A Side Trip... Adventures in Shopping
Part2
To the Lion's Hause, Phillipe," she ordered as we got in and she closed the door. I found my seat again and got comfortable, happily surrounded by shopping parcels that were mine. Seeing as we were in privacy again, I decided to get right to the point about something that had my hackles in a bunch.
"Auntie, forgive my asking, but I just can't help it--what was Elsa discussing with you that she didn't feel she could bring up in front of me? I didn't mean to scare her if that's what I did--I don 't even know I do that sometimes. Some folks have a hard time with me--can't look me in the eye or talk directly to me. Which I've noticed, you don't seem to have much trouble with either way."
Evelynn blinked once and gave a comforting smile "Tabitha, dear, relax. Elsa was just confirming a delivery address." She gave a small sigh. "You might as well get used to the looks. That's how 'folks' "--she said the word as if it tasted bad--"That's how they're supposed to look at royalty."
"Oh," was all I said and let it drop. Confirming a delivery address--well, maybe, but it still seemed fishy to me. She didn't want to say and that was fine. As for getting looks for being royalty--if I had known I was royalty growing up, I might have been treated differently by the kids.
But it's true about my looks. Something about the wolf eyes seemed to contribute to my intimidation factor. I found it worked to my advantage when I wanted to avoid trouble or else press my point. People can't seem to look me in the eye for very long. They crack. I don't even have to try. I don't mean to put people off, but it happens.
The coach turned a couple of corners and came to stop in front of a beautiful stone and brick building. Evelynn took my hand and led me inside. We were immediately greeted my a handsome young man dressed in black and white.
"Bienvenue, Madame, Le Mlle. Tableau pour deux?" he asked. Ooo. That was different. Never heard anything so--elegant, would be the word, I think. Moreover, Evelynn answered him back in that same, strange language.
"Oui, naturellement, monsieur. Votre meilleur," she responded with a bright smile.
"Cette façon, si vous plais," he nodded.
Evelyn nodded back. "Merci," and he led us back to a table in the back, away from most of the other tables, despite there being only one other couple in the whole restaurant.
"Deux de vos meilleurs biftecks." Evelynn said as we sat down. The young man simply nodded and left us alone. I found Evelynn looking at me expectantly.
I took a look about and took a deep breath through my nose, smelling the awesome kitchen smells. I couldn't quite identify them, but it smelled very good.
"And in English?" I queried and then began rambling on very fast again. "What was that? I've never heard anything like it. Is that the language they speak here? --or is it because we're in this fancy eatery? Y'know, I never did ask where we are because I've never been this far from home--wherever here is. Where are we?--I mean, what country or city?--not that I'd know if you told me. I've never done any traveling, let alone this much traveling--which has been so much fun, by the way." I caught myself doing it again and promptly shut up, giving Evelynn a chance to explain herself. Of course, that eyebrow arched again, that spark came back to her eye and a smile flashed for a brief second.
"Here," she began with a gesture to include the whole of our surroundings. "Is a small place just outside of our home, Amber. The name, you are right, is inconsequential, bur it's called Argent. The language spoken by most here is French. I ordered two of their best steaks and a bottle of their best wine. And i am very glad you are enjoying yourself." The waiter appeared then with a bottle of wine and a couple of wine glasses. She nodded and dismissed the young man and poured the wine herself.
Argent. French. It was all Elfish to me. I watched her pour with anticipation. The best wine and best steaks. I could feel my mouth watering. I took a deep breath through my nose. The scent of the red wind was intoxicating in itself. I felt as if I could get a buzz just from the smell. Yup, that was good stuff.
Evelynn handed me a glass. "To long life," she toasted and clinked her glass with mine.
"Long life," I chimed and took a sip. I instantly was feeling relaxed as I was people watching around the room. I realized that I was pretty ravenous. The smells coming from the direction of the kitchen were beginning to drive me crazy. I found myself staring in the direction of the kitchens more than once. I also had the idea that Evelynn was watching me--not that I cared so much. I half wanted to ask what was on her mind, as she had not asked one single question of me thus far--personal or otherwise.
A young man came out with a basket of bread, said something in French and walked away again. Evelynn translated that the meal would be out shortly. I had a hand on my belly, silently willing it to stay silent as I got a good whiff of the yeast coming from the bread basket. I immediately dove into that. I broke off little pieces, savoring it slowly so as to not fill up so quickly. I couldn't help but feel the twinge of homesickness for a brief instant as the bread tasted so much like Granny Dan's homemade loaf.
Thankfully, I didn't have to wait too long. The moment the doors to the kitchen opened, I could smell the steaks. Ah, sweet steak. In truth, straight steak was not something that we ate on the farm very often. Oh, but it looked really good! it was huge! Beautifully browned and at least a pound! The waiter placed the plate in front of me and stepped away. I can't begin to tell you how my mouth was watering! I was making a conscious effort not to be blatantly licking my chops. And to add to it, there was a baked potato sitting next to the steak.
I looked up at Evelynn to see what to do, as I was sure there was some kind of protocol or manners-thing that had to be observed before digging to devour. Evelynn picked up her knife and fork with a nod and began to carve her steak.
Well, if that's all there was to it--I followed suit and began to do the same. This was familiar territory, at least. I knew how to carve a steak and get ALL the meat and leave nothing but the gristle. I really was trying to follow Evelynn's lead, but hunger gave way with that first taste of that juicy, tender, melt-in your mouth meaty taste that is considered true luxury to me. I don't think I've ever tasted anything quite like this! By that point, whatever restraint was there was completely gone out the window. I dug in with a will like a starved wolf cub and went to town, polishing off the steak first, followed by the potato, followed up with my glass of wine. If someone were to have interrupted my process, I might have snapped at them without thinking--the way a dog might do if you try to take his food or his bone before he's done with it. --Good thing!
I sat back, wiped my mouth and was ready to sleep where I sat. I was in one of the happiest places in my life. If this was a dream, I did not want to wake up.
"Thank you, Auntie. That was delicious," I said and graciously waited for her to catch up.
She smiled and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. "I'm glad you liked it.." She sipped at her wine some more and then leaned forward.
"Tabitha, dear, there's something I need to tell you," she said seriously. "My real name is not Evelynn. I only use that name when I am away from Amber. My real name is Florimel. I would like it if you would call me Aunt Flora."
"Okay," I replied out of reflex and then her words sank in. I took a breath and was about to ask "Why?" but stopped myself, with my lips still formed on the "W" part. I instantly relaxed, put my elbows on the table and put my chin in my hands.
"Alright. Aunt Flora it is," I replied and waited for her to go on. I figured of all the fantastic things I was hearing and experiencing, nothing could shock me at this point.
There seemed to be a pause as she realized that I was waiting for her to go on. I was half expecting to hear some either far-fetched or fantastic story about whys he used an alias out here, but I was let down on that point.
"I wanted to let you know so when we get to Amber, you wouldn't be confused when others address me as Flora," she said hopefully.
"Oh, okay," I leaned back in my seat, letting that one drop as well. If that's all, then that's all. Like I mentioned before, nothing would surprise me at this point.
"So where are we off to next? More shopping, or headed home--whatever you want to do," I said. I didn't really care too much. I was fed, I was in a happy place and I could probably fall asleep where I sat. I could tell that the wine was doing something to me as my cheeks felt warm. I let my fingers idly fiddle with my glass, half hoping she'd say home. I suddenly really wanted to get there.
Flora smiled and pushed her seat back. "It's time we got ourselves to Amber, I think," she rose from her seat and was making her way to the door. I couldn't have put it better myself.
"My thoughts exactly!" I chimed and bounced up after her.