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Post by THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO on Mar 23, 2010 20:52:55 GMT -5
The black sedan pulled up to the gate, and Monte Cristo alighted. He was dressed in a black suit, which he hoped was appropriate for events such as this one. He had been invited to dinner this evening by the Capulets, and while he had attended many dinners across the world, this would be the first of his new life in New York, and he wanted to make a positive first impression.
Granted, he was not sure what the Capulets' motives were in inviting him to their home. They had obviously gotten wind of his arrival through some channel or other. When he was invited to events in such a manner, it usually turned out that the person who had invited him had some request to make of him. This case, though, had to be different. He was not aware that the Capulets wanted for anything.
Monte Cristo pushed such cynical thoughts away as he stepped out of the car. He was going into this with a clear mind, or at least clear of opinions. He had done some research of this family beforehand, as he did with everyone. He would do well to keep on good terms with them. He did wonder whether their titles, Lord and Lady, were actual titles or just labels of vanity. There was no system of peerage in the United States that he was aware of, which was one reason why he did not use his own title while he was stateside. It often awoke preconceived notions in people, notions that he preferred to either dispel or create on his own merits.
He was impressed by the Capulet manor. It gave the viewer a sense of grace and grandeur, which he presumed the Capulets wanted to instill in their guests, and society at large. If so, that aim had been successful. His own mansion was nothing compared to this majestic manor; perhaps he would find one of his own when he found a use for such a large home. Find, since such places were never built anymore, which was truly a shame.
Several long strides took Monte Cristo up to the front door. There were both a doorbell and a knocker present; being traditionally-minded, he rapped at the door with the knocker. Hopefully, any staff they had on hand had been informed of his visit this evening. He would rather avoid any embarrassing incidents this early in the evening.
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tuna
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Post by tuna on Mar 23, 2010 21:19:02 GMT -5
"I’ll hold you close for comfort, wearing my best dress."
[/color] ---*~*---[/center] Juliet had been upstairs brushing out the curls in her hair and putting the finishing touches on her makeup when one of her favorite attendants, Margret, burst through the door.
"Juliet, your parents have left."
Juliet rose from her wicker vanity to look outside her window and sure enough, they were descending down the long driveway in their limousine. She could have died. Right then and there. She knew her parents were going to try desperately to push her towards this Count. But never thought the would stoop to such a level of ridiculousness. She sighed softly, pulling on a green silk gown with a daring neckline and an open back. It was a new piece she had acquired, and the only article of clothing she seemed to own that wasn't a sundress. She reached over her vanity, and picked up a pair of pearl earrings, quickly putting them in, as she was getting frantic. She was almost sure she had heard a knock