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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 9, 2009 19:34:01 GMT -5
I was at loose ends, once again. Well, the grand opening of El Parra was just around the corner, and I decided to do a little reconnaisence of the other eateries in the general area. Donning a deep blue dress the color of my eyes, I pulled my hair back into a loose knot, then headed for the Artisan's District.
I had already sampled the fare at The Generous Patron, the memory of that encounter was seared into my mind and body for all time, so this time I tried The Laughing Parrot. It was rumored to be a place for the artistic soul, which wasn't quite my nature, but what matter, all I really wanted was to sample the wine.
Once inside, I found a seat at an empty table and ordered a glass of the best red. As I counted out my coin, I wondered if Balta would reimburse me for this 'business expense.' The thought of him brought a smile to my lips and a somersault to my belly, and I forced myself to study my surroundings rather than dwell on my love life.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 10, 2009 5:20:25 GMT -5
I'd just been to book an appointment with the Marquist and had done a little bit of shopping, treating myself to a few new dresses, and I was getting rather hungry.
Ambling along to the artisan district, I found an eatery that I'd not visited before and decided to give it a whirl....I didn't think my feet could have lasted much further.
The place wasn't that busy so I found an empty table and sank gratefully onto a chair. Running my hand through my hair, I dumped the bags on the floor and kicked them under the table out of the way before perusing the menu. Deciding on a delicious sounding pasta salad I called over a waiter and placed my order. Sitting back in the chair I rummaged in one of my bags to have another look at the dresses I'd bought.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 10, 2009 11:58:06 GMT -5
I had just gotten my glass of wine, when who should walk in the door but a very pretty and very familiar woman. Where had I seen her before? I tried to watch without appearing to stare, as she settled in at an empty table a few tables over from mine. She had several bags with her, which she promptly began rummaging through. I took a long drink of my wine, but I was too distracted to note all of the things Balta had been teaching me to look for. It appeared I would have to figure out where I knew the woman from if I hoped to get any 'work' done.
Rising from my table, I took my glass of wine and approached her. "Mind if I join you?" I asked, as if it were perfectly natural to join strangers for lunch. I was not always so bold, but the feeling that I knew her from somewhere was a bit maddening. Without waiting for an answer, I sat down in the chair across from her and smiled.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 10, 2009 14:18:22 GMT -5
I looked up as a shadow fell across the table expecting to see the waiter with my food but instead I beheld a woman, swirling a glass of wine in her hand. She asked if she could join me and sat down before I could open my mouth to respond.
She smiled and I smiled back somewhat hesitantly. Her colouring and features marked her out as a member of the Shahrizai family and she seemed somehow familiar to me. I put my dress back in my bag and tried to work out where I knew her from.
"Of course you can join me, I wasn't expecting anyone. Pleased to meet you, I'm Liana." I said politely, a question in my voice.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 10, 2009 15:58:10 GMT -5
The woman - Liana - slid her purchase back into its bag, and gave me her name. I must say, she handled my appearance with aplomb; I personally would have likely been rude to someone who tried to infringe on my lunch this way. "Pleased to meet you Liana," I said, running the name through my mind, but it didn't ring a bell. "I am Naia. Shahrizai." I added, unnecessarily.
I thought about telling her that she seemed familiar, but I wanted to wait and see a little first. "May I buy you a drink?" I asked instead, perhaps in conversation I might figure it out.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 11, 2009 12:03:09 GMT -5
My eyebrows raised a little in surprise. It wasn't often that complete strangers, pretty strangers at that, offered to buy me a drink.
"Well, that's very kind of you, Naia, but I've already ordered my lunch and I wouldn't want to presume." I replied politely. I was still trying to work out where in Elua I knew her from. Her looks rang a bell but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I'd seen her in a ball recently?
This was maddening. "So..." I began, mentally kicking myself for the worst opening to a conversation ever! "What brings you to the Artisan district?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 11, 2009 18:38:30 GMT -5
I smiled, still trying to figure her out, when she asked a question. It took me a moment to process it, as my mind was preoccupied with remembering where I had seen her before, but I managed.
