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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 26, 2006 14:42:55 GMT -5
Walking slowly along the line of mirrors, my eyes embraced each unique mirror. Settling on my original idea of purchasing a mirror with a frame of carved wood, I found the perfect piece near the end of the wall. Intricate patterns carved out of a dark wood framed a large oval mirror suited for a wide hallway. I knew exactly where I would put it.
Next to the mirror I decided upon, I eyed two matching mirrors, long and slim. They had similar patterns like that of the previous mirror, and I brought my finger to my chin in thought. The two walls on either side of the entrance to the house that had been left bare. These would be lovely placed on either side of the door. I would have them as well.
Indicating the three mirrors, I turned my head to face Madame Anezka, "Madame, where are these three pieces from? The carved patterns are beautiful, but I have never seen the like of them before."
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 26, 2006 14:49:35 GMT -5
"They are from The Chowat," I told her. "They are quite old actually. They were part of an estate that was established over four hundred years ago. The family came to Terra d'Ange after the last political upheaval. They wanted to embrace their new homeland so they sold off all the pieces they had brought with them."
I thought about how happy the family had been to find me, they had been so afraid they would be offered a fraction of what their items were worth, but that was not how I did business.
"I have always thought they were a lovely set just looking for the right home."
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 26, 2006 21:21:14 GMT -5
"I hope to give them the right home, then," I smiled. "And they are far more than just lovely! I appreciate antique pieces very much. I would love to make them an addition to my new home." Excited that I could furnish the house with furniture of my own choosing, my eyes were alight with joy. I was reminded of a small child in a toy shop.
"Now then, how about your Ephesian collection?" I was boiling with excitement.
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 26, 2006 21:58:49 GMT -5
I smiled wider, pleased that so many things seem to be going to people who would truly enjoy them.
"This way," I said, leading her back into the main part of the store and then into an alcove that matched the one holding the Ch'in items. This one was filled with items from Ephesus and The Chowat.
"Here you are," I said, motioning to the items on the left.
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 27, 2006 11:17:10 GMT -5
"Wonderful," I smiled, a warm sense of home filling me as my eyes settled on items that I was familiar with. Rugs, pieces of furniture, tapestries, almost everything I remembered. One thing my grandfather's house lacked were large rugs, and only one beautiful tapestry hung in the library.
"I will need two large rugs. And two tapestries," I stated, looking back at Madame Anezka. "One rug and tapestry for my quarters, and the other two items I will figure out where to put them when I get them home. I'm thinking I would put the other tapestry in the entrance hall. After browsing the different tapestries, and running a hand over the rolled-up rugs, I turned back to the shop keeper once more.
"What would you recommend, Madame, for anyone of these beautiful pieces would be perfect. Anything to remind me of home. I would like your expert opinion," I smiled, curious as to what she might choose.
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 27, 2006 11:33:47 GMT -5
I walked over to the rugs she was looking at and moved a couple aside to reach one of the lower ones. I pulled out the large roll, setting it across the others with a slight thump. I pulled the corner back so she could see the colors and design.
"I have always like this one," I told her. "I think the blue used in rug may be the truest blue I have ever seen in a material. I have never had another rug with that particular color in it. Also, the way the colors are woven together has always seemed both soothing and yet strong."
I released the rug and pulled back the edge of another.
"The reds in this one are beautiful as well, and the soft gold used for the flowers has nice feminine quality, very elegant. I also have a hanging that goes very well with this one if you were looking to use them in the same room," I said, smiling.
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 27, 2006 11:51:30 GMT -5
"Then I am glad I have the budget to purchase both the rugs, for I adore both of them," I smiled, pleased with her choices. "This blue is a terrific color. It would be a grand addition to the drawing room. And this red would go beautifully with the color of the wood furniture in my bedroom. I will have the hanging tapestry that goes well with this rug. Depending on its size, I could either place it above the head of my bed between the bed posts, or above my desk," I was partially talking to myself, tapping a corner of my lips with my index finger in thought.
Thinking of the drawing room now, liking the idea of the blue rug placed there, I asked, "Now, all I would need is fabric to go above the windows that would match the blue in the rug. Would you happen to have any, or could you recommend a shop that does?"
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 27, 2006 12:07:45 GMT -5
"I can recommend a shop, just the next street over," I told her, smiling. "They are very adept at matching colors if they don't have anything exactly right already.
