A New Wardrobe

[Justin de Rocaille]

Father had allowed me to open up more funds from our financial man in order to arrange for a new wardrobe. I had sent word to him about the Queen's engagment to the Prince of Ruskovia and he had agreed that I should look my best at any future event's or fetes.

Clothes make the man my boy, appearance is everything.

I would have three new outfits made for me, all in Rocaille colours and all with the ability to mix and match. Another tip from my father.

Only pay for what you have to.

I was given the address of the Grand Magasin de Soie and told it was one of the best clothier's in the area with the best prices.

Entering into the shoppe I began to look around studying the cloth and clothes available.

[Quinn du Paras]

I had ventured to my wardrobe this morning and realized my collection of clothing was becoming a bit sparse, with only one outfit really suitable for anything dressier than a half-decent lunch. Not that this was a surprising situation, I rarely paid attention to my clothes until I was nearly out of them.

Rearranging a meeting until the next day, I ventured to the clothier’s district and a few inquiries later led me to a shop with a supposedly good reputation.

Opening the door, I glanced around as I entered, trying to decide if this was indeed a place meant for me. It seemed decent enough so I closed the door behind me and began to look around.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

Two days until my assignation with Gabriel, and I was bored out of my mind. The Second gave me leave to go down to into the City as long as I was back within a couple of hours. Just for fun, I headed to the more high end part of the clothier's district. I could never afford anything here, especially not after starting my marque, but it was still fun to look. I entered a boutique that looked interesting, Le Grand Magasin de Soie, and began to look around, just on the heels of a gentleman. I took it as a stroke of luck, since the proprietor was more likely to leave me alone at the sight of wealthier prey.

[Justin de Rocaille]

I heard the bell on the door ring twice, each time a new patron entering. The first and handsome man, older then I and of obvious standing. The second and young girl, perhaps my age or younger and was quite beautiful. I couldn't tell if she was a peer or not but best to play it safe. As a curtousy I gave both the man and the lady a nod and a smile.

[Quinn du Paras]

No sooner was I in the door than it opened again and I glanced behind me to see who had been so close behind me. It was a pretty young girl and I gave her a smile before looking back the store. My gaze caught that of one of the other patrons and I returned the smile and nod he sent my way.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

The other two patrons seemed pleasant enough and I smiled back to them both. I wondered who they were, only an idle curiosity for now. If I was lucky, I would find out. I set about browsing, keeping a causal eye on the other two.

[Justin de Rocaille]

I decided since I was new to the City that I would try my best to make friends, but couldn't decide if it was better to greet the man or the girl first. The man was closer to me so I went to him first.

"Afternoon," I said to the gentlman. "I'm Justin de Rocaille"." I added giving a deep bow.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Well met Justin,” I replied, smiling and returning his bow. “Quinn du Paras.”

[Nyx nó Cereus]

It seemed my question was to be answered right away. I listened with keen ears while still keeping a semblance of politeness. I couldn't help myself, they were both very handsome. I kept my hands clasped behind me for the moment, not touching any of the merchandise yet though not for lack of temptation.

[Justin de Rocaille]

"Forgive me my lord Duc." I said bowing again after hearing his name. "I'm far better with names then faces. It's my first time at court here in the City." I explained of my ignorance.
"Its a pleasure to meet you finally."

[Quinn du Paras]

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” I said with a smile. “Though unless something has happened that I missed, the title is still in my father’s hands. Quinn is just fine.”

“I’ve not been long at court either, and have found myself needing to replenish my supply of clothing. Have you shopped here before?” I asked Justin.

[Justin de Rocaille]

"Forgive me," I said with a chuckle. "But no, I've never been before. I was told it was a very nice place to shoppe.
"Have you been here before?" I took it since he was asking that he hadn't be I didn't want to assume anything.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I listened as I studied a red silk dress. It was stunning, and I thought I might be able to pull it off. It clung to every curve. Perhaps something for the future, I still had the innocent look going for me. I made mental notes for Jacob's benefit while the men made small talk.

[Quinn du Paras]

“No, I was told the same things though,” I said, chuckling.

A flash of red caught my eye and I noticed the girl who had followed me in admiring a red silk dress. “They do seem to have some nice items though.”

[Justin de Rocaille]

I looked to where Quinn had glanced and saw the same girl. I had been hoping to speak with her too and wondered if Quinn would want to speak with her as well.
"So far it seems to be a wonderful shoppe." I said with a smile.

[Quinn du Paras]

“With some rather attractive clientele,” I added, my voice pitched lower for only Justin to hear, with a chuckle.

[Justin de Rocaille]

I chuckled with him.
"Agreed." I said glancing to the girl.

[Quinn du Paras]

I noticed him glance at the girl again. “Perhaps someone should ask her if she’s shopped here before and how she’s liked the wares?” I purposed with a smile.

[Justin de Rocaille]

I chuckled softly and reached back scratching behind my ear trying to hide the slight embarassment.
"Perhaps." I chuckled again and turned from him heading toward the girl.

"Afternoon mademoiselle." I said to the girl bowing deeply. "I'm Justin de Rocaille."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I had felt eyes on me but continued to look at the items in the store. Their voices dropped and I wondered if they could be talking about me, making me hide a smile. I turned at the pleasantries, finding the younger of the two bowing before me.

"Nyx nó Cereus," I replied with a curtsey and a smile. "It's lovely to meet you."

[Justin de Rocaille]

"It's a pleasure Nyx." I said smiling, taking her hand I bowed over it kissing the back of it gently before releasing it and righting myself.

"This is my fellow country man Quinn du Paras." I said gesturing to Quinn standing a little ways away.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I curtsied to the other lord as well, the skin on the back of my hand tingling from his lips. "It's lovely to meet you as well my lord," I said with another smile for him. It seemed I had landed in well bred and well taught company, not just handsome.

[Quinn du Paras]

I grinned as Justin seemed to spring into action, watching as he made introductions. Ah, an adept. She looked too young to have already made her marque, I wondered if she’d actually shopped here before.

“A pleasure to meet you, Nyx,” I said, smiling and bowing slightly.

[Justin de Rocaille]

"Lord Quinn and I were wondering if you had ever shopped here." I said smiling after Quinn had made his greeting.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"I'm afraid this is my first time here my lord," I replied. "They have some marvelous fabrics though," I added, fingering a lush forest green silk hanging beside me that had been sewn into a long vest.

[Justin de Rocaille]

"I agree," I said smiling. "Don't you lord Quinn?"

[Quinn du Paras]

“I do,” I said, smiling. “The fabrics are luxurious.” My eyes finally found what I’d been looking for and I stepped to a rack of black breeches, fingering the materials.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"Are you gentlemen looking for anything in particular?" I asked, noticing the lord du Paras seemed to have found something that caught his eye.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Black breeches and white shirts for me,” I replied, looking up at them and smiling. “Though my friend here maybe interested in something more adventurous.” I added, nodding to Justin.

[Justin de Rocaille]

I chuckled softly at the seemingly inside joke between Quinn and I.
"I'm looking for a couple of complete outfits, the whole package." I looked to Nyx. "Something I can mix and match."