"Oh, a little of this, a little of that." I said, waving my free hand negligently. "I've never been to this establisment before, so I decided to give it a try. Have you eaten here before?" I took a sip of my wine, thinking that she was looking at me, the same way I was looking at her. Was it possible that she recognized me from somewhere? But where? Or maybe she thought I was my sister, we looked so much alike- I almost choked on my wine when I realized where I'd seen her. Kneeling abeyante on my sitting room floor, with my sister's hand buried in her dark hair.
I tried to keep my features smooth, my mind racing over the possibilities of this encounter. Perhaps I could learn a little something useful I could use against Sarielle? For instance, who was the man that was with them that night? I'd have to step softly, however, for if she was truly an Adept as I had guessed, she would be discreet, and not prone to telling tales about her patrons.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 12, 2009 13:40:06 GMT -5
"I've eaten here a few times, they serve very nice food for the price." I replied, wondering when said food would arrive. "I've not had chance to sample the wines though, are they nice?" I asked looking at the glass she held, the dark red of the wine looking like blood.
Then it hit me. Blood! The woman that was sat in front of me looked very similar to one of my recent Patrons. I cast about for a name and found it, Sarielle. I studied the woman surreptitiously, Naia must be a close relative to look so much like Sarielle.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 12, 2009 18:42:08 GMT -5
I swirled the wine in my glass a little at her question, then nodded. "It's good, though I've heard the wine at the new wine shop opening up, El Parra, is divine." Why not throw in a little shameless promotion? I was regarding Liana now with a more calculating gaze. How did I turn the conversation to her vocation, and perhaps to telling tales? "Are you sure you wouldn't like a glass?" I said, smiling. "As I said, it would be my treat." Perhaps a few glasses and I could extract the information I was looking for?
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 14, 2009 13:50:58 GMT -5
I hesitated a little before replying. I hadn't anything else planned for the day and I couldn't see what harm it could do so I smiled and nodded. "Thank you then, I accept. You're very kind, but could you choose for me? I'm not really a wine connoisseur."
Just then, the waiter arrived bearing my meal. I thanked him and adjusted the napkin on my lap feeling suddenly awkward about eating in front of a stranger, particularly one who wasn't going to be eating.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 14, 2009 18:49:48 GMT -5
I smiled brightly at the waiter when he arrived with Liana's food, and ordered another glass of the red for her. "On second thought," I said to him, "please just bring us the bottle and another glass." Once he had gone, I turned back to her and wondered how I was going to finesse some answers. It was times like these when I wished I had paid a little bit more attention to my other Shahrizai relatives and how they did things - I had no doubt that Gadleon would have what he wanted in short order.
"So, Liana, what have you been shopping for today?" The question wasn't really intended as more than a means to keep the conversation going, but who knew where it could lead? I wondered idly if contracting her might be beneficial, but I found the idea rather daunting, which in turn was somewhat embarrassing.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 15, 2009 6:53:03 GMT -5
I'd just taken a bite of food, taking advantage of her distraction with the waiter, when I heard her ordering the rest of the bottle and I nearly choked on the morsel. I took a sip of water to recover and hoped she hadn't noticed.
"I decided to treat myself to some new dresses, I'd not bought any for a while." I replied. "Would you like to see?" I was eager to show someone, anyone, my new purchases and since my pasta salad was a cold dish anyway, I had no objection to ignoring it for a moment - though my stomach may protest a little.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 15, 2009 10:30:06 GMT -5
I smiled, whatever my motives, I was a woman after all, and one who enjoyed new dresses. I'd have liked to ask her to model them for me, but I supposed a crowded restaurant wasn't the place for such things, so instead I simply nodded, saying, "Yes, I'd love to. I haven't had the chance to do much shopping myself yet." I realized as I said it that it was only too true, and I made a note to rectify that as soon as I had the time.
