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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 17, 2010 22:16:35 GMT -5
I had gotten a bit tired of wearing the same outfits all the time, though I was by no means the kind of man who was enslaved to fashion, and the dinner party with Sabrina's family and affianced was fast approaching, so it was with this on my mind that I sent Sabrina a note, asking if she was still interested in that shopping trip we'd discussed upon my arrival.
She had responded affirmatively and we had arranged to meet in the Palace District at the local clothier there. I had arrived early, my mind intent on making certain that the place was safe for her, though such was not my job specifically, I felt it a duty that I could not ignore.
The proprietor approached me, offering to show me fabrics and measure me, but I was ill at ease with the approach, as if suddenly I could not be trusted to dress myself without a woman's approval. Well, one particular woman's approval.
"I'm waiting for someone..." I told him, glancing at the door and hoping that Sabrina arrived soon.
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 17, 2010 22:51:15 GMT -5
It took some arranging but I managed to escape the palace with only two guards following me, but I made sure to tell them to keep their distance though; I was looking forward to some personal time with Jaime.
We had agreed to meet and Masion de Fournie so that I could help him with his attire, I know it sounded silly of me but I was actually looking forward to it. Alexei wasn't the type to ask for help, though I knew he'd let me if I asked. But Jaime was quite different in that sense, he was so different from Alexei, and yet Jaime evocated very similar feelings. Indeed I found that I was seeing quite an interesting dichotomy between the pair, they seemed so similar yet so different at the same time.
I arrived a little later then I had thought I might, but was soon enough pushing open the door to the shoppe and entered to see Jaime right away. "Afternoon." I said with a smile when I saw him.
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 17, 2010 22:59:03 GMT -5
Oh thank Elua! I was relieved when Sabrina arrived and this man could stop trying to make me look at this season's most stylish colors and hovering with his blasted tape measure. I knew of course that eventually I would have to be measured, but still, I felt much less awkward now that I wasn't alone.
"Sabrina!" I exclaimed, hurrying forward to give her the kiss of greeting while the shopkeeper practically fell over himself as soon as he saw her. "I suppose you are accustomed to dealing with this," I whispered before I pulled back and spoke more loudly, "I'm glad you're here, I'm afraid that I can command ten thousand men with alacrity, but choosing a wardrobe is quite a different matter. Why, if you hadn't arrived, I might have been going about in last season's colors!" I shuddered, as if it were the height of tragedy, smiling at her all the while, my eyes twinkling with mirth.
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 17, 2010 23:26:35 GMT -5
I returned the kiss of greeting with Jaime and smiled, glancing to the shoppe keep who looked stunned but then went to work readying his store for my pressence; that was still odd for me.
"Ah well, I'm here now, no risk in that." I said with a little chuckle. "Have you been here long? I hope you will forgive me, they tried to rope me into signing more documents as I was leaving."
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 10:28:17 GMT -5
"Oh, not too long, do not concern yourself," I waved my hand to dismiss it; she was the Queen, I knew she was busy and that all of her time was not her own. "Now that you're here, you can help me out, I'm afraid I'm hopelessly inept in this area. In Khebbel-im-Akkad I just had my aide buy me things that roughly fit." I laughed at it, the difference between how one dressed in the field glaringly obvious from how one would dress at court. "I'm not even sure what I need." I confessed, shaking my head with a self-mocking smile.
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 11:43:09 GMT -5
I chuckled as I looked at him, I had to admit that I enjoyed the almost uncomfortable nature of his situation, it was an endearing quality. "Well first, you'll need a set of out fits for daily wear. Breeches in tan, black, and russet as well as... hmm, blue." I began to look around as I kept an eye on the shoppe keep, my guards had remained outside for the moment so it was quite within the store. "To be honest," I added as I looked back to Jaime. "I think I'd like to see you in Courcel blue. It would only be right, considering your post, that you represent my house. I know we'll find some colours that match, but I'll be sure to speak with my personal clothier and have him make you some items with Courcel's crest on it." I smiled at Jaimed before turning back to my search; I liked the idea of having Jaime dressed in Courcel livery stylized clothing.
