Sarion stood in a dress suit outside a door from which there
could just be heard the buzz of conversation. He paced up and
down, worried. A door opened and Ynno hesitantly stepped in. A
look of relief crossed Sarion's face.
"Ynno! Where have you been?" He waved his hands. "They're
all here. Where were you? Clare has been in a tizzy."
"Is Bethula here?" he asked fidgeting with his neck tie.
"Yes she's here. And stop that" he said, slapping his hand
away. "You look fine."
"I was worried. I thought she might not turn up. I don't
know what to say."
Sarion shook his shoulders and growled at him. Ynno blinked
several times. Sarion let him go and with deliberate motions
pinned a badge onto him. "None of that now." He opened the door
and ushered him in. "You were right about her charm", he
whispered in his ear. "But mind Ms. Didascalos, with her."
"Not Battleaxe?" Ynno whispered back.
"Apparently they've taken her out again and dusted her off.
Hello, Mr. Gorgreflen!" he said to a delegate who wandered into
them. They made small talk for a while and them moved on, taking
glasses from a passing tray. Ynno took a small gulp. "Easy on
that" cautioned Sarion. "It's strong."
"I reckon I need it", said Ynno.
"Yes, well hold tight" He elbowed his way between two
conversations to where their quarry stood surveying the company.
"Hello Ms. Didascalos and welcome back. And..." he made the
pretence of peering at her nametag, "Ms. Myragail. You're new to
the business?"
"We've just taken her on", said Ms. Didascalos. "We have
every confidence in her." Bethula smiled modestly.
"Well then", continued Sarion, "I must introduce you to our
Imperial Specialist. Ynno, come here. This is Ynno Hollis. This
is Ms. Bethula Myragail and I believe you already know Ms.
Didascalos." They all mumbled acknowledgements to each other.
"Actually, Ms. Didascalos, there is someone here I think you
would do well to meet; our newest member of staff. Her
speciality may be of particular interest to you..." Sarion
carefully trailed her away leaving Ynno with Bethula.
"Well, um" started Ynno. "The government provides an
excellent advisory service which you can do no ill to consult.
There's coordinaion with other companies and well... I believe I
saw you at the conference. I wanted to introduce myself but I
didn't get the chance." She smiled and nodded, looking over his
shoulder. "I was watching your cues. You know your field very
well..."
"I've had experience", she said a bit distractedly.
"Yes, well, my training was, umm... Oh, you're drinking
water. You should really try some of the wine. It is really top
quality."
She looked at him for almost the first time and smiled
warmly. Ynno's eyes became vacant and it felt as if his heart
stopped. "Thank you, perhaps I shall. But first I must disengage
Ms. Didascalos from old companions and remind her of the business
of the evening. Your pardon?" Her voice was smooth in perfect
Imperial emphasis and intonation.
"Always, Madam", he replied just as correctly. And she left.
Sarion found him a few minutes later, standing there watching the
wine swirl in his nearly empty glass; a silly expression on his
face.
"Ynno. What happened?" Ynno looked up and giggled. "What did
you say?", he repeated.
"I can't remember", he chortled.
"Well what did she say?"
"I can't remember that either! She, she, _was_."
"Come on, we can't let her see you a simpering idiot!"
Sarion led him back through the staff entrance into a hallway.
Ynno tossed back the last of his wine and held the glass to the
light. He laughed out loud.
"She is the stars of night! She is the diadem of the
Emperor's crown! She is the dew of morning!" He turned a quick
circle around Sarion. "She has looked on me and I can do
anything!" He threw the glass over his head and caught it with
the other hand, laughing wildly.
"Are you smitten or are you smitten?" He tousled his hair.
"What do you think she feels?"
"I don't know, I don't care. I have looked in the eyes of a
god!" They embraced firmly and Sarion staggered a bit at the
unnatural weight. Some of the cheer left his eyes. "I don't think
I can go back in there."
"Certainly not in this state!" Ynno giggled and threw his
wine glass into the air again, missing this time. They both broke
into peals of laughter. A member of the staff stuck their head
out the kitchen door and looked disapprovingly at them for a
moment. They quickly sobered for a moment before collapsing
against the wall when it disappeared. Sarion eventually recovered
himself. "You. You float home. I shall have to go back inside to
hold up the department's end." Ynno looked thanks into his eyes
and wandered off. Sarion caught up with him and turned him in the
right direction.
Back inside Clare was waiting discreetly at the door. "I
kept her occupied as long as I could. She just pounced on poor
Mr. Gorgreflen though."
"Well our lover boy has drifted off."
"Are you sure he'll make it home?"
"He should be all right. He's higher than the Aerostat
though."
"Perhaps I should walk him home."
"Nah. We've got to manage our lovely guests. If the wine
doesn't get them."
Clare still looked doubtful but put on her smile again and
they both mixed.