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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 19, 2008 19:27:25 GMT -5
I'd arrived home from lunch with Walid full to brimming with excitement. Heading straight for the kitchen, I'd asked the cook to prepare a menu fit for a prince for tonight, and she had. Lamb flavored with coriander and a pomegranate dipping sauce, white wine, fresh grain bread, new potatoes with rosemary, and string beans.
Seven o'clock arrived and I sat in the library, waiting for him excitedly. I was wearing the lavender dress with a white blouse, and my hair was tied back with a blue ribbon.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 19, 2008 20:01:11 GMT -5
On the dot, I arrived, wearing d’Angeline finery, with an oriental twist. I did have pride in my culture, after all. The breeches were of a rich brown, and the shirt a lighter shade of kaki. I wore an Ummaiyyatti belt of golden threaded beige, and my scimitar hung proudly at my side, though I’d forwent the turban for practical purposes: at times, it got caught in doorways, and that was beyond annoying.
The staff ushered me in the library, and I smiled as I noticed Avive’s pretty figure, well ensconced in the dress we’d shopped for together. She seemed perfectly in her element, I observed.
“Good evening,” I said as I closed the distance to bow curtly, extending my hand that she may place her delicate hand in mine. “You are quite a vision, Avive.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 19:40:57 GMT -5
I rose from my chair, my cheeks red with excitement and pleasure at seeing him again. Gracefully I placed my hand in his. "It is good to see you again, Walid," I said. "You look very well."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 20:30:33 GMT -5
"I wouldn't want to give you less than the best," I replied as my lips grazed her hand. "Have you had a good day, then?" I asked as I straightened my back.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 20:33:24 GMT -5
"Yes," I said. "I spent it looking for engineering books in our library, and preparing for dinner, which smells just about ready. Shall we go to the dining room?"
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 21:15:21 GMT -5
I smiled wide. Engineering books. She hadn't forgotten my interests, if it were for me. Or her. Or... My thoughts scrambled a little. I'd have to ask later. When I could think on it properly. "Yes, let's," I replied, offering her my arm. "It smells wonderful."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 21:20:03 GMT -5
Taking his arm, I said, "I hope you will enjoy it."
We entered the dining room to find the dishes already on the table. The smell was intoxicating. Two places were set on opposite sides of the big table. I went to the far side and bade him sit. "Please help yourself. Tonight we have roasted lamb in coriander with pomegranate dipping sauce, new potatoes with rosemary and string beans. There is also fresh bread and wine."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 22:06:04 GMT -5
"It all sounds wonderful," I replied. "But please, ladies should be seated first," I said as I rushed to hold her seat for her.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 22:07:47 GMT -5
I laughed as he hurried to pull out my seat. Sitting gracefully, I said, "You are too charming, Walid."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 22:53:12 GMT -5
I smiled in pleasure at her compliment, and bent to whisper in her ear, "Does that mean I am charming you, then?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 22:58:18 GMT -5
"Yes," I murmured back.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 23:04:57 GMT -5
Her murmur was making me quiver a little - it made her very desirable, but I wasn't going to be a dishonorable guest and tumble her against the table. Still, it commanded a reply. "It pleases me very much to hear that," I replied softly. "If you'll allow me...." I moved to take my seat. If I didn't do something now, I would be unable to stand and still be dignified.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 23:24:45 GMT -5
"Of course," I said. "I am glad you are pleased to hear it."
Once he was seated, I opened my hands. "Please, help yourself to anything you like."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 23:28:46 GMT -5
"Thank you," I replied, still trying to regain some countenance. I started to help myself to some of everything, and when I was done, I asked, "So tell me about these books you've been looking into. I'll admit you entertained my curiosity."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 23:32:14 GMT -5
Once he had served himself, I served myself from everything. Picking up the bottle of wine, I poured two glasses.
"I was looking into books that contained information about aqueducts," I said. "I knew you were interested, and hoped that I could help. I admit I did not do much reading, but I did set the books aside if you would like to look at them."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 23:36:47 GMT -5
"That's very thoughtful," I replied with a smile as I accepted the glass of wine. "Your kindness honors me, truly. Maybe after dinner, you can show me, yes?"
