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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 22, 2007 18:02:23 GMT -5
"I haven't been paying much attention to them lately," I admitted, realizing the hungry, gnawing feeling in my stomach and that I couldn't remember eating anything since some quickly swallowed soup a few hours after I'd found out about my parents. "But Cook is rather good, so at least it will taste good and, indeed, be filling."
Standing, I made my way over and offered Mercedes my arm. "Shall we?"
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 22, 2007 18:07:17 GMT -5
I rose and slid my hand properly into its place on his arm. His skin was warm, even through his shirt. "Lead on cousin."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 22, 2007 18:13:10 GMT -5
Nodding and smiling more warmly I led her to one of the smaller dining rooms, still fine and well-appointed but also somewhat casual and welcoming. Platters of roasted venison and vegetables, dishes of sauces and gravies, and bowls of fresh buns were laid out over the table's surface, the two settings across the six-person table from each other, and a bottle of red wine resting to the side. I pulled out Mercedes chair so she could sit, pushed her in slightly, and then moved to my own seat and poured the wine. Where her hand rested still seemed to be warm spot on my arm- it seemed I'd been more reclusive of late then I'd realized.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 22, 2007 18:29:27 GMT -5
The smells promised what his words already had done, though the spices were obviously different from what I was used to. We sat across from each other, and my mouth started watering. "It smells wonderful." I confessed as I started filling my plate. Venison, vegetables, a bun, and a little drizzle of gravy.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 22, 2007 18:34:49 GMT -5
Taking a bun I split it open, layered some venison and vegetables on top, then covered the entire thing in some rich brown gravy before pouring each of us a glass or fine red wine. "Bon appetit," I told her with a smile before cutting some of my dish with a knife and placing it in my mouth.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 22, 2007 20:37:01 GMT -5
"Gracias Señor." I replied, cutting into my venison. After swallowing a bite, I made comment. "The taste is different than what they make at home. But it is not displeasing at all."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 22, 2007 20:41:14 GMT -5
"Different methods of seasoning, most likely," I remarked thoughtfully, then took a sip of wine. "Or so I seem to remember reading once. I'm glad you like it, though."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 22, 2007 21:03:59 GMT -5
The words that came out of his mouth could have been something that I would have said. I smiled at him. Mama had been right to send me here. I said nothing for a moment, concentrating on filling my empty stomach.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 24, 2007 22:44:58 GMT -5
The silent was companionable and I ate as well, willing to wait until she was finished before picking the conversation back up again.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 24, 2007 23:06:11 GMT -5
I ate until my stomach wasn't complaining anymore, and then took another roll, adding another drizzle of gravy. "Thank you, that was exactly what my stomach needed." I told him with a smile before taking another bite.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 25, 2007 15:26:08 GMT -5
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I told her, my entire demeanor now warmed with food and company. "We have some dessert, if you'd like- nothing fancy, just some crepes and fruit with cream."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 25, 2007 15:47:17 GMT -5
"I would love one." I said with a smile. "My mother always spoke of them, but she is a terrible cook, and all we ended up with was some disastrous experiments." I laughed at the memory.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 26, 2007 15:20:53 GMT -5
I nodded to the servant in the corner, who promptly returned with the thin pastries, an assortment of berries and fruit, and two dishes of cream- one sweet, one flavored with just a little bit of lemon zest. "These are a bit of a favorite with me," I told her. "Simple, but sweet."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 26, 2007 21:03:59 GMT -5
I watched as the servants laid out the dessert. "So how exactly does one go about this?" I asked, indicating the spread.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 26, 2007 21:49:34 GMT -5
"Something like a taco or enchilada, usually," I told her with a wink. "Using the fruit as a filling and the cream as a sauce, or vice versa. Any way you can find to eat it is the right one, at least here."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 26, 2007 22:11:14 GMT -5
I smiled. He set me at ease, giving me enough information to experiment without coddling.
I took a crepe, and added a sauce and apples carefully. I folded it up into a packet, then picked up my knife and fork. The first bite burst across my tongue with the sweet zing of the apples. I made a sound of appreciation. "I can see why you like them so."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 27, 2007 15:49:25 GMT -5
"They're simple, but delicious," I agreed, layering apples and berries between two crepes and topping them with the stiffly whipped lemon cream. "They're even better for breakfast as blintzes, stuffed with sweet cheese and topped with berry syrup."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 28, 2007 0:19:53 GMT -5
“It will be a treat to look forward to.” I said with a smile before taking a sip of wine. I dug back into my dessert, enjoying the flavours. “So where shall we go tomorrow?”
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 28, 2007 15:10:09 GMT -5
"How far out do you wish to range?" I asked after I'd swallowed some wine. "There's a lovely glade about a quarter-day's ride at a moderate pace, though with the rain it may take us an entire half-day to reach it."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 28, 2007 18:04:20 GMT -5
"That sounds like a good place to start." I replied with a smile before taking another bite. I was used to riding in the mountains, though I usually stayed inside in the rain. But I refused to stay couped up when there was so much countryside to explore.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 28, 2007 18:27:23 GMT -5
"I'll be sure to secure some oilcloth cloaks for us," I assured her as I took another crepe. With a trace of guilt I realized I wasn't so worried about my parent's death anymore, or what I would do with myself. This, I was managing, and Mercedes was a sweet girl for being so understanding- it seemed my opinion of her only improved with every passing moment, and she rose high in my esteem.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 28, 2007 18:47:36 GMT -5
I nodded. "Wonderful." I replied with a smile. I finished off my dessert, but waited politely for him to finish before I headed off to bed.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 29, 2007 12:07:56 GMT -5
After the last bite of crepe I pushed the plate away and thought that, with food in her stomach, Mercedes was probably feeling her exhaustion more acutely. I knew I was. The few hours of tossing sleep hadn't really been close to enough. Biting back a yawn I smiled again. "Then we should rest, so as to have a good ride tomorrow that doesn't involve my falling asleep and getting us lost," I said. "Come, I'll show you to your suite."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 30, 2007 10:52:48 GMT -5
"If you could fall asleep and stay on your horse long enough for us to get lost, that would be quite a feat." I said with a smile as I rose from the table. And then his almost yawn produced a similar one in me.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 30, 2007 16:25:11 GMT -5
"I've been riding since I was only a couple years old- it wouldn't surprise me to know I can ride in my sleep," I replied wit a chuckle as I rose as well and walked around the table to offer her my arm.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Sept 30, 2007 17:20:45 GMT -5
"Then I shall endeavor to be at least entertaining enough that I don't help lull you to your dreams." I said with a smile, taking his arm.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 1, 2007 15:11:48 GMT -5
"I have no doubt you can do anything you put your mind to," I told her as I began to sedately lead her from the dining room and to the side stairs that led to her suite. "I also hope that if you want or need anything you'll let me or one of the servants know. I'd hate to think I was continuing to be a poor host after being so earlier."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Oct 1, 2007 18:46:34 GMT -5
"Thank you for your kindness cousin." I told him as we climbed the stairs.. "I know my arrival was badly timed, and you have nothing to apologize for."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 1, 2007 19:08:11 GMT -5
"You're very kind yourself," I told her as we reached her door. Softly, and with brotherly affection I kissed her forehead. "Your things should already be inside. Do you need anything else?"
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Oct 1, 2007 19:14:24 GMT -5
I blushed when he kissed me, for all that it was perfectly proper. "No thank you, I'm sure everything is in order," My voice was soft. "I shall see you in the morning."
I opened the door, smiling shyly as it closed behind me. I immediately put my hands over my flushed cheeks, holding them there until my maid Maria bustled over to me and started getting me ready for bed.
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