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 28, 2006 1:09:51 GMT -5
"Fantastic!" I exclaimed, excited that such wonderful colors existed and could be matched to perfection in this city. Hmm... that would mean it was possible to have fabric made to match that of the fan from Ch'in that I was about to purchase...
"Now." I stated assuredly, "I just need one more wall tapestry. Tell me, Madame, would you happen to have a tapestry with that of a forest scene? That theme might do well in my entrance hall, and would go well with the pattern of the carved wood framing the mirrors. What do you think?"
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 28, 2006 10:49:43 GMT -5
"I think you are correct that such a design would go well with the mirrors, unfortunately I do not have one like that at the moment. I have a shipment arriving in a fortnight that includes a score of wall tapestries. If this is not an item you need before then, I could send you a missive when they arrive and let you have first look at them," I said. "If you do need it before then I can recommend two other stores that carry very high quality tapestries and should have what you are looking for."
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 28, 2006 11:05:06 GMT -5
Smiling, I replied in an understanding tone, "That is quite alright. I would love to see what shipment comes in before I go to any other store. I am very pleased with what I have found so far, and I would never pass up the opportunity of seeing what additions will be made to your store."
Taking a few steps towards the rugs laid out before me, I bent and ran a hand over them. "Well, then I think I am finished for today. You will be seeing much more of me though, for I throughly enjoy your shop. Which brings me to sharing an idea with you that I was pondering over as I was browsing your shop while you were with your other customers." I brought my eyes to settle on Madame Anezka, raising a brow curiously, "I understand that as a merchant you have many connections in many different places. If you would like to make more connections in Ephesus, I would be glad to contact my grandfather and father about the success of your business. My father knows many great craftsmen whom would love shipping their work to the City of Elua. Would you be at all interested, Madame Anezka?"
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 28, 2006 11:14:02 GMT -5
"If you would like to tell them about my business and have your father contact me, I would be pleased. I can not promise anything though. I have a long standing relationship with several exporters in Ephesus who do very well to keep me stocked with just the things I need," I said, smiling and indicating the items she had been looking at. "I am always happy to look for further contacts, so I would be happy to see what your father and I might arrange, but I can not guarantee anything."
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 28, 2006 11:29:48 GMT -5
I smiled, "Wonderful. I will write to him as soon as I return home. I understand completely, and I would not like to offend those with whom you have a good relationship with already. I would just like to offer what I can."
Laughing softly, still running a hand over the rug I was about to purchase, I said, "As I mentioned before, I would not make the best business woman, but I have been brought up to appreciate and support those who make a living from their business. It is a strong person indeed who is able to run a business as you do. I appreciate your expertise very much. A city is held up by its workers and businesses, and I would rather help support the community than sit atop it, looking down with selffish motives." I paused, flushing in embarassment, "Excuse me, Madame. Sometimes I cannot control my tongue when it comes to matters of pompous nobles and underestimated businesses."
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 28, 2006 11:33:38 GMT -5
"I think you will find that the City of Elua has a deep appreciation for its business people. I have traveled many places and can honestly say that in Terra d'Ange, the business class is held in some of the highest regard I have ever seen," I told her.
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 28, 2006 11:50:04 GMT -5
"That is a relief," I smiled. "I apologize for not introducing myself properly, Madame. I am still a bit new to this system of etiquette. Women aren't as highly regarded in Ephesus than they are here in Terre d'Ange, and the etiquette that my mother told me wasn't as widely used there as it is here. You may have guessed already with the abrupt stating of my grandfather's name. I am Amélie d’Essoms. There is a title there somewhere," I laughed, and then continued with a grin, "but I would rather not use it if I'm not obligated to. I am a person just as you are, Madame." My title really did get in the way of creating healthy relations with others. It was alright for others to know, for I wasn't so unappreciative of my title as to completely dismiss it, but I would rather set it aside so that it did not stand in the way of becoming familar with others.
"I guess it is time now for the last stage in our transaction, would you rather us discuss this in the store front?" I reached into a pocket of my cloak to make sure that my purse was still there. A habit I had ever since a small girl tried pickpocketing me in the market back home.
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 28, 2006 15:50:28 GMT -5
"Yes," I said, leading her back to the counter.
I pulled out a sheet of the parchment I used for receipts and began listing the items she had selected and their prices. I spent one day a week preparing these parchments, they had our free delivery/exchange policy on the bottom and the availability of credit accounts, already written across the top of the page so I didn't have to waste the time now with a customer.
