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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 25, 2011 16:49:14 GMT -5
Upon finally receiving a letter from my dearest friend Lessa, I was inquired upon to visit a friend of hers here in the City. And so I set out from my townhome on foot, in a thinly-strapped gown of pale blue to let the sun warm my shoulders and my hair down to allow the breeze to blow through it, toward the boarding house she had given me the direction to.
It was a beautiful spring day and the birds were singing in the trees as I walked up the path to the boarding house, which looked quite well-kept and very serviceable. Knocking on the door of the room I was directed to, I waited quietly for the man Roland to answer the door and wondered if he would be angry for my visit.
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 25, 2011 17:05:39 GMT -5
I had just finished my morning shave and was halfway through dressing to go out when I knock sounded at the door. I pulled on my undershirt so that I wouldn't be topless, and looked out the peephole to find a very attractive young woman, who gained even more charm when I opened the door and got a better look at her. "Good morning, may I help you?" I asked with a charming smile. Sure, I wondered what she might want, but I was also a man and she was looking lovely in her barely held-up gown.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 25, 2011 17:22:22 GMT -5
I blushed lightly as an extremely handsome, darker-hued man answered the door with a very, very attractive smile. I didn't know what I'd been expecting, but it certainly wasn't this! Trying to calm myself, I smiled up at him and curtsied as I spoke, holding out my hand after the curtsy to shake his.
"Good morning messire Roland, my name is Antoinette du Nantes. You're welcome to call me Toni as you like, as I believe I may be a bit tiny for that entirely too-large name," I began with a grin. I was sure I might get tired of using that phrase some day, but for now I still thought it was humorous. "My close friend Lessandrie de Mereliot had mentioned you were in the City and, since I am new here, she had thought mayhap I would like to make a new friend. May I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?"
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 25, 2011 17:40:00 GMT -5
"You certainly may Toni," I said, shaking the offered hand gently. I let go of her hand regretfully, but I certainly didn't want to be impolite, especially not when she was as pretty as she was. "Though I have a feeling that the pleasure is mine. Please, come in. I only recently arrived in the capital as well, Lessa must be killing two birds with one stone. I'll have to send her a note of thanks."
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 25, 2011 17:51:49 GMT -5
I smiled up to him as he shook my hand, his large and strong one enveloping mine before he allowed me entrance to his quarters. Moving through the door and turning, I nodded as I faced him. "Yes, she thought that since we were both recently arrived we could benefit from having at least one friend," I said softly, the room quiet and he being only a few feet away.
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 25, 2011 18:02:17 GMT -5
I closed the door, though didn't lock it, not wishing to make her nervous. No, I wanted the opposite of nervous, for I wanted to see that lovely smile again. "I was about to break my fast, would you care to join me? Nut bread, olives, and tea," I offered with another charming grin. Normally I would get to know someone better before an offer like this, but Lessa had mentioned the Comtesse du Nantes on occasion, so I knew I could trust her. At least enough not to knock me unconscious and ransack my room.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 25, 2011 18:18:47 GMT -5
I was just about to politely decline when my stomach growled. Giggling sheepishly, I nodded instead. "It seems my stomach has chosen for me," I joked lightly. "That sounds delicious, thank you!"
I moved to the table and glanced back to him. "You'd better hurry up before I eat all of this," I said with another smile.
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 25, 2011 18:46:26 GMT -5
For a brief moment I contemplated going and fetching my shirt, but she didn't seem to be offended by my bare arms, so I let it be. "Help yourself," I said as I followed her further into the room. I put the kettle on the fire before sitting down at the one other chair at the table.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 26, 2011 8:41:24 GMT -5
"My thanks, Roland," I said with a smile. Settling myself at his table, I tucked my feet up under me before popping an olive into my mouth while I sliced some of the nut bread. It was warm and fragrant, and it complemented the olives perfectly.
"I'm glad I came over this morning," I continued, "Or else I would surely have missed such a delicious breakfast." My smile was genuine and friendly, and I tried not to stare at the handsome man seated before me. Eisheth above, Lessa, you could have warned me!