I took another drink of my wine, while I waited for her to she me her new things.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 16, 2009 11:13:10 GMT -5
"Ah well I recommend you visit Bella Boutique and I've also heard that The Grand Magasin de Soie is worth a visit if you've money spare, though I can't speak from experience as it's a little out of my price range." I said as I rummaged in my bags. "Ok, here's the first thing I bought." I stood up and held up an ankle length, pale blue, silk dress. "What do you think?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 16, 2009 23:11:38 GMT -5
"Lovely," I said, and it was, and not just the dress. "The color is very fetching," I grinned as I said it, then added, "although I will say I am partial to blue of any shade." I glanced down at the many other bags she had, shaking my head. "I can't wait to see what else you have there!"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 17, 2009 11:14:07 GMT -5
I flashed her a grin as I put the dress carefully back into the bag. "Well, never fear, you'll be forced to see them all now you've shown an interest!" I chuckled and sat back down. "But first, my stomach thinks my throat has been cut so I'm going to have to eat some more of my lunch before I show off anything else. I hope you don't mind?" The waiter had returned with the bottle and an extra glass so I sampled some of the wine too.
After taking a few more bites of food, I stood up again, wiping my hands on a napkin so as not to stain my new apparel before I'd even had a chance to wear it, and pulled out an elegant cream gown, low cut and in the latest fashion. "This, I'm embarrassed to say cost me more than the rest of the garments put together. Do you think it was worth it?" I asked, an element of doubt creeping into my voice.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 17, 2009 11:59:40 GMT -5
I had no objection to her having some lunch, so I smiled and shook my head. "No, of course I don't mind. Please, eat." When the wine arrived, I poured myself another glass. This time when I took a sip, I tried to pay attention to the bouquet and texture of the wine, the way Balta had shown me.
When she pulled out the second dress, I chuckled. "I can well imagine, it looks amazing." I reached out and lightly touched the material. "It even feels expensive." I said, smiling. "I think you would look divine in it though, so it was definitely worth the money."
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 20, 2009 11:17:03 GMT -5
i flushed at her compliment and tried to hide it by rummaging in my bags once more. I showed her my other purchases in quick succession, a red strapless floor-length dress, two shawls of the same style - one in blue and the other in cream, and finally a pair of cream slippers.
"There we go, that's all of them." I sat back down and took another sip of the wine before finishing my lunch. "Shopping is tiring work, but oh so worth it, don't you think?" I enquired as I pushed my plate away.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 20, 2009 16:19:19 GMT -5
I made the appropriate 'oohs' and 'ahs' over Liana's purchases, noticing that we seemed to have similar tastes in apparel. After that, she got back to her lunch, finishing it in short order, all while I nursed my glass of wine.
I nodded at her comment, smiling. "Oh yes, though it isn't something I've done much of. Shopping in the City seems a tad overwhelming." I smiled wryly. "Back home, we had a dressmaker who would come twice a year and take measurements and pore over the latest fashions, then just deliver a season's worth of clothes. I never even had to leave the estate!"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 21, 2009 14:26:31 GMT -5
"oh that would be sheer heaven!" I exclaimed and sighed somewhat wistfully. "It would be so nice not to have to barge past people for bargains, or try countless things on to get the right fit."
I picked up the glass of wine and took a sip. It really was quite nice, so I took another. "Thank you for this wine, Naia, it's really quite delightful." I'd started to relax a little now, feeling that the awkwardness of our initial conversation had passed somewhat, though I still wondered why she had come over in the first place.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 21, 2009 14:50:08 GMT -5
I was bemused at her reaction to my tale of seamstresses, as much as she seemed to like the idea, I had found it quite dull and would much rather do my own shopping. The grass is always greener, I supposed, smiling as she took another sip.
"You are quite welcome." I said, taking another sip of my own wine. "So, if I might ask, what do you do when you aren't hunting for bargains?" I still hadn't quite figured out how I might turn the conversation to my sister, but I hadn't given up hope yet.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 22, 2009 7:33:07 GMT -5
"I serve Namaah. I am Valerian" I answered curious as what the reaction would be to my answer. I always found it fascinating watching peoples responses. Some were embarrassed, others curious, some even displayed disgust. I was sure that a member of the Shahrizai would have none of those, though, I reminded myself, not all Shahrizai were alike. I'd learned that not so long back. My thoughts went back to that strange night with Sarielle and the man who I'd later learned was Azriel Shahrizai. I wondered whether Naia was anything like her sister and studied her curiously.
