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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jun 28, 2010 23:10:27 GMT -5
2 years before Queen Sabrina's Reign -- Soon after Julian's 18th natality
I walked into the building that I had been told that served as the main house for the former Comte and his family. Saying that it just needed a little spit and polish was way off track. Cobwebs hung between the rungs of the stairway, a good inch or more of dust covered everything. I walked upstairs, having finished my inspection of the ground floor. The second floor was much like the first, with cobwebs and dust all over. I could see the dust I was kicking up whenever I took a step. I found the master bedroom to find that the room was in disarray from having wildlife getting in.
"The mattress will have to be replaced," I told the seneschal. "And make sure that anything that needs repairing gets done."
"Of course, Milady," He replied before leaving.
I looked the bedroom over once again before taking his leave to inspect the rest of the rooms. All seem to be in order with the exception of needing some cleaning done. I made my way downstairs and to the office. There, I began shifting through papers that had been left there since the old Comte, whom I don't know, was taken away. The papers told the reason why. Though I was hardly surprised to see that he had been dipping his hand into the treasury a little more than any other titled noble. Then again, no titled noble had access to the royal treasury.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 15, 2010 23:36:33 GMT -5
It took me nearly two hours to sort through all the papers. Several piles covered the desk, and several more covered the chairs and floor. I had managed to organize the papers into piles that seemed to be related somehow before I even reached the point to deciding whether or not to file them away or merely burn them. I could file some away for the future and burn the rest, but what if I needed the ones I burned? Besides, the former Comte had been hauled away under charges I wasn't informed off. So I was better off burning all the papers. So, I knelt in front of the fire with a stack of several of the small piles combined and placed handful after handful into the fire. I was nearly done when the sensechal entered the office.
"Comtess, there's someone here for you," he said.
"Alright. I'll be there in a minute."
He nodded and left while I casually tossed the last papers into the fire and stood.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 20, 2010 0:20:26 GMT -5
Ever the one to be thinking of the future, father had sent me to the estate of the new Comtesse la Branch. He said that she was likely to be seeking to establish herself in the peerage and that was likely to mean parties large and small. For that, she would need food and he wanted to ensure that she thought well of those our estate offered.
So, here I was, waiting in the disused reception room, three crates of olives and oils next to me as I waited. I knew father was testing me as well, wanting to see if I could handle representing the business.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 20, 2010 13:18:09 GMT -5
I walked into the reception room, which should have been one of the first rooms I should have ordered work to be done on. Whomever it was that decided to call upon me when I haven't even began to clean will just have to deal with all of the dust of the place for the time being. There in the reception room, I found a young woman, mayhap no older than two years past her majority, standing next to some crates.
"Welcome," I greeted, closing the gap between us. I did my best to keep myself straight while walking, but with the limp my gate wasn't as smooth as I would have liked it.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 20, 2010 18:14:51 GMT -5
“Good day, Comtesse,” I said with a curtsy, the skirt of my chocolate colored gown pooling as I did. “I hope I have not disturbed you. My name is Raegan Brice, my family’s estate is just a few hours’ ride from here. I’ve come to congratulate you on your new title.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 20, 2010 18:39:51 GMT -5
"Thank you, Raegan. And no, you haven't," I replied. "May I ask what you've brought me?" I have heard of the Brice estate and how they deal in and with olives and oils. Though I left it to her to tell me what she had brought.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 20, 2010 22:36:02 GMT -5
“A gift from our estate, my lady,” I said, then motioned to the first crate. “This one is olives, a sampling of every variety we offer. The second crate has oils, only the purest of our presses, and a sample of the newest variety of lemon flavored oils. The last crate has breads, two loaves of each of the three varieties we create.”
I looked back at her, though my eyes were down. “My father and I hope you fine then pleasing.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 21, 2010 2:12:04 GMT -5
"Thank you for the gifts, Raegan. I just may have a sampling of the bread and olives later." Some of the staff came in and worked to move the crates. "Come, we can talk more in the office."
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 21, 2010 14:22:36 GMT -5
I smiled, part with pleasure that she seemed to like the gifts an part with relief that I had done well as yet.
