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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 10:22:40 GMT -5
It had been a year and a month since Corrie had been buried in the family cemetery, and at Father's insistance, I had gone out to spend a day for myself. Currently, I was in this nice boutique that had become a favorite of mine over the past 5 years, looking for a nice gown to wear to the fete and dinner I was planning.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat 
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 11:10:11 GMT -5
Twas not too far after I had had that long discussion with Josie that I found myself looking for a small other present to make up for my behaviour. I was always buying her little things, just to show her that I still cared even when I was away. She was my only sister, afterall, and I did so love spoiling her. Besides, she was not working and I sort of took it upon myself to get her things, in some subtle way taking on a role as being man of the house.
WIth this in mind, and the fact that the weather was starting to grow chill, I went on a search to find her a warm hooded cape. I walked into a store, obviously selling women's apparel, and smiled at the shopkeep. She smiled back, though I saw her eyes wander over me and had to fight back the laughter that was battling to escape. Instead, I ran a hand through my locks, inclined my head, cleared my throat and made my way further into the store, where I then let out a soft, low chuckle.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 11:29:19 GMT -5
I turned toward the door when it opened to admit a slight breeze, and a rather tall young man. It surprised me somewhat to see him here, but maybe it shouldn't have. I had been so far out of the stream of rumor around the city that I had no clue what was going on nowadays. I gave him a nod and a smile, then turned back to my browsing, my eyes only now and again settling on him.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 11:38:16 GMT -5
After my awkward chuckle I noticed another person inhabiting the store and smiled as she glanced towards me, feeling a little foolish, and hoping she hadn't heard my random laughter. She was strikingly beautiful, dark hair that reached down her back in waves, and pretty eyes from what I could see though she looked away before I could give her thorough inspection. I glanced among the racks and folded items, appearing to busy myself as I inched closer and closer in her direction. Josie had said that I needed to meet new people, make friends and the like, instead of staying cooped up at work and spending all my time with Sophine, though I did enjoy her company.
I flashed a glance in her direction again, now almost across from her, though I must have looked the fool, barely glancing through items as I made my way towards her.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 11:50:15 GMT -5
I thought perhaps I should have braided my hair back, since every opening of the door made it waft into my face. Once again, I pushed it back, then reached for something on the shelf above my head, only to have it fall on my head. I gave a small yeep, and thought I must look like a clumsy idiot. Flicking a glance at the tall man who was now so close, I blushed, then looked down, after plucking the thing off my head and tucking it under my arm.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 12:01:04 GMT -5
I heard a slight yelp and turned towards her, feeling the want to be chivalrous rise up in me, until I noticed it was just a slight mishap. I walked over to her then, if that wasn't an opening, I didn't know what was. She blushed, her cheeks a rosy pink and I smiled down at her. "Can I help you, m'lady?" I asked, looking up at the higher items on the shelf and realising just how small she was compared to me. She was also rather beautiful, and the blush, ah the blushing always got to me.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 12:09:58 GMT -5
I raised my eyes again as the much taller man approached and offered his help. I couldn't help but smile in reply, and my eyes followed his up to the tallest shelves. Then I frowned slightly and flicked a displeased glance at the shopkeeper, who seemed rather unconcerned that a customer might need help. Shaking my head, I turned back to the man in front of me, my smile returning as I nodded. "I always have so much trouble with getting things off the top shelves," I had another disgusted thought about the rude shopkeeper, "I have always wished I were taller. Yes, actually, your help might be most welcome." I paused, then gave a curtsy made awkward by the items tucked under one arm, before introducing myself. "I'm Rosanna de Beauchamp."
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 12:19:09 GMT -5
I looked from the shelf to her as she curtseyed beside me. I smiled and nodded. "I am Luc Bradamante," I said with a smile. "And I would be more than happy to help you, here or any other shop you might be perusing today," I said with a soft chuckle. "Now, which item are you looking for?" I asked as I looked up again, though it was not as far up for me as it was for her.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 12:33:25 GMT -5
I blinked in surprise when he introduced himself. Of course the Bradamante name was known to me. It made his offer of help even more generous, in my mind. I smiled, flashing my dimples, and nodded my thanks, "Why thank you, kind sir."
