Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on May 16, 2011 22:47:09 GMT -5
I had been taken by the urge for new tack for my mare and so, with Maurice accompanying me, I had headed to the most reputable shop I knew in the city to find what I desired. I knew that the tack I had was fine, but I was not yet ready to go outfit myself in a whole new line of fashion, so I would focus on her instead.
We stepped through the door and I inhaled deeply, the scents of leather and oils filling my lungs and making me smile.
“I love the way it smells in here,” I said to Maurice with a smile.
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on May 19, 2011 14:24:16 GMT -5
It was a lovely day, and any day that Leyna decided to venture out made me happy, and I was more than content to accompany her, as was my job, but also my pleasure. it was nice to have someone to speak to, even if mostly on a business sort of level. It was still nice. TOday she wanted to get some items for her mare, and I accompanied close by her side, and half a step back, as always. I smiled as we entered teh shop, and I saw her light up. I do not think I had ever seen her like that in the time of my short employment, such a genuine smile and such genuine pleasure lighting her face.
In the back of my mind, though, I worried. There was something I would have to tell her, and I truly did not know when would be the time to let her know of my new and rightful dukedom.
"It does smell wonderful, reminds me of riding in Camlach and the stables there," I said with a grin as I looked about us, at the wares, and at the other shoppers about us.
|
|
|
Post by Balendin Madariaga on May 20, 2011 22:58:52 GMT -5
The meeting with the Queen had gone about as well as expected, especially considering what had been happening recently and the fact that she'd just ascended to the throne with almost no knowledge of anything that had been in the works before she'd done so. At least she'd proven an honorable and honest sort and we'd managed to come to a sort of compromise; I'd stay here in this land for six months and try to do things according to their religious precepts, which were luckily not hard to live by, and if by that time none of the suitable brides had appealed to me she would choose one to seal the alliance between us. I had to admit that it appealed to the more romantic part of my nature to be able to take that sort of road, even if it proved fruitless in the end. Then I'd know I'd tried to find a marriage based on more than convenience.
With very little else to do except set up my living quarters and write back to my father concerning what was happening, as well as learning a bit more about this land and its current tribulations, that left a good deal of time to see the rest of the City and the people. Euskerria hadn't been around so long that people had forgotten when the royal family had been lords and ladies like themselves so my brothers, sisters and I had been raised much more practically than other nobilities could do more than sneer at, but I wasn't perturbed by this at all. As I'd walked I'd found myself near a tack and clothing shop which seemed to contain a bit less flamboyant menswear than the other places kept, so I'd gone inside and began looking around. My eyes moved steadily over the various products, the fine fabrics not catching my eye so much as the cuts of the clothing and what would actually be serviceable for a hunt, not just for sitting on a horse while dogs chased the prey.
There were a few other people in the shop but I wasn't bothered by this at all and simply said a polite 'Excuse me' when I had to pass some of them, knowing that my accent probably stood out but not really caring one way or the other. The woman was lovely of course, with her golden hair and fine gown, and I gave her a calm smile as I stepped past and picked up a leather bridle, looking over the attached bit to make sure it was sturdy.
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on May 20, 2011 23:14:19 GMT -5
“Much to my mother’s chagrin, I spent more of my childhood in the stables than in the actual house,” I said with a chuckle. “This smells like home to me.”
As we moved deeper into the shop, a man passed by with a soft “Excuse me” and his accent caught my attention as much as his dark looks. I stared for half a second, then shook myself and looked away.
“A bridle first,” I said, looking at Maurice again. “If I can’t find one here there’s no point in looking for anything else.” I went to a rack to the right and began looking at the bridles, running my fingers over the leather and trying to keep from looking back at the foreign stranger.
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on May 24, 2011 12:19:14 GMT -5
"Makes perfect sense," I said to her as she looked over the bridles and my eyes cut to the stranger that had passed by. His accent was certainly not d'Angeline... although... there was something a little familiar about it. I kept my eye on him though, as discretely as possible, noting how his gaze had lingered and his smile had been when he looked at Leyna. He did not look dangerous, but still, it was good to keep note of these things. I saw one of a tan leather with sturdy metal links and pointed it out.
