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Post by Jacques Blanchard (I) on Feb 22, 2006 9:01:50 GMT -5
In days following the dance showing of Celestine, I found my thought drifting back to this mysterious beauty. I found myself daydreaming about her eyes. The color reminding me of the ocean along the coast of Tiberium.
After making some inquiries about arrangements for the upcoming fete, Jacques found that Celestine no’Eglantine was already contracted to be there. This presented a possible problem in that if Jacques wasn’t to be there early enough, then another peer might take it upon himself to choose her for his personal entertainment for the evening.
I will just have to be one of the first to arrive then. I thought to myself as I penned the note I was sending to Celestine. The gown I was sending her was of the richest blue silk I could find. While the Akadian cut accented her taut dancers frame, it wasn’t nearly as revealing as the one I hand sent for the showing. I couldn't find any information regarding traditional Akadian lingerie, so I included a wide range of cuts and styles. Perhaps she wore nothing underneath? Jean-Basile would just have to get over the fact the I nearly cleaned out inventory. It wasn't very often...actually this was the first time I've sent this many gifts to someone I was interested in I thought with a smile.
While I prided myself in being able to read almost anyone, Celestine was still a mystery. I had an idea that she longed to be free of Eglantine, a feeling I knew quite well from my days as and adept, but there was something more buried within her.
I called for a courier to deliver the package and resumed work, anxiously awaiting a response from her through the courier.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
Inactive
Comtesse Clavel, House Clavel, Former Eglantine adept
Sensual and Divine
Posts: 249
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Feb 22, 2006 13:08:03 GMT -5
I sat brushing out my hair, a task that took considerable time and patience, but one I enjoyed. Today was my day of rest and I fully planned to enjoy it. I sat before my vanity, brush in hand and methodically worked out the tangles. I hadn't bothered to don much more than a simple white caftan. The knock on my door was a surprise. I set down the brush. Standing outside my room was a page, laden with boxes, my eyebrows rose at how many he so stoically bore. "Are you Celestine nó Eglantine?" "Yes." "Then these are for you, courtesy of a Monsieur Blanchard. I have a missive for you as well. Where can I put these?" I opened the door wider and gestured for him to set the boxes on a low table. My room held little D'Angeline furniture, just pillows, rugs and a few low tables. A sleeping platform hid behind several curtains hanging from the ceiling in a corner. Briskly he set down the packages then extracted a letter from a bag. With a slight tremor, my fingers withdrew and unfolded the sheet inside. My eyes drank in a neat, masculine script. Celestine nó Eglantine,
Your striking beauty haunts my ever waking moment. A day has not gone by that I have not seen your face when I've closed my eyes. Your beauty and grace are like nothing I've ever seen and I long to see you again. I am attending the L'Envers fete, which I understand you will be attending also. It would make my heart sing with joy if you would wait for me there, and by my companion for the evening. Please accept this dress and other garments as a small token of my sincerity.
With all my heart, JacquesThe strangest sensation curled around my heart, and I felt it contract in such an odd manner. I turned dazed eyes to the courier. “He said to wait and see if you had a reply for him, mademoiselle, and that I was to report your reaction to the gift in… this box.” He handed me a large, flat parcel, it looked to be a garment box. I fumbled a bit with it, but managed to open it. My breath caught, fingertips hovered over the contents, wanting to touch, but afraid it would prove to be an illusion. Folded neatly in the box was a caftan of such gorgeous hue and embroidery, no Sultana had ever worn finer. I traced a single digit across the gold threads that glittered in beautiful arcs. Reverently I removed the gown from its bed of tissue and held it against my frame. The lines were elegantly simple, a keyhole neck line, twin slits along the sides to my mid thigh. You wouldn’t even be able to see my legs unless I moved just so. I carried it to my large dressing mirror. The deep blue complemented my eyes. It reminded me so strongly of the hues of the sea I had seen on my crossing. A tear slipped down my cheek. I knew he had remembered. “Please, when you tell him of my reaction, tell him this, never in my life have I owned something this beautiful. In this gown, the Odalisque will outshine the Sultana.” I struggled to say the words clearly, my throat tight with emotion. With gentle care I laid the caftan over the back of my vanity chair, and then went looking for ink and paper. In a script still heavily influenced by my Akkadian upbringing I wrote to him. I placed a single drop of scented oil, rose, sandalwood and vanilla, and sealed it. The courier accepted it with a smart nod, and left. I sat back down at my vanity, my hand resting on my brush.
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Post by Jacques Blanchard (I) on Feb 22, 2006 21:31:21 GMT -5
I paced the room in the shop. At last he returned with the message. "Did she accept" I ask, showing more emotion than I was use too. She did m'Lord. She instructed me to tell you that never in her life has she owned anything that beautiful. She said that in that gown, the Odalisque would outshine the Sultana. And she wrote this for you m'Lord. He handed me a note. As I opened it, I smelled a wonderful scent, holding it to my nose, I drank it in. Quickly I read it.
M'lord Jacques Blanchard
Words cannot do justice to the gown you have sent me. I am deeply and profoundly touched. I would be honored to be your escort for the evening at the L'Envers fete, it would please me very much.
I have no great skill with words, but your gift has filled me with the same lightness as dancing does, and I look forward to next we shall meet.
Go with lightness and joy, Celestine
My heart lept. It had been ages since I had felt this way about a woman. And it was after one simple meeting!
I thanked the man, giving him a coin and sending him on his way. I called for Josephine, telling her that we must hurry and finish my suit.
"M'Lord seems rather joyful today" she said. I barely heard her, my thoughts centered on the exotic beauty of Celestine.
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Post by Jacques Blanchard (I) on Feb 23, 2006 16:43:56 GMT -5
In the days since I received the note from Celestine, I had found myself reading the letter again and again, pausing to breathe in the scent she placed on it. The slight rose smell inspired my trip down to a local florist. "I would like a dozen roses Madam. Perhaps in a white or peach color?" The attendant had several shades in the colors I mentioned, and one, a light cream color, cought my eye. "Yes, this one here. Please have them delivered to Celestine no'Elgantine, with this note attached"
I don't even remember the walk back to the shop, all I remember is Celestines face with those blue, blue eyes.
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Khalidah Clavel (I)
Inactive
Comtesse Clavel, House Clavel, Former Eglantine adept
Sensual and Divine
Posts: 249
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Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Feb 24, 2006 17:46:15 GMT -5
I had a fitting to attend. It seemed rather silly for me to buy an outfit for the fete, when I had Jacques magnificent caftan to wear, and many of my mother's dancing robes and costumes hidden in my rooms. Akkadian costumes. I almost snorted but refrained, an Odalisque is nothing if not perfectly mannered.
I entered my rooms, hoping to change into a light gown, when the scent hit me. My rooms were redolent with the smell of roses. Sitting on my vanity was a large bouquet of the most lovely flowers. My fingers traced the downy soft petals, reminded of the silk caftan Jacques had gifted me.
A note peeking between the blooms drew my hands. A radiant smile crested my face, and anyone who entered my rooms at that moment would have seen me smiling like a loon.
The flowers were from him. I tucked the note inside a pocket of my gown, caressed the blossoms one last time, then drifted off to my appointment with the clothier.
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