Spring shopping

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

With the change in seasons upon us, I was in need of some new pieces of clothing. I needed a few lighter shirts and perhaps something dressy and stylish if it caught my eye. The weather was wonderful so instead of going to Eglantine straight off, I decided to prowl the Clothier’s District first to see if anything caught my eye.

After purchasing a new pair of boots and having them sent to the townhouse, I stopped to look in the window of the shoppe next to the cobbler’s. There was a rather smartly cut jacket on display and I pondered whether or not to go inside and investigate.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I'd spent a few days cooped up, resting from the marquing session with Darien, and it had made me restless. A soft beg and a sweet smile procured me the permission to hop out - I had no intention of spending my marque money, but window shopping never hurt anyone, and so I set for the clothier district. Perhaps I would chance upon ideas for the next Fete I would be called upon to attend.

More than anything else, it was an excuse to step out, to breathe some air, to smile at the passersby as I hummed to myself the remainder of the fugue I had heard at the Parrot. A gentleman was admiring a jacket, and I passed by discreetly, interrupting my humming a moment so as not to draw attention... in a gaudy way.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

The feel of someone passing me drew my attention away from the window display, and I smiled at the pretty girl nearby.

[Géraldine Grangier]

Movement in the corner of my eye made me turn, and the gentleman (ho, he was handsome, in a very virile way,) was suddenly smiling... at me? I glanced behind me, finding no-one at all, and thus determined it was me that he was sending a smile. I returned it tenfold, a bright grin of sheer contentment that had a lot to do with being outside, rather than locked up in my room.

"What a lovely day, is it not, My Lord?" I noted with a bit of the remaining lilt the song had put in my throat.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“It is indeed,” I agreed, looking up at the sky for a moment and smiling wider as the sun warmed my face. “Winter has its purpose, but I am always so glad to see spring return.”

[Géraldine Grangier]

"Oh, that is very true," I replied, noting duly that he wasn't turning his attention back to the window. "It feels like the whole world is singing praise to the heavens for merely existing." I put my hands behind my back, and took a whiff of the spring air. "Oh, and it smells wonderful, too," I added with some level of enthusiasm.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“That’s because we’re upwind of the tanneries,” I replied with a chuckle. I smiled at her again before looking back at the window display, still torn as to whether the jacket was my style or not, though I was leaning more towards not.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I laughed lightly at his jest, though... he wasn't far off the mark. "True enough, My Lord." He was reverting his attention to the window, and I wilted a little, since, well... I did have a marque to make, did I not?

"I don't want to intrude, but... may I be so bold as to observe... it's not the most flattering cut." I said it softly, a little bit shyly. I was being incredibly forward, I though.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“I was coming o the same conclusion,” I said, smiling as I looked at her again. “It might look wonderful on someone else, but I just don’t see it for myself.”

[Géraldine Grangier]

"It's an interesting motif," I observed as I took a step closer to the window to examine it, and conveniently, closer to the gentleman as well. "The material is rich and calls to be touched," I continued. "But it would upstage you, My Lord... and that would be a shame." I blushed a little, and smiled sweetly. I meant it, every word of it. He didn't need so much artifice as the jacket offered.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Why thank you,” I said in response to her compliment. “I knew there was something I didn’t like about it, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Seeing how I hate to be upstaged, I shall avoid that jacket with all due diligence.”

I smiled widely as I turned fully back towards her and away from the window.

[Géraldine Grangier]

He was funny. My sweet smile turned to an amused grin, and I replied, a tad dramatically, "How convenient that you escaped such a terrible fate." I felt the corners of my lips twitch, and I let myself laugh for the ridicule of the situation. "Perhaps better options await yet to be discovered?" I offered, voice still full of mirth, not quite telling him what options I meant, purposely so.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“I certainly hope so,” I replied, chuckling. I motioned to the innumerable clothiers even in the part of the district we could see. “Somewhere out there I would think there is clothing that wouldn’t upstage me.”

[Géraldine Grangier]

“No doubt,” I replied with an amused grin. “I shouldn’t keep you from your quest,” I added, smiling helpfully, “But if you have a mind for it, I know of a clothier two doors down whom I expect will be up to par. They have a lot of class, in a sober, elegant fashion.”

I recalled the place well. It was there that I had met the Duchesse Bellamont, and I recalled the dresses she had tried on – they were perfect in their sober regality. They had a men’s section, and I expected it was just as effective.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“I would be grateful if you’d accompany me so I make sure and go to the right place,” I replied, smiling.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I smiled, giving a little roll of my shoulders. "Why not?" I replied cheerfully. "I am only taking a stroll, so I might as well stroll in that direction... Besides, it's more pleasant to do so in good company."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Aren’t most things in life more pleasant with good company?” I asked with a smile as I indicated she should lead the way.

[Géraldine Grangier]

"Of course," I answered, starting to walk leisurely towards the shop, my arms crossed comfortably behind my back. "Were you shopping for a particular occasion, My Lord?"

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Just some new clothes for the changes of seasons,” I told her, smiling. “And please, call me Alain.”

[Géraldine Grangier]

I smiled, blushing a little. He obviously wasn't a "just so-and-so", yet he insisted I call him by name. That reminded me of the young man I'd met at the Generous Patron - I wondered if he still had my book.

"Only if you call me Geraldine," I replied with a little smile. "Though my friends call me Dine for short."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Which do you prefer?” I asked as we walked. “Geraldine or Dine?”

[Géraldine Grangier]

"Either's fine, but I tend to find the former tedious. If you wish to call me Dine, I will be honored," I explained, tone merry.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Dine it is then,” I replied, taking more time to test the name as I said it this time. “What has brought you out this beautiful day, Dine?”

[Géraldine Grangier]

“Simply the desire to be out of the House, and to enjoy the weather, Alain,” I replied, smiling at the situation. We were two strangers getting to know each other, and I always relished that more than one might expect. Simply enough, new encounters had the charm of endless possibilities, and that was always intriguing. One thing for certain, he was accessible. I liked that.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

She put the emphasis on the word ‘house’ that obviously implied one of the Night Court.

“You’re an adept?” I asked curiously.

[Géraldine Grangier]

"Heliotrope," I replied with an easy smile. I had nothing to hide. Only, well, he had only give his first name, and I had judged it acceptable to give mine in return. "Are you surprised?" I asked in return, equally curious. I always wondered at people who figured me out for an adept right away. I didn't feel overly different from everyone else, save, of course, the fact that I was born a commoner.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“No, should I be” I asked in reply, smiling. “I was just curious. Would you prefer I hadn’t asked?”

[Géraldine Grangier]

I shook my head, smiling gently. “No, I have nothing to hide. I just didn’t mention it because you introduced yourself by name.” Never losing my countenance, and without an ounce of aggressivity or spite, I asked, “Should I call you something else, now that my station is clear?” I hoped not, but it was important for me to ask. I had no desire to embarrass my house by disrespecting this pleasant, unknown man. Besides, he was deserving of respect, if only for the way he treated me.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Oh, please don’t. I prefer Alain to anything else,” I assured her, smiling. “Though since I know your name and station, I guess I should recall my manners and introduce myself properly.”

Stopping, I bowed slightly at the waist. “Duc Alain du Mauvais.”

[Géraldine Grangier]

Oh Naamah, the man was a Duc. I fell instinctively to a deep curtsy, my body reacting naturally to the situation, before I even had a chance to stop it. “A pleasure, Your Grace, err, Alain,” I said as I straightened from the curtsy with effortless ease.

I felt like wringing my hands but thought better of it. I smiled and repeated with more assurance, “Sincerely, a pleasure.”