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 Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:36 am
Irene almost started to regret the fact that Kaoru got up. He was, in part, not willing to leave Crystal's warm embrace, despite how obviously embarrassing the situation was to him. He was very glad that nobody was near in sight. If his mother were to know anything about this...Irene shuddered, and bounced up almost immediately after his mind have touched on the thought. He then turned to offer Crystal his hand to help her up also, not caring to adjust his own wrinkled jacket.
"My apologies for inflicting you my heavy weight, lady Crystal." Irene said, half chuckling and half awkward. Kaoru's presence had made the situation much livelier than he had expected, and Irene wasn't sure if he liked her presence or not. In one way, it had taken away the two's time alone, but in the other, it seemed that Crystal was a lot happier when Kaoru was around.
Well, the child was hers, after all...
The young noble's facial expression changed for a brief moment, then faded away as the child made her announcement rather loudly, distracting Irene's negative thoughts. The young man stared back at Kaoru as he was caught off guard. He paused, and, after a quiet moment or two, burst in to laughter. It was a laughter that even he himself had not heard for a very very long time. Or have he ever laughed like that? So childishly and so...free.
"Too many titles." Irene replied while still laughing. "but I'd love to sit down and eat with Lady Miss little Kaoru, " looking at Crystal, "and the honorable and ever-so-bautiful-and-charming Lady Crystal."
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:55 am
The young woman took the offered hand with a shy smile, pulling her insubstantial weight up with ease. Crystal went about brushing off stray grass blades from her dress before extending her arms to Kaoru, awaiting the child to bound into her arms as she often did. Grey eyes shifted sharply to Irene as he started to laugh, a little surprised by the action, and not at all having expected it nor the words that followed.
Crystal's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, looking quite flustered at the compliment. "My Lord, that's hardly...I--ah!"
Kaoru had taken the woman's distraction as a cue to run into her arms, with the child did with great glee and gusto. The Scent's slender arms wrapped around Crystal's neck, peering around the flower girl's shocked face with an indignant expression. "Just Kay, or Kaoru, if you please Mister Jewell Sir. I'm no good with titles, and I like my name enough to use it."
The shock on Crystal's face melted into obvious adoration, supporting the child in her arms as Kaoru made herself comfortable, surprisingly not at all weighted down by the effort. Securing her daughter against herself with one arm tucked under her hind end, the other on her back, Crystal planted an affectionate kiss on the child's cheek. "Well, Kay, what sounds good to eat? Do you have any suggestions, my Lord?" The young woman turned to look at Irene, cheeks still alight with her blush, but looking far more composed in her role as mother.
Using all the restraint that the small child could muster, Kaoru had to keep from bouncing in Crystal's arms with excitement. "Gramma's cafe! Or! Or! Or we could go to that sammich vendor! Hey, what about that new place by the market? Can we go there? Pretty ple~ase?" The Scent gave a grin that displayed every single pearly tooth in the effort to enunciate 'please.'
"Patience, my darling," she chuckled at Kaoru, "give my Lord some time to consider?" The blush was still intact as Crystal glanced shyly to Irene.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:32 am
The young lord grunted like a little boy and smirked at Kaoru. "Fine, Kaoru. But in return, will you call me Irene? I don't need those big titles either."
Titles are for adults. Irene wanted to say. But he stopped short after and looked at Crystal, his smirk fading into a gentle sigh. "Because I also like my name enough to use it." He repeated the words to Kaoru, but indirectly addressing it to Crystal instead. Brown eyes were somehow drawn to the flower girl like a pair of magnets, and Irene paid no attention to the fact that he was staring. It was times like this that he felt like a human being, forgetting about titles, family responsibilities, blood relationships, status...
But Crystal already had a family...a child, to be specific. The young man knew that it was wrong to think of anything that could have happened resulting in the birth of Kaoru, but there was nothing he could do to stop his mind from wandering off, especially when Crystal looked so happy with her child, and the child so happy with her mother.
When Crystal asked where they should go to eat Irene turned his face away to force himself from staring. "Any place is fine, Kaoru."
It didn't seem likely they will meet his mother in any of the common eating places anyways.
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Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:05 pm
Crystal shifted her eyes away as Irene turned, feeling her shoulders droop in the slightest. It seemed he was still uncomfortable around her, but there was precious little the woman could do about that. She'd already promised herself to make this a good day for her daughter, and she would go through with that oath, no matter how the young noble may feel about her.
