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* Meghan is standing at a booth in the market. She has a basket over her arm and a cloak around her shoulders. She picks out a few pieces of fruit and places them in the basket before paying for them. She then turns and tips her face to the sunshine. For a moment she closes her eyes and soaks in the warmth. * Taliesin, having just arrived in the city the day before, is still dressed in Waterdhavian fashion, not having had time to upgrade his wardrobe yet. He is wearing black velvet pants tucked into high leather boots and a loose-fitting white shirt with a dark purple vest embroidered with gold fleur-de-lis. His cloak, a matching black velvet, is trimmed inside with gold. A black hat, ribboned in gold and purple, keeps his medium length blonde hair out of his face. * Meghan moves through the few people in the market and stops at a booth with breads and such. She picks out a loaf and a few other things before turning and heading through the crowd of people. * Taliesin glances around, his hazel eyes quick and eager, yet slightly cautious. He smiles easily enough to the few people who offer him greetings, and then strolls along. His entire manner gives the look of one who has nothing in particular to do, and is in no hurry to do it. * Meghan glances down into her basket, thinking about what she has left to purchase. When she looks up again she is almost on top of Taliesin. She manages to turn so that only her shoulder brushes his. "Excuse me," she says as she steps around him. * Taliesin catches Meghan's elbow as she turns to go. "Ah, my lady, there is no excuse whatsoever that will pardon you for being as lovely as the morning. However, you needn't plead pardon for having nearly walked into me. In truth, I'd have welcomed the event." He bows, grinning just a bit. * Meghan chuckles softly and nods a bit to him. "I am flattered." Her eyes look over him a moment before catching his gaze again. "You are not from around here are you?" <Taliesin> ::doffs his hat:: Only in the here and now, my lady. But under usual circumstances, I make my home in the City of Splendors, more commonly called Waterdeep. Taliesin Aldril, son of Lord Aldril, at your most humble service. <Meghan> ::she smiles:: Meghan Lore. It's very nice to meet you Taliesin Aldril. ::her eyes sparkle with humor:: <Taliesin> ::takes her hand and drops a light kiss on her knuckles:: That *is* a mouthful, isn't it, Lady Meghan. If you like, you may call me Trey, as my brother is known to do. I find it leaves the mouth open for more pleasant words like "Yes, Trey, I'd enjoy having breakfast with you." * Meghan laughs. "Only if you will consent to calling me Meg." <Taliesin> ::grins, taking her arm and tucking it in with his:: I'd be most delighted, Meg. And now that the tediousness of introductions are over, shall we break fast? I don't know about you, but after near a month of sea-travel, I'm about famished for some bacon and eggs. <Meghan> ::she nods, a smile tugging at her lips:: I would be delighted. * Taliesin turns down a street. "The innkeep who holds me in somewhat dubious esteem already recommended a small cookery down this way, and I thought that I might take him at his word." * Meghan chuckles and nods. "I'll be sure to say if it's not a good place. Having lived here in Marsember for a few years I am pretty familiar with most places." She glances to Trey and smirks at him. "And why is it that your innkeeper is holding you in dubious esteem?" <Taliesin> ::laughs:: He assumes that since I am young, landed and unmarried, and that my father sends me from home, I must be in disgrace. I find it amuses me to watch him eying me warily for signs of scandal, so I have not yet corrected his misapprehension. * Meghan laughs and nods "I see. So you are not in disgrace then?" <Taliesin> ::hesitates:: Well, perhaps, but only a little bit. ::turns left down a street:: In truth, Father sent me from home when it became abundantly clear to him that none of the young ladies in Waterdeep could turn my fancy. "Son," he says to me. "If you insist on playing the footloose, please do so out of my sight, so I fear if you've not wed before the end of the year, I might have to beat you about the head and shoulders." Taking him at his word, I immediately booked passage to Marsember. <Meghan> Ahh ::She