#cineas

He chuckled quietly at her sound of disapproval while touching his face as his head shook ever so slightly. “It will grow back,” he teased somewhat and then began to lead Elenaris away from the entryway to lead her into the dining hall. It was an elaborate room with a grand mural painted into the ceiling. The mural depicted that of a battle scene, possibly a family member of his, who stood in the field emitting a holy aura. There was a pause in his movements as he halted at the chair that sat next to the head so that he could pull it out for her. “Cindel is welcome to join us if you so choose it.”

There was a slight pout that came and was fleeting regarding his lack of facial hair, but even so, she continued onward with him to the dining room. With care, she came to sitting in the chair that was offered, her palms smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress from the motion. “She will do just fine with everyone else.” She fell silent for a brief moment as she looked around the room with interest. “It really is lovely.” Her hand lifted, gesturing around as she looked to him with a smile.

Cineas had followed her gaze around the grand ballroom as he had refrained from taking the seat next to her. “Yes, I suppose it is,” he replied to her as he fixated on the figure with the holy aura. It made him scowl somewhat as his head quickly snapped to the doorway as another's presence was announced within the doorway. The woman at the end of the table began to make her way towards the empty seat that was at the opposite side of Cineas’ seat. He hurried to meet her and take hold of her arm as he led her to the seat. “Lady Eventide,” he began, “I present to you the Lady Duskhollow,” he gestured to the elder looking woman who hasn't looked all that older than the two of them save for a few wrinkles and grayed hair. The woman had waved dismissively at Elenaris, instructing her to remain seated rather than rise to greet her. “I was wondering who my son was pulling me out of estate for.” She explained with a somewhat amused tone.

Her attention was quickly and surprisingly pulled to the woman upon her announcement, she had moved to stand however refrained after being waved off. “Lady Duskhollow, quite the pleasure.” She said in greeting, her gaze flicking to Cineas with a certain gaze. She had been caught off guard and it did not sit right for her, likely something she would discuss with him later. “This is such a surprise, I apologize for having not expected your presence otherwise I would have brought something for the occasion.”

The Sin’dorei male had settled into the chair that was designated for him after the introductions had settled and a servant had come around to serve them with a glass of wine each. Cineas quickly downed his own and requested another to follow, along with the drinks to continue as glasses became low. “Gifts are not necessary,” he excused and waved slightly at Elenaris. His mother had given him a slight look before smiling slightly at Elenaris. “I would be so brave to say that your presence is a gift, Lady Eventide, as Lord Duskhollow does not allow many visitors to this estate.”

Elenaris furrowed her brow, pursing her lips at him as he retorted. She shook her head, accepting the wine and lifting to sip from it gingerly before smiling over to the elder. “You are rather sweet, Lady Duskhollow, thank you. I suppose I should consider myself quite lucky, then.” Her gaze drifted back to Cineas, her brows raising questioningly as she looked him over.

He felt somewhat cornered by the two of them, certainly not at Elenaris’ own doing but his mother playing the mastermind as she always had. His gaze had fallen on Elenaris as he continued to nurse his glass of wine. The buzz he was searching for had not began to form yet. “I enjoy my privacy and tend to retreat to my estate to bask in such things. Is that such a sin?” He questioned both women, looking between them with narrowed eyes.

“No, I don’t believe so, though seclusion can lead to some very unappealing things of the mind, dear.” Elenaris stated as she lifted a hand to tap to her temple before taking another generous sip of her wine. A soft hum came as she then turned her attention to the other female.

Cineas had watched her actions with a certain sense of amusement as his lips fought to tug into a smile and a muted chuckle was present as he refused to part his lips to allow it to sound. He had shifted slightly within his chair so that his gaze could naturally fall on the blonde at his side. “Lady Eventide,” the elder’s voice had caught Cineas slightly off guard and he craned his neck somewhat to look over at his mother. “What is your business with my son? As I am no fool, he has spent a great many years devoting himself to activities that have not allowed him the luxury of a woman’s company.”

