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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 11, 2011 22:34:57 GMT -5
"No, that's not the colour I want," I said for what must have been the thousandth time.
To my immediate right, I heard Adrien sigh. "For gods' sakes, Mael, you're blind! What difference does it make whether your scarf is crimson or wine-dark?"
"I want a certain colour," I replied. "It has to...evoke a certain emotion."
Another sigh. "You D'Angelines and your feelings!"
"Adrien, you're half-D'Angeline!" I retorted.
"At least I don't twitter over something as frivolous as the colour of a scarf!" He grumbled. "This one, then, 'tis the colour of...a summer sunset." I could practically hear him scowl as he pressed the scarf into my hands. "This is futile..."
"No, this is perfect." I replied, running my fingers through the soft fabric. "I want to buy this one."
So, that is what we did. I could tell Adrien was absolutely flabbergasted, but he seldom questioned me regarding "D'Angeline" things, and today was no exception.
"Watch your step," he cautioned as my feet left the floor of the shop and settled on cobblestones. "The stones are harsh on bare feet--must you hobble about like one of those priests?"
I shrugged. "Blessed Elua went barefoot..."
"Blessed Elua did not have to contend with cobblestones!"
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 11, 2011 22:55:52 GMT -5
I was the consummate country bumpkin. I knew that everything about me probably screamed it, from my dress that wasn't made of the most opulent fabric to my throat and ears and wrists bare of any jewelry to my hair which simply flowed down my back instead of being elaborately coiffed like all of the other ladies I saw. I hoped that wasn't a rule; I didn't really like putting my hair up much, unless I was cleaning.
Making a small face at the thought of cleaning, I moved backward from the stall I was standing at and bumped into someone behind me. Gasping, I turned quickly to look into the face of a young man who... had no eyes. All there were were the most interestingly beautiful scars I'd ever seen. Glancing down, I noticed that there was a piece of fabric stuck to my skirts and I plucked it quickly from my dress. Taking the man's hand in mine and turning it over, I placed the fabric in his palm as I spoke.
"Those scars are very beautiful, it's a shame to hide them," I murmured quietly. "And I do apologize for bumping into you; I really should watch where I am going. I may be new here but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be using my common sense! I do hope you're all right, messire?" I asked worriedly, not simply because he was blind but because I cared.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 11, 2011 23:10:00 GMT -5
I was so distracted by my friend that I did not hear someone approach us, nor did I have much time to react when she bumped me and my blindfold slipped, exposing my hated scars.
My scars, the bearers of bad memories.
I was about to open my mouth and utter something which was likely to be liberally peppered with strong language when someone pressed something into my hand--my blindfold, damp with sweat, but it was the accompanying comments that spurred me into action.
"Stop looking at them!" I exclaimed. "Eisheth's tits, woman! You babble like a jaybird! They are covered for. a. reason!" The nerve of some people!
"Of course I'm not a'right!" I rejoined. "You weren't supposed to see! No one is! Do you understand?!"
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 11, 2011 23:23:06 GMT -5
I gasped in dismay as tears welled in my eyes. The handsome young man's words had hurt me and I didn't know what to say. "I-I'm sorry, messire," I mumbled quietly, my voice shaking with my tears, which were starting to slowly roll down my face unheeded. "I did not realize that I was not allowed to give someone a compliment on something I found to be beautiful. I understand now, and I apologize for troubling you."
I glanced at the man accompanying the man with the blindfold before looking down once more, my sniffles punctuating the air as I began to move slowly around the man, the throng of people making it a bit more difficult than I'd thought it would be to move away from the man I'd so obviously offended, even though I knew not how. Oh, it was true, in a realm where perfection was the canon and way of life, to have anything viewed as an imperfection was unthought of. But I loved scars and markings like that, I thought they were interesting and beautiful. Obviously this young man didn't agree with my sentiments, though, as I had just received a thorough dressing down for simply being nice. And now I was crying in the middle of the market like an idiot while trying to move past the man in a way that I didn't bump him again.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 12, 2011 11:17:07 GMT -5
I heard the quaver in her voice which could only mean that she was about to cry. Godsdammit, if there was one thing I hated more than exposing my scars...
I reached out, my fingers making contact with some fabric I hoped was a part of her clothing. "Please, don't cry, m'lady. I am unused to hearing anything but scorn whenever someone sees these..." I shook out the blindfold and tied it securely in place again. "I wear this so I don't scare anyone." I snorted. "Sometimes I'd like to tear it off and hear all the cake eaters twitter about it, but I'm never invited to those sorts of events."