"The shirts and tunics should be an aray of colours as well; some to match and some to compliment, we'll need a few doublets as well." I searched the racks, getting an idea of what would look good. "Then you'll need a full compliment of fete wear, nice clothing that you can wear when you have special occasions to attend." I looked back to Jaime. "Sound daunting yet?" I teased with a grin.
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 12:12:01 GMT -5
She took to the task easily, though the list of clothing items she rambled off made me blanch slightly. "Quite..." I said, in response to her question. I was surprised that she wanted to see me in Courcel blue, and honored as well.
"Do I even need to be here for this?" I teased. "I could just give you my measurements and be on my way..." I laughed and then added, "But of course, the real purpose of this trip is to con you into spending time with an old friend, so I would be defeating my own ends if I did that."
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 12:58:29 GMT -5
I laughed softly as I moved to where the breeches were stacked and began to look through them. "I could do this on my own." I replied with an impish grin on my face. "But watching you sweat is far more enjoyable to me." I teased back as I found a pair of cream breeches that looked like they would fit.
"Here, start by trying these on first." I said as I went toward him and held them out. "Cream's a good staple, but don't wear it riding or it will show ever stain." I then went an collected a black shirt, and a green one, each in a different style; the black was the type to slip on over the head and had ties at the neck, the green had wood buttons up its length. "Here, and these too." I added, piling them into his arms.
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 13:10:55 GMT -5
I held my arms out for the clothes that she piled into them, noting her warning about the cream colored breeches.
"Try them on?" I asked, looking around. "Where?" I was suddenly horrified by the thought that maybe you were just supposed to put them on here in the openness of the store. No, no that did not make any sense, what if there were other customers. What was wrong with me? I was not normally so flustered and Sabrina's amused look only told me that I was being obvious about it too.
"Sorry, this is just not my forte," I laughed, feeling a slight heat in my cheeks. "In case that wasn't glaringly obvious."
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 13:26:14 GMT -5
I chuckled and reached up to his cheek, pinching it ever so slightly as I grinned at him. "Not to worry." I replied, still smiling as I turned to look at the shoppe keep.
"Oh... yes... there is..." He stuttered and motioned to an area in the back. "Curtains, for changing." He still looked flustered but I simply smiled and thanked him before looking back to James.
"See, there you go, you don't have to worry about getting naked for the room." I teased back though my cheeks warmed at my own jest and I couldn't help but wonder what he looked like naked. I could only imagine how sculpted his body was, and though I had to chide myself a little for thinking about I also told myself that I was a woman after all, and D'Angeline; besides, its not like I would act on it.
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 13:33:20 GMT -5
"Oh, er, thanks..." I said, trying to regain my composure. Sabrina's jest was not helping matters, but I was relieved to duck behind the curtain with the armful of clothes she had given me. I dumped them unceremoniously onto a chair that was in the room before closing the curtain and quickly stripping out of my tunic and breeches. I reached first for the breeches she'd given me, pulling them on but finding them a little bit tight. I only partially laced them up before deciding that they would need to be bigger, then reached for a tunic - these being so small in the arm area that I could not put them on without potentially tearing them.
I pulled the curtain aside, standing there shirtless and in breeches that were obviously too tight, and gestured at the pile of clothes she'd given me. "I think you've underestimated my size a bit..." I trailed off and then looked at the shoppe keep. "Do you have these same things a little bit bigger?" He rushed off to find them as I looked at Sabrina, laughing slightly. "I must look a sight..."