Her gaze flicked between the woman and her son, lips tugging into a grin before she found herself chuckling. She reached for her drink once more before allowing them the pleasure of a reply. “Forgive my brash reply, Lady Duskhollow, however I think the question would be better directed at your son for it was he who sought after me.” Meanwhile as she spoke, her attention moved between the two but eventually came to rest on the Lady once more. “I do not seek further wealth or prosperity from a man, I hold all of that on my own. However, if something comes to me with intrigue, it is hardly in my nature to turn it away. Surely we will learn in time his true intentions, hm?” While her attention held on the elder woman, her gaze glanced quickly over to Cineas in curiousity.

Emerald eyes were fixated on Elenaris as she spoke, drinking in every word that left her lips as his eyes narrowed. His hand had moved to grasp the glass of wine once again and he finished the remainder of crimson liquid in the glass before beckoning the servants to refill their glasses and begin with the serving of the first course of dinner. His posture was quickly corrected as he now moved to sit normally and his attention drifted idly to his mother as his hand moved to rest atop the table closer to where Elenaris sat. “Mother,” he began calmly. “Elenaris is here because there has been ideas of a premarital agreement discussed and I wanted for her to see my estate. An estate which in turn would become hers. You are simply here as a courtesy.” His voice was cool towards the end and he released a heavy sigh, followed by a somewhat pained, tight lipped smile as he watched his mother begin to drink from the wine glass greedily.  

Syinda had finished the remainder of the wine as he placed the empty glass down and requested her glass be refilled. “Cineas, you forget that I was once the Lady of this house. The one who convinced your father to allow you back after your…” She trailed off, attempting to determine a clever way to word her thoughts. “Ailment.” An equally amused smile appeared on her face in the sense of seeming like she had given her son a checkmate before she had turned her attention to Elenaris once more. “Cineas can be a miserable man, Lady Eventide, if you had the sense that I believe you to, you would find another to enter an agreement with.”

Elenaris continued the dance of her gaze between mother and son as each of them spoke. A curious brow tweaked upward at the woman’s words but she asked nothing of them. “Well…” She began as she addressed the elder kindly with just enough abrasiveness to pin her point. “I have experienced some of his personalities, I suppose you could say. However, I believe I will take my chances, hm? He seems to be running things just fine from what I can tell, I can only imagine things will better if I chose to stay around.” With that, she lifted her glass to them both in toast while her other hand reached over to place atop the one Cineas had offered near to her as it had happened that their first course had arrived during their conversation.

Synida had taken note of their hands placed atop one another with less than visible distaste. Perhaps jealousy was what one could call it, but then again, that attribute had to be passed down to her son from somewhere. She raised her glass in unison with Cineas and they toasted as both she and Cineas finished the entirety of the glass of wine upon completion of the toast. Their first course was a soup that seemed to be rather refreshing despite the fact that it was served warm. His hand had grabbed the cloth napkin that was ebon colored and he placed it within his lap as he glanced over at Elenaris. “I was unaware of what you liked entirely, so I had the staff prepare a great many things in the event they were not to your liking.” He informed her as his hand flipped over so that his fingers could squeeze her hand affectionately. “Lady Eventide, where is it that your family attributes most of its wealth from?” Synida interjected, clearly ruining whatever moment the two might have been having.

She gave him a brief smile, nodding in thanks as her free hand had took up her spoon and went about delicately tasting the soup that had placed before her. “I am not too picky, though my thanks.” As she dipped the spoon back into the warm broth, she looked back to Synida with a raised brow. “Well, our family dates back beyond the formation of Silvermoon and the kingdom of Quel’Thalas, so our name and fortunes have been built over many years. Between the vineyards we own, my father’s previous trade business, and my mother’s eyes for design in which she offered at a high price, the cache has continuously grown. Not to mention, as well, many within my family have been members of the Silvermoon Magistrate, myself included. A lucrative job in an of itself, many opportunities and knowledge a typical citizen would not have access to.” She lowered slightly to sip from her spoon again only to place it down so that she might refresh her palette with the wine, of course, her other hand still intertwined with Cineas’.

As the others around him had began to eat the soup that had been placed before them, he too had allowed himself to indulge on the soup. It had been one of his favorites and it seemed to please him that Elenaris did not seem to dislike what had been prepared. “Her wine is very good, mother,” Cineas added and motioned towards the glasses on the table. “This is her stock, I had a shipment delivered this morning before my return.” He had given Elenaris a bit a pleased look at his comment and then returned to indulging into the soup. “And as a woman with many opportunities and wealth as you say, you’re prepared to shut yourself up in this gloomy estate? To give up all of that freedom that you have worked for?” Syndia questioned curiously, one of her greyed brows rising. “The halls of this estate used to shine with gold but it seems the new Lord has a rather dismal approach.”

