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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 19, 2008 13:31:39 GMT -5
Well, several in the Palace, especially after having learned my status, recommended I make a trip down to the Clothier's District in order to commission an outfit for Beltane.
Of course, as it was essentially what my father sent me for in the first place I could not deny that I had nothing suited for the theme of Beltane in my luggage.
Thus it was I found myself in the middle of the District wondering which of the many shops was generally the better of the lot, or if not better, which would be best suited for one of my station. I didn't like thinking that way, since more often than not it meant I was involving myself in the intrigue and undercurrents of court, but there was a certain modicum of class one had to uphold.
I probably should have been moving instead of standing in one place looking at signs and doors and the like. This could take no small amount of time.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Comtesse Clavel, House Clavel, Former Eglantine adept
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Posts: 249
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 19, 2008 13:48:13 GMT -5
I should have been watching where I was going, but I was not. No, too many thoughts collided in my mind to keep my attention on any one thing for long. I'd been Comtesse Clavel for months, and still I found it too difficult to grasp.
All I wanted was to have my mother's dancing costume fixed. And finally today I'd found the nerve to go out on my own, as just Khalidah, to have it done. I missed being an adept, and having anonymity from my household.
My inner demons kept me from paying heed, so it was with some force I hit a broad male back. My limbs flailed for a moment as I fell, landing hard on my rump, my wrapped package falling next to me.
"By Mnemnon of Ix!" I cursed in Akkadian, rubbing my hip. I looked up at who I'd collided with and couldn't speak further.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 19, 2008 14:39:17 GMT -5
I stumbled forward, catching myself with my right foot and turned suddenly when I heard Akkadian, not expecting it on the streets of the City. I didn't speak it well, having had none to speak with over it.
"I am sorry." I offered in what I hoped was passable Akkadian. I gazed down at her a moment before kneeling to lift her package and offer her my hand. Not wanting to sound completely uncouth I switched to D'Angeline. "Do you speak D'Angeline? I make that sound much more respectable."
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Comtesse Clavel, House Clavel, Former Eglantine adept
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 19, 2008 15:56:59 GMT -5
I place my hand in his, the other going to my throat. I had to think a moment before switching to D'Angeline to reply. I hadn't heard my birth tongue since Malik left, and I missed the sound of it.
"Yes, thank you." I sounded like a fool and bit my lip as he helped me up. I took a few moments to shake my skirts into place and smooth my hair. "You speak Akkadian passing well. Better than most. Forgive me for being so clumsy, I am not normally so, inattentive." I appologized for our collision, feeling like a gauche novice all over again.
It was his eyes, I thought, making me so scattered. So pale a hue, I wanted to stand on tiptoe to see their true color.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 19, 2008 16:40:17 GMT -5
"Ah. Thank you. I have only had cause to speak it on rare occasion." I held her package out to her. "The forgiveness that should be asked is of you. I was the one standing here like a dumbstruck mule. If I had been moving as the rest of the crowd, you would have never run into me."
I offered her a slight bow. "How rude of me. I am Aloysius d’Brézé."
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Comtesse Clavel, House Clavel, Former Eglantine adept
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 19, 2008 21:03:22 GMT -5
I took my mother's dress in my hands and cradled it to my chest, watching him bow, to me. I knew pleasantries, knew how one was supposed to act in these situations. It was only my own painful shyness crippling me. But I would do this. I had to now.
"Celestine-" no, I wasn't her anymore. Never again. "Sorry, Khalidah Clavel. Celestine was what my father called me. Khalidah was who I was born as." I bit my lip again, cursing my wayward mouth. No doubt he thought me a raving fool, saying such personal things to a man I'd near run down. I was mortified at being so hapless.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. You're not rude at all." I blushed again.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 20, 2008 9:31:00 GMT -5
I smiled and watched as the crowd made its way busily around us.
"It is a pleasure Khalidah Clavel. Celestine or Khalida, both sound very pretty." She seemed nervous. I wondered idly why that was, and who she was perhaps. "Thank you for complimenting me yet again." This time I smiled.