Now I took the item that had fallen on my head out from under my arm and held it up. I had intended to hand it to the shopkeeper on my way out, since it wasn't at all what I had been looking for. I also intended to have a word with the owner of the shop, to let him know just how helpful his employee had been. But that would happen later. For now, I glanced down at the bundle in my hand, which was a rather lacy yellow bit of cloth. "This isn't what I wanted," I looked up at the shelf, where a different bundle, this one a nice blue-green that almost matched my eyes, lay. "That blue one was what I was after."
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 13:03:24 GMT -5
I smiled at her as she smiled prettily at me and looked at the cloth that she had been looking at. "This one, my lady?" I asked as I raised my arms and pulled it down to show her, with another smile.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 13:16:32 GMT -5
I nodded eagerly, reaching up to take it from him after he pulled it down. Sticking the yellow cloth on one of the closer shleves, I didn't care that it was out of place. Again I smiled at Luc, "I think it matches my eyes." I held the cloth he'd handed me up to my face, "What do you think?"
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 13:30:00 GMT -5
I looked as she held the cloth next to her face. Slightly pinkish cheeks, dark tumbling hair, and eyes that sparkled, a blue-green, bright like the sea on a summer's day.
"Oh definitely," I said with a smile, "quite a striking colour," I said with a smile, "your eyes, I mean, though the cloth is rather nice too."
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 13:41:06 GMT -5
I smiled and pulled the cloth away from my face, taking another look at it. "Are they?" I blinked, and wasn't sure just what to make of his compliment, though it was rather nice. I smiled again, despite not quite agreeing with him.
I nodded and tucked the cloth under my arm. "I want to have a gown made for my upcoming fete and dinner. Do you feel up to helping me choose lace now?" I hesitated then, the thought occurring to me that he had perhaps come in to do some shopping of his own. "Unless you have other things to do."
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 13:49:43 GMT -5
"Ah well, Rosanna," I said with a chuckle and a wink, "I am terribly good at multitasking, though I do not really have a great eye for fashion. I will help if I can. Hopefully your taste will prevail and I my suggestions wont have you at your fete in something garish," I said with a chuckle as I waited for her to make her way where she wished to go. "When is it, your fete?" I asked curiously, fingering some of the other fabric that was on the shelf we stood in front of.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 13:59:07 GMT -5
I blinked, faintly surprised yet again, then smiled and winked back. I wasn't above a bit of friendly flirting, despite my untried state. And I was actually rather old to be in such a state, especially in Terre d'Ange. I laughed lightly, and shook my head at the cloth he had his hand on. "I need to find some lace next. And I really haven't set a date for the fete yet, it's still in the early stages."
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 14:54:32 GMT -5
She winked back after a little bit of hesitation, but I was just happy she did not slap me across the cheek for being too brash. That was always a good sign. "Ah... lace. And what kind of fete?" I asked as I moved to a bundle of fine lace, delicate and soft and a pale yellow colour as I looked to her, wondering if this might be something closer to what she was looking for.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 15:12:46 GMT -5
I smiled, then glanced down at the lace he held up. Setting the blue cloth next to it, I considered for a moment, then shook my head and eyed a bunch of creamy ivory colored lace. "Oh, it's just a small fete and dinner to mark the enod of mourning for my sister and my return to society. Although," I paused, "I doubt I move in the same circles you do."
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 15:54:48 GMT -5
I smiled though it faltered at her words. "I am sorry to hear of your loss, Rosanna," I said with a soft frown, "it must be very hard for you," I whispered, letting go of the lace that I had held. "And as for circles," I said with a soft smile, "I don't really.. have a circle to move in," I said with a soft laugh, "I have not been here long enough to establish that."
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 16:03:23 GMT -5
I smiled a bit sadly, and nodded, bowing my head. "My thanks. It was, but more so for my father than for me." I pushed the niggling worry I had away for now, and concentrated on Luc's words, which made me raise an eyebrow. "Oh? I've heard the Bradamante name before, though. Weren't you in the City before? Or am I confused?"
