Evening Stroll (open)

[Laurence]

Laurence raises one eyebrow

"Well, being biased is one of the privileges of having free will is it not Lady Granville?"

There is a fractional shift in body language as Laurence acknowledges Grace's nudge. Turning to address the two Toreodor Neonates.

"Lady's, it's my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I don't believe I have been formally introduced to either of you, excepting the general greeting Miss Angelina gave to the room at that other little gathering. You may call me Ancilla Stoker or Mr Stoker, whatever suits you."

He smiles warmly at the two, looking to see if either had made any purchases.

"What would I be King of?"...Laurence's eyes turn back to Grace and several immediate thoughts go through his head but are discarded out of hand "..hmm...a difficult choice to make. Most of my skill sets are exceeded by another who attended the Salon. I would perhaps say the King of charting unknown territory?"

Happy to take Grace's arm, Laurence gives Andross a nod.

"Ancilla Blint, a pleasure to see you on this fine night."

At the mention of the second hand book seller, Laurence becomes more animated. Outwardly waiting patiently to see if the others are done but with a desire to move on to the new stalls present in his aura.

[Meredith Llewelyn]

Meredith smiles warmly as the two gentleman join the group, "It is a pleasure to meet you Ancilla Stocker and Ancilla Blint. I shall confess that we have probably lingered here due to my indecisiveness, rather than anyone causing trouble. You see I found two rather beautiful ribbons and I couldn't decide which one to get. Since the blue matched my eyes and the pink my lips."

She holds the ribbons up, "So I came up with the very bright idea of just buying both. You can never truly have two many ribbons. Oh and of course, we were gifted these lovely dolls by Jean-jacque who has been keeping us Ladies safe and chaperoned."

Taking Angelina's arm in her own, "Perhaps we can find a book that would suit you Ancilla Stoker, I am sure there must be some tales of explorers within the book shop."

[Andross Blint]

He looks to Meredith, realising how they had barely actually stopped and talked, let alone greeted at psst opportunities.

"Indeed it is a pleasure, do call me Andross, there is no need for formalities with me on the street, hopefully we shall get more than just a few polite words in passing. While i am no expert in fashion, though i do recognise the importance of such things, i would have suggested considering which you wished to draw attention to with the ribbons. The blue drawing attention to your stunning eyes, where people may get lost in the depths of your soul? Or the lustrous pink drawing people to your gentle lips? Both options have their qualities, like the many charms that you tenderly emanate, but you have wisely chosen both, so think carefully about what you wish to display when you choose which to wear."

He looks back to the group.

"So yes, some slight movement towards a book seller does sound a particularly excellent choice if we don't wish to gather too much attention from those about the street.
You had been nominating Kings before i arrived?"
And my timing was excellent? Had someone wanted to call upon me?"

He looks a little surprised at having seemingly arrived at an excellent time.

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacques listens as Laurence describes his kingdom of the exploration and nods approvingly as he does so

“Ancilla Stoker, a fine pursuit, there is much written of such endeavour, it seems this world is ever revealing new landscapes each more spectacular then before”

He ponders

“I recently read an account from those that unearthed ancient writing upon clay tablets in Assyria, Chaldean I recall the language was ascribed, retelling what the author was asserting to be the oldest tale ever to be left in print so to speak.”

“Exploration is a noble thing, I salute your enterprise “


As Andross joins the group Jean-Jacques returns the greeting with a bow toward him

“Good evening Ancilla Blint”

With suggestions to move along, he simple stands to the side, allowing the ladies to take the lead should they wish to make progress further along the stalls

[Lady Grace]

Grace smiles as she listens to the various conversations around her.
"I do love to read. I still find it gratifying that a few pages of printed language can conjure who other worlds. I may open the covers and find a land I will never travel to or a time long lost and forgotten conjured to life and there I may live for a short time. Whilst the words last but this magical book can do the same for any who care to recognise it's value and pick it up again and begin to read.
It's one of the loveliest things aboit these times. Books everywhere. So many new stories, new authors, books from far away places, new ideas." Grace puts a second hand to Laurence's arm. "Almost as good as listening to the stories of those who have travelling to those interesting new worlds,"

[Meredith Llewelyn]

Meredith is quite silent as the others chat amicably amongst themselves, for what does one say to a gentleman whom she has just met who says such delightful words. Truly it was so bold of him and daring also, if not a little bit romantic and charming she decided.

"I do find daring adventures and stories of tragic romance to pull at my heartstrings in such a way I cannot describe. There are many times where I have wished to find myself in one of those daring books exploring the seven seas, riding a camel across sand filled landscapes or fighting a dragon to save a damsel in distress."

Meredith sighs dreamily, "though of course they are nothing in comparison to true life when such acts of bravery can occur all the time and without notice or when romance blossoms with just a single look of the eye."

Glancing at Andross Meredith places the blue ribbon in her hair putting away the pink. "Shall we attend the book shop then? I feel it is calling us." She moves steadily towards the shop hoping the group will follow.

[Bronwyn93]

Angelina had missed most of the conversation regarding kings and queens, as she had turned her focus back to the hair pin she had been admiring before they had started to gather, and had nipped way to purchase the dainty decoration, holding the small pouch with her diary as she returned her attention to the group as two more joined them.

She dipped a curtsey at the introductions and smiled welcomingly. "It is a pleasure to see you both on this fine evening." She agreed, and let Meredith take her arm.

The mention of a book shop took her attention and she smiled. "I am rather fond of books, though of course my tastes are rather simple in content. I am very fond of finding fairy tales in the pages of books." She admitted as they moved leisurely along the market towards the late night book shop.

[Laurence]

Laurence too starts making his way towards the book stall, assuming Grace follows. Keeping Grace’s arm in his.

“I’m afraid to say the stories of adventure do leave out not a few of the distasteful parts Miss Llewelyn. Although they also leave out some of the highlights, such as terrifying an entire band of pirates into changing their ways and becoming honest sailers.”

Laurence rubs his jaw.

“I haven’t fought a dragon to save a damsel in distress, but I have wrestled a Grizzly bear to save some children. I don’t suppose that counts?”

At Angelina’s comment, Laurence turns his head to give her a smile.

“And what, may I ask, is you’re favourite fairy tale Miss Fontaine?”

[Andross Blint]

Still a little confused at the talk of kings and his excellent timing, but seemingly that had passed and shall remain a mystery to him.
His eyes pay full attention to Meredith as she places her ribbon on, meeting her eyes with a warm and approving look.

"The acts in books can indeed occur everyday, that is the romance that keeps them ever the dream in one's mind, the challenge for making them a reality is in finding someone whose heart and soul give the depth that makes those characters truly live.

Yes, lets on towards the bookshop, perhaps there will be some tales of people whose likeness we can find in others we know, or need to know better."

[Jean-Jacques]

As they approach the stall, adorned with all manner of books, from tired well thumbed novels to newer volumes, thick, thin, pamphlets, there is a wide range on offer.

Jean-Jacques hails the the proprietor as he approaches, a familiarity about his greeting

“Albert, would you have a that copy of The Scarlet Letter you were sourcing for me? “

He smiles at the nod received

“She will be delighted, thank you,”

An exchange of coin for the book and he returns to the group, smiling

“This is a fine book, written some time ago and related to the Puritan times of the new world some two centuries past.....I can wholly recommend it, I once read it whilst in France, I had been searching for a copy for a couple of weeks as a gift”

“There is much to read into these pages, it is worthy of an evening debate all of its own, “

“Do you partake in book discussion groups at all?”

His question is directed at the whole group