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 Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 9:19 am
There were many things that Jada was behind on doing. Between the month long whirlwind of fashion week(s) and the problems with Ice and his Chaos demons by the names of Schorl and , and the glorious irritants of being a mother-figure and dealing with the wide variety of Senshi responsibilities and things she had been considering... And between the reawakened aches and fury and flat out drama, she had let go unconsidered so pleasant a diversion as worrying about fixing up her home, or getting something new and shiny, or... It was a surprise to have the card fall out of her wallet, script that looked familiar- Marinus. Right! She had been considering reaching out to him! Apparently, he was the cousin of the pleasantly confident Marinus (first name forgotten if shared) that Jada had the pleasure of encountering when she had gone to the Rosslyn Club in search of old newspapers and magazines. She had promised a report on her cousin if she reached out, but she had met neither in the time since she had last gone to the club. Something else she needed to do. Dig into her family's box there and see what dirty little secrets she could learn. But for now... Slender, manicured fingers played with the card, before lifting her cell and dialing in the number. Why the hell not; the other Marinus had been pleasant enough, and clearly of similar station; if this one was an artist there was no reason she couldn't reach out and maybe make a useful new contact as Jada and not just as Scylla. Fingers tapped on the desk, humming softly as she waited to see if the phone would answer, or if she would go to voicemail.
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 1:07 am
The number given by Stroud, that for professional contacts or family, was to his cellphone rather than the business line of the Catfe. It didn't usually ring, compared to email or in person interactions at the Gem and Jewelry Shows he'd once frequented with more habit. The sound of it startled Quenton, echoing notes from a favored polyphonic chant. The number displayed as calling was not one he recognized. Still, Quenton answered: "Quenton Marinus, Sculptor and Lapidary, speaking, how may I help you?
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 12:53 pm
The phone didn't ring long; the voice that answered distinctively masculine and crisply stating the name she had been hoping to reach. "Hello, Quenton." Jada chirped politely, "My name is Jada Chamberlyn. I was referred to you almost a month ago by someone who recommended you highly." or who had at least recommended him. Marinus hadn't said he was a shitty lapidary, and the other woman hadn't seemed the sort to promote lackluster, even for family. "I would like to discuss some things with you for potential commission- do you have a moment, or is there a better time?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 3:38 pm
Someone who...'recommended me highly'? I do solid enough work, but who would recommend me to anyone? As opposed to the convenience of Amazon, Etsy, and other search-your-own marketplaces. The name isn't familiar. Not that you're much on the social scene, now are you, self? Jada is an interesting name. Ethnic in origin? Chamberlyn, as well. From Chambrelain, or Cambrelanc, and then mangled during Ellis Island immigration? Those are French... "I do have time now, if that is convenient. Do you have a preferred title and pronoun? We could meet in person to discuss exacts of materials, technique and design, or over the phone and email correspondence is also possible. " "Also, do you already have a design in mind, or were you looking for composition work as well as construction? "
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Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:08 pm
There was a momentary pause, during which Jada assumed that the lapidary was setting something down; and then he confirmed now was acceptable. Though he could hardly see it she smiled, leaning over to grab a pen and jotting his name off the to do list on her desk. "Now is perfect," she assured. "Just call me Jada. Miss Jada if you insist on formality, though I must warn you I'm irritatingly the opposite of it." She pursed her lips, considering. "Actually, I'd love to meet in person to see some of your work for myself. I've got several things on my list in terms of repair work or new jobs. Some of the pieces in my home require fixing, and while I can afford to have someone come in and fix things, I prefer to find and support local artists when their style may be appropriate." Shifting in her seat, she spun the chair idly as she wracked her brain, missing the days when she might have a cord to twirl around her finger while she thought. "Some repairs. Any jewelry would be composition and construction. If your style is what I'm looking for it would be a larger commission."
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:32 pm
Irritating, even. It was a jocular use of the term. She was oft referred to by others and, for the most part, unapologetic? Also in complete confidence of what she could afford when speaking to someone who might handle thousands of dollars worth in gold or jewels at a single commission—the source of the referral (or referrals) had to be from high society. Following friend-of-a-friend, even if it took going back years to his first commissions, lead most likely to the familial Kevin Bacon: Stroud. Or one of her associations. I don't recall and Jada's. Newer? But then, I didn't know about her live in until....I expect long after he'd started being there. At least they're not all so bad as her. No telling with this one until finding face-to-face. "Mister Marinus works best for my part, since it is used often enough by my students." "If it is agreeable, I can bring portfolio, samples, and references. Are you allergic to, or dislike, cats Miss Jada? There's a private room at the Catfé near DCU's East Oval. They're open every day, save Fridays, 3pm until midnight. If you'd rather someplace else, however, I'm available weekdays after 4pm."
