Blind Date No.1

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 30th December 2015

Characters: Benamil, Afria
Description: Benamil goes on a blind date.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 1 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Benani

Benamil

**It's just a date, they said, go have fun, they said, who knows you might
fall in love, they said.** Benamil grumped as he stalked down the corridor
toward the Dining Hall. He couldn't believe he'd let himself be talked into
a blind date, a blind date picked by his brother no less. **And we all know
Nimroy has zero taste in women.** He sighed a little.

Benamil's hair was combed back, he had on a nice gather shirt and pair of
breeches, something befitting a son of Benaroy. Not only was this a blind
date, but a blind date attending the wedding celebration of one of the
girls from Amber Hills. **This couldn't be any worse. Who wants to go to a
_wedding_ as their first date? This might give this girl all kinds of wrong
ideas.**

He sighed again as he looked around for his date. He had been told that she
would be wearing a yellow dress.

The woman eventually espied him just as he did her. With one hand running
over the upper part of her skirt, she lifted her chin and let her lips curl
up in a smile. Her dark blonde hair had been pulled up into a high bun.
Her high cheekbones had been brushed with pink and her mouth tinted with
red, accentuating the finer points of her features. While not a great
beauty, she considered herself 'pretty'. The son of a former Lord and now
brother of the current Lady had made the proper decision to court her and
she was going to make the most of it. Afria executed a curtsy as her
escort for the day drew close. "Milord. I'm Afria."

Well, she wasn't completely unfortunate looking, that at least was a
relief, Benamil supposed. Although her name was horrible. **Afra-what?** He
thought, knowing he would never remember it. Still, it was his place to be
a gentleman.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, milady," he purposefully avoided her name and
extended his arm to escort her.

Afria slipped her arm into his. With a posture as perfect as a painting,
she inclined her head. "The pleasure is mine." Indeed. If she were to
wed this man, despite not being heir to the Hold, he still held
considerable rank. It would certainly be a step up from being daughter of
a crafter. Any children they produced would be of the 'blood' and there
were ways of making the most of that sort of link. "I'm sure this will be
a lovely affair."

"Undoubtedly." Benamil responded in a manner that he knew to be polite and
pleasing to most women. Even if he didn't date, or have an interest, he had
been brought up with proper etiquette instilled into him.

"I'm sure you'll find my dancing skills quite acceptable." Although Afria
had no particular fondness for dancing, it was a necessity, especially if
she wanted to move up in life.

**Ugh, dancing.** Why did all women insist on dancing? People swore that
dancing was an appetizer for love-making but all that Benamil ever got out
of it was sore toes and once a cramp in his thigh.

"I look forward to a turn around the dance floor then." His lips tilted in
what could be described as a polite smile.

"I'm also well versed in proper etiquette as well as all the usual womanly
pursuits." Afria would not be thought of as less than perfect if she could
help it.

Benamil had to fight to keep his eyebrow from arching. Was she trying to
give him her resume? **Faranth this is going to be a long night.**

At least the ceremony was short and in short order Benamil found himself
seated at a table with Afria on his left and some of the other residents
seated around them at a large round table. This, Benamil decided, was
better than having to eat with Afria one-on-one.

Like she had been taught, Afria delicately plucked the napkin from the
table and placed it upon her lap, smoothing the fabric. Upon her face, she
kept a smile and nodded to those who spoke to her with an air that
suggested she already considered her fate to marry the man. She would be
the wife of a man related to Blood. Oh yes she would. "I do hope you
found the ceremony inspiring." She commented to Benamil, her eyelashes
fluttering slightly as she spoke.

He wondered if she had some gunk in her eye. He'd found the ceremony
perfectly boring and traditional, but the women seemed to like that, he
hadn't heard any of the females at his table complain yet.

"The bride looked lovely." Benamil settled for saying, which was true, the
woman _had_ been beautiful in her red gown.

"I'm sure when it's your turn you'll look just as handsome." Afria's hand
extended to encircle the glass of wine, from which she allowed a small sip.

Because clearly that was what he was worried about, looking handsome on his
future wedding day. **More like non-existent.**

"I can only hope." he said.

Soon enough the room was filled with the sounds of the harpers who were
getting warmed up for the obligatory dances.

"I do hope you will allow me to show you my skill upon the dance floor."
Dances allowed Afria to show off how educated and graceful she was,
certainly a requirement for a wife of someone of the Blood.

And now it was time for the obligatory dancing, Benamil thought even as he
gave a polite smile, stood, and extended his hand to Afria. "Shall we then?"

"Of course." Afria accepted the invitation and rose swiftly to her feet.
She then allowed Benamil to lead her to the dance floor and inserted
herself into his embrace. "I practise on a regular basis. I wouldn't want
to embarrass you, of course."

"Of course." Benamil murmured in agreement. He danced smoothly, leading
Afria with confidence. Even though he spent ninety percent of his time
outdoors, he did know all of the expected dance moves of a gentry.

If nothing else, Afria hadn't been lying. Perhaps she wasn't the sort of
dancer to wow the crowds with her expertly timed twirls and amazing
flourishes, but she was able to hold her own with a certain grace. Once
the dance was finished, she peered over at a particular couple and her
smile twisted upward a little bit. "Oh look, a friend of mine and her
beau. I would love to introduce you.

"Lead the way." Benami inclined his head, keeping Afria's hand tucked into
the crook of his elbow.

"Sissel." Afria inclined her head to the woman whom she approached with
Benamil as her escort. Immediately, it was apparent from the forced smiles
that the women weren't truly friends. "I'd like you to meet my escort,
Benamil."

If his face hadn't been familiar to the woman called Sissel, his name was.
Surprise reflected in the other female's face and she glanced between
Benamil and his current lady friend. "I...it's a pleasure to meet you,
milord." She affected a curtsy while the man who was obviously with her
bowed.

Benamil inclined his head to the woman known as Sissel. He was sure that
his sister, Benani, would know the woman, but where spent the majority of
his time outdoors, and as far away from women as possible, Benamil didn't
have a clue who this person was.

"A pleasure to meet you as well." He said smoothly.

"I'm sure you both know whom Benamil is. Son of Benaroy." Afria's
eyebrows arched upward as her gaze met Sissel's steadily on. Her eyes
flicked to the man who hovered behind the other woman before returning to
her so called 'friend', accompanied by a smirk.

**So this is what a female-pissing contest looks like.** Benamil thought,
slightly amused. He didn't really care that Afria was using his status to
further some personal agenda that she had, because he already knew that
tonight was the one and only date she was ever going to get with him.

Last updated on the January 1st 2016

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Blind Date No.1