“I thought the taste was awfully familiar, why am I not surprised that is what you had prepared?” She asked him rhetorically before returning her attention to Synida to respond to her. “I rather like the darkness. My own manor might hold shades of gold but the crimsons give it it’s own dark atmosphere.” A soft sigh came as she continued further. “Though I hardly plan to be shut up without freedom, as you would say. I believe Cineas knows better than to attempt anything of the like.”

A rather entertained chuckle had sounded from his lips while he had forced himself to swallow the soup quickly beforehand. His hand reached for the glass of wine to quickly take a sip to aid with clearing his throat as he brought his hand to his lips to cover a slight cough. “I was quite fancying the idea of stripping you of title and land and locking you in a wing of this maze of an estate,” he explained in a tone that Elenaris would catch as teasing. His hand had pulled away from her own and he gestured around the hall with grandeur. “The Eventide Estate is much closer to our dealings of business though I do believe we would frequent Ravenhill, would we not? The reprieve it grants from the city is most welcome.”

“And the Estate on the isle is not far enough from the city for you?” She asked, mimicking his teasing tone though she shrugged all the same. “I suppose you could try to do that, can’t say it would be the wisest thing….” She tapped her fingers along the table after his hand was pulled away. “I would say business could be held out of both, if necessary...though I could agree that time would equally be spent between both estates. Plus, we would need to visit your dear mother occasionally, no?” She asked with the fleeting image of a smirk over her lips before she turned to Synida with a smile.

Cineas had finished the little soup that was left in the bowl and dabbed the napkin to his lips before returning it to rest on the table. He leaned up slightly in his seat so that he could lean over the table ever so slightly and brush his lips against Elenaris’ temple. Synida noticed the act of affection and promptly dropped her spoon with a manner of dislike. She had wanted to like the Lady Eventide, perhaps she even did over the little time she had known her but she knew that anything or anyone that had come into contact with her son was doomed in one way or another. It was truly tragic. “I do not need your pity, Lady Eventide,” her cool tone seemed to flare. “My husband died years ago and I have found peace in the solitude. However, I will not allow some woman to be gallivanted through my husband’s halls as if he were to never exist and this house continue to deteriorate under my son’s care. This is and will always be a Duskhollow estate, it will not mesh with whatever family my husband decides to marry into.”

Elenaris fluttered her gaze over to him, mildly surprised by his affectionate ways this evening. Perhaps he was doing it with purpose in hopes of the exact reaction he received from his mother but no matter, Elenaris cared little for her rise in temper. “Is that not how it usually goes, dear Lady? The leader, male or female, dies only to be followed by their predecessor. What comes after is of little import to those that came before. Just as when my father died, I took over, it is within Cineas’ blood right to do as he pleases with his name -” She then gestured about the large hall. “And this estate. Perhaps with time, it will be my right, too, just as it will be his to have a hand within my own.” She gently pushed the bowl forward, signifying she was finished despite what was remaining. “Change is a difficult pill to swallow, though as time comes and goes, we all must accept it.”

Cineas seemed just as taken back as Synida with the words that Elenaris had spoken. He sat back in his seat and motioned for the servants to come and clear their bowls and bring in the main course of their dinner. “Lady Eventide will do what she will with these halls when they become her own,” Cineas said firmly, almost as if he was alluding to what was going to become of their future. His tone carried a certain sense of dominance that he seemed to always carry but seemed more implied now that he was exercising his own set of power. Synida sighed somewhat as a hand moved to her breast to collect herself. “Lady Eventide, such fire will do nothing but bring you harm,” she replied as her hand fell away and her elbows rested on the table to lean forward moreso. “You do not seem much different in age from my son and yet here you are seeking a marriage? Perhaps if you had learned to hold that tongue, you would have had your intertwined house years ago.”

