Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Dec 31, 2010 22:08:01 GMT -5
I'd grown up in La Serenissima, far from a rural area in most cases; of course there were manors and estates to it, but most of it was the Palazzo and I'd spent a lot of time walking there with my friends and learning the place. This City though- it rivaled that place for sheer elegance and magnificence, and I felt distinctly at home even though I was for most intents and purposes a newcomer. Perhaps it was in my blood, or some kind of intuition, but I enjoyed simply walking around and looking at new things in shops or even watching the people. In Serenissima they said that in the Land of Angels even the street-sweepers had the face of gods- and when I went home to visit I could tell them that it was true. Beauty seemed to seep up from between the stones.
The part of town I'd found myself in today was known as the Artisan's District, full of shops and restaurants that were known for being interesting, if not the most splendid or expensive. That was fine though. I'd rather have something that was interesting to me than something purely expensive and boringly pretty any day. My gown was a d'Angeline one but the fabrics were more Serenissiman style with brocade and lace, and on my head was a black fedora hat, something I'd found in a common shop back home and simply fallen in love with. My hair was loose underneath it, and I smiled at the looks that some people gave me. Half of fashion was wearing something that you loved and waiting for others to love it as well.
As the shops passed I stopped and looked into the window of one carrying antiques, my eyes drawn to the older style furniture and decorations, and for a moment I considered going in, a wide smile on my face. I'd have to tell Victoire about it and see if she'd give me the money to decorate my room in such a fashion. Generally she agreed but sometimes my older sister did have her own ideas on things. As I was thinking someone with dark hair and about my age passed and I gave him a smile. I needed to make new friends here and hopefully this was a good way to start.
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Dec 31, 2010 22:43:26 GMT -5
I had time to take a break. That was one of the wonderful things about actually being employed. I was no longer a slave to my own luck. I was finished with all my deliveries and had a chance to just walk around, explore, and see what new beauty I could find in the world. I began to wander around the Artisans' District, letting my eyes take in the various shops, though I did not dare to enter any of them yet. I was still so used to being nearly penniless. Yes, it has only been for a season, but it was very impacting, before that even I had been a servant of the night court and could to their restrictions. This was all do different and wonderful to me. I felt freedom.
As I walked a pretty girl, probably a year my elder smiled at me, I had been noticing her hat, which I thought was cute on her. I smiled back, feeling a little less shy than before. "Hello, miss," I told her, a little bit of coloring appearing on my pale cheeks.
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Dec 31, 2010 23:13:48 GMT -5
The street wasn't that busy today, probably because it was the middle of the week and a lot of people still be working at their various trades, but I didn't mind. Yes, attention was nice, but it wasn't what I wasn't out here for that. If people noticed me, that was fine, and if not I'd probably actually get a lot more done, but I wouldn't have nearly as much of an interesting time. That was the important thing, especially since I already had everything I needed and was simply working on 'wants' for the time being.
The boy I greeted, he was probably about my age, and he blushed a little but he replied anyway and seemed very sweet. "Good afternoon Sir," I told him with a nod and a playful tip of my hat, my blue-green eyes shining a bit from beneath its brim. Hopefully he'd see that I was being playful and not take any offense to anything- and if he did I'd just apologize. Worrying really wasn't part of what I was looking to do. "Fancy meeting you here."
With a step toward him I offered him my hand to shake if he wanted, or to ignore- it really was me intruding right now since he was probably on his way to something. "I'm Noemi and I'm new here, from Serenissima- and you're kind of cute. Can I know what your name is?"
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Dec 31, 2010 23:36:47 GMT -5
I smiled and shook her hand, though her comment about being cute made me blush again. She seemed like a fun and friendly person though, and, though it may seem rash to judge quickly, carefree and trustworthy, the best sorts of people I had learned. "Thank you, my name is Eric, Eric Lamont. And you?"
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Dec 31, 2010 23:55:04 GMT -5
He blushed again but he smiled- so he was probably a little shy but he worked through it and came out the other side with a happy disposition. It was a good sign really, some shy people were entirely too shy to even function and I felt a little bad for them. We shook hands and I smiled wider, the wind grabbing the edges of my hair and tossing them around a little though the hat held them down for the most part.
So, Eric Lamont. He was cute, and shy, and seemed to be really pleasantly natured. His name wasn't one I recognized but I wasn't going to let that bother me too much, since it didn't make a difference in the long run. I was a third daughter, true my family was noble, but I wasn't going to end up a queen or a king so there was no real need to make a fuss. "It's nice to meet you, Eric. I'm Noemi de Trevalion," I replied still shaking his hand for a moment before pulling away after a polite amount of time. "Do you know a lot about the City? I'm trying to find the best places to look around."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 0:00:05 GMT -5
Trevalion?! Quite a high rank. A twinge of nerves came over me but I quickly put them down, focusing on her rather than her name. "You as well, milady. I must confess that know only the streets, the shortcuts and a few of the people," I told her honestly. "I've only been inside a few of the shops, for until recently I didn't have the funds to actually purchase anything. Now things are different though. I suppose we could discover what the city has to offer together if you'd like?" I hoped I wasn't being too presumptuous.
