Alaras bumbled through a compliment, and Basren smiled at him. "Thank you," he said, to save the poor man. "I'm glad I can wear something you gave me well."<br/><br/>Whatever he could do to put Alaras at ease. He'd chosen the spot well, then, because when they were settled for their tea, Alaras' shoulders dropped, just a little. Basren began to serve him tea, paying careful attention to how he took it, since his earlier attempts at handing him anything never seemed to be to Alaras' taste.<br/><br/>Alaras went on about the dancing, and Basren flushed a little for the pleasure of it. Alaras was paying him more than one compliment today. He was making an effort. Basren resolved to be worthy of it, to make the same sort of effort to be cordial and enthusiastic.<br/><br/>"I'd like to go to events that you enjoy as well," Basren said. He'd guessed that Alaras didn't like things too sweet, so he'd chosen a menu that reflected that. Fruit could provide natural sweetness without being too cloying, and he'd chosen lighter cheeses and heartier breads for the finger sandwiches. "You'll get exhausted of it all otherwise. I wouldn't want to wear you out."<br/><br/>Especially given Alaras' health. Maybe that was why he preferred the more mellow foods.<br/><br/>Which wouldn't suit Sovele's palette at all. Basren had paused, his cup at his lips, and tried not to show how dismayed he was.<br/><br/>Sovele had just reddened his cheek over all of it, and flaunting Alaras in his face wasn't going to help matters. Trying to not offend Sovele and Anis in the same room had been difficult enough. Trying to please Sovele and Alaras, reckon both their tastes, their manners, whatever possession Sovele wanted to show over Basren...<br/><br/>"Of course," Basren said. There was no reason why he couldn't<i>hint </i>at something. If it didn't work out, somehow, then it didn't work out.<br/><br/><i>If you think it a poor idea, just say so now.</i><br/><br/>Something on his face must have shown. Basren quickly straightened out his expression, his mind fumbling for a recovery. How to explain? The last time he'd tried to tell Alaras that Sovele had taken him to bed, in less straightforward terms, Alaras had been none too pleased. If Sovele actually acted more... affectionate?<br/><br/>"Would you prefer if it was just the three of us?" he said. Was it safer if he invited Anis or not? Flaunting it in Anis' face would be no better, and he didn't know if Sovele would act less blatant now that she<i>knew</i>, had caught them. "I can see how Sovele feels about it. I'm sure with formal interest in our courtship established, he'd like to know you better."<br/><br/>He pulled the folio over, sorted through some of the invitations, trying to find a good day he might propose. Better to set a date, and if Sovele didn't like it, he could put it off for that much longer. Hopefully until Sovele was in a better mood about it all.<br/><br/>There were plenty of other invitations, and he started to sort through them, trying to find what might be a good balance between socializing and having real fun.<br/><br/>One of the invitations had been forwarded by Anis. Basren couldn't remember if it was new or not, but perhaps if he accepted it, it would please Anis. He might run the risk of seeing his new would-be suitor, but maybe if they just<i>met </i>and didn't suit, Anis would just have to accept that.<br/><br/>"This one is from Count Felric St. Clere. He's a rake, but his parties are always fun. He's very well-connected. There isn't too much dancing, but plenty of food. This is a boat party. We'll go drifting, and there might be fireworks. It would be small groups, changing through the night. That seems a good introduction, don't you think? Does it sound like something you might enjoy?"