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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2008 12:23:23 GMT -5
I arched an eyebrow skeptically, wondering what he was doing in my company then. I was the most patently false person you could try to get to know at court, a long cultivated skill and defense. I was genuine to those few I considered mine. Moon, My Joy, Landis... that was about it. I couldn't trust anyone else.
"Than court must be a lonely place. One wonders what you are doing there if you are only impressed by 'real' people." I shook my head a little and wanted to keep walking. As interesting as this conversation was proving to be, I still had a gown to find. "You should try his shoes. The man is brilliant. A good pair of shoes is much easier to find than a genuine person at Court." I waved in the general direction of his shop, just down a few streets. I could almost make out the awning in front of his store.
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on Apr 30, 2008 13:32:17 GMT -5
She looked at me so strangely and I wondered what she saw. I smiled to her though, listening to her speak.
"Court is vastly entertaining mostly because it is full of fake people. But there are those that are real. I think you've just found yourself in the company of those that play themselve false." This time I gave a wry and devilish smile before I turned away from her and began walking down the street we were on.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2008 15:23:08 GMT -5
He had neatly evaded the question. I lifted my skirts to hurry after him, the other hand keeping my hat on my head.
"You didn't answer, not fairly at all Denis! What are you doing at court, if not playing to the droves of courtiers? Are you telling me that you are, per chance, one of those elusive 'real' people I should keep company with? Because I'm perfectly aware what sort of people I keep company with. Better to keep them close than let them run amok on you unawares." I said irritably, a bit breathless from trying to keep up with his brisk pace. Damn tall men and their longer legs!
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on Apr 30, 2008 15:45:53 GMT -5
I looked straight ahead as we walked, one hand sat behind my back as the other toyed with the copper.
"I am at court," I said walking at a steady pace. "Because it's entertaining." I glanced to her out the corner of my eye, a smile on my face.
"Truth is Princess Coretta, I'd make horrible company. You're best to dispense me from your service at once." I chuckled to myself looking forward once more.
"I'd just ruin a pretty little thing like yourself."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2008 16:14:41 GMT -5
I stopped dead in my tracks and gapped a moment before primly shutting my mouth. Ruin me, would he? Ha! As if I'd let him into my bed, with an overconfident attitude like that! Ruin me indeed. Like he even knew how! Only a year or so older than myself. Did he think me stupid to be ruined in the first place? The ass.
"Then I'll bid you good day, Lord Trevalion, and save you from my dull, artificial company. I'll see you about Court, among all the entertaining, hmm? Bon chance with that!" I spun about and nearly stomped into the nearest store, something selling jewelry. I didn't really care, I just wanted away from him to collect myself and calm down. Ruin me indeed... I grumbled darkly to myself.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Apr 30, 2008 16:20:31 GMT -5
I did love jewels, things that glittered and shined- and here they presented themselves in abundance. Gowned in emerald green I tried on pieces here and there as they struck my fancy, then checked my reflection in silver mirrors before setting the most attractive pieces aside for myself.
Loud, discordant footsteps caught my attention and I half-turned, a sapphire ring glimmering from my finger as I caught sight of the a girl about my age, looking quite put out. Her outfit was fetching as well as expensive, and it was easy to tell she was both monied and important. Smiling whimsically I waved, then slipped off the ring and handed it back. The piece was far too large for my delicate hands.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2008 16:27:14 GMT -5
I went to the case farthest from the door, glaring at my feet and only just noticing a girl in emerald. Oohh, such a pretty color with that pale blond hair. I did love the cut of her gown. Pity again about the color scheme for Beltane.
I moved onto the far side of the girl and looked in a mirror in front of me to watch the door. The sapphire ring she had set aside was gaudy, and overpowering on anyone but a giant's hands.
"Good choice. A fraction smaller and it might be flattering with the right gown."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Apr 30, 2008 16:35:29 GMT -5
"I do like glitter, but I refused to be overwhelmed by it," I agreed cheerfully, narrowing down the seemingly-nearsided shopkeeper's range until another ring was near my hand; opal, with a matching bracelet. Lightly the piece was set on the counter before me and I slid them on; the iridescent stone almost glowed against my emerald gloves. "What about this? Subdued, yet subtle."
Smiling more widely I flourished the jewelry at her playfully and took the chance to study her more closely- there was something important about this girl, I could feel it in my bones. besides, she was a pretty creature herself.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2008 16:49:17 GMT -5
I admired the lovely stones on her wrist, still not convinced the ring was the right one for her. I detested matchy-matchy sets of anything. Complimentary was always my thing.
"I adore opals, my birthstone by coincidence. But the ring still isn't right... something with a largish center stone, ringed by smaller opals mayhap? An emerald or a diamond I think. The diamond would go with anything, the emerald with a limited range of colors. It all depends on what you wear most often."
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on Apr 30, 2008 16:57:36 GMT -5
I chuckled stopping in the street as I contemplated my next move. My first thought was to leave her, let it be. But I decided to follow having not finished enjoying her presence. I followed after her pushing the door open and stepping into the jewelry shoppe that Coretta had entered into.
"Highness," I called out as I entered the store, forgetting to look for others before speaking.
