. Just call me Martha deary. Well, I'll leave you two too it. Here's a menu, though I'm sure by this point Parth has the whole thing memorized." With a last grin she turns away and goes to another table to refill their drinks.
"I'm sorry about her, I know she can be a little much sometimes." He looks sheepish. A hand rubbing the back of his neck.
"It is alright, she seems like a lovely woman. This place is very nice, I never would have known it was here." It really was, now that I was looking over it more. There were little decorative carvings etched into the wooden sides of the booths. Little decorations hung on the walls. Most importantly no one was staring or whispering. In fact our presence was being totally ignored by the other patrons. It was a rare gift, I would definitely come back some time.