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 13:55:18 GMT -5
I waited patiently as Jaime went behind the curtain and began to change, waving off the shoppe keep's offer of tea and biscuits. When Jaime emerged I couldn't help but chuckle a little at the sight of him, but I tried to cover my mouth with my hand to hide it. "A bit." I said softly, even as I blushed at the sight of him. Apparently I was getting my wish as I took in his bare torso, sculpted and beautiful as I had thought. His legs with strong and lean beneath the fabric and I could see the shape of his flaccid member within them. Oh my. I blushed even more deeply then at that fact that I had looked, at the fact that I was enjoying the near naked sight of him, but I pursed my lips a little as I looked at his face and tried to not focus on his body; I cleared my throat then. "Perhaps I shouldn't be the one to pick sizes from now on." I added with an impish grin. "Though perhaps I did it on purpose."
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 14:01:38 GMT -5
The way her eyes roamed over me made me realize suddenly that I was standing there half naked in front of her and I had to fight not to do the undignified thing and suddenly yank the curtain shut. I was not overly modest, usually, but this was the Queen and while we were friends, I felt I should be observing some sort of propriety here that was quite lacking. Maybe that was as she wished it, however, because weren't all of her relationships dictated by what was proper for the Queen?
I determined to relax about it - if I overstepped, I was sure she would let me know. "To make certain that I have not been a layabout since I arrived?" I laughed at her jest, flexing the muscles in my arms. "Never fear, I have not been idle." It felt good, to jest, to laugh, to stop worrying so much over appearances. The shoppe keep arrived with the clothes I'd requested and took the other ones away, and I disappeared behind the curtain again.
This time the clothes fit better, though not perfectly, it would take tailoring for that. But I felt more confident when I stepped out from behind the curtain in the cream breeches and dark green shirt. "How's this? Better?"
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 14:19:19 GMT -5
I watched as he flexed and felt a little flutter in my stomach, it was harmless though; I think any woman would have had a hard time not finding Jaime attractive. "I can see that." I replied, trying not to giggle though I held a soft smile on my face as I watched him return to behind the curtain.
When he emerged again I grinned with excitedness, he looked absolutely marvolous and I went toward him. "Much." I said and clapped my hands once before I began to turn around him, inspecting it. "I like the cut of them, the breeches especially. They'll likely have to be taken in a bit, but we should definately keep them. The shirt... well I like the cut as well but I'm not sure about the colour." I made a full circle of him as I spoke, coming to stand in front of him once more and looked up at him. "I'm not sure how I feel about this colour though." I added. "What do you think?"
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 14:28:51 GMT -5
I was pleased that she liked the outfit, though I wasn't really sure why, precisely. I stood still while she walked around me, commenting on the outfit. As to the color, I had to agree.
"Yes, I do like the shirt, but I fear this shade of green is not quite me. Is it just me or does it make my skin look yellowish?" I held out my arm, where the shirt left off and skin began. "Maybe it's just this shade." I suggested. "Let me try the blue..."
I didn't bother with the curtain for this, simply pulling the green shirt off and replacing it with the blue. "Better?"
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 14:46:48 GMT -5
I agreed to what he said, it did make him look yellow; when he pulled off the shirt I once again looked over his body, but tried not to feel that little flutter of pleasure in my stomach. "Yes, much better." I said as I stepped forward and fluffed the fabric before smoothing it over his shoulders and down his arms to ensure the prefect fit. "You look very good in blue, its the prefect colour for you." I added as I looked up at him smiling. I was standing perhaps a little to close to him though, and though I looked on Jaime as my friend, it probably wouldn't be looked on well by others. All I needed was a bunch of gossip about he and I.
I stood for a moment though, I didn't want to just whip back as if I had done something wrong, I hadn't of course, so I adjusted the laces at the neck and then stepped back to look him over. "Its very nice, and would make a nice day to day outfit." I commented then turned to look at the man, who's name I hadn't even asked. Monsieur, will you wrap these two items once my lord General has changed out of them? And please include a 2 pairs of black breeches and 2 pairs of russet of the same style." He nodded and I looked back to Jaime "What about the shirt, did you want to take a few blue shirts and try on a few more colours?" I asked him.