"I simply meant..." I trailed off catching sight to the woman she was with.
Damn, her, her. Elua what was her name, that afternoon, I was drinking, that girl came in. The one in breeches and she, her. Lanelle, Lisette. Liselle!
I stopped slightly then came forward slowly glancing to Coretta.
"I simply meant I lack court manners."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Apr 30, 2008 16:58:39 GMT -5
"I think they won't look so much like a set if I wear them on different hands," I said after a moment of thought- really, she did seem very primly sure of herself, and there was personal style to be spoken of. "Personally, I find I don't favor ringed stones terribly much; they tend to come apart more easily, or be set in one gob of metal that diminishes the glow of the stones themselves."
Still, my words were good-natured for the moment as I kept the opal bracelet and set aside the ring- the stone was too flawed for my tastes anyway. "Besides, don't you think emeralds and diamonds have too much shimmer to them for a more glowing stone like opal? It would stifle them completely."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2008 17:04:32 GMT -5
"Personal taste is always a consideration..." Blast and Hells! Denis had decided to follow me into the store and I was settled having spoken of jewelry, but not calm enough to deal with him so soon. I turned to face him and scowled.
"Obviously. Than you should say what you mean instead of playing coy. Or is coyness not considered acting false in your books?" I was peeved he'd used my title in so public a place. I hated being stared at like an oddity in a show. Double negative in my books against him.
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on Apr 30, 2008 17:13:47 GMT -5
"Coyness can also be a form of flirtation should anyone over hear." I teased though I glanced to Liselle. I remembered only waking up and she was gone. I hadn't even remembered her last name.
"Forgive me, again."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Apr 30, 2008 17:19:21 GMT -5
For the moment I was silent, putting together what I'd heard so far- and all of it was to my benefit. Thank Camael I'd decided to venture out today and try this little shop. Denis's features had a distinctly guilty cast when he looked in my direction, and the girl he was chasing was actually a princess- and a Courcel, I could see that if I looked at it hard enough. She seemed unhappy with him as well, so it was a nice bit of drama. Demurely and with a tinge of regret I cast my eyes back from his to the case, pointing out another ring and having it handed to me. Surely he wasn't asking my forgiveness by proxy- and it would be pointless anyway, since I rarely forgave.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on May 1, 2008 16:10:26 GMT -5
I was only slightly mollified by his admission. Very slightly. Mayhap pleased as well. It was good to have proof of his interest in me, even though he was an ass.
"Coy is only becoming on women." I muttered softly under my breath so he would not hear. I huffed a sigh and leaned against the counter, thinking hard.
"I may. But it will cost you, again. And I think I need a moment to wrap up what I'm doing here, and finish my conversation with my friend before I rejoin you, outside." I gave him a pointed look. I was willing to forgive him, but not so readily as to encourage him.
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on May 1, 2008 16:30:16 GMT -5
I was being dismissed.
I chuckled softly at her words leaning back slightly and taking her her manner.
"Outside?" I said softly.
I looked to Liselle and moved toward her standing next to her with Coretta on the other side. I glanced down at the case and staired at merchandise ignoring the pair for the moment.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on May 1, 2008 17:02:27 GMT -5
"I'm honored you consider me a friend already- it's always nice to have someone with a good eye for lovely things around," I replied with a smile as I looked to Denis and offered the ring I'd chosen from the case during her talk with Denis. "Personally, I think this one would suit you."
I raised my eyes to Denis for a moment, offered a polite curtsy and brushed by his with barely a bit of space as I leaned closer to the Princess so she could easily reach what I held in my hand, while at the same time judging Denis's reaction to my close presence before I took the step and made my smile a bit more pointed and and vicious before my eyes went back to the Princess. "I now know who you are, but perhaps we should informally introduce ourselves? I'm Liselle."
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on May 1, 2008 23:38:20 GMT -5
I smiled taking the ring in hand before turning to watch Liselle, which I was right about, and her eyes on me. She seemed not to harbour any raw feelings, at least some what, but I smiled to her and gave her a wink. My attention was now on her, wondering if I would get a second kick at the cat with Liselle.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on May 2, 2008 13:05:26 GMT -5
They knew each other. Intimately? Perhaps. Did it bother me? To my chagrin. I kept my face serene and my smile pretty as I graced them both with it.
"One can never have too many friends, Liselle, especially where lovely things are concerned. But none of these seem quite lovely enough to distract me from my true mission. I need the perfect Beltane gown. You are going, I hope? I'd be most interested to see you then and compare tastes." I said sweetly, part of me genuinely wanting to have a female friend near my age, the other part sizing her up as a rival. Time would show which she was.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on May 2, 2008 15:10:24 GMT -5
"I wouldn't miss it for the promise of talented adepts twice a day," I told her with a mischievous smile and light laugh. "Though how I'll force my way through the crowds for a chance to speak to you is a mystery. Perhaps I should carry a dagger for prodding them out of my way."
Denis's eyes on me were speculative, and I nearly scoffed before I stopped myself and raised a brow at the ring he held, offering my palm for him to place it back into once he was done looking. Perhaps I would entertain his presence again, if he started by buying me the drinks this time, instead of vice versa.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on May 2, 2008 15:43:49 GMT -5
Oh they had definitely been intimate, I could see it in her eyes. No matter, he was mine enough and I wasn't playing for keeps.