I held the glass of wine, not drinking from it yet. It had occurred to me recently that D'Angeline had a thing for saying an omen before they took the first sip.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 20, 2008 23:39:01 GMT -5
"I'd love to," I said. Noticing that he wasn't drinking the wine, I asked him, "Is something the matter? Does it smell corked?"
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 20, 2008 23:48:23 GMT -5
She seemed alarmed, and I looked at her in confusion. "Oh, no," I replied emphatically. "It's only that I've seen some D'Angeline carry a..." I looked for the word, and proudly found it, "a toast. I thought you might as well." I gave her a charming smile, and said, "What are we drinking to?" That's what he'd said. I tried to remember his name - the Doge's cousin. Cascata's brother. Bah, no matter. It was inconsequential. What mattered, was the lovely young woman sitting across from me.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 21, 2008 20:36:30 GMT -5
"Oh!" I said, laughing. "It didn't occur to me to make a toast. Perhaps we should."
I raised my glass. "You can make it," I said, "I'm afraid I'm not feeling very imaginative."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 21, 2008 21:18:06 GMT -5
I gave in turn a small laughter of relief, though in truth the mirth was followed by concern. I though a moment, and gave her a translation of a goodwill wish from home, “The whisper of a pretty girl can be heard further than the roar of a lion,” I recited as I lifted my glass and looked at her keenly. “To pretty girls.” To you.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 23, 2008 17:00:15 GMT -5
I raised my own glass. "To pretty girls. " In the fit of imagination prompted by his toast, I added, "To pretty girls and handsome princes."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 23, 2008 23:45:22 GMT -5
I grinned rakishly and inclined my head in acknowledgement, and had a taste of the wine. I made a sound of appreciation, This is excellent,” I told her. I noticed she wasn’t blushing anymore. Good thing, I decided. She was getting used to accepting compliments.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 25, 2008 11:46:36 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said. "It comes from Siovale, where we have the finest of everything." I grinned with pride in my Duchy.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 25, 2008 12:53:41 GMT -5
“Well congratulations,” I replied with a smile. “It seems Siovale does indeed produce the best of many things,” I added as I gave her an affectionate look.
“So,” I asked her as I started to cut in the meat. “I know the Palace will be open for the Hunt Fete... will you attend?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 25, 2008 15:55:52 GMT -5
"Yes," I said, starting on my own meal. "Are you going?"
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 25, 2008 16:28:18 GMT -5
“I am,” I replied as I paused in my eating. “The Dauphine has accepted to introduce me formally to court at the event,” I added. I wondered if she had questions, but didn’t press. It was all up to her.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 26, 2008 13:06:09 GMT -5
"You must be very honored," I said. "I will be attending alone." I grinned mischievously at him. "But if I'm lucky, I won't leave alone."
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 26, 2008 14:19:22 GMT -5
“Lucky is my middle name,” I replied with an amused grin, finding perfect the little twists of this simple phrase, including the very truthful one that Mas’ud indeed did signify lucky in ‘Rab. I smiled devilishly for her little innuendo, and gave her a wink, not feeling the necessity to say more. We’d visibly understood each other, or so I’d hoped. “I am indeed honored that her Highness is taking me on her arm,” I replied with a grin. “She’s an interesting character,” an amusing little minx, I wanted to say, “your Dauphine. Have you ever met her?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jan 27, 2008 21:33:57 GMT -5
"I can't say I have," I said. "Though I know who she is. She's very fashionable." I didn't say that I also thought myself very fashionable. I preferred to be modest about my good qualities.
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Post by Walid bin Kasseem(D) on Jan 27, 2008 21:44:04 GMT -5
I gave her a smile. "You know more about fashion than I do," I replied with an amused grin. "But you're right, I do recall she seemed to have a lot of interest in clothes and new trends." Curiously, I asked, "Would you say that she is a trend-setter?"
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