“Of course, my lady,” I said, inclining my head in thanks for her offer to talk more.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 21, 2010 17:04:01 GMT -5
I led the way into the office, which was still the process of me cleaning it. Thank Elua that the papers had burned down and the ashes were mixed with the rest. I walked around to the back of the desk and motioned for my guest to sit as I did. "So, what does your father hope by establishing ties with myself? Not that I don't mind, I'm sure I'll need such in the future."
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 22, 2010 12:49:00 GMT -5
I took the offered seat, and when she spoke again I was glad I was sitting. She was very forthright and it took me a moment to speak.
“Good relations with those who might make use of our offerings are sought as often as possible,” I said, smoothing my skirt and trying not to be nervous. It wasn’t really working.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 22, 2010 15:24:52 GMT -5
"Those are not so easy to come by, are they?" I wouldn't know since I hadn't had time to see what my estate had to offer. Though I'm sure I would have something to offer in return. "What, may I ask, would your father ask in return?"
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 22, 2010 19:55:46 GMT -5
I blinked, once again caught off by her forthright nature.
“He hopes that should you need any olives or related products in the future, you think of Brice,” I said.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 22, 2010 21:03:34 GMT -5
I nodded. "I shall." Was I being too forthright with her? I had watched my father in business dealings and they would talk about seemingly small and inconsequential things before actually getting to the actual purpose of the meeting. "You seem nervous, Lady Brice. If I may call you that. Would you like something to calm your nerves?"
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 22, 2010 23:26:51 GMT -5
“No, my lady…forgive me,” I said glancing up at her and then down again. “I just want to make a good impression.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 23, 2010 1:44:59 GMT -5
"If I may give some suggestions. It appears to me that this mayhap be your first dealing like this."
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 23, 2010 12:45:18 GMT -5
My brow furrowed a little and I glanced up at her. I wondered what suggestion there was in her saying this was the first time.
“Forgive me, my lady. I can go if I am wearing on you,” I said softly, looking down again and rising.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 23, 2010 20:12:35 GMT -5
"What makes you think you're wearing on me? Please, sit. I won't have a guest in my house think like that." I called for some wine to be brought.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 24, 2010 2:14:26 GMT -5
"I just...I mean...,' I stammered. I drew a breath. 'You seemed impatient and I thought it must be me. I didn't want to bother you. I am certain you have other more important things to do.'
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 24, 2010 2:19:12 GMT -5
"Cleaning up can wait until later. It's not more important than greeting a new neighbor." A servant walked in with a tray with a bottle of wine and two glasses, pouring wine into both before I dismissed her. I picked up glass and handed it to Raegan.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 24, 2010 22:07:25 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said, accepting the glass. I had mucked this up, and quickly. My father would be far less than pleased, but then I was used to that.
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 24, 2010 22:44:10 GMT -5
"Your welcome." I took a sip. "Has your father helped you in bettering your skills in situations such as this?" It seemed like he hasn't, relying sololy on whatever skill Raegan did have.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 24, 2010 22:52:05 GMT -5
Her question made me feel protective of my father. If I said yes, then it was proof he was a poor teacher, if I said no he was neglectful. There was no good answer.
“I have been instructed well, any failings are my own, my lady,” I said. “I beg your forgiveness for having made this less than smooth.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 24, 2010 23:41:57 GMT -5
"Given. From what I've seen, you've done well. Though in the future, try and remember to meet the eyes of others." I gave a smile that I hoped that would put her at ease. After all, it was a suggestion that I hoped that would help.
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 25, 2010 0:08:17 GMT -5
I blushed and set my glass aside. “As I said, my lady, I have been instructed well in such things,” I told her, softly. “I do hope you won’t hold my failings against my father or his business.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 25, 2010 1:33:06 GMT -5
"I don't hold it against your father or his business."
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 26, 2010 0:04:46 GMT -5
“Thank you, my lady,” I said. “That is very gracious of you.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 26, 2010 19:21:29 GMT -5
I nodded. "Now, did your father request anything in return of his gracious gifts you brought?"
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Raegan Brice
Aristocrat
Future Comtesse Brice; House Brice
Posts: 2,808
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Post by Raegan Brice on Jul 26, 2010 20:00:28 GMT -5
“No, my lady,” I said, looking up at meeting her eyes. “He just wanted to congratulate you on your new position and send an offering of his respect.”
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Post by Julian de Morhban on Jul 26, 2010 20:04:04 GMT -5
"Give your father my thanks."
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