"What about you?" I asked in return.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 22, 2009 9:58:31 GMT -5
Since I had suspected as much, her news came as no surprise to me, though I probably should have endeavored to at least seem surprised, or intrigued, or however I might have felt upon learning the news for the first time, but instead I simply nodded. Now that that was out of the way, perhaps I would have the opportunity to pry a bit.
"Me? Oh, nothing much, of yet. I haven't been in the City long, so I'm still getting my bearings." I swirled my wine in my glass, then looked back at Liana. "An Adept, hmm? You must have some fascinating stories to tell." I hoped that this would be an invitation for her to talk about her patrons, and then perhaps I could glean something about my sister, or at least figure out who the man was that had been with them that night.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 24, 2009 14:28:16 GMT -5
I smiled at her curiosity. "Yes, I have known of interesting things to happen on Assignments, but I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to divulge them. I hope you understand?" I went to take another sip of wine and noticed with surprise that my glass was empty.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 24, 2009 19:28:13 GMT -5
Smiling slightly, I refilled her glass almost absently. "Oh, of course, I understand completely." Perhaps being a little more direct would be help? "In fact, I do believe I've seen you before... with my sister, Sarielle." I watched her face for any reaction to this little tidbit.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 27, 2009 9:00:42 GMT -5
Oh, this could be awkward. I thought to myself as I took another sip of wine and wondered if that was the reason why she came across to me.
I tried to keep my face expressionless and asked "Really?" In the most non-committal tone I could manage. I did not want to agree, for it is a private thing and I did not want to divulge any information without express permission from the Patrons concerned.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 27, 2009 11:32:41 GMT -5
Her silence was incredibly frustrating, and not for the first time I wished I was better at exploiting the weaknesses of others to get my way. "Mmm hmm." I said, smiling. "My sister spoke very highly of you, in fact." Perhaps if she thought I was considering an assignation? Of course, it was a blatant lie, Sarielle had not thought to confide her sexual exploits to me, any more than I would share mine with her.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on May 28, 2009 11:57:20 GMT -5
I blushed at the compliment. "That was very nice of her to say." I managed. I smiled at the memory of that night and then frowned as I recalled the incident with the glass. I was still no nearer to understanding anything about that incident and it was puzzling me. Douleur hadn't mentioned it since either. Maybe Naia would know Azriel? After all, they were family of sorts.
Maybe I could ask her about him without indicating that he was at our assignation too.
"Do you know a man by the name of Azriel Shahrizai?" I asked, as if it had just popped into my head.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on May 29, 2009 12:36:07 GMT -5
I felt a small thrill when I finally got a name, though whether or not he was the man I saw with them remained to be seen. Liana said the name nonchalantly, but as it followed on the heels of the topic at hand, I speculated that perhaps this Azriel was the man in question. It made sense in that he was Shahrizai, as well. Considering Sarielle and Gadleon, it wouldn't surprise me that this other man in her life would be family.
To answer Liana's question, I shook my head, then realized that that wasn't quite true. "Only by name." I said, remembering something Sarielle had mentioned about the man bringing his wards and coming for dinner. This thought reminded me of Maric, and the pieces began to fall into place. I was more sure than ever that Azriel Shahrizai was the mystery man. What good this information would do me was unclear, but I filed it away nonetheless. One never knew when a tidbit of knowledge could prove useful.
"My sister mentioned that he and his family were to have dinner with us at some point, and I know one of his wards, Maric. Do you know him?" I asked, as if in idle curiousity about someone I had heard of, but not yet met.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 6, 2009 15:42:26 GMT -5
"Maric?" I asked in a musing tone. "No, I can't say that I do..oh! You meant Azriel, I'm sorry. I don't know him as such, but I was curious about him. He..er" I paused, wondering how best to phrase the sentence without letting slip the circumstances of that night. "He doesn't seem to be a typical Shahrizai, if you'll excuse the generalisation."
I bit my lip slightly and hoped that I hadn't offended her.
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