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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Aug 18, 2005 22:53:09 GMT -5
I arrived home, not really looking at any of the people I passed on my way. I was thankful that there would be no one else at home when I got there. I strode up the front path and nearly ran over a courier who was waiting by the door.
"Yes?" I asked, trying to be polite since the courier was dressed in royal livery.
"Vicomte d'Nourriture?" he asked.
"Yes." I replied, trying to hide my impatience.
The courier handed me a letter. I turned it over and saw the de Trevalion seal. I opened it, figuring it was the fastest way to be rid of the courier. It was a request by Lucien de Trevalion and Kristiana Aiatas de Trevalion to prepare the food for the Natal they were giving Prince Augustin. My mood lightened.
With true politeness I told the courier, "Please relay my acceptance of their offer to Lucien de Trevalion and Kristiana Aiatas de Trevalion. I would be honored. I will have a menu ready by tomorrow for their approval." He bowed and swept down the path.
I entered my quiet home, grateful to have something to focus on besides Monique.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Aug 19, 2005 22:51:54 GMT -5
I sat at my kitchen table, planning out the menu for the Natal. Instead of being served in courses, this food needed to be able to circulate all night. Tarts, those are amazingly durable and just as good at room temperature as they are hot. Mushroom, spinach, and sweet onion for the vegetables. Lamb with mint, chicken with rosewater, and beef with peppers. Trays filled with bits of cheese and squares of bread flavored with ale would do nicely also. Dates filled with soft cheese and nuts. Tiny sausages and meatballs. Spears of asparagus wrapped with thinly sliced ham. Candied spices and marzipan shapes to hold those with a sweet tooth until dessert. Dessert. I sat back and thought for a moment. I didn't want anything as elaborate as the swans for the masque, but it still needed to impress. Ah ha. Trays filled with miniature cakes. Layers of cake separated by sweet, flavored cream. Each cake on every tray frosted a different shade and tint.
I wrote up the menu and sealed it up to send to Lucien de Trevalion and Kristiana Aiatas de Trevalion.
Now that the menu was done, my mind wandered back to Monique. I was so confused about what had happened. Not so much what had happened as her reaction afterward. I wondered if she was going to be at the Natal. Shaking my head, I decided I needed to stop thinking about her.
I gathered up the letter and headed out to deliver it. After that it was off to Eglantine before all their adepts were already contracted.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Aug 24, 2005 22:35:50 GMT -5
I poured myself a glass of wine and went out to sit in my courtyard. The night was beautiful and I didn't feel like being inside. I settled on a bench and let myself start to relax.
It had been a whirlwind of activity since the Natal had been announced. Once I had approval of my menu, then it was off to buy ingredients, conferences with my soux chefs, and making sure I had enough staff set aside for the actual party since Désir would still be open that night.
I had managed to make it to Eglantine long enough to contract an adept for an outfit. Nothing elaborate, just new and bright. Very bright in fact, my shirt, long vest and breeches were all of a deep garnet. The adept would hear of no other color being introduced no matter how I tried. Finally she had looked at me and said, "Sir, would you add cream to wine just for the color?" I laughed and acquiesced.
As I left Eglantine I had toyed with the idea of stopping at one of the other Houses and finding an adept to accompany me to the Natal. I thought of Minette at Jasmine, but decided immediately against a female. Thoughts of Monique still flashed through my mind sometimes. I toyed with the idea of male company, but decided to go alone. I was still a little shaken and did not want to add to my troubles. Food was to be my focus for the event.
I looked up at the stars, and took another sip of wine. It was late and the city seemed to be sleeping. I closed my eyes, enjoying the quiet.
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