Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 1, 2007 21:32:54 GMT -5
I returned to the shop to find a shipment of saffron waiting for me. Paying the delivery boy, I took the boxes and began to find a place to stock them.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 3, 2007 0:28:30 GMT -5
Needing spices for some of the pigments I blended myself, I headed to Shahrizai and Sons. They always had the finest quality of the exotics I preferred.
Stepping through the door, I looked around, taking in the array of items around me, soaking in the shapes and colors, before deciding where to head first.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 3, 2007 10:50:02 GMT -5
Coming out from the back of the shop, I saw one of my regulars. "Good afternoon, Monsieur Kachine," I greeted him. "Can I help you with anything today?"
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 3, 2007 13:43:05 GMT -5
"Lord Shahrizai," I said, smiling and moving deeper into the shop. "I have come for my colors, my pigments are running low and I need to replenish them."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 3, 2007 14:49:17 GMT -5
"Ah," I said. "You're in luck . I have just received some very fine saffron, and I have a head or two of very good Ch'nese broccoli that boils down to a very good green. Not to mention that the broccoli itself is delicious."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 3, 2007 15:21:10 GMT -5
"Excellent," I told him. "I also need some turmeric and paprika."
I looked around the store.
"Looks as if you have quite a few new items," I commented.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 3, 2007 15:46:42 GMT -5
"Business is booming," I said, as I climbed up a ladder to a high shelf. "My men are excellent at finding the best foods around the world; you won't find anything finer in Terre D'Ange." Deftly I grasped two small glass bottles, one containing turmeric and the other paprika. "You should try my newest Chowati coffee, not only is it one of the richest colors I've seen in a long time, but also one of the richest flavors."
Coming down from the ladder, I set the two bottles on the counter and pulled a basket of broccoli out from under a shelf full of smelly yellow radishes enjoyed in the far east. "Pick whichever you like," I said, "I'll be back with that saffron." I headed for the back of the shop.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 3, 2007 21:13:32 GMT -5
I had no care for how the vegetable would taste, only the color it would leave the water, so I choose two heads, one the darkest and one the lightest.
"Do you have any more of that raspberry tea?" I called to him. "It was the perfect shade for the hair of a woman I was painting and I used it all."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 3, 2007 21:42:23 GMT -5
"First shelf to the left of the door," I called back, pinching some saffron into a tiny vial. He would have to be sparing with this, it cost a fortune. "Anything else?" I asked as I reentered the storefront.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 3, 2007 21:51:23 GMT -5
I followed his directions and found the tea, arriving back at the counter when he did. "No, I think this will do it for now, unless you have any other suggestions."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 4, 2007 10:01:06 GMT -5
"Unless you want that coffee, I can't think of anything else," I said. I held up the bottle of saffron, and waggled it back at forth. "Use this sparingly," I warned. "It makes one of the finest colors you will ever see, but it costs a small fortune."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 4, 2007 10:05:16 GMT -5
He was right, on both accounts, the saffron did make the most amazing yellow and it was expensive. "I will, I promise," I said with a chuckle. "And yes, I will take some of that coffee."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 4, 2007 10:21:15 GMT -5
Turning around, I opened a spigot behind me and let the beans pour into a small paper sack. "Promise you'll drink at least some of this," I said, as I began to count out his items.
"Two heads of Ch'nese broccoli times 4 ducats apiece plus two bottles of spice at 2 ducats apiece, plus one ounce of saffron at 12 ducats 50 an ounce, plus 8 ounces of coffee at 7 ducats a pound plus four ounces of tea at half a ducat an ounce equals....30 ducats, monsieur."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 4, 2007 10:26:08 GMT -5
I handed over the coins, not begrudging a single ducat.
"Is this coffee as good as the last I got here? That was wonderful, I think I actually drank more of it than I have anything else in a long time," I said, picking up the sack and inhaling the wonderful aroma. It smelled of deep, dark places and mystery, instantly bringing images to mind that made me yearn for my sketch book.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 4, 2007 10:31:34 GMT -5
"Nothing but the finest quality food is sold here, monsieur," I said with a grin. "I guarantee you will not be displeased." Carefully I placed the coins in a coffer.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 4, 2007 14:50:48 GMT -5
"Being displeased never crossed my mind," I said, returning Aramis's grin.
I began putting all the small items in my pockets so as to make carrying the larger ones easier. "When are you going to let me paint you?" I asked, still grinning. "Wouldn't a portrait of you look nice on that wall over there?" I indicated a random wall, not really caring where he would hang it.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 4, 2007 20:51:44 GMT -5
"You can paint me whenever you like," I said, shaking my head modestly, "but it would never hang in my shop. I'd keep it in my home; besides, one of me in this shop is enough." I chuckled.
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Post by Oriel nó Cereus (D) on Apr 4, 2007 23:30:32 GMT -5
I slipped into Shahrizai and Sons, heeled slippers clipping gently against the stone hewn doorway. I'm not a usually curious creature, but then, there it was, a painter! Adepts are creatures full of ears; hearing must be very sensitive for a child raised on one's knees, eyes dutifully kept to the floor for half its life!
