Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jan 10, 2008 0:25:42 GMT -5
With spring comes seasonal goods, and I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of cherries from Amilcar, peaches from Ch'n, melons from Ephesus, and an array of spices from Umayyat. At the present moment, I was making inventory, and putting winter goods in the front to be sold on sale.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 12, 2008 20:44:56 GMT -5
Barely a few days before the Royal Hunt, after my encounter at the Mendicant Cloak's. A few errands to go about, still. I'd gone to Anna after the bet had been won, and had replaced the garter... and told her what I needed for the Fete. She'd agreed to prepare it, and to deliver it at Bryony on the afternoon of the Fete, since she would need to close the gown on me. In exchange for the extra hours I was inflicting on her, I'd agreed to help, and to go buy some goods for the evening's dinner. It would be the three of us. Andrew, Anna and I. I was looking forward to it.
I was dressed modestly, as I always did when I wasn't out seeking out an assignation. It was a dress of light green, and to cover from the spring's chill, I had a shawl of a darker hue. The kirtle pleased me, and the coin I'd taken from Anna was heavy in my purse.
I pushed the door to Shahrizai and Son's, and it wasn't until I saw the youthful clerk, that memories of an encounter and a wager, dating a few months back, came to mind. I'd promised him a dance, but we'd never found each other in the throng of the minglers. Well. I wondered if he remembered.
He was visibly busy, and I waited, patiently, looking at what was on offer in the shop.
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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 Jan 14, 2008 17:32:34 GMT -5
I was bustling about the shop, so when the door opened I called out, "Be with you in a moment!" Lifting the last of the winter gourds into a basket, I meant to bring them to the front when I saw who the caller was.
"Shona?" I asked, part in disbelief, part to make sure I did remember her name. By all the gods, I'd meant to see her at the Coronation fete, but we must have missed each other. I hauled the gourds to the counter and put out my now free hand so I could kiss hers. "It is very good to see you again," I said.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 14, 2008 17:47:57 GMT -5
I didn’t so much as turn when I heard his call, not until my name resounded. I smiled brightly. He did remember, and better than me… I dug in the confines of my mind… “My Lord Shahrizai,” I replied, striding elegantly to place my hand in his own extended one. Bollocks, what was his first name? “A pleasure, indeed,” I added sultrily. “…Aramis,” I concluded, satisfied that it had come back to me.
“T’is been a while,” I offered charmingly. “I am glad to see you survived the Coronation Fete,” I added, looking at him under my lashes, just a little guiltily.
That I’d spent a part of that fete in a closet with my friend Troy was partially why we’d missed each other… but Elua, it had been worth 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 Jan 14, 2008 20:58:55 GMT -5
At the sensual tone in her voice, I let my lips linger just a bit longer than necessary on her hand. She was a flirtatious one; no reason not to flirt back. "I suppose I did," I said, "though it was an uneventful night for me. Did you have a good time?"
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 14, 2008 22:31:47 GMT -5
I smiled, letting my lips stay open in a very quiet, flirtatious gasp for his own lingering attention, though I retrieved my hand very slowly, my gesture gracious and calculated. "I'm so sorry to hear that," I replied quietly, my features schooled to modesty. "I had..." I had promised myself not to think on it. "It was an interesting evening," I said quietly.
Right. Interesting. Life-changing would be more like it. No matter, though. I was done frolicking with adepts - I was fraying with the big players now, with royalty.
I shook my hear about, smiling with dignity. "But enough of that fete," I said lightly, my eyes already full of mirth. "How does the most charming shop-owner of night's doorstep fare, now?"
Eh. No harm in flirting a little - after all, no matter what decision I made, I'd still be taking assignations. After all, it wasn't as though I were getting married, now, was 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 Jan 15, 2008 13:44:57 GMT -5
I wasn't a big gossip, so I didn't pry further into her fete story. Likely she had a romp; and why shouldn't she? She was as attractive as any adept and talented to boot, if her mannerisms reflected her skills. I chuckled at her flattery.
"He fares relatively well. Business is good, family is healthy as ever, though nothing terribly interesting has happened to him as of late."
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 15, 2008 14:24:59 GMT -5
“Business being good is about as important as health and family, now, is it not?” I replied, quirking an eyebrow for his little chuckle.
“But I take exception to that last comment of yours,” I added, giving a little playful pout. Delicately, elegantly, with the head bearing of a queen, I strolled to the other counter, and examined the goods silently for a moment. I was there to shop as well, after all. But it lasted only a short while, and I looked back from the counter, and sent him a flashing smile and eyes that were very amused. “Am I not interesting, and did I not happen to you, just now?”
