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 3, 2007 23:37:07 GMT -5
I rose with the sun feeling much refreshed. I hadn't realized how wearing my last day of travel had been until I had climbed into bed. And then it hit me like a brick and I slept like a babe. Soon enough I was presentable, dressed in a riding outfit, and I headed downstairs to find him.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 4, 2007 16:09:06 GMT -5
It was in me to wake early, no matter what had happened the night before- a habit from when I was supposed to go to the Cassiline Brotherhood- and I was outside practicing before dawn. The morning air, though crisp, was calming to my nerves; feeling refreshed I made my way inside and sat down to breakfast. There were light, feminine footsteps on the stairs and I grinned, then rose to escort her to the dining room. "Good morning," I greeted her. "How about something to eat and drink?"
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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 4, 2007 17:52:05 GMT -5
"Good morning cousin." I replied with a little smile. "Breaking fast sounds lovely."
He escorted me properly to the dining room, and it put me at ease. I knew where I stood with him. It had been one of my worries about coming here, without the protective wings of my family. D'Angelines were always so... different at court. They never seemed to want to follow the rules.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 4, 2007 18:34:53 GMT -5
Smiling still I led her to her chair and pulled it out to let her sit before politely pushing it back in and moving to my own chair. This morning there was more crepes, with the makings for blintzes- sweet, whipped cream cheese, berry syrup and a little mint, as well as honey and more apples, were she more inclined for less sweet things. "It may be a bit of a long ride today, so I thought something filling would be best," I said as I gestured for her to serve herself.
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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 4, 2007 18:42:23 GMT -5
I murmured my thanks, the thoughtfulness of the meal making me smile. Soon I was eating cheese and syrup sandwiches between a crepe like he had done it the night before. There was also an apple, neatly dissected on my plate, core sitting beside the pieces. "Does it still look like it's going to rain?"
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 4, 2007 18:47:58 GMT -5
"The skies have cleared a bit, but not so much I'd confidently say no," I replied. "But at least it's not too cold, at least not as far as the weather here is concerned, and we'll be able to stick to the valleys for this trip." My blintzes were rolled with the berry and cream cheese mixture inside and I took another bite after I'd spoken, and then a sip of cider. "It looks as though we're still going to have to cart the oiled cloaks with us, as well as the usual supplies."
It was good to see my melancholy from the night before hadn't dampened her spirits in any sort of permanent sense, and my smile widened. "Is there anything in particular you'd like to take in terms of food, or drink? Lunch will pass us by just after we arrive."
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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 4, 2007 18:55:57 GMT -5
"You know the stock of your kitchen much better than I." I said with a soft smile, taking a delicate bite of the crepe concoction. "I'll leave it for your capable mind."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 4, 2007 18:58:35 GMT -5
"Then I'm going to pick lots of fresh fruit, bread and dried meat," I teased lightly. "Without a sweet in sight. Do you think you can survive it?"
She seemed quite a strong person, even with how young she seemed to be, but i wasn't exactly old myself; the recent events had, I think, simply aged me mentally. All in all, it was probably best she was something of a cousin to me, or else I'd be far too likely to make a fool of myself in front of her.
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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 4, 2007 20:54:07 GMT -5
I pouted prettily. "Not a single one?" I asked in a woebegone voice, humour sparkling in my bright eyes. Back in the light of the new day I was able to relax and joke, and forget about the blush of the night before.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 4, 2007 21:50:17 GMT -5
"No, not a one unless you ask for it," I replied in a teasing-firm tone. "Not even a fruit pie."
I was finished eating a pushed my plate away slightly, taking up my cider again. "Did you bring a horse you wish to ride, or would you like to pick one from the stables?"
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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 4, 2007 22:15:01 GMT -5
I was working my way through my breakfast steadily, so though I didn't have his sheer speed, I wasn't going to make him wait for long. "I brought my mare, but thank you for the offer." I told him with a smile. "And since you insist cousin, might you slip in something sweet for lunch if there is room?"
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 4, 2007 22:30:25 GMT -5
"I can manage that," I agreed with a nod. "And really, you don't have to keep calling me 'cousin'- my name is Landis."
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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
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Oct 4, 2007 23:04:34 GMT -5
And suddenly we were on a level of familiarity that was usually reserved for close family. Yes I was fostering, but he was also very handsome. I tried to think of him as a brother, but that face was rather distracting.
