AmbersJewels
From IMiA
Juliana and Patrice make their way from the city's various grocers to one of the more expensive areas of the Merchant Quarter, arm in and and deep in discussion. Elyssa's shop is closer to the posh surroundings of the town houses that serve as the city residences of the noble houses than Southside. The storefront is a study in expensive tastefulness, the window displaying the latest creations of the artist, a glittering array that ranges from gaudy baubles to almost ethereal pieces. Overhead, one spies the points of the massive iron gate that lowers over the front at night, lurking proof of the city's less desirable elements.
Juliana stops at the window and smiles. "Now, speaking of artistic talent, Elyssa has it in spades. Not to mention she's one of the most wonderful, uneffected young women I've ever had the pleasure to know. Phillip adores her. She was able to make the Carlisle Crest into jewelry without it being pretentious. Now I'm having her reproduce it and we're going to set it into glass vases for the damn dinner party."
With the previous owner of the shop mysteriously bought out (and him having left Amber to some indeterminate Golden Circle shadow) and Elyssa capable of hiring on more people - she is frequently not in the front room, now having the opportunity to occupy herself more with design during shop hours rather than afterwards. Entering the shop, customers will generally find 2-3 journeymen level jewelers managing the display cases and a handful of apprentices doing the crap work. A lady of Juliana's status would immediately have the attention of a journeyman level worker, of course.
Juliana enters the shop with a big smile. She loves it here. Her idea of a romantic picnic could be one right in the middle of the floor of Elyssa's display room. She turns that smile on one of the journeymen working behind a display case. He smiles back.
"Your Grace, good day," he says in greeting.
"Dale, it is a better day, isn't it? The weather is cooperating wonderfully. Is Master Darcy in?" Juliana asks with a joking grin.
The woman with Juliana is a tall, dark-haired woman in brown. Her clothes are not quite so lacking in ornamentation as to be called "severe", but she does seem a bit plain next to Juliana. However, the cut of the cloth is excellent, and the details of the minimal amount of jewelry she is wearing (amber earrings, most noticeably) are exquisite.
If the gossip travelling around Amber is true, she is Lady Patrice, the Duke's sister, and thus good-sister to Juliana, who has recently arrived in Amber from the Carlisle estates.
[At Jenn's discretion. Patrice may be known in the shop by name, if not on sight. She has a reputation in the arts community as a wealthy and desirable patron, particularly of female artists, although she has not been in the city recently.]
[Works fine for me -- though there probably are not that many workers in the shop that were working there more than 6 months ago -- change of management and all that. Elyssa has been working there for at least a couple of decades, though. I suppose I should also mention at this point that sometime in the not too distant past, Elyssa released a new jewelry collection called the "Juliana" pattern. There are genuine pieces and then imitation ones -- the latter having become very popular among some of the less genteel customers.]
Dale glances inadvertently towards the front windows, and then hastens to agree with Lady Juliana about the good weather. His brow wrinkles slightly, then clears as he turns his gaze on her companion. He gives Juliana a little bow of the head. He then signals to one of the other workers to come take his station and begins to walk along the back of the display case. "I will check with.... Master Darcy, directly," he assures them and strides towards a curtained door at the back of the shop. He's just barely reached it when the material parts and a young woman steps out. She's petite, brunette, and wearing comfortable, well-made clothing.
"Ah, Lady Juliana," she says, coming forwards towards the two women with a confidence gained over the last few months. "I thought that tone of voice sounded familiar." She smiles, and it lights up her whole face, giving her an entirely different air. She turns to examine the other woman. "And this must be the Lady Patrice - tell me I'm right. I can see the family resemblance, though I must admit it sits her features even better than his Lordship's." She says that last almost as an aside to Juliana though a mischievious light dances in her eyes as she does so.
Juliana grins, and nods. "You're right, of course. Patrice, this is Miss Elyssa Darcy, who just happens to be the most talent jeweler I've ever met. Elyssa, Lady Patrice, and apparently she's just as determined to stay that way as you are to stay Miss Darcy." Juliana is teasing, but as Elyssa knows she occasionally gets ideas in her head about that.
Elyssa seems taken by surprise by the blush that stains her cheeks, and it's impossible to tell whether it is from Juliana's enthusiastic compliment or her reference to the jeweler's deteminedly un-coupled status.
