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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 10:30:16 GMT -5
The carriage ride to the jewelry shop had been quieter and far more impersonal than the previous times we'd been in one together but that was to be expected, wasn't it? As easy as it had been in our earlier moments to have a sort of sensual closeness that had been built a good deal on knowing who had the power and who didn't. Now with the term 'married' hanging in the air all I knew was that I wasn't going to be instantly transformed to some silly woman wringing her hands and fawning over someone. I'd play my part to keep things stable but for all I knew he was doing the same thing anyway. Except for those smiles that made me wonder if maybe I was being too harsh about all of this; those were confusing.
As the carriage slowed to a stop I looked over at Castiel. There was a smile on my face though, mostly because I was getting to choose my own rings rather than trusting to a man's dubious sense of fashion. We'd already been to the factor and I knew that there had been arrangements made and money picked up, though what he had with him was only a modest sum. Didn't he understand the theory of having something billed to the estate? That's what factors were for, so you didn't have to carry huge bags of coins and could have the illusion of being able to spend what you wanted. "Are you ready to go inside, my lord?" I asked sedately, examining my fingernails as I waited for the door of the carriage to open.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 10:43:03 GMT -5
I carried a small chest with me, a very small one, but still holding more coin than a simple pouch would have, enough coin for teh rings, three of them, two for her, one for myself. It sat in my lap, my hands crossed over it as we sat side by side, much insilence for the entire trip. It was a quick one, but seemed to drag on with the lack of discussion, or other activities that we hd partaken in before during such carriage rides. But I could not help that a sense of excitement filled me, as well as nervousness, as I turned to her, smiling softly, lightly. it was not a wide grin, but it was a real one.
"Yes, and judging by that smile so are you," I said, teasing lightly with a slight chuckle. "And please," I said as the carriage door was opened and I was getting ready to leav ewith her, my hand resting lightly on her arm, "please, call me Castiel, or Cast, no need for those silly pronouns now," I said, smiling warmly before I gestured that she could leave the carriage.
I did not know what sort of jewelery she liked, she was a flashy woman when it came to her dress, throwing subtlety to the wind, and so I had images in my mind of large diamonds that made me swallow larger lumps that seemed to rise in my throat. I could afford them, but I hoped she would still keep her mind about her amidst all the glitz and glamour.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 11:01:26 GMT -5
There was that smile again and I wasn't sure whether it was closer to the fawning ones that some of my lovers had given me before I decided they were too soft or closer to something Gabriel would have given me, confident and rakish. There was still too much to figure out so I simply smiled a bit more widely in response, closer to the one I would have given in the latter situation than the former, and rose, smoothing down my skirts. "I enjoy jewelry, but who can say that they don't in some small measure?" I replied wryly, noting that he seemed to want his name used more often. Easy enough, though I knew that generally depended on my mood anyway. "And you know my name as well, Castiel. Perhaps we should both agree to at least use each others."
The door opened and I took the driver's hand to step down, settling my skirts around me once my feet were back on the ground and standing to one side, looking over the outside of the shop. This was the Palace District, so opulence and class went hand in hand, and it showed. I'd spent enough time here to appreciate most of the businesses from personal experience and the scents of some of the restaurants reminded me that I hadn't eaten much in the past few days. All the better for my figure, especially with all of the drinking I'd been doing of late. Glancing back at the carriage I waited for Castiel to step down and took his arm politely. I could have asked some question to fill the silence but it seemed like a good bit of work for the few steps it would take to carry us into the store and once there I was sure I'd lose track of what we were speaking of anyway.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 12:40:31 GMT -5
I murmured an affirmative response as she stepped out, stepping out after her, setting the chest on the seat of the carriage before taking it up again once I was outside of it. I instructed teh driver to wait closeby as we would not be terribly long here, and took up Liselle's arm.
