Doorways Chapter 3d

“Sounds good.” Alexandria nodded and balanced her empty bowl on a bookshelf. “I think I'll go crash. I'm knackered.” Both men stood up and Alexandria eyed them suspiciously. “What have I done now?”

“Nothing.” Darius laughed. “It's manners for gentlemen to stand when a lady enters or leaves the room.”

“It is? Why?”

“Er ... I don't actually know. Zach?”

“Not a clue.” Zach laughed. “I should be going too. It was nice meeting you Alexandria.”

“Yes. Well I don't believe you. I'm manky.” Alexandria muttered. “But OK.”

“Just a 'thankyou' would have done.” Darius said quietly, smiling.

“Thankyou, Zach. It was nice to meet you too.” Alexandria nodded as Zach left. “I'm sorry about the underwear thing. That wasn't nice of me at all.” She said to Darius.

“Don't worry. I probably deserved it.” Darius said grimly, pouring himself a drink. “Would you like one before you go to bed?”

“What is it?”

“Slasko '92. Red Wine.” Darius handed over the glass and Alexandria knocked it back in one go. Darius cringed. “No one's going to take it from you. Here, sip it and taste it.” He poured another. Alexandria tried to sip and made a slurping noise like a drain. “You'll get used to the shape of the glass.” Darius tried not to smile too much.

“Not bad.” Alexandria nodded.

“It should be better than not bad at eighty credits a bottle.” Darius replaced the bottle on the shelf.

“How much?” Alexandria blurted. “Gold credits? Just for that one bottle?”

“Pricey but worth it.”

“How can you say that?” Alexandria put down her half full glass. “How can you say that one bottle of that is worth as much as a week's food for a family? I could have rented a bed for a month with eighty credits, and so could any one of those poor bastards down there! Maybe they wouldn't die in doorways from pneumonia then, eh? No, Mister Hawk, that's obscene.” Alexandria vanished into her room.