“I suppose mixing drinks could be seen as a form of chemistry–a gastronomic version, at least. Perhaps your expertise in one area has given you an advantage in the other,” she said with a small chuckle, her eyes settling on the glass in her hands. “A very dangerous drink,” she replied, looking back up before taking another sip. The small warmth of the alcohol was already spreading throughout her.
“It’s not that dangerous – as long as you are aware. It’s when you get cocktails with no idea how strong they are….that’s when you either have a really good night, or a really bad night!” She chuckled though she scrunched her nose up at the thought too.
Kassandra watched as Charlotte’s deft hands made the drink. It was fascinating to watch the submissive move as though she were in her element. The request broke her out of her observation mode, and she replied with a smile and nod, moving to gather the things Charlotte requested. She returned quickly with the glasses with crushed ice and placed them on the table for Charlotte, watching once more as the younger woman filled the glasses with the cocktails. Raising the glass and clinking it briefly, Kassandra took a sip. “This is really good,” she said with a breathy chuckle before taking another sip. It was sweet, but the tang of the orange juice cut into it well for her taste. “Are you a secret bartender, Charlotte?”
Lottie laughed at the question, “Maybe I missed my calling? I should focus on mixing drinks and leave all the other bits of chemistry aside.” She took a drink herself and while it wasn’t as strong as she would have liked it tasted alright. “If you’re not used to it take it easy though. It’s got more alcohol in it than you would think.”
Kassandra gently placed her glass of wine down on the table, her eyes briefly glancing over the options before her. “I suppose I lean more towards fruity or bitter. I don’t really have much of a sweet tooth,” she admitted with a small shrug. Her eyes followed as Charlotte selected a bottle of vodka, wondering if that was going to be the alcohol of choice.
Lottie grinned and looked across the table as she selected what she would need. Placing the bottle of vodka down she took a cocktail mixer and put measures from three different bottles in the mixer before topping it up with orange juice and some soda water. With a smirk she gave it a shake. “Grab two of those cocktail glasses,” she instructed Kassandra. “And add a little crushed ice to each.” Once the glasses were ready Lottie shared the orange liquid between the two glasses. She handed one to Kassandra and took the other herself. “Cheers,” she laughed as she tapped their glasses together and took a sip.
The wine was, in Kassandra’s mind, just okay, but she didn’t want to seem rude now that she had poured it. It was probably best to finish it, but she was tempted by Charlotte’s offer. “What sort of drink did you have in mind, little chemist?” she chuckled softly. Her eyes watched the younger submissive approach the table, before her an array of liquors and various alcohol.
Lottie’s eyes lit up at the prospect of introducing Kassandra to something new. “That depends on what sort of thing you like. Do you prefer sweet, fruity, bitter?” she asked with a grin as she reached for the vodka for herself.
“Perhaps a little less than a whole bottle for tonight, Charlotte,” Kassandra chuckled softly, amused by the young submissive’s enthusiasm. “Perhaps it does. It is a rare celebration that allows the entire family to join together,” she nodded. Carefully, she picked up a bottle of Merlot and poured herself a glass. “You are quite the enabler,” she chuckled before taking a small sip.
Lottie just grinned at the joke, though she did glance up the table to see what was on offer. Smiling brightly as Kassandra poured herself a drink Lottie didn’t think it would do the older submissive any harm to relax a little. “It’s not often anyone listens to my advice,” she laughed, amused at the delicate little sip that Kassandra took. “I can make you something else if you feel like being brave?” Lottie added as she took a few steps towards the other bottles.
“Then I believe you might be in search of the bottle on the farther end of the table,” Kassandra offered, a delicate hand gesturing in the appropriate direction. “My parents had a wine collection, so I learned early on about which types of wine pair well with certain foods. I personally only drink it during special occasions,” she clarified with a small chuckle.
“A whole bottle, that does sound good,” Lottie teased as she looked down to where the spirits were arranged. “I see and does today count as a special occasion?” the younger woman asked with a hint of amusement.
It had been a while since Kassandra last attended a Montague event. Even after her return back to Verona, she seldom showed up even if her parents were in attendance themselves. But, given the recent news with Lord Montague, she felt it was important to show support.
Idling by the side, Kassandra spotted Charlotte by the bar and so decided to approach the young lady. When she heard the question, she took a glance at the bottle in question. “I believe that would be white zinfandel,” she replied with a smile. “Are you much of a wine drinker?”
Lottie scrunched her nose at the idea of the wine, “Not so much. I’d rather have vodka or shots. I’ve never really got into the whole civilised glass of wine with dinner. You look as if you would know your way around a wine cellar though,” she smiled with a small laugh, the older submissive always seemed so much more refined than she was.
Charlotte’s return was quicker than Kassandra had expected, though she certainly had no complaints. Taking a sip, she found the warm beverage rejuvenating as she continued her lengthy work. “My work will still be here at the end of the day. If you have time, please sit with me. I would love to hear about what you have been learning, Charlotte. It has been a while since we’ve lost spoken.”
Lottie gave a shrug and went back to her table to pick up her water and snack. Joining Kassandra at her desk she gave a quiet laugh as she teased, “Does Lord Oz pay you to keep an eye on the Montague students?” Taking a drink of her water she agreed, “I was away for most of the summer, I only got back in time for classes starting. But in course terms I’ve been enjoying my pure chemistry classes and am developing an appreciation for pharmaceutical chemistry so I thought I might look into that a bit more. What about you?”
“I’d love to hear about what other subject you’re learning when you return,” she replied politely with a smile. “One packet of sugar, please,” she requested gratefully. As Charlotte left to order their drinks, Kassandra returned to her research, the immaculately organized desk filling with more notes. When the younger submissive returned, Kassandra smiled widely and thanked her before taking her drink. “Thank you, Charlotte.”
Lottie gave a nod at the request and left to pick up the drinks. There wasn’t much of a queue at that time of day and she was soon back and laying the coffee on the older student’s desk. “You’re welcome,” she replied with slight surprise that she knew how to carry out a civil conversation like this. “I’ll leave you in peace for a while,” she said as she headed back to her own desk and this dreaded assignment.
“Agricultural chemistry sounds rather interesting to me,” Kassandra replied. While it wasn’t in her field of study, she wondered what that would entail. “It requires a good balance and scheduling, though it can be a little challenging to find time to relax,” she admitted with a small smile. A part of her wished that she had a little bit more free time, but she knew that such time would still be dedicated to work. “A hot cup of coffee would be wonderful if that is okay.”
“It has some interesting aspects but there are a lot of boring parts too but ultimately it’s not where I really see my career lying so it’s hard to maintain interest.” She nodded at the request, “Sure I can get you coffee. Do you need sugar?”
Lottie's wild adventure 