fancy seeing you here

[Julien Debienne]

Yule had been fairly uneventful, thankfully. Julien decided to remain home with his family, and even Ophelia had seemed to be in decent spirits. There had been a brief moment where they all thought her fits were about to return, but he was pleasantly surprised when she had been easily deterred from it. Maybe he catered to his sister a little too much, and maybe he partially did it because it grated on his mother's nerves...but it was the bloody holiday. They needed one day of calm, for fuck's sake, so Julien would have done just about anything to make that happen.

He hadn't attended the ball at the castle- well, he hadn't attended any party this year, and was glad to not have to deal with anything else this morning. Julien had gotten up with the sun to brew some black tea, desperately wishing they had something stronger. They'd run out of coffee days ago, and for a brief moment, he contemplated pouring a little bit of whiskey into that cup. No matter how hard he tried, sleeping in was a pastime he missed terribly, among many things.

So, for now, he crept around the silent manor as everyone else slept, every now and then hearing the servants mulling about in the other rooms. He slipped on his coat and stepped out onto one of the front balconies, watching as the morning light brightened the snowy landscape all around him. He didn't mind the cold so much, and he would bear it to listen to the silence outside as opposed to the eeriness of Blackthorn. There was always something about this house that was a bit unsettling, but he simply chalked it up to its age, despite Ophelia's ramblings.

[ Dani deGrey ]

[Dani deGrey]

Well, Yule had been disappointing. At least it had gotten off to a disappointing start. No-one had come to greet her at the docks, not either of her brothers or any of her cousins (and yes, she would still be sore about that for days, quite possibly weeks). And then Drew had crept off with his little new red haired friend… Declan had brooded in the corner watching his girls like a hawk and practically glaring at any man whose hand got a little too familiar with their waists. It was just dancing, not a marriage proposal after all. She wasn’t sure what he was so worried about, they were deGrey’s after all, and deGrey women knew how to fend for themselves. Nana made sure of that. If anything it was the boys that needed worrying about. Where had Drew snuck away to last night?

After Drew had gone missing and Declan had proved to be no fun- Dani had took a turn or two around the ball, shared a dance with her nieces, shared a few dances with familiar faces that she couldn’t quite put a name to, waved at her cousins (really, they all seemed so busy this evening, had she really been away so long that she had missed so much), and drank until she was sick of wine. When the nobles began to disperse, heading home after a night of calm revelry in the name of Yule- Dani was one of the last to leave. Afterall, what did she have waiting for her? Nana was away, her father would long be sleeping should she decide to return home, Drew was God only knows where, all she had waiting was a household long lost to sleep- and that was no fun.

So, belly warmed and head pleasantly buzzing from the fine wines, Dani deGrey clambered into the waiting carriage around midnight and asked to be taken back to the docks. The parties there wouldn’t stop until long past dawn, especially at Yuletime.

It was almost six hours, twelve card games, three rousing sea-shanties, and another bottle of cheap wine later that Dani left the tavern much to the dismay of the assembled sailors. She was still in her ballgown, though her heels were in her hands as she hopped (a little less gracefully this time) into the carriage- slumping into the plush velvet seat and mumbling something about being taken home to Blackthorn.

The ride was short, but Dani still managed to doze off until the cobbled driveway of Blackthorn Manor. Dark eyes blinked open as the carriage came to a stop. Dani deGrey didn’t wait for her driver to hop down and open the door for her, didn’t wait to be helped down as she probably should. Feeling a little wobbly for the first time that evening, the woman crawled backwards from the carriage- at least she tried to- instead she dropped gracelessly onto her arse, at least the skirts cushioned her fall somewhat. ”I’m alright!” She called brightly to her driver, who had patiently hopped down to help her up. ”I’m so *hic* sorry Francis,” Taking his hand, Dani pulled herself to her feet and took his arm to steady herself. ”You’ve been too good, too good tonight you know. Go home, spend Yule to your family! I bet they’ve missed you tonight! Oh that’s all my fault isn’t it! Oh no, no- Francis- here.” Unhooking her arm from his, Dani unclipped her necklace and passed it to him, ”For your wife, and, and these,” She slid off her bracelets too. ”For your daughters. Thank you for tonight Francis, get yourself home now, I’m sure my father is *hic* up by now.”

