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Market Promenade — Marsilikos
Two massive promenades, separated by a narrow row of alternating planters and plinths supporting marble statues from all over the known world, make up a marketplace that extends in a narrow space far to the north of the grand plaza to the south. Each walkway is two two-meter marble slabs wide, one gleaming white, the other greyish-blue, and they alternate to and fro in coloration all the way down each promenade, their intersections marked with a series of equal-armed crosses in shimmering black stone. While there is plenty of space for vendors to set up ad-hoc establishments to hawk their wares, to each side of the double promenade are stoa of fluted marble, holding up a terra-cotta tiled roof over a shady, cool walkway, punctuated here and there with doorways and windows open to a long series of indoor shops, each marked with a hanging sign outside the door.
Every twenty meters or so, five stairs lift the level of the promenade as the marketplace works its way uphill, to a smaller plaza at the northern end where all the most exclusive and expensive shops are established. This smaller plaza also has an obelisk of red granite in the middle; it's shorter, and more slender, but when the change in elevation is taken into account, its tip is at the exact same height as the massive obelisk in the town square to the south.
The activities of the market are in full swing this sunny spring afternoon. People wander here and there making purchases and heading about their lives. A figure dressed in an outfit of richly dyed blue and grey silk is currently wandering along the streets pausing near various food venders as though trying to decide what is worth sampling. Henri seems lost in thought, his servant trailing behind him with a heavy satchel that looks to be designed for an artist. The grey eyes of the Fhirze lord do a sweep over the market as he wanders about, seemingly half hearted in his search for lunch it would seem. He seems far more interested in the comings and goings around him and even the architecture seems to captivate him before he returns to his search for sustenace.
All channels have been gagged.
Juliette is out and about as well on this fine morning. The dark-haired adept is wearing a fine dress that has been embroidered with a mutlitude of butterflies, this bringing life to skirts that swish ever so slightly as she walks with Lis d'Or grace. A light cloak sits about her shoulders, fine samite of dark blue, the hood slipped from her head to reveal the elaborate hairdo that is kept in place by a number of hairneedles. She too seems to be on errands, and like Henri, she is not on her own. A guard in Lis d'Or livery follows in her wake, making sure the adept does not come to any harm.
There is a moment of distraction, and Juliette's head turns - just in the moment a man of common looks bumps against her, from the side, and another who was standing close by is suddenly running away - after catching the purse he cut from Juliette's belt. "Oh no!", Juliette cries out, astonished, shocked, hand touching to where there now is a void, her purse gone. Watching her guard go after the thief, the Lis d'Or adept suddenly finds herself to be on her own, left by a stall with beautifully colored scarves and ribbons.
Imogen has also found herself outside on this afternoon, idily wandering from stall to stall, not really engaged in the shopping and more just vrowsing, her mind is clearly far afield. Her attention is grabbed however by the cry of the adept and she makes her way over, only to find that the guard is on his way to assist, and any assistance from /her/ would likely only worsen the situation. "Are you alright miss?" she asks of the girl who seemed to be the victim of the situation, even if she's still not quite sure what's occured.
Hearing the cry of Juliette, Henri's head turns quickly in that direction. Just in time to see the theif flee with her guard giving chase. Winding his way over to her he bows politely and offers a faint yet reassuring smile. He tries a different tactic than Imogen trying to sooth Juliette with calm reassuring words. "It is alright my lady, I am certain your guard will have no trouble catching that ill mannered ruffian. Would you permit me to stay with you until he returns? Its the least I can do." He smiles a warm smile looking to Imogen breifly. "Lady Mereliot wasn't it? Perhaps if the lady here wishes it we could both stay with her until her guard returns?"