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 12, 2011 11:29:07 GMT -5
I was nearly past him when I felt something holding me back by the skirt, right at my right hip. Sniffling once more, I wiped my eyes and glanced down to see what I'd caught on and realized that it was the young man's fingers, grasping into my skirt. He let go of my skirts as he spoke and tied his blindfold on, and I couldn't help but grin as he spoke of 'cake eaters', a soft giggle making it's way out of my throat.
"Well messire, if I ever get invited to any, may I bring you as my guest so that you can cause a stir?" I asked him softly, a smile in my voice as well as on my face. My tone turned conspiratorial as I leaned in closer and whispered, "I think it would be quite delightful to see all of the spoiled, pampered, snooty nobility in their bubbles of purchased perfection receive the shock that life isn't that way for all."
Reaching out, I gently rested my hand on his forearm and squeezed lightly for just a moment before removing my hand once more, in case it was viewed as an invasion of personal space.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 12, 2011 14:39:37 GMT -5
I laughed. "Oh yes, I should like to hear their reactions to that sort of feat! Court life is probably so dull they will talk of nothing else for weeks!" I had to admit, it was a tantalizing thought, but not a thing that would become reality anytime soon.
I shrugged. "I know little of court life. My mother did not come from nobility. My name's Leblanc, by the way, Mael Leblanc, pleased to meet you, and my companion is Adrien, the cranky Bodhistani."
I heard Adrien mutter something that may have been a greeting or an obscenity, I could never tell when he spoke his mother tongue.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 12, 2011 16:21:25 GMT -5
I grinned at the man Adrien as he muttered and inclined my head while putting my hand in Mael's and shaking firmly but carefully.
"Nice to meet you both. My name's Antoinette du Nantes, but I fear I'm a bit small for that entire name so please, call me Toni! It fits me a bit better," I joked. "This is my first time in the City, is it always this fast-paced? I just came to the market to find some things for cleaning the ridiculous townhouse I've inherited along with the ridiculous title, and I find myself practically swept away with the crowd. How does one navigate?"
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 12, 2011 23:14:10 GMT -5
I shrugged. "You're asking a blind man how he navigates in this City?" I tilted my head in Adrien's direction. "I have Adrien to help me, most days, and I can find my way around most edifices by sound." I shrugged. "This is the capital, after all, it's bound to be busy most days."
I paused. "Where are you from? I-If you don't mind my asking, m'lady?" She sounded like she had a fair bit of money, and it wasn't wise to upset someone with resources like that.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 12, 2011 23:19:50 GMT -5
I laughed at Mael as he spoke. "I suppose, asking a blind man to navigate on his own would not get me far!" I smiled at the man, forgetting he couldn't see. "I am from Eisande," I replied. "I don't mind you asking anything at all, Mael. I'm near impossible to offend."
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 12, 2011 23:35:29 GMT -5
For some reason, it didn't surprise me to learn that she was from Eisande. I seemed to meet a great many Eisandine women. "My mother was from Eisande," I said. "She was a chirurgeon, taught me everything I know about plants." I shrugged. "It's harder to identify herbs now. Sometimes I can manage by smell..." I sighed. "Sometimes it's hard to remember what things look like. Is the sky still blue?" I grinned.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 13, 2011 8:34:23 GMT -5
His grin was infectious and I couldn't help but grin a bit myself, a soft chuckle coming from my throat. "The sky is most assuredly a beautiful blue today," I responded. "By smell, you say? How delightfully interesting. May I ask what it is you're smelling now?" I inquired curiously, knowing that once a certain sense was lost, especially if that sense was sight, all of the other senses became far more heightened.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 17, 2011 21:15:08 GMT -5
I took a deep breath, tasting the air on my tongue. "I smell..." I cocked my head to the side. "Perfume, and sweat, whoever bought it should ask for their ducats back, as it certainly isn't covering up the stink." I took another breath. "Dust, horses, not that unusual, I don't think..."
I turned, my nostrils flaring. "I smell something burning. Is there a fire, or is there a smithy over there?"
"It's a smithy," Adrien supplied, sounding anything but helpful. I sighed. "You could at least pretend to be polite in the presence of a lady."
He snorted and I continued speaking to Toni. "I smell...it smells like when it's about to rain. The air almost feels...heavier...somehow..." I tilted my head up towards the sky, expecting raindrops to fall on my blindfold at any moment.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 17, 2011 21:32:57 GMT -5
I smiled as he rattled off what he was sensing, giggling softly as he spoke of cheap perfume, and how he went back and forth with his companion. It was easy to see that, although they squabbled a bit here and there, there was still a friendly affection there.
I followed his sightless gaze up to the sky and noticed that, sure enough, the clouds were beginning to block out the sun a bit. Shivering suddenly at the slight chill in the air, I glanced back at the handsome blind man and smiled, knowing the smile would show through in my words.