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 0:30:51 GMT -5
His response was something I was used to, but I just smiled and shook my head slightly at it, the mood too good for me to really be concerned at it. "You don't have to 'milady' me," I told him with deep sincerity; what fun was it if your friend were so concerned with your title that they weren't able to really relax? And this boy could easily be one of my friends, he gave the impression of having a good heart.
His offer was a good one and I nodded at that, because what good had ever come of pushing away someone who was willing to be a friend as much as I was. "If you want to explore with me I'd like that too. I'm still learning the City for the most part, but I like to do it with my own two feet and a friend nearby. As long as I'm not completely irritating to you so far I think that sounds like a great plan. I was just looking into the antique store to see if there was anything interesting, should we start there?"
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 0:41:27 GMT -5
Drop the milady, got it, I thought to myself. It seemed that a great many of the nobility, the kinder nobility, disliked titles. It took a little time to get used to always, but in the end I was more at ease with the people. This girl seemed like a someone who would be a good friend. "Sounds like an excellent plan, Noemi. I hear there are always hidden treasures in such a place."
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 1:00:54 GMT -5
Eric really was a nice guy; no one really had to forget my title, or decide to go along with my crazy plans just because I had them, and most people did say no, even in Serenissima. The fact that he was willing to go along with this already made him a great friend in my book and I wasn't the kind of person who ever gave up on a friend. If he was shy I'd help him with my calm confidence.
"Then let's go in," I suggested with a smile, nudging his shoulder lightly with my hand before I started for the door and then looked back at him. "Can I ask what you do for a living? It doesn't really matter, I'm just curious, and if you say no I won't ask again for awhile."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 1:15:49 GMT -5
I grinned and headed towards the door, answering her first before we went inside. "I'm a messenger for Lessandrie de Mereliot. I perform simple errands. Truth be told I've only been on the job for a little over a week. I was cast away from the night court because of an accidental disfigurement. That's in the past however." I opened the door for her. "After you, Noemi."
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 1:28:48 GMT -5
There was a lot said in that short statement, but I'd think about it later. It seemed pretty obvious that he didn't want to talk about it now and this was probably a little too public of a place to go into those kind of matters anyway. Maybe if we got to be better friends at the end of this trip it wouldn't be such an uncomfortable topic, but for now it was better to just enjoy his company.
"Thank you," I told him as I slipped inside the store and took a look around, the sunlight filtering through the dust and giving everything a kind of halo even while the edges seemed a little indistinct. Something to one side caught my attention and I moved over to let Eric in and look. It was a jewelry box, carved of wood and painted with a variety of flowers over the surface of its lid. Smiling at the sheer delicate work of it I picked it up gently, and then showed it to Eric. "What do you think?"
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 1:38:19 GMT -5
The inside of the shop had a type of magic to it that old things possess under sunlight. Their power to charm was felt strongly here, especially in the box that Noemi showed me. It was a couple hundred years old at the most and the painting on it was beautiful. Gently I ran a finger over it, spellbound by the simplicity. The complexity of the simple always struck me, how the eye can be drawn and the heart lifted by one pleasing form. Artist too often try to create great intricacies, when sometimes something like this creates its own. "I think it's lovely," I told her.
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 1:51:40 GMT -5
"Now I know I have good taste," I replied, watching as he was entranced by the object I held. I knew it was pretty, that's why it had caught my attention, but he obviously saw more in it than I'd ever be able to. It made me smile to see him so entranced by something I'd found and I appreciated his opinion of it. After all he was supposed to be an adept and while I'd never met one in Serenissima I knew that they were supposed to be some of the most educated people in the world, and in a variety of areas besides the one they were supposed to be known for.
"I guess that means I should get it then, yes?" I asked in a slightly teasing tone, holding the thing gently and then looking around again. "What else is worth seeing around here? I picked one thing, you pick the next." I liked things that had a few years on them and it was nice to see that my new friend could appreciate that as well; I smiled at him again and cocked my head a bit as I waited for him to choose. "I've got an entire room to decorate."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 2:00:43 GMT -5
I glanced around me with a look of wonderment on my face. I nodded slightly to her just as my eyes fall upon a little candelabra, carved completely of olive wood. At its base was a chubby little faun sitting under an olive tree, from which sprouted the branches for the candles. The faun was holding a miniature Pan's pipe which could be removed from the faun's mouth. I put it to my lips and blew a little bit of air through it, producing a light whistling sound. It made me smile and, after placing the pipe back in it's owner's hands, I held up the candelabra to Noemi. "Any thoughts?"