The Scent watched both adults keenly, aware of the tension. Rather than try to alleviate it, the child continued on in a sing song voice, "Okay Irene with pretty hair!" To the question posed by the woman, the answer was swift and pleased, "By the market, if we can, mom! Their food smelled so yummy!" Kaoru kicked dainty feet playfully, not enough to hurt Crystal, but enough to get across the point of moving onwards.
"So it shall be," the flower girl laughed softly at her daughter, hugging the child to her before she started to walk out of the park, towards the square. Grey eyes glanced over to Irene to make sure he would follow, her chin up and her head held high. It seemed the birth of Kaoru had given her strength even as her body weakened, making her somewhat dauntless. It was a slow change, but she felt better about her child and herslf with each passing day.
Kaoru was also watching over Crystal's shoulder to make sure Irene followed. The child could sense a strange type of strain between the two; it was new and different in the Scent's limited experience. There had been kindness and comfort with Mary and the Apple King, despite the latter's snotty but endearing attitude. Here, there was a tightness, as though each adult was tightly reined in by an invisible force. Kaoru, being as good a child as any, wanted to see just what would happen if those reins were cut, even if it seemed Irene was hellbent on having little to do with Crystal.
The woman's voice disrupted the child's thoughts. "What sounds good, sweetie?"
An innocent expression immediately took over, Kaoru mulling the question thoughtfully. "Fruit salad," the child nodded as though it were the only logical answer, "and potato! Potato salad, or maybe a baked potato! Oh, potato wedges!" Kaoru chattered on happily, dreaming of the possibilities, both in food and enticing the young noble.
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:10 am
Irene followed the two (half of a family) silently. When either Crystal or Kaoru looked back to check on him the young noble smiled at them, making sure to let them know that he was not feeling, in any ways, uncomfortable. He was, however, trying his best to hide the fact that he felt nonetheless awkward about walking in public areas...common areas for say, and ESPECIALLY walking BEHIND the ladies. This was not to be tolerated among the higher classes, and his mother...oh, will his mother punish him for this outrageous violation of the rules of nobles! Irene shruddered and kept close to the two females, his attempt of trying to make himself look more...common to the public only made him look like a soaked up desert bird who was about to bury its head in the ground.
There wasn't much conversation going on throughout the trip. Kaoru seemed to be deep in thought...no, everyone seemed to be. Nobody knew about what the others were thinking, and perhaps what was what's causing the tension in the air. The mood felt so much better when they finally reached their destination. Kaoru's shouting for food made Irene chuckle a little. It was a small icebreaker, though the young man's chuckle was short and it quickly faded away.
What should he eat? Irene looked around carelessly. He wasn't, to be exact, hungry, and even though the smell of deliciousness was thick, Irene doubted there would be anything he'd want to eat, or rather, know about.
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:40 am
"Fruit and a baked potato, please, Miss," Kaoru asked as nicely as possible as the waitress came by to give the three menus.
Crystal laughed softly, brushing her fingers over the child's cheek. "Give her a moment, sweetie," she murmured softly. Hugging the giggling girl into her side, the young woman smiled kindly and nodded at the waitress who walked away to give them a moment to order. She had chosen a table outside, but within a shaded nook, so that Irene would not be easily visible to anyone passing by. She knew the risk he was taking.
"Are you going to join our meal, my Lord, or are you simply here to attract customers with your charming smile?" Apparently his cue for her to use his name was lost on her. Crystal wasn't exactly flirting; she was, in her own way, complimenting the man in how he looked that day. It was not fitting of her to outright tell him in such a public place, but she also wanted to know if he was going to at least join them for a small bite to eat.
The child bounced in the seat and onto Crystal's lap, grinning at Irene. "Irene can share with me if he wants! They have such good smelling food, huh! Not as good as mama's cooking, but--mmfhgh!"
A slender hand snaked around the girl, covering her mouth, Crystal smiling wryly. "Now now, Kay. We're eating out, pay your respect to those who are working on this lovely day." She released the squirming girl, who simply giggled in response. With a delicate sigh, she looked to Irene with a warm smile, awaiting his response.
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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:24 am
Irene glanced around at where he was sitting. The place looked nothing extravagant like the places he used to dine. Still, the place looked welcoming enough. The young man was actually quite impressed at the environment. It looked far better than what he had expected...or what his mother told about it.
Regardless, Irene was quite lost when the two ladies started to look at him. He coughed, feeling the awkwardness coming back. "Urgh." The young noble started, "I'll have the same." He smiled a little, trying to brush the awkwardness away.
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:47 am
Crystal extended a slender hand to Irene's forearm, giving him a gentle squeeze in reassurance. "Don't worry," she offered softly. She wanted to add, 'no one will judge you here,' but perhaps it wasn't others judging him that he was concerned about. Perhaps he was judging himself, but that was not the flower girl's concern. She looked over to her bouncy daughter, who had settled inbetween herself and the noble, looking quite pleased.
