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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 11, 2011 23:57:59 GMT -5
Having heard news, most of them ill thus far, though some excellent, I'd grown worried about Lessandrie's fate.
Part of me, foolishly, had assumed that mayhap she'd been in Marsilikos during the infamous plague and had escaped it, but with the onslaught of bad luck which seemed to be trailing me, my conviction had been shaken.
So it was that newly reinstated into my person, I made her home, and upon being told of her absence, felt an immeasurable sense of relief, that she was alive. Life, it seemed, was the most prized present fate could serve me in these troubled times.
Informed of her kinsman's address, I wandered over to his home, begging an audience of his staff, and was made to wait in his antechamber. I was nigh giddy with hope.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 12, 2011 14:15:11 GMT -5
I had been upstairs in my private chamber reading some poetry when a servant knocked on the door and announced that I had a guest. My initial thought was that it was Mirielle, but then I began doubting that and wondered just who it might be. I nodded to the servant and quickly made my way down the stairs to be greeted by a face I had never seen before. I offered him a nod. "Good day, m'lord. I am Comte Guy de Mereliot. Might I be of some service to you?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 12, 2011 15:52:33 GMT -5
I bowed in polite response to the Comte, my bearing proud as an Azzalese (begad, I do have their blood in my veins, don't I?)
“Greetings my lord,” I offered politely. “I am Duca Gillermo Stregazza, only now returned from abroad. Your kinswoman the Sovereign Duchess was a dear friend, and I was told, upon calling on her, that she was abroad and that you may give me her news.”
I offered a handshake, smiling frankly, for any kinsman of Lessa was one I would look kindly on.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 12, 2011 19:49:50 GMT -5
I gave the man a firm handshake as well, looking into his eyes with respect and the hope of a friendship. "Indeed, good sir, her grace is gone to celebrate her wedding and honeymoon in Ruskovia and has left me in charge of her affairs until her return."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 12, 2011 20:31:57 GMT -5
My eyes widened, and my smile as well, for Lessandrie was a woman I'd once kissed, but ever cherished, and any who'd wed her was indeed a blessed man.
“In Ruskovia?” I asked, and that made me stare a little more at the man, for I was startled with surprised. “Lessa, in Ruskovia?”
I remembered her in Marsilikos, how she was at home in the warmth of the Eisandine summer, and I could not imagine her in such cold lands. I just had to ask... “Is she happy?”
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 12, 2011 22:11:18 GMT -5
I nodded as he seemed a little surprised and it made me smile with pride for my cousin, who had found love and was willing to travel far away for it. "She's very happy, and she's on her way home. I expect her back in a month, or two at the most."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 12, 2011 22:30:04 GMT -5
I counted quickly, and figured writing her a letter if she was expected at the end of the summer would likely be a useless exercise.
"I am glad, then, on her behalf, and as she is not here for my congratulations, will you allow me to give them to you, then? For your kinswoman was a dear friend, once, and if I have any say in it, she still has a friend in me."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 13, 2011 13:56:46 GMT -5
"Thank you," I told the man. "She is indeed a fine woman. And the moment she arrives home I will tell her you were looking for her." Of course not the moment but I'm sure he knew what I meant.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 13, 2011 22:12:36 GMT -5
“I am grateful for your assistance,” I replied frankly. Lessa's kinsman seemed like a good man, one I could respect and perhaps even befriend. “Would you allow me to leave a missive in your keeping, for when she arrives, if you please?”
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 14, 2011 23:50:59 GMT -5
"Certainly," I replied, moving to my desk to take out a small parchment and a pen and ink. I offered the man my smile and waited for him. He seemed a good man, honest to be sure and I admired that. I was sure we'd come to know one another better. I needed real friends in the city.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 0:32:14 GMT -5
Accepting the quill and parchment, I pointed to the seat, asking silently if I may take it. Once seated, I proceeded to draft a letter which I hoped was more coherent than the joy in my mind.
Dearest Lessa,
As you see by the appearance of this letter, reports of my passing have been quite over-exaggerated. The tale of my survival is long, and likely best kept for a reunion, which I'm told may come shortly. I shan't lie when I write that I was selfishly disappointed when I was informed of your absence, as having the pleasure of your friendship was indeed something I quite looked forward to.