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 2:10:55 GMT -5
Moving through the store carefully so I didn't knock anything over I looked at what Eric had found and laughed a little, enjoying the decadent scene and the sense of merriment in the simple piece. "It's really charming," I admitted with a wide smile, reaching out and running a hand over the polished wood of the piece. "And the pipes really work? I bet that could drive Victoire up the wall and she'd never know where it was coming from. That would get her back for her other pranks."
With a smile and nod for the shopkeeper I set the box down on the counter, indicating that he should start a tab; while I couldn't cover the larger pieces of furniture that I had with me for the moment I could manage the knick-knacks with no problem at all. Something else in the corner caught my eye- this place really was a treasure trove if you knew where to look- and I started looking through the paintings. "Hey Eric, which one of these is the best? I like this one the best," I said as I waited for him, pulling out a half-nude portrait of a nymph turning into a tree.
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 2:24:48 GMT -5
I set the candelabra down and followed Noemi over to the paintings. There were several beautiful ones, including the one she mentioned. "It's beautiful, and I'm not just talking about the figure within it." Though an older style, the painting had depth which most pieces lacked. "Perhaps she should join the faun in loves bliss?" I grinned and then picked up what looked like a plain wood ball. I twisted it and inside was a small marble and a maze. "I seem to be the one who finds all the toys."
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 12:22:12 GMT -5
His assessment and grin drew a light laugh from me and I set the painting aside. "I'm starting to notice that my room is getting a little bit of a theme with the fauns and the nymphs," I said in an amused tone, but really I was glad. In Serenissima we d'Angelines were always seen as playing by different rules when it came to life, and that made some people look at us in an unusual way- but here we were just who we were, and that was much better. If I wanted my room to look like a bacchanal that was my choice.
"Oh, toys?" I asked at his comment, turning around to look at the cunning little ball he'd found with the maze and I leaned a little closer to look at it. "I think you find the best things. I wouldn't have guessed that there was that kind of a surprise in something that looks so simple. Does everything here have a little surprise to it?" Reaching out I nudged his hand and watched the marble move within the maze, then smiled. "I hope I can manage to figure it all out."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 16:29:11 GMT -5
The theme of her room made me smile. It symbolized carefree living, something that I desired. I thought about her comment on the ball, "It would seem that way, and I don't just think it applies to things in a store either." I smirked at my own little bit of wisdom there, a truth that I had been learning my entire life. People had their moments that seem to come out of nowhere and surprise you and make you enjoy them all that much more.
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 16:49:59 GMT -5
There was a good bit of humor to my companion, quiet though it was, and I appreciated it. Perhaps in a different situation it would be harder to get him to open up, but for now he seemed comfortable and that was the most important thing. Hopefully I wasn't boring him too much with my flitting around, but I liked to see as much as I could and there was a lot here that could catch the eye.
"Everyone has something unexpected about them," I replied with a smile. "And every day probably has something new in store, is that what you mean? That makes a lot of sense. I've only been here a couple days and already I met a good friend with fantastic sense and a handsome face." I was teasing him a little, but that didn't mean I was being insincere; I really was glad to have such wonderful new friend. "What should we look for next? I have a source of light, a jewelry box, a painting.. You know, you should get the little game. You found it after all."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 17:04:28 GMT -5
I nodded for that was exactly what I meant by it. Her compliment made me smile, but not blush. "Thank you!" I told her, "For your words, and," I added, picking up the maze, "For granting me this, should keep me from boredom on those slow days. As for what we should find next, perhaps a rug or a tapestry, something to provide a little softness and warmth?"
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 17:20:41 GMT -5
"It's probably easier to find a tapestry with fauns and nymphs than a rug, so let's look for that," I suggested, my head slightly cocked as I watched him with the maze. "Do you get bored a lot? I'd think with a city like this there would always be something going on." It still didn't seem like the right time to ask anything specific about what he did, especially since he was a messenger, but that didn't mean we couldn't have a general conversation, did it?
The wall along the back had a variety of tapestries hanging on hooks and I went over toward them, trying to shift the fabric and see what exactly was the theme of them only to have one break loose of its ties and fall onto my head in a mass of fabric and dust. Oh yes, this was the way to prove I was graceful and fun. Laughing I started to dig my way back out from under the fabric, glad it was a lightly woven thing rather than heavy wool which would have weighed a lot more.