"So long as you don't bankrupt our estate," I murmured playfully before we walked to and stepped into the jeweller's shop. The bell rang at the door. It was empty, save for the gentleman behind the counter, who looked up from his paperwork and smiled at us both.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 12:53:14 GMT -5
Our estate. Perhaps he wasn't going to be as uptight about all of this as I'd feared, though the reminder not to bankrupt him nearly made me roll my eyes. Inside the shop the glint of precious metals and stones was evident, the light shining off of the fine workmanship of the various brooches, rings and necklaces, as well as some other, larger bits and pieces of metal. The man behind the counter was handsome enough, and in another situation I would have flirted and tried to attract his attention in hopes of pretty bangles but somehow I doubted that would go over well, so I just smiled and took a step toward the counter.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jun 13, 2011 12:59:48 GMT -5
Twas not a terribly busy day, though it had been a busy mfew months, and with things being unsettled in Camlach with raids adn the like, and with upped security within the City, I was contracted more often to make swords and the like. But not as much jewelery.
A couple came in, and I looked up from my work, smiling in a friendly manner as I straightened, taking the docuemtns I looked over and placing them behind me on a small ledge.
"My lord, my lady, welcome," I said as they entered. The man was tall, with dark hair and almost violet eyes, and I wondered if he was of royal blood. The woman on his arm was certainly beautiful, smling sweetly, blonde locks in a loose braid down her back.
"How might I help you today?" I asked. It was always an intricate balance, giving the patrons enough attention so they did not feel you did not care, but not so much that they felt you were following them and breathing down their necks every two seconds.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 13:01:50 GMT -5
The man behidn the counter regarded us with a smile, and i smiled back.
"Yes, we are looking for engagement adn wedding rings," I said as I moved us both closer to the counter, "though you may wish to speak to the lady about it, I havent the greatest eye for these things," I teased, looking to Liselle with a grin.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 13:12:53 GMT -5
The shopkeeper was polite and amazingly Castiel was very good at playing off this entire facade, and I gave him a bright, slightly wry smile before looking back at the proprietor of the establishment. "Thank you for your faith in my taste, Castiel," I repled easily, then looked across the counter before looking back at the salesman. "I think a nice set, gold with some diamonds perhaps?" I said in a sedate tone. "Nothing too large, but it needs to speak well of status." Looking back at Castiel I gave him a questioning glance. "How does that sound?"
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 13:45:47 GMT -5
It seemed she was willing to compromise and find a midground, at least that was how it sounded, and I chuckled softly, nodding.
"That sounds good," I grinned down at her, then took her hand, bringing it to my lips to kiss the back of it before I let it go. She would be needing it afterall.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jun 13, 2011 13:52:39 GMT -5
I opened the sliding glass door to the glass case. "We have quite a range of selections," I mused, pulling out a tray that was covered in black velvet so that the sparkle of teh rings would show up more. I pointed one out as a suggestion. "This one here is well priced, plus has dainty filigree work along the band, and a generous diamond. I can pul out more like it if it suits your tastes," I added, smiling as I unpinned it from the velvet and set it before the lady.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 13, 2011 14:03:36 GMT -5
The kiss on the back of my hand didn't phase me and I gave Castiel another smile before I watched the jeweler started setting out a tray of rings, then gestured to one and started describing it. Nodding in understanding I picked up the set and held it between my fingers, looking it over with a discerning eye and then sliding them over my finger for a brief moment for a look before I took them off and set them back down. "Very nice, but perhaps something a bit more crisp," I replied a moment later. I'd keep this set in mind for a second choice but I wanted more options nonethelesss. "More modern."
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 9:08:45 GMT -5
By this point I figured that the smiles were not terribly genuine, we were playing parts that should come naturally to those wed to one another, but as time went by, I was slowly calming, slowly easing into my role, and letting things come more naturally to me. When she put that ring aside, I just simply watched. It was a prettyring, but if it were my opinion that counted, I would not have chosen it. It just didn't scream... Liselle.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jun 14, 2011 9:15:13 GMT -5
I left the first tray out for her to peruse, the tray full of rings set in varying grades of gold, with diamond rings, diamon solitaires, in varying ncuts, and some coloured stones as well, amethysts, sapphires, rubies, emeralds. I pulled out another tray from the display case, this one with rings a touch more modern, set in platinum and somein a white or lighter yellow gold. I plucked one from it for her to look at. "How do you feel about something like this? The centre stone is still large, but brilliantly cut, and the surrounding stones give it a crisp glitter. The band still has some filigree, but it is a stronger statement."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 9:30:28 GMT -5
The gleam of the diamonds caught my eye and I admired the rings, noting many different ones. There didn't seem to be a bad choice here but I was generally pretty canny about what would look decent, what was gaudy and how far I could push the line between the two. The newest choice he brought out was spectacular, studded in diamonds and I examined as I had the other one. Much to be admired, but not perfect, and I'd taken Castiel's earlier statement to mind. I'd be wearing this for a long period of time and I didn't want something I would get bored with.