"Perhaps we should move out of the middle of the street a bit. Lest one of us is run down." I put the jest that I felt into the words, saying them in a manner that said they held no seriousness whatsoever.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Comtesse Clavel, House Clavel, Former Eglantine adept
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 21, 2008 13:46:52 GMT -5
He startled a laugh from me with his jest. I covered my mouth with one hand and couldn't stop the laugh from ringing out. I didn't laugh often, and I always felt so self conscious of it.
"Yes. Next time must be my turn, and I'd rather not end up on the ground again." Gracefully I moved a few feet out of the way, toward a shop window displaying ready made ensembles and bolts of cloth in the background. Predominant fire hues seemed to flash from every window on the street, the merchants anticipating the Beltane festivities. He must be shopping for that as well. Like as not I should go, but...
"You must be shopping for Beltane, yes? I'm sorry if I'm holding you up." I tucked a stray curl behind my ear and looked into those pale eyes of his, smiling softly. They really were amazingly pretty.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 21, 2008 15:04:52 GMT -5
"I am, yes. Though I have not the slightest idea as to where to start." I gazed around me we moved out of the busy street. "I have not had many chances, nor needs, to come to this particular part of the City often. As such I don't know which store would prove to be the more useful to me."
I looked through the window next to us and admired some of the works displayed there. "Are you not shopping for Beltane as well?" I inquired.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 21, 2008 15:29:28 GMT -5
"Mmm, no, not as such. Though I suppose I should, all things considering. I was taking a dance costume to be repaired. I know a woman who has the deftest touch at bead work. I only ever take my things to her. Her son is a fine tailor though. I'd start with him. His things are very well made, not terribly expensive. I would start with him, were I you. That is, unless, you want something more-" I hesitated. I wasn't sure his station, though he looked to be a lord. He reminded me of my former patrons, his hands mainly. They looked well cared for, not a worker's hands. "More extravagant."
For that matter, I could have had any number of merchants show me wares in my own home. Much to my housekeeper's dismay, I still insisted on wearing Akkadian style gowns, and doing my own shopping.
"I could show you, if you like." Bold Khali-ma. So unlike you, little temple mouse. Shut up. I was simply being polite.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 21, 2008 16:04:27 GMT -5
I shrugged. "It would be a start, at the very least. Thank you Khalidah. I will start simple, I think. I do not mind extravagance in some things. I am not sure yet whether I wish Beltane to be one of them or not." I admired her for a moment. I hadn't really gotten a chance to truly look at her, and I was still a little off balance to have heard Akkadian in the streets of the City. I commented on such. "It strikes me as slightly out of place, your speaking Akkadian, and your manner of dress. I would not expect one such as yourself on the streets of the City, at least not afoot." As if I had a great deal of room to speak about being on foot. I, a future Duc, without carriage nor horse. Of course the common people did not bother me, and this was Mont Nuit. Hardly uncommon to see some of the lesser members of Houses and Royalts on the streets.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 21, 2008 16:18:35 GMT -5
"I was born there. Half my life was spent in Tamir Province so Akkadian comes more naturally to me than D'Angeline. Still does, to my regret. As for being on foot? I was an adept far longer than I've been a comtesse. I still find it strange to take a carriage when I can walk just as well. Much to my housekeeper's regret. Come, it's this way a few blocks. You don't mind walking, do you?" So much for social niceties. Complain about walking before asking him if he minded. Calandria would be howling with laughter to see me fumbling a conversation so.
