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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 13, 2007 15:37:52 GMT -5
I had sent a note to Geraldine, requesting her aid in a matter of some importance. I really needed another set of eyes, preferably those of a woman, when I went looking for Malabelle's engagement ring. She might trust me to find something appropriate, but I sure didn't. And so I was waiting patiently in Eisheth Square for the Heliotrope's arrival.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 13, 2007 16:15:36 GMT -5
It had come a bit late, the note, and I was in the midst of my preparations for the L'Envers wedding, but still... I liked Christophe, and he had requested my assistance, and so I went, setting aside the remainder of my tasks. I had a simple gown of light brown - nothing exciting, but proper still, as my habit. I arrived at Eisheth square, smiling, and happy to see him again.
I found him waiting, and waved happily, "Hi Christophe, it's good to see you. Have you had a long wait?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 13, 2007 16:20:17 GMT -5
I smiled at her as she walked across the square. "Not at all. Thank you so much for coming. I must admit, I'm at a bit of a loss." My smile turned a bit embarrassed. "You see, I need to buy a ring..."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 13, 2007 16:23:57 GMT -5
I arched an eyebrow, smiling. "A ring?" I let the question hang a little, resisting a growing urge to tease. "A ring for your friend?" I asked, failing to resist more.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 13, 2007 16:37:59 GMT -5
"A ring for my fiancee." I told her with a grin, not minding the teasing.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 13, 2007 17:03:56 GMT -5
"That's wonderful, Christophe," I said, happy and excited. "Well, it is wedding season, it seems. I'll help you shop for it, but I'll need some details on your bride to be... her tastes, more specifically."
I paused, looked at him, and didn't dare, but I would have given him a small hug for it. "Congratulations, really!" I said, sincerely happy.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 13, 2007 20:49:04 GMT -5
"Thank you." I smiled widely. "Both for the congratulations and the help. She said that she'll be happy with whatever I choose for her, but..." I let my voice trail off indicating my own thoughts on the matter and held out my arm for her.
"And what sort of tastes do you mean?" I asked as we headed down the street toward some jewelers that I knew but had little opportunity to patron.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 14, 2007 4:20:02 GMT -5
I followed Christophe, my arms looped behind my back comfortably. “Her tastes in jewellery, of course,” I replied. “They vary a lot,” I indicated. “See, I, for one, am a minimalist – I prefer to wear little to none, and it is always meaningful. Other adepts I know prefer more flamboyant tastes. Then, there’s color, style…”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 14, 2007 12:48:32 GMT -5
"She wears very little jewelery, and often wears gloves." I supplied, not minding that she ignored my offered arm. "Not anything gaudy, I think simple and elegant. But unique too." I made a face. "Sorry, that probably doesn't help much."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 14, 2007 15:18:15 GMT -5
I only noticed he had offered his arm as he took it away, taken that I was by the news, and smiled apologetically, though seeing as he was betrothed, mayhap it was for the best.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, still thinking. “What kind of gowns does she wear?”
I wasn’t asking who the lucky lady was… purposely so. It would have been too indiscreet – if he wanted to tell me, he would.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 14, 2007 16:25:51 GMT -5
"Dramatic colours. Reds, and the Shahrizai blue of course. She always looks divine." Well, except when I've made her cry, I amended in my head. "Again, simple and elegant."
We turned the corner and found several jewelers all lined up along the street. I looked around and felt lost.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 14, 2007 17:30:38 GMT -5
So it had to be that beautiful woman he was fawning over at the Coronation, and desperately waiting for… Well, it seemed his story had a happy ending – I smiled for it happily.
“Perfect,” I replied. “Well… we have no choice but to get in,” I said, examining the shops. I looked at Christophe, and understood this was in my hands. A jeweler of good reputation was just a few strides away, and I stirred us in their direction. “This may be a good place to start,” I said, indicating the shop. “Zola and Sons is known for the good taste and preciousness of their goods.”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 14, 2007 22:44:39 GMT -5
I nodded and at least tried to look like I knew what I was doing.
The door opened to the sound of a small bell, the air otherwise quiet and calm. I smiled to the gentleman behind the counter and started to browse. I didn't know where to start, so I thought looking around might help.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 15, 2007 12:47:50 GMT -5
As Christophe had, I smiled to the clerk, and surveyed the place for rings, which I located after a while. I looked, quietly, waiting for Christophe to come by, and tried to find some suggestions I might make, though I supposed something would catch his eye eventually.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 16, 2007 0:56:01 GMT -5
I was staring at all the colour and selection, when I came to a realization. "Silver." I turned to Geraldine. "I've only ever see her wear silver jewelery."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 16, 2007 2:34:31 GMT -5
“Then that would be her taste, then,” I said with a smile. “Elegant, simple jewelry of silver. She likes vibrant colors, but does not need anything eccentric to shine,” I added, eyes still on the display. “Yet, your ring must display character and uniqueness, for it is to be the symbol of your love for her, and of the bonds that bind you.”
My eyes settled on a ring of silver that was worked with exquisite care, presenting a glimmer of sapphire, just the barest hint of Shahrizai blue, though what made it interesting was the smith’s work. “What about this one?”