"How is this one, my lady?" I asked her, still cutting a glance past her to see if the man was still looking.
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on May 29, 2011 0:44:39 GMT -5
I glanced at the bridle Maurice was pointing to. “It’s very nice, a little sturdier than she really needs though,” I said with a smile. “Wildfire has the softest mouth and she needs hardly any direction at all.”
I moved a little further down the display and found one made of leather that had been bleached white and then braided. “Oh, this is lovely,” I said, picking it up and showing Maurice. “It’s so delicate.”
|
|
|
Post by Balendin Madariaga on Jun 4, 2011 21:15:28 GMT -5
The leather I held in my hands was sturdy and in good condition though the styling of the bridle and other gear was a bit different than I was used to. Still, functionality overcomes appearance so most places had the same basic idea of what tack should do so there was very little variation on the form and features. It seemed that the craftspeople here had at least enough sense to leave a thing that worked well enough alone and that was a very good sign.
I was just close enough to the woman I'd passed and her companion that I could hear a bit of their conversation, though I was doing my best not to pay any attention to it. Eavesdropping was both rude and dishonest and I rankled at the idea of staining my pride with either of those acts, but neither could I close my ears to it. With another glance in that direction I saw her examining some bridles herself, using some very sensible standards, though her choice of a bleached one was strange to me since it would be so hard to clean and far more likely to break. Smiling to her again I put down the bridle I'd been looking at and considered another, wondering if I should approach her or not.
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jun 10, 2011 11:48:12 GMT -5
"It is rather lovely," I said with a smile, though my eyes only flashed towards the item before they were trained on teh man again. I moved slightly closer to the princess, ducking my head.
"My lady," I said softly, "the man over there seems to be looking at you. Do you know him? i do not wish to cause you any alarm, he odes not look dangerous, but his glances do fall in this direction rather often, and I need to know if you would like me to take care of this," I said. Normally I'd have stepped in and done my duty, but as he presented no present danger, I did not want to make a fool of myself, or my lady, especially in a shoppe with others about. It was doubtful that if he was dangerous at all he would pull anything here, but I would rather be overcautious than not cautious enough.
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jun 10, 2011 18:01:05 GMT -5
At Maurice’s words, I looked up at the man, unable to stop myself even though I likely should have. I made myself look away, blushing softly as I realized how inept I was at being inconspicuous.
“It’s fine,” I said softly to Maurice. “No, I don’t know him, but I don’t think it’s something to worry about. Thank you though.”
My fingers ran over the material of the bleached bridle once more before I set it back in place. “I think that leather is weaker than it looks, soft mouth or no, I need to be able to stop her if I have to,” I said, my voice normal once again. I looked around at the other bridles, having to make an effort not to look at the foreign man, not because I was scared, but because once you try not to do something, it’s all you want to do.
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jun 18, 2011 9:59:32 GMT -5
I nodded my head as we returned to the task at hand, and she mused over the bridle. I nodded in understanding and agreement.
"It is pretty but perhaps not the most functional if for some reason you need to reign her in hard," I offered. "So then you are looking for something that looks good, but is also strong." I still liked the one I had pointed at first, but it was a little masculine, I had to admit. "And what of that one?" I asked, pointing to one that was the colour of caramel.
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jun 18, 2011 15:55:22 GMT -5
“Oh, that’s lovely,” I said, smiling wide. I moved around the display to get a better look, not thinking about the fact that I was now between Maurice and the man he’d been watching.
I picked up the bridle and ran my fingers over the leather, testing its strength. “This is much sturdier than the last one,” I commented. “It will look wonderful on her too.”
|
|
|
Post by Balendin Madariaga on Jun 21, 2011 17:40:58 GMT -5
The conversation between the two continued and from the watchful glances the man spared between her and myself I could only guess that he was indeed someone who considered it a duty to protect the lady. I wasn't a threat, of course, but saying so would probably only make him feel more suspicious because I'd noticed what he wanted to stay hidden. I couldn't really blame him either, that also would have given me some pause if it had involved one of my sisters or friends. Of course they could also be a betrothed couple, or even married, and I wasn't in the position to guess, nor did I want to. It was better to ask than being kept in the dark.
