A/N: ME again! Sorry, I have been restricted from the computer so my story is tre behind. Finally some dialogue. I know, I can feel the excitement from here…
I awoke groggy and irritable; the gravity of this situation had not left me even in the chemically induced slumber. How dare he! My head pounded with rage. I ripped the covers off the bed in an animalistic fury. He Will Pay! I stood up quickly and noticed two things. First, the gash had been well-sown, far better than I could have managed on my own, and pained me awfully. Second, Somnus had cut ten inches of pant fabric in his attempt to close my wound which caused them to flutter to my feet. Infernal things! When I get my hands on him… I reached down to regain my trousers and my dignity, when I heard raucous laughter. Not bothering to look up I whipped the sheets of the bed and wrapped them around my shoulders. The silken garb reached the floor giving me a little comfort, the security I had lost. Oh, Christine…
I charged forward intending to knock him over, suddenly, the sharp point of a long thin rapier found its way to the hollow of my throat. I swallowed gingerly, parted my lips, and exhaled slowly. "Now, is that any way to treat your liberator?" he stated and slowly traced the blade up my throat to the tender underside of my chin. "Hmmm?" he sniggered. "No, I suppose not." I growled. I had realized just how vulnerable I was. I was one-armed, could barely walk, and still fairly hazy. He lowered his blade and a small arrogant smile formed on his half-exposed countenance. With a slight inclination of his head he accepted my desultory reply. He pulled back his many-fold cloak, now a deep purple almost black with elaborate scrollwork at the cuffs and around the hood, to reveal a surprisingly trim, slender build and sheathed his highly wrought weapon that matched the small dagger he had used earlier.
He gracefully waved a hand indicating the bed. I sat reluctantly never letting my eyes leave his face. "You must be hungry, yes?" he inquired semi-sincerely and pulled back one of the soft black panels disappearing momentarily. He returned with bread, cheese and a black bottle. He set it on the table by my bed, broke the bread and cheese, and set out two wine glasses. I was ravenous, my stomach growled for nourishment. He watched me as he reclined on the black velvet and silver chair and swung a leg carelessly over one of its arms. "Well?" he cleared his throat and said, "I was hoping we could have some conversation while you ate. I haven't taken a guest in so long." "How surprising." I rumbled sarcastically. Despite myself I reached out and took the bread, it was still warm! Hunger overtook me and I ate my fill quickly but I did manage to retain a tense politeness and my manners.
He had not yet poured the wine and the flavorful food left me thirsty. I eyed the wine then cleared my throat. Damn manners! Somnus had been watching me the entire meal. "Wine?" he asked teasingly. I said nothing. "If you call for something to drink, you need only to ask… politely" The familiar cock of his head had returned and I loathed it. Everything else he has given you was without request, why must he ask now. I inhaled deeply and said, "Dear host, it seems you have forgotten to decant the wine." He snickered as he poured the dark liquid into two thin willowy wine glasses. "A toast." he waited. "To what?" I asked incredulously. "Good Wine." he replied. The liquor washed over my tongue. Pinot Noir, delicious. I heard a brazen meow from behind Somnus' chair and another to the left of mine and two cats slinked into view. "Ah, speaking of good wine," he paused as a small cat with a black coat splashed with orange nuzzled into the curve of his palm. A second bawl very close to my ear whipped my head to the side just in time to see a streak yellow-white fur land sliding on the Grecian rug between the two of us. The antics of the kit caused even me to laugh. "This one is named Pinot Gris and that one," he said chuckling slightly and waving his wrist towards the bumbling mass of downy fur "is Sauvignon Blanco." I cocked an eyebrow and said questioningly, "You name your pets after wine?" "We all have our little quirks." He replied in mock offense. Suddenly, his smile was gone and he stood up and disappeared once more behind the panel with this arrival he brought all the accoutrements necessary for me to make myself presentable I must be a mess and then opened a wardrobe to my right. The cats had gone, Somnus turned to me and stated coldly "I must leave I will be back tomorrow. Make yourself comfortable. There is food in that chest. The cats will keep you company." He moved toward the silk curtain. He had his back to me then he said over his shoulder, "Enjoy the wine." I saw the smile spread over his face as the curtain fell back to cover the black gap. I rose , limped forward and pulled back the cover to give a clever reply but the only thing that met me was a stone wall.