When the man opened his mouth to protest, to point out they were at Blackthorn as requested, Dani pressed a finger to his lips and shushed him. ”I will be fiiine, go home, it’s Yule.” And with that, she hitched up her skirts with one hand and held the other arm out to steady herself as she walked up the steps- oblivious to the figure on the balcony as she pushed against the door. ”Let me iiin.” Dani whined, slumping her weight against the door.

[Julien Debienne]

Well, he should have known the peace and quiet wouldn't last. He just wasn't expecting this.

The carriage was loud against the cobblestone drive, and he just hoped nobody else in the house heard it. It had been certainly loud enough to pry him from his thoughts, turning his mouth down into a frown of annoyance. "What in the f-" Julien halted his words as he watched someone stumble out, straight into the snow.

It wasn't long before he recognized her, even at that height from the balcony, and her voice punched the air whether she was talking silently or not. Everything traveled out here, and he cringed. It wasn't that he didn't wish to see her- oh no, believe it or not, the divorce had been mutual. Sort of. It was just too early for this.

What was she doing here? When had she returned to Tresteria? He'd been so preoccupied with everything else, that he hadn't heard...and he always knew when Dani deGrey was back in town. Had he been that out of it this year?

Blinking, slight panic set in as she sent the driver away and headed towards the door. Julien placed the tea down and rushed back inside to descend the stairs and hopefully make it to the front door before she possibly decided to get extra loud. He flung it open to regard her in complete confusion. "Dani...?" There was an actual question there on his tongue, but he didn't bother.

It was funny. Although he knew it wasn't happening, Julien always thought she would come back to him drunk and stumbling over herself. It seemed befitting.

[Dani deGrey]

The door opened, which was what Dani had wanted- and somehow not what she had expected by the way she only just managed to keep herself from tumbling through it as it did. The manor was darker than the dawn outside, and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust, a few moments longer for her to realise this wasn’t where she lived. At least not anymore. Her eyes found Julien Debienne before he spoke, and they went wide.

”Dani…?”

”Jules.” She said warmly, it was good to see him, it was always good to see him. Even if she was panicking inside, even if she had just sent away her only means of escape, even if she was stood there in his doorway in a ballgown. Cheeks flushed pink with wine and embarrassment. It was rare that Dani deGrey’s wit escaped her, but she just couldn’t piece together her thoughts at the moment. So she just stood there, trying and failing to style out what had probably been a huge mistake. What had she been thinking? Not to worry, she was here now, and that was that.

”Happy Yule!” The woman exclaimed with a grin, throwing her arms open and almost stumbling over in the process. It might not have seemed it to any onlooker, but Dani was trying to keep her voice down for fear of waking her ex-mother-in-law. ”I did get you a *hic* gift but, I left it on a ship. Don’t feel bad though! I left everyone’s gifts on the ship.” She didn’t wait to be invited in, but stepped across the threshold and plopped herself onto one of the chairs as though she really did still live here. Scrabbling fingers tried to unhook the back of her dress, she might have gotten into the damn thing in the back of a moving carriage- but getting out of it seemed to be an entirely different challenge. ”Could you? You never had trouble getting me out *hic* of a gown before.”

[Julien Debienne]

The moment those brown eyes of hers widened when they saw him, Julien knew immediately that she had no damn clue as to how she had gotten there. And to this house out of all places, too. They'd been divorced for how long now?

It was impossible to contain the smirk that curled his lips when she addressed him, somehow managing to look exquisite even when she was very much still intoxicated. Dani always did love her parties, but he was really hoping she kept that big mouth of hers shut so that Mother Dearest didn't wake up. That would be asking for too much, though. That would be asking for a miracle.

"Happy Yule..." he murmured back in soft amusement, a brow arching as he continued to watch the charade. Before he could say anything else, she was forcing her way inside and he shut the door behind her with a sigh. One of the maids heard the commotion and had been making her way in to investigate just as his ex-wife was blatantly asking him to help her undress. In the middle of the foyer...because, you know, that was normal.

Quietly asking the woman to fetch a robe, he made his way to Dani's side to haul her back up to her feet, unsure on whether he should still be amused or not. It wasn't strange to see or speak with her again because they were still miraculously on good terms regardless of the divorce, but dropping by like this was certainly new. Julien was silent as he slowly spun her around before deft fingers made quick work of the gown's fastenings; fingertips brushing across her skin to push the capped sleeves from her shoulders but nothing further. Seconds later, she would hear his voice near her ear, "Apparently I still don't."