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 17:26:27 GMT -5
I shrugged as I followed her. "Not a lot I suppose. Since I work for one particular person now I work less than I formerly had so I just nave to find new ways of spending my time." As soon as I had finished speaking I saw the crash and I hurried over to help her out from under it, offering her my hand and asking if she was alright. I couldn't help but giggle a little. "I'm not sure if that means you should get this one or you should not."
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 17:41:01 GMT -5
It didn't take me long to find my way out of the pile of fabric and I was still laughing when I did, taking Eric's hand and his help with a wide smile and with my eyes flashing in good-natured amusement. "I'm fine, really- I just look like an idiot," I said in a jesting tone while dusting myself off and trying to shake out my hair. "Thanks for coming to my rescue, hero. Oh, where's my hat?"
Turning around I started to move aside the various folds and rolls in the tapestry, laying it out flatter so I could see the image while still searching for my fedora. "Well, it does seem eager for me to notice it, but it stole my hat and tried to kill me so maybe it needs to wait a little longer," I joked, then pulled the hat out from where it had fallen and brushed it off before turning back to Eric again. "What do you think? Is it worthy of joining the other beautiful things I have picked out?"
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 18:16:14 GMT -5
"A pretty idiot," I commented as I pulled her out, smiling as I did. "Well I'm not certain, I think we should take a closer look at the at the tapestry. Usually if something is really eye-catching at first it can just become a distraction latter on, and eventually an annoyance." With that I lifted up the tapestry and gave it a good going over with my eyes. "What do you think? Personally I think it's ok, but we could do better."
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 18:32:24 GMT -5
"I don't know whether to thank you for the compliment or pout a little that you're agreeing with me, Eric," I replied with a wink as I looked over to where he was picking up the tapestry. "Yes, it's cute, but it's not quite right somehow. Maybe it's too busy. And you're right, I don't want anything in my bedroom that might get too distracting, because then the attention would be away from me."
With a parody of a girlish bob of my head I shook my head and them pointed at the tapestry imperiously. "No, you are not good enough, and that's what you get for falling on my head! Away, foul fabric!" With that I laughed and took it from Eric to set aside on another rack, I'd tell the shopkeeper about it when I was paying so he could hang it back up if he wanted. "So, what one next? How about something green and gold and luxurious?"
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 18:58:33 GMT -5
I laughed at her little speech to the tapestry. I was having quite a bit of fun with all this. I wouldn't have thought myself to be a shopper. "Green and gold? I think those colors will accent you well. After all, you are to be the focus of the room." I winked at her and the pointed at a nearby hanging that matched the requirement perfectly.
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 19:09:55 GMT -5
In a way he was right- likely if I was bringing someone up to my room it was a friend or a lover and while I wasn't jealous or greedy I did want people to at least remember that I existed. "Well, a girl like me needs all of the help she can get," I replied with a laugh as I put the hat back on my head. My friend really did have a nice laugh and if I could continue to bring about tht reaction I was more than happy with the direction of our friendship.
Walking closer to the tapestry I looked at it from all sides, trying to determine if it was still in good condition, but while it was hanging it was still hard to see. "Can you help me get it down so I know a little more than the colors?" I asked him with a jesting back of my lashes as I reached up to try and see how it was hanging. "For all I know it's got a huge stain in the middle or is covered in pictures of pigs and as funny as that would be it's not quite the decor."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 19:20:18 GMT -5
I smirked, though it wasn't really true about her needing help. She was extremely pretty, though her face reminded me of someone. I wasn't certain who though. Of course her biggest asset was her personality. I was happy to consider her a friend.
When we got to the tapestry I helped get it down. I had a slight advantage over her as far as height was concerned and soon we had the thing at eye level. "Well, what do you think, Noemi?"
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jan 1, 2011 19:42:42 GMT -5
The fact that this tapestry didn't land on my head already made me better disposed to it and once it was down I smiled and cocked my head while I looked at it. The embroidery was a variety of forest animals, done in a subtle scene of a forest, and while it wasn't terribly flashy there was a certain charm to the image. Endearing but subtle, much like my new friend himself, and that in itself was a good sign.
"Thank you for making sure I didn't get a concussion, good sir," I told my friend with a small curtsy, then stepped closer and ran my hand over its weaving to check the texture. I didn't know a lot about art but I did know fabrics a bit and this one was in good condition, with the edging still sound and the embroidery itself unfrayed. "I really like the animals and it looks like it's not going to fall apart in the next three days so it's perfect for me. I think you're good luck for shopping, my friend."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lamont on Jan 1, 2011 21:02:38 GMT -5
I chuckled and smiled. "Thank you. I have you to thank though, for before I did not even know that I had any interest in shopping at all." My eyes scanned the room quickly. "Anything else that you think you'd like to get?"
|
|