<FS3> Juliette rolls Composure: Good Success. (2 8 7 6 6 5 7 4 4)
The adept accepts Henri's courtesy, as she offers a curtsey in turn. Her hazel eyes flicker still a little from the shock at the theft, and now and then she glances after her guard. But over all, she smiles amiably as she inclines her head. "This is too kind, my lord," she says, words that ring melodiously in the bustle of the market promenade. "I owe you my gratitude. My name is Juliette. Juliette nó Lis d'Or.", she introduces herself, before his attention shifts away towards Imogen. "Ah, my lady! Well met!" Remembering the Mereliot from a chance encounter at the Wine Cellars, Juliette smiles. Her beauty is definitely d'Angeline, but also shows traces of Mediterranean blood. Her countenance and speech do not show any foreign accent.
Imogen smiles warmly and nods at the woman, glad to see she is not too panicked at the situation, before her attention turns to Henri. "Of course, happy to help however I can my lord," she agrees with a smile before chuckling. "It seems as though one cannot go anywhere in Marsilikos lately without excitment, i'm only sorry this had to happen at your expense," she replies to juliette with a sympathetic smile.
"You owe me nothing beautiful lily. I will be perfectly happy if only I can be of some comfort to you." Henri smiles warmly and inclines his head low. "Henri Fhirze, at your service and it is indeed a pleasure." He glances over to Imogen and chuckles softly nodding. "I like a bit of excitement myself but stealing from ladies is the height of rudeness in my opinion. Thats not excitement. Though I suppose something good did come of it, a chance meeting with a beautiful lily."
"True.", Juliette agrees with Imogen, and her hands lace before her, the back kept perfectly straight, very much like a dancer's poise. "I only hope, Gérard will manage to get the purse back to me." A faintly nervous flicker there in her gaze, as she adds this. "My Dowayne would not be pleased… it was money for me to spend on a few new ribbons and scarves." But there is Henri, showering her with gallantry, and the Lily cannot help it, her smile just deepens. "I insist, I owe you at least a glass of wine, finest Namarrese white, enjoyed within the salon of Lis d'Or," Juliette counters. "Henri de Fhirze, I shall remember to mention your name as the lord who stepped in to guard me. Have you just arrived to Marsilikos?", she continues then, tilting her head a little, "I cannot recll having seen you before."
Imogen is an expert at keeping her expression unreadable, and yet the fellow Dahlia may notice the subtle flickers in her expression that represent bemusement at what she either believes to be over-galantry or outright flirtation. But she behaves properly and says nothing about it, keeping quiet and in the background until Juliette mentions how much she needed the money at which point a more tender smile touches her features. "I can give you some ducats to get you those things if you need them, it's no trouble, that way you don't have to face the wrath of your Dowayne?" she offers.
Henri smiles to Juliette and bows his head. "As you wish, and thank you for your kindness. I shall have to visit the salon of Lis d'Or soon then." He smiles once more and nods slowly. "Yes. I only arrived a few days ago in fact." He glances aside to Imogen and arches a brow. "It seems the Lady Mereliot has come to your rescue. That is very kind of you my Lady." He smiles warmly to Imogen. Then he looks back to Juliette thoughtfully studying her carefully a moment. Then he looks towards the stall where they stand and lets his gaze sweep over the selection of scarves and ribbons there. He selects one, a scarf of light, semi-transparent sapphire blue silk with a watercolor styled design of leaves painted on it in vivid gold. He considers it carefully before looking to Juliette. "Would you mind terribly if I bought this one for you?"
<OOC> Juliette says, "Guard Unarmed"
<FS3> Juliette rolls 6+3: Good Success. (2 6 7 5 2 5 7 2 5)
<OOC> Juliette says, "Then thief dodge"
<FS3> Juliette rolls 5+3: Success. (1 1 5 2 2 2 4 7)
It is a game, to turn this over-gallantry into a card that will be very much in Juliette's favor. At least, the adept accepts the flattery without any objection. It is Imogen's offer, however, that makes her lips pull into a smile. "Ah, my lady… this would be too kind, but… Perhaps it is not my place to accept such a gift." There is warmth though in her expression, and appreciation of the gesture. As for Henri's scarf of choice, Juliette's eyes widen as they behold the fine design of it. "Your taste is impeccable, my lord," she breathes. "And the way you make it sound, I do not have much of a choice, do I?" It is a veiled tease, of course and he can tell she adores the scarf already. "And again, such would not be proper, perhaps." She bites her lip. Hazel eyes shift towards Imogen, as if she sought advice from the former Dahlia courtesan.
