Shopping to set the tone

[Perrin Duré]

“Yes, I suppose I could,” I said, chuckling softly and smiling again as I stood. “The worst they can say is ‘no’, right?”

I glanced around and saw someone who looked as if they worked here helping another customer. “I shall ask as soon as he is free,” I said, then looked back at Lillianne. “Shall we keep looking?”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Of course," I replied, smiling a little when he looked at me. I couldn't help myself. But I did try to stay on task. "What sort of bookshelf are you looking for? Short and fat, tall and skinny..."

[Perrin Duré]

“Short and fat,” I answered without having to think. “That type is less likely to sway and topple onboard.”

“It looks as if the selves are all over there,” I said, indicating the far wall and then offering her my arm again.

[Lillianne Prévost]

Such a gentleman, to offer his arm again. I took it gladly, smiling as he led me to the far wall. "I would have assumed that you would anchor the shelves fairly well, would you not?"

[Perrin Duré]

“We do, but there are still storms with enough force to pull the anchors from the walls. The shorter shelves will take more of a beating before they pull free,” I answered. I noticed a long, low bookcase with three deep shelves.

“That is nice,” I said, pointing to it. “How do you think it would look with the table?”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Practical and handsome," I commented, then bit my lip against a smile when I realized that I wasn't only talking about the bookshelf. "I think they would pair well."

[Perrin Duré]

“I concur,” I said, nodding slightly.

I felt myself smiling again as I looked at her once more. “You have no idea how much help you are being to me,” I told her. “Without you I fear I would still be standing outside the window.”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"I'm glad I could help," I replied. I had a feeling that he would have been just fine without me, but I could appreciate that he didn't think so. "Like I said, I've never had to buy furniture. It's rather enjoyable."

[Perrin Duré]

"It is," I agreed.

I felt I should do something more to show her how much I appreciate her aid.

"If it would not be too much of a presumption, would you allow me to take you to lunch as a show of my thanks for your help?" I asked.

[Lillianne Prévost]

There was a weighted pause, and so I let him continue to speak. And was glad I did. "I would like that very much," I replied with a bright smile.

[Perrin Duré]

“Wonderful,” I replied, smiling with pleasure at her acceptance. It would have been well within her rights to refuse, we had just met after all. “Some chairs then and then I think we’ll be done here.”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Those ones," I said with a ring of certainty, pointing to a pair not far away. The lines were as elegant as the other pieces he had picked, but there was something about them - not just fleur des lis carved into the crowns of the backs - that gave them an added sense of sophistication.

[Perrin Duré]

I looked at the chairs and then back at her, my smile widening. “You really do have a knack for this,” I said. I moved to the chairs and sat in one, taking in the feel. It was quite comfortable.

“How do I look?” I asked, still smiling.

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Very authoritative," I said with a little grin, pleased that I had been right.

[Perrin Duré]

Surprising myself, I heard myself laugh a little at her words, and I was still smiling. “Ah, then these are absolutely the ones I should get,” I said.

Rising, I looked over towards the clerk who was making his way towards us finally. Turning to Lillianne once more, I said, “If you don’t mind waiting, I will speak to the clerk about these pieces and then we can be off to our meal.”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Of course," I said, smiling still. I glanced at the approaching clerk, and nearly told Perrin to play it disinterested. But I had learned over the years that sometimes comments like that made people look at me strangely, so I held my tongue. "I'll be browsing."

[Perrin Duré]

"I shall be as quick as I can,' I told her, inclining my head and then going to meet the clerk.

As I spoke with him, bargaining on the pieces and the cost of restaiing the table, I found my eye straying to Lillianne, wanting to make sure she was alright.

[Lillianne Prévost]

I was over in the corner, examining a bedside table, when I felt eyes on me. I glanced up to see Perrin looking over, and I smiled reassuringly.

[Perrin Duré]

She looked up and her eyes met mine as she caught me looking. She smiled and I felt a surprising rush of warmth inside me even as I found myself returning her smile.

I looked at the clerk again and focus on finishing our negotiations.

[Lillianne Prévost]

He smiled back, and it made me glad. Very glad. I was blushing a little as my gaze returned to the table, though I wasn't truly focused on the woodwork anymore.

[Perrin Duré]

A few moments more of negotiations and then business was concluded. I shook the clerk’s hand and then handed him over a portion of the price as a surety I would return with the rest.

That done, I made my way over to Lillianne. “He will restain the table for no extra cost since I am purchasing so many pieces,” I told her with a smile.

[Lillianne Prévost]

As Perrin continued to speak with the shopkeeper, I tried not to look over any more, wanting to give him privacy, even if it was privacy in my own mind. But I caught sight of him coming over from the corner of my eye, and turned to smile at him. "Wonderful. Are you all finished then, or was there something else you wanted to look at?"

[Perrin Duré]

“I am all finished here for the day,” I replied. “Though I am more than willing to wait if there are things you would like to look at.”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"I'm fine, just wanted to make sure I wasn't rushing you out the door," I said with a little laugh.

[Perrin Duré]

"Not at all," I said, offering her my arm. "Have you chosen where we shall dine?"

[Lillianne Prévost]

"El Parra is just around the corner, if you'd like?" I suggested, taking his arm with a shy smile. I could feel the muscle beneath his skirt, and could feel another blush begin to threaten.

[Perrin Duré]

"I've never been, but I trust your choice," I said, giving her a smile before holding the door and leading her outside. "Left or right?"

[Lillianne Prévost]

"Left, and then a right after the glass shoppe on the corner," I instructed. He was a gentleman without trying, and it gave me a little thrill. Clearly I was far too used to the often bumbling attempts of the boys my age.

[Perrin Duré]

Following her directions, I took up a leisurely pace meant not to rush her at all. “El Parra,” I said, testing the name again. “Does it serve Aragonian fare?”

[Lillianne Prévost]

"I think the owner is Aragonian. It's mainly a wine shop, but the serve a very nice lunch as well," I explained.