The maid was returning and he was briskly stepping away to retrieve the robe. "Here." One word, and he was tossing the garment in Dani's direction.

[Dani deGrey]

If Dani had been a little more sober and a little more lucid, she might have been embarrassed- maybe later she would be. But for now, all she could do was adopt a smile and hope she was at least kind of managing to style this out. Then she saw his lips twist into a smirk and she knew there was no way she was hiding just how drunk she still was. He had known her too well then, and despite the physical and legal distance they had both placed between them: Julien knew her too well now.

She didn’t notice the maid wandering in, she wasn’t noticing a lot really- distracted by her mistake and the man who’s home she had just carelessly waltzed into. And then she was back on her feet, Julien hauling her up as though she weighed little more than the air around them. His silence was worrying, and for a moment or two Dani was almost worried she’d angered the man. She could count on one hand the number of people whose opinions she valued: Nana, Dec, Drew, and Julien- maybe Triston, depending what mood she was in really. But he was helping her out of her dress, so he couldn’t be that mad, if he even was mad.

The moment dragged out, the silence stretching each second into a minute. Though his touch was light, each brush of Julien’s fingertips felt as though it sparked across her skin- leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. Or maybe it was just the cold, it was Yule time after all, and Blackthorn had always been a drafty and gloomy place. Yes. It had to be the cold.

"Apparently I still don't."

Maybe not the cold. Dani felt her heart then, as though it was a bird in a cage, flutter against her ribs. But then he was gone, and so was the sensation. She caught the robe, kind of, her hand reached out to grab it and somehow they both ended up on the ground- it was kind of funny, the ridiculousness of the whole situation, when she thought about it. Even more so now she was on the ground, her dress unlaced and a borrowed robe in her hand Not rising for fear she’d fall over once again, Dani half shrugged and half wiggled out of the ball gown as laughter spilled from her. ”Thanks Jules, there’s no need *hic* to look so glum you know.” Sitting there in her slip, the light fabric doing little to shield her from the cold, brown eyes blinking up at him, ”It’s Yule Jules, ha! Yule Jule, it rhymes!” A snort laugh came from the woman then, ”Yule Jule.” she muttered to herself again, clearly amused as she tugged the robe around her.

[Julien Debienne]

Would she really have been embarrassed? Strangely enough, Julien always felt that Dani deGrey did everything on purpose...even when she didn't entirely mean to. Perhaps it was just that air about her, a presence he oftentimes envied. Anyone who knew him was aware that he wasn't by any means shy, but his ex-wife was a whole different level. It was probably what he had noticed first about her.

Lord Debienne wasn't mad, though. It was possible he was a little annoyed, but it could mostly be blamed on the fact that he had only recently woken up, and lacked the caffeine in his system to help fix this problem. Knowing Agnes, she was already brewing up a new pot and would bring a couple of cups out shortly. On top of that, Dani's unprompted appearance would grate on Iva's nerves, and Julien was already bothered by how his mother handled matters with Ophelia recently.

Oh, Lia...

No, she won't stray too far from her wing...

Still, the thought had him glancing around before his attention settled back upon Dani, just in time to find her on the floor laughing like a wild woman. His brow shot up in alarm, but he was only half surprised; that smirk returning to his lips within moments. As Blackthorn's old butler busied himself with getting the fire started in the hearth, Julien lowered himself to the cold floor instead of trying to get Dani back onto her feet. This would simply do for now.

"It's a little impossible to be so glum when you're around, deGrey," he told her in soft humor. A nod towards Charlie in thanks for the fire before the man slipped away, Julien was chuckling at Dani's drunken rhyme. "I guess there's no way to get you to drop that, huh?" No, he wasn't going to really ask. Going forward, he was probably going to hear "Yule Jule" every holiday now.

"So-" he began, bending a knee up to drape his arm over it while the other supported him. "Tell me what you've seen and done while away from Tresteria." Perhaps that was too much of a question to ask her in her current state...or it would just prove to be that much more entertaining.

[Dani deGrey]

Okay, she probably wouldn’t have been embarassed. At least not for her current state, or for dropping in unannounced. But Dani didn’t often make mistakes, and as much as she did still enjoy the company of Julien Debienne - she had meant to be wrapped up in her own bed by now, though she had to admit that the morning was shaping up to be a lot more fun for her little slip of the tongue. A lot more fun.

