Indebted

70

Esti's leg was bouncing inelegantly under the table with nervous energy. "Would you like a drink? I think there are several cocktails you might enjoy, or perhaps we could share a bottle of wine?" Atticus offered, focusing her attention on him.

Esti had never had a fancy cocktail like she saw described on the menu. Court was very limited in the liquor available. "Cocktail?" Reading through the options and feeling the words were spinning on the page. She could read them, but not enough of them made sense to her when put all together. She didn't know what an awful lot of the ingredients were.

Atticus smiled, "The fresh sorrel, tangerine and pomegranate cosmopolitan sounds like something I think you might enjoy? Want to try that?" He offered Esti.

Atticus lived in the smile she gave him. "Like in the Sex and City show?" She asked, hearing cosmopolitan and not much else. She had seen a few episodes. A few minutes of some episodes at least. Esti liked the beautiful clothes, beautiful places, beautiful food and drinks she saw on the scandalous show. Cosmos were almost a character onto themselves in the lore. According to those girls who had seen more episodes.

Atticus relished how good he felt when Esti said she would love to try the seasonal cosmo he suggested. Atticus wasn't certain if his dragon let a purr or a laugh at his expense escape through. A different woman, still dressed in the same all black outfit all the employees wore appeared from the wings of the dining room. A tray of tall, water crystal water glasses on her arm. Which were quickly dispersed between the two tables.

The new server beamed a perfect customer service smile at every single person before she spoke. "Are we all ready to order?" She asked. She was a normal, human woman.

Vibrating in place as Atticus and Mallow relayed that everyone would be enjoying the chefs tasting menu. The mimics requesting that their menu include a plate of carbonara for each as their only special request. Mallow and Marzipan planned to share a bottle of wine, while Atticus ordered the seasonal cosmo for Esti, and an old fashioned for himself, with a pomegranate garnish instead of a cocktail cherry.

Wanting his drink to match hers in flavor profile at least a little bit. Wanting to share every single part of tonight with her. The new sever beamed, and rushed to put in their drink and menu selection order in for the kitchen and bar to fulfill.

While the server went at a near run to relay the newest minted royal in all the worlds drink of choice and the kitchen knew who they were cooking for with the latest chef choice orders. The two tables settling in, eager to enjoy what should be an excellent meal. Meanwhile, back at The Council Tower, Theo was about ready to claw up the walls.

How could he move forward with Estella when he had no idea where she was, and wasn't allowed to seek her out? Theo had honestly not expected The Council to take the declaration of her royal status so seriously or with such speed. He had thought it would be easier to keep tabs on Estella. To be nearby and control the situation.

Instead of Estella, Leary came to his and Joe's apartment, quickly letting Theo know the 'little queen' as titled by Marisol herself so it wasn't an insult and could be used; had gone out for the evening. Worse Marisol had even demanded the Mimics for the queen's personal guard.

Theo had been shocked. Mimics were a legend unto themselves. Theo didn't even know mimics were in residence in the tower. Joe was not included in the fact finding conversation between Leary and Theo. Theo had even shushed Joe when he had tried to ask Leary how she was tonight. Theo had thrown his hand towards Joe's face, demanding he be quiet with his body language and gesture.

Theo needed Joe to be quiet, Theo needed to keep Leary relaxed, make sure he knew every move his queen made. Theo felt nothing as his hand went to Leary's shoulder. Asking her where the new queen had gone. "Italian, the mimics were going to take her and the deadweight to Vera Luna." The invite only, Council controlled hidden venue. Theo and Joe would not be gaining an invitation or a way in, they would need to wait for Esti's return or a change in location if Theo wanted to have a word with her before tomorrow.