"Of course Landis." I said, hesitating just slightly before I tasted his name.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 5, 2007 15:04:48 GMT -5
She seemed unsure about such a thing, but I couldn't think of what would provoke such a response. "In return, may I call you Mercedes?" I asked her, grinning wider. "It's easier than looking for you and calling, "Oh Aragonian cousin."
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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 5, 2007 15:12:59 GMT -5
His tease brought a smile back to my lips. "I'd like that." I replied a bit shyly. "Landis."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 5, 2007 16:43:38 GMT -5
She said my name with a lovely lilt, and almost before I realized it a prickle of pleasure went over my spine. "I do as well, Mercedes," I said before setting my napkin aside and rising. "Are you finished with breakfast? I was about to go and make those arrangements for lunch, but if you'd like you can come with me and check on that pie for yourself."
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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 5, 2007 18:05:12 GMT -5
I was surprised he hadn't left orders the night before for something to be ready and waiting for us, but I nodded in agreement. Finishing off the warming cider, I dabbed my face with my napkin and rose.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 5, 2007 20:17:29 GMT -5
The kitchens here always had something cooking; the cool climate and elevation meant that people took cold and tired very easily and I was inclined to keep them as healthy as possible. Besides, this way we could both choose foods that would satisfy us as well as tempt our palates. Gracious, but grinning, I offered her my arm, and once she'd taken it lead her out and toward the kitchen. "Are you finding Terre d'Ange terribly different from Aragonia thus far?"
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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 6, 2007 1:44:09 GMT -5
"The food has been sweet and tasty." I said with a little smile as we made our way to the kitchens. "For the rest, I'll have to get back to you. I haven't done much but eat and sleep. But the company has been charming." And then I realized what I'd implied and went rather red. "While eating of course."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 7, 2007 10:45:02 GMT -5
I couldn't help but bite my lip to hold back a chuckle at her words, and the look of mortification that crossed her face. "Of course," I replied once I was able, gaze apologetic for finding something she obviously considered shaming so funny. "I understood that. You really don't have to worry so much about words- I promise I'll see anything you say in the best possible light."
Finally we'd reached the main room of the kitchen; pots of stews hung over fireplaces, spits turning nearby, bread baking in ovens against the back wall while the very large table in the center where all of the cutting was done nearly filled the large room, though there was still just enough space to walk around all of the bustling activity. "Does anything tempt your palate?" I asked curiously.
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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 7, 2007 11:47:14 GMT -5
I was saved having to answer by our arrival to the kitchen. I don't know if anything I could have said would have been diplomatic. The standards for an Aragonian maid were quite high, and well, Terre d'Ange was said to be much different. His amusement only highlighted the fact.
But then my nose was assaulted by all the smells of food. "Is that pork in the pit?" I asked in response to his question. "It smells divine."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 7, 2007 18:08:05 GMT -5
"Yes, I believe so," I said as I looked over. "Roast and ribs with garlic and thyme, unless I'm completely mistaken." I nodded to one of the cooks, who immediately took a clean knife and began to carve some of it up.
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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 7, 2007 18:14:32 GMT -5
"Wonderful." I smiled my thanks, then made another suggestion as I watched the cook pack up the meat. "And perhaps some bread?"
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 7, 2007 18:23:43 GMT -5
"That was going to be next on my list as well," I replied, having some bread put into a bag, along with a hunk of good cheese. "How about some wine, and we can pick a few apples on the way."
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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 7, 2007 18:33:38 GMT -5
"You have an orchard?" I asked with a smile. I hoped he did. It was a wonderful excuse to be outside and under trees. "And the rest sounds wonderful."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 7, 2007 18:40:13 GMT -5
"It's a small one, maybe ten trees, but it's on the way to the grove," I told her as I secured the wine, a good bottle of red to go with the pork. "Are we set then?"
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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
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Oct 7, 2007 18:43:30 GMT -5
I looked around the kitchen and almost nodded. "The fruit pie. We almost forgot." I said with a laugh.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 7, 2007 18:46:00 GMT -5
Laughing with her I took her toward a collection of pans with hot oil resting in them and a collection of meat pies to one side, with fruit pies on the other. "We have apple and blueberry right now."
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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 7, 2007 22:13:15 GMT -5
"Mm." I voiced appreciatively. "Blueberry please." Lunch was starting to sound very good, and we had just eaten. It made me chuckle.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Oct 7, 2007 22:29:32 GMT -5
Smiling to hear amusement in her tone and see that she was at least pleased with this part of the ride I wrapped two blueberry pies in a piece of cloth and put them in another sack. "I think we're set- let's go get the horses."
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