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:05 pm
It did not seem to be too long for Mister Marinus to make up his mind on the title which would make him most comfortable, and Jada tilted her head back as she spun in her chair, considering. Formal, and a teacher of something. had his hand in a few pots, teaching, sculpting, smithing, and according to her meeting with the other Marinus, owning the Catfé he referenced as a potential meeting place. he certainly sounded like a busy man, but how he maintained any semblance of formality in what could be presumed as a terribly hectic schedule was... impressive. She supposed for some it laid out clear boundaries not to cross. She tapped manicured nails on her chair arm and made a sound of acquiescence. "Mister Marinus it is, then. I'll do my best to remember." And so she would, but sometimes she did slip into much less formal modes of address. "I adore cats," she said after a moment. "Have one of my own. The Catfé would be more than acceptable." she leaned over, letting her calendar rustle loudly as she flipped through the pages. "Are you available any day this week? My schedule is open; otherwise, it might be more towards the end of the month before I'll be available during the week." she pursed her lips, then ventured, "Perhaps Wednesday, around 11?" That would give her time to grab a few things after, before coming home; she could drop them off at Scylla after dinner, or take her trip earlier in the day. "I presume the Catfé would serve some kinds of snacks, anyways; else we can push it back to... 2? Or 10 AM Thursday."
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 2:49 am
Was it a power play of the social sort? ‘Pushing back’ to 2pm, and 10 am as suggested times did not corresponded to his own offered notation of ‘available weekdays after 4pm.’ He’d dealt with clients that deliberately pushed for things out of schedule in order to pull superiority, social rank, and gloat if he acquiesced, assuming and lording over the plebeian need and slavery to money. Or it is possible that she has misheard open ‘3pm until midnight’ of the Catfé only and not my second note that I’m personally available to meet there after 4pm….could assume in hearing the one that it has to be before the cafe opens that we meet. Does she know I own it and work shifts for it? I have spoken of it only as a separate from myself. Or did I...?
There’s no need to assume the worst of the woman. And need of money, or interest in her possible projects aside, I couldn’t move the classes if I even wanted to as Graduate Assistant. It has been a while since I did commission work for jewelry. Just Stroud’s teeth piece, professionally. Idle cat-puffs and keychains in the between time… And my own mourning piece before that, no commission but professional care and precision. It would be nice to have the heart for jewel-craft again. He double checked himself half a second, pulling the cellphone from his ear: yes, this was his personal number and not the Catfé Line. The Catfé Phones were all on their charging stations, and part of a landline system, still he hadn’t mistaken one of the cordless set for his cellphone in a fit of under caffeinated embarrassment. The most polite solution was, then, to repeat? No, to clarify first. There’d been no AM or PM on the 11, and if an evening affair it worked marvelously within the schedule. “By 11 on Wednesday you mean 11pm, Miss Jada? That would do well, and within the hours, as long as you don’t mind late nights. There are snacks at the Catfé, made-to-order mug cakes, cat cookies or pancakes, and any coffee, tea, cocoa, cider or Italian soda sort of beverage one can dream up.” “ Or later on towards the end of the month is just as well.”
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 6:53 am
"Oh, s**t." her curse was small, and genuine. 11 PM- he'd said something about- "You have- crap." the mouth of a sailor, and unrepentant. Quenton had just told her his availability, and she'd gotten- ugh. Jada had gotten so caught up in trying to see where she actually had gaps in her schedule that she'd let slip where she needed to look for the gaps in her schedule. Who did she know who wouldn't mind getting shoved off for a different time? The man had just told her- and the click of a pen was loud as she scribbled AFTER 4 onto the edge of something or other laying on her desk and began to flip through the planner again. "I mean, I could definitely do 11 PM but so close to your closing time, would that be a problem?" Had he said made-to-order mug cakes at the front of that beautiful-sounding list of sweets? Her sweet tooth roared to give a loud hello, her stomach giving a gurgle that was probably not loud enough for him to hear. "If not Wednesday, then the next time-" Amelie got back there, or she could see if one of those random babysitters the nanny had used when Jada was out of town and she needed to run somewhere would swing by for a couple hours on... a manicured nail tapped to the desk as she thought. She could go to Scylla after she was done with her meeting, and just be absolutely exhausted on Thursday, which...she flipped over to Thursday again. No shoots, just a few (and that meant a lot) phone calls with grumpy old men (which meant the would be stuck here forever, playing with Castor and a laser pointer.) "Alternatively, is the Catfé child-friendly?" when next she spoke, her voice was small and somewhat sheepish. "I just got back from a bit of a trip and my wards have been somewhat clingy when they get home from school." a bit of a trip being a whole month out of town, but she didn't think the man would care, as a total stranger to her. Still, she hated asking, and her question tasted embarrassed in her mouth. Amelie had been watching them for almost a month straight and had been given some ample time off, and she didn't want to dump them on a babysitter or Elzo unless there was literally no other option. Giulia would be okay (the little girl was always okay), but Aidan might sulk. Giulia wouldn't forgive Jada if she fount out that Jada went to a kitty palace and didn't at least try to see if she could come too. If he said no, or sounded remotely hesitant, she'd set the 11 PM and just bring home edible apologies.
