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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 11:50:59 GMT -5
Alright, so I must say I wasn't the most awake person. It was early, and my nightly rendezvous as the Red Scorpion were beginning to catch up with me. However I also needed to find some employment which meant writing out notes to place on street corners and the doors of those who might need a coach driver. My rounds took me through the north and west boroughs each day and I was about to take a break for lunch. Tired, hungry, and poor are not things that I enjoyed in the slightest, but at least I was an honest man.
I stopped to sit down on a low wall between to buildings, behind me was a small garden filled with vegetables and some flowers. There was little time to take notice of them though. Eyes must be kept open for several reasons.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 12:15:53 GMT -5
Generally I wasn't the sort to be up early or to even venture into the sunlight unless I could possibly avoid it, but some days did turn out that way. I had shopping to do, businesses to see and probably some kind of letters to be writing to the vineyard's distributors, but all of that seemed to be a bit too annoying for something like the morning. I'd had a litle breakfast with a glass of water other than wine- everyone needed to cleanse their palate once in awhile- and then dressed in a gown of ruby velvet cut to make me look my best but not completely delectable. After all, I was going shopping and I needed something that could be improved on.
Leaving my hair loose around my shoulders I stepped out of the estate's gates and made my way down the street, foregoing the carriage for the chance to let the breeze blow over me. If one wanted to look attractive they needed to stay in shape and this was my way of doing so. A walk every once in awhile kept me lovely but didn't make me sweat so much that I felt sticky, unattractive and annoyed, all of which prickled at my temper. As I made my way I noticed a figure sitting on a low wall and stopped to take him in- common clothing, but well-kept, but as pretty as a good deal of the noblemen I'd seen, but with the look of someone who was used to working rather than playing. Interesting. I didn't think they kept that type in the City.
With a smile I walked over, cocking my head to let my hair fall back over my shoulders. "Good morning," I said in a pleasantly polite tone, raising a brow curiously. "Or perhaps not, good sir, for you seem to be a little exhausted by it. Are you lost?"
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 12:26:30 GMT -5
Common though I was I carried a bearing most nobles have tried to possess but failed. As I sat in thought I noticed a girl approaching me: cute, dressed like nobility, and walking. Walking! It was a slim chance she was without coachman but it wouldn't hurt to find out.
"No, it is a good morning. I think a poet said that it is in the morning that we wash away the sorrows that clung to us in sleep." Whether a poet said this or not I did not know. But no one would believe I made it up, especially with my thick Cameline accent. "No, not lost, though I am searching."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 12:39:06 GMT -5
His accent was a familiar one- being of a family from Camlach it was one I heard a good deal and had done a good deal to repress to one more acceptable for the City. When I wanted to I could go back into it, but unless I actually was at home I didn't even want to consider it. You never knew who could happen by. And how exactly was it that I'd happened across the one boy in this entire city who spoke exactly like the stableboys back home that had so frustrated me at times? Camael and Azza but I had the oddest luck.
"I didn't know you'd be the kind to have sorrows so early," I replied with another smile and a somewhat interested expression. Most men didn't tend to have anything even remotely poetic on their minds when they saw me. Maybe I should consider getting rid of this dress entirely- or I could appreciate the odd turn of conversation. If I got offended every time someone's eyes didn't immediately go to my clevage I was going to get a very bad reputation. "Should I ask for what you're searching then? There are only so many things that will wander by at this time of the morning."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 12:45:17 GMT -5
I smirked. I had ben told my smirks were something of legend. I wasn't sure about this, but the did usually have a charming effect. "A job. I'm a coach driver looking for work." Blunt and honest was my answer, as they typically were.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 12:54:15 GMT -5
The expression that crossed his face was certainly a smirk, and a very attractive one, and I smiled back a bit wider in response. He may have sounded like he was from the back-country fields but I'd bet a good number of ducats that he'd been in the City long enough to know that being attractive was at times more important than being skilled. "And so you sit here with your grin trying to charm up a job, aye?" I asked back with just a hint of the accent the servants and grooms and vineyard farmers used back home as I moved to the wall where he was sitting and leaned back against it to one side where we could still comfortably converse. "Quite a gamble, don't you think?"
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 13:02:41 GMT -5
I picked up on her use of my native accent at once. Either she was one of us or she was mocking me. For being done so well and so subtly I assumed the former. It made me like her a little more from the get-go. "I have notices posted around as well. You wouldn't happen to know of anyone would you, milady?"
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 13:13:28 GMT -5
Somehow his demeanor seemed to lighten and I wondered if it was my use of the dialect that had done it. That was a good bit of information to know for the future. And when he asked if I knew anyone who could be looking for a carriage driver I thought of the same person first, as always- myself. My own carriage-driver was a little too prone to disapproving looks at my antics when I undertook them to the point where I almost preferred to leave him at home and as my parents weren't here to stop me I could easily fire him. "I'm sure I know of a few people," I said idly, giving him another raised brow and letting my accent slip just a little further as I returned his smirk, then offered him my hand. "Liselle d'Aiglemort Montblanc is my name and I happen to run my family's City home for the time being."