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 15:18:36 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, agreeing with her that blue did appear to be a good color on me. Much better than green, at any rate. Sabrina was standing so near to me that I could smell her hair and I had to resist the urge to lean in and inhale deeply. The thought came out of nowhere and I blinked at it as she ordered the shoppe keep to ready some more clothes for me. "Um, yes please, more shirts..."
I stepped back behind the curtain and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and wondering if I had been away too long, that having a woman simply stand next to me would make me feel like this. I refused to believe that it was Sabrina herself, that thought was too inappropriate to be given credulity at all.
When I had changed back into my old clothes and returned to the shoppe proper, the moment had passed and I was relieved that we seemed almost done. "So... lunch now?" I asked, hoping that she had forgotten about nicer clothes for fetes.
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 15:31:46 GMT -5
The shoppe keep set about his business, collecting what I asked for, and based on the size of the shirts he was wearing, I also picked out a few simplistic doublets to match. When all was said and done I called for my guards and had them pay the man, then to take the items to store in my carriage for the time being.
When Jaime returned I grined and moved to link my arm around his. "Yes lets," I said with a chuckle. "I think I'm quite enjoy today."
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 18:00:03 GMT -5
I was relieved that this ordeal was over and we could now move on to more pleasant things. "Good, I'm glad that I can make your day enjoyable," I said, bowing to her as she linked her arm in mine. "And a good day to you, sir," I said to the shoppe keep, who was regarding us as if we had grown an extra pair of heads.
"So, where do you recommend for lunch?" I asked, as we left the shop, "I'm sure you know the best places to eat in the City."
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 18, 2010 20:10:11 GMT -5
I smiled to the man as we were leaving, knowing that I had probably made his month let alone his day with the amount of money I had just spent; either way it made me smile. I then turned my attention to Jaime as we walked, effectively leaving the shoppe behind as we stepped out onto the street. There was a comotion near my carriage which bore my house's crest and when I was seen the group turned and began bowing and curtsying.
"Good afternoon your Majesty... Hello your Majesty.... Good day your Majesty." The voices rang out with smiles and pleasantries as we began to walk. I waved and smiled saying hello back as my guards followed at a distance behind us; I then turned my attention to Jaime's question.
"Actually I don't," I replied a little sadly as I looked to him. "I don't come into the city proper much to be honest, I have no idea where to do to get a good afternoon meal." I chewed my lower lip as I looked at him.
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 18, 2010 22:14:50 GMT -5
"Well, we shall have to find one," I said, smiling as people were quick to bow and greet her. I felt protective and put my arm around her shoulders, drawing her to the other side of me. Everyone seemed nice and benevolent, but one never knew.
I glanced up and down the street, spotting a restaurant a bit of a ways up the block, easily within walking distance. "What about there?" I asked, pointing it out. The sign on the window said "Porte du Paradis", which I thought boded well.
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Post by Sabrina de la Courcel (D) on May 19, 2010 22:35:47 GMT -5
It felt strange for Jaime to adjust me as he did and I couldn't help but feel a bit stiffled by it; every one wanted to protect me, but they were treating me like I would break. If everyone around me treated me like a child, my people would only see me as a child and they would never respect me. Other nations would see it too, they would see a weakling woman on the throne and seek to put their hands on it. I hated it. Alexei was like that too, and now Jaime; I had hoped that he would treat me differently. As much as I wanted to speak up and tell him, now was not the moment so I simply looked ahead to where he pointed. "Yes, that looks perfect." I replied with a smile as I looked at him. "I'm sure anything in the area will be wonderful."
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Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on May 20, 2010 23:34:10 GMT -5
"I wonder if I should have worn some of those new clothes?" I looked down at my outfit, which was perfectly serviceable, but not something I would have necessary chosen for a lunch out with the Queen, and in the Palace District to boot. "Ah well, I suppose it doesn't really matter ... it's clean, at least." I grinned at her and looked her over. "Unlike you, who looks perfectly put together, as usual."
We were walking toward the restaurant, and I found that I was really enjoying the afternoon, spending time with her and having the chance to catch up with an old friend. It was a good feeling.
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