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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jul 7, 2009 0:18:23 GMT -5
The day had finally arrived, and all of my planning was coming to fruition. I had had the idea of throwing a little surprise dinner for Sandrine's natale, and so here I was, getting ready for the big evening. I had reserved a large table at Caisse de Pomme, and had to get there early to decorate. Everyone was supposed to meet me there, including Guy, who was to bring Sandrine. I wasn't sure if that was the best idea, but it was the most convenient, so I tried not to think about the can of worms it might open.
I looked in the glass one final time, patting my long dark curls, which I had worn down for this occasion. I was also wearing a dress that didn't quite fit me well, but I thought Sandrine might get a smile out of - the yellow one she had loaned me on the day we'd met. It was embarrassing that I hadn't returned it yet, but well, I'd had a lot on my mind of late. The main thing being Luc, and a smile played about my lips as soon as the thought of him crossed my mind. He'd be there tonight, and I couldn't wait to see him.
With that thought in mind, I left the house for Caisse de Pomme, holding tight to Sandrine's gift. I'd gotten her a book about Jebe-Barkal, with gorgeous etchings on some of the pages, filled with facts and interesting tidbits about the country.
Arriving at the restaurant, I had the footman help me bring in my bag of decorations. After being shown to our table for the evening, I let him go and commenced decorating. I had designed an intricate centerpiece of flowers surrounding several tall pillar candles, which I lit to give the table a little ambiance. After a few more little touches, I stood back to admire my handiwork, and await the arrival of the guests.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jul 7, 2009 15:28:26 GMT -5
Whistling loudly to myself, and to the annoyance of many I passed on the street, I made my way to Sandrine’s party. I patted my pocket again to make sure her gift was in there. I’d gotten her a pair of earrings made of silver and fashioned into hoops with five tiny bells dangling off of them and a little crystal suspended in the middle. They had reminded me of her as soon as I saw her, bright and happy and sparkly.
I arrived at the restaurant, dressed in a green linen shirt and doeskin breeches, and was shown to the table.
“Hello,” I said to the girl there. “You must be Sophine.”
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Raegan Brice
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Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 7, 2009 15:50:34 GMT -5
I had spent nearly every moment since the invitation arrived debating whether or not I was going to Sandrine’s party. Honestly I had spent most of the time convinced I wasn’t and then the rest trying to convince myself I should.
If only the invitation hadn’t been from Sophine.
If only I didn’t know that meant Luc was going to be there and that the two of them weren’t going to be hanging all over each other.
If only the party hadn’t been for Sandrine.
She’d never responded to my last note to her so perhaps she didn’t really want me here, but somehow I got the feeling that wasn’t the case with Sandrine. She seemed to want everyone out and having fun.
I talked myself into a compromise. I would go to the party but only stay long enough to give Sandrine the gift I had bought her and give her my best wishes. Dressed in a gown of a soft brown, I clutched the box of chocolates I’d decided on as a gift. They were from La Serenissima and each was hand painted in bright and cheerful colors. Through the window I could see Sophine and another man inside. I entered the restaurant and quietly made my way back to the table, standing off to the side and in the shadows, hoping to be missed.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jul 7, 2009 21:10:16 GMT -5
"I am indeed," I said, turning to regard the man who had appeared behind me as I set the finishing touches on the table. "Let's see..." I paused to consider him, thinking about who I had invited that I didn't actually know. There were only two, Keegan no Orchis and Liana no Valerian, and this man didn't look like a 'Liana' to me. "You must be Keegan."
I might have said more, but I happened to notice Raegan enter the restaurant, though she seemed to be trying to hide in the background. I was pleased to see her, but nervous as well. I hadn't spoken to her since my natale, and I suspeced that she had been the woman with Luc in the garden that night. The situation promised to be more than a bit awkward, but I was resolved to try to make it less so.
"And here's Raegan," I said, gesturing to her and hoping that she would step forward on her own. "Looks like the party is shaping up!" I hoped Guy could keep Sandrine busy enough for everyone to get here.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jul 8, 2009 0:28:36 GMT -5
“I am indeed Keegan,” I said, smiling and glancing at the woman Sophine spoke to. She seemed absolutely desperate to be anywhere else. I gave her a smile and a nod.
