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Léon Belmont (ex_the_ambas216) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-03-28 07:54:00

Entry tags:

ambassadors_ball, leon_belmont

An Invitation to the French Ambassador's Ball
Subject: The Ambassadors Ball
Where: The French Embassy
Who: Léon Belmont, the French Ambassador to the English court
Warnings: none as yet
Open to: All (all players may attend either as invited guests of the ambassador, as servants or guests of those invited, as staff, or as gate-crashers.)

The ballroom of the Embassy was already growing busy, and when Citizen Belmont paused for a moment besides one of the large windows, he could see yet more carriages pulling up outside, wreathed in the mist blowing in from the river.

The quartet had been playing now for a good half an hour, new French tunes as well as those the English favoured. His staff was busy handing out good French wine, and then refilling those glasses when they were drained.

It was going to be a good evening, and not only in the eyes of the party-goers. With some of England’s most prominent aristos on the guest list, and some than some newly arrived French nationals, tonight would be a night of information gathering, of sizing up the opposition, and perhaps even ensuring some of those French escapees were returned to face justice.

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	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-19 05:41 pm UTC (link)
	Mercedes turned, looking at the petite little creature that had spoken. Champagne flute half-way to his lips, he smiled, feeling a little more secure in his surroundings. "From what I have heard, the Ambassador has never spared expense in anything." He takes a long swallow from the elegant glass. "Even while he was in Paris." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-19 05:59 pm UTC (link)
	Nell shuffled his feet. "I would not know anything but his dealings in Paris, sir, although I am sure you have many fantastic stories you could tell." He fanned himself with his hand. "It is so stifling in this room. Perhaps we might take a walk and discuss them?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

mercedes_dupont
2008-04-19 06:31 pm UTC (link)

He paused, glancing over his shoulder. Aimé was no where to be seen, but he could hear the youth's laugh. So he was safe, and unlikely to come and look for his captain so early in the evening. No doubt he was talking with old friends who had been just as lucky to escape the Council's justice.

"A walk in the fresh air?" Mercedes says, turning back to the other boy. It was too warm in the Embassy, and the air smelt and tasted like wine. "I would hardly refuse."

(Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-19 07:11 pm UTC (link)
	Nell smiled sweetly, leading him out though the guests and into the fine tended garden outside. "Much nicer, don't you agree?" He ask. "I find these balls so formal, I can't really enjoy them. I'm not sure how to act in such reigned company." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-19 09:38 pm UTC (link)
	The merchant laughs, feeling better to be outside. "I can not say that I am a regular guest at these events. Although, while I was in India, I did once or twice. European parties are dull in comparison." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-19 09:43 pm UTC (link)
	"India? Why where you in India? What where the parties like?" Nell asks, curiosity getting the better of him. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-19 10:14 pm UTC (link)
	"I spent three years trading silks and spices back and forth between India and Europe. I worked with the East India Company for a year, and for some time with the Raj of Orissa. He kept tigers, taller than a man, like we keep dogs." He smiles, and shakes his head, "A wonderful place. Wonderful." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-19 10:18 pm UTC (link)
	"So, what is it exactly that you do?" Nell asked, although he already knew the answer. Léon had given him a full biography earlier in the day. "You sound like some sort of merchant. Spices and silks? You must be very rice." He giggles a little. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-19 10:28 pm UTC (link)
	"Hardly rich, but I am a merchant, of sorts. A trader, really, which ships for hire if needs be. I seem to have come back to Europe just as business becomes difficult. Perhaps I should have stayed in India. "I seem to be bringing cloth and furniture back and forth across the Channel, nothing exciting anymore." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

ex_little_st99
2008-04-20 07:47 am UTC (link)

Nell leads them towards a shaded marble seat, set a little way back from the path, surrounded by a bower of roses - a most perfect place for seduction.

"Take a seat, sir." He gestures, settling himself down, smiling. "Europe? Like Pairs and France? That's all I ever hear about these days with the revolution." He smirks slightly. "They say there is a dashing rescuer bringing French escapees to England but I think that's probably a romantic invention but if he was real, I'd like to meet him."

He leans back a little, unbuttoning the first button of his shirt.
"I can't abide all of this bloodshed. Anyone who is fighting against it...I'd like to thank him." He giggles a little, his cheeks flushed from the champagne. "But I only know one way to thank anyone."

(Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

mercedes_dupont
2008-04-20 09:21 am UTC (link)

"Paris, London, Amsterdam." Mercedes nods, fingering the edge of his glass before draining it. "It seems to be the only thing I hear about too. I hope it will all be over soon, don't you?" The boy was right. All the bloodshed was too much, and had gone on too long. And the latest news showed no indication that it Revolution would be loosing it's passion any time soon. And until it did, France was unstable, unsafe.

Mercedes smiles. "Is that what they say? I had not heard these stories, I am hardy ever in England more than a week at a time. Do you think there is really someone who is rescuing condemned Frenchmen?"

(Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

ex_little_st99
2008-04-20 09:34 am UTC (link)

"I hope everyday. Not that I don't like the new Frenchmen in the country but...everyone is on edge." Nell sighed. The revolution made strange bedfellows.

He frowned a little. The man had not taken the bait, despite Nell almost offering himself. Most men would take any excuse to brag if they thought it would gain them favour.
"It is what I have heard. I simply do not know, sir. I hear all the gossip though." He smiles, twirling a strand of hair around his finger, leaning back against the cool marble of the seat. "I would like to believe it. I would feel better if I knew someone was protecting those condemned. Women and children too, it's just horrible. If I knew someone was helping them I could sleep easier at night."

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mercedes_dupont
2008-04-20 09:48 am UTC (link)

"I am afraid everyone will stay on edge until the deaths stop. Then, perhaps, my countrymen can go home. But they won't be returning to the France they left. I do not believe they will ever be able to return to that France." Mercedes explains, looking at the boy with a sad smile.

"I am sure there is someone. A brave man, whoever he is, to risk his life to save others." Mercedes says carefully. He was being carefully directed through this conversation, he could tell, steered into admitting something he could not. And this young man was doing the best he could to get the information out of him. "Rumours always have some foundation in truth."

(Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

ex_little_st99
2008-04-20 10:06 am UTC (link)

"I'm sad I never got to see that France. I can't say I relish the idea of going there now." Nell says with a sad smile.

He turns away slightly, fingers digging into the edge of the seat.
"I wish I could do something to help, that's all." He whispers, glancing back and Mercedes and then he laughs. "I'm sorry. You must think I'm a right fool. All this talk of brave men and fantasies. I suppose you think it is silly for a boy to have such an admiration for someone who doesn't exist."

(Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

mercedes_dupont
2008-04-20 10:11 am UTC (link)

"Who said that that hero does not exist? I certainly did not. For all I know, he might. There might be more than one, considering how many escapees find there way here. I would not throw away your fantasies. They may be true yet." Mercedes smiles, gently patting the boy on the leg. "And what will you do if you meet him, hmm? Will you throw yourself at him like you throw yourself at me?"

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	ex_little_st99 2008-04-20 10:15 am UTC (link)
	Nell gets to his feet, blushing. "I'm sorry. I...I didn't mean...I've had too much to drink." He whispered, looking ashamedly down at the ground. "I know it is silly, I just thought...when you said you went over to France. I am so sorry." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

mercedes_dupont
2008-04-20 10:24 am UTC (link)

"Sit down." Mercedes smiles gently. "You did nothing wrong, and you're forgiven for what you attempted to do. I've known a lot of young, working boys like you. And I know when they are looking for something more than their usual. You understand?" Mercedes asks, "But you understand that I can not help you. I'm a merchant, and one only recently back from India. Not a hero or a daring man. My interest lies in money, and the sea. Not politics and heroism."

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	ex_little_st99 2008-04-20 10:31 am UTC (link)
	Nell sniffed, nodding and wiped his hand across his eyes quickly. "Yes, I understand. Forgive me for being presumptuous." Inside however, where Mercedes could not look or see the boy was seething with rage. Working boys? What was that meant to imply? (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-20 10:37 am UTC (link)
	"Presumptuous, hardly so." Mercedes shakes his head. "But if... someone I am to see later came to know I had been outside with you, alone all this time? My life would not be worth a half-penny." He offers the boy a smile. "Would you like another drink? Or something to eat? The Ambassador's kitchen staff have done him a great credit tonight." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-20 10:49 am UTC (link)
	"You have a wife? A mistress? I'm sorry, sir. I would not want to cause offence to her." He bites his lip, sniffing a little. "I shouldn't let my imagination run away with me." Nell nods. "Perhaps something to eat. I think I have had too much to drink. You are very kind not to have taken advantage of me sir, many men would." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-20 11:05 am UTC (link)
	"You would not cause offence to him." He reassures, gently patting the boy's knee again. "But a bite to eat, perhaps, would be the best thing for you. Something to settle you. And who knows? Perhaps later on this evening I will take advantage of you, if you're so inclined." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-20 11:08 am UTC (link)
	"Him, sir?" Nell asks, smiling slightly. "Is he here tonight? If he is then I don't think you should take advantage of me, no matter how much I might want it." He giggles a little. "Unless that is what the two of you have agreed?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-20 11:20 am UTC (link)
	"We have... an understanding." Mercedes says, hand moving up from Nell's knee to his inner thigh. "And if you really, really want to be taken advantage of, who am I to say no?" He says, leaning in, lips brushing over the boy's neck. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_little_st99 2008-04-20 11:23 am UTC (link)
	"He sounds like a very open-minded young man." Nell laughs, squirming a little as the man's hand slips higher up his thigh. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-20 11:28 am UTC (link)
	"Aimé's probably as open minded as you can get. Apart from when it comes to revolutionaries." Mercedes mutters, concentrating on the heat of the boy's body as his hand continues to stroke, drawing circles on the fabric of the boy's trousers. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)