"Come all ye maidens young and fair," Kaoru sang, the childish voice heavy with an accent, "And you that are blooming in your prime..." The Scent hummed a few bars, swaying in the chair, oblivious to the two adults.
The older woman draped an arm over Kaoru's shoulders as she sang, smiling fondly. Her grey eyes shifted to Irene, opening her mouth to speak, as the child continued to sing.
"Always beware and keep your garden fair! Let no man steal away your thyme~!"
Crystal jumped a little. "Kaoru!" she gaped, "where'd you learn such a song?"
The child pouted up at the aghast woman. "Gramma sang it, and she laughed, and I thought it'd be okay--!"
The woman buried her face in one of her hands, uttering a low groan. "One of mother's old folk songs, no doubt." She rolled her knuckles onto her cheek, eyeing Kaoru with a thin smile, "Ask mommy if it's okay first, all right?"
"Okay!" Silence, followed by, "Why do men want to take women's thyme?"
It was about that time that the waitress returned to take their orders. Crystal started to laugh, her cheeks flushing a little. "Ask me again in ten years." With a grin, she idly played with Kaoru's curls, glancing over to Irene to make sure he didn't understand...or if he did, that he wasn't utterly horrified. "I'd like the opah opah*, please, and substituting the greens for fruit. Oh yes," she chuckled as Kaoru tugged on her sleeve, "and a baked potato. Hot chocolate for the little miss as well."
Kaoru squealed delightedly, looking over to Irene with a pleased and expectant expression.
((*Opah opah is a white fish. It's not commonly found/served, but it is a 'delicacy' dish that doesn't taste fishy at all. :3))
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:45 am
Perhaps it was in an attempt to relieve stress, the young noble kept a pleasant smile on his face, and nodded slightly to Crystal. The girl's brief grip on his forearm seemed too warm. Irene shivered a little, trying to adjust the sudden heat rushing up and no doubt showing on his face.
Kaoru's singing made Irene chuckle. He, growing up in the highest class but also the most isolated environment, did not know what exactly the child was singing. But from Crystal's startled expression and her reaction the young man had a thought of what was going on. It was the very thought that made him chuckle, but he immediately rolled his eyes for thinking of such uncivilized thoughts. Commoner thoughts, something Irene was taught not to have.
The young man's smile faded as the waitress came by. He looked at Crystal and the little girl, lost at what to order. When the waitress (as well as the other two females) looked (almost stared) at him expectantly, the young noble blushed visibly. He blamed himself for being so unprepared. This was not the first time Irene had visited a restaurant that was unfamiliar to him, but he was unreasonably nervous and awkward, to the point that he would loose his regular color on his face...
The young man took a deep breath, and closed his eyes for a brief moment, telling himself to recall what would happen if he was within his own circle. And when he opened his eyes again Irene looked a lot calmer, his smile returning, and he spoke in a charming voice:
"May I inquire what it is the most delicious and elegant dish that is available?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:36 am
At first, Crystal had been uncertain if she should have let Irene order...or if she should have ordered for him..or what was acceptable amongst the nobles at all. She, not being a noble, couldn't be expected to understand or know such things, of course, but she felt awful when Irene seemed to be lost when the waitress was waiting. She wasn't sure she'd even seen him touch the menu. When he asked his question, she remained calm outwardly, but flinched inside. Nothing like being reminded of one's status in the world.
Kaoru blinked at Irene, surprised. The child turned to look up at the black-haired woman, nestling against the side of her face to whisper, "Why does a dish have to be elegant? Aren't we ordering food?" Perplexed red eyes regarded the mother figure with all seriousness of a dire question.
The flower girl, on her part, pursed her lips to keep from laughing. In a way, she felt...higher than a noble, as she was a mother, a being who had to take care of another, bound by love. That made her relax a little. She shook her head at Kaoru, replying quietly enough not to be rude but loud enough Irene could hear if he so chose, "He's asking for a dish best suited for his palate. It will please the chefs."
The Scent blinked at Crystal then, nodding in only half understanding. So it was a challenge to the chefs? Sounded kinda rude, really, but Kaoru was just here for the food. The child lifted a small, dainty hand to idly play with one of the soft black curls by the woman's shoulder, fingers running through the ebon locks, red eyes watching the hair return into place perfectly. Oooooh, but Kaoru so hoped the wine-chestnut curls atop the child's own head would be as lovely one day!
