Wine and Cheese

We arrived at the manor. Mel was dressed in an elaborate golden dress, the moment we walked through the door she was handed a crystal glass filled to the brim with champagne. She held it delicately in her slender hand, she raised the glass to painted lips and looked to her side with a smirk. "There's no reason to be nervous, have some champagne and enjoy the company. All these people want is cheese, wine and complements."

You didn't want to pander to the upper class. And you didn't want to sit with them in some perfumed room. You didn't even want to be here.

Mel was in her natural habitat, she weaved in and out of conversations, trying to speak to each clique, each group of socialites formed a circle. The buffet table had barely been touched, so you resisted your instincts as a street urchin and did not go straight to the food. Instead you grabbed a champagne glass. You held in a cringe, it was dry and bitter like drinking sand.

Someone noticed your disdain and walked up to you. he was a fat man, with a black suit on, he wore a monocle and strangely shaped black shoes. "I also hate the champagne, the Kiramman's are intelligent, beautiful and glorious but they do not have the greatest taste in champagne," He looked to you for reassurance before adding. "But it isn't the worst either, far from it."

You smiled at him but didn't know how to respond.

"I'm not a fan of champagne, so I wouldn't really know." He looked relieved.

"Honestly we are one and the same! I prefer a good Gin and Tonic."

"It is surprisingly dry." You added on a bit unsure how to break away from the topic.

"Every time! I swear every time I have champagne I am surprised by the dryness." You smiled and nodded. "Well, would you follow me to the bar keep and we can get ourselves something better." He placed his glass of champagne, still full, back on a serving platter nearby. You wondered if that wasn't rude but mimicked him, giving the waiter a nod of recognition. He did not respond.

You walked together to the bar tender where he ordered the drinks. You took a sip of the drink, it wasn't as good as beer at The Last Drop, but it was passable. He stared at you while you drank, so you nodded with a smile. He smiled and drank his own drink. You thought about this man, you wanted a wealthy business partner, he was wealthy and seemed easily influenced. Like Mel said, he seemed to craved approval.

"You have a fantastic-" You passed for a moment, looking for something to flatter. "Monocle, does it serve a purpose?" He flushed red with embarrassment and made a great show of shaking his head. You gained that it worked, because he smiled more often.

"Thank you, what taste, but I am afraid that you caught me it is purely aesthetic. My greatest inspiration, our dear professor Dingleberry wear one and I was inspired to adopt it as well."

"Dingleberry- I'm not sure I know of him."

"Heimerdinger." Mel walked up beside you, draping an arm over your shoulder. "Professor Heimerdinger inspires such brilliance in our city."

The man choked, "My mistake, I think I mispronounced his surname, yes Heimerdinger is a great man who inspires great men. And woman of course." Mel smiled at him.

"Of course, I see you have already met my friend, did you know that this young entrepreneur has taken over Mr. Bougainvillea's factory? And it already seems to be thriving from the change of management."

"Oh wow... I had no idea the old man had retired. I always saw such great potential with him. I own a number of mines you see, and you would not believe the upkeep. How often that undercity trash manage to break helmets and pickaxes. It would be great to buy them at a better price... even if they were of a cheaper quality."

"I'm sure my factory can produce quality goods to protect and assist your workers, at a fair price."

"Of course, of course. Call me Mr. Bellwiser, and perhaps we could arrange a business meeting, just between us?" He glanced quickly between you and Mel.

"Of course." You shook his hand before he walked away, leaving the two of you alone.

Mel leaned against the bar. Her arms crossed, holding the champagne glass, she smiled at you. Although you felt a small hint of disapproval. "And here I thought you would need my help to form new connections. I feel so wholly inadequate." She joked, "I suppose it is a good thing and Bellwiser is a good deal, but the man is simply to stupid to be a real ally."

"Should you be speaking so loud? Aren't these people friends of his?" She looked into your eyes, the pure intelligence behind her own eyes was terrifying. But the hazel and the golden hue surrounding the darker black was breathtaking. She was the perfect diplomat, you thought to yourself. Its like she was made from marble; designed specifically for dinner parties and speeches.

"Well? Are you going to ignore me now." she said, and you realized you had lost focus. "Look at the man, just watch Bellwiser for a moment."

You turned to look at him, he followed anyone who seemed alone, but they all dismissed him before returning to their circles.

"See the man is a fool, he's to easily impressed. A few words and he would follow you into the sea, or stab you in the back. A quick and rich alliance, but one you will need to watch closely."

You sighed aloud, you wished that these people would show their emotions as clearly as Jinx. She was so chaotic but honest.

Everyone here hid their true feelings. If Jinx was so annoyed by your lack of emotion, she would go crazy in a place like this. You thought of what she might do at a party like this, the pranks, how much she might enjoy the food and found yourself smiling at the thought.

"Well at least you seem to be enjoying the party." Mel said breaking you from the daydream.

You smiled again but found yourself searching for a hint of blue, which wasn't there. You walked with Mel for the rest of the night. Going from group to group. One of the magistrates' wanted to arm more guards with a chain bola, and a handful of business men wanted to arm their private security. A few people asked you about paperwork and legalities, but Mel always had a sharp answer waiting for them.

Although the night was productive, you began to think it was exhausting. In the early morning when the party ended, you walked out with Mel, yawning.

"These parties seem to get longer and longer." Mel whispered by the entrance to her carriage. "You seem tired and its a longer ride to your estate, you are welcome to stay at mine for the day."

"Thank you, but I'm tired, and I still have a lot of work today."

"Oh ever a hard worker. I'll see you soon then." she raised her hand. You smiled in misunderstanding.

"A kiss on the hand, for parting." She lowered her hand. "One day... perhaps."