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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 2, 2008 14:23:40 GMT -5
I beckoned the lass over and placed the order, ignoring blatantly her rounded eyes, not unlike Avive’s though she carried the look with more aplomb than the waitress.
When she was gone, I chuckled, and asked, “Is my idea so foreign?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 7, 2008 20:27:50 GMT -5
"Not foreign," I said, "but it is very extravagant. Sampling is most common when one throws a fete, and tastes many things to figure out what to serve there."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 8, 2008 16:05:38 GMT -5
“I understand,” I replied thoughtfully. “Though seeing as I may yet come to host a fete soon enough, we could consider this a planning activity.”
It was unlikely, though. Any first fete of mine would be in Ummayyatti style. Nevertheless, one never knew.
“Do tell me of your D’Angeline Fetes,” I said, smiling. “I’ve not been to one yet. What should I come to expect?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 8, 2008 20:51:48 GMT -5
"Oh, I do hope you will," I said. "It would be such fun, and perhaps you could meet some of my friends."
I thought a moment. "They can be small, or large, but usually they involve a meal. There is always talk, and dancing if the fete is large enough. Sometimes adepts are contracted for the pleasure of the guests, but I have never been to a fete like that."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 9, 2008 12:55:14 GMT -5
Meeting her friends? My face stayed pleasantly unchanged at the idea, though I wasn’t sure what it meant. Inwardly, I paused. Did she like me? What a strange idea. I hadn’t been much liked, I wagered. Not enough, anyway.
At her explanation, making mental notes. “The way D’Angelines celebrate sounds lovely,” I replied casually. “But do tell me about your friends. I am always curious of new people,” I added, smiling wide for the realization that mayhap she saw something in me.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 9, 2008 14:08:53 GMT -5
"Well, there is of course my cousin, Alain," I said. "He is the person I am closest to besides my father, and he is a wonderful man. I have been hoping to see our friend Princess Phreya soon, but we have been out of touch. I am also friendly with two of the de Somervilles. My cousin's friend Jessamine de Mornay is in Eire right now; she is an author." I paused. Some people did not include adepts as their friends, but LaValle held a special place in my heart. "There is also a very special Alyssum adept, LaValle, whom I hope to see again soon."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 9, 2008 16:50:00 GMT -5
I listened, nodding. “Well, I shall make sure that they are invited. I have been entertaining the idea of hosting a fete at my town home, to present the wonders of Ummayyatt to the courtiers.”
I paused, and smiled. “My friend Coretta in fact did mention her cousin, as she did the Somervilles. House Mauvais should be present, as well as House Mornay, it seems. Would that please you?”
It was delicate – I had a covert agreement with Coretta. I wanted to be honest to Avive, but I couldn’t jeopardize the protection I had promised the Dauphine. I left it at that for now. Later, perhaps, I would explain it to her more in detail - such discussions commended privacy... and trust.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 9, 2008 23:56:40 GMT -5
"Oh, I think that would be wonderful, thank you," I said. "I think it will be so interesting to see what an Umayyati fete is like."
At that moment, the tray of desserts arrived: Chocolate cake drizzles with white chocolate sauce, creme brulee, fruit tart, bonbons of all shapes, chocolate mouse garnished with raspberries, rice pudding, tiramisu, and I was sure the chef of Desir could make still more delights. "It all looks delicious," I said. "I don't know what to try first."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 10, 2008 15:46:22 GMT -5
I smiled at her gratefulness, and let out a sound of pure excitement as the sweets were brought along. Something dark in even darker sauce – I figured it could be cocoa, a yellow pudding that looked like it had been forgotten in the oven, something covered in fruits, colorful and tantalizing, and another cream of cocoa, perhaps, with a red fruit I did not know, and yet more pudding, that which ressembled something from home, and a Serenissiman dessert I had tasted before, but whose name I’d forgotten.
“May the One God be thanked!” I exclaimed. “This is heaven on earth.”
I looked at her, smiling, and said, “You might want to start with the weakest taste, and finish with the strongest,” I offered. “This is the way we sample foods in my country, anyway.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 11, 2008 16:33:29 GMT -5
"Then I will try it that way," I said. Picking up my knife, I cut the fruit tart in half before cutting off a piece with my fork and putting it in my mouth. I made a sound of excited pleasure. "Delicious!" I said when I swallowed.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 11, 2008 19:59:30 GMT -5
I smiled, glad that she accepted my suggestion, and took the other piece. It was an interesting desert – not too strong of taste, yet hearty and light. The strawberries and kiwi were just a little acrid, the peach had a strong yet delicate taste, and the crust reminded me of Illyrian biscuit. “I like it,” I said after a while. “It’s a complex dessert.”
