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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Oct 24, 2005 10:39:54 GMT -5
I’ve never been particularly good at time … and I stood around waiting, it occurred to me that either I was so horrendously late that Caraf had given up on me and gone home or that I was early and therefore should start seeking some manner of entertainment before I got bored and went home myself. Caraf is always on time so as long as I was the right end of there at the wrong time, it was probably going to be all right.
I didn’t want to stray too far from where we had arranged to meet, so I wandered a limited circle, peering into shop windows and bought a cake from a street vendor. As I liked the icing from my fingers, I reflected smugly that it was nowhere good as one of Plaisir’s. And promptly went into happy daydream.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 24, 2005 10:46:15 GMT -5
The short and somewhat confusing note from Vivien had come begging me to go shopping with him. I arranged to have the time away and made my way to the clothier's district. I caught sight of the unmistakable figure of Vivien nibbling on something. Something sweet, I was certain.
I quietly made my way to him and when close enough I whispered in his ear, "Keep eating nothing but sweets and you'll never fit into anything pretty." I laughed and hugged him from behind.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Oct 24, 2005 10:53:47 GMT -5
I was lost in the memory of Plaisir’s arms and lips that when someone caught me from behind I almost believed I’d conjured him just for the wishing of it. However, the soft teasing unmistakeable female voice quickly dispelled that. Nevertheless, I let out a surprised squeak.
“Keep sneaking up on people like that and you’d be better employed as a Casseline,” I retorted, snuggling back into her arms.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 24, 2005 11:04:37 GMT -5
"Never, I don't look good in that shade of grey," I said with a laugh.
I stuck my finger in the icing on his cake and stole a taste. "Yum," I commented, releasing him.
"So, what are we shopping for? How did the Natal go? How was the Knight of Cups?" I asked, eyes dancing.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Oct 24, 2005 11:14:32 GMT -5
You can have it,” I said, bundling the rest of the cake into her hands in a shower of cream and icing. “I’ve had better.”
I tucked my hand through her arm, so I would not lose her on the busy streets and began to tug her in the direction of the shops. “I need an outfit the Coronation Celebration,” I said. “Something that would go nicely with …” I could feel heat creeping all the way up from my body to my cheeks. “Blue and purple and silver,” I went on, now glowing like a beacon.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 24, 2005 11:25:56 GMT -5
With an amused scowl I dumped the mess of cake and icing on the street in front of a wandering dog. The mutt dove straight in.
I noticed the blush appear on Vivien's skin, and I pursued my line of questioning.
"The Coronation Celebration, eh? So your Knight was smitten after all? How was your night together? I want details or I'm going to tell you everything makes you look like a pregnant cow no matter what."
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Oct 24, 2005 15:36:07 GMT -5
I took a deep shuddering breath. Even thinking of the previous night’s adventures made my heart flutter excitedly. “I, um, I didn’t go home with the Knight of Cups,” I said with completely unconvincing nonchalance. “In fact, we had a big fight because he was mean and boring and … and made me cry. So I went off to the kitchen in search of cake to cheer me up and … and … I met someone else instead.” I pressed my hands to my cheeks. If thinking about Plaisir made me fluttery, talking about him made me giggly.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 24, 2005 15:41:36 GMT -5
I dug my heels in and dragged us to a stop.
I had never seen Vivien like this before. He was usually much more casual about patrons.
"Tell me everything! Who was he? She?" I insisted.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Oct 24, 2005 15:55:20 GMT -5
“He,” I affirmed, allowing her to halt us. I was glad of the opportunity to catch my breath and re-establish some kind of calm. I didn’t feel like myself today, and I knew why she was surprised. If anyone was to gush about Patrons, it was usually Caraf.
“He’s the Vicomte Plaisir d'Nourriture. He owns that restaurant, you know the one we always walk past and promise to visit when either one of us is rich enough to afford it. He, um, he’s … really nice,” I added, inadequately.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 24, 2005 16:08:31 GMT -5
My mouth dropped open and I was speechless for a moment.
"Vivien, how wonderful! I have never seen you like this. He must be more than wonderful." I steered us to an empty bench outside the store we had been headed for.
"Did you stay the whole night with him?" I asked after we sat.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Oct 24, 2005 16:29:50 GMT -5
I flumped down on the bench beside her and tucked my feet under me so that I was sitting cross-legged. “He’s, um, quite a talented, um chef," I managed, blushing all over again. “And, yes I did.” I made a dogged attempt to turn the conversation away from me. “What about you? Are you going to the Coronation Celebration. If you were,” Oh no! The conversation had gone back! “you could meet him.”
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 24, 2005 16:36:55 GMT -5
"Yes, I am going to the celebration. His name is Luke Pescaro del Leovanni. He is quite handsome and very nice, the little bit I got to talk to him. He is having a beautiful dress made for me at Eglantine. I will introduce you to him at the fete," I said in a rush.
I could tell we were never going to get to shopping if I kept pressing Vivien, he was all giggles and blushes. I knew what it felt like. I had a feeling I might be the same after a night with Luke.