I mulled over the possibility of the man knowing my father - wouldn't that be quaint! I smiled too myself (quaint indeed!) and moved further into the warmth of the store, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. They seemed absorbed in amiable conversation (interesting no less) and I had more than a mind on eavesdropping!
Silly, I know, but then what is Night's Doorstep by day if not a whimsical playground for whores?
And if he indeed knew my father then perhaps he could send word. And if not, I thought, quickly losing my thoughts in the rows of pretty, exotic goods, perhaps the said Shahrizai stocked some fine ink?
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 5, 2007 0:51:05 GMT -5
"But you need two of you at home?" I asked, grinning wryly and chuckling. "Fine, if you won't hang it here in the shop then you have to let me make the base sketch of you here, while you are working. There is too much of you in this shop not to make it part of your portrait."
I gathered the rest of my things and cast a glance at the adept who had entered, no one could pick out an adept like a maquist, I was never wrong. "It looks as if you have more business. I will see you soon, and I will bring my sketch book next time."
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Post by Oriel nó Cereus (D) on Apr 5, 2007 3:39:56 GMT -5
A sketch!
I tried to look inconspicious, but, ah, well, it seemed as if it was not to be.
So much for the live entertainment. Nothing amused me more than watching a man at his art - especially if those arts were pursued firmly outside of the bedroom.
(A cynical bloom among my petals, perhaps? I snickered. Quietly).
As the man gathered his things, his eyes briefly met mine. I blushed, fittingly, and dropped a perfectly executed curtsy - heads had rolled over less artistic exertions!
"Not to interrupt," I said, intending fully to, "but may inquire as to the nature of your art?
It was crass, for an adept, but then, curiosity had always been troubling for cats. I smiled my best kitten smile, trying not to be too charming. Too much charm, I had been rigerously taught, was as offputting as too little.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 5, 2007 6:54:11 GMT -5
"It's more proper to have it there than here," I said to Darien. "Come whenever you like, I'll set up a place for you so you can watch me in my environment. Have a good day."
I looked at the pretty little adept who entered, but before I could assist her, she addressed Darien. Her soul was cracked as anyone's, and filled with a cynical poison. I hoped her demeanor was not as bitter.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Apr 5, 2007 11:25:06 GMT -5
"But you did interrupt," I pointed out to the adept, Cereus by my guess. "As for my art, I am a marquist. In my free time I draw and paint."
I looked back to Aramis. "Have a good day."
With a slight nod to the adept, I made my way out, wanting to get back to the salon.
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Post by Oriel nó Cereus (D) on Apr 5, 2007 14:52:05 GMT -5
A marquist! I stepped neatly out of the way to let him pass, eyes following his retreating form.
What an interesting day, I thought, delighted in spite of myself. One never knows the nature of the creatures she will run into on Night's Doorstep.
Wavering a moment on the threshold, I caught the glance of the store keeper, roused from my thoughts. "Good afternoon sir!" I said, genuinely meaning my greeting.
I stepped lightly up to the counter, leaning over conspiratorially and steeping an eyebrow. "Ink, sir, is my business," I said, nodding more seriously than the matter required. I couldn't say what had come over me, except I had been stifled in Cereus for much too long!
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 5, 2007 18:35:03 GMT -5
Presumptuous little thing, I thought, much more than a normal Cereus. "You're in the wrong place, dear, if you want ink," I said politely. "I sell foreign foods; my friend Darien Kachine makes paints and inks out of what he buys here." I thought a moment. "If you want foreign ink, there is Mirsada Anezka's shop, or any stall in Night's Doorstep."
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Post by Oriel nó Cereus (D) on Apr 6, 2007 23:55:08 GMT -5
"Tis a shame," I said, sighing. An adventure my day would be, it seemed, with a well needed flounce down Night's Doorstep. "But thank you for your service all the same," I said, a docile smile playing across my soft mouth. I nodded my head in gratitude - service or not, one could never put a price on good conversation (eavesdropped or otherwise).
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 11:47:38 GMT -5
I watched her step out, a bemused smile on my face. Picking up a broom, I began to tidy the store a little.
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Post by Christelle de Dimitri (I) on Apr 7, 2007 15:32:37 GMT -5
As I was seeing the city, I spotted a shop said to sell foreign foods. This interested me so I walked into the shop. Pierre trailing behind me. I saw a man sweeping and figured he worked here. "Excuse me, sir. I am new to the city and was wondering exactly what you sell?"
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 15:36:12 GMT -5
Setting the broom against the nearest wall, I bowed a little bit to the lady who entered. "This shop sells most any food produced outside Terre D'Ange, my lady," I said, "and a few staples from within. I am Aramis Shahrizai, the owner."
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Post by Christelle de Dimitri (I) on Apr 7, 2007 15:40:47 GMT -5
I curtsied and smiled slightly. “I am Christelle de Demitri. I’ve always been interested in foreign foods. What would you suggest for me to buy, perhaps, for a meal tonight?”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 15:43:29 GMT -5
"My lady, I only stock the highest quality items, but it is all a matter of preference," I said. "Do you prefer meat, fish or vegetables? Spicy or sweet? Soup or salad?"
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