The party was boring and worst of all the man who she came with was busy with the local lasses. He'd practically ignored her all night and spent his time chatting, dancing and making eyes at the both of them. Perhaps he was looking for some easy action. She looked over the balcony and ignored the sounds of the music and frivolity. Her wine glass was cradled in one hand, stocked with crimson red wine, like a chalice of blood. Footsteps startled her from her reverie and she turned around, let rip with a dozen or so assorted reasons to castrate her would be date...only to find out the man she'd just ripped into wasn't him at all. He could never be him. Now she was embarrased and her skin flushed with a tint of pink. The Captain of the Queen's guard, chuckled softly at the woman who laid into him with such venom and smiled politely. "Forgive me for startling you M'lady, I can leave if you so wish?" He held in his one hand, something she couldn't quite see. "You would not the be the first man to ignore or turn away from me this eve." She shot back cooly and tried to look irritated, all the while her anger was being replaced by heartache as she heard his laugh and his companion's laugh. The Captain followed her quick gaze, saw the trio and put two and two together, he was a quick and intelligent man, also quite the charmer as the Queen once put it. "Count Sebastian is quite a fool." Soothed the Captain, bowing a little. "Permit me to introduce myself, I am Captain Flint Rhianhart." He produced a black Rose, as pitch as the night sky. "The Count is a pom..." She began then her eyes drifted to the Rose and she took a slight breath. "I've never seen those outside of the Queen's garden, where did you?" "In that you have my answer dear lady." He said. "Would you like to dance?" From one of my short stories, The Meeting. Illustrated by Gill, written by Fenris.