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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 Jan 15, 2008 16:01:30 GMT -5
"Oh no, my lady of Bryony, how could I possibly have forgotten to make exception for you?" I said, overly gallantly. "Your beauty must have dazzled me so that I forgot my wits." I watched her as she moved about the shop. She was quite pleasant to watch.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 15, 2008 17:11:09 GMT -5
I picked up a strange looking fruit, and weighed it in my hand, kneading it gently to assess how firm it was. I put it down, and picked up a cucumber – it looked rather luscious, and I gave it a caress that wasn’t uncommon in other activities than shopping.
“Is that so? You flatter me, my Lord Shahrizai,” I replied lightly, not at all embarrassed. I looked at him again, and smiled charmingly, cunningly. “Then perhaps I have an unfair advantage, which I should use at a game of Baccarat with you, one of these days?”
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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 Jan 16, 2008 13:55:51 GMT -5
The way she handled that cucumber was meant to make me think of how she might handle another, much more rare cucumber, and I did think of it. At her challenge, I gave a wry smile. Baccarat was a game of quite high stakes.
"You certainly would. I hope you'll forgive me, but I'm not much of a mind to lose everything I own to House Bryony. Perhaps you would oblige me a game of dice, though?"
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 16, 2008 18:18:52 GMT -5
If I didn’t have half the slyness that Bryony taught us, I might have retorted that it would perhaps not be to Bryony that he would lose. But seeing as I did know to hold my tongue, I did not.
I fetched the cucumber from its basket, along with a few other vegetables, and assessed him a moment. “Mayhap,” I slurred at length, and I gave a little playful pout to add, “But Baccarat is so much more fun…”
My eyes wandered over to the more exotic side and, in an almost childlike voice, I asked, “What’s that?” as I pointed to an unknown produce.
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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 Jan 16, 2008 21:14:59 GMT -5
"If persuaded, I could perhaps reconsider," I said, following her as she moved about the store.
She pointed at a basket full of leafy produce and I said, "That is Ch'nese water spinach. When cooked with shallots and curry, I hear it is quite tasty."
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 16, 2008 22:18:23 GMT -5
I chuckled for his reply, but said nothing more of it. There was plenty of time to convince him to risk a game with me, and plenty of fun ways to do it. He’d come close, though, and I couldn’t resist teasing him a little.
“That sounds quite good,” I replied to his informative notion. “I think I’ll take some, along with the shallots and the spice you recommend.” I turned my gaze away from the food, and looked him deep in the eye. “You are quite knowledgeable, My Lord Shahrizai,” I added with a wide grin. “Are there other areas of knowledge you’d be willing to share with me?” As I asked the next question, I bit my lip poutily – but it was all an act, designed to make me look just a little bit naughty.
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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 Jan 17, 2008 14:03:07 GMT -5
Moving about the store, I collected a bunch of the spinach, a little jar of curry and a bag of shallots. I brought them all to the counter and began to ring up her items. "I'd be glad to share my knowledge with you, Shona," I said, "but you need to ask the right questions."
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 17, 2008 14:49:13 GMT -5
I’d followed him to the counter, observing with mild interest his actions as he packed the food items.
At his reply, however, I quirked an eyebrow. That wasn’t exactly what I’d asked, now, was it? I shrugged. “The right questions? Is there ever such a thing as a right, or a wrong question? Platonicus Arminus once wrote that all questions deserve answers, and if not, a minimal amount of reflection.”
I smiled softly, though I was indeed a little bit amused, since what had started as a flirtatious opening was turning into something a little more worthy of Shemhazai – though since this was going on between a scion of Kushiel, and one of Anael, it was passing intruiguing. I rather liked that Tiberian philosophical treaty, though. It had been quite stimulating to read.
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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 Jan 18, 2008 15:28:54 GMT -5
"Perhaps I should rephrase," I said as I wrote down the prices on a receipt. "I meant that if you wish to know something, you need only ask about it. How would I know what you wanted to know if you didn't ask? We can read souls, but not minds." I smiled wryly.
I handed her the receipt. "Ten silver ducats, if you please," I said.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 18, 2008 19:40:01 GMT -5
I think had I been the legendary wolf, I would have huffed and puffed. The thought made me grin in amusement, and I simply looked at him for a moment.