She kicked out her feet, sitting comfortable on the floor amongst her discarded dress with legs at a 90 degree angle. The chair would have probably been more comfortable, but Dani wasn’t sure she had the the balance at the moment to haul herself up onto the seat. Besides, Julien had joined her on the floor now, so when she thought about it: there really wasn’t any reason for her to get up, was there? She turned to the man with a dazzling trademark smile.

In the periphery of her vision, Dani recognised Charlie and offered him an awkward half wave in thanks for the fire- she hadn’t seen the old butler since the divorce, but she still remembered his face and seemingly endless patience. Pulling the robe a little tighter around her, Dani shuffled a little closer to the fire, the dazzling smile shifting into one of contentment. This wasn’t a bad way to spend Yule at all. 

”Good! Seriousness suits you, you know that, don’t you Jules… but not all the time.” She was rambling, tripping over her words here and there- not that it stopped her. ”And I don’t blame you, not with your mother around, but *hic* I like you a lot better when you’re not so glum, I miss your stupid face and that stupid grin and that stupid laugh you have- you don’t see or hear them as much as you should.” Palms found his cheeks then, cradling his face for a moment if Lord Debienne allowed it, ”And nope, it’s Yule Jule! When it’s not Yule you can be just Jules again. Maaaybe, I’ll have to think about it!”

”Sooo many things, you should have come! It was so much fun, even the time I *hic* got on the wrong ship and ended up in Teronna- which is lovely by the way, spec-tacular whisky. Wait! I have, or had some,” She started pawing at the fabric of her dress then, lightly patting in search of one of the pockets ”It’s in here somewhere.” (Dani always commissioned pockets in her dresses, always). Finding her prize, Dani exclaimed, ”Ahah!” as she fished out the delicate silver hip flask and began unscrewing the cap. 

[Julien Debienne]

He could certainly haul her back up to her feet (again), but he wanted to make sure she was going to remain in that seat whenever he did. Right now, she seemed to be an amusing mess, and the floor appeared to be a bit safer. For the moment, he didn't mind being down there with her, even if the cold was probably going to make his already aching bones worse.

Damn, was he getting old?

Julien caught Charlie's gently humored grin at Dani's acknowledgement as he left the room, and he huffed a quiet laugh through his nose. The old man certainly did have a lot of patience, and he wasn't sure what he would have done without him these days. Sometimes, it felt as though Charlie was the only thing keeping this place from falling apart.

That brow was inching upwards again with everything she began to ramble on about. "That's, uh...a lot of 'stupid' there, sweetheart. Your flattery is failing you in your inebriated state." That was a lie, and clearly so, because that exact "stupid grin" she spoke of was beginning to turn up a corner of his mouth. Of course he wasn't offended. It actually took a lot to bother him, and Dani tended to amuse him far more than annoy him. It wasn't a reason they had divorced (for him, at least), and perhaps why they still got along so well.

Julien always felt that he needed her in his life...even if it was as a friend who randomly and drunkenly stopped by every now and then. It kept him on his toes.

However, his smile faltered a little bit. He should have gone, she said. He should have gone years ago with her when she had asked. Suddenly, the stuffiness of that large, dark manor was nearly overwhelming, reminding him of why he had to remain on land. Why he had to stay in Tresteria. He tried to hide these thoughts by looking surprised again. "You got on the wrong ship? I thought you were a seasoned traveler..." Silently, he watched her fish around for the flask.

Chuckling once more, he scooted just a little bit closer to snatch it right out of her hand the moment she got the cap off. "It's the morning, you know," he said, giving the contents a quick sniff. Before she could try and snatch it away, he was tipping it back for a quick sip. Oooh, that was good. He wasn't really expecting it and winced just slightly. Who needed tea, right? "Did you bring any more of that back with you?" Or is that the very reason why she was stumbling over herself?

[Dani deGrey]

Dani tried to keep cheerful, keep chattering, keep her energy up. But even she couldn’t completely shake the fatigue that was beginning to seep into her limbs. She must have been up well over 24 hours now, with the journey, the ball, the afterparty, and the carriage ride here. Though she had nodded off on her way to Blackthorn, she was still tired. On the other hand, despite her little mistake in winding up at her ex-husband’s estate… Dani deGrey was still having fun, and she wasn’t ready to go home or go to bed just yet.