Then, I realized I had no idea what his budget was, and so I asked, “What range are we looking at?”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 16, 2007 10:58:33 GMT -5
"Exactly." I replied, very happy that she understood. I came over and looked at the one she was pointing out. "I have some money set aside. I was planning on getting my own place, when I had enough." I liked it enough to look at the price tag. I did my best not to make a face. I had the money, I just hadn't known what this would involve.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 16, 2007 11:30:44 GMT -5
"Hmmm..." I paused, thinking. "What do you think of it? Are we in the right direction, or not?"
Ultimately, it was his betrothed, his wedding, his purchase. I could only act as a guide. Pre-emptively, I tried to look for something more affordable.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 16, 2007 11:45:46 GMT -5
"Right direction." I replied. "I really like the worked silver. But it's not quite right." My eye was caught by a glimmer of deep blue. It was, in many ways, the opposite of what Geraldine had pointed out. A simple silver band, with a rectangular cut gem. Two smaller clear gems flanked it. "Blue emerald sir." The gentleman behind the counter noticed the direction of my gaze. "Paired with fine crystal. A lovely combination."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 16, 2007 14:39:48 GMT -5
I looked at the ring, nad said, "It's beautiful, but..." I didn't quite know how to put it. "I'm not sure it's feminine enough, Christophe." I surveyed the rack again, and found something a little different. "What about this one?" "Pure diamond," the clerk said, "encased in silver, worked by our own smiths." I nodded approvingly - I found it rather fetching.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 17, 2007 12:04:07 GMT -5
It was simple and elegant, something I could picture on Mala's finger. I was about to say something positive, very positive, when the gentleman spoke. "If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion sir? I couldn't help but overhear your earlier comments..." He ducked over to the side, and brought out a ring for us to study. "It is similar to the one my lady was first eying, but a personal favourite of mine." "Again, worked by our own smiths, silver and the finest of diamonds." "How long have you been doing this sir?" I asked the clerk with a smile. "You're remarkably good at your craft." He just smiled. I turned to Geraldine. "What do you think?" I thought it was perfect, but I needed another opinion.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 18, 2007 4:29:32 GMT -5
“It’s beautiful,” I said softly, admiring the work. “It’s just what we described, you and I,” I added, looking at Christophe a short moment, and smiling. “Do you have an idea of her finger size?”
It dawned on me, would the ring fit? How would he know? I looked at my own hands, wondering how they compared to his betrothed, for the sole sake of the exercise.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2007 13:21:50 GMT -5
I was relieved to have come to a decision. I held it up, sparkling in the day’s light. I turned to Geraldine with a grin. “I didn’t come completely unprepared.” I told her, raising my hand and showing an ink line on my finger. “She had a ring on her vanity. I’ve never seen her wear it, but I assume it fits.”
I slid the ring on, and it fit a little higher than the line. The clerk saw this and was quick to reassure me. "Bigger is easier to alter sir. Just bring it back in, should the sizing be too dissimilar, and our smiths will more than happily alter it."
"Then yes, I'll take it."
"Very good sir." He positively beamed. He led me over to a desk and we discussed the financial side. Having been warned by the earlier price tag, I didn't even bat an eye. My savings were still with the Valerian financier, and it would require a trip back to my old House to have things settled. But I had brought enough for a down payment, and I soon held it in a velvet-lined box that I placed securely in the pocket of my breeches.
“It seems I must wander up Mount Nuit.” I told Geraldine with a smile. “Shall I walk you home after lunch? My treat of course, for your help.”
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 18, 2007 15:29:49 GMT -5
I’d looked at the display, letting my friend take care of the arrangements, and so I turned my attention to him as he spoke, smiling happily.
“Oh, it was nothing, Christophe, really,” I replied with a quiet blush of happiness. “But if you do want to tell me all about your upcoming wedded bliss, I’ll gladly listen, really.”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 19, 2007 0:24:37 GMT -5
"I would like to." I told her with a smile, holding the door for her. "I even know a good cafe in the area. They serve fantastic breakfasts, all day."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 19, 2007 2:09:18 GMT -5
“It sounds perfect,” I replied with a wide grin as we stepped out of the shop. “I guess you haven’t had breakfast, just yet?”
And with a smile of good bye, we exited Zola’s shop, and were on to build a friendship - the thought made me smile more brightly.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 19, 2007 12:06:43 GMT -5
"I am always up for more." I replied with a smile as we headed down the street. "Mala always laughs when she sees how much I can eat."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 19, 2007 14:29:24 GMT -5
“Malabelle Shahrizai, whom you were waiting for anxiously at the Coronation fete,” I said with a grin. “I’m so happy it all turned out well for you, Christophe. But now, I need you to fill in the blanks, if you want me to appreciate the whole story,” I added with a happy grin.
Oh, I was happy for him alright – but somehow, my own spirits were lighter than usual, and that also made me all the more receptive to him.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 19, 2007 14:48:05 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Would you like the long or short version?" I asked as I led her around the corner, the cafe just down the street. "It got rather complicated."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 19, 2007 15:57:18 GMT -5
“Just tell me the version that you desire to tell me,” I replied patiently. “I’ll make the necessary time for it, don’t be worried.”
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