The Heort�

Valentine took the male's defensive display in stride, amusement giving his features a slight twist. The brute would address Rhythm and although his tone was teasing, there was an undeniable edge to his questions. Oh, how precious. How delicious. Valentine was certain that if he were to ever meddle in the affairs of his sisters either one or both of them would chew him a new asshole.

When it came, her retort brought a slow smirk to his lips, but that wasn't all. "Have you considered my question?" His eyebrows quirked up in a silent question, but with her final response understanding set in. Instantly his expression shifted from a question to feinted realization, as if he'd just remembered the details of their last conversation.

The whole exchange, from Bass' interjection to Rhythm's question had been fast and he had little time to respond, so he answered everything at once. ”Indeed I have,” he said warmly to Rhythm, ”It would be a shame to keep letting chance decide our meetings.” To Bass, he said, ”Under better circumstances? This is a peaceful festival celebrating the union of two very happy souls, I don't believe you can get better circumstances than that.” He was only messing with him. Of course he knew what Bass was talking about, but addressing the real issue at hand was far too easy and so much less entertaining than dancing around it.

His next answer, though delivered politely, was no less pointed. ”What business we do have is between us.” He had half a mind to suggest that he and Rhythm go elsewhere to discuss their “business” but decided to let the the situation play out a bit more. It was all in good fun; this was, after all, a festival.