She scoffed, audibly, at Julien’s words. Flattery never failed her, even if she was slightly tipsy. Besides, Dani had said she missed those stupid things about him… That was kind of flattery, wasn’t it. The woman let go of his face then so she could use her hands to emphasise her speech: wagging a finger in front of her ex-husband’s face as she spoke. ”Hey, I’m not enibr- inebra- ineebree- eniberia. I’m not drunk Jules. I just had a good *hic* night is all.” She leaned back a little then, forgetting there was nothing behind her to lean into and almost (but not quite) losing her balance. Expression turned contemplative then, lower lip sticking out ever so slightly as she tried to recall the evening that was quickly becoming a blur. ”Well, the ball wasn’t that great, it was kind of dull really… though Drew was there with a new girl so that was fun. He vanished, poof! Gone, before I could tease him about it though! After that I went to a tavern.”

The deGrey woman didn’t notice his smile falter. Sober, she wouldn’t have missed it. But tonight, it was hard enough to keep her vision in focus- let alone notice such a small change in Julien Debienne ’s countenance. Things would have been different if he had joined her all those years ago- maybe things would have worked out… maybe. But right now, Dani’s thoughts were occupied with the insult she had just received: ”I am a seasoned traveller Jules.” Dani pouted, brows furrowing as she continued to look for the flask. ”I just didn’t have a seasoned captain.” Huffing, she lifted her gaze to the man for a moment- sticking out her tongue before returning to rummaging the pool of fabric.

Dani had the flask for all of five seconds before it was out of her grasp… and Julien received yet another pout from his ex-wife. ”That was mine.” Dani wined, ”And I knoow, I knoooww- you’re no fun.” He was right, the sun was rising and the night should have been over. But stopping now meant she’d have to sleep, and going to sleep meant she’d have to wake up, and waking up meant Dani was going to be smacked with a headache and a mouth full of sand- she wasn’t as young as she used to be. And there was no way she could handle her ex-monster-in-law sober let alone hungover. ”Of course I did.” Counting the names off on her fingers- ”I brought a cask back for the house, bottles for Triston, Nana, you, then a few just in case I forgot about people. But I told you Jules… I left your Yule present on the ship. And this-” She reached out clumsily to snatch the flask back (if he would let her), ”- Is mine, and you’ll have to ask me nicely if you want to share.”

[Julien Debienne]

Julien was waiting for her to lose steam so that he could get her to one of the many empty guest rooms to rest. He was certain Agnes was already preparing one for the ex-mistress of the house. However, Dani seemed to still be full of energy, even after a night of what was apparently not heavy drinking.

He'd watch her as she fumbled over that word, and every time she was unable to say it, the humor in his eyes grew until a full-fledged smile graced his face when he laughed. It took sheer will not to playfully snatch that waving finger of hers between his teeth, because they weren't in that place anymore. "Oh, sure, of course you're not, darling," he mocked softly. "But, I'm still glad you seemed to have enjoyed yourself." A part of him wished he had the energy to go to such parties and simply forget everything else for a couple of hours. Maybe it wasn't an impossible goal, however, it just seemed like a challenging one as of late. He could really use a damn vacation.

"A new girl, huh?" That didn't seem strange at all, truth be told. It seemed as though Drew was always with a new girl at every event. Ah...those were the days. He said nothing more after that, keeping himself occupied with holding the flask out of her reach. Only for a few seconds, though. Just when it appeared as if he was handing it over to her, he kept a firm hold on it as he leaned closer. "I always ask nicely, you know that..." he murmured with slight insinuation, then took another quick sip right in front of her face.

Drawing back, he shrugged. "And, considering you 'supposedly' left my gift on the ship...you should be sharing. It's only fair." Still, despite the tease and grin, he was handing it back to her. He really did not need to be drinking much right now, but damn was it good. His offered a good-natured smile. "I missed you, deGrey," he told her in his usual affection. Julien did mean it, and he never minded just chatting with her. "And if you need to sleep, you can stay here." That was when he leaned forward again, just so that he could drop his voice to a whisper. "I'll also sneak you out later." No, he didn't want his ex-wife dealing with Iva, either.

