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Post by Marie Legard on Sept 26, 2009 22:48:46 GMT -5
“I had coffee once,” I said, smiling wider. “It was delicious.” I looked at the barrels. “How expensive is it?”
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Aramis Shahrizai
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Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2009 22:50:35 GMT -5
"Well, it depends on which one," I said, "but our least expensive coffee is one and a half gold ducats per pound."
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Post by Marie Legard on Sept 26, 2009 23:34:14 GMT -5
My smile faded. That amount of money was far more than I had, far more than I’d ever had. I didn’t want the conversation to get awkward though so I thought of something to say.
“Where do you get the coffee from?” I asked.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2009 23:37:57 GMT -5
"Different countries," I said. "The best coffees come from Jebe-Barkal and Umaiyyat." I opened one barrel and lifted out a handful of beans. "This is an Umayyati roast; the beans have been roasted with cinnamon."
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Post by Marie Legard on Sept 26, 2009 23:54:16 GMT -5
“That sounds delicious,” I said, wishing desperately I could afford some. I knew that once I found a job I would save what I could so that I could come back and buy some.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 30, 2009 21:19:51 GMT -5
I saw the wistful look on her face. Despite the price, I was not so broke that I couldn't give away a little. Pulling a little drawstring bag out of my pocket, I put a handful of beans into it. "Here," I said, giving it to her. "Try a little."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 1, 2009 0:07:01 GMT -5
My eyes went wide, I couldn’t begin to imagine what this gift was worth. “Oh no, I couldn’t,” I said. “That’s so kind of you, but I couldn’t possibly return the favor.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 1, 2009 0:13:39 GMT -5
"It's all right," I said, giving the bag a little shake. "Think of it this way: If you leave here today and tell your family and friends to come shopping here because the owner is so generous and thoughtful, you will be doing me the favor." I gave her a smile. "Go ahead, take the coffee. I insist."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 1, 2009 13:28:09 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said, taking the bag from him, my fingers brushing his hand as I did. I brought the bag to my nose and inhaled the scent, making a pleased sound.
“This smells amazing,” I told him with a smile.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 2, 2009 16:10:30 GMT -5
"I hope you will enjoy it, Mademoiselle..." I said, trailing off as I realized I didn't know her name.
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 2, 2009 17:35:06 GMT -5
“Marie,” I answered as I slipped the bag into my pocket. “Marie Legard. Forgive me for not introducing myself before. I guess I’m still not used to being in a place where not everyone knows everyone else.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 2, 2009 18:00:32 GMT -5
"A pleasure to meet you, Marie Legard," I replied. Something clicked in my head and I spoke up. "Legard...my cousin Malabelle is marrying someone by that name. Are you any relation?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 2, 2009 18:04:13 GMT -5
“I am, Christophe is my brother,” I said, smiling. “My other brothers and I are here for the wedding.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 2, 2009 18:06:31 GMT -5
"Congratulations," I said enthusiastically. "See? Now you can definitely take the coffee, you're practically family. Are you enjoying your time in the city?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 2, 2009 18:09:41 GMT -5
“Yes, I think so at least,” I said. “I’m still trying to find my way around, and everything is so different.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 2, 2009 18:16:40 GMT -5
"Where did you come from?" I asked.
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 2, 2009 18:18:05 GMT -5
"Camlach," I answered. "Our family has had a farm there for generations."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 2, 2009 18:27:31 GMT -5
"I can see how that would be very different," I said, nodding. "I was raised in the country too, it's definitely different."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 2, 2009 19:41:20 GMT -5
“Where are you from?” I asked, wondering if he’d grown up somewhere beside Kusheth.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 4, 2009 21:07:39 GMT -5
"Kusheth," I replied. "I inherited the business from my parents. They died when I was a boy."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 5, 2009 0:05:02 GMT -5
“Oh, I’m sorry for you loss,” I said, my smile melting away.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 13:34:58 GMT -5
I shrugged and smiled. "It's all right," I said. "It was a long time ago, I barely remember them." I continued. "Anyway, I was raised by my grandparents, and when I turned 18, I came here to take over the business."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 5, 2009 13:37:00 GMT -5
I looked around the store. “It certainly seems you’ve done well for yourself,” I said, smiling again.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 13:42:56 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said. "I certainly try. I have expanded to include many items my parents did not."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 5, 2009 14:40:37 GMT -5
I was finding myself relaxing and enjoying his company more with each passing moment. I was very glad I’d ducked into his store.
“What is your favorite item?” I asked.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 17:52:57 GMT -5
I turned away to another shelf, pulling a fruit out of a basket. "This one," I said. "It is called a starfruit, for when you cut it, the slices look like stars." I pulled a knife out of my pocket. "Would you like to try some?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 5, 2009 18:12:07 GMT -5
“Yes,” I said, smiling eagerly. “It is very nice of you to share your stock with me.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 6, 2009 22:20:13 GMT -5
"You're welcome," I said, slicing up the fruit carefully. "I'm happy to do it, especially for a future family member." I handed her a slice. "You can't eat the skin, but the fruit is ripe."
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Post by Marie Legard on Oct 6, 2009 22:24:27 GMT -5
Nodding, I bent the fruit and took a bite. It was like nothing else I’d ever tasted and I smiled at him. “Oh, it’s good.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Oct 6, 2009 22:45:08 GMT -5
"I'm glad you like it," I said, taking a bite of my own slice. "This fruit is not nearly as expensive as the coffee, one silver ducat apiece."
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