Besides, having a handsome, nearly radiant carriage driver would give me a good image, and give me something to look at on my trips out and about nonetheless. The worst that could happen was that he decided he didn't want to work for a pretty girl and what were the chances of that?
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 13:48:41 GMT -5
"I'm Ansel Roux," I told her slipping down from the wall to bow to her. "It is an honor to meet you." As I got up I found it hard not to, even for a second, appreciate her body. However there were much, much more important matters than feeding a lustful spirit. "Could you happen to give me their names?" I inquired, still smiling.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 13:58:50 GMT -5
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Ansel," I said almost before I realized it, my manners having been ground into me to the point that it was nearly impossible not to say it after getting a person's name. He really was an honest person and while I could tell that his eyes nearly ran over me he somehow managed to keep from it. What an odd thing, self-control, especially when there was no one who could fault you for not having it. Did he think to have integrity?
When he asked for names I smiled wider and consider those I knew here; not that I could say one way or the other whether they'd need someone, but if nothing else it would be another name. "I'd suggest my own home if you were interested in working for such a young client," I told him with a wry smile, a little curl of the smirk from before still working at my features.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 14:25:43 GMT -5
I smiled back, intrigued by the idea. She was young and youth could be the cause of thoughtlessness. I of all people should know that. "I would certainly consider it." I was careful in the way I phrased my next question. "I do, of course, need some valuable reasons as to why I should choose you." I tried my best to not make it sound as though I was the one to do the picking and the choosing. Really it boiled down to the best price and the most honest heart.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 14:47:17 GMT -5
So he was interested but still looking for the chance to find other options. The honest ambition of it could be very easily understood, as he was a servant and had to find a place that would fulfill whatever needs he had. Unlike me I doubted he had a family with an inordinate amount of money that poured in from vineyards and other pursuits. "It's an offer of another place to look, nothing more," I assured him with a smile, my voice still carrying the dialect of home for the time being. "As to reasons- we're near to the same age, I can pay you well and you'd be seen at more than a few events of note, where you may attract more attention."
I was being as honest as I ever was and I met his gaze forthrightly. "Besides, you seem like the sort who would prefer to move up in the world rather than simply be one coachman among many and I'm only looking for one person. Your time outside of your duties would be your own and I would appreciate someone trustworthy who knew where I came from and understood a bit more about what it was to be from the country and placed into the City."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 14:57:12 GMT -5
Her arguments seemed well reasoned to me. It was true that there is a closer bond between those of the same age. Perhaps that could even develop into something more... Mentally a chastised myself for that thought. She wanted trust and I would be her sole coachman. it was quite the alluring opportunity. "Well, you've already made it to the top of my list, milady." I grinned and raised my brows. "I cannot promise yet till I see if any other offers come in."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 15:17:17 GMT -5
"I wouldn't ask for you to," I said in a nonchalant tone as I stood up from where I'd been leaning against the wall and smoothed my skirts, then gave him another look. "But even if you don't take the job perhaps it would be good if you stopped by from time to time. It's refreshing to see someone from around the old homestead and I think it may help to keep me a little honest in the City. There's a lot here that could sweep a girl away." And of course there was always the chance that if he spent more time in my company it wouldn't matter whether or not he was my coachman, but I didn't say that. He seemed too proud of his honor to enjoy such an innuendo.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 15:27:12 GMT -5
I nodded. "It's quite true you know. Of course I am all for having fun, so long as it is lawful. If you want to live the purest life I'm not the one to seek for advice. A balanced life, perhaps, a life of loyalty, most assuredly. I would say have a taste of all the city had to offer, legally." I now leaned against the wall, relaxed already in her presence.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 16:29:30 GMT -5
His point of view was quite different from my own, but it was his path to choose and as long as he didn't give me as many glares as the older servants did about my debauchery and company I could overlook it. "I can honestly say I haven't done anything illegal, and I would really rather keep it that way," I said in a sedate tone that was also completely honest. Illegality cut down on the things I could do without increasing them in the slightest. "But otherwise I can understand innocent fun, and I'd love to hear what you've found to do." As he leaned against the wall I watched him with a bit of a smile, enjoying the long lines of his graceful form in a subtle fashion.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 18, 2011 21:54:22 GMT -5
The fact that she claimed to be law abiding comforted me, though in the end actions would speak louder than words. "Well I suppose I find in the same way others do ... people, activities. I would attended the Night Court if I had the money to do so." I had always wanted to try out that place, especially from what I had heard as I drove people to and from it.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 18, 2011 22:09:56 GMT -5
I could only let my smile become a bit more knowing at the mention of the Night Court, having been there a couple of times myself. "I consider that moderately innocent fun," I said after a moment. "And a lot of fun it is." Reaching a hand up to my hair I brushed it back over my shoulders and gave him a wider smile. "With your features I'd bet you could charm one of the fully marqued adepts without even necessarily having the money at hand. They are d'Angeline as well, after all."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 19, 2011 12:44:54 GMT -5