[Dani deGrey]

”Whaaat? I’m not” Dani half whined- drawing out the vowels- though the grin didn’t falter from her lips for even a moment. ”A little tipsy, maaaybe.” Julien was one of the good ones, and the deGrey was so glad they had managed to stick around in each other’s lives after the divorce. Dani had known from the start it would end in tears, but at least this way they managed to keep their friendship through it all. ”I did enjoy myself.” The woman said matter-of-factly, before tilting her head to remark him with something akin to suspicion on her features: ”But why are you up so early Lord Debienne?” She remembered the lazy mornings, sleeping in until noon, but here he was at the crack of dawn and looking kind of tired.

But then the conversation shifted back to Drew and his little red haired friend and Dani brightened again. ”A new one, he introduced this girl… kind of, I mean he didn’t really hav- *hic* have much of a choice but still! It’s not like Drew to bring any of his flings within five miles of us.” In the seconds he kept the flask out of her reach- Dani reached for it, perhaps throwing her weight forward a little too enthusiastically as she had to steady herself in order to avoid leaning against Julien. Years ago maybe, she wouldn’t have thought about it, wouldn’t have stopped herself from playfully clambering over him in pursuit of the flask. But that wasn’t who they were anymore, and even in her current state: Dani knew that. ”You’re not asking nicely now.” She huffed, very tempted to lean forward and lick his nose just to see the look on his face.

Very tempted…

Okay, she couldn’t resist it. Quickly, with mischief in her eyes- Dani deGrey leaned forward hoping to catch him before he drew back.

”I would have shared. And I did leave everything on the ship- literally left everything but this dress on board. Would I lie to you Jules?” Wide eyes found him them, lower lip quivering in something of a pout. It was all an act, and no doubt Julien Debienne would see right through it. But she was still enjoying herself. Taking the flask from him, Dani tucked it into the pocket of the borrowed robe without taking a sip- drinking alone was no fun. ”I missed you too.” She said, sincere for the first time that morning. ”But I’m not tired yet Jules, tell me about your Yule?”

[Julien Debienne]

Although they hadn't seen much of each other as of late, Julien considered the woman one of his closest friends. Their marriage made it clear to him that that sort of life didn't suit him, and he wasn't keen about doing it ever again (much to his mother's annoyance). But he'd found a kinship with Dani that he would forever be grateful for, and was glad it hadn't simply dissolved upon their divorce. Sitting there and joking around with her now wasn't weird. How many divorced couples could even say that?

However, he just might get secretly jealous if he had to hear about any dalliances she might've had during her travels. His friendship only went so far, you know.

"I have trouble sleeping these days," Julien told her. Ever since his father's passing, it felt as though he barely stopped because he had to make all of the decisions now. It was easier when he had so few things to worry about. Still, her talk of Drew and some redhead actually had him a bit curious. She was right, the man didn't bring one of his flings around his family because he knew very well what would happen. Julien had been there before. He had been that redhead.

'You're not asking nicely now.' He just grinned at that, and thought about holding onto that flask for a little while longer, if only to see that mischievous glint remain in her eyes. She really was an amusingly adorable thing in such a tipsy state. Julien had to extend his arm out when the woman tried to nab the flask away again, but it appeared she had other plans. Did she just...lick his nose?

"Contain yourself, woman!" He tried to sound serious, but the amusement was clearly evident on his face, and it was perhaps what made him hand over the flask without further fight. "I know you've probably missed this-" he gestured towards himself, specifically his body. "But pull yourself together." As much as he was joking, the conceited tone probably wasn't all that much of a lie.

Her pouting face had him laughing again. Oh yes, he definitely knew it was all an act; none of this was new to him. Agnes was coming back with tea on a tray as Dani was asking him about Yule. He thanked the maid quietly, and Agnes offered a polite smile and curtsey to Dani as well before wandering off again. "It was...quiet. I just stayed home. Long gone are the days of parties and drinking until sunrise for me." Something she still excelled at, it seemed. Julien wondered if he would have accompanied her on her drunken adventures last evening if she had asked. Maybe he just liked the sincerity he finally heard in her tone.

Pouring out the tea, he picked up one of the cups as his free hand gestured towards the pocket she had stashed the flask in. Sure, it was too early to drink, but...this was a special occasion. That is, if she was willing to share. There was a soft glint of mischief in his own eyes now.

