Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 19, 2009 22:34:20 GMT -5
I cocked my head to the side for a moment, a smile coming to my lips. "Well, I suppose I do know what I want, I am just not entirely sure it exists. But, what do you mean? Is there a better way to do this?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jan 20, 2009 13:40:25 GMT -5
“Of course there is. Commission it, if you know what it is you want and indeed you do take your drawing and find a reasonable jewelry smith that you think you can trust and have them make it from scratch.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 20, 2009 17:04:31 GMT -5
"I suppose the word 'reasonable' is what would become the difficult part in that venture, although you are right. It would definitely make it for a one of a kind piece," I agreed, knitting my brows. "Would you think something like this would be very..... pricey?" I lowered my head in shame. "I am not saying that she is not worth whatever price they put on it but," I looked up then, moving so my glass was held between both my hands, placing my arms on the table, "I cannot just spend away my entire livlihood either."
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jan 21, 2009 14:52:49 GMT -5
I watched him fret and indeed let him do so for a while. While my funds were pretty extravagant by the standards most would apply I was well aware of the merits of living within means for both people and nations. “It would depend, the best stones, best settings, best materials would of course cost you more than you could afford. But one may not be able to have everything they want but they can generally manage adequate without depleting too many funds. I am no jeweler but lets say you used costume stones around the edges and lesser stones for the main setting I would suspect that you could get a near thing to what you have in mind when it comes to appearance.” I smiled and shrugged “Now an expert would be able to identify it for what it is but I doubt anyone else would be able to in passing if you took care with your choice of materials so that they were high quality copies.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 21, 2009 15:46:12 GMT -5
I smiled at his conniving idea, though I don't think he meant it to be underhanding. The thought made my smile break into a hearty laugh. "Ahh, Pieter, yes, that would work, but should Marie find out it would be my head on a platter and I definitely enjoy my life more than what it would cost for a pricier little bauble. Besides, I don't think I would feel right... it would be like basing a bedrock institution on a lie, and that would not do. Mayhap I could do for lesser quality, or mayhap just not so dear gems, like some higher quality coloured crystals mixed in with actual gems. That, I wouldn't feel so bad about, and that I could pull off," I mused with a smile.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jan 26, 2009 11:51:35 GMT -5
“Its only a lie if you do not tell her” I tilted my head “and I never meant to imply that you not tell her. That would be a foolish move indeed, but mayhap you should discuss the matter with her. After all in the future the two of you should hopefully base decisions on mutual understanding and discussion. Consider it a test run.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 26, 2009 15:44:52 GMT -5
"You know," I started, looking him in his eyes, "that makes a great deal of sense. I guess there is nothing saying that she wouldn't want a hand in what she gets to wear as a sentiment of our love for the rest of her life. I always just thought I would surprise her, but mayhap you are right. For all I know she may not like my design, and may wish for something better, and afterall, I am doing this to please her, not myself." I smiled heartilly then. "Besides, I still have to propose to her, and that can hold enough secret and intrigue to make up for her knowing some details of her engagement ring." Then a thought occurred to me. "Sorry Pieter," I said, shrugging my shoulders appologetically, "I must be boring you with all this marriage talk. But your ideas have been very, very helpful."
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jan 27, 2009 10:59:02 GMT -5
I shrugged and smiled “Not boring me. I just find it amusing that so many men seek to surprise a woman and often step in a large pile of manure in the process. I mean I am sure women love surprises but I am also just as sure it is the rare man who has any clue what is going on inside of their heads.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 28, 2009 19:54:11 GMT -5
"How very true. I think mayhap you are right. I really should get her involved in this process. I had been pretty set on doing thi smyself before but... I think the fact that I made a valiant effort may work in my favour," I smiled a lopsided smile back at him. "I do not understand how with all this knowledge you are not in the same position I am, or rather already done with the deed. Well, I mean I can imagine, considering your station and your reponsibilities, but really. Then again, it is not every man's wish to settle down with one woman for the rest of his life either."
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jan 29, 2009 10:17:52 GMT -5
I shrugged “I have done well on the bedmate front, but romance is another matter. One I have not really tested the waters concerning other than in a very limited way tis much easier to be clinical about such things when you are not the one so involved.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 29, 2009 15:23:06 GMT -5
"Not the one so involved?" I repeated his words back to him, not quite following.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jan 30, 2009 9:57:00 GMT -5
I smiled “Meaning I have no emotional stake in matters so it is not so hard to be circumspect.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jan 31, 2009 11:43:15 GMT -5
"Hmm," I murmured. "I don't think I have ever slept with a woman that I didn't feel an emotional connection with, at least during the time of the loveplay. But I understand in the aftermath," I laughed. "Although, you had better watch our adepts," I said with a smile. "They have a tendency to make a man fall head over heels for them."