nods:: So you are hoping to find a young lady to turn your fancy here in Marsember then? <Taliesin> ::shakes his head, turning right onto another street:: No, indeed. I fear that if I went *looking* for a young lady, she'd probably run screaming in the other direction. ::gives her a sly wink:: I shall wait until one stumbles over me. <Meghan> ::She nods:: Somehow I doubt that she would run screaming. But perhaps your plan is better. <Taliesin> ::snickers rudely:: I don't know. My grandfather had quite that problem of young ladies running away as fast - and in most cases, faster - than he could chase them. In the end, he was pleasantly surprised that my grandmother had been waiting for him all along. ::looks a bit wistful:: * Meghan smiles and squeezes his arm lightly. "As your young lady will surely do for you." <Taliesin> And you, dear Meg? Have you a young man, waiting for you at home? <Meghan> No ::she smiles:: Just a toddler. Her name is Abagail. <Taliesin> ::looks a bit surprised:: You are widowed, then? <Meghan> ::she looks away:: No, it's a long story actually. I didn't know her father. <Taliesin> ::for just a moment, his jaw clenches:: As you will it, my dear Meg. It would be best for all concerned, if I did not indulge any more curiosity on the subject, so as not to distress you any further. ::pats her arm lightly:: Do forgive my thoughtlessness. ::points to a sign of clustered grapes above a small shop. "Dommick's Pastry and Eatery.":: And here, we have arrived. Shall we go in? * Meghan glances up at the sigh and nods. "Very good place." <Taliesin> Ah, well, a pity. I should have liked to take the innkeep to task for leading me astray. He's quite a witty man, with a sharp tongue, and we've been enjoying quite a bit of verbal fencing since I arrived afternoon yesterday. Now I shall have to think of something else. * Meghan chuckles and moves towards an open table. "I have a feeling you'll not have a problem at all." <Taliesin> ::opens the door and waves her in:: Oh, no doubt, but having to wrack my brain for something over which to parry with my host will, I fear, prevent me from giving all my attention to complimenting you, which was my intention for the morning. ::winks at her:: In which case, I can see only one recourse, and that is, should you not find my company utterly repulsive, we should have dinner, sometime later. * Meghan laughs. "I do not find your company utterly repulsive. And as long as I can find someone to watch Abagail, I would love to have dinner with you." <Taliesin> ::choses a table and pulls her chair out for her:: Will this seat please you? * Meghan sits with a nod. She places her basket on the floor next to her and smiles to him. * Taliesin pushes her chair in for her, then sits down opposite her. "I'm quite fond of my older sister's children. If you don't think your wee one would be bored to death, I'm sure we can find such a restaurant as will be accommodating towards the younger set." <Meghan> Oh, well that would be fun. I'm sure Abby would love to come along. <Taliesin> And I am sure that she is just as lovely as you are. ::plucks the carnation from the vase on the table:: If you will permit me? ::offers to tuck it behind her ear:: * Meghan smiles and leans close. * Taliesin tucks the flower behind her ear. "There. Although I fear the poor flower suffers in comparison." <Taliesin> ::the waitress comes over:: And what might I get for you this morning, sir and madam? * Meghan smirks and looks to the waitress. "Water and some eggs and fruit, please." <Taliesin> ::waves airily:: A rasher of bacon, three eggs, sunny-side, please, and several pieces of well-buttered toast. And juice, fresh squeezed, if you don't mind. * Meghan grins a bit and sits back. <Taliesin> ::the waitress scurries off:: <Meghan> So Trey, how do you plan on going about meeting this young woman of yours. the one that's going to find you? <Taliesin> ::holds up one finger:: Well, the plan is for her to find *me*. And in the meanwhile, I would like to enjoy myself as much as possible. ::leans back in his chair:: So, you've lived in Marsember for a few years? And do you fancy it? What do you do, to occupy yourself? <Meghan> I do like it very much. I run the orphanage. I just started actually, and I love it. <Taliesin> ::grins:: Crusader, then? Tending to those in need? A noble occupation, and certainly