"You are certainly good at that; the clouds are beginning to obscure the sun as we speak. Would you care to continue this conversation in somewhere less... open? Perhaps a café of some sort, or a pastry shoppe?"
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 17, 2011 22:25:08 GMT -5
Ah, so it was going to rain after all. By now I had learned to trust my instincts, and they served me well, even if I could imagine that Adrien was rolling his eyes as she confirmed my suspicions.
"If it's going to rain, I think it would be wise if we found shelter. I know where to find a few good pastry shoppes." I grinned. "Would you prefer good food, good company, or both?"
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 17, 2011 22:34:44 GMT -5
I smiled and moved to stand next to him. "I believe I would prefer both, if that is possible," I answered good-naturedly. "In my humble opinion, I already have the company quite nailed down. I do love pastries!"
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 17, 2011 22:51:40 GMT -5
My grin widened. "In that case, I think I know just the place. Adrien?"
A sigh sounded from close to my right. "Yes?"
"Let's take her to Rouillard's..." I said. "I wouldn't want to insult such a lady by offering her paltry sweets."
A pause, then a derisive snort. ""The one with the owner who is as fat as a sow? He glares at me every time we go in there."
I shrugged. "Then just glare at him, you do it to everyone else. I know you do."
He snorted. "Come on, Prince, or it's going to rain on us..."
**
It turned out it wasn't a long walk to the shop in question, not that I could tell one edifice from another. I knew only that Adrien described it as "D'Angeline" which usually meant something between "quaint" and "ostentatious". One could never tell with Adrien.
"This place sells delicious pastries," I explained to our companion. "Not too costly, either." I took Adrien's hand, allowing him to lead me inside and to a table. It suddenly occurred to me that the owner might be glaring at Adrien because he thought that he was sharing my bed, but anyone who knew Adrien even in passing knew he was not like that.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 17, 2011 23:02:23 GMT -5
I giggled at the two men going back and forth yet again. It was quite endearing, to be sure. As we stepped into the pastry shoppe, a delicious smell permeated my awareness and I inhaled deeply, exhaling on a soft sigh of pleasure. It smelled heavenly in here!
I glanced around at the quaint decor as we sat at the table and, sure enough, there was the... rather large... owner, glaring down Mael's companion Adrien. I smiled serenely, unperturbed, and glanced at the two men. "Well, as I am new to the City, I expect there are many things I've never tried. Would you be so kind as to choose for me?" I said happily, content to be with such nice company.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 18, 2011 12:15:41 GMT -5
"Certainly" I replied, my fingers encountering a serviette. "The filled crepes are very good--"
Adrien snorted. "She doesn't want the filled crepes, Mael..."
"Adrien, she asked us to choose!" I retorted. "What's wrong with the crepes?" A grin slowly crept across my face. "Oh, is this about that time--"
Adrien made a rude noise. "We agreed not to discuss it, didn't we?"
"Right," I replied. "Which is why the filled crepes are an excellent choice, since your objection is based on something that you refuse to discuss." I turned towards where I'd heard her last speak. "They fill them with custard and fruit, is that to your liking or would you prefer something else?"
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 18, 2011 12:22:22 GMT -5
I grinned as they went back and forth yet again. "They sound delicious, and I'd love to try them," I responded to Mael. "I trust your judgement implicitly, my friend." Glancing at Adrien, I smiled and ventured, "And... I'm sorry you've had a bad experience with crepes, messire."
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 18, 2011 15:45:18 GMT -5
I heard Adrien grumble in response. His manners were impeccable today.
"I'm glad at least one of us trusts my judgement," I replied, grinning. "Adrien, could you signal that we're ready to order, please?"
The server was the fellow with the raspy voice that I intensely disliked, as he tended to speak of me as if I were still a child, not a grown man, but luckily his attention was only on Adrien, who quickly ordered two orders of crepes and one of something I suspected was an apple tartlet that he was careful to whisper, as if he was ashamed to admit it to the lady. Oh, Adrien, so full of bravado except where pretty girls were concerned.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 18, 2011 18:36:04 GMT -5
I smiled serenely at the server and said nothing, trusting the gentlemen to order and waiting until the server was gone to speak once more. "May I ask what it is that you do here in the City?" I inquired curiously, wanting to learn more about the interesting, if a bit prickly, young man who had in a heartbeat changed his demeanor.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 18, 2011 18:46:36 GMT -5
Few things are more startling than the sound of Adrien's laughter, and I admit that I jumped a little at the sound of it.
