<strong>Maximillian Guntherstadt -- Commons Area -- Trying to remember how to be charming</strong><br/><br/>The stew sloshed in his bowl, thick and warm, and savory chunks of spiced meat and diced vegetables floated around his spoon. Max didn't try so hard to hide his growling stomach this time as he reached for the small butter plate with a pleasant smile. A faint blush washed over his cheeks at Miss MacNally's compliment, and he shook his head modestly.<br/><br/>"<em>Nein</em>, Miss Beatrice, I don't believe I work so hard as you think. Certainly I am not as dedicated to my work as you yourself. I don't believe<em>Herr </em>Chang could manage without you. It is...quite admirable," Max said as he sopped a piece of bread in his bowl and popped it into his mouth.<br/><br/>He nearly choked himself a moment later when she hinted at a desire to hear something of his past. "Oh, um...<em>ja</em>, I suppose I could spin a few tales, perhaps," he said, mulling the idea over a bit. He did have quite a few stories, same as any other old man, he supposed; probably more than most, as a fact, but few of them were enjoyable to remember, let alone to recount. As one of the new girls walked past, he noted Miss MacNally's apparent disdain for the young lady's state of apparel and seized on an opportunity to steer the topic of conversation further away from himself.<br/><br/>"You are quite right, Miss MacNally, quite right indeed. I could not have said it better myself," Max said, with a bit more enthusiasm than he'd intended. He lifted his coffee cup and held it out in a toasting gesture. "To higher standards,<em>ja</em>?" The cups clinked together, and Max resumed his meal as she began speaking again, listening intently. It was clear from her words the woman was no stranger to heartache, that familiar pain so unique to betrayal. His own scarred heart beat in sympathy for her, and an instinctive disgust rose in the pit of his belly that someone should cause so lovely a woman such pain.<br/><br/>Her smile, though, told him she was strong enough not to let it rule her. He envied her that, for a moment. Her next words, though, rattled him so much he nearly spit out his coffee.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=89547.msg4043216#msg4043216">Quote from: Sasha on 22-12-2010, 17:56:06</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><strong> " Listen to me a going on like a spoiled child ....tell me Maximillian have you ever fallen in love ...been married ...had young-ins running about ?   I find you an interesting man and different , keeping to yourself all the time . I been watching you now for some time and I like what I see . "</strong></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Maximillian hoped he'd managed to quell his coughing fit before she took too much notice, and took another sip of the fortified brew to further settle himself. What to do? He wouldn't deny the idea of Miss Beatrice finding him attractive was quite thrilling, but...well tear it all, never mind how he looked, he was old enough to be her father, for Heaven's sake! Not to mention the thought of telling her about his last relationship sent chills down his spine. Would it really be so wise to attempt to pursue anything more than passing friendship? Especially in a place like this?<br/><br/>As he considered the position he found himself in, Max couldn't help but appreciate the way her smile seemed to light up the room. He found he didn't even much mind the presence of the other employees traipsing into the common room, so long as she kept smiling. Perhaps it wouldn't be so unwise to follow his desires, after all.<br/><br/>"Ah, yes,<em>fraulein</em>. In truth, I did fall in love once, but I believe that this is far too lovely an evening to spoil with such a tale. For now let me simply say...we were not meant to remain together,<em>und </em>we shall leave it at that,<em>ja</em>?"