Selfish wants aside, for I have sadly missed your wedding, I wish to congratulate you and your husband both on your union, and will gladly extend an invitation to ---
I paused, then, and looked up to Guy de Mereliot.
“Forgive me – in my excitement, I did not even ask. Who is the lucky man?”
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 15, 2011 13:19:39 GMT -5
I nodded, giving him permission to sit and compose the message. I watched with a smile as he wrote down his thoughts to his beloved cousin and I wondered why I had no been greeted by more of her friends.
"Fydor Romanov," I said in response to his question, "I know little about the man apart from what I learned from Lessa but he seems to be a wonderful main and I good match." I then let him get back to writing.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 13:58:28 GMT -5
I raised my eyebrows once more, then smiled again. “Fydor Romanov? A relative of Alexei Romanov, I reckon?” It seemed indeed that Lessa had wedded well.
I'd met the Russian prince once, and thought well of him – he seemed honest and well meaning, and Riva had asserted that he loved Queen Sabrina dearly. Sadly, though, I couldn't seem to recall every single Ruskovian name I'd sought to retain in my training as an emissary – too much time had passed, since that life, and into the next.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 15, 2011 14:33:59 GMT -5
"I would assume so, yes," I said. I was eager to meet this man on his return. It seemed that Lessa picked the best company.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 15:13:43 GMT -5
“If he is anything like Knazj Alexei,” I said simply, “Your cousin is wedded to an excellent man indeed.” I smiled a little, and finished the letter, taking a guess that this may have been one of the younger siblings whose name I couldn't remember. It seemed fitting in all respects.
Selfish wants aside, for I have sadly missed your wedding, I wish to congratulate you and your husband both on your union, and will gladly extend an invitation to Knazj Fydor Romanov, when our respective schedules allow. My adress in the city of Elua remains the same, and will be forwarded, should further travel claim me.
Your loyal friend, ever,
Gil, once known as
Gillermo Stregazza Duca di Belafonte
Having finished the letter, I raised my gaze to Lessa's cousin once more. “I am so demanding. May I beg some wax, if you please?”
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 15, 2011 16:15:13 GMT -5
I smiled and gave the man a nod, handing him a lighted candle for his use. "If there is ever anything else you have need of please feel free to ask me."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 19:27:56 GMT -5
I used the wax to close the missive, and imprinted it with the seal of House Stregazza, removing it from my finger, then putting it back naturally, in an old gesture.
“The only request I have, Your Excellency,” I replied as I stood and offered him the letter in keeping, would be the honour of your company for lunch, if you please. I'd yet to meet any kin of Lessandrie's, and having just returned to the City, I am more than happy to make new acquaintances.” I smiled frankly, then added, “Consider it a boon for a boon, if nothing else.”
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 15, 2011 20:43:57 GMT -5
I took the letter from his hand, flipping it over, seal side down and opened the drawer of the desk. The letter was placed in its own section and the drawer was slowly closed, a little click signifying that it was locked away as well til her return.
"I would be honored, your grace. When would you like to have this meal?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 21:08:48 GMT -5
I grinned, then – good news deserve a happy reception. “There is no time like the present. If you are unoccupied, of course... I do recall that Lessandrie quite enjoyed the menu at Desir....”
It was lightly said, easy, an opening that was compromising and open to discussion.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 15, 2011 21:19:42 GMT -5
"I am free, yes," I told him. "And I will put my full trust in my cousin's taste in food as she puts full faith in me."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 21:32:42 GMT -5
"So she does," I replied, and smiled a bit more, knowing I'd want to know this cousin of Lessa's better for a variety of reasons, some more innocent than others. "She ever was tasteful indeed." I arched an eyebrow. "Shall we ride there this instant, or would you sooner meeting there in a moment?"
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jun 15, 2011 22:20:21 GMT -5
"I can leave right now. I would like to take my own carriage if that's alright with you though."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 15, 2011 22:48:33 GMT -5
I hadn't reinstated my carriage of yet, and still went simply with riding Strider - in truth, habit of frugality had taken me in their grip, inescapably. "As it please you," I replied. "I prefer to ride, and will meet you there, then, as it please you."
[OOC: Chris and I agreed to end the thread here, assuming that they have dinner, with no information of note being transmitted. Thread is closed.]
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