Chapter 38 Give Me More Please}Ep38

• No...this wouldn't do. If this were anywhere else...anyone else...in another situation...she'd not stand for it. But what should she do? Demetra would smile politely, plead ignorance, and check on dinner, Xanthipe would boldly lay claim to any and all of the graces, and Helena would giggle and blush and tell her that she'd would have to ask the gentleman in question. It appeared she was on her own, as none of those would work for her, not in the slightest. She would just have to take Demitri's advice. Calliope exhaled slowly, pasting a mild smile on her face and letting her shoulders relax slightly. She could at least appear calm, even if she was nothing near it as her mind hastily churned in a mad searched for words.
• "My lady," she murmured politely, "I suspect only a fool would lay claim to any 'particular' skill in company such as this." She made a vague gesture to the hall. "Even if I had such presumptions, I'm quite sure there would be at least a dozen more worthy than I who would be quick and eager to disabused me of my arrogance." She smiled placidly and gazed back at the creature with as much unassuming guilelessness as she could muster in order to dull the slight edge of her words. "And, I do not think," She added after a very brief pause, "that such fruitless and obvious comparisons would be a useful expenditure of anyone's time. Wouldn't you agree?" She'd spoken in even, but clear tones, hoping those listening would hear and take the hint. Yes, they were very beautiful, and she was sure, very good at all sorts of things that she'd rather not think about it. Wonderful. Fantastic. She got it. Time to move on.
• The woman's smile had dimmed and her brow had arched imperceptibly higher, but after appraising Calliope a moment, her face settled and her smile returned. "How...politic of you. Surprising considering the company you keep." She added sardonically