Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 27, 2012 20:52:53 GMT -5
The kitchen had been left nearly barren after the Christmas festivities. After the delightful holiday season, Adina felt the burning desire to cook something up for everyone, or at least for Lenoir to show her appreciation for all his help. She scoured the pantries, raided the cupboards, and tore through the liquor cabinets… There was so little to be had, let alone to cook anything! That did it: she had to go out and buy food!
She remembered there had been a stash of money set aside just for groceries and that it had been on the upper pantry shelf. She opened the door and looked up; sure enough, it was there! She smiled and pulled down the jar only to find that it was filled with strange bills! "Que?" She tilted her head and looked at the large amount of $20s and larger bills. She had no idea how much money groceries cost in this age; probably a lot more than a few mere pences. She stuffed a few bills into the pocket on the side of her dress, went to gather up her shawl from her room and wrote up a list before taking up the lantern once more to go down to the village to shop.
The village was just as lovely as it had been the last time she went out. There were so many little houses and shops all around; it felt like a second home to her outside the manor. She spotted the little shop and went in. The little list was almost burning a hole in her pocket; she took it up and began to fill a few small bags with some bread, eggs, milk, flour, and other items she needed. There were lovely little flower arrangements at one end of the quaint store… Wouldn't it be lovely to have some fresh flowers in the kitchen? Something to brighten up the manor? She went over and looked at all the different kinds: tulips, roses, lilies, sunflowers… Then she saw the peonies… They sent a shudder through her body and she quickly looked back at the lilies. Yes, those would be perfect. She took a small bundle of the lilies and wrapped them in a bit of paper and put them in her bag to purchase. She smiled politely and made small talk with the shopkeeper before paying and leaving the store.
It was already growing quiet and the sun had begun to set a little. The colors of purple, pink, yellow, and blue dances across the sky. Adina smiled and took a moment to take in the lovely sight. She winced a little from the pain in her feet; it was a little difficult for her to get used to her new shoes. She went to a small bench and set down the groceries to remove one shoe and rub her aching arches… Perhaps now was not the best time to break in her shoes. At least the sunset was beautiful and it soothed her soul.
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 1, 2013 23:49:46 GMT -5
Erik brought Amiina to a brisk trot along the path down from the house to the village. He needed to get out of the house for a little while. He felt like he needed some fresh air, a change of scenery...At least when he lived in Persia, he had a flat to himself, with a private beach that he could walk along in times of stress. Right now, however, he was feeling museless with his music. That damned opera was killing him. He didn't know where he should go next, what with the fact that his inspiration had gone and gotten married. He needed to move on, he knew, but he didn't know how he'd do so. Perhaps he'd have to find another person who suited his fancy. That would be a little difficult, to be sure...
He looked ahead. There, the black paved roadway that led to the village. He could smell the strange sweet smell of fried breading, hear the clatter of the metal vehicles that the natives drove...Those horseless carriages...he'd discovered a couple of days ago that there were horseless carriages in the manor, as well! He thought, perhaps, he might like to learn how to pilot one of the awkward contraptions, just to get a basis of how the thing worked.
As he rode his horse, a figure came into view. A woman, rubbing her feet and looking up at the sunset. He'd seen her before, at the Christmas party. She lived in the manor as well. And she seemed to have more than her share of groceries. Perhaps he could offer her a ride, introduce himself? There couldn't be much harm in that.
"Bon soir, mademoiselle...do you need any assistance?" He put on his most polite air, sitting up in the saddle. He fancied himself to look like one of the gentlemen on horseback in one of those adventurous types of books. Straight-backed, with an air of slight appeal. But that was only with the mask on, of course.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 2, 2013 14:12:14 GMT -5
Adina frowned sadly as she picked up the dropped groceries and placed them gently in the bag… Perhaps she should have gotten a second grocery bag; one seemed to be not enough for all that she needed to purchase. Once everything was placed neatly back into the bag, she heard a strange sound approaching. She looked up to see a man on horseback coming down the road towards her. She stood transfixed for a moment a she gazed upon the immense black stallion trotting up the dusty path.
The man greeted her in French and then the maid quickly stood straight up. She set down the bag and curtsied politely. "Bon sour, monsieur," She looked down at the groceries, the bag slightly crinkling under the weight of the eggs and bags of flour. He asked if she needed help and she blinked at him a moment. "Oh! Er, yes, please. M-Merci, monsieur." She bit her lip and looked around… No one else was nearby except a few stray villagers roaming the streets and darting in and out of shops.
She looked down at the bag again then lifted it up to the…. masked…… man. It was then that she realized he was wearing a mask. Another Erik? She thought to herself, giving a quiet groan. she suspected he had to be an Erik because of the mask; there were no other people around who wore masks, at least not normally outside the manor. After handing the bag to the man- er, to Erik- she looked at the horse as it nickered softly.
