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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 4, 2011 19:44:15 GMT -5
I'd made arrangements with Flower and the mob to take care of the house while I started the investigation for Cascata on Gil's behalf. I'd made a few discreet inquiries already, but today I decided to track down one of his contacts.
The Lady Lessandrie de Mereliot. In all honesty I was a little awed that I would be conversing with such people of status, but I needed to keep my head for Gil. I took the address he left me and hired a carriage to take me there, eyes widening as I realised we were travelling into the North Borough, and even more surprised when we stopped in front of the manor that Eric had pointed out as home, that day we explored the city.
I alighted from the carriage and knocked on the door, waiting to be answered, ready to proffer Gil's seal and proof of identity if need be.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 4, 2011 22:47:29 GMT -5
I was the closest to the door when Raisa knocked and I answered it. I had been less than in the best of moods over Chloe and she was just the face that I needed to see. Of course I assumed her call was a social one. "Raisa, hello! Please come inside!" I said with forced, but gradually genuine exuberance. "Can I offer you any refreshments?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 0:24:32 GMT -5
"Eric!" I was hoping that he'd be the one to answer, but I wasn't sure with a house that was of such high standing that it would have several servants who could have done so. "So much has happened, I've got so much to tell you and I need your help on something."
Then I noticed that there was something reserved about his greeting and I turned down my excitement a notch. "It's ok, I wouldn't want to trouble you. Are you all right?"
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 1:05:59 GMT -5
I smiled at her excitement and did wish to hear all that she had to say. But her next statement dealt with my well being and I glanced to the floor. “I have had better times, dear Raisa... But I wish to hear of what you have to share. Sit, please,” The smile returned and I led her into the seating area and asked that two glasses of juice be made for us.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 1:54:01 GMT -5
I reached out to touch his hand briefly, before sitting down. It sounded like something big, but he didn't want to talk about it so I went on with my own news.
"I hope you don't mind it's a bit of a long story," I nodded in thanks at the server who left a tray of juice before continuing. "I was at the Poulet Gauche, don't ask me why I was there, but I met the most enigmatic stranger. He offered me a job as a housekeeper, and I accepted, only to find out that he is Gillermo Stregazza, Duca di Belafonte. His house has been in disarray for the last year or so, and he has entrusted me to restore it."
I stopped my rambling for a moment to take a sip. "But that's not the half of it. His sister is mising, he believes her to be alive and has beseeched my help in finding her. I've a list of people I should see and one person I should investigate, but I didn't know where to start really so I came here. Lessandrie de Mereliot is a friend of his, I was told to ask her, though I don't suppose you happen to know anything about it?"
Then, belatedly realising it was a lot to take in I went silent, wondering what he was thinking.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 2:18:20 GMT -5
I sat across from her and kept my ear attentive. The name was vaguely familiar and I thought perhaps Lessa had mentioned her once. I swirled the juice as if it were wine and sipped while she spoke, but was paying attention to every word. My brows rose when she talked about the missing sister. “Personally I do not. I haven’t been in her Grace’s empoly long enough to know of such matters. But, that, well that is quite the eventful time.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 2:29:36 GMT -5
I felt a little deflated, but shrugged it off. "Yes, eventful indeed. Is the Duchese in residence or can I contact her elsewhere?" I hadn't really been sure if she was in the city or not, just that I should seek her help.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 13:53:30 GMT -5
I shook my head, a litter sadder, knowing that I couldn’t really be of much help at this point, though I was willing to do just about anything for her. “She’s not. I believe that she is en route back from Ruskovia. She should be here or Marsilikos soon. If there’s something, anything I can do to aid you in the meantime however I will do it.” I offered her another smile and set my glass down.
Part of me wished to talk about what had happened with me, knowing that I couldn't have it bottled up inside. But it would be discourteous, for she was on a sort of quest as it were.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 17:27:15 GMT -5
The words were out of my mouth before I could help myself. "You could come with me, to ask around about it," it would hopefully distract him from whatever was bothering him, at least for a little bit, and maybe after spending enough time together he'd open up, maybe. "I've little experience with dealing with people of such station. And maybe you'll pick up on something I don't."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 19:38:50 GMT -5
I leapt upon the opportunity, not only to engage in something that would benefit someone, but it would hopefully distract me from my own problem. I would also be doing it with a good friend of mine.
