With the carnival in full swing, the streets are full of visitors and Venetians alike, all watching for the grand parades of costume finery attending the gala events throughout the city. Torches and lanterns now light the alleyways and streets, but have not put an end to events, particularly in one of the oldest square of the city itself. There are joungliers, clowns, impromptu performances on the side of the roads and passages by minstrels with some skill, even stages arranged in various plazas with small acts of all kinds. Punch and Judy shows reminiscent of those that would have graced faires during the reign of the last kings of France, being among them.
     And merchants and artisans peddling all manner of creation where they have the opportunity. Paintings, caricatures, pottery. There is even a glass blower who has brought his wares out to the square with small demonstrations of his skill. None of the most elaborate of his works, he assures viewers. But, the ones that are available are reasonably priced for the casual tourist's pocket. Vases and baubles. Witches balls and paperweights. And a listing of galleries where other things might be seen.
     Not being one to worry about passing up such opportunities, Victoria has already picked up several items this evening, a single parcel bag holding them all for now, though she doesn't seem concerned with stopping in her acquiring of them. For the moment, however, she is perfectly content to browse the cases of the world renowned sweet shop that sits on this very square. For all of her troubles, she seems to have elected to dress for versatility. Social versatility at least. In a black coat that brushes her calves over an elegant striped dress, she couldn't go to any formal court gatherings without scathing from the harpies. But any boutique or art event that might strike her fancy is fair game. Which seems to be exactly her plan. Finding whatever she likes that strikes her fancy. One should get all of that out of the system before Lent after all. Isn't that the essence of the festival?

     "Anything strike you?" comes Raymond's voice from nowhere. He was not in the shop before the staring into the cases. And there was no alerting of his presence. He simply, suddenly, Is.
     "In the case," Raymond adds suddenly, finger flicking at the brightly-lit glass. He's dressed rather casually, considering the events of the week. An early evening stroll in the off-beat places, before his obligations begin. For here, the prince is clad only in black slacks and a green shirt, sans tie. But his station is not so distant: in the gold cufflinks on his sleeves, the leather of his black belt and Italian shoes.

     Looking up from the glass, she doesn't start, though there is a look of pleasant surprise. And a brief moment of appraisal, which doesn't disappoint. Arching an eyebrow a little with a hint of amusement she glances back to the confections, "Oh, in the case?"
     Smiling she nods, "There are some truffles a shelf over that I'm not going to be able to pass up. The decision I'm working on is, do I want to get a sampling to take back to my rooms now and drop off these." The bag is hefted lightly in illustration, "Or, come back another evening to send some home and just try a little right now." Home being close enough now to be a possibility for such indulgences. Which is also a manner of fancy.
     She doesn't have the affectation of glow tonight that she did at the ball. Though some of it is still there, of course. Once it's in the system, it can be harder to drop completely than allow to simmer under the surface. But, the glow of the sun effect is gone. Tonight she's just Victoria again.

     "My recommendation, as always: have a bit now, have more later." Simple motto, really. Raymond runs his hand over his head, then motions at the counter girl. "I'll have the cognac," he says softly to her.
     "Looks like you have been on an escapade. Been to the bookstore yet?" Raymond wonders.

     "That sounds like very sage advice." Which, apparently, means she's going to take it. When the girl behind the counter waits to see if she'd also like anything, she smiles, "Two of the raspberry dark truffles, please."
     Victoria nods, "Yesterday. I actually got another mask to go with mine to hang up at home, and a couple of books." She even found books in an occult shop. It would be curious if there were a book shop where she couldn't find something. "These are from the square. There's a glass display, so I got some light catchers that the artisan made for me."

     There's a nod from Raymond as he replies, "I saw the display. The artisan had time to make items for you?" Hmph. He nods again, eyes and posture turning to watch the girl at the case. "Maybe I should stop back on the way to the Barbaro Sestieri." Where all good vampires are staying.
     "Are you enjoying Carnivale?" Raymond wonders. "Despite the parties," he grins.