“Is there a place for gifts?” I asked Sophine.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jul 8, 2009 14:45:10 GMT -5
I gave my hair one last brush and checked my appearance in the mirror. Thankfully the set of bruises from my last assignation had all but faded so I didn't need to cover up too much.
Grabbing up Sandrine's present off of my bed, I went out the door. I had been delighted to receive the invitation from Sophine and was really looking forward to this.
I found my way to Caisse de Pomme, hoping that I wasn't late. Walking into the restaurant, I looked around for anyone I recognised and spotted a group of people gathered around a table, some of them bearing gifts. Feeling slightly self-concious and checking, somewhat anxiously, that the couple we had encountered last time weren't here, I approached the group.
"Hello, I'm Liana. I'm not too late I hope?" I said with a smile.
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Raegan Brice
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Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 8, 2009 16:24:53 GMT -5
I clutched the box a little tighter, though not enough to crush it, as I tried not to draw any more attention to myself. I wished Sandrine would get here soon so that I could leave.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jul 8, 2009 20:55:49 GMT -5
I hadn't thought about a place for gifts, and I began to cast about for something. "Hmm... oh, how about this?" I pulled a chair from an empty table and set it nearby. Looking at it critically, I took another one, so that there was more space. I set my own gift there and stepped back, gesturing toward the makeshift gift table. "Here we are."
I glanced up as someone new arrived, another person I didn't recognize. I imagined she must be Liana, and she confirmed that when she introduced herself. "Liana, welcome. I'm Sophine, and this is Keegan and Raegan." I leaned forward to give her the kiss of greeting and then gestured at the others that I had named.
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Luc Bradamante
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Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Jul 8, 2009 21:19:37 GMT -5
Night of the party, and I was praying I wasn't about to be late. I hurried out of the house, leaving a note scribbled for Josie to let her know where her brother had gotten to. I opted for the carriage in expediency, but told the driver to go back, in case Josie had her own plans for the evening. I hadn't seen much of her lately, and I made a mental note to take her for a bit of shopping. I was making more at the shop, and getting paid more, so had a few extra dollars and hadn't treated her to anything, and wanted to make up for the time lost. But tonight, tonight was for Sandrine.
That girl was a ball of sunshine, beautiful, majestic, graceful though I am sure she would disagree, she had her own grace, went to the beat of her own drum, beautiful, exotic, glowing. And extremely hard to choose a present for. I sat for days, it felt, thinking on what to make her. I knew she liked to travel, and I knew she liked to be a bit of a trickster. It took me a while, but I came up with something, and could only hope that it would be liked.
I carved her a boat with hinges... it opened to reveal the inside, the wood carved away and polished to reveal boxes and chests, and if you looked carefully, a larger chest in the bottom that opened with a carved figure of a captain standing beside it. Inside the vague figure of a female stowaway. That was Sandrine. I figured it appealed to the two things I knew foremost about her. I wrapped it in brown paper, nothing fancy, and tied it with a yellow ribbon.
Finally arriving at the restaurant, I smoothed my hands over my clothes, ran my fingers through my locks and climbed out of the carriage. Walking through the front door I looked around. There were people I didn't know, and some I did. I saw Sophine and smiled, and Raegan as well and made a note in my mind to see how she was doing. I hadn't seen her in a very long time. I smiled at her, unsure as to whether she saw me, and walked over to Sophine, waiting behind the dark haired little beaut that she was talking to, parcel in hand.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jul 8, 2009 22:16:10 GMT -5
I let Sophine greet the others as I slipped around her, pulling my gift out of my pocket and placing it with hers.
I noticed another male and smiled at him, nodding across the space.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jul 8, 2009 22:19:31 GMT -5
My face lit up when I saw Luc arrive, and I realized with a bit of a start that a smile had spread across my face and that I was staring. I couldn't help it sometimes - he was so handsome, so strong, so smart and funny ... I couldn't seem to get enough of him.
"Luc!" I said, smiling widely and gesturing to the other guests that were standing nearby. "You've arrived just in time to meet some of Sandrine's friends." I didn't know if he knew any of them, with the exception of Raegan, so I made the introductions again. "Luc, this is Keegan and Liana, and of course, you know Raegan."