Swan Box - 500 ducats
Ch'n fan, functional - 30 ducats
Mirror, large - 1200 ducats
Mirrors, set - 1100 ducats
Rug, blue - 2500 ducats
Rug, red - 2000 ducats
Wall tapestry, red - 800 ducats
Total 8130 ducts
I slid the parchments to her, for her inspection, and in case she wished to bargain on any of the prices. It was a hefty sum, but she had chosen very unique and expensive items.
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 29, 2006 15:20:03 GMT -5
After looking over the receipt three times over, and noting the bottom carefully, making sure not to miss anything, I brought the purse out of my pocket. I didn't feel as weighted down, when I let the counter hold the purse. It would almost be idiotic of me to bargain with Madame Anezka. My estimations on what I would spend before I had left were very precise. I slid the large purse across the counter.
"I think you will find every ducat accounted for, Madame Anezka," I said simply, "I thought I might pay just as much for the red rug as I did for the blue, since they are both beautiful pieces equally so. I would also pay just as much for the set of mirrors as I did for the large mirror. And I would say that the wall tapestry is worth a bit more than what this parchment says." I paused a moment, then continued with a grin, "You'll find 9000 in the purse. It would have been suicide to carry anymore with me, but I wish I had."
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 29, 2006 15:49:20 GMT -5
"The blue rug is more expensive because of the dye used, it is very unique and expensive. Everything in my store is priced fair and what it should be, I do not need to lower myself by inflating my prices," I said, keeping my look impassive as I seethed inside at this girl seemingly telling me my business.
I took the purse, wondering why in the name of Elua someone would carry around that weight in ducats when just shopping. I did not count the total, but took out the difference between what she said was in there and the total I had given her, I placed the rest in my coffer, and turned the purse to here with the difference inside.
"Would you like these items delivered today?" I asked her, coolly.
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 29, 2006 19:56:11 GMT -5
Her voice suddenly seemed tense despite the cool expression. Did I give too much? I guess I had gotten a little ahead of myself... the matters of money would take a little getting used to in Terre d'Ange. I felt like a naive child in a world that seemed too vast...Maybe I had been spoiled as a child. Why? Why spoil a child when in the end it would only lead to embarassment... now how could I fix this? I put my hand over the purse, taking it cautiously.
"Madame, I hope I haven't offended you in any way. I guess this city takes a little getting used to," I laughed in complete and utter embarassment, my cheeks beginning to flush. "Please, deliver the items whenever you are available."
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 29, 2006 23:01:15 GMT -5
"Not at all," I said, smiling my best business smile. "There is no city in the world like this one, it is natural that it take time to adjust."
I signed her receipt and gave it to her as proof of her purchases.
"I have deliveries going out his afternoon, so I will make sure your items are included," I told her. "Also, I will make certain to notify you when the shipment with the tapestries arrives. The store you are looking for with the fabric to for your window covering is just the next street to the north - third store from the corner, you can't miss it."
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Post by Amélie d’Essoms (D) on May 30, 2006 7:56:14 GMT -5
Pocketing the receipt, I smiled, hoping to have sewn the thread of our business transaction.
"Positively wonderful. I cannot wait to adorn my floors and walls with your beautiful collection. And please, let me know if you miss the sight of them, for that would give me the opportunity to host tea and come to know one of the city's finest businesswomen, and you the opportunity to see them again."
Making my way to the door, I turned before leaving the shop, and with a grin, said, "I'll be seeing you in a short while then, Madame Anezka."
With that, I turned and made my way into the street, hearing the bell sound above the door. This time the bell sounded a farewell rather than a welcome.
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Post by Mirsada Anezka on May 30, 2006 10:29:31 GMT -5
When she had left, I sighed, thinking what a very busy but profitable bit of time had just passed.
Smiling, I cleared the counter and then went to the far back storeroom where my chief assistant was. He jogged over to me, from where he had been uncrating the latest shipment.
Together, he and I began going over all the things that needed to be boxed up and readied for delivery, and what went where. He would take the items that Amélie d’Essoms had purchased to her townhome after we delivered the items to Brys de Warrene, while I was helping the Duc with decorating ideas. This was the best way to get everything out safely to where it was going.
With that, I went back into the store while he and his crew began the delicate task of preparing the items for delivery.
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