Topic: Seeking Ms. Shantalaine

Thomas August · Date: 2011-04-19 20:47 EST

In the midst of the bedlam associated with my new position managing the affairs of the Tristero ?family,? I managed to effect a formidable facade of easy control. Each morning I devised a list of goals, and each evening I crossed every single one off the list. Without fail.

Presentation, efficiency, simplicity: I was a consummate professional. I got shit done.

And today I needed a house.

Brief inquiries to a handful of trusted associates all offered the recommendation of Ms. Shantalaine?s services, so by mid-morning, I stood in the lobby of the Plaza de Troyes, before an empty receptionist?s desk, investigating the whereabouts of the famed realtor.

This was rather inconvenient. From the inner pocket of a lightweight jacket, I withdrew the small notebook I always carried and consulted my notes.

Just a name and address, no suite number listed.

I scanned the lobby, ready to interrogate the first person who crossed my path.

Fiora Shantalaine · Date: 2011-04-22 13:58 EST

When being sought, Ms. Shantalaine tends to behave in the most considerate of fashions as she's quite easily found.

It might be the sheer decibel level of her personality.

Or her voice.

"Hello!" She chirped from her stealthy sneak attack, having just slipped upstairs from the vaulted basement. A little pale, perhaps a tad shaky, it was barely noticeable in the sheer forcefulness of her assumed gaiety.

It had been her first visit to the site of her near fatality. The way her companions had rushed to save her was tantamount in her mind and eclipsed the terror of looking in at the vault that had housed her in stasis, keeping her shredded soul from departing despite the extensive damage to her body.

A trembling hand brushed one slender shoulder, the last of the motions she would give to such dire thoughts, her smile slightly subdued as she greeted the newcomer, "Welcome to the Plaza, what can I do for ye?"

Thomas August · Date: 2011-04-22 21:56 EST

The sweet and startling euphony of her voice caught me off-guard, and I would be much remiss if I didn?t admit to being just a bit awed. I hadn?t given much thought to what, or whom, I expected to be greeted by, but this certainly defied those unformed assumptions.

She was positively lovely.

And yet, she trembled very faintly; moreover, there was an unspoken attempt to apologize for her charming vulnerability with a gentle cheer.

It was quite compelling, and I found myself ravenously curious.

I smiled openly, feeling the warm expression spread across the refined planes of my face. Perhaps I stood a bit straighter. Regardless, I answered: ?I?m looking for Ms. Shantalaine, a realtor. I?ve heard she?s extremely skilled, and I have a matter of much urgency that could use her expertise.?

I didn?t bother to hide my appreciation as a studious eye swept briskly along her slender figure. I had a hunch, or perhaps a hope.

?You wouldn?t know where to find her, would you??

Fiora Shantalaine · Date: 2011-04-23 19:01 EST

A warm smile? A charming disposition? Flattery?

She deployed the dimples. The moments in the basement forgotten as she lit up with the customary charisma she was known for, "Hmm," She playfully tapped a finger against her lips as she quirked them to the side in an adorably coy fashion, "Wherever could we find..."

Cerulean eyes widened, pools of the strangest shades of blue and green jeweled depths held within feline slanted eyes much more slumberously sensual than her demeanor ever employed, "me?"

She stuck out her hand with continued gaiety, "Fiora Shantalaine at yer service. What can I do for ye today?"

Thomas August · Date: 2011-04-24 20:14 EST

Just as I had hoped.

My thoughts were almost derailed by the playful brush of her finger against her lips, and I prayed she didn?t notice my momentary, fascinated blankness, which I instantly masked with a renewed smile at her confession of identity.

I grasped her offered hand with my much larger one, electing the more businesslike shake to the chaste kiss I had briefly considered. Perhaps under different circumstances. ?Ms. Shantalaine,? I repeated gently, just a trace of mischief in my expression, ?Thomas August. It?s truly a pleasure.?

I released her fingers and idly shifted my notebook from one hand to the other.

?I need to secure a house for my employer. Something here in the city, and rather large - we?re prepared to pay handsomely.? I paused, reluctant to admit the next detail. All I could do was hope she?d be charmed by the sheepishness in my expression. ?But we need it...today.?

Fiora Shantalaine · Date: 2011-04-25 11:13 EST

One mischief-maker to another, Fiora warmed to that hint of playfulness and was already excited by what Thomas might represent. Certainly, this put together gentleman with his notebook clutching was turning out to be the perfect offering of a distraction.

As he entered into the statement of his concern she waited, almost breathlessly, and he did not disappoint, dropping the bombshell of his need right there in her pristine lobby.