"What we...do?" I asked as Adrien fought to catch his breath. "Well, nothing in particular." What was I supposed to tell her, that we spent our time fighting in a dirty pit with hardened criminals? That Adrien commanded a gaggle of street urchins who had done far worse things than I could even imagine?
"I...I've spent most of my time searching for...persons of interest..." I said finally. "Very interesting persons..."
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 18, 2011 18:58:37 GMT -5
I startled a bit as Mael's companion burst into laughter, my eyes widening in surprise. I must have said something humorous, though for the life of me I could not pinpoint what it was. But I made a 'hmm' sound as I considered his words, wondering the nature of his search, how he went about it, and who he was looking for.
"Ah," I finally said, at a loss for words or reaction. "And I suppose you'd rather not say much of anything about it, then, considering how you just answered."
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 18, 2011 19:46:45 GMT -5
I nodded, grinning. "Not especially..."
I heard a plate slide my way as Adrien murmured that the food had arrived. I felt him take my hands and guide them to my cutlery. As juvenile as it might have seemed to our guest, it was preferable to fumbling about for them.
"I trust the food looks as delicious as it smells?" I asked, inhaling the scent of the crepes deeply before tucking in.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 18, 2011 20:00:11 GMT -5
I inhaled deeply and nodded as I answered. "Oh yes, it looks absolutely decadent!" I replied excitedly as I picked up my own cutlery. If I were anywhere but a city, surrounded by more refined people, I would simply have picked the delicious treat up with my fingers and partook of it, but as it was I thought it best that I follow suit with Mael and Adrien, and so I picked up my cutlery and began too.
The first bite was delicious, and my eyes widened. I chewed and swallowed before exclaiming. "Eisheth above, this is delicious! Mael, I believe this is my new favorite place in the City, and I have you to thank for it!" I said with a giggle.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 18, 2011 22:35:54 GMT -5
I blushed. "Oh well, I am certain there are other, finer places, but yes, this one is better than any I have frequented in Night's Doorstep. Actually, while I am on the subject of Night's Doorstep, I would...be hesitant to frequent certain places there at night. There is a...darkness...there that nobles like to pretend does not exist." I knew that all too well. It was yet another experience that I did not wish to relive.
"Apart from that, there's always Elua's Square," I continued. "Even Adrien likes Elua's Square. They say the tree there was planted by Blessed Elua Himself."
"The tree deva is very strong," I heard Adrien mutter.
I glanced in his direction. "What he means is that the tree has a strong spirit, or...god, I think, Bodhistani is a very strange language."
"So is D'Angeline..." Adrien remarked dryly.
"Yes, well, the point is that...even Adrien likes Elua's Square, and its tree spirit." I said, nodding to myself as if that was the final word on the subject.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 19, 2011 8:30:16 GMT -5
These two men were by far the most colorful characters I'd ever met. I laughed again at their banter, and found myself wondering about Night's Doorstep. Was it truly that bad? Mayhap I would walk through there during the day. I nodded, though, as Mael spoke, and wanted very much to see the tree that Elua was said to have planted himself.
"That sounds wonderful," I said quietly, a smile in my voice. "I love trees; I used to climb them all the time when I was a child... And when I was an older child... And the afternoon before I came to the City," I confessed with a blush on my cheeks. For all that my papa-- bless him-- had tried to rear me gently, I had simply had more fun running wild. Oh, I still learned what I needed to learn, of course; I was simply happier to tuck up my skirts and wade in the stream-- where I usually fell or jumped in-- or climb trees, or ride the horses bareback, or filch sweets from Cookie, who was indulgent of my pilfering. The happy memories left an ache in my chest, and I decided it was probably best to stop thinking of all of them. The tree-climbing, though... Oh, to climb the tree in Elua's Square! But I'd never profane Blessed Elua that way.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Apr 19, 2011 21:40:56 GMT -5
I paused in the act of eating my crepes. "It sounds as if you have had an...interesting upbringing." In truth, I couldn't remember the last time I had climbed a tree, though I imagined I must have at some point in my childhood.
My attention was momentarily directed towards the space above my head as the pattering of rain confirmed my earlier prediction. "It seems as if we managed to arrive just in time to avoid a soaking," I said, grinning. "I'm not usually that lucky with my guesses."
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 20, 2011 9:11:32 GMT -5
I laughed. "Interesting indeed, and I'm lucky to have met you then, if I've avoided an impromptu drenching!" I exclaimed, still grinning. "How long have you lived in the City? And how did you come to find your... tight-lipped companion?" I inquired with a grin over to Adrien, hoping he wouldn't take my words as insult. "I do apologize if I'm prying," I added suddenly. "I'm a nosy creature, it seems. Everyone interests me."
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