[Dine-Suzette-Hal] Gratitude's boon

[Géraldine Grangier]

It was a beautiful day, and after a pleasant night with a yet more pleasant patron, I found myself wanting to visit the temple of Naamah and make an offering of thanks. His patron gift had been generous, and I felt light-hearted and happy.

And so I sheathed myself in a light dress of red cotton, something simple and elegant, and let my hair loose down my back, swaying over my covered marque as I walked. I had a basket on my arm, and I carried in it herbs to burn at her altar in humble thanks.

I performed the sacred acts, kissed the acolytes as prescribed, and remained quietly in the sanctuary for a time, until my thanks were given and I felt ready to move on with my day. On the way back, I hummed a sailor song under my breath and smiled the secret smile of those who are full of hope when starting a radiant new day.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

I was beginning to learn my way around Elua and was moving through the temple district, trying to find the cemetery that Feli had taken me to. I'd thought I could find it again, and was looking between the buildings. I moved around a corner and a flash of red was all I saw before a slight collision, of myself and another person. With a start I realized it was a woman, oh no!

"Oh! I'm terribly sorry! Are you alright?" My voice was full of concern and I winced, hoping that she was not hurt in any way. I felt clumsy and rather uncouth.

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I was walking through the temple district when I saw a most unusal looking man. He was tall and had broad shoulders, and looked as if he had some sort of mixed blood in him. I was wearing a outfit created by a Eglantine that sewed it together for me. It was a plaid colored dressed, but stitched in such a way to give it body and structure.

I smiled when I saw him bump into a woman. I began making my way over there, eager to introduce myself.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I had just enough time to step back before my forehead collided into a man's shoulder, and I startled, skipped out, then laughed brightly. “Nay it's well,” I reassured the tall man as I took in his side with admiration. “Forgive me, I wasn't looking.”

It wasn't exactly true, but he seemed so apologetic, that I wanted to make him feel better for it – it was no big matter, after all.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

When she spoke that she was indeed unhurt I smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. "No, no... I ran into you m'Lady." I chuckled and bowed a bit. I was unsure of her status. She seemed nice enough, but a flashback of Amie ran through my head. I might have just bruised someone very important.

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I noticed that they were talking as I came toward them, "Hello! I noticed that this man was harassing you, and I thought I would even the odds with 2 women v.s. 1 man. I think we can both take him."

I gave a serious look to him, as if I was sizing him up. Then I laughed at my joke, "Only teasing. I'm Suzette." I turned to the woman, "Are you alright?" My hand lightly touched her arm.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

I blushed furiously as the other woman approached and spoke. Who else thought I was harassing this lady? I looked around nervously and licked my lips. But then I realized she was joking and a weak laugh escaped me. "A great pleasure to meet you Suzette. I think." I was starting to feel a bit better about accidentally running into this mysterious woman.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I blinked at the situation, the girl – sprightly, like a djinn out of a bottle, the tall man who spoke in an audible accent, it seemed almost surreal.

“I'm fine, I'm fine, both of you,” I laughed, and truly I was. “Suzette, aye?” I thought she was amusing, and offered, “I'm Geraldine, and hardly harassed by this kindly gentleman, Messire...?”

[Suzette nó Orchis]

"A pleasure to meet you, Geraldine. I didn't think he had really hurt you," I said as way of explanation. Then I turned to the tall gentleman, eager to hear what his name was. It looked like we were three strangers, and I wondered what fun we could have together.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

Quite relieved she was unhurt I took a step back and bowed to them both formally. "Hjalmar de Valliers. Though please just call me Hal." I straightened and smiled to them both. 'It is a pleasure to meet you Geraldine, Suzette." I looked to them both, nodding my head at each of them deferentially.

"I'm sorry I ran into you, I was looking for the cemetery, actually. A beautiful half-Skaldi, like me, showed it to me the other day." I blushed slightly and then said, "Not that I'm beautiful, just half-Skaldi. You know what I mean."

[Géraldine Grangier]

“I don't find you unsightly in the least, my lord de Valliers,” I replied with a pleasant smile. “Rather, you have a rugged look about you that is quite charming.”

I was trying to think about the cemetary, and couldn't seem to remember having ever heard of one. Hopefully, Suzette would know, or at least, I hoped so.

