[h2][b]Toasts to Piracy[/b][/h2][sup][Aelious + Aster, feat. a bottle of wine][/sup]

Aster was lying on the grass, an open space a few blocks from the market. No pesky nobles in sight, no Towers or naggy carriage drivers, just the night sky. It still brought her peace, despite seeming to twinkle less brightly here. The work of the Northern-style streetlights here, no doubt.

She idly lifted the toy wyvern overhead, her long arm making it soar and swoop through the limited sky as she whistled a tune to herself.

Soon, the tune was joined by another, lower whistle. It almost harmonized with her whistling, but was ever-so-slightly off. With a bit of a saunter and a bit of a sway, Aelious plopped down onto the grass a couple meters away from the merchant-noble, his complexion slightly flushed from the bottle of wine held between two of his fingers. Letting out a ghost of a breath, the Aureolin Heir leaned back, enjoying the night breeze and the wisping music.

It was a nostalgic one, after all, one of the popular tunes that any traveller in Croania would know.

[color=f7941d]'This is not a duet,'[/color] Aster remarked silently, still whistling. She craned her neck to see--goddess above, [I]really?[/I] Two in one day?

Her melody took a more staccato quality, as if she was just shoving out the notes now. She made sure to finish the song, for the nobleman's sake. It seemed the polite thing to do, even if she had her eyes narrowed at him the whole time.

[color=f7941d][b]"Lord Aureolin,"[/b] [/color]she greeted him.

[b]"Lady Nols,"[/b] he responded, with a dip of his head. [b]"Suppose I disturbed your solitude?"[/b]

Yes. [color=f7941d][b]"No, no, I was just... surprised."[/b][/color] She stowed the toy wyvern into her shoulder bag. [b][color=f7941d]"You, uh, just looking around?"[/color]

"Thought I'd clear my head a bit before calling it a night. And you?"

[color=f7941d]"Enjoying the start of my vacation."[/color][/b] She turned her gaze back to the sky.

[b]"A rare occurrence for sure,"[/b] Aelious replied. He tilted his bottle of wine in the caravan leader's direction. [b]"Like a drink?"[/b]

She shook her head. For one thing, he was a Lord of much higher repute. For another, he was listed the most eligible bachelor on the continent. By a paper owned by his family but Aster digressed.

[color=f7941d][b]"Surely the Tower would offer better drink,"[/b][/color] she said. [color=f7941d][b]"Better company too."[/b][/color]

[b]"Higher bred perhaps, but better? Debatable."[/b] A shrug. He uncorked the bottle, did a small toast in Aster's direction, before taking a swig. [b]"A real shame, not being able to go into the talks drunk."[/b]

Aster couldn't suppress a guffaw. [color=f7941d][b]"Perhaps if you brought enough the whole table. I'm sure Lady Esme--I'm sure a good handful of them would get a kick out of it."[/b][/color]

[b]"Something to consider for a more relaxed meeting."[/b] Though by Aelious's own estimations, Esmeralda was more likely to spit in the wine than drink it. [b]"Still, enough of the obligations of the nobles. Have you planned anything particularly delightful for your own break?"

[color=f7941d]"Gorging on everything I can find in the market."[/color][/b] She seemed almost proud of it. [b][color=f7941d]"Maybe explore the mountain range if I got the time but who knows how long the talks'll go."[/color]

"Gonna be mountaineering, are you?"[/b] Aelious rolled his eyes up skywards, drawing up on past memories. [b]"Talks should only take a couple of days or so, least based off the past ones. Suppose you're gonna wanna hit the markets running then?"[/b]

She gestured a relaxed hand forward. [color=f7941d][b]"Full speed ahead. What about you? Any holidays for a second heir?"[/b][/color]

Aelious laughed, shaking his head. [b]"Work never ends, but at least it's never the same."

[color=f7941d]"I like the sameness."[/color][/b] She shrugged. [b][color=f7941d]"It's easy."[/color]

"To each their own. Wouldn't have remained an Heir myself, if I liked routines."

[color=f7941d]"All the prestige but only half the responsibility. You're happy in your position?"[/color]

"Feel like being the most eligible bachelor in Croania's a pretty comfortable position,"[/b] Aelious grinned cheesily, [b]"But I could be wrong. How's life on the road for you?"[/b]

Aster returned with a wry smile of her own. [color=f7941d][b]"It's all I need. There's no shortage of jobs, still plenty of places to go. All open and endless. People say I ought to be asking for more but... why would I, y'know?"[/b][/color]

[b]"Everyone has different values, yeah. The problems only start popping up when they don't recognize that fact."[/b] The Aureolin Heir leaned back against the grassy slope, cradling his head behind his back. [b]"Suppose if things go well, you'll be one of the first to to take a step in Nolore, eh Aster?"[/b]

[color=f7941d][b]"Only if Seler's fleet goes up in flames,"[/b][/color] she smirked.

[b]"No plans on pulling a Drakus and just taking part of their fleet as your own?"

[color=f7941d]"I'd have to be part of the family first. And Verity doesn't seem the type to be easily seduced."[/color]

"Mmm, and I suppose your parentage is too clear-cut for you to suddenly reveal that you're Vector's bastard daughter."

[color=f7941d]"Aye. Alas, it seems piracy is the only option."[/color]

"I'll drink to that,"[/b] Aelious laughed, [b]"so long as you don't poach my wyverns."[/b]

[color=f7941d][b]"Fair,"[/b][/color] Aster toasted an invisible glass, [color=f7941d][b]"I'll have to just lease one."[/b][/color]

The drink stayed put but the chatter flowed freely. Like she was shooting the breeze with one of her workmen rather than an heir. It was strange, for sure. She never dropped her guard but the company was certainly appreciated.

They talked well into the night.