     "Apparently." She grins a little, "I think he might have been flirting. Either that, or hoping that I was going to go by the gallery where his more artistic pieces are being sold and pick something up there." Which is its own kind of flirting in itself. Just more monetarily motivated.
     "I'm having a wonderful time, thanks. Even with the parties." She did seem to have a very good time. And even got an invitation for a private meeting with the Dignitary afterwards at one point, so apparently her blunder wasn't too terrible. "You?"

     "My favorite times are when I get to experience Venice," Raymond smiles quirkily enough. A slant of his lips, the not-so-committed arch of his brow and shrug of his shoulders. "Like this. I am not here so often that I enjoy walking the sestieri, when I have an hour or two."
     "On the topic of galleries," Raymond comes around again, stepping forward to take his chocolate from the girl, "...do you have plans to see Murano?"

     "Good. I've never managed to make it this far before." Having just been to France for a real visit this last time she was there, that's most likely not surprising. "The evenings fill up fairly quickly I've noticed. You can even come without many plans and end up with a full calendar." Or nearly full at least. "But I can see why you like the time out here."
     Reaching over to take the plate with her sweets she nods, "I plan to, but I don't have specific plans for it yet."

     "You will enjoy it," Raymond begins, finishing with the entire chocolate in his mouth. He enjoys it a moment, then goes on with a cognac aroma, "Unfortunately," fingers near his lips, "...I cannot," his brows sharpening in response. "But, if you have not been before, I would...be happy to make a few calls for you. Have someone expect you, if..." Raymond looks up suddenly, "...well, if you have not done so for yourself." Oops. He shouldn't presume who you know or do not know.
     "Mmph," Raymond's shudders and then steps forward to the counter to take a napkin. "So there's cognac in that," he reels, swallowing and taking a breath.

     "I was going to see who might want to go, actually." Since it sounds like you can't though, being the implication, "I'm not sure if William's made it over there yet. There's a 'relative' who might still be around there that I need to check on probably, to, I just haven't managed yet. But I might take you up on that, thanks." Particularly since she doesn't sound enthused about tracking down the relative.
     At the reaction to the chocolate she chuckles a little, "That's good to know." Taking one of hers, which is harmless fruit rather than liquor obviously, she takes the moment to savor it while you catch your breath again.

     Raymond composes himself and folds the cloth napkin. "I'll take two dozen," he says softly to the girl there. "Flamenco, five. The Tamanaco has the ganache, yes? If so, five of those as well."
     Raymond exhales and looks back to where he was. Oh yes. Glass. "If William will accompany you, you will see the best Murano has to offer. The nice thing about Murano, is that...some of their nicest items are on the floor. You do not need to slink around the building, to see the items that truly are splendid."
     Raymond thinks better of that, adding, "Well, not much slinking."

     Victoria chuckles a little at the addition, nodding, "I'm going to see what's left of the Chihuly installations too. I've got appointments to see some of the private ones already, but those have to be individual. Unfortunately, the public ones were taken down after the exhibit was over."
     She seems to think of something herself, raising her eyebrows slightly as she picks up her other chocolate, "I should've said last night that if you're interested in seeing mine hung, you're welcome to. I've arranged it so they're going to be coming to do it in the evening and staying in town." She smiles, "Renovations and all." That was one of the trickier scheduling maneuvers she had to manage. 'No, really, Mr. Chihuly, it's going to be much easier if your workmen come to put in the million dollar sculpture at night. Just trust me.'

     Raymond grins. The aroma of the cognac still lingers about him, even as he offers the napkin back to the girl at the counter. "Persuasive you are," he grins, knowing such would have been easy. "But Yours," clan, "...are good at such things. I am sure it will look stunning, Victoria. I'd be delighted to see the last night of installation, if possible. If not, then, I certainly would be willing to visit soon after that."
     "I'll have Miranda contact you for information?" Dates, place. That sort of detail.