_{[OOC: Asking here so the both of you can see and reply, or discuss it at any rate. Dine also met Renard, and he also gave his house name. Should Dine connect the dots, or not? She could very well not make the connection if it's more convenient to you both, just let me know what's best. ^^]}

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I smiled at Hal, "Most people call me Suzi." I laughed briefly at his attempt at humor. "The cemetery isn't too far from here. It's just north of here, I could show you the way. Are you new to the city?" I looked at Geraldine, unsure if she planned on coming with us or if she had duties elsewhere. My face was open as if silently welcoming her to join in the conversation, if she wished.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

I smiled. "Nice to meet you Suzi." I said, my cheeks coloring slightly at the compliment from Geraldine. "Thank you Geraldine, you are very kind." I wasn't really sure how to respond. Was that right? I did not receive compliments often.

My face brightened when Suzi said she knew where the cemetery was. "Thank you! And yes, I've not been here long. The city is large and I do like to explore."

[Géraldine Grangier]

I smiled pleasantly, and as I'd nothing to do for the day, and both these people seemed lovely, I was more than happy to join them. “Would you care for a double escort, then, my lord? I admit, I've never seen this cemetary either, and am curious enough. Though if you wished for privacy, to pay your respects....”

I didn't want to intrude, but part of me wished to keep contact with this tall man, whose name ate at me, as if I'd heard it recently.

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I glanced up at Hal, curious to see what he would say to the woman's question. I assumed that he was okay with me leading the way. However, I wondered who he planned on visiting at the cemetery. It seemed rude to ask, so I said nothing.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

I nodded at Geraldine's suggestion, and held out both arms for the lovely women. "I would love the company. From the both of you." I smiled then, warmly, and said softly, "My father is Frederik de Valliers. I do not know much of that side of my family. I am looking for perhaps some of my ancestors. Unfortunately, I do not know just what to look for, except the Valliers name. Any of them could be related, and though I never knew them, I do wish to pay my respects."

I sighed then, for even though I did not know them, their blood still ran through my veins. It was an odd thing, not knowing just exactly where one came from but for your immediate family. I hoped neither of these women looked down on me for it.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I smiled sweetly and slid my arm in Messire de Valliers' as it was offered, and was grateful that Suzette knew the way. It seemed ironic to me that a tenant of Orchis would frequent a cemetary, though perhaps, in hindsight, it was understandable: humor can alleviate even death, if used with good judgement, I supposed.

“De Valliers,” I repeated. “The name is familiar to me, I must have met someone....” I couldn't place it, though, and even as we walked, I was quiet, trying to remember. Most of my patrons bade me to call them by their familiar, and I sometimes forgot their houses, unless one was from a very established family. But certainly, if I tried hard enough...

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I took Hal's arms, enjoying the feel of his muscles beneath the fabric of his clothes. I nodded quietly as I listened to him speak about his ancestry. I glanced over at Geraldine when she mentioned that the name sounded familiar to her. I decided to listen rather than say anything else. I was eager to hear what Hal would say next.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

I looked at Geraldine, curious. "Oh? I do not know many from my father's side. If you could remember I would be most appreciative."

[Géraldine Grangier]

It took me a while to figure it out – what was it? Braudel. Why did --- Oh, but of course! I might have been quietly thinking for a bit, until I felt my eyes widen with excitement. “Of course I remember – his name was Renard. Renard de Vallier. A goodly lord, and kind to boot.”

And handsome too, though that went without saying.

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I listened to them talk quietly, glancing at Hal wondering if the name seemed familiar to him. How interesting would that be if he had a relative here that he didn't even know about. I wondered if it would be a happy connection.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

My eyes widened slightly. Here in the city! A relative! I wondered how we might react to one another, and I smiled. "Thank you Geraldine! Thank you so much." I could not give her a proper hug, and it might have been misplaced if I did. But going to try and find departed relatives, and possibly meeting a living one... it was enough to make my head spin.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I was elated that my little bit of information was making this kind man so happy, and I grinned wide in response to him. “I'm very glad that I could help,” I replied with a wide smile. “I reckon he might be a younger relative, though that is only my assessment. But he was kind and helpful, and I should like to think of him as a friend.”

[Suzette nó Orchis]

I listened to them speak, and then I turned toward Hal, "Does his name sound familiar to you?" I wondered if they would get together and meet at some point.

[Hjalmar Fellstone (I)]

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "No, I don't think so. But my father never said much about my relatives. I don't think he was ashamed of me, per se, but perhaps he wanted his privacy." I smiled at the two women and shrugged. "I know I'd like to meet him."