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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 9:13:59 GMT -5
I slipped out of Eglantine early, hoping to catch the silversmith before it got too busy. My bracelet, holding the two precious pendants, had broken and needed to be resoldered. As I walked down the streets to the shop, I smiled and waved at those who looked at me. I wondered what it was they saw that made them look again. Shaking my head, I brushed it off and continued on my way, reaching the silversmith's shop and smiling to one more individual standing just outside the shop before quietly stepping inside.
Stepping up to the counter, I looked around for the proprietor, my priceless bracelet safe in my hand as I didn't even trust it in my pouch, which could be easily stolen. I hoped it wouldn't be too much to repair it. I resolved to have it done no matter what the cost; I would find a way to borrow the money if I didn't have enough. The bracelet meant too much to not wear.
"Hello?" I ventured. "Is anyone there? I've need of some assistance...."
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 15:39:35 GMT -5
It was early in the day yet, and father had taken to starting later while I opened the shoppe. I like it this way. It felt more like it was my own business, even though I knew it wasn't yet, but would be one day. I cleaned everything, set up the displays in the windows and the glass cases for the customers to peruse before opening the shoppe. I had just stepped into the back for a second to eat a piece of toast with strawberry jam I had brought as breakfast before running out the door and walking from the town home to the shoppe earlier in the morning. But a moment was all it took, and I heard the front door open and close and a female voice - muffled by the barrier of the back door - beckoning for assistance. I scarfed down the toast, praying that there was no jam on my face to give away what I had been at, and pushed past the door to the shoppe proper.
With a smile, I stepped up to the counter closest to the potential client.
"I am sorry to keep you waiting, my lady," I said, putting my palms together as I gave her a bow. "Welcome to Boileau's. How can I help you this fine spring day?"
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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 15:51:57 GMT -5
I smiled up at the tall young man behind the counter. Gods, he was attractive, this one. Normally I'd be hard-pressed to keep to business but my bracelet was too important.
"Hello, messire! It's no trouble at all, and I apologize if I've interrupted anything--" It was then that I noticed a small smudge of what looked to be strawberry jam near the corner of his mouth. With an impish grin and a murmured "Pardon me," I tentatively reached out a finger and wiped his face clean, putting my finger in my mouth to lick the jam off of it. "Mmm, strawberry. Very delicious! I do apologize, it seems I've interrupted your breakfast." I giggled quietly. "I have a bracelet here, and it's broken. I was wondering if you would be willing to resolder it?"
I held out my precious bracelet, my teeth worrying my full lower lip in vexation of the thought of it being broken and having to go through all of this simply to have it on my wrist again. "You see, it's rather old and the pendants themselves are priceless. Is it able to be repaired?" I prayed it was.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 16:00:59 GMT -5
Her smile was infectious, and I smiled wider for it, and her voice was lovely as well, far lovelier when not silenced by a door. Her hand reached forward, with a gentle pardon, but I had not expected her to touch me, and then suckle her finger. My eyes went wider than I would have liked them to as I cleared my throat, feeling colour rise to my cheeks.
"I... um yes," I said as I reached up my own hand to brush at my face, hoping there were no other signs, "well I mean, no no interruption at all really," she must have thought me by now to be an easily flustered man. She wouldn't be too far off if she did. "What I mean to say is, yes," I said taking hold of her bracelet, gently of course. These sorts of things required a gentle touch, not a brutish one. I looked at it carefully, seeing the link where it had broken. I looked at it closely, the colouring of the gold, the feel and weight of it. "This can be mended, my lady," I could feel the warmth from my cheeks draining, though I did avoid her eyes, worried that my shyness might resurface and make me yet again into a blubbering idiot. But soon I did raise my eyes from her bracelet to her face, noting how she was exotically beautiful, especially in the way she bit on her lower lip. I cleared my throat. "Serenissiman gold is it?" I asked. "Judging from the weight, the colouring and the fineness of the craftmanship," I murmured, my attention falling once again on the bracelet.
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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 16:08:49 GMT -5
I smiled happily. Now here was a man who knew his information. "Si, it is Serenissiman, messire. The bracelet itself isn't important, except for the fact that it holds those pendants. I couldn't bear to lose them. How long will it be, and how much will it cost?" I was anxious to just have it back around my wrist. I absentmindedly rubbed the wrist it always hung on. My teeth worried my bottom lip yet again as I gazed at the young man holding the last pieces of my parents.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 16:29:19 GMT -5
I looked closer at the pendants. They were lovely, intricate, and it would take me a bit more time to ensure that the repairs were made seemlessly. I looked back up at her, biting her lower lip again. She must have been worried. It obviously meant a lot to her.