I smirked at that, recounting to myself all the times I had been tempted to test out that theory. Of course I never did, as I explained, "That dosen't seem right though. People pay good money to experience the pleasure of the Servants of Naamah. There's no reason I should try to take it for nothing, as much as I might like to."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 19, 2011 12:48:24 GMT -5
"But who says it's taking if they're giving it? It's also wrong to refuse a gift or to question whatever the gods have planned, isn't it?" I asked in a thoughtful tone, cocking my head and raising my brow as though I'd thought this through or had any kind of experience with the situation. Well, at least I knew some adepts and they were generally about as human in bed as everyone else, just with much greater skill and stamina. "It's not as though they don't have desires, and should theirs be dictated only by what comes and asks for them? They can't go to the Night Court either."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 19, 2011 12:56:35 GMT -5
"No," I responded quickly. "cause if I entice, or seduce, then they are not truly giving. I have, asked for something. If one truly wished to contract me for no fee I suppose i would consider, providing of course that they are fully marqued..." I trailed off and ended with a shrug. "To be honest I'm not familiar with the system enough to truly know what to do. I just try my luck with the normal folks in things like that."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 19, 2011 13:01:45 GMT -5
"Adepts are generally pretty savvy, if you're trying to seduce them and they don't want you to they're quick to pick up on it," I said nonchalantly, then shrugged. "I suppose I just see them a little bit differently. They're not like the girls down on the farm who can be gotten just by heating their blood a little bit because they don't know what to do with their passion otherwise." I smirked slightly at that and gave him a sideways glance, knowing that he likely understood what I meant. That's part of why I enjoyed the City, sometimes it was just a little too easy for me in the country. "But I suppose it's your decision in the end, Ansel. I'm just saying that the Servants of Namaah aren't to be underestimated."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 19, 2011 13:29:25 GMT -5
I cracked a smile at her accurate assessment of the girls back home. "I understand. You know I really would give it a try, if you honestly think I have the chance. Just takes the right person and the right time I suppose. I'll be on the lookout. Of course the job search comes first though."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 19, 2011 13:34:43 GMT -5
"I suppose the job search must, but I'm eagerly waiting to hear exactly what comes of that quest as much as your current one for employment," I replied with a somewhat wider smile and a vague suggestion of temptation in my eyes. He knew he was attractive, that much was clear, and it was interesting to see exactly what he'd make of a show of interest, half-serious though it was. Sometimes that could have quite an effect on a person's reactions and thoughts, and d'Angeline I was I liked to play and be appreciated.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 19, 2011 13:42:19 GMT -5
There was something in the girl's expression that was hard to make out. It spoke of interest, but what sort I could not determine. There might be any number of things she might want to have or know. "Well you'll be the first to know ... " And here I took a risk. It was twofold: It would give me insight to her character, and an opportunity to be close to a beautiful young woman. "Or here's an idea. Perhaps we could go to one of the houses together, maybe you can show mw what it takes to charm an adept and I can get to know your horses."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 19, 2011 13:55:24 GMT -5
His idea was an interesting one, though a complex one, especially if one didn't know what they were getting themselves into. His sense of morality was almost enough to convince me that he wasn't some psychotic maniac, but then again I knew some very good liars, including myself when I saw fit to make the effort. "So, let me see if I read you right," I said in a half-Camaeline drawl, cocking my head and looking up at him through the corner of my eyes. "You're saying that if I take you to the Night Court you'll come and work for me, or was there somewhat else in that statement?" There was a slight smirk across my lips though, since I knew he probably meant a little bit more than that, but I wanted to see how committed he really was to his sense of honesty.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 19, 2011 13:59:20 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Close, but no. You take me to the night court. I drive you there and get a feel for the horses. I wouldn't be obligated to work for you just yet. Consider it a trial period for both of us." I arched both my brows and grinned. It was a nice plan, fairly simple, honest, and open to possibilities.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 19, 2011 14:10:54 GMT -5
"A much more sedate option all told, and thank you for explaining it so clearly to a simple country girl like me," I replied in a wry tone though the smirk stayed on my lips. "Besides, I have no plans for the Night Court today, though I may venture down into Mont Nuit later and see what can happen there. Perhaps a slight change of plans then, or must everything be discarded on the basis of one detail?" There was a slight tease to my voice at that, a suggestion of a flirt, but I wasn't going to come across as someone cheap and easy when I was making a business deal on some level.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Jan 19, 2011 14:20:46 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Of course not. I'm a patient soul." There was a clear hint of tease in my voice now that wasn't there before. I was either being led in our leading myself in. "I think plans should be made though, so we don't forget."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jan 19, 2011 15:11:48 GMT -5
Patience was not one of my virtues but luckily I was so rarely in a position that I had to be patient that I could sometimes manage it by occupying myself with other things that required no effort on my part at all. "Of course there should be plans, that simplifies things so much further," I agreed with a ready smile. "Though I generally am a person of spontaneous action so you may have to forgive me if I'm a little rusty at making arrangements. How does five days from now sound, or would you rather it be sooner?" I was teasing again, but there was no crime in it, especially as he was willing to play along. As he well knew he was very handsome and there was more than enough about him that could draw someone in.
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