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 9:59 pm
‘-your closing time’ cinched the certainty that she knew him as the owner, not just a fan suggesting the place, like an upscale Panera, for a business meeting over coffee. There was no use in extending subterfuge or vagary about it from his part. The colourful language was as fascinating as the ‘irritating’ informality— who is Miss Jada. Not the usual, utterly banal sort that comes from moneyed society. The concern reads genuine about putting me out, so late. It was a mistake, not a ruse. A better boding...no book by cover, indeed. “It won’t be a problem. I keep late nights regularly, even if the cats sleep twelve hours a day. “ There was a pause of more thoughts and then Children. There were rules posted for the safety of the cats regarding children, but that was something that could, with assurances, be negotiated in the good faith of her honesty and concern. “The general cafe area is child safe and child friendly. The catroom has more rules, but if the child or children are well behaved, and they promise solemnly to not pick up or restrain the cats, or to treat the cats roughly, as expected of adults, I will make the exception. ” With no certainty of single or plural, or gender, Quenton used the neutral that applied to both, “If they like cats. ” There was hope that the small person in question would follow the mold of Marinii children, brimmed with reason and motivation and maturity to offset their wonder and inexhaustible energy. Though hopefully without the luggage in that territory. Sometimes all it took was expectation and treating them as smaller, reasoning people, and children would rise to the occasion, even if they weren't normally so for their parents and guardians.
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Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 3:41 pm
Her laugh was quick, easy. "Well, they're cats. 12 hours a day is required to ensure they keep their toebeans in tip-top shape." She really wished she had remembered- but he had moved on easily from her gaffe, and she would too. on the other side of the phone, she tapped her pen against her calendar. "The twins are 7," she told him, "And Castor; he hates just about everyone, but he hasn't murdered them in their sleep yet, so I'm guessing they know how to behave when pressed. Both of them adore cats- they're flip-flopping daily on if we need to adopt a dog, or a thousand cats. As for their solemnity, I'll let you quiz them. Giulia is the one you might have to worry about for manners- while she wouldn't pick them up unless they climb on her, she insists that kitties that can talk, and may try and carry on a conversation with them that could last for hours if left unchecked." It took her only a moment more to circle the call she would e shoving off and select her time. It was a more personal call anyhow, so she didn't feel all that guilty. Then they could do a dinner on the go, and... yeah, that could work out. "Quent- Mr. Marinus, you said after 4 was acceptable, so what about 6:30 on Wednesday evening?" Jada could have the twins fed and hopefully somewhat sedated by then, and they could just sleep in the city house that evening. Then, once the kids were in bed, she could go on her planetary voyage with some fresh sweets. "
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 2:03 am
Twins. Castor. A person with twin children may as well have a cat that is named for the Dioskouroi. Maybe they hoped to have a second cat, or mayber there was a a second that died. Who knows. There are cats named Sparta and Enki, Thor and Isis. It was an odd tingle to have run hickory-dickory along spine, just at the mention of a name. The Royal, or any of them really, he hardly knew, but the names of them were logged in the Primer on every phone. They became like myth to new senshi that may never meet them, in trying to puzzle out what all the terms of power meant and what might some day be their own fate. Unlikely, but might. Or brief shimmers of hope, the names, to the tongue for those looking to help a friend and desperate to find any of them to call on with their mighty crystals. Will other names jolt the same to just come across? How strange the world has come to be. At least she admired toebeans. “6:30 on Wednesday is capital. I look forward to making your acquaintance, Miss Jada. “
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 2:10 pm
Jada leaned back with a soft noise of relief as Quenton agreed to the time. She'd been a bit afraid that her frantic scrambling would have put him off of wanting to meet her at all. "Excellent." Jada's voice was warm, and she closed her eyes. Giulia and Aidan would adore their special little adventure, and Jada would enjoy getting to see what kind of work the man produced. She would have some time to make sure Amelie knew she would have the evening off, and time to take some pictures of some of the items which he would be tasked to repair. She would have time to consider several things, actually. "I look forward to meeting you as well, Que- Mr. Marinus." she had remembered his preferred form of address earlier this time. "Enjoy the rest of your day." The phone hanging up was soft and quiet, with no headset to click. Now... she had someone else to reschedule.
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