Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 23, 2006 13:55:23 GMT -5
I wandered up and down the alleys, glancing over everything I saw, but so far, no luck. I didn't even know what kind of dress I wanted, let alone color or style.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 24, 2006 0:46:03 GMT -5
Another day, another fete. I knew that there were some who saw them as frivolous, but not I. Then again, it would certainly be bad for business if I was to complain about the amount of entertaining going on.
With thoughts of new attire for my staff who would be serving at the fetes I was catering in mind, I headed to the clothier's district.
Turning a corner, I noticed a pretty young lady glancing in the windows, a bit of despair tinting her features.
"It is far too lovely a day for one as fair as yourself to look so unhappy," I said to her, smiling.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 24, 2006 10:25:27 GMT -5
I glanced away from the window at the handsome young man who had addressed me, and as per my training, dropped into a quick curtsey. "Yes, my lord," I said. "It is a lovely day. As to my unhappiness -" I smiled " -it is only that I cannot find a dress."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 24, 2006 11:40:44 GMT -5
"Dresses abound," I commented, motioning to all the shops around us. "I think it is that you can not find the right dress."
I studied her with an artist's eye for a moment.
"Something green, to match your eyes and bring out the tones in your lovely hair, I think," I suggested, tilting my head to the side slightly.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 24, 2006 12:01:06 GMT -5
I smiled, blushing slightly. "My lord flatters me," I said. "It can't be too expensive," I cautioned him. "I'm still living on Valerian House's budget."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 24, 2006 12:08:23 GMT -5
"Ah, then I know just the place you should go to," I told her. "and as it happens, it is just where I was heading." I offered her my arm. "If you would like, I shall show you."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 24, 2006 23:23:06 GMT -5
"I would like that very much," I said with a smile. "Thank you, my lord."
As I took his arm, I said, "I'm sorry, I don't know where my manners have gone. I am Avrielle no Valerian, formerly Avrielle no Orchis."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 25, 2006 0:48:48 GMT -5
"And I am Viscomte Plaisir d'Nourriture," I said, smiling. "Formerly the same, but without the title." I bowed slightly and then began us walking down the street. "It is a pleasure to meet you Avrielle."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 25, 2006 16:25:17 GMT -5
"Likewise," I replied.
"So," I said congenially, "when not taking wayward adepts on shopping trips, what does my lord do in his spare time?" I grinned. There was still a bit of Orchis in me yet.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 25, 2006 18:37:32 GMT -5
"I am the owner and chef of Désir," I told her as we negotiated the busy walkway. Nothing like a looming fete to bring out shoppers.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 25, 2006 18:46:45 GMT -5
"Wow," I said, "That sounds like the perfect job. You cook the food, and other people eat it." I grinned. "I have not yet had the pleasure of dining at your establishment, but I am sure that someday I will."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 1:06:41 GMT -5
Chuckling slightly at her rather scaled down description of what it was like to own the most popular restaurant in the City, I told her, "Well, if things work out where you can come back with me, I will treat you to a meal there today."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 12:19:53 GMT -5
"Today is my lucky day then," I said with a laugh, "I get a dress and a meal. Thank you very much."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 12:26:21 GMT -5
"It is my pleasure," I said, smiling. She had a very enjoyable laugh and I could see why she had once been of Orchis.
"Here we are," I said, holding open the door to the shop. Through the windows I could see that the shop was mostly empty of other customers, which was good for us. It was a nice little place and I had ordered many things from here when I did not want the expense of Eglantine.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 12:31:29 GMT -5
I stepped into the shop. "Thank you." It was a welcoming little place and I smiled. "Now, something green, I think you suggested..."
I reached into the nearest rack and pulled out a dress in pale green with gold brocade. I didn't like it all that much, but in secret I wanted him to pick the dress. "How about this one?"
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 16:58:16 GMT -5
"No, no, no," I said, shaking my head. "That's not the right color at all."
Scanning the racks, I focused in on some with deeper shades of green. I moved through the displays and chose one that was a shade just lighter than her eyes. It was of a good velvet, but nothing extravagant so it shouldn't be too expensive, and had gold accents around the collar and on the sleeves.
"Something like this," I told her, holding it up to show her.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 17:00:35 GMT -5
"Oh," I breathed. "How lovely." I reached out to touch the fabric. It was smooth and soft, but not too heavy either.
"Good eye," I said with a grin. "I think I shall try it on."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 17:06:13 GMT -5
I grinned, glad she liked it. There were more than a few benefits to having an artist's eye.
"Should I look for something more while you try it on?" I asked, handing her the dress.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 17:11:53 GMT -5
"Yes, of course," I said. "No harm in having more than one dress to choose from." I curtseyed slightly. "If you'll excuse me, my lord..."
I stepped to the back of the shop, and soon enough the proprietress was there to help me with the dress. She unlaced the saytime dress I was wearing and helped me step into the new one, doing up the buttons and straightening the hem. I looked into the glass and hardly recognized myself. The soft fabric clung to every curve and the gold brought out the flecks in my eyes. Grinning, I stepped out into the main part of the store.
"What do you think?"
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 17:18:08 GMT -5
"I think there is no reason for you to even bother trying these on," I said, motioning to the two dresses I had laid over my arm. I hung them back up and moved closer to her.
"You look exquisite," I told her, smiling. "Turn around so I can see it all."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 17:22:50 GMT -5
Smiling happily, I turned slowly, letting the skirt twirl lightly around my ankles. "Thank you," I said, when I had come to a stop. It felt like a dream, this lovely dress, this lovely new friend. I felt like everything was going right for me.
"Does the back look as good as the front?" I asked with an impish grin.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 17:27:57 GMT -5
"Oh yes," I said as my eyes ran appreciatively over her form. "Just lovely."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 17:33:28 GMT -5
I laughed. "I'm glad."
I excused myself to take the dress off and stepped back out, carrying the green dress over my arm. I carried it to the counter and said to the proprietress, "Please bill the dress to Valerian House."
She nodded, folding the dress into a parcel, wrapping it in paper and tying it with a string. I took it and returned to Plaisir's side. "Shall we, my lord?" I asked.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 17:35:25 GMT -5
"Actually, if you wouldn't mind looking around, I need to speak to the lady about some outfits for my staff," I told Avrielle, smiling.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 17:39:40 GMT -5
"Not at all," I said, zeroing in on a rack of dresses that we hadn't examined. I went to them, letting Plaisir speak to the proprietress.
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 17:47:34 GMT -5
It didn't take long, for I knew what I wanted and trusted the shop to do good work. Before long, I had handed over a partial payment for the items and went to Avrielle.
"All done," I said, grinning and offering her my arm. "Shall we?"
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 17:48:44 GMT -5
I took his arm. "We shall."
I let him lead me out of the shop into the street. "Which way?"
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 18:16:16 GMT -5
"Did you have anywhere else you needed to go, or shall we head to Désir?" I asked.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Nov 26, 2006 18:17:31 GMT -5
I shook my head. "No, I didn't," I said. "Désir it is, then."
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Post by Plaisir Durante (R) on Nov 26, 2006 19:29:54 GMT -5
With a slight nod, I began walking us in the direction we needed to go.
"So, tell me Avrielle, when you are not shopping for dress what do you like to do?" I asked her.
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