"Beau cheval," Adina said with a smile. She looked upon the horse's long black mane and its onyx eyes that seemed to shimmer against the light of the setting sun. Then the maid shivered. It was beginning to get frightfully cold and she looked up at the man again. "Would it be-?" She paused, unsure if she should be so forward in asking for help, especially from a man she did not know. "Would it be too much if I were to trouble you for a ride back to the manor?"
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 2, 2013 14:24:49 GMT -5
Erik shifted his weight to the side as he took the bag of groceries from the girl. "Elle est tres belle, n'est-ce pas?" He smiled slightly beneath the mask. The girl shivered and asked him for a ride back to the manor. He was going to ask her anyway, but he supposed that her getting to the question first was no big deal.
"Of course I'll give you a ride." He stretched a hand out to her, the leather of his gloves giving a slight squeak as it stretched. Ah, new gloves...he always loved the feel and sound. Teressa had gotten him a new pair for Christmas, and he'd gotten her new pointe shoes. He leaned forward, getting a good grip so he could pull her up in front of him.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 2, 2013 16:33:57 GMT -5
Adina smiled thankfully as the man took the groceries from her. She looked back at the horse once more. It was very beautiful and she watched as it twitched its ears and snorted softly. She looked up at the man... His mask was different from Lenoir's. While Lenoir's mask was a half mask, this man's mask covered all of his face.
She flinched slightly when he extended his hand to her, that dark fear still in the back of her mind. Hesitating slightly, Adina reached out to take his hand in her own. The leather felt smooth and warm and she could smell it too. She took a hold on his hand and pushed up off of the ground so she could ascend onto the horse. She lifted her leg modestly so she could get it over the back of the large animal, making sure that the skirts of her dress were not hiked up too high. As she finally settled onto the horse, she looked back at the man and nodded. "Merci. Oh! Do forgive my rudeness. My name is Adina Gillespie. I work that the manor... I believe I happened to see you at a passing glance at the Christmas party?"
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 2, 2013 16:41:25 GMT -5
"Indeed, Mademoiselle Gillespie, we did see each other at the party. My name is Erik Lavalais. It is a pleasure to meet you." Erik shifted the groceries. "Would you mind holding them while I steer? It's a bit difficult..." Erik took hold of the reins again and clicked his tongue, Amiina walking at a nice slow pace, steady enough to balance without feeling much shift at all. She was a good horse, and always had been. Erik treated her well, and in return, the lovely beast always heeded his commands.
Erik decided that perhaps a little conversation wouldn't hurt..."So are you the one who always supplies the kitchen with the varieties of food? There have been quite a few items that I haven't recognized..." YES, Erik, let's talk about food. He could've smacked his own forehead for his lack of tactfulness in such situations.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 2, 2013 17:54:35 GMT -5
She knew she had recognized the man; he may have been another Erik, but she knew his mask was much different than Lenoir. Then she began to ponder his name: Lavalais... Was he related to that woman whom Lenoir said he had been courting previously? Erik asked if she could take the groceries from him. "Oh! Of course, monsieur Lavalais." She took the bag of goods from him and held them close.
Erik asked if she had been the one who kept the kitchen stocked with provisions. "Oui, monsieur. I tend to the kitchen mostly and sometimes the gardens as well. It is part of my duties to keep the pantry stocked with goods." She tilted her head when he stated that there were some items that he hadn't recognized. "Oh? Perhaps you could show me which ones after we arrive at the manor... I will admit that there are a few items that I do not understand as well. One of them is a cafè brewing machine, I think? It seems very strange- and a bit frightening- to me."
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 3, 2013 23:35:40 GMT -5
"I've stayed well away from the strange contraptions all over that kitchen...frankly, some of them look dangerous." Erik gripped the reins as Amiina tossed her head, making sure that Mademoiselle Gillespie wasn't affected by the sudden movement. He tensed his arms, making a protective barrier around her, so she could lean on him, should she have to. It was strange in the first place that she was riding a horse like a man, but then again, so did Teressa.
"I was talking more about the different food items. They look strange and I'm not sure how healthy some of them are. I was hoping perhaps you could educate me?" Erik wasn't really worried about his own health, to be honest, but thought that since he had the woman who supplied the manor with food, why not ask her? She should know.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 4, 2013 0:19:54 GMT -5
Adina gigged a little. So, someone else didn't like some of the odd machines and instruments in the kitchen; it wasn't just her. Suddenly, the maid gasped when she felt the horse toss its head, falling back against Lavalais. She quickly sat back up, holding the groceries close to her. "I-I am terribly sorry, monsieur Lavalais. I didn't mean to-..." She bit her lip in hopes of stopping from making a complete fool of herself. When she had bumped against Erik, she did notice that he felt quite strong when he had tensed. She winced a little when she moved her legs; they were stiff from how she was seated upon the horse. She decided to move one leg alongside the other, her body still facing forward.