I grinned, and said, “Well, since you started, why don’t you lead the ball? I’m not incredibly familiar with all these deserts anyway…”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 11, 2008 21:18:00 GMT -5
"If you insist," I said with a grin. Picking up a small spoon, I lifted up a bite of rice pudding. It was sweet and creamy and cinnamon-y all at the same time. I swallowed. "That's good too," I said.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 11, 2008 22:46:15 GMT -5
I followed her lead, and let out a groan of pleasure as a familiar taste touched my pallet. I let it sit in my mouth a while, experimenting with the texture. "Very comforting," I replied when I swallowed. "How do call that spice? We have it at home, and imported from Ch'n. They call it K'manis."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 14, 2008 15:06:14 GMT -5
"K'manis? Cinnamon is the word we use," I said. "It's very popular, used in all kinds of dishes."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 14, 2008 17:00:08 GMT -5
I nodded, thinking. “Cinammon,” I repeated, tasting the word. “We use it a lot too,” I observed. “In some sauces, particularly, but also in pastry.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 14, 2008 17:36:38 GMT -5
I nodded. "I like to put it in my coffee," I said, as I put my spoon into the creme brulee. The sugar shell cracked pleasantly, and the custard underneath was smooth and rich. I put a bite into my mouth and made a satisfied sound of pleasure. "I could eat this whole thing," I said. "But then I wouldn't have room for the others, and you wouldn't get any."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 14, 2008 22:59:21 GMT -5
I chuckled, looking at her anew. The way she enjoyed herself was very pretty, very enticing. "Indeed," I replied, smiling. "Will I have to fight you for a taste, then?"
Hmm... I could think of interesting ways to find out the taste of this new dessert.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 15, 2008 13:54:57 GMT -5
"Oh no," I said, dipping my spoon back into the custard. In one of my rare forward moments, I offered him my spoon. "Please, have some."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 15, 2008 14:26:49 GMT -5
I leaned in, letting her feed me the desert, and licked my lips, relishing the sweet taste of it. “It’s delicious,” I replied when I’d swallowed. “Almost as much as you.” I looked away, finding myself terrible in my gall.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 15, 2008 16:07:22 GMT -5
I must have turned the color of a tomato at his comment. "But you've barely tasted me," I said, trying not to seem too forward or desperate.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 15, 2008 17:18:10 GMT -5
Oh, wasn't that just adorable, how she blushed. Good gods, was she a virgin? I'd been told most D'Angelines weren't after their sixteeenth natal, but then again... she was rather young still, just a little older than Coretta.
“Delight is in all the senses, lovely,” I replied with a smile that was half-wolvish, half gourmet. “Though if there is one you would rather I use, I won’t mind obliging,” I added, my hand grasping her own.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 16, 2008 14:12:39 GMT -5
I laughed, my eyes crinkling into a pleased smile. There was no reason to jump right into kissing or anything just yet, but it was clear that that was perhaps where we were headed, sooner if not later. Picking up a bonbon, I bit into it, leaving half in my hand. It was filled with nougat, and I offered him the other half.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 16, 2008 16:16:08 GMT -5
She offered and I took, letting her feed me the candy, though the operation ended with a delicate kiss on her fingertips, and a grin that expressed pleasure. Was it at her gesture, at the candy, or at the situation? Perhaps a bit of both. It was rather pleasant, one way or the other. Indeed, I was starting to think the next time she fed me something; it had better be with those pretty lips of hers.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 17, 2008 14:15:25 GMT -5
Things clearly were moving quickly, and although he was much older, he was fun and pleasant to be with. Still, societal norms were what they were, and I asked, "Would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow night?" It wouldn't do to jump into bed with the Umayyati crown prince after just meeting him.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 17, 2008 14:52:48 GMT -5
It was very forward of her, and I smiled for her offer. Arwa, why not? I liked her, she was pretty, and intelligent. Young, but by many ways, it wasn’t a bad thing. She would be good for me, perhaps, giving me a chance to find back the youthfulness I so lacked at times.
“I would be delighted,” I replied with a wide smile.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 18, 2008 15:20:30 GMT -5
"I am glad," I said. "Shall we say, 7, at my home?"
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 18, 2008 20:18:53 GMT -5
“Yes, I will be there,” I replied with a grin. I looked at the remainder of the desserts, and asked, “In the meantime, shall we finish this sampling?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 19, 2008 15:00:06 GMT -5
"Yes," I said, digging my spoon into the chocolate raspberry mousse. We finished sampling the desserts with lively, pleasant chatter, and when we were done, I stood up and offered him my hand.
"I had a lovely time," I said.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 19, 2008 15:05:44 GMT -5
"So did I," I replied as I took her hand and bowed to give it a fleeting kiss, "And I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night."
The check was quickly settled, and we exited Desir. Parting ways was unemotional but warm, and I left her with a spring in my step. It was my first dinner invitation.
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