"Have you been in the City long?" I asked then, wondering what he'd seen and if it had been any different than the sights I'd taken in.
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 26, 2011 21:41:31 GMT -5
I took in her smile, the open look to her face, and I knew immediately why Lessa liked this Toni. She was the sort of Eisandrine woman I knew I would miss when I thought about home. "Just a couple weeks. Long enough to get my bearings, but not much more," I explained, cutting myself a generous slice of bread, trying not to crowd her at the small table. "And you? Have you had a chance to explore much?"
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 26, 2011 22:01:45 GMT -5
I shook my head as I swallowed the bite of olive and licked my lips before speaking. "No, I've not been here long myself. I believe just about the same amount, truth be told. I have seen the Artisan's District," I said, thinking of the adept Adulio and our time together, but now was certainly not the time to think of that. I thought instead of where else I had been.
"Oh, I met a very nice young blind man and his companion and they took me to a shoppe that serves the most delicious desserts one could ever dream of!" I exclaimed, thinking immediately of Mael and Adrien with easy affection for the pair. "If you like, I'd be happy to give you the directions to it, or show you where it is. I don't know that it's really legal to have something taste that good, but oh they're heavenly!" I giggled as I rhapsodized. Okay, so I was likely exaggerating, but the crepe I'd eaten really was quite delicious!
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 26, 2011 23:08:37 GMT -5
I listened to her story attentively as I chewed. She really was cute, I wondered if Lessa knew the temptation she was sending my way. "Perhaps we could go out after breakfast, and wander in that direction? Maybe if we were careful in our timing we could have lunch there," I offered as I rose to fetch the boiling water and make us a pot of tea.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on Apr 26, 2011 23:28:29 GMT -5
My eyes lit up at his suggestion. Not only was the prospect of visiting the little sweets shop again very exciting, but the idea of spending more time with the handsome young man was very much something worth looking forward to. I watched him as he moved, competently making and pouring us both tea. I smiled up at him as he poured.
"My thanks, and that sounds like a lovely idea!" I said excitedly as I lifted my cup to gently blow on the surface of the tea and cool it.
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Post by Roland Zidane on Apr 30, 2011 15:39:24 GMT -5
She not only agreed, she sounded excited, and it helped me feel more comfortable about the whole thing. Though I was still trying to decide if I wanted to take a shot at seducing her...
"Excellent. Is there anything you've heard of that you'd like to see?" I asked, leaning back in my chair, my tea now doctored and cooling before me.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on May 1, 2011 15:16:28 GMT -5
I smiled and shrugged a bit. "I'm not that picky; have you seen anything interesting since you've arrived?" I asked him as he leaned back. "I was to the Artisan's District awhile ago and that was rather interesting. It was bright and colorful and loud and musical. I also saw the lavender fields and I fell in love with it, considering lavender is my favorite."
Blushing, I grinned shyly. Why had I just told him that? Likely he didn't much care what my favorite flower or scent was. I took a sip of my tea and hushed my rambling for awhile so that he could speak.
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Post by Roland Zidane on May 1, 2011 17:24:38 GMT -5
"I enjoyed wandering Night's Doorstep. I'd be happy to accompany you there, keep you safe," I offered with a smile.
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Post by Antoinette du Nantes on May 1, 2011 17:46:13 GMT -5
I blushed a bit, but smiled happily as I nodded. "I'd like that very much, if you're willing! We can make a day of it," I offered easily. I was comfortable in this man's presence, and I trusted him to keep me safe. "We should probably venture there only during the daytime, though, shouldn't we?" I mused. "I've heard it's a rather rough place to be at night."
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Post by Roland Zidane on May 4, 2011 22:43:19 GMT -5
"A nice young woman such as yourself... you should probably only go during the day. Going at night isn't necessarily unsafe if you're smart about it, but you are asking for trouble a little. Especially someone as pretty as you," I said with a smile.
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