The sudden kiss against his skin caused Anthony's hand to tighten on Alex's arm.  The contact was slightly unexpected, though it was the first step in what Anthony had been seeking this evening.  Excellent, he thought.  However, it was surprising to Anthony exactly how much of a electric thrill the brief kiss sent through his nerves.  That was unexpected, but very pleasant.<br/><br/>He let his hand trail along Alex's arm and did not pull away from him as they walked with the server.  However, he could feel the emotional turmoil that coiled through Alex's mind.  He let his own thoughts slip inside Alex's and whispered calming thoughts into Alex's thoughts.  He slipped them softly into Alex's mind, leaving them for him to assimilate into his own thinking.<br/><br/><em>It is fine.  He didn't mind.  I shouldn't be upset.  It is fine.  It is fine.</em><br/><br/>As Anthony's mind sought to calm Alex's, he felt various other minds flit against his own.  Once he had found Victoria, he suspected that there were others near.  He was not disappointed.  Queens never were far from their supporters.  Some preferred to keep a tight reign over their subjects.  Whether Victoria was of that ilk or not, he did not know, though he suspected.  Their brushes against his mind though were cursory, more like nods in his mental direction.  He could feel their vague curiosity about him, though he also felt Victoria's brief presence cause the others to withdraw.  She was obviously still paying attention to him and Alex.<br/><br/>Anthony glanced at Alex.  "Well, was there anything else you saw that interested you, Alex?”  He smiled disarmingly at Alex.  "Any other pieces you wish to take home?”