"Don't tease the master, Juliana," Patrice says with a grin. "Miss Darcy, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance at last. I've always admired your work, and Juliana has always spoken very highly of you." She offers her hand to Elyssa.
Since Patrice has doffed her gloves, Elyssa can see (and, if she shakes Patrice's hand, feel) her hands. They are well-manicured and reasonably soft, but Patrice has calluses from some sort of endeavor--perhaps musical. Or perhaps, like her brother, she indulges in a bit of swordplay from time to time.
Elyssa clasps Patrice's hand with her own. Patrice will quickly notice light white lines - almost like papercuts - possibly from working with uncut gems that grace one or two spots on Elyssa's fingers -- some of these are more faded than others; none of them look serious. There's also a faint smudge of charcoal on her index finger. She seems to realize this and when her hand is released rubs it clean on a nearby towel provided automatically by one of the journeymen. "Welcome to my humble shop," Elyssa replies, her smile now a bit softer. "Thank you for your kind words. I believe you've been here before, and I'm sorry I wasn't available to meet you then. But, please, do call me Elyssa as Lady Juliana does, especially if you plan to visit often."
"I'd like that very much as well, Elyssa," Patrice agrees.
"And speaking of visits, what can I do for you today?"
"I was wondering," Juliana smiles in that way that means she's about to enjoy spending more money, "if there is time..."
"Well, could we?" Juliana tilts her head toward the back room.
"Of course," she responds. "Right this way." As she leads them towards the back of the shop, she glances towards one of the other journeymen. "Refreshments for the Ladies, please," she adds.
The back of the shop is quite a different picture from the well-ordered tasteful storefront. A door to their immediate left leads into an office room, not all of its once dingy interior countered by the opened windows, high in one wall. A small desk graces one corner with comfortable seating all around, and a couple of low tables. Past that door, the short hallway opens up into a large workshop, where one can see a large wall has been partially removed to enlarge the room. There are two easels further down near the large back windows where the sun can stream in upon them, and tables full of pieces in progress as well as large and small storage bins pushed up against the wall.
"Still redecorating, as you can see," Elyssa says, perhaps a bit apologetically. "I want to make it a more enjoyable place to spend hours hunched over and trying to get settings just so." She gestures towards the office. "Why don't we make ourselves comfortable here, and you can let me know what's on your minds."
Juliana grins. "Well, I've decided to do something different for this damn party, and I'd like to keep it quiet, for security reasons," Juliana says quietly, knowing Elyssa will understand her not wanting anything 'wrong' to happen at her party.
Juliana will wait for refreshments before she goes on. "So, I'd like to do after-dinner drinks in the walled garden. It moves the whole party. What I'd like to do is light the garden with candles. What I'm wondering is, is there time to make candle bowls to hang from the trees that have... perhaps a simplier crest on them? I'm also thinking of weighted circles we can float in the fountain that would tinkle when they bump each other. I don't even know if you do this sort of thing, Elyssa, but perhaps not-so-precious stones set in just the House colors, on glass, to catch the light?"
Patrice has taken the opportunity to have a look around Elyssa's workroom with interest. She's following the conversation, but she's clearly letting Juliana take the lead in determining the party decorations.
Elyssa doesn't seem at all concerned with Patrice's examination of the surroundings. She leans forward a little, her brow creasing as she looks across at Juliana. "How much time do we have left before this party again?" she asks, and then adds in a musing tone, "I'd need to talk to this glassmaker I know. If he hasn't got what you want already in stock, that may prove problematic. The stones are easy enough." She nods towards the storage bins at the back of the workshop.
Juliana smiles grimly. "Ten days, darling, and no turning back. Princess Deirdre has accepted my invitation. The Duke insists now we must invite _them all_." She whispers the last.
Patrice pauses in her examination of a half-finished piece to say,"Juliana, they're still human."
Juliana looks slightly dubious about this description.
Patrice looks back at Juliana with the expression that one might show to a grown woman who announced a belief in the tooth fairy.
Elyssa snorts indelicately. "Human.... after a fashion..."
"Human enough that they can't read your minds about party plans, or more likely have better things to do with their time, like their own schemes." Patrice continues, " And if we can't get floating circles or perfect candle-hangers from the trees, they won't know it's not exactly what you planned. Elyssa and her glassmaker friend will make you something lovely and everyone will ooh and ahh and it will all go perfectly."