At the mention of Raegan, I felt an uncomfortable knot in the pit of my stomach. Was it her he had been with? I wasn't jealous, after all, we had hardly even met that night, but I did feel a bit awkward not knowing for certain if it had been her at all. Still, this was Sandrine's night, and I didn't want to spoil, so I kept mum and hoped that I was wrong. Still, just in case, I greeted Luc with less gusto than I might have normally, and refrained from kissing his lips as soon as he was close enough.
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Raegan Brice
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Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 8, 2009 22:25:29 GMT -5
I would have appealed to the gods for help, but I was rather certain that they didn’t listen to me. Luc smiled at me and I had to duck my head to hide the tears that sprung to my eyes. I had so believed he was different, that he wasn’t the kind of man to just make promises to see me again after a night in my bed and then just never give me so much as another word. I had been wrong obviously. I had no skill at all for judging people. I so wanted to believe them when they said nice things, that they meant it when they offered friendship. Wasn’t that the only reason I was here? That I had believed Sandrine as well? Even though she had stopped returning my notes?
Hiding behind my hair I added my gift to the pile. I was just trying to slip back to my spot in the shadows when I heard Sophine say my name and I flinched. She was another I had thought might end up as a friend. Instead she and Luc had ended up together. I found the shadowed spot on the wall again and silently hoped Sandrine would show up soon. If she didn’t I would have to leave before she arrived.
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Post by Denis de Rouille on Jul 8, 2009 22:39:15 GMT -5
I had spent more time on my appearance than usual, as confident in my appearance as I was, but it was a night to impress. Not just Sandrine, but Sophine as well. I hadn't heard from Guy's little sister since the day I had seen her at the house, and I didn't know what she had thought of my gift. Speaking of gifts, I had purchased a rather expensive necklace of exquisite gold, with a pendant shaped like an orchid, set with a purple gemstone that glittered as it moved. I really couldn't afford it these days, but she was a favorite of mine, and I could be generous when I chose.
I hadn't been expressly invited to the party, but had overheard Guy and Rochelle discussing it and had decided to invite myself. I knew that both de Laynes would be too polite to refuse, and why should they? I was Sandrine's friend, after all.
And so it was that my daughter and I arrived at Caisse de Pomme that evening. I spied Sophine immediately, smiling widely at a young man I didn't recognize. Come to think of it, I didn't know anyone else present. That didn't bother me, and I approached the group with a wide smile.
"Sophine, it's good to see you again." I said, giving her the kiss of greeting, and lingering perhaps a bit longer than was proper.
"Denis, Guy mentioned you might be here." Was it my imagination or did she seem less than pleased? I dismissed that thought as she made a round of introductions. "Denis, this is Luc, Keegan, Liana, and Raegan." I looked to each person as she spoke their name, putting the names to faces and memorizing them. It was a particular talent of mine.
"A pleasure to meet you all." I said, then gestured to Rochelle, who appeared to be trying to hide behind me. Irritated at her shyness, I poked her in the back and propelled her forward. "And this is my daughter, Rochelle."
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Luc Bradamante
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Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Jul 9, 2009 11:03:24 GMT -5
I smiled at the dark haired man who had smiled at me across the way as the girl moved away and another man stepped in. His smile was light, and I wondered at his name. I raised a brow, but did not let it ruffle me. It seemed he knew her on a more personal level. That, however, did. I stood, watching, and listening, but was pleased to hear no anxious excitement in Sophine's voice. No matter. Introductions were made and I learned the dark haired girl was Liana, and the man with the infectious smile was Keagan. Reagan I had already known, and I smiled at her as he name was spoken. She was a sight to behold, beautiful as the night I had met her, my first fete in the City.
And that this man, dark and brooding, was Denis.
"Nice to meet you both," I said to Denis and his daughter with a smile, making a polite nod to the rest of the people I had just met. I was terrible with these things. Formalities were rather a bore, though necessary.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jul 9, 2009 11:49:54 GMT -5
I smiled at Sophine's welcome and greeted those she named with a smile and a polite hello. It seemed that Sandrine was well liked, and to be honest I wasn't surprised. Who couldn't love someone so sunny and bright as she?
I looked at the parcels piling up for her and hoped that mine would suffice. I hadn't been able to spend too much, and some of the presents looked expensive. I'd been panicking as to what to buy her, my knowledge of her likes and dislikes wasn't that extensive, after a fruitless trip around the Artisan's district, twice no less, I hit upon an idea and hoped that it would please her. I'd spotted a prettily carved wooden box that looked normal inside and out, but when you pressed a certain part of the carving, a hidden drawer slid out so I bought it, hoping Sandrine would like it.