The waitress, for her part, didn't seem phased, smiling warmly. "We're offering a fresh crawfish with asparagus, filet mignon with your choice of side, tri-tip with au jous and, for those who aren't fond of meat, we have an exotic fruit entre, or a potato dumpling meal with fresh greens and a second side of your choice."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:51 am
Hmm.
Fresh crawfish...asparagus...filet mignon...tri-tip with au jous...exotic fruits?
Irene smiled back. "What exotic fruits, if I may ask?"
The young noble had practically ignored the other two females sitting at the table, and overlooked Kaoru's confusion. It was almost as if he had became another person, someone who did not know Crystal nor her child. It was, in a way, a defense mechanism, in which Irene imagined himself in an upper-class restaurant, surrounded by other nobles.
And his mother, his mother would be pleased by his performance.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:02 am
Crystal was not his mother, and was not impressed with his performance. She did not like Kaoru suddenly clinging to her when she was so fond of Irene before, nor did she like feeling like she was encroaching on Irene's personal space...even though it was he who agreed to accompany them. Her back felt tight, but her face remained thinly smiling. She did not like this...
Kaoru noticed the stiffness in the woman's posture, glancing up at her. "Just a meal, mom," the child said quietly. The Scent didn't like seeing Crystal on edge, least of all over Irene with his pretty hair. The child relaxed only a little as the woman seemed to do the same, continuing to play with her hair.
"Pineapple, guava, starfruit, pummelo, durian and passion fruit with flakes of coconut. Served with a side of okari nut and sweet sapodilla sauce for dipping. We also include a piece of our fruit pies if you're interested."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:25 am
There was an amused chuckle. "Passion fruit, what a lovely name." Irene had an urge to get up and kiss the waitress' hand while saying the word, his body already leaning to the female. Then he withdrew, not because he had seen Crystal's expression, but because of Kaoru. Even a gentleman wouldn't flirt in front of a minor, Irene decided. He sat back and adjusted his clothing a little, then looked up at the waitress, still smiling charmingly.
"As much as I find pleasure in the exotic fruits, I think I shall simply have the crawfish...with asparagus, if you please."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:41 am
The waitress smiled sweetly, jotting down the order with a, "It will be just a few moments sir," before heading to the back to put in their oder.
The woman at the noble's side remained quiet and unmoving, like a good little lower-class girl. Her eyes were averted from Irene and his antics, one hand clenched in her lap while the other was pressed against Kaoru's back to keep her balanced. Crystal didn't like the feeling of being...defeated, when there was no race to begin with. Perhaps her father was right, and he was just interested in what held his fancy at the moment...although she couldn't believe that, not when he'd been in her arms just minutes before. She brushed the idea way mentally; it wasn't her concern...he was a noble, he'd do what he wanted.
Kaoru was completely unbothered by the whole thing, except for Crystal's reaction. This was supposed to be a fun day! To Irene, the Scent informed him, "We can grow those. They're just plants, and mom can grow anything!" To Crystal, Kaoru changed topics suddenly, "Can we paint after this, mom?" Ooh, good save! The child knew the black-haired woman liked to paint, so that should make her happy, right?
It would have, except Crystal didn't talk about painting in front of others. She blinked as if coming out of a trance, staring at Kaoru for a moment before nodding. "Certainly. We'll have to clear out the roses from the green room, but we can paint for a few hours."
The child squealed with delight, practically sitting on Crystal's lap now. "Will you smile then?"
A soft chuckle escaped her, a small smile forming in response.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:53 am
Phew, that wasn't too hard. Irene felt his body relax as his head almost fell backwards against the chair he was sitting in. Of course, he had no idea about the food he had just ordered, but he supposed...if he was really hungry, he wouldn't mind some commoner food (not that crawfish was that common, either).
Relaxing a little, Irene looked back to Crystal. It was then he was able to see something was wrong. The young noble blinked, not sure if he should say anything. He had a feeling that he did something that made Crystal uncomfortable, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was that made her tense. Kaoru's words were a good save to him. He immediately took on the topic and smiled. "Why, do you paint, my lady? I'd love to see some of your masterpieces if you are willing to show them after the meal." There was still a formal tone within the young noble's words, as he had not fully recovered from speaking with the waitress. There was, however, a more sincere and interested smile on his face, not the obviously flirting type back a few minutes ago. Irene did not take his eyes off of Crystal's face even after he finished his words. In fact, he found the young woman's face pleasant to look at, and even more beautiful when she smiled...then there was the bitterness again, the fact that it wasn't him that made Crystal smile. So after the thought Irene ducked his head away, trying to distract his disturbing thoughts by looking around mindlessly, waiting on his food.
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