The Challenge

[Elise Peeters]

It was a rarity nowadays for Elise to find herself spending an evening for something more leisurely. Now that business was booming for Elise's shop, all of her time was spent juggling baking, experimenting, buying and keeping track of ingredients, managing accounts; not to mention the work she had to put into keeping the store itself clean and inviting. It didn't help that she had yet to hire an assistant.

She was so unused to taking time off that she found herself wandering the city before stepping into the first tavern she could find. What could she say? She was a country girl at heart, and a healthy love of liquor came with that legacy.

As soon as she sipped from a mug of the strongest beer they had, Elise finally found herself able to relax. It was strange how she immediately felt at home in this unkempt tavern, which was full of drunkards and disreputable-looking figures, but she did.

[awesome]

It had been quite a while since Gilbert had been able to have a night out on the town with his two best mates. He had found himself pleasantly surprised to be hit up by Francis to go out for some drinks with word that their Spanish grocer friend may join them later. 'For some drinks' is always how these things started. How they ended had varying results, something skinny dipping on the beach, or sometimes even worse. Even though he was a man of the law, and Francis a noble with a 'reputation' to uphold, there was no holds barred when it came time to have fun. They were an untamed force of nature when all three had it in their mind to do something.

Making sure that his cousin knew he'd be out late, Gilbert headed to one of their usual dives, one they hadn't been kicked out of yet, and took a deep breath of the smokey, alcohol filled air inside. He couldn't help but grin, his itch for something tall, dark, and beautiful, and no, not Antonio, but a fine glass of beer, grew only stronger as he looked the place over. The albino turned his red gaze upon his friend "You feel like treating tonight?" It was a joke of course, he could drink the other blonde under the table, bleeding the noble's wallet of every last coin if he got the good stuff.

Making his way to the bar, the military man ordered himself the largest and darkest beer they could offer. His mouth watered at the sight of the frothy goodness, and he sucked it down like it was his lifeblood. It honestly might as well be just that. Setting the glass down with a delighted sigh, Gilbert took notice of one odd blonde sitting at the bar that looked like she had no place being there, let alone drinking what she had. Feeling a bit full of himself, Gilbert sank a to the level of that annoying, seemingly sleazy guy that bother's women at bars, even though the last time he saw somebody act that way, things did not end well for him. Leaning over, he called out to the beauty, "Miss. What's a gal like you doing in a joint like this? And with a drink like that in front of you?" He chuckled, "Shouldn't you be getting home?"

[Francis Bonnefoy]

As much as Francis looked forward to raising hell with his friends on nights like these, Francis had standards to maintain. Since it was Gilbert's night to choose the first location, Francis had to follow him into one of his favorite taverns. It was also one of Francis' least favorites, but it was bearable when one was too sloshed to notice the roaches between the boards and the questionable stains on every surface...even the mugs'.

"Ugh." Francis shuddered as Gilbert took a seat right in front of the beer barrels. "Of all places..."

He glanced down at his seat and nearly screamed. Was the large smear on it moving? He was close to flapping his hands in disgust and storming out...but he missed his friend. It seemed like ages that they had spent time together, even if it was actually just two weeks ago.

With a sniff, Francis produced an immaculately white lace handkerchief and, flourishing it, scrubbed the seat clean before sitting down on it. Gingerly, and only on the edge. Just as he was brought his wine - diluted and warm, what an abomination! - he caught sight of a figure hunched in the shadows of the far corner. There was no mistaking the gleam of green eyes boring straight into his.

The whole place suddenly seemed much more bearable.

But apparently, someone else had caught Gilbert's attention. Francis glanced over at the young woman his friend was addressing - or rather, harassing. She looked pretty and clean, which was probably why Gilbert found her to be out of place in the tavern.

"No need to be rude, my friend," said Francis, half-disapproving, half-amused. "If you want to talk to her, you can do it with some civility and charm, I'm sure."

[Elise Peeters]

Being the only respectable-looking girl in full view of the room, Elise could not mistake the newcomer's remark to be meant for anyone else. She briefly considered ignoring him, but frustrated and egotistic men were like children during their beer break: needy for attention and persistent.

Elise casually took a sip from her own mug and smiled brightly at him. It always disarmed men like him when she did.

"Shouldn't you be going home?" she said sweetly. "This stuff might be too strong for you to handle, but perhaps you can find sweetened milk elsewhere."