“I accept the offer, Raisa,” I said, starting to smile wider. “Did your new employer provide any other hints as to where we should begin?”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 20:03:08 GMT -5
I grinned, ecstatic that he was willing and nodded vigorously.
"He left me with a few names, Lady de Mereliot, Leandre de Guivre, Avrielle no Valerian and Baltasar de Cordova," I paused thinking of Gil's most recent letter. "In the last missive I received from him, he mentioned a person of interest. Florence Danton. He sounded a bit shady so I think maybe we'd have to ask around the backstreet areas of the city. Night's Doorstep most likely."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 20:40:57 GMT -5
I tried to remember the names but knew that I would probably need to be reminded again. “Hmm, well I am acquainted with the area. I spent much of the past winter there. It should not be too difficult to find this person.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 20:52:32 GMT -5
"I hope so," I didn't have much hope of him just turning up though, I had a feeling we'd have to follow a long chain of information.
"So would you be ready to go right now?" I asked tentatively.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 21:38:19 GMT -5
I had to be honest. “If by now you mean this very moment, then not quite. I think I need to freshen up and … well I’m honestly not doing the best. But within the hour certainly.” I frowned, hoping that I had not disappointed her or quenched her spirits. “Besides, you have yet to see the gardens.” Once the words were out of my mouth I wished I could have taken them back. The memory...
"Or we could tour the stables and we can get horses. Would save us time."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 22:17:37 GMT -5
I nodded in understanding. "Take as long as you want," the fact that he even agreed to go out today was better than what I was expecting. "I can go look at the horses while you go get ready."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 5, 2011 23:13:01 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said. “Just ask a servant to show you to the stables.” I then rose and ran to my room, splashed water on my face and changed into something more dressy. I put on scent and combed my hair and then finally finished my juice and flopped down onto my bed. I just lay there thinking. I was thinking about Raisa, and Noemi, and how they had taught me to love the freedom to drop everything and rush off onto some adventure. And I thought about Chloe and wondered... I wondered why exactly I loved her. The thought was horrid and I nearly cried for thinking it. I turned over and buried my face into my pillow and prayed silently.
When I was calm at last I walked back down the stairs, only after re-freshening, and walked to the stables.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 23:31:27 GMT -5
I'd been getting acquainted with the horses, blowing into their noses as Flower said I should, to get them to learn my scent, although I hadn't learned to ride properly, not yet anyway. I was shyly petting one on the nose when Eric entered, dressed a tad bit more formally with his hair neatened. I blinked, an inexplicable blush tinging my cheeks. As a seamstress I was used to casting a critical gaze over others, except this time I felt a little guilty about it. Then I noticed that, for all his tidy appearance his eyes were a touch red. Or maybe I was imagining things.
"All ready then?" I asked with affected nonchalance, but truth be told I was a little worried. He hadn't seemed all that well today.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 6, 2011 1:01:29 GMT -5
I gave her a nod and forced a smile, that became truer as I studied her face and the faint blush upon it. “I am. Do you want your own horse or would you want to double up?” I asked. I wasn’t certain how good her riding skills were so I wanted to give her the option either way.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 6, 2011 4:02:55 GMT -5
"Double up, if you don't mind. I still haven't gotten the hang of riding alone," I admitted, then, to hide my cheeks going even redder, busied myself opening the stable door. "So I guess we'll just start off at Night's Doorstep and see how we go there."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 6, 2011 13:52:02 GMT -5
I nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me." Or not, but that was the fun of it, was it not? We both had an attraction to the spontaneous.
I opened the stable door and let my horse out, putting on his saddle and bridle and mounted. "Alright now, Raisa," I said, offering her my hand. I felt for a moment like a little prince saving a fair maiden and it made me smile but faintly blush at the same time.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 6, 2011 16:45:48 GMT -5
Taking his hand, I smiled, and let him pull me up onto the horse behind him. I was glad that he couldn't see my face and how flushed it'd become.
"Thanks," I said gently next to his ear. "Now, let's go have an adventure."
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