"20 ducats," I said with a smile, "and I can have it done for you by tomorrow. I could have it done today, but I'd rather not rush on something that holds a great deal of meaning."
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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 16:51:46 GMT -5
My eyes lit up at his words. That wasn't nearly as much as I'd thought it would be and I'd only have to part with it until tomorrow? Perfect! I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Oh, thank you!" I gushed. "That would be wonderful, I am in your eternal debt! Do you require payment now, or when I pick the bracelet up?"
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 16:58:40 GMT -5
I could see that the answer pleased her. And when she leaned forward, I felt the press of her full lips against my cheek. Even when she pulled back I could still feel the memory of them burning against my skin, hotter than the blush that came up on my cheeks again. I lowered my gaze, biting my own lip a moment before bringing my eyes back to hers.
"You can pay when you come in again on the morrow," I said with a smile. "And no indebtedness required. It is my pleasure to be able to help you," I said, and genuinely it was.
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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 17:02:17 GMT -5
I laughed happily. He was so sweet! I was beginning to rather like him. His cheek was soft, and it made me wonder how soft his lips were. I stuck my hand out, intending to shake his.
"My name is Michaela," I said. At least he understood me, what with my Serenissiman accent.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 17:10:34 GMT -5
I smiled as she offered her hand. I almost laughed, thinking how this should have probably come before the kiss, which still lingered.
"Artus," I replied. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." The more she spoke and the more I took in her exotic features was when I noticed that not only did her jewelry show the signs of fine Serenissiman roots, but so did she. "And... sorry about the jam," I said with a boyish grin. "Strawberry happens to be my favourite."
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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 17:18:36 GMT -5
I grinned impishly once more in answer to his. He was easy to talk to. I found myself wondering how one went about fixing jewelry. It was an art, just like anything else. I glanced at his hands, strong and gentle at the same time. A shiver went through me.
"Don't worry, Artus; strawberry is my favorite, too." I suddenly had an inspiring thought, but decided to keep it to myself until tomorrow, when I came to pick up my bracelet.
"I should let you get to work, and get back to Eglantine. I've always got practicing to do!" I laughed "But I'll be here same time tomorrow, if that's all right with you. And, as strange as it sounds... When you bring your toast with you tomorrow, don't put any jam on it and don't eat any until I get here." I blushed and laughed at the expression on his face. "I promise, it's for good reason."
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 17:24:19 GMT -5
Her laughter put me at ease. Some of the nobles that visited our shoppe... well... they would not have thought it comely for me to come out to assist them with jam all over my face. Mayhap it was because she was an adept, more easy going, less about formalities perhaps. I smiled, regardless, chuckling at her confession.
"That is quite alright," I said in response, though my brows furrowed in confusion. What was it she was planning to do with my toast? "And I will bring the toast," I said, sounding no doubt as confused as I looked, "and have your bracelet ready for you, as good as new."
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Post by Michaela nó Eglantine on Jan 11, 2011 17:28:40 GMT -5
I couldn't help but burst into laughter at his adorably confused expression. It was priceless! I leaned over to kiss his cheek once more for good measure, and tugged on his earlobe gently; something my father used to do to me as a sign of happiness.
"I promise you'll understand about the toast tomorrow!" I said, smiling up at him for a minute before moving toward the door. "Until tomorrow, Artus." I waved and, with a wink, went out the door and made my way back up to Eglantine before I was missed, or got in trouble for being gone too long. I trusted Artus with my bracelet; it would be taken care of.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jan 11, 2011 17:42:36 GMT -5
Her laugh made me grin widely, even as she leaned over the counter to kiss my cheek again, this time tugging my ear after. I laughed again, my hand raising to rub my ear, feigning a pained look as though it had hurt, though I continued to smile.
"Alright. I guess we will both have something to look forward to for the morning," I said. She walked away, waving goodbye, and I waved after her, shaking my head with the grin still on my face. She was lovely, inside and out, it seemed. I took the bracelet and and charms from off of the countertop, holding the delicate thing in my hand. I went through the back door to the work room. It was not busy yet, and I doubted it would be busy for a little while, and so I would set to work on her bracelet. It was not a difficult task at all, just a bit of soldering, possibly the replacement of a link or two and it would be fine.
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