"The items?" She tilted her head a little. What sort of food was he talking about? Perhaps there were other foodstuffs in that icebox that were different than what she was used to. "Are you referring to the stock in the pantry or the icebox? Oui, I will gladly show you when we arrive at the manor."
She was glad to be talking to another man. He seemed nice enough and allowed herself to lower her guard around him. It felt nice to be meeting men- well, some- who did not seem to have any ulterior motives towards her. He didn't look like someone who would try to kill her or take away her soul.
At least, she hoped not.
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 4, 2013 0:29:45 GMT -5
"It's quite alright. I fully expected you to react to the horse, Mademioselle." Erik smiled under the mask. She seemed to be comfortable around him. That was different...most people thought him to be an intimidating presence. It was a nice change. A change that he REALLY appreciated.
"If you'd like, I'd be perfectly happy helping you shelve those groceries of yours. It might allow me to find some of the strange foods I was talking about a lot faster." Erik kicked his heels a little into Amiina's sides, spurring her onward. She was being a little stubborn today, but it was probably because of the cold. She wasn't made for cold weather, being a Persian horse. It never really got cold in Persia.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 4, 2013 12:26:44 GMT -5
The maid smiled at Erik and then quickly looked away to hide her blushing face from him. It was strange to her... She had been so nervous when she first met Lenoir but she seemed more comfortable around this man almost instantly. Perhaps she was feeling much more relaxed around men. Maybe it was a sign that she was getting over that fear that had held her back for so long.
"Oh, well thank-you very much, M. Lavalais." Adina gently nodded her head as she clutched the bag so it would not slip from her lap. She thought it was very nice of this man to allow her to ride on the horse with him back to the manor. "Perhaps I can prepare supper for you after we put the groceries away? You must be hungry and the evening is already upon us."
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 4, 2013 13:25:55 GMT -5
"Only if you'd like to, I don't want to be too much trouble for you, Mademoiselle." Erik spurred the horse into a quicker walk. She was right. It WAS getting darker and it would be good for them to get back to the Manor soon. No one wanted to be out in the woods at night, for who knew what creatures lurked in this particular forest? After all, he'd heard that there were demons and devils in this manor, people to be avoided at all costs. Teressa had supposedly met the devil himself, and he'd ordered her to stay away...but sometimes Teressa didn't follow his orders, and did the exact opposite of what he told her just to spite him for something he'd done. He'd NEVER understand that girl.
Erik thought perhaps, sometime in the future, if he and Mademoiselle Gillespie stayed acquaintances, he'd cook for her. He was an excellent cook, and he knew dishes from all over the world that could excite the palette of any true French person. He liked to reckon himself a fabulous chef, and he probably could've had a dazzling career in the culinary arts if it wasn't for his face. He probably could've succeeded ANYWHERE if it wasn't for his face, to be honest...
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 4, 2013 15:43:14 GMT -5
"Oh, no! No trouble at all, M. Lavalais," She said with a perky brightness in her soft voice. "I would be more than delighted to cook for us. I have recently found a delicious recipe that I want to try and recreate; I think it was a sole with lemon cream sauce. There shouldn't be too much to do with th preparations and I believe I came across a package of the fish in the kitchen icebox."
She couldn't believe how much she was talking! At least it was about something she knew. And she simply LOVED French cooking: pastries, suppers, breakfasts, you name it, she wanted to make it! "So tell me, M. Lavalais," She asked, just to keep up conversation. "Are you also trapped in the manor like M. Lenoir, myself, and the others?" She was becoming quite interested in this man; he wore a very unusual mask and wondered if his scars were similar to Lenoir's or not. But it was best not to ask; curiosity and the cat, you know. And she did not wish to end up dead again.
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Post by Erik Lavalais on Jan 10, 2013 11:26:32 GMT -5
Erik smirked a little under the mask. "Trapped? Yes, I suppose that is a good word for it. I live under the Manor, like the other people with masks, with my travelling companion. Well, I say companion, but she's more like a daughter. I've been here since the late spring. She showed up around the end of summer. Since she came, I've started to adjust greatly to life around here. It feels much more...normal."
The Manor appeared at the end of the road ahead. Erik spurred the horse on, urging it to go a little faster. "I don't suppose you're cold, mademoiselle? The weather has been bone-chilling as of late."
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Jan 10, 2013 22:36:16 GMT -5
"You mean the other Eriks?" Adina asked, making sure she was assuming that correctly. "I too have been at the manor since late spring. Well, at least, that was when I woke up to being mortal after being dead for so long." Then he mentioned a traveling companion. She smiled and nodded. "It is very nice to have a companion like that, n`cest-pas?"
Adina looked up and saw the manor before them. She gasped and carefully steadied herself- and the groceries- as the horse began to move at a faster pace. Erik asked her if she was cold; how kind of him to ask. She looked back at Lavalais and smiled. "Non, but thank-you for asking me, M. Lavalais. It was very nice of you."
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