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Post by teo on Mar 18, 2009 0:09:06 GMT -5
“Oh Mercedes, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring the mood down,” I apologized. “I guess I just get a little wistful whenever I think of my parents.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 18, 2009 2:03:18 GMT -5
My smile wasn't nearly so glum this time. "I'm glad that you have such good memories of your parents," I said. "It is I who should apologize. Too often I let pessimistic thoughts in when they come knocking."
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Post by teo on Mar 18, 2009 11:56:36 GMT -5
“I am guilty of that as well,” I said with a wry chuckle, then finished my brandy and set the glass down.
“Oh, I’ve totally forgotten, I have another gift for you,” I told her. I’d been so taken by the sight of her that it had completely left my mind. I reached into a pocket on my jacket and withdrew a rolled sheaf of paper, tied with a pink ribbon. The paper was some of the new line we’d been creating and it had pink rose petals pressed into the paper itself.
“For you,” I said with a smile, offering it to her.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 18, 2009 22:03:26 GMT -5
I took the roll, putting my glass down before I carefully unfurled it. I gasped softly at the beauty that was put into even a simple piece of paper. "Oh Teo, it's exquisite. How did you get the petals in there?"
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Post by teo on Mar 18, 2009 22:08:04 GMT -5
My smile grew and I flushed with pleasure at her enjoyment.
“It’s a new process we developed not too long ago. It has to do with finding the flowers in just the right state of blooming and being extra careful how much liquid we use when forming the fibers together. When you visit I’ll show you exactly how it’s done,” I told her.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 19, 2009 0:19:57 GMT -5
"I'd be afraid to write on it and ruin it," I confessed with a little laugh.
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Post by teo on Mar 19, 2009 0:35:30 GMT -5
“Oh no, please, it’s meant to be used. I can get you more, with nearly any flower you’d like,” I said, hoping to convince her. “It really would be an honor to know you are using it.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 19, 2009 1:05:25 GMT -5
I blushed slightly at his words. "Maybe... maybe I'll write to my mother with this. I know that she'll fully appreciate such beauty."
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Post by teo on Mar 19, 2009 11:58:38 GMT -5
I smiled happily. “Thank you. I really do hope you use it, and just let me know if you need anymore, or want some with another flower. We’re also making journals with this paper now if you have any interest in journals,” I told her.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 19, 2009 14:37:01 GMT -5
"What other flowers can you do this with?" I asked, thinking. I didn't use journals much, but I wondered if Isabell might like one.
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Post by teo on Mar 19, 2009 15:44:10 GMT -5
“Anything not white. We are still having trouble not turning them an unappealing yellow-brown in the process. Just about anything else can be used,” I said, pleased at her interest. Paper was a subject I was comfortable with. I might even make it through this part of the discussion without blushing.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 20, 2009 1:14:24 GMT -5
"Violets then? My sister's favourite flower," I explained. "She's hard to get gifts for, but maybe she'd like a journal."
Then I noticed his empty glass. "Oh I'm sorry, may I get you another drink?"
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Post by teo on Mar 20, 2009 12:20:08 GMT -5
"Oh, no thank you. Any more and I'm likely to nod off in the second act," I said, chuckling. "And yes, we've had quite a bit of luck with violets. We have a full line of stationary, journals, and even sketch pads. I'd be happy to spend you over anything you'd like."
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 20, 2009 16:04:34 GMT -5
"Thank you Teo, I would appreciate that," I said with a smile. "I never know what to get her. Do you have the same problem with your siblings?"
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Post by teo on Mar 20, 2009 18:08:57 GMT -5
“With my brother more than my sisters,” I said. “But since our parents passed we haven’t exchanged gifts really. We all agreed without having to speak about it really that everything would go into the business, to keep it running. That’s our gifts to each other.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 20, 2009 18:52:02 GMT -5
"When did your parents pass?" I asked, my voice soft.
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Post by teo on Mar 20, 2009 19:34:35 GMT -5
“It’s been almost seven years now,” I answered. “It was just a week after I turned sixteen.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 20, 2009 20:07:55 GMT -5
"Oh Teo, I'm sorry. To look after your siblings so young..." My voice trailed off. "You're a very brave man."
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Post by teo on Mar 20, 2009 20:45:19 GMT -5
“Not at all,” I said, looking down at my hands. “I was overwhelmed and terrified and still in such pain from losing my parents that all I wanted to do was hide in my room.” I idly rubbed my signet ring with my thumb. “I was fortunate that everyone around me understood and helped me. My siblings, those who worked for us, everyone else were so supportive. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 20, 2009 21:36:22 GMT -5
I leaned forward and reached across the space separating us to put my hand over his. "No one should have to go through that alone," I said, my voice soft but reassuring. "You are brave to make it through that."
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Post by teo on Mar 20, 2009 21:44:14 GMT -5
Her hand on mine felt so good, so comforting.
"Thank you," I said softly, looking at her and trying to smile.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 20, 2009 23:52:55 GMT -5
I smiled when he did, a soft one in the face of his tentative one. "Come on, let's go to the play and see if we can cheer you up."
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Post by teo on Mar 21, 2009 0:06:56 GMT -5
Just being around her would cheer me up.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," I said, my smile growing a little stronger.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 21, 2009 0:52:48 GMT -5
I squeezed his hand lightly. "Wonderful. I'll just grab my jacket and we can be on our way." I stood, holding his hand for as long as I could before it slipped from my fingers. "I'll be right back."
Going out into the hall, I came across of the one maids who had my bolero slung over her arm already. I thanked her and headed back into the sitting room. "All set," I told him with a smile.
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Post by teo on Mar 21, 2009 0:56:04 GMT -5
Blessed Elua…I don’t know I’d ever felt anything as sweet and thrilling as when she held my hand until distance forced her to let it go. I sat, enraptured, until I forced myself to stand so I wouldn’t look a fool when she returned.
“Excellent,” I said, smiling and crossing to her. “May I carry that for you?”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 21, 2009 4:16:22 GMT -5
"Oh yes, thank you," I said, rewarding Teo with a smile as I handed him the jacket. "I was assuming that we would take your carriage, if that's not too bold of me?"
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Post by teo on Mar 21, 2009 13:02:45 GMT -5
“Not at all,” I said with a smile. I laid her jacket over one arm and offered her my other. “Shall we?”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 24, 2009 15:19:16 GMT -5
"Of course," I replied with a smile, taking his arm and letting him lead me out.
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Post by teo on Mar 24, 2009 17:20:34 GMT -5
Just the touch of her on my arm sent a thrill through me and my smile grew s I led her out to the waiting carriage. The door was held open and I let go of her arm and offered her my hand to help her up.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Mar 24, 2009 18:50:36 GMT -5
I took his hand up and settled as gracefully as I could in the carriage, conscious of his eyes on me. I liked Teo a great deal and would hate to make a fool of myself in front of him. Though, thinking about it, he was probably the most likely to overlook it.
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