It was funny though. I couldn't help smiling, tipping my chin down to hide it as best I could. I should have worn a veil when I went out, but in my haste to escape Lenore, I forgot.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 21, 2008 17:46:40 GMT -5
I smiled, which turned into a laugh when she asked me if I minded walking. "No, Khalidah, I do not mind walking. I walked here from the Palace, as a matter of fact. A little more will not hurt me, I think." I stepped aside slightly, allowing her to show me where it was we would be going. "Luckily I have no housekeep with whom I would have to deal with their chagrin on my walking." I gave her a quick wink after my words.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 21, 2008 19:30:32 GMT -5
We began walking, keeping to a slow stroll so we could easily speak. "You may have mine if you wish. She is a harridan, but keeps my house in impeccable order. She puts the chief eunuch of my Uncle's seraglio to shame. Mayhap I should send her to him, if you do not require her." I said lightly, glad he was as amused as I.
I shifted my package to my opposite arm, to give him room. "Well, you know I hail from Akkad. Where do you call home, Aloysius?" I asked politely. I was curious.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 21, 2008 19:42:39 GMT -5
I held up my hands as we walked. "Oh no, m'Lady. I could not take from you such a valuable member of your household." I laughed softly and turned my torso to one side to avoid a gentleman with a large parcel.
"Home, for me, is in far reaches of Azzalle. My father holds a small duchy there." I replied to her latter comment. "Though I should, I suppose, learn to think of the City as my second home."
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 22, 2008 9:35:45 GMT -5
"If you simply won't have Lenore, I will just sent her to the Vizier. Come, we must make a detour at the port so I can arrange transport." I joked. No doubt it was a poor jest, I not being in the habit of making them.
"In all the years I've lived here, it has never really felt like 'home'. A place of interesting times, but never really where I belong. I'm much too sedate of a creature to enjoy living here. But duty bids it. As a Duc's son, you know that as well as I, yes? I do miss the family estate though. On the Kusheth boarder in Nammare." I sighed, wistful. Not that the Clavel estate was home either, I having only seen it a handful of times in the last ten years. But at least it was quieter, and free of Lenore.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 22, 2008 15:08:14 GMT -5
"I am quite sure the Vizier would welcome her." I quipped. "But I think that arranging transport for her can wait. I hear the port is many kinds of busy, and I would hate for one of us to get run over by a dockhand who wouldn't notice."
I listened to her words, silently, nodding when I agreed with a point. "Indeed. I am more fond of my home in Azzalle than here in the City; but I have much to learn and, I fear, a short time in which to learn it. It is as you say, duty."
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 22, 2008 15:55:39 GMT -5
I blushed bright scarlet as he teased me again for colliding with him. I was a creature of grace, a dancer for the love of Sammash! To have bumbled so thoroughly- it was mortifying. At least he was amused and not angry about it.
"What duty bids you here so seriously, if you don't mind my presumption asking. Surely there is room for some leisure while here?"
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 23, 2008 11:51:33 GMT -5
"My father." I responded somewhat flatly. "Yes, there is leisure time, rest assured. I have simply not been here long enough to enjoy it. I have only just arrived in the City. I'm still getting pleasantries out of the way." I shrugged slightly. "This is one of the few times of leisure that I have been able to steal, and I must use it to get ready for duty."
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 23, 2008 13:01:02 GMT -5
It explained much. Fillial duty was the hardest to ignore, and at a father's behest? All too well did I know how difficult it was to say nay to a father. My own had demanded the near impossible from me, but I did it, as a daughter must. I understood clearly, and felt obliged to not waste his time. I had been an adept after all, I could be pleasant company for a time, if he would have it.
"Then you mustn't waste it. A fitting won't take all afternoon. I know somewhat of the City and it's entertainments, if you are of a mind to hear them. Spend today on yourself. I've found that duty and pleasantries are always right where you left them in the morning, if not more." I said ruefully, thinking on the stack of correspondance I had sitting on my desk. So much to see to and I hardly knew where to start. This errand had been more for my sanity than from any desire to mend my mother's dress.
