Returning to her rooms, she's practically in a pink haze, a hint of blush on her cheeks and a smile as wide as the Adriatic. She pushes her hair back out of her eyes for the nth time that hour, letting herself in and going immediately for a glass of water. "Par, are you here?" Gillian calls out. "Or are you still exploring?"
     She sits down with a stack of correspondence, no doubt already weeded through by Mahasti. She looks at it without really seeing it, then giggles softly. "I soooo need to tell you about this..."

     "I'm here! Well... I'm in here somewhere. You have a big room! I'm in the office... library...slash...think tank," Parvati calls out. "I've been poking through the library trying to get a feel for this place. Say, do you have plans for lunch?"
     Parvati is sitting on the sofa in the library-slash-office wearing a lovely orange sari over jeans. Her thick, black hair has been brushed and braided. Her feet are bare, showing off orange-painted nails. "Oh yeah?" she looks up, expecting you and smiling. "What gives? I'm dying for some gossip...there's no telly..."

     "I have no plans except that it totally has to involve gossiping with you about my boyfriend and guys in general and everything." Gillian laughs. "Listen to me, I sound like my sister." She pulls her hair back into a knot. "Do you want to eat here or go out? We could go out - there's some amazing places. Actually, everything's been good. Want to just wander til we see some place that looks interesting? I'll have to ask Mahasti or Gavin for some cash."
     She gives you a sidelong look, then grins. "I bet you wouldn't mind is Ga-avin comes along," Gillian says teasingly. "I just got back from seeing Balthazar for a few minutes. I needed to decompress after seeing my mom." She sighs. "He has the cutest new uncles, just born yesterday. Adorable. Twins!"

     "Well, the market looks interesting. I'd like to do that. I bet there is good food there. And some shopping. Ooh! Gossiping about boys! Even better." Parvati puts the book down with decisiveness and hops up. She slips into a pair of sneakers. "It even looks nice out there. The sun is shining even."
     Parvati blushes at the mention of Gavin. "Maybe he has some recommendations about where to go in the market. I've seen it from the windows. It's like a grand bazaar. I bet the smells are amazing."
     She looks surprised. "He has baby uncles? His grandparents are still having children? That's progressive. Twins? So cute. Next time come get me! I love babies. So," she smiles at you as she winds her arms in yours and wanders with you out of the office. "What is it that you simply must tell me? Give me all the details..."

     "Okay, we'll go to the market, sure. I'll call Gavin." Gillian goes out with you, looking for the bell rope. "And we met his grandparents. I know, it's weird, but it's magic, what can I say?" She makes a face. "His grandparents are Bran's parents - the ones we met in Wales. She didn't look pregnant then..."
     She turns to you, laughing and blushing. "He's, um. Well. We kissed, you know? And," she lowers her voice, "I mean, that's all we did. The babies and his granddad were right there, and I wouldn't yet anyway, but ... he's ... well ..." She lowers her voice to a whisper, up against your ear.
     "Remember the pictures of Bran? He's bigger. I think."

     "Bran's parents... oh! I remember them. The cute one with the lovely wife. Aww, I bet they are cute babies. Well, some women don't show that much til the end."
     As you talk about kissing Balthazar with his grandfather and baby uncles right there, Parvati blushes and giggles, "Terrible!" she whispers and then she stops as you whisper at her ear, stops right in the middle of the living room, going about as red as a person can while remaining vertical. "Did you... you know... peek or... well..." giggle, "... feel it? I felt Reginald's once while we were dancing. He wasn't that big. Um... and Bran was enormous... all over...well... maybe the photos add inches like they do pounds, still."
     Parvati attempts to clear her throat. "So... um... have you thought about you know... remaining a virgin but... maybe...getting a look at the goods? I mean, if he is bigger, you might need to plan a strategy." She bites her bottom lip. "Or you know... maybe remain a virgin but...you know, there are other things you can do..."

     "No! I wouldn't." She giggles too, scandalized. "No, I just - saw, you know? That he was, um. Excited. And. Well. Spatial imaging. You get an idea of size."
     Gillian blushes, tugging on the bell rope. "Oh, I know there are other things we could do. I'm a bookworm, Par! I read! I know way more than I want to," she makes a face, "in some cases. I just don't want to do any of it. Until after." She looks to the door, trying to clear the blushing away before Gavin's arrival. "When we're married, we can have fun. Before, well... I'd rather not. Slippery slope."

     "So..." Parvati waggles her brows, "....just how big do you think? Maybe Gavin has seen him in the locker room." Oh, just imagine that. Gavin and Balthazar in the showers...
     Parvati blooms a blush and fans herself with her hand. "Well, it is, you're right. Still. Maybe skinny dipping. Well, your wedding night will be ...eventful. And he's so cute. Gah!"
     Gavin steps in, officious and quick as usual. He looks up to find two red-faced girls and it makes him pause a moment. He would do a fly check but it would be unseemly. "Yes, Lady Gillian? How might I be of service?"

