Thread: The Longest Night:  A Meridian Society Christtmas (TheCorsair & Madame Mim)

Yeah. Least, Ah reckon so, Sam sighed. Ever since Ah told him Ah... y'know, like ladies too. An' he said it didn't matter, but... She shook her head. Ah dunno what Ah did wrong, Anne Marie! But Anne Marie wasn't following up on that. As requested, it would be for later. Instead, she pointed ou how rude - no, that was too mild a word really - she'd been. Sam wanted to bristle, but the possible consequences made her realize just how thoughtless she'd been. Oh. Mah. Gawd, she whispered, shocked and numb. The two mugs clattered as she held them. Ah... woukd... would y'all excuse me? Erik and Kieran were still there when she returned, but Colin was gone, and she barely noticed when Erik took his cider. She just sat, perched next to him, staring down at her steaming coffee. Kieran, she finally murmured in a subdued little voice, Ah, uhn, Ah... Ah'm sorry. Ah jes' thought everyone... Grimacing, she shook her head. No, no, that ain't right. Ah jes' didn't think, an' Ah talked outta place, an', an' Ah don't rightly think sayin' sorry'll be enough. But... Ah am. Ah really am. Disconsolatly she sipped her coffee, almost glad that it scorched her tongue. Ah'm a damn fool, Ah am. Perhaps, said Professor Swift as he returned, not acknowledging the way his appearance made everyone jump. But the beginning of wisdom is to realize that one knows nothing. He wasn't certain what had brought about the moment if insight, but it was good to see it happen. Samantha was rough around the edges, but so were diamonds Striding past, he went back into the kitchen and returned to the deer carcass. It was good to have something to work on, he decided, because it kept him from having to see the tensiin in Anne Marie's posture. A couple of minutes passed as he sliced and chopped, slowly reducing the carcass to a collection of cuts of meat. My wife, he said softly, making a gesture of apology, is... was... He swallowed. I... dislike speaking of her, now. Too many memories, and the bad ones sometimes threaten to overwhelm the good. A moments hesitation. You understand, I believe, better than you realize. His hands were trembling with suppressed emotion, so he laid the cleaver down. Then, with an effort of will, he turned to look at Anne Marie with haunted eyes. I hope you will understand that I am not ready to talk about her. Not... yet. Perhaps someday. He forced a small smile. After several stiff drinks. The sitting room had all of the warmth and comfort if a mauseloeum, Colin decided when he returned. Kieran was giving Sam his trademark devil stare. Sam was hunched over, staring morosely into her mug. And Erik was looking at Kieran with an odd, wary expression. So, he stopped at the sidebar and caught up a stoppered decanter of Scotch before taking his seat. Here, he said, refillinng his own glass and Kieran's before adding a generous splash to Sam's coffee. He wasn't certain how she took the stuff normally, but in his opinion anything that masked the taste would only improve the noxious beverage. Erik had his cider already, so Colin just plunked the bottle down within easy reach. To awkward revelations? he suggested, lifting his glass. Everyone lifted their glass by reflex, and then Sam grabbed the bottle and took a long pull. I'm an idjut, she mumbled. Yes, you are, Colin agreed cheerfully, saluting and taking another drink. But done is done, and little enough harm was done in the process. We're among friends, after all. The last was directed at Kieran and Colin. Aren't we? Ah shouldn't have... Sam began. Yes, you shouldn't have, Colin agreed. But apology accepted, as long as you've learned a little discretion? He grinned and leaned back. But to tell the truth, he added impishly, no offense intended, but I had thought you had similar leanings Sam. She started at that, and he gestured with his cup. Your, ah, agressively masculine behavior and dress. But, with you and Erik together, I assume I was wrong. He waited a moment, as Sam sipped at her coffee. At least, that's what I heard in Berlin. Several times. An explosive spray of coffee, followed by Sam coughing repeatedly as she turned bright red, were reward enough. It was nice to see he hadn't lost his touch.