“10 silver ducats?” I looked at him wryly. “You must be joking, you shrewd businessman. Now, tell me a price that makes sense, won’t you?” I gave him a charming smile, and leaned in, batting my eyelashes at him.
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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 Jan 19, 2008 14:45:50 GMT -5
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," I said, though her batting eyelashes made me chuckle. "For what it cost me to import the stuff, I think 10 silvers is more than reasonable."
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 19, 2008 15:17:55 GMT -5
"Nah, flattery should get me everywhere," I replied with a wolvish grin. "But if it doesn't, my feet will. I know a charming old lady who will accomodate my need for affordable foods, just down the road."
I bobbed a short curtsy and turned around, not walking overly fast, but towards the door nonetheless. I liked him, I wanted to do business with him, but I didn't want to be taken for an idiot either. He did, though, have a chance to stop me.
Besides, what else to expect from an adept of Bryony, but a little haggling over some cabbage?
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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 Jan 19, 2008 19:10:34 GMT -5
I wanted to retort that she hadn't asked for affordable, she had asked for imported, but business was business, and the customer is always right.
"I suppose for you, I could lower the price to eight," I said thoughtfully.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 19, 2008 19:58:01 GMT -5
I stopped in my tracks at his words, and smiled before I turned back. Goodie! He didn’t want me to leave.
“I am honored, handsome,” I replied as I turned around and made my way back to the counter. “That you are giving me a special price… I'm not taking the shirt off your back, now, am I?” I asked the latter with fluttering eyelashes and a flirting smile.
For him, perhaps, it wasn’t a bad idea to keep cordial relations with me – for one, if he wanted me, I would always be taking assignations, until I got married, if ever such an unlikely thing were to happen. Secondly, well… if all went well, I might be myself a fellow business manager soon enough, with enough weight in the venture to perhaps get him some business, or sway it his way, if he were nice.
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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 Jan 20, 2008 19:01:56 GMT -5
"Oh no," I said, "though I may have to forgo a new pair of socks."
Placing the items into a small burlap bag, I held it out. "I'll take those eight silvers, and a kiss on the cheek if you're feeling generous." She wasn't the only shameless flirt in this store.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 20, 2008 19:20:45 GMT -5
I laughed lightly at his jest, letting my head fall back a little, my hair tumble just a little more. My hand went to the purse, fetching the exact amount without looking. I can tell a silver from a copper coin when I touch it, so often they flow through my hands.
The money was left on the counter, and I leaned in a little. “I never kiss on the second meeting,” I replied teasingly, not really lying, since I hadn’t kissed Reese, “but I think I can perhaps make an exception,” I whispered softly. My lips coming at a hairpin from his ear, ready to trail to his cheek.
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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 Jan 20, 2008 20:21:30 GMT -5
I swept the coins into the till below the counter without moving my head. I could feel her warm breath near my ear and I could swear that my heart stopped for just one second.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 20, 2008 20:38:17 GMT -5
My lips moved from his ear, to his cheek, and I planted there a very tender, very gentle, very erotic kiss, at least, as erotic as one can make them when cheek-kissing. My tongue darted, just very lightly, barely tasting his skin, and I took in his smell in the process. I lingered, just a little longer than expected.
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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 Jan 20, 2008 20:44:26 GMT -5
It was one of the sexiest cheek-kisses I had ever received and I was left hungry for more when it was over. Of course, that was her intention all along. "When is the soonest you can be contracted, Shona?" I asked her, leaning in to look her deeply in the eyes.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 20, 2008 21:35:40 GMT -5
Well, that was a trick question. I was just about to leave Bryony, after all - though Reese had made it clear I could keep taking assignations if such was my wish... and he wasn't even taking a cut.
"I'm contracted for the Royal Hunt Fete," I replied, "and I have a commitment tonight." That didn't leave me much choice. "But I can make myself available to you... as soon as the Hunt Fete is over." I gave him a consoling smile, my hand moving to caress his cheek. It was only in a few days. "I wish it were sooner, though," I whispered softly.
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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 Jan 20, 2008 21:42:41 GMT -5
I turned my head to kiss her palm. "So do I," I said. "Then I will see you in few days."
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jan 20, 2008 22:23:42 GMT -5
"I look forward to it. I will come by in the afternoon, if you like," I offered with a seemingly sweet smile, though it was very pragmatic. I wasn't sure where I'd be after the Hunt Fete, and if he would be re-directed by Bryony if I were to leave.
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