more useful than my own. <Meghan> One does what one can ::she smiles to the waitress a she brings the drinks:: I'm sure you could do something useful if you wanted to. * Taliesin takes a sip of juice. "In truth, my dear Meg, when not getting out of my father's way, I have very little to do, at least until I take over my father's lands and responsibilities. In the meanwhile, I'm completely at my leisure. Although, my father did insist on a rather strict education, which I've only just completed this past year." * Meghan sips her water and looks to him for a moment. "Well simply because you haven't been instructed to do anything doesn't mean you shouldn't." She winks at him. "But you also should enjoy your free time while you have it." <Taliesin> I should be happy to take your instruction, my dear Meg, if you'd see fit to give it. Too much leisure time, and I'm apt to get into trouble, and you wouldn't want that on your conscious, would you? ::gives her a look of laughing desperation:: * Meghan laughs. "Well I'll have to think on that one some. I'll be sure to let you know if I come up with anything." <Taliesin> ::breakfast arrives on pewter trays; eggs, bacon and toast for him, a dish of blueberries and strawberries along with two soft-boiled eggs for her:: <Meghan> Looks great ::she begins to eat:: * Taliesin watches her for a moment before starting in on his own food with an impressive appetite. Even a noble's son gets somewhat short-changed on meals aboard ship. * Meghan eats quietly, stealing a glance at Trey every now and again. * Taliesin wipes his mouth on his napkin. "Out for a bit of mid-morning shopping, my dear? It's a lovely day, so early in the year and already warming. Of course, it's still knee deep in snow, back home." <Meghan> ::she nods:: It's whenever I can get time to myself. IT's much harder to shop with a one year old. <Taliesin> I can imagine. ::chews thoughtfully on a piece of bacon:: You haven't a nurse, for watching over your wee one? <Meghan> ::chuckles:: No. A woman whom I am close with watches her from time to time. <Taliesin> ::nods:: Ah. I barely saw my mother until I was ten, so busy she was with the affairs of the village. I was most often with my governess and butler. * Meghan wipes her mouth and sits back. "Well not all of us can afford such a staff" She winks to him and sips her water. <Taliesin> ::grins:: Well, perhaps your little one is better behaved. My father used to say I needed at least two servants, just to ensure that the manor house was still standing at the end of each day. ::winks at her:: <Meghan> ::laughs:: And somehow, I am not surprised. <Taliesin> And so you should not be, Meg-dear. ::mops up some egg yolk with his toast:: I could regale you with many such tales of my youth that would leave you open-mouthed with horror. But I shan't dream of boring you so. <Meghan> ::grins as she watches him eat:: So how long are you in Marsember, Trey? <Taliesin> ::ticks off on his fingers:: I daresay I shouldn't return home before Greengrass at least, and perhaps as long as Shieldmeet. ::winks again:: Unless the young lady in question happens to arrive, in which case, I may be even later. <Meghan> ::chuckles and nods:: Well I shall enjoy your company while you are here. <Taliesin> ::glancing at her seriously for the first time all morning:: And I shall be glad of a friend. In truth, I was not entirely certain what to expect, in a strange city so far away. * Meghan smiles fondly to him. "I completely understand. Should you ever need anything, please feel free to come by and I will try and help." <Taliesin> ::grins:: I'll be honored to call myself your friend, Meg. ::looks down at his empty plate:: If you're ready, then? May I walk you home, or to your work? * Meghan nods and stands. "The are one and the same, for the most part. And you may." * Taliesin stands, dropping a few coins on the table, and offers her his arm. "Come then, Meg. It's a lovely day for a walk." He bends and collects her basket for her, holding it under the opposite arm. * Meghan nods and takes his arm. "With such company, what more can one ask for." Smiles to him. <Taliesin> ::laughs lightly:: Many, many things... ::begins listing them as they leave the restaurant:: More money, good health, several excellent bottles of wine... |
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