"It's nice, but I was looking for the darker yellow gold with the matching band," I said sedately. "The diamonds of this one particularly appeal to me." I couldn't tell if Castiel was really listening or was still cursing his headache and the events that had transpired but I was by now back in my area of comfort. Surround me with fine things and give me the choice of them and my nerves are quickly soothed.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 10:16:18 GMT -5
I certainly did not know much about these things, but there was a pretty one that was gold, had a band, and diamonds. I didnt particularly think it was the prettiest, being old fashioned myself, but I thought I would point to it. "How about that one," I said, pointing at it. I watched Artus move to pull it from teh velvet."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 10:23:12 GMT -5
When Castiel spoke up I was somewhat surprised and turned to look at the ring he's suggested. It was something I rather liked, studded in diamonds to give it some glimmer, the white stones standing out sharply against the yellow gold, the shape of the arches and filigree giving it lightness. Besides, the workmanship was exquisite and that spoke far more of money well-spent than jarringly large stones did. A quick glance at Castiel's features showed that he wasn't exactly awed by it, but what did that mean? He'd already admitted he didn't understand jewelry. "Yes, more of this type," I replied with a firm nod. After all I would have to wear it for however long this was going on, at least in public.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jun 14, 2011 10:52:23 GMT -5
I nodded, understanding a little better. While they perused the rings set out, I reached into the case and picked one that was in its own little velvet box. "This one is a little pricier than the rest, but it is due to teh quality of the stones, and the gold. The gold is Caerdiccan, the diamonds from Jebe Barkal, but the design and fashioning were done here," I explained, pulling it out for them to look at.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 11:05:32 GMT -5
As he pulled out the next ring I looked it over; the work was very finely wrought, the filigree smooth and without flaw and even the diamonds were fantastically clear. Unfortunately the words 'more expensive' could well have spelled my doom in this situation and I gently took the ring between my fingers and examined it, then slipped it onto my finger. "Yes, this is it," I replied with a wider smile that held a hint of victory. "Did you craft this yourself, Monsieur?" Turning back to Castiel I gave him another smile, this one with an air of hopefulness. One thing I was able to manage was getting good gifts. "Could I, Castiel? Doesn't it suit me?"
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jun 14, 2011 11:13:12 GMT -5
Suddenly turning slightly bashful, my cheeks warmed and my gaze settled on the ring itself.
"I did indeed my lady, I am very happy that you find it pleasing," I said, my grin widening. I was always happy when someone found what they were looking for, found what made them happy, and the way she smiled, triumphant and pleased, I was sure that her beau would not be able to say no. I almost wanted to chime in with clasped hands and a yes please Castiel please! But of course, I did not. Instead I busied myself at putting away the display with the silver toned rings, giving them a bit of space.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 11:16:22 GMT -5
I smiled at the man, and as she slipped it onto her finger, I couldn't say that I had ever seen her eyes light up so much, so much that it almost made me giddy, but instead, I smiled, and looked at it as she held out her hand. I grasped her fingers gently, turning her hand slightly this way and that, letting the light catch the diamonds and the filigreed gold. It was magnificent, very beautiful, much like her, and she seemed to like it. I might have denied her before, if it were not such an important piece, and so splurging just a little on something this important was fine by me. I nodded.
"If you truly like it, then it is yours."