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 4, 2009 18:08:43 GMT -5
"We have a City home," I explained, "but it was not always occupied. Now my sister one of our brothers and I inhabit it. We have been here a bit but certainly not terribly long," I explained with a smile. "Really? I did not know our name was well known. I wonder what for," I pondered to myself as I fingered another bit of lace, this one a pale ivory, almost white, in a flowered pattern.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 4, 2009 18:19:30 GMT -5
I shrugged, not able to recall exactly where or why I had heard his name before. I glanced down at the next bit of lace he was looking at, and leaned forward to pick it up as well, my fingers barely touching his as I took a good look at the pattern.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 5, 2009 19:02:56 GMT -5
She shrugged in answer, and I could have laughed. She seemed as easy going as I was. That was always a plus. Her fingers lightly brushed mine, absently, or I thought at least, as she looked more closely at it. "Is it closer to what you are looking for or am I doing as terribly as I imagined I would," I said with a laugh.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 5, 2009 19:14:29 GMT -5
I glanced up, and couldn't help but return his cheery sounding laughter. With the lace still in hand, I nodded. "You are better at this than you thought. This is just the pattern I had in mind." I smiled, flashing my dimples again, and squeezed his hand.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 5, 2009 19:25:53 GMT -5
She laughed along, and her laugh was sweet, musical even. "I am glad, then," I said with a smile, looking from her hand to her eyes as she squeezed my hand with hers. "I don't know much about ladies' dresses," I said wtih a chuckle, "but this looks like it is shaping up to be quite the dress. Do you have a design in mind already? Or are you going to take it to the dressmaker and tell them to put something pretty together," I said with a laugh as I pulled the fabric down for her and held it.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 5, 2009 19:47:51 GMT -5
I raised an eyebrow, then laughed again. He was easy to talk to, and he seemed to enjoy smiling and laughing. Those things were important to me, especially after the past year.
"Oh, I have a few ideas, and I'm sure the dressmakers will take them into consideration, but I'll give them a free hand, more or less." I nodded, glancing down at the lace he held, then over at our hands, which were still twined together. Looking back up at his face, I blinked, then blinked again. He seemed content to let his hand lie in mine, or mine in his, whichever it was. I gave his hand another squeeze, and a flutter of pleasure worked it's way across my eyes and down my spine. He certainly was handsome... and so tall.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 6, 2009 9:31:31 GMT -5
I felt the way her hand squeezed mine again and I had to smile, mayhap a little wryly, the corner of my lips quirking upward as I looked into her stunning eyes, and the way she looked at me, sweet Elua! I took my breath in sharply as if I could feel the way she looked at me coursing through my body and before I could make a fool of myself and kiss a woman I had just met, who might slap me afterwards, I cleared my throat and looked away, but not before giving her a lingering look of my own. "I am sure it will turn out lovely. I should think with how beautiful you are, you could make a burlap sack look breathtaking," I said with a smile as I looked away and hid the... what was this! Heat going to my cheeks. Was I.. blushing!?
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 6, 2009 10:28:56 GMT -5
I was a bit disappointed when he turned away, until I noticed how his cheeks took on a slight reddish tint. It made my smile deepen, but my eyes held no guile when I spoke, "Am I beautiful? Ah, maybe. I don't really think about it. But thank you for such a nice compliment." I laughed and shook my head, giving a little shrug, then looked back at him, still smiling.
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 6, 2009 11:54:57 GMT -5
I brought my eyes back to hers. "You... well you really are. All flattery aside. There are oceans within oceans in your eyes," I said as I caught myself nigh mesmerized by them again. "Has no one told you you are?" I asked, disbelieving of the words myself when they left my lips.
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Post by Rosanna de Beauchamp on Oct 6, 2009 12:01:01 GMT -5
I blinked, thinking he must be quite a poet. Then I smiled and nodded, but shrugged again. "Well, my father, certainly. And a few others have, I admit, including youself," I gave him another smile, "And I suppose it might even be true, to a point. I don't think about it much, unless something comes up where I need to look special."
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Luc Bradamante
Aristocrat
Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Oct 6, 2009 14:04:13 GMT -5
I smiled. "Good because I would have to swear up and down that it would be a crime if anyon ever told you otherwise," I said with a smile. "So are you taking this one? Or wish to look at other ivory coloured competitors," I said with a smile as I let go of the fabric I had been holding.
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