It seemed that they were still talking about bridles when I looked back over and saw that the beautiful blonde was standing closer to me, and I flushed slightly and gave her another smile before reaching up to pull down another bridle. This time though part of the reins caught on one of the hooks and I gave it a tug, causing another to fall to the ground. Almost cursing under my breath at my clumsiness I reached down to pick it up. I needed to pay more attention to what I was doing instead of concentrating on trying to figure out who this girl was before I embarrassed myself.
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jun 24, 2011 14:31:41 GMT -5
A bit of noise beside me drew my attention and I noticed the stranger picking up a bridle from the floor.
“You’d think they could find a better way to display them, wouldn’t you?” I asked with a smile. The joy of finding the perfect bridle making me feel a little bold.
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jun 29, 2011 9:51:58 GMT -5
She like dthe one I had pointed out, and I could not help that I dipped my head and smiled until a clattering noise brought my attention to that man once again, my eyes darting to him, my body tensing, until I realised he had droppe dthe bridle, and there was no harm. Still I watched him, even as Leyna spoke to him. I did not place myself between them, but remained at her side.
|
|
|
Post by Balendin Madariaga on Jul 3, 2011 14:48:58 GMT -5
For a moment I wondered if there would be some tension or alarm at my behavior but as I was leaning up, the bridle still in my hand, the lady spoke and I smiled a bit more widely, glad to see that the people here weren't as uptight as I might have once believed. She was even more lovely this close and a flush nearly came to my cheeks as I looked into her beautiful face. I still wasn't used to how almost-perfect people were in this land yet and it nearly took my breath away.
"There could probably be easier ways to display the wares," I said a moment later as I bowed, glancing quickly at the man who was escorting the lady and then away again as he simply stood silently by and let us continue our conversation for the moment. "Though I should thank the happy accident for the chance to speak to you. I'm Printze Balendin Madariaga of Euskerria, might I have your name?"
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jul 3, 2011 15:12:46 GMT -5
“Princess Leyna de Somerville,” I said, smiling. His accent caused a tingle inside me, but I forced myself to ignore it. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Printze. May I introduce Maurice de Bouchard, my man-at-arms.”
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Jul 18, 2011 14:29:47 GMT -5
And for a moment, I felt like a dolt. A Prince! But, I was only doing my job. I cleared my throat, and bowed appropriately and with an apologetic smile.
"Pleased to meet you, Printze," I uttered in low tones, though I did set my jaw once more when I rose. I did not relinquish my post, and would not until Leyna asked me to. I just stood, and watched. Though I had to admit to myself I did feel slightly awkward. No matter, I had to keep my wits about me. he seemed cordial, and nice neough, but it was my job.
|
|
|
Post by Balendin Madariaga on Jul 23, 2011 9:23:28 GMT -5
The two of them seemed comfortable enough around each other that there was likely some friendship and not just servitude between them, and that was a good sign as far as I was concerned. The man was respectful and protective, the Princess sweet and personable, and there seemed no reason not to doubt that those were their genuine natures. My luck in meeting such a lovely Princess was a bit surprising but I was grateful for it and hoped it would continue to hold
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," I replied in a steady, pleasant tone, my smile still in place as I subtly fidgeted with the bridle I held. "What brings you out on such a nice day?"
Oh great, I was so baffled I was reduced to small-talk. At least I was still able to speak though, and should probably consider that a blessing.
|
|
Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
|
Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jul 23, 2011 16:58:53 GMT -5
“New tack for my mare,” I said, smiling and holding up the bridle that Maurice had found. “And yourself?”
|
|
Maurice de Bouchard
Aristocrat
House Bouchard
Son of Duc Lazare Bouchard (Deceased), step-son of the Duchesse Marie Laveau de Bouchard
Posts: 459
|
Post by Maurice de Bouchard on Aug 10, 2011 15:08:24 GMT -5
I gave a smile and a strong nod to his words, but did not interrupt as Leyna spoke, instead I just stood, and watched, trying my hardest not too look too much like a hawk.
|
|