Sparring with Charlie - Bella's Castle

He inclined his head ever so slightly without taking his eyes off of hers.
"Then I've done something right, it would seem.."

A soft laugh spilled from Bella's lips, "While being gorgeous is a plus, your attitude has ever left a pleasant taste in my mouth, as it were. It seems many in this Domain have an issue being polite."

"Manners and etiquette is often all too easily cast aside. But in the long run, they pay off. Specially if you're not too high on the social ladder" he chuckled. "Helps keep people's interest elsewhere. Much more fun to kick at something that will scream and throw a tantrum than fight back with words"

Bella giggled sweetly, "Oh, it's the people with high status who kick and scream here."

He chuckled softly, an amused smile touching his youthful features.
"You might be right about that dear Harpy"

"I totally am," Came the teasingly confident response, "I'm the Harpy, I have to know what I'm talking about."

"Indeed" Charlie smiled, lifting a hand to touch the back of his against his chin as if soothing a light itch perhaps.
"Still, I'm not the type to take things for granted. And not everyone sees things the same way. One person's recollection of events can differ greatly from those of another"

She laughed pleasantly, "Oh, that they can, Mr. Cusack."

He smiled in return, lowering his hand again without taking his eyes off hers.
"You'll have to excuse me for being blunt, but you have a lovely laughter, Miss. It lights up your smile even more" the youth offered.

"You're so pleasant, you know that? If only I had arrived earlier, before your heart had been stolen by Ms. Vella." The gleam in her eyes indicated her teasing nature, though the expression lightly masked a more serious one.

"You're much too kind and give me far too much credit" he chuckled. "But while I enjoy miss Vella's company and her favour as she's been so kind as to grant me such, I have not given or pledged my own heart to anyone. She's a dear friend, but I'm not that careless as to place myself at anyone's feet so fast. Regardless of how pretty said feet might be" Charlie smiled boyishly.

Bella giggled again, "Oh, I see. So you're wild and free, is what you're saying?"

Charlie tilted his head slightly to the side with a smile.
"Isn't that the best way to be?"

"Of course it is!" She threw her hands in the air in an exagerated sort of way. "That's how I get by."

He really couldn't help the soft laughter that flowed from his lips, a bright smile across his delicate features.

"Now, listen, you and I, we're not so different. You're a pretty, delicate looking Brujah, I'm a Malkavian whose crazy doesn't show.. I'd like to be friends, Mr. Cusack."

"Even had you been stark raving mad and covered in scales your charm still would've made me want your friendship, Miss Maurice" Charlie chuckled.

It was her turn to laugh as she nodded. "Very well, just call me Bella. Miss Maurice sounds so formal."

"Only if you call me Charlie" the youth smiled at her, extending his hand, palm up, to her.

"Deal, Charlie." She rested her hand in his, a warm smile across her features.

"A very good deal" he gave her hand a light squeeze, brushing his thumb across the back of it for a moment.

She let her hand linger perhaps a bit longer than was expected, before letting it drop. "Well, Mr. Cusack, I suppose that's our lesson for today?"

He held up a finger.
"Charlie" he corrected her smilingly. "And yes, it is"

"Charlie," She repeated his correction, a sheepish smile across her lips. "Alright, well I won't take up any more of your time, and I have some people to see. But you will stop by soon, won't you?"

"I will" he said, arching his back slightly as he moved to take that first step towards the door with a lingering smile. "And I'll bring needles for the next lesson. And you can figure out what you wish to share with me in the meanwhile" the youth winked.