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 2, 2009 9:37:02 GMT -5
I smiled “There is a difference between affection and planning to marry. And I have noticed your adepts skills go much beyond the bed chamber.” I smiled “The thought of such entanglements is not entirely unpleasing. All depends on what my uncle decrees when it comes to matters of the heart at the end of the day.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 2, 2009 15:14:10 GMT -5
"Hmm," I pondered. "Do you think your uncle would allow you to do such a thing? I mean, most or at least a great number of adepts... well they don't come from families that hold any sort of title in Terre D'Ange. And the way it sounds, do you think he would be understanding of a love match that was wholly unpolitical?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 2, 2009 15:18:31 GMT -5
“He would settle for anything that makes us appear cultured though I am sure he would prefer a nice princess or the like. I reckon I will burn that bridge when I get there.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 2, 2009 15:25:15 GMT -5
"Hmm, true enough. You are young yet," I joked, smiling. "It seems that I won't be doing any more research then, for the day, not until I run this design by Marie. You have effectively dislodged yourself from a potentially broing situation!" I said with a laugh. I knew this was not his intention, and I was certain he realised I was only jesting.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 5, 2009 11:18:39 GMT -5
I smiled a small bit “So it seems of course it is not terribly boring and one can often learn many things from such situations.” I sipped my drink “It also seems you have found a bit of a resolution to your previous conundrum.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 10, 2009 9:51:49 GMT -5
"So it would seem," I mused with a smile. "By the way, where do you take up residence? Are you stuck in the confines of the palace or do you have a town home?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 10, 2009 16:58:40 GMT -5
“I have both actually. The Palace is needed for relations but I find having another abode helps to keep one informed. There is no place you will only hear what others wish you to hear as surely as a palace.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 13, 2009 15:21:37 GMT -5
"Heh, yes, I would think so. One slip of the tongue in the palace and you could potentially be out of favour for fortnight upon fortnight. I would guess people would watch what they say there... although, I should think that people wouldn't necessarily have something to say that would warrant a discussion outside of palace walls at the same time," I mused thoughtfully. Then I leaned in, jokingly. The drink had obviously started to loosen me up. "Unless of course we speak of espionage." I leaned back in my chair with a soft laugh and a quirk of my eyebrow. I wasn't sure how Pieter would think of me. I was a fun loving person, albeit a hardworker.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 13, 2009 15:50:27 GMT -5
I smiled a bit feeling mellow in my cups but not out of control. One of the lessons I learned early was how to hold my liquor as indeed it is a tool of espionage. “Well you have a bit of it right on both accounts, but you missed my main point. Places like palaces are artificial environments where the people inhabiting them are as often as not out of touch. If one wants to really know what is going on they must get out among the real people without the pomp and circumstance.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 14, 2009 18:22:43 GMT -5
"Hmm," I thought outloud, contemplating his words. "Yes.... I suppose this is true. Although... I really do think it depends on the type of information you are seeking. Our Queen is a fair and honest ruler. She is open to our public, even leaves places in her palace open to the general public, this is how much trust she has in her people. Some may call it folly, we call it love. Our system is one such that the Queen, or someone close to the Queen, always has a hand in the lives of even the most common of people, especially in things like dispute mediation. If you go to the people to find out what they think of our Queen, I am sure you will find most favourable responses. I would not think our Queen out of touch, or the royal family. They have their own lives to live, and important things to run, but I think they have a firm standing when it comes to the general public. And if it is information you are looking for with regards to the views of the country with regards to other countries, well, who best to get that from than the government themselves? The people are not the ones who make the decisions in that sense." I shrugged. "Then again, I do not deal a great deal with palace matters, or matters of government, nor espionage," I offered with a laugh. "Or maybe I misunderstand you?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 17, 2009 11:19:36 GMT -5
“I am not trying to speak poorly of your Queen good sir. It is simply that in my experience the environment around any government tends to have a rather artificial feel about it. Even if those in power seek to know their people they are still born to privilege and are thus mildly out of touch at best.” I shrugged “And you are hearing this from one born to such privilege. Your system works wonderfully but as I said I am still of the opinion that if you wish to know what is really going on speak with someone who goes to work at a real job each day.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 18, 2009 1:43:47 GMT -5
"Oh no," I said with a chuckle, "I know you mean no insult. And it is true. Regardless of how intouch the royals are, I guess they still don't know the plights of an everyday man. They can hear about them, but they will never know them firsthand. Then again, it works the other way as well. We of the working class will never completely comprehend the work that goes into running a nation and keeping it at peace with others. I mean it is a fairly easy concept, but making it work in the real world must have its own difficulties, right?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 19, 2009 9:33:00 GMT -5
“Exactly, of course I have a bit of an easier proposition here. I just need to promote trade. Thus I split my time between the two worlds so to speak and hopefully reap benefits from each so far so good as they say.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 19, 2009 10:53:59 GMT -5
"Ah, makes sense then. Optimizing your potentials. By the way," I asked leaning forward, "what do you trade in?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 19, 2009 16:41:04 GMT -5
I shrugged “Whatever we can manage. We are a sea fairing country sitting near trade routes and as a result we are more or less glorified middle men. Well that is we were and would like to be unfortunately larger and more surely neighbors have as often as not left us out in the cold.”
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Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
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Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Feb 23, 2009 22:23:18 GMT -5
"Well," I started. " I guess what I am asking is ... what role do you wish to facilitate... what role would you play in trade, what do you want Terre D'Ange to do? It's all well and good to get us to like you, it shouldn't be that hard. You seem smart, nice, and it only seems fair, but, what is it that your nation wants?"
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Feb 25, 2009 9:48:25 GMT -5
“Simply put Terre D'Ange was one of the great trading centers and thus a great opportunity. But the issue is other competitors have made sure that many such doors are closed to us. What I wish to accomplish is an opening of those doors and I think I am starting to have success.” I steepled my fingers “In short it would be nice if your nation not believe all the rumors for fear of angering other allies who are more powerful than us.”
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