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 11:49:26 GMT -5
Complimenting a shopkeeper was always a good idea, and I could tell that he was very much involved with his work by his response. That started a repetoire and allowed for future growth in that direction, though no doubt if I hadn't been married last night and had come in alone I could have worked out a far different deal. Castiel even seemed impressed by it and I held my hand still so he could look it over, and for whatever reason he agreed. And he seemed happy about it as well. "I do," I replied with a smile, then pressed closer to give him a brief kiss. It was easier to be content now and that improved my mood immensely.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 12:01:37 GMT -5
Her smiles seemed more genuine, even the way she pressed to me, placing a kiss upon my cheek. I smiled wider for it, glad to have pleased her.
"Would you like to pick out my band, while were here?" I asked her, hoping that would please her as well.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 12:08:39 GMT -5
"If you'd like," I replied easily enough, admiring my rings again as I stepped back. "Something plain, I would guess. That should be easy enough to find." In all honesty I didn't see him as the sort to wear extravagant jewelry if any at all and with his reluctance in all of this he may well decide to wear the ring rarely.
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Post by Artus Boileau on Jun 14, 2011 15:44:28 GMT -5
I overheard them and moved to pull out a tray with choices for men's wedding bands, some just plain gold bands, others with a bit of masculine dezign etched into the gold. I placed it where the other trays had been.
"Do you plan on wearing it out of teh shop, m'lady or would you like to put it back in the box and have it wrapped?" I queried, setting the rings before them.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 14, 2011 16:24:06 GMT -5
Smiling at the shopkeeper again I walked toward the tray he'd brought out, looking intently at the various rings, some very plain, some nearly as ornate as my own. "I'll wear them out, thank you," I replied, then picked up one with small engraved ridges and diamond chips around the circumference and looked at Castiel. "What about this one?"
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 15, 2011 9:37:39 GMT -5
I took the ring that she pointed out and pushed it onto my finger. It fit, luckily enough, and I trned my hand, shrugging.
"It's not too glitzy, is it?" I chuckled nervously. "Sorry, I am ... new to this whole business," I admitted.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 15, 2011 19:56:48 GMT -5
"I'm just as new, my lord," I replied in a tone of wry jest, then looked at the ring on his hand. "It does speak of wealth, but whether you enjoy showing that in such a way depends on your tastes. There are plainer ones if you'd rather, just gold without any ornamentation." Personally I thought that a show of pride in small ways could be helpful in some situations but I also didn't know how he normally conducted business.
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 16, 2011 11:48:45 GMT -5
The ring did not take long to grow on me though, with her words influencing my decision.
"No... I think perhaps this one is good... yes, I will go with this one," I said turning to the jeweller. "And I will wear mine out as well," I said with a grin. I looked about the shoppe, there were many fine things glittering in the glass cases, and I thought to myself for a moment.
"Do you think I might get Des a small trinket? It might make the news settle a little better with her," I said, turning my gaze to Liselle.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Jun 16, 2011 12:27:26 GMT -5
He accepted the ring with some ease after my words, and I had to wonder whether it was because the options were worse than what he currently saw or whether he was slipping back into that more submissive stance he'd had when we'd first met. It was charming the way he could go back and forth. "It looks very nice on you," I replied in something of a purr, then listened as he asked me if he could get something for his sister. Asking me how to spend his money- that was something new, like when he'd asked if he could please pay for my things from l'Roches. "I think indulging your sister is a charming notion, and it's your money to spend. I can't find fault in a single purchase you've made thus far. Would you like some help choosing something or shall I wait for you?"
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Post by Castiel de Bonnel on Jun 16, 2011 15:06:33 GMT -5
I smiled at her words. Well and true it had been my money, but now it was ours, and Des's as well, at least until she wed, and decisions like this well, I felt like I should include her in them so she knew first and foremost that I was taking this - taking us- as seriously as I could regardless of whether my heart swelled for her or not, whether my love was deep or not. That would take time, but at least there were these small moments.
I nodded, smiling. "What do you think a girl of 18 might like," and then I realised my words, reminding myself that she was not far off that age herself, and had to withhold the grimmace and teh slight shudder I felt coming on, smling instead, perhaps a little like a statue before I could shake that awkward feeling from me.
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