     "Hello, Sir Gavin." Gillian giggles - she knows something Parvati doesn't! "Thank you. Well, Parvati has a question for you, and so do I, but not the same question. My first question concerns our going out today - well, first I should make sure my schedule's not too crowded, but we want to go to the market and get some lunch. Do I have any money?"

     There is a small smile for the Sir. Gavin looks to them both briefly and then to his Lady. His smile spreads though is more disciplined than a grin. "Yes, My Lady, you do. You are on the royal accounts. Would you prefer cash or credit? Credit is extended to the Crown in the market. They're paid regularly on the week. I would suggest carrying a little cash, for sundries, but using the Crown's credit for anything larger than meals. How much would you like? I can make the currency conversions for you."
     Parvati is still blushing. She can't quite put together a whole sentence at the moment...
     Gavin glances to her, then back to Gillian. "Your schedule today is light, Lady Gillian. Tomorrow is quite a bit busier. I have made sure to include your mother and the lunch plans at the stadium. But today, I was instructed that you should have a day to spend with family or however you like. His Majesty wanted to ensure that you were able to enjoy some of the goings on before your session begins in earnest. Yes, Miss Parvati?"
     Parvati smiles winsomely, reaching to touch his arm. "We are looking for very good food," she says. "Is there a place you can recommend to us?"
     Gavin turns more toward his Lady's friend. "Why...yes. I have several. His majesty the High King has a certain love of jasmine sweet rice and food that reminds him of Pashmina's in London. He has created his own Pashmina's here. You both might like that. And it's a taste of home. London, I mean. If you're interested in more local cuisine, I recommend Drusilla's Den. It is in the market, near the stadium. There are contests today. It might be a bit crowded. But there's no shortage of good food in the market. The market is as big as some cities, so whatever you like, you should find some of it there."

     She swallows her giggles as best she can as her friend totally doesn't ask about Balthazar's 'package'. "It's probably better I go somewhere crowded on my own benefit - get it out of the way on my terms rather than somebody else's," Gillian thinks out loud. "I think ... about two to three times as much as we'd need for lunch at Drusilla's Den, to cover contingencies. Now, how will they know that we're legitimate to use the royal accounts?"
     She looks to Parvati. "Will that do? I think it's a good idea, but if you're not feeling like dealing with crowds, let me know."

     Gavin looks between the girls. There's something ..bubbly on the air. He looks to Gillian with a nod. "I will make the arrangements for cash. It will take just a few moments for me to get to the petty fund. As for the credit, there is a card. I will make sure you have it at your disposal. Your name has been provided to the major merchants and restaurants. But the card does come in handy for smaller merchants."
     Parvati blushes again, "I think Drusilla's Den sounds lovely. I don't mind crowds. But...before you go, Sir Gavin," she says with another light (and flirting) touch to his arm. "I do have another question... it's a bit more... gossipy."
     With a curious smile, Gavin glances between the two of you. "Yes? What sort of... gossip are you looking for, Miss Parvati?"
     "Well, there's a lot. But we're just sort of curious, well, Gillian's more curious than I am, but I like good gossip as much as anyone. We're hoping you can settle a question for us regarding the size of... His Majesty's, Balthazar's," she quickly adds, qualifying just what 'majesty' she's looking for, "... majesty..."
     It's Gavin's turn to redden and he exhales a shocked laugh. "Pardon me? Are you after what I think you're after, Miss Parvati... Lady Gillian?" His eyes twinkle with both embarrassment and laughter.
     Parvati giggles, covering her mouth. "Yes!"
     Gavin looks at you both, his mouth puckering in thought. "I can't answer it with an answer, but I can answer it with a question: how many inches are in a foot?" He grins and then turns, "That's all I'm going to say, ladies. And you didn't hear it from me. I'll be right back with your monies..."

     Gillian blushes bright pink. "Par!" She lightly thwaps her friend's shoulder, blush staying high. Oh, she's going to pay for that. "Thank you, Sir Gavin. We'll wait here." Her grey eyes clearly make it plain that there will be revenge, oh yes, there will.

     "You wanted me to ask," Parvati laughs. "And so I did! And it isn't seemly for me to want to know the details of your boyfriend's assets. Well, they're not assets, but how he measures up!" She dances in place for a moment, laughing until she's breathless.
     "Okay so... oh my god. I know enough math to know that! Oh, it's not fair." She pauses with a sigh. "But Gavin is cute. Do you think he would like me? He did mention the Pashmina's. That was kind of him to do so, don't you think? Will you find out if he's seeing anyone?"