[Dani deGrey]

It was often Dani wondered if she’d enjoy her little adventures more if Julien had come along- even after the divorce, she adored the man’s company. He was quite possibly the one non-deGrey who could keep up with her and Drew, and not only keep up but hold his own. Julien Debienne had been the one man she had brought home of her own accord, perhaps that was why she had married him? Jules had been fun and she never tired of his company… even now. But, she always told herself not to wonder, not to think about it. Julien would never leave Tresteria, not even for a little while… it had been one of the very few things they could never quite agree on. That and his witch of a mother, Dani hadn’t minded losing her in the divorce.

”Oh Jules.” Dani said, a heavy sigh escaping her lips then. She did want the man to be happy, Dani still loved him in a way and he had been through so much- it really was no surprise that he was having trouble sleeping. She had almost lost her own father so many years ago, and she still worried over him; Julien had lost so much more and in much more tragic circumstances. ”Do you want to *hic* talk about it- now-iiss your chance, I might not member it tomorrow.” That much was true, already some parts of the night were glossy and unreachable in her mind.

Pouting, dark eyes flitted from the flask to his features and back again. For a moment, she nearly reached out to grab the flask- if she fell over, so be it- but it seemed as though her not-so-very-well-thought-out-plan had worked! Smugness took over her expression as that grin shifted to a look of amusement and the flask was pressed into her palm with (most of) her dignity intact. ”Thank you.” Dani smirked, looking more than remarkably pleased with herself. ”And l am pulled cogether and tontained! Tontained and tulled together- oh hang it you know what I mean!” She had missed that, still did. But even tipsy, Dani deGrey was not about to give him the satisfaction of hearing her admit it.

Oh Agnes! She remembered Agnes! And there was tea! This morning just kept getting better and better. Dani stopped pouting for a moment to offer the woman a small smile and another semi-awkward wave and word of thanks before her attention fell back to Julien Debienne . ”Shame, you look like you *hic* could use a good party and a good drink.”

”Julien! What happened to it being too early?” The woman said, feigning shock as she handed over the flask. If it had been the beginning of the night, Dani may have chided him for mixing Teronnan whisky with something as base as tea… but after the cheap beer and cheaper wine Dani had been drinking down at the docks, she didn’t really have a leg to stand on.

[Julien Debienne]

He had often thought about it, just running away from all of his problems. The thing was, what was he to do when one of those very problems was someone he loved unconditionally? Ophelia couldn't help what was going on with her, and he couldn't bring himself to subject her to whatever further "torture" their mother would inflict. Iva meant well, he knew, and he saw the sorrow and pain in the old woman's eyes every day- she just didn't know how to handle or help her daughter. Apparently no one did.

Julien had no choice but to man up and let everything else go. And one of those things had been Dani. She was perhaps the hardest thing to get over, but he wouldn't have allowed her to stay even if she had wanted to. The woman was meant to be free, to do as she desired- this place would only darken her light, just as it had dulled his own.

Still, the soft smile remained as she offered to lend an ear, making it clear she would probably forget everything. His expression faltered again, something she would probably miss once more in her current state, because Julien contemplated on telling her. He thought about telling her everything. It had been this quick moment of weakness before he just shook his head with a chuckle. Nope, that was a bad idea. "It's fine, although, I do appreciate the offer." They were problems and regrets that would never go away. There was no point in talking about them now, he feared.

"Do I know what you mean? I'm not really sure..." he feigned ignorance, his mouth twitching as he fought to suppress a smile. This wasn't what he expected to do in the morning, but he wasn't exactly upset about it either. Dani was doing a superb job of keeping him very occupied; a trait she didn't seem to have lost in the divorce. "Believe me, I know I could use a good party, but-" he paused, mirth glinting in those ocher eyes. "Fortunately, one just happened to stumble through my door." And she had some good drink as well!

Taking the offered flask, he poured a bit of that whiskey into his cup before handing it back to her. "Look, I don't get out much now. This is as crazy as it gets for me. You also just told me that I could use a good drink." His brows waggled for a moment before he took a quick sip of the tea. This was a nice way to wake up.

"To be honest, I hadn't known you were back in Tresteria..." he began, actually chuckling a little at that. She might not have known where his thoughts went, but he was laughing because usually everyone knew when Dani deGrey was home. "If I had, well...there's no saying I wouldn't have joined you. If I had been invited." Oh sure, he was going to pin his new hermit-like tendencies on her now.

Hey, whatever worked.