Today?! A perfect puzzle. A conundrum that would stall a fainter heart.

Fiora rolled up on the balls of her feet in her excitement, her prim sunny yellow heels coming up from the ground as she cooed, "Oh Thomas! This is quite the pickle! But why a pickle, have ye ever asked that? I mean of all the foods to liken to a problem, ye'd think it'd be like a jam?" Typically she didn't wait around for an answer already setting off on a chipper pace for the elevator, "Let's take a look in the folders and get a rough idea of what ye'r after and then we're gonna have to hit the pavement--" She paused to flash him those dimples over her shoulder, red earrings glittering as she explained ecstatically, "Which does not mean actually Hit the street by the by, it simply means we're gonna hit it with our feet as we run all over it!" She laughed, an infectious sound of glee, her pleasure in deciphering a slang proverb and using it correctly clearly evident.

She hopped into the elevator and waited for him to join her before she pushed the button that would send them upward.

Thomas August · Date: 2011-04-25 22:29 EST

?Er, I know, I?ve heard the expres--? I muttered as she sauntered away, initially a bit concerned that she explained the expression because she thought me provincial, or old-fashioned, or simply stupid.

But I didn?t bother to resolve my meager defense, for she was laughing, and I was now standing alone in the lobby, a bemused and enticingly oafish grin upon my face.

?Right.? I briskly tucked the notebook back into a left jacket pocket and strode to the elevator where she waited. I stepped in beside her, offering another swift and appreciative assessment of her cheerful attire (or rather the figure therein) before folding my hands and turning this devilish gaze toward the ceiling. Enclosed spaces called for polite distance.

?I?ve always enjoyed a good jam. Especially when it?s accompanied by strong tea and good company,? I remarked as we began to ascend. I cleared my throat gently, a note of gravity infecting my refined tone, ?I do appreciate you accepting this job, Ms. Shantalaine. I?m very optimistic.?

Fiora Shantalaine · Date: 2011-04-26 11:26 EST

"That's a good thing to be!" She beamed as the elevator sent them upward rapidly, yet smoothly.

Out the doors before they'd barely parted enough to allow her passage, she was a fleeting flash of color and the snap of heels as she slipped inside the first office door along the hallway.

"So tell me, Thomas, what do ye do for a livin? And while ye're at it, what kinda place are ye lookin for exactly?"

She had already pulled out two binders by the time he joined her within her well-appointed office suite. One was listed as town homes, the other estates. She flipped them open to the tab that said RhyDin City Proper and laid them out on the coffee table before the couches.

"Speakin of tea, I'll get us some while ye make a list of all the places we're gonna go and check out today!" Her eyes sparkled at the idea of house hunting, it really was her favorite part.

Thomas August · Date: 2011-04-27 21:52 EST

Following the vibrant voice and dashing color down the hallway, my easy pursuit was announced with calmly rhythmic footfalls.

?I?m Steward to a rather old family,? I responded with calculated mystery. ?I manage finances, employees, and other details that the esteemed Lady would rather leave alone.?

Crossing the threshold into Ms. Shantalaine?s office, I gave my surroundings a quick assessment before procuring a seat on the couch. ?Without seeming immodest, we?re looking for something a bit grand. Have you any empty mansions lying about??

Catching the familiar rustling of tea-preparation, I began to thumb through the binders she left behind. My voice held a fond jest as I continued idly: ?We?re not terribly picky - our ?must-haves? is a short list: simply large, astutely designed, impeccably constructed, and perfectly maintained. Oh, and it must have a garden. But otherwise, we?re completely flexible.?

I grinned to myself as I made note of a couple of pages.

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h355/OedipaLydia/Houses.jpg

Fiora Shantalaine · Date: 2011-04-28 18:03 EST

She took one look at the ones he'd picked out and nearly sloshed tea about in her excitement, dimples activated as she giddily exclaimed, "Oh this is going to be so much fun!"

If he'd hoped to actually drink his tea he was going to be sorely disappointed as she was ready to be off. Addresses memorized less by number and more by location. She was a "take a left at the broken sign, and head about a minute's jog toward the dock, when you hear the clock you know you're almost there" kind of person.

She grabbed her stoplight red jacket and hurried out the door with Thomas in tow. Questions about stewardship were peppered with questions about his favorite foods, locales and whimsical notations about the places they passed.

A whirlwind tour of RhyDin's most prestigiously available properties was in order. Culminating with.....SANDWICHES.

A blissful day really. At least by her standards.

Mayhap a bit exhausting by others.