"Daggers can come in handy at court. And only some courtiers need jabbing, not the rest." I deliberately did not look at Denis, even though I wanted to. I'd like to jab him in the ribs for being so fickle in his affections. " I'll look for you then, hmm? It will be fun. There is a dearth of interesting ladies my age at court these days."
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on May 2, 2008 16:08:14 GMT -5
I kept a coy half smile on Liselle as I watched enjoying her interaction with me. I reached out and handed back the ring, letting my fingers linger on her palm before pulling my hand back.
I watched the pair, though most my watching was on the part of Liselle, partly hoping to make Coretta jealous.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on May 3, 2008 14:50:17 GMT -5
"Well, as simple a girl as I may be I will do my best to interest you, Princess," I replied with a friendly smile, curtsying slightly with a bit of a flair, though completely respectful; she seemed entirely too tense to take very well to teasing or a flash of skin at the moment. Besides, if that wasn't toward her predilections I could easily lose the beginning to a very interesting, powerful friendship.
Once I rose I turned to Denis and slyly smiled my thanks, looking the ring over once again before setting it on the counter and choosing another with the flick of my finger. Gods, he was working on the Princess very hard, it seemed, and she was falling for it! She must not have bedded him yet, to be so concerned.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on May 4, 2008 20:28:03 GMT -5
"Excellent. I will see you then, Liselle. Good hunting." Carefully I set down whatever it was I was holding in my hands, I was in no mind to buy anything, and desired nothing more than to leave Denis to his ogling of someone else. Fickle, capricious and fickle. He played The Game far too well and I not well enough it seems. Tit for Tat then. He wanted to use her to make me jealous, he could just stay in her company then.
"I'm off. Perhaps, Lord Trevalion, you should escort the Lady Liselle to her next destination, as a boon to me for earlier? You two seem quite engrossed with looking over gems and I really must find the perfect dress. A task most quickly accomplish alone I think." I said coolly, giving Denis a small smile and letting him know with my eyes it was command and not request.
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on May 4, 2008 22:31:15 GMT -5
I didn't even look at Coretta, instead I moved toward Liselle.
"It would be my pleasure Highness." I said taking up Liselle's hand and kissed the top of it.
"Lady Liselle, how may I be of service." I continued to ignore Coretta and focussed to all on Liselle now.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on May 5, 2008 9:06:48 GMT -5
Fickle. A woman wants to be flattered, fawned over a little. Not led a merry chase so he could gloat over me panting after him like a bitch in heat. I swept out of the shop and back into the moving throng on the streets, tamping down my irritation. Men. What use where they?
Enough use that I was still attracted to him. The ass. My loyal watch dogs fell into step behind me from the shadows they had inevitably been lurking in while I was inside. At least they were discreet and knew how to follow a woman. I sighed. Now time to seriously shop.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on May 5, 2008 12:19:46 GMT -5
Turning my head sideways a bit I looked Denis over for a moment, then smiled with a sweet cruelty before I turned back to the case before me. "Good to see you again as well, Lord Trevalion," I replied in my most polite voice. "You know the Dauphine, I see. We were having quite a good deal of fun before you had to make her so unnerved."
Pertly I turned for face him more fully, features demurely curious but with sharp attention behind my eyes. "I don't think much is required of your service this time- though perhaps more than last," I added. "What game are you playing, I wonder? You're likely to be burned, she'll rip you apart."
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on May 5, 2008 12:36:16 GMT -5
Once Coretta had finally left I turned my head just catching the tail end of her as she exited the shop. I turned back to Liselle feeling a little sorry that I hadn't followed Coretta, that I hadn't professed my feelings there.
Liselle was like a viper, striking at me in a subtle fashion.
"I'm sorry I passed out." I said softly leaning against the case slightly, I gave her a soft but honest smile.
"It was quite rude of me." I stood and shifted moving around her to the other side.
"And don't worry about Princess Coretta." I said softly. "She still likes me, and I know how to push it without really going to far." I smiled wildly at the fun I had with Coretta.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on May 5, 2008 12:42:18 GMT -5
"What's passed is past," I replied airily, smiling in serene understanding as I pointed to a brooch of coral and onyx- rich colors, which would contrast well with the paleness of my Beltaine gown. "Thank you for your kind words, they're much appreciated."
Smoothly I slipped the chain over my head, then pulled my hair from beneath it and checked where it fell against my chest before taking it off and placing it into my pile of jewelry to keep. "Such a sweet tone, though- weren't you bitter not terribly long ago? Seems as though we're lucky enough to see Elua's blood still holding true in his line in that regard. I only worry that you'll soften her down until she's significantly less fun than she seems to be right now."
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Post by Denis de Trevalion on May 6, 2008 11:22:16 GMT -5
I raised a brow to her, listening to her words.
"The Princess and I have a wonderful relationship," I said smiling. "And my influence won't change her enough for you to loose your new play mate. " I continued to watch her as she looked at jewelry.
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