Standing up I pulled Vivien with me. "Come, let us find you something to wear. You can keep giving me details about last night while you try on clothes."
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 1, 2005 9:49:58 GMT -5
I gave my friend a sharp glance through narrowed eyes. She spoke lightly enough of her Patron but I knew her well enough to recognise when she was taken with someone. I pulled my tarot cards out of the pocket of my doublet and flipped a few over speculatively, making a few intrigued murmurs. “It’s not in question whether you’re going to have a breathtakingly lovely time … it’s just the politics of such events are always so elusive to track. Is he important?”
“I have no idea what to get,” I admitted, as Caraf dragged me into the nearest shop.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 1, 2005 9:59:24 GMT -5
I avoided his question about Luke, I wanted to reserve speculations about his importance until I had spent more time with him. I knew he had social importance, but how important he was to me was still to be discovered. We pushed through the door and into the shop in front of which we had been sitting.
"Well, the first thing we need to decide is basic, skirt or pants?" I asked.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 1, 2005 15:08:44 GMT -5
"Don't think I don't know you're ducking the question," I said, wagging a rebuking finger in her direction. "But I'm too busy being distrac- ... oooh ... isn't this pretty?" Red velvet had caught my eye, soft as a cat's tongue. "But I think the colour is a bit old for me. Oooh! What about this?" I darted between a rainbow rail of shimmering fabric and remerged with emerald green and then let it fall again. "No, that would clash just horribly."
I stood still for a moment or two. "You're right, you're right. We have to think about this rationally. Trousers, I suppose. It is a Coronation Celebration after all. And he's seen me in a dress already."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 1, 2005 15:52:56 GMT -5
I laughed as Vivien was distracted by all the pretty fabrics.
"How much do you have to work with? Do we need to stay away from the velvets and satins?" I asked.
"Or was your chef so taken with you that we have free reign?" I asked with a wry smile.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 2, 2005 10:16:05 GMT -5
“He’s not a chef, he’s an artist,” I said, absently. “And a Vicomte. Um.” I temporarily abandoned my pursuit of colours and made my way back to Caraf. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out a piece of string, three pretty pebbles, a green marble, a sweet covered in fluff and, finally, Plaisir’s purse. Sheepishly, I pushed it into Caraf’s hands.
“He was, um, quite generous. More than I deserve,” I admitted, blushing again. “But I don’t want to go mad or anything.”
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 2, 2005 10:37:07 GMT -5
My eyes widened in shock at the weight of the purse in my hand.
"Oh Vivien! Is this all for clothing? This could be half-filled with rocks and you could still have whatever you desired in here."
I pressed the purse back into his hand, then took the other one and dragged him to the section that held the most beautiful fabrics.
I smiled, delighted that Vivien had found someone to spoil him the way he dissevered. I could tell Vivien was quite taken with his Vicomte too, there was a gleam in his eye that I had never seen before.
"A generous artist will appreciate you in something beautiful," I picked up a bolt of velvet that had been die where it was purple when seen from one direction, dark blue from the other. "What about this?"
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 2, 2005 11:02:49 GMT -5
“I know, I know,” I said, shuffling from foot to foot in some embarrassment. “I could have gone to Eglantine and had an adept design something especially for me like I was a Lord or something. But I thought it would be weird.”
I let Caraf pull me across the room to the most expensive corner of the shop. I tucked my hand in hers as she examined the various materials. “I’m glad you came with me. I’d never have been able to spend this money on my own,” I said. I reached out a hand and stroked the velvet carefully. “That’s beautiful. But I’m afraid something so dark would drown me.”
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 2, 2005 11:10:48 GMT -5
"What about this?" I asked, finding a beautiful blue fabric that was shot through with silver threads, making it sparkle and shine.
"Oh this would be fantastic under all the lights. You would sparkle like a star," I could feel myself getting excited at the thought of seeing Vivien with his Vicomte, dancing around the floor and outshining everyone there.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 2, 2005 11:19:06 GMT -5
I did a small dance of glee. “That’s perfect. Oh,” I gave a wistful sigh, “I wish it could be a dress. They’re always so much prettier and more interesting. I've always said women have all the luck. But I’d better not. I don’t want to scare off the Royalty.” I grinned. “What are you wearing?
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 2, 2005 15:53:36 GMT -5
"I'm in gold and red, it's strapless and long. The dress is just beautiful. My patron has very good tastes," I said with a little smile.
"We will get them to make you something interesting. Perhaps a cape to go with the rest? Have it attach at the shoulders and it will swirl as good as a skirt."
I had just finished when we were approached by a somewhat stern looking shopkeeper. The look on her face was certainly one of 'if you haven't got the funds, go fondle the cheap goods.'
I handed her the bolt of fabric and said, "We've decided on this." I pushed Vivien towards her for measurements.
