<em> Léocadie nó Cereus</em><br/><br/>Her fellow Dowayne's sharp wit would have been well fitted to several House's outside of his own but all the same Léocadie found herself barely holding in a laugh at how drolly he responded to her question. With him it was truly never boring; she returned the kiss of greeting with proper warmth but reserve as well. It had been a long time now since they had shared more. Not that she would be adverse to sharing of herself with Yves, he was a true friend for over a decade now, but their tastes seemed to only prompt union when senses were taken largely by<em>joie</em>. Ah the memories, there was such a fleeting, fragile beauty to each moment and the one night they had spent together, when she was yet a Second to her previous Dowayne, was one of her favored blossoms in her memory.<br/><br/>"You are so easily touching at scandal dear; if you truly desired to not cause a fuss then perhaps you could simply dress as a swan, like your House. But then even that attaches to politics does it not? And I suppose a swan would be a bit too fragile looking for your taste, pretty prey you make regardless, or I suppose a pretty predator. Regardless, I am happy to hear there is no plan for falling on swords, you are rather irreplaceable." Her famed eyes crinkled as she smiled up at him then, teasing him with a fondness and a frankness most wouldn't dare.<br/><br/>Not with a Dowayne, and not with one that was also a scion of the la Courcel line.<br/><br/>The Cereus Dowayne's eyes moved to the entrance of Camellia and the elegant gliding of the new Second to their fellow House leader, Juliannè she believed was the fair redhead's name. The blond gave a graceful but artless shrug of her shoulders. "I'm sure her marque will finish quickly now that she's in such a position, you know how nobles love to attempt to buy the 'highers' among our Court. What was your last asking price Bear Prince?"<br/><br/>Another shrug came at the question of what to wager upon, for her life was focused solely on her House now and its prestige and success; she had given over anything else when she became Dowayne though many of her rank still took lovers and the like she had not outside of her Second from time to time.  Though there was also a slight shiver that worked through her at the press of those silver wrought claws through the veils of her gown. It teased at memories of just what his hands could do to her body. "You have a better hand at games of chance then I Yves, you know I make no bets I'm not secure in, at least not anymore."