“My tongue has gotten me where I am today, and for what it’s worth, your son seems to enjoy it on more than one occasion.” A fingertip swirled around the top of the wine glass as she hummed softly. “My house has thrived on it’s own, I was not in need of a man, marriage, or otherwise to carry me anywhere further. If I chose so, we could continue on without my marriage to another, however I’m sure you understand personal gain and… personal needs. I am a rather classy lady, which I wager you are as well and were in your past youth, I make decisions based on many options and things laid before me. Your son being one of those things now and coming at a most opportune time as I have taken the time to retire from battle and the tiresome ordeal of it all.” She finally lifted the glass to her lips, the wine edging her to continue. “Lady Duskhollow, I truly mean you no harm or distaste, however your house does now belong to your son to do as his wishes and trust me, he will hardly find a better match than myself. It is for the best of him and your line.”

The continued onslaught of the exchange had Cineas finding himself rather perplexed. The women continued going back and fourth with exchanges of verbal power and he had found himself mostly quiet save for quiet quips here and there. “Lady Eventide,” Synida began in an all too familiar tone to Cineas. It bordered on too kind and was clearly mocking. “I need not know of your oral endeavors to rope my son into whatever agreement the two of you established, however, things have changed since my youth but I am fairly certain you will do nothing for my line so long as you continue to do things with your mouth.” She chided coyly and sat back in her seat, eagerly accepting the servant who had brought their courses of dinner. It seemed to be a finely cooked roast and vegetables that were common to their people. Cineas waved the servant away, declining the meal that was placed before him as he asked for the large pitcher of wine to be brought to him, clearly speechless and whatever this meal had turned into.

She found herself chuckling softly as she, too, was perplexed at the current situation. “Then perhaps it is not your line I’m concerned with, but Cineas’ in the end. Besides, it won’t matter for you much longer, hm?” As the servant was also waved away by her, she turned to look to Cineas apologetically. “I believe that while your intentions were grand, that it might be my time to take leave back home. Maybe in a few years I can return to a more… quiet and relaxing estate.” Elenaris hinted at something, glancing back to Synida with a nod.

When Synida had opened her mouth to speak once more, Cineas had slammed his fist down onto the table, causing all of the flatware to jolt in a loud clang. “Enough!” He shouted, directed at the both of them but his gaze had fallen on his mother. “Am I not able to enjoy a meal in my own home or is this a right I’ve resigned myself to unknowingly?” He asked, his question rhetorical as he pushed himself from the chair and swiped the pitcher and his empty glass into his grasp. “Lady Eventide, as the sun has set already it is much too dangerous for you to travel back to your estate. I will have someone prepare quarters for you and Cindel for the night and you may take your leave in the morning if you wish.” His gaze had quickly darted to the blonde at his side, his glare only softening slightly. “As for you, mother, Ebonheart will escort you back to your wing of the estate when you feel yourself full from the meal and we will discuss tonight’s happenings when I find myself controlled enough in the coming days.” He released a heavy sigh as he pushed himself away from the table and briskly removed himself from the dining hall.

Elenaris stiffened slightly at the abrupt sound, lowering her gaze briefly before looking up to him. As she watched him take his leave, she pushed herself from her chair and finished the wine that was left in her glass. “It was sincerely a pleasure meeting you, Lady Duskhollow.” She offered, lifting her chin to the woman as a gesture that differed from the bow she had given Cineas some time before. She spun around, gracefully but briskly following after the now rather frustrated Lord in hope of catching up to him.

The sound of quickly moving heels were the only thing that seemed to deter him from his hastened pace up the grand staircase. He knew full well that his mother couldn’t move at that pace which had given way to knowing that it was Elenaris who had stormed off after him. “You wish to not continue your discussion with the Lady Duskhollow?” He asked as his back rested against the banner of the balcony. He had idly poured himself a glass of the chilled wine as he sipped it slowly. The setting of the sun had made the estate look even more gloomy than it was during the day and the halls ahead of them appeared to be eeire with the dim lighting that did not provide much in way of helping with seeing where to go.

“No…” She replied quietly, sighing in frustration of her own. “I feel I have ruined your evening.” Her lips pressed together as she stopped just before him. “I have never been good at holding my thoughts when battered with- that. Perhaps I could make it up to you someway?” She asked sincerely, finally looking up to him .

He eyed her slowly, watching as she came to stand before him. Her features were much less detailed with the lack of lighting but at this point, he had her features memorized when he closed his eyes. “You mean with your mouth as you so eloquently told my mother?” He questioned as he couldn’t help but release a huffy laugh.