     "Measures up? I want to know how he manages to walk without tripping!" Gillian blushes even harder. "I can find out, sure. I can tell you a little about him." She leans in, lowering her voice to a whisper with a quick glance to the door to make sure he's not about to walk in. "He's Lancelot's son. By the Lady of the Lake. Which is why I called him sir; I can't imagine he hasn't been knighted."

     Parvati blooms another shade of red. Anymore, and she'll be purple! "How are you going to look him in the face without blushing or gasping for air, that's what I want to know. Well, it gives you something to...think about on lonely nights," she giggles.
     "The Lancelot? Like from the stories?" Parvati gapes. "Wow. Well probably out of my league then," she smirks. "But sure... ask. I'd like to know. You know, if he'd be interested. I can't imagine that he's single. And seneschals are officers. He didn't correct you when you called him Sir. So perhaps he is doing a tour of duty as a seneschal as part of being a knight. Wow, a knight and..." she glances to the door as she hears steps, "...so... SO cute..."
     Parvati sighs and plops down on the nearest chair. "Maybe that's what you can ask Balthazar," Parvati giggles. "How do you balance? Do you have to have your clothes specially made? It's a conversation starter..."
     The door opens and Gavin reemerges, a smile still on his face and in his eyes. "My ladies," he says with a chuckle, "...you have funds for a lovely day in the marketplace." He hands Gillian an embroidered wallet. "I thought you might need this as well. You have two-hundred crowns, which are equal to about two-hundred euros, or four-hundred dollars. The card is there as well. If anything happens to the wallet or the card, contact me immediately so we can put void the account. Your credit limit is twenty-thousand crowns. If you need that increased, just let me know."
     Clearing his throat, Gavin surrenders the wallet to his Lady. "Is there...anything else you'd like to know or need?"

     "I'm so not bringing that up with him!" Gillian blushes at the very thought. She shakes her head. "I'm going to just put it out of my mind," she says resolutely. "It's not relevant until we're married, anyway."
     She inhales, then exhales. "Why would he be out of your league? You're going to be the minister of health for the Sun King's kingdom, remember? If anything, you're out of his league!" Gillian brushes her hair back yet again, then turns to the door as it opens, smiling. "Thank you, Gavin. That should be enough money, I think! Oh, but yes, there's one other question."
     Her mind works at full speed, thankfully, despite recent and shocking revelations. She carefully does not look at Parvati while she speaks, accepting the purse. "I don't, of course, know your hours, but while I'm with my mother and my sister tomorrow, I'd very much appreciate if you could take Parvati around town to some of the places you think she ought to become familiar with, Sir Gavin," Gillian says with seemingly perfect aplomb. "She is going to be remaining with me for some time to come, and I can't be everywhere at once, of course. So I'd like for the two of you to be able to work together closely, and for her to benefit by your knowledge of the realm. That is, assuming that honor does not preclude your working so closely and unsupervised with an unattached young lady of like station? I wouldn't want you to fall afoul of the snares of jealousy or any other snares, after all."
     She resists the urge to shoot Parvati a triumphant look. Revenge is sweet.

     Look anywhere but his face, anywhere but his body! Parvati looks around, lah-tee-dah, as Gillian asks a favor of Sir Gavin. But she sneaks a look or two or fourteen, pinching herself to keep from blushing.
     Gavin looks to Parvati and then with a smile to Gillian. "I would be happy to do so, Lady Gillian." He smiles and takes in Parvati in his look (and her sudden shyness). "There's no issue of honor in doing so. Quite to the contrary, it would be my honor. And I doubt seriously on the subject of jealousy," he chuckles a little. "I am happy to do so. What time, Miss Parvati, would you like to meet? Perhaps ten-thirty, after you've had a chance at breakfast?"
     Parvati blushes as she makes eye contact. "That would be great, sure. Ten-thirty... Sir Gavin."
     "Great," he smiles warmly -- he's a charmer! "I will see you then. Of course, if I'm running late, just pull the rope," he teases. "If there is nothing else, I don't want to delay your adventure. And if you have any other questions about His Majesty," he smiles, "... I am well acquainted with him. I am sure as his... intended, you might want to have a little information for your arsenal." He bows to her. "Have a pleasant day. Both of you," Gavin adds with a look to Parvati.
     Parvati almost looks as though she's going to faint as he turns and leaves the room. She leans back...back...baaaack to watch him ...go...

     "Thank you for all your help, Sir Gavin." Gillian smiles graciously, like a winner should. She waits until he's out of the room, then turns to Parvati. "You can squeal now, if you want to. When you've gotten your breath back, though, we have to change for lunch and we'll see how long the restaurant keeps us waiting, what with my being Balthazar's intended." She giggles. "And then we can gossip. I think he likes you..."

Posted by rowan at March 07, 2010 09:51 PM