     "Marvelous." She smiles at the idea before finishing off her last chocolate, handing the plate over while she takes the time to enjoy it with a light sigh. Picking up a napkin herself, she wipes off her fingers. Once the moment of delectable divinity is passed she brushes her lower lip lightly as an after thought.
     "I'll be interested to hear what people think of it, it's going to be a rather prominent contrast to the architecture." A modern glass sculpture in a 12th century castle would have to be.

     "Sounds like an event," Raymond affirms, his hands now free to slide into his pockets. "I'll have Miranda also call Murano for you and provide to you an escort."
     That naturally ended, Raymond continues to stand, glancing over at the ladies preparing his boxes. "Decided what you're going to take?" he asks. Then, to the ladies, "Add fennel too, please. Only two. And well," he sighs, "...the Decouverte box." A roll of his eyes. He tried to stop. Looks like he'll end up with three pounds of chocolate.

     "It should be. I'm going to try and invite out some other people I've met after it's done for a showing of the house. Hopefully it's going to all be finished by then. William and Ian are coming on their way back to Scotland so they're not going to get to see the whole project." Of course it's a project for her.
     Chuckling again at the additions she nods, "I think so." She turns to the case, "The fruit series, the cremes. Some of the cordials for company later." She obviously can't have those herself, but we wouldn't want to rule out others. "And then my chef asked me to get some blocks sent home for him to use in desserts." She turns back again, "Anything else you'd recommend in particular?"

     "The glacees," Raymond immediately suggests, "...not too sweet, though the fruit is delectable."

     She nods, turning to the second girl who's come up, most likely expecting to be able to help individual customers. However, she's going to get to tackle another substantial order. "Okay, then, I'll get a pound assortment of the fruit truffles there, same with the cremes. Two pounds each of the milk and dark chocolate blocks. And a pound of the glacees."
     Somebody else has a sweet tooth.

     "I should get going," Raymond offers, pulling a small clip from his pocket. He slips a card out and places it on the counter for the girl. The clip is palmed and slid back into his slacks. "I have to dress for a meeting in a bit," Raymond explains.
     "It's good to see you again," Raymond smiles. "You look well, Victoria."

     "Thanks, you too. On both counts." Victoria answers with a smile as the girl starts gathering up her order.
     "Oh, I've got new numbers." What with switching continents and all. Opening the bag over her arm with the parcels, she easily enough pulls out a calling card. Address in Switzerland without a street. Castle Rolle instead of a number, county and postal code following along with a European phone number. As any with good country house. She offers it over, stepping the foot or so closer at the same time.

     He gave away his own business card to the counter girl, now Raymond accepts one. "Ah," his expressive brows arch, "...good, thank you." He reads the card and then retrieves the same clip again to slide it beneath the gold latch. "At least I know how to find you," he teases.

     Grinning back at the teasing, she nods, "I can be pretty tricky. Hiding away in towers."
     Ah what a blissful plan. Or, at least, it sounds like she thinks it is.
     "I'll send another one to Miranda when I let her know about the chandelier schedule." She smiles warmly again, offering her hand out in preparation for your departure for whichever ritual is deemed appropriate. Western or European, "I hope you enjoy your meeting."

     "I probably won't," Raymond quips, smiling though as he takes the proffered hand and brings to his mouth. Blue eyes look over the clasp in the kiss, and he gently lowers the pair. "But you never really know, until you get there."
     His chocolates will be sent, apparently. But a printed card? To France? Certainly not. "Hopefully I will see you again before I leave Venice," Raymond opines. "If not, then in Switzerland."

     The hand taking hers is given a light squeeze before it's released, followed by a nod, "I'd like that. Schedules not getting in the way and all." She does know what happens when one has duties in gatherings like this. Dance cards overfloweth.
     "But if not, then in Switzerland."

Posted by rowan at February 22, 2004 07:44 PM