"All duty and 'have tos' can drive one mad." I said softly, more to myself. Some days I almost hated Malik for leaving me here on my own.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on Apr 25, 2008 10:25:37 GMT -5
"Oh, Lady. I have wasted not this day. I have spent it as I would wish. I would be wasting time had you not come along, however. I wouldn't even know where to begin looking at decent clothiers. I just hope the fellow can do what I have in mind. It is a bit...complicated." I had thought of the idea earlier, after learning of the Clothier's District and over breakfast.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Apr 29, 2008 16:10:55 GMT -5
I stopped gracefully in front of a small, tidy shop, touching Aloysius' arm to indicate we had arrived. "This is it. He is quite skilled, and if not to your taste I know someone at Eglantine who owes me a favor. She is not only skilled but brilliant, she says so herself. She relishes 'complicated'." I smiled wryly and shook my head. Gilly was a friend of Ammras, and delighted in the strange and unusual. She specialized in theater costumes, but occasionally took on other projects if they struck her fancy.
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on May 3, 2008 15:37:56 GMT -5
"I would deal first with this man, as he comes with such a high recommendation." I bowed my head slightly, a faint smile tracing my lips. "I would as soon not have you use a favour owed upon me, especially as we have just met. I would not know how to repay such a favour as that." I looked at the shop as we stood there and then moved to hold the door open for her. "After you, if you will."
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on May 5, 2008 13:24:47 GMT -5
"Many thanks, Sayyid." I said softly as I moved into the cool dimness of the front room. It was deceptive, not what you'd think a clothier's to be at all. But I knew for a fact that the large, sunny room behind this cramped entry held all the fine creations of Maestro Valentino. A jewel in the rough, this place. His wife Danella was a dear friend and the one currently manning the desk.
"Celestina! Salutations Bright Eyes! What brings you today, I thought you had forgotten me!" She hustled around the counter and enfolded me in a warm embrace, the familiar scent of lavender and beeswax enveloping me. I hugged her back.
"I've come to have a dress mended. And I've a gentleman interesting in the master's work. He needs an outfit for the upcoming Beltane fete, and you both are the best."
"Of course, of course! He's in the back now. Come this way and I'll take care of you while your gentleman friend speaks to my husband. What a handsome friend you have, Bright Eyes." She gently steered me toward the back and I turned rueful eyes on Aloysius. "Come, come, Messier, don't be shy. Celestina is family, and any friends of hers are most welcome."
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on May 5, 2008 13:29:27 GMT -5
I smiled warmly to myself, first as I entered the shoppe, and again upon the greeting that was received. I bowed slightly to Denella, out of common courtesy, and stepped fully into the shop. "Many thanks." I replied, allowing the door to swing gently shut behind me. I followed them into the back, catching Khalidah's eye with my own and, smiling, I nodded.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on May 6, 2008 9:54:35 GMT -5
Entering the sunny back room I took a deep breath and relaxed into the warmth that always filled it. Too many found the room's heat oppressive, but to me it felt of home. A soft smile bloomed on my face. Maestro Valentino was bent over a cutting table, consumed by his work. Danella went over and murmured in his ear, breaking his trance.
"Ah, good! Celestina, always a pleasure. This the young man needing my skills?" He said gruffly in his heavily accented D'Angeline. Both hailed from Millaza and he made no bones about wishing to go back, lamenting at length if you let him. He stayed because he loved his wife, and his daughter married to a D'Angeline. Danella swatted him lightly and reclaimed my arm.
"You, Messier, go talk to the grumpy old man. I will take care of you Bright Eyes. How have you been?"
I turned to Aloysius and smiled. "He's harmless, I swear. You are in good hands."
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Post by Aloysius d’Brézé (I) on May 6, 2008 14:33:58 GMT -5
I laughed gently. "Well, I suppose harmless can't hurt." I jested. I bowed slightly to the man.
"Greetings." I offered, stepping further into the room. "You have a nice shoppe here." I looked around at the tools of his trade, before coming to rest fully on the tradesman himself. Just looking at the man one could tell her enjoyed his work. Blessed Elua it was hot in here though. Azzalle certainly wasn't this warm. I hooked a finger into my collar and gave it a light tug.
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