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 3, 2005 9:19:33 GMT -5
Someone clearing their throat pointedly me distracted me and I turned to face a veritable harridan of a seamstress. She goggled delightfully as Caraf dumped the fabric we had chosen into her arms. For a moment I truly thought she was going to ask me if I could afford it but then she cleared her throat in the same disapproving way and beckoned me into the back of shop.
I followed her, casting an anxious glance over my shoulder towards Caraf, hoping she wasn’t going to leave me alone with this female ogre.
“An exquisite choice, if I may say so,” said the seamstress in a tone that implied she doubted our ability to know the value of what we had chosen.
“Yes, it’s lovely,” I agreed, meekly, and slipped out of my clothes so she could measure me. She did so in grudging silence.
“You should speak to your daughter, you know,” I remarked conversationally. “Just because her priorities are different to yours doesn’t mean she’s betrayed you. She’s very happy with her husband. And you’re a Grandmother.”
Surprisingly, this pronouncement seemed to disturb the seamstress so much that she – I hope accidentally – plunged a pin into my rear and I leapt in the air with a yelp.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2005 9:31:58 GMT -5
I burst out laughing as I watched Vivien jump.
I laid a hand on the seamstress's shoulder, "You'll have to forgive Vivien, he doesn't always remember that not everyone likes their fortune revealed."
I moved to Vivien, helped him carefully remove the pin from his rear, and whispered for his ears only, "If your not careful you're going to end up looking like a pin cushion for your Vicomte." I led him back to the seamstress so she could finish her measuring.
Taking a seat in a chair facing Vivien I said, "Tell me more about the Natal. Did you meet anyone else interesting? What about the music? The decorations?"
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 3, 2005 9:49:09 GMT -5
“Ow,” I protested, rubbing the afflicted spot vigorously to take away the stinging. “And I thought,” I added, “it was something she ought to know, mean old bitch.” But I let Caraf lead me to back to continue being measured and closed my lips upon any further revelations or, in my opinion well needed, life advice.
“The Natal. The music. The decorations…” I tried to remember anything about something other than Plaisir. “There were some,” I offered helplessly. “And the food was wonderful! Oh, and there was a truly beautiful and talented singer from Eglantine."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2005 9:55:53 GMT -5
I chuckled at Vivien's recount of one of the fetes of the season, he was really taken with his chef if he could remember no more than that.
The seamstress finished her measurements and looked to me for further instructions, obviously not wanting to talk directly to Vivien.
I asked Vivien, "Do you have any particular style in mind? Something traditional? Foreign? Classic?"
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 3, 2005 10:20:32 GMT -5
“I suppose something very simple,” I said. “The fabric is so beautiful I don’t want to detract from that with ruffles. Maybe I can have outrageous shoes or something. With bows. And high heels. Yes. That’ll be perfectly. Can you make some thing utterly simple?” I asked the seamstress. She was scribbling down my measurements and refusing to look at me and I felt a pang of guilt.
I went down on my knees beside her – she flinched away from a little, and I suppose being an adept you forget that most folks get a little twitchy if you squish up close to them when you’re nearly naked. “Listen,” I said. “I’m sorry I startled you. But, in my defence, you were being mean to me. You should really think about what I’ve said. He’s a beautiful boy, and he has your late husband’s eyes. All roads take us the same places, it’s the company on the journey that matters. And yours is a long road, so there’s no need to make it a lonely one as well. Now then,” I added, jumping back to my feet. “My clothes.”
I could tell she was still half-dazed from everything I’d said but she sketched out some very simple breeches and a long straight coat on a piece of paper. “You could wear them with a cream shirt and stockings,” she said, eventually. “And,” a brief hint of a smile, “a pair of truly outrageous shoes.”
I held the sketch out to Caraf. “Will that work?”
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2005 10:30:44 GMT -5
My heart warmed and I felt tears fill my eyes as I listened to Vivien comfort the seamstress. For all his eccentric ways, Vivien was quite possibly the sweetest, most beautiful soul I knew. I blinked quickly to keep the tears from falling, feeling truly blessed that Elua had given be Vivien to accompany me on my road.
"I think that would be marvelous," I said when he showed me the sketch. "Should we go find you some shoes now?"
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Post by Vivien nó Gentian(D) on Nov 4, 2005 11:18:12 GMT -5
I nodded eagerly. “With high heels and bows and shiny buckles, and gemstones in the heels like in the pictures in those otherwise boring books about history and stuff,” I said, seizing her hand and tugging her out of the shop. “I’m so excited. This is going to the biggest party ever!”
I stopped in order to take a breath. “Are you all right?” I asked, seeing she had what I interpreted to be a rather strange look upon her face.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 4, 2005 11:30:39 GMT -5
I trailed behind Vivien as he flew out of the shop, feeling like a kite pulled by a happy child. He stopped us just outside the store.
"I'm fine," I said, with a smile. "Sometimes it just hurts how much I love you, I don't know how I would manage without you Vivien."
I reached out and caressed his cheek. "I love seeing you so happy, you deserve every joy your Vicomte can bring you."
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