was piping hot.
Elise face lit up as they sat. “Oh good, you decided to dine with me.”
Mina rolled her eyes. “Of course they did. They wouldn’t turn down the leader of Korinth. Honestly, Elise, I swear…” The sharp woman continued to mutter in a tongue Mathieu didn’t recognize. From the look that crossed her face a moment later, it seemed as though Elise had stomped her stiletto down on Mina’s foot.
“Well, now that we’re all here and about to indulge in this wonderful meal, I was wondering, what changes do you plan to make once you’re in charge?” Elise was eating daintily, but Mathieu could tell that her attention was focused on Avian. “That’s only a few years away, after all, and I really would like to know what I’m in for.” Mathieu thought that the topic was a bit heavy for casual dinner conversation, but who was he to judge what they people considered ‘casual’.
Avian considered, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Well, to start, I’d open conversations with all the regions of the Korinth, not just the Southern District.” She said. It was something she had been going over for quite some time.
It was obvious that Elise hadn’t been expecting that for an answer. “Well that’s…that’s…reassuring to hear. You are more aware than my country believes.” She furrowed her brows for a moment before smiling warmly. “Simply adorable, I swear. Oh, and Mathieu, your…pet desires your attention.”
Looking at her curiously, he felt Nikola brushing his mind. What’s wrong? He queried.
I think she can hear me…I don’t like it. The ball of light began to swirl quickly, becoming much more dense and trembled slightly. Nikola was beginning to panic.
Shh. I will handle it. Mathieu gave Elise a very pointed look. “Thank you for pointing it out, but you are making my friend very uncomfortable. I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from doing that too often tonight.” After that, dinner passed between the small group in an odd fashion. Elise continued to ask rather disjointed questions of Avian; Mina sat silently, staring pointedly at her plate; and Mathieu kept a private string of conversation going with Nikola.
Mina was the one that put him on edge, he decided. Elise by herself was harmless, just a smiling, curious woman who was interested in what was best for her country; whereas, Mina gave off an aura of…he didn’t know. But it was meant to unnerve people and it was rather effective.
Taking a deep breath, he took a plunge. “Mina, was it?”
“Yes.” The stern looking woman didn’t look up.
“How are you?” He had finished eating and had his arms folded over his chest, Nikola tucked into the crook of his elbow.
Her grip on her fork tightened, “I’m fine.” Her tone was clipped.
Smiling, he tilted his head. “Fine? That’s a rather…mundane answer from such an intense woman. Kind of a disappointment.” Mathieu jested lightly.
A muscle in her cheek ticked. “Well, aren’t you feeling observant. I’m fine. Elise is content, therefore, I am fine.”
Standing from his seat, he held out a hand to Mina and bowing slightly. “May I have this dance?” A silence fell over the room.
Mina cast a glance at Elise, who nodded, and she pushed her seat back, standing. Her hand slipped into his and she followed him onto the dance floor. She laid one hand on his shoulder, the other resting in his. The band struck of a decent paced waltz. Placing a hand on her waist, Mathieu pulled Mina close and counted out a beat in his head before starting into the waltz, pushing her lightly around the floor. He stumbled once or twice, but she recovered smoothly and didn’t comment. All the while, Nikola kept a beat for him in his head while hiding in his pocket.
“What are you playing at?” Mina’s voice was as tight as her dancing.
Mathieu looked at her curiously, an eyebrow raised. “We are dancing. Nothing more.”
Narrowing her eyes, she pushed against him as they danced, “You’re lying to me. You wanted me away from Elise. Why?”
“Simple. You are not a positive influence on conversation. Try relaxing. No one is going to attack her here.”
A small huff escaped thin lips. “You’re a traitor, you know.”
“Excuse me?” Mathieu said, almost coming to a complete stop but managing to keep dancing.
“You’re a User like us, given a gift that these simple-minded humans will never understand. Yet you serve them like a pet, not embracing who you are. I bet if you used your power here, there would be pandemonium.”