Juliana looks at Elyssa. "I *will* take what I can get, darling. Ideas are welcome. I just want to keep people flowing and I'd like to have the servants go out through the gardens lighting it up only as we announce we're going outside. I think it would get a few gasps for the young ladies and will... well... why be predictable?"
Elyssa suddenly smiles - a bright and gleaming look. "I have an idea..." she says slowly. "You wish to be unpredictable? Very well." She crosses to her desk and begins to search inside one of the drawers, coming up in short order with a sketch pad. "The floating candles - those are easy enough. And with a few prism crystals and some careful lighting, the water can be made to move between the colors you desire as well." The charcoal that appears in her fingers from some convenient pocket, flies over the paper, which she eventually fiips to show Juliana a small circular shape with the Carlisle crest drawn upon it. Beneath that, a basket, holding what might appear to be a quick drawing of an oil lamp. "My lady -- have you heard of gas balloons?"
Patrice nods for herself, smiling delightedly at the sudden picture Elyssa has evoked for her, but lets Juliana answer.
Juliana just lights up, and forgets all these silly little worldly problems for a moment. "I've been on a *ride*. Oh, there were perks to all that travel and work, sometimes. What are you thinking, Elyssa?"
"I'd have to do a bit more investigation to be sure it would work," Elyssa cautions. "I've never tried anything like it before. But it's possible we could craft the baskets themselves in the jeweltones that reflect the colors of your crest, and place the flames to keep them aloft inside. If they were small enough, they shouldn't be too heavy. And since the balloons themselves are made of silk perhaps your Sewing Circle would be up to the task of assisting me in crafting these? And then they could simply be released into the garden as the guests make their entrance." She glances askance at Juliana. "What do you think, my Lady?"
Juliana is visibly controlling her excitement by grasping her hands in her lap and keeping them there. "Oh, the Sewing Circle will definitely want to help, especially if they get to see a test of them. It's perfect Elyssa, if it will work, it's perfect. Everyone will be dazzled and won't even realize they've just given away an insane amount of money." Juliana's beaming smile is grateful.
"The only possible difficulty I can see is if it's too gusty, but even the weather won't dare to defy Juliana's whims," Patrice says, sounding satisfied.
Elyssa glances towards Patrice and nods thoughtfully. "I shall bend some thought as to how to outwit the weather if it proves at all necessary. But I think such things can be planned for. Only inclement weather need be a problem and that would keep the guests from the gardens in any case. But, as you say, it is unlikely that the environment would dare thwart Lady Juliana's wishes in such a fashion." She smiles.
"You two are putting a great deal of faith in the weather, but it is usually turning nicer during Carnival, so we will hope. But this is a plan; if it doesn't work, candles everywhere," Juliana shrugs.
"On a completely different subject, Elyssa, I've heard of this young lady artist who has been about the merchant quarter of late. If you see her about, will you tell me? It seems that she's gone missing. I'm... worried." Juliana shrugs her shoulders again, but this gesture is much more helpless than the first.
Patrice is apparently aware of the situation; she waits for Elyssa's response with some interest.
"Do you mean the one that was leaving those talented and somewhat, er, less than diplomatic sketches nailed around town?" She glances down at her drawing of the balloon, part of her mind clearly working out details even as she responds. "I have yet to meet her, though I had hoped to catch up with her at some point and see whether she would be interested in a sponsorship to the appropriate guild. I can probably manage to arrange that, and it would certainly put her in a stronger position vis a vis her artistic tendencies. Do you know her, or have a description at least?"
"I don't, and I don't. I just heard a rumor. Pretty, young... possibly alone. I was nervous when I heard that, so I was trying... well, I suppose I was thinking the patronage route would give her a little... protection. I had James trying to find out who she is, but he didn't find out much, and then she went missing, so I was right to be nervous, and now I'm just... worried,' Juliana says, in place of all the things she can't say.
"Actually, I did find out her name - Beatrice, and that her mom died not long ago. James said the landlord of her place was killed... badly - like it was a message to people not to mess with them, perhaps." Juliana moves her hands in frustration. "I have all sort of bad ideas."
[ongoing]
-- Main.LizTrumitch - 07 Dec 2004