As I waited, others began to arrive and I noticed a feeling of tension hovering around a few of them. Whilst we waited for the birthday girl, I watched those that seemed awkward and noticed that the girl introduced as Raegan seemed particularly uncomfortable so I decided to go over and say hello.
"Hello Raegan, I don't know anybody here, I hope you don't mind me coming over to speak to you."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jul 9, 2009 12:15:33 GMT -5
This part of any party was always a bit awkward, and since most of the guests had arrived, I gestured to the table with a smile. "Why don't we all sit. My brother is bringing Sandrine shortly, so in the meantime we can get to know each other."
I reached for Luc's hand to give it a little squeeze, since even though I had decided not to be overly affectionate tonight in Raegan's presence, I didn't want him to think that there was something wrong between us. Or worse yet, that there was something right between myself and Denis. What had I been thinking, flirting with him just to get information? I swear, sometimes I did the most ridiculous things...
Well, this was not the time to dwell on that, and in fact, since Denis was here, I might as well see what else I could learn. I still wasn't convinced that my brother should be working for such a shady character, though I supposed I should mind my own business. Not as if I had ever been known for that.
Once I was settled in a chair, I called for the waiter and order a couple bottles of wine to get us started. "So, since we don't all know each other, how do you all know Sandrine?"
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Raegan Brice
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 9, 2009 20:22:22 GMT -5
“Hello Liana,” I said softly. “No, I don’t mind. Though I’m only staying until Sandrine gets here, so I can wish her the best then I’m leaving.”
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Luc Bradamante
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Son of Duc and Duchesse Michael and Sarah Bradamante
Posts: 866
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Post by Luc Bradamante on Jul 10, 2009 8:47:33 GMT -5
Sophine reached for me, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. I knew tonight would be a busy night, it was not about any of us, it was about Sandrine. I walked past her, letting my fingertips trail very gently and not very noticeably across her lower back before taking a seat kitty-corner to her, laughing at her question.
"I had met her first at the Duchesse's soiree," I chuckled shaking my head at the memory. She knew how to get herself into a bit of trouble, and reminded me of me in her carefree attitude. It was too bad that the flirtations she, Sophine and I shared that night amounted to naught.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jul 11, 2009 17:37:12 GMT -5
“Sandrine and I are at Orchis together,” I said, smiling. I waited to sit though, there were still ladies standing and I wouldn’t sit until they did.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jul 12, 2009 8:42:54 GMT -5
I looked inquiringly at Raegan and said "Oh? Well I'm sure Sandrine will be so pleased to see you, even if you can't stay for the party. Are you sure you can't stay longer?" I asked gently. I'd no idea why she needed to leave, but her tension was almost palpable.
I smiled warmly at Raegan and asked her whether she wanted to sit, at least until Sandrine arrived. I suited my actions to my words and took a seat, patting an empty seat for Raegan invitingly.
"I first met Sandrine when I found her sneaking around my House late one night." I chuckled at the memory. "She'd decided that we Valerians would be able to help her with a dilemma she had found herself in." I grinned, "I'd best not divulge what dilemma it was."
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Raegan Brice
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 12, 2009 13:57:46 GMT -5
Only so as not to draw attention by being the only one still standing, I took the seat next to Liana. I kept my eyes downcast though so I wouldn’t have to see Luc and Sophine.
“I met her at the grand opening of a wine shop,” I said quietly. Having given my answer I just hoped Sandrine would show up soon.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jul 12, 2009 21:47:32 GMT -5
The ladies had taken their seats, and honestly I wasn’t sure if the little girl was going to sit or not, she seemed very shy, so I took a seat as well.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 13, 2009 0:42:09 GMT -5
I entered, later then I had wished, but I had sat in my carriage trying to debate if I would go in or not. Finaly I did, I entered into Casse de Pome and found the group slipped in quietly. Most everyone was sitting down and I moved to find a chair and doo the same, a blush on my face before I noticed Keegan. I smiled in his direction, feeling instantly better and knowing there was some one else here I knew.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jul 13, 2009 16:47:07 GMT -5
I was surprised but very pleased to see Lola when she arrived. I returned her smile. She looked lovely, if as shy as ever.
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