05-11-2020, 02:38 AM
“With tonic?” Ephraim made a face that suggested ruination, pressing a hand to his chest in mock grief. “Shameful to dilute the elixir of life you know.” But he did as bid, though Zhenya noticed he simply pointed out the top-listed, owing purely to the value of its expense. Not that her opinion had been sought, but she leant across him, resting a consolitary hand on Ephraim’s knee as she spoke quietly with the server hovering by his shoulder. The man’s accent was perfectly neutral, but he was not Russian, and he knew nothing about good vodka. Though he happened to be right about the tonic. Ephraim caught her eye with the gesture, and did not argue, though he did smirk.
“Glory, debauchery, perhaps some light pillage.” He shrugged then at Seven. “All debts shall be paid. You’re in Moscow now, my friend.” His gaze glinted a little, though he presently turned his attention to contemplation of his own glass.
“I wouldn’t make a habit of believing quite all you’re told, particularly in present company,” she added, which Ephraim appeared to find very amusing indeed. The directness of the query to fall swiftly on that observation’s heels pressed her gaze down to the ring in question, a slim band of gold that was somehow simpler than the rest of her appearance suggested to be her favour. She seemed to consider the answer with a momentarily quietness that did not invite further question, though neither did she appear offended that he had asked. There was no grief in it either, just something flat. “Just Zhenya is quite fine,” she said, and considered the matter done. Her gaze did not waver from contact, and her manner remained warm as she moved the topic along. “I had a friend from Sweden.”
The drinks arrived then, and she toyed with the glass, lifting to the toast with an amused smile. His lyrical description seemed somehow encompassing of what she gathered of his nature; charm and effervescence, a man who lived his life sunsoaked. Ephraim laughed and offered a rather more dubious, “If you say so, Seven.”
“I grew up here,” she answered to the second delicate topic stumbled upon in minutes. “My father is, yes. Most would suggest otherwise of me.” Her brows rose, but the smile on her lips was dismissive of what once had stung greatly. It was an old wound, but one she considered herself to have risen quite thoroughly beyond. “Is it just business that brings you to Moscow? What is it that you do?”
“Glory, debauchery, perhaps some light pillage.” He shrugged then at Seven. “All debts shall be paid. You’re in Moscow now, my friend.” His gaze glinted a little, though he presently turned his attention to contemplation of his own glass.
“I wouldn’t make a habit of believing quite all you’re told, particularly in present company,” she added, which Ephraim appeared to find very amusing indeed. The directness of the query to fall swiftly on that observation’s heels pressed her gaze down to the ring in question, a slim band of gold that was somehow simpler than the rest of her appearance suggested to be her favour. She seemed to consider the answer with a momentarily quietness that did not invite further question, though neither did she appear offended that he had asked. There was no grief in it either, just something flat. “Just Zhenya is quite fine,” she said, and considered the matter done. Her gaze did not waver from contact, and her manner remained warm as she moved the topic along. “I had a friend from Sweden.”
The drinks arrived then, and she toyed with the glass, lifting to the toast with an amused smile. His lyrical description seemed somehow encompassing of what she gathered of his nature; charm and effervescence, a man who lived his life sunsoaked. Ephraim laughed and offered a rather more dubious, “If you say so, Seven.”
“I grew up here,” she answered to the second delicate topic stumbled upon in minutes. “My father is, yes. Most would suggest otherwise of me.” Her brows rose, but the smile on her lips was dismissive of what once had stung greatly. It was an old wound, but one she considered herself to have risen quite thoroughly beyond. “Is it just business that brings you to Moscow? What is it that you do?”