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Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on May 30, 2007 16:10:22 GMT -5
"Ah, thank you. That was easier than I'd feared." And, with one last smile at her jest, I retreated to the fitting room again to don my original clothing and gather my chosen purchases up.
My mind jumped briefly ahead to the coronation fete as I left the room and began to return to the racks of clothing. Perhaps I should have something made specifically for the event, I thought, eyeing the rows of clothes askance. It is too important an event to neglect one's clothing. How troublesome. Pondering this, I turned back towards Joie and the mirrors silently.
There was no denying it: I was still a little lost, in every way.
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Joie de Mornay
Aristocrat
Engaged to Quinn du Paras; House Mornay
Love and be loved.
Posts: 1,724
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Post by Joie de Mornay on May 30, 2007 16:18:35 GMT -5
When Felix had returned to his dressing room I couldn't help but sigh, pulling the fabric of my gown away from my ankles for no other reason than simple boredom. I was still fidgeting with the fabric when I realized he had come back out and was facing the direction of the mirrors once more, his face a maze of confusement. Blinking slightly, I nearly asked him if he was alright, but given the mild strain of our conversations to this point I merely kept my mouth closed and headed back into the dressing room, my hands twisting behind my back to untie the laces as I went.
Once inside the room I let the dress slip off of me and I donned the one I had worn in before gathering the two dresses I'd decided to purchase, leaving the last in the room for one of the waiting clerks to clear it out. I paused as I left the room, glancing at Felix, my hand reaching up to gather my hair and pull it out from under my dress.
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Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on May 30, 2007 16:28:05 GMT -5
Clerks were, indeed, in every corner of the store; well trained, they remained hidden until one looked for them, likely tallying the total continuously as selections were made. It made sense; so many in the City of Elua were beautiful, effortless people, who made life seem delightfully graceful and smooth. Certainly business would be conducted in a similar way. I smiled.
When Joie emerged from the dressing room in her original clothing, I turned the smile on her. "Thank you for accomanying me. It certainly made the trip much more pleasant," I added, honestly.
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Joie de Mornay
Aristocrat
Engaged to Quinn du Paras; House Mornay
Love and be loved.
Posts: 1,724
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Post by Joie de Mornay on May 30, 2007 23:24:24 GMT -5
I was more than a little surprised to see Felix smiling, and more so when he turned it on me and gave me a thank you; the honesty in his voice was clear-cut, though something in me doubted he would lie. Would he ever lie? I didn't know; I didn't think he was a Casseline.
"Here's hoping I didn't get under your skin too much," I said with a small smile, folding my dresses neatly over my arm. "Thank you, too, for not minding the company." My gaze held his unwavering for a moment before I moved to the small desk, laying my chosen objects out and waiting as the clerk tallied them up.
"I meant it, you know," I said to Felix as I glanced over my shoulder, my voice only loud enough that he wouldn't have to strain to hear my words, "Blue does suit you." Passing the clerk my coins I stepped aside, waiting for the dresses to be packaged up.
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Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on May 31, 2007 12:31:07 GMT -5
I assume my order was also tallied, my purchases packaged, but I had little concern for these things, instead intent on my conversation. It has always been a flaw, this; how many times had I been granted leave from my post, only to waste the time completely speaking to some random, fascinating person I met on the way out? There were very few activities which took precedence, for me, over talking.
"Thank you," I repeated, as the clerks finished Joie's order. She was interesting and knowledgeable, and exceedingly well-spoken, especially for her age; I recalled, then, that she had mentioned her surname de Mornay. "Forgive me if this question be rude, but are you, perhaps, a relative of Thelesis de Mornay? I much admire her work--as most everyone does," I added.
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Joie de Mornay
Aristocrat
Engaged to Quinn du Paras; House Mornay
Love and be loved.
Posts: 1,724
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Post by Joie de Mornay on May 31, 2007 13:01:38 GMT -5
His question took me somewhat by surprise, and I could feel my eyebrows raise slightly in reflection of it. "You're the first person to ask me that," I said comfortably, my tone reflecting a quiet happiness. "Thelesis de Mornay was my great Aunt, I'm proud to say." Proud indeed, though I was careful not to over embelish and mar the pleasantry of not only Felix showing a more conversational side, but the simply joy of speaking of my family history.
Gathering my packages in my hands I turned from the desk and strode a few feet, stopping halfway between Felix and the door. "She was a great inspiration to the members of my family. I'm happy you remember her name so easily."
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Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on May 31, 2007 13:14:57 GMT -5
"She was a great woman," I said, with a smile no reservations.
My own clothing had also been neatly folded into parcels, and I went through the trivialities of payment and package without giving them much of a thought. "Perhaps," I suggested, as I hefted my purchases by the string that tied the indivudual packages together, "you might come visit me sometime? I've a large, new house in the city, and no acquaintances yet to entertain," I explained, hoping this would somehow rationalize the request, had it been considered rude.
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Joie de Mornay
Aristocrat
Engaged to Quinn du Paras; House Mornay
Love and be loved.
Posts: 1,724
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Post by Joie de Mornay on May 31, 2007 13:23:19 GMT -5
Elua, but if he didn't stop surprising me I'd be left gawking instead of carrying on the conversation. The question he laid forth was more than unexpected, though this time I was thankfully able to control my features enough that my surprise was barely evident.
"That depends, I suppose..." I said slowly, a smile tugging around the corners of my lips,"...On whether you would care to head to the Cockeral with me and get some lunch." Amusement filled my tone as I looked at him, my smile still playing on my mouth.
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Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on May 31, 2007 13:27:10 GMT -5
Slightly surprising, but not out of the realm of what was welcome. "That sounds enjoyable," I replied promptly; there was nothing else to say, so I started for the door.
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Joie de Mornay
Aristocrat
Engaged to Quinn du Paras; House Mornay
Love and be loved.
Posts: 1,724
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Post by Joie de Mornay on May 31, 2007 13:32:13 GMT -5
A chuckle threatened to escape me as he strode past me and to the door, though I choked it back; Elua be thanked his back was to me during all of it. He was one of the most rigid, abrupt men I'd ever met, though I supposed it could be credited to his time with the Guard. Once on the street I waited patiently for him to retrieve his horse, my body angled slightly in the direction the Cockeral lay; I assumed he likely didn't know where it was, and this way would give him indication without, hopefully, him even knowing what I was doing.
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Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on May 31, 2007 13:51:54 GMT -5
The mare stood patiently as I secured the packages to the saddle; William had not taken my request for a "suitable" mount lightly. I wondered, briefly, how she'd react to the clamor of battle. Stand in the middle and wait for it to end, I decided, and a slight smile came to my lips at the thought.
Gripping the reins more confidently in my left hand this time, I moved towards Joie, waiting for her to lead the way to the Cockerel.
I was just starting to feel my old self again.
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