On the other side of the market promenade, the Lis d'Or guard finally manages to hunt down the thief. Lunging forward he grabs the culprit and pins him to the ground, while others are jumping out of the way, and cries of surprise and alarm can be heard even where Juliette stands with Henri and Imogen.
At this point Imogen is begenning to wonder if the lord opposite her is /genuinely/ the type who just has to 'out-gallant' everyone in the room. But she continues to keep her features schooled, and appropriate, keeping her thoughts to herself and acting as if she is not thoroughly amused by his antics. "Indeed, for a young courtesan to accept the gift of a young and unattatched noble lord would set up expectation," she cautions with a gentle smile as she looks to the man in question. "While i'm sure your gallantry is not misplaced, and you only mean well, it would not be proper for her to accept so fine a gift from a potential patron," she explains before she seemingly can't help herself as she bites her lip before looking back up at him. "Unless of course you were to buy it now and patronize the lady later, at which point i believe the scarf would make a fine gift," she suggests warmly.
Henri chuckles softly, he cannot seem to help but enjoy this sort of game. His lips curl upwards into the slightest of smirks. "You always have a choice my dear. I would not dream of trying to convince you to accept something you do not truly want. I would be happy to buy it for you of course but only if thats what you desire. I aim to please but I have no desire to make a nuisance of myself." He hears the commotion nearby but his attention remains on Juliette and Imogen for the moment. His storm grey eyes lock with Juliette's and he smiles softly. Imogen's words draw a look of amusement from him and he bows his head. "Yes, I suppose it would be improper to offer gifts so soon wouldn't it. My apologies." He looks to the shopkeeper and hands over the required amount of coin to buy the scarf. "I shall have to visit you sometime soon then it seems Lady Juliette."
Hazel eyes shift from Henri to Imogen and then back again, towards the gallant lord as he offers apologies for his kindness. "Oh, my Lord de Fhirze," Juliette intones, gracing him with a sweet smile. "I believe, Lady Imogen has the right of it. The Dowayne will scold me more than she already has to… because of that stolen purse…" Her gaze is all delighted and attentive, however, as she observes Henri buying that particular scarf. "Yes. I shall look forward to your visit." And the glitter in her eyes betrays, there may be hope for future interactions justifying generous gifts as fine scarves with gilded lining. So taken she seems to be, in that signature slightly reserved Lis d'Or manner, that she almost misses the return of her guard, the man breathing heavily as he rubs the back of his hand over a scratch he sustained to his chin; his other hand, luckily, holding the filled purse that was stolen from the adept.
Imogen grins softly as the situation between the pair seems to be so amiably settled, and she finds herself not needing to offer the woman funds when her guard returns with the purse in hand and mostly unwounded. "Well it looks like fortune favours you still my lady, for here is your purse, returned and looking as full as ever," she offers cheerfully with a smile. "So ideally you shall be able to return home without needing to deal with any scolding of a dowayne or second, I swear those men and women turn icy stares into an artform," she remarks good naturedly, stepping aside so that the lady might retrieve her purse from the guard.
Henri smiles warmly and nods at Imogen's words. "Indeed. It seems all has worked itself out in the end." He smiles to Juliette now as well. "I should be on my way for now then, it was a pleasure meeting you. I will be certain to come by the salon to see you soon Lady Juliette. It was lovely to see you again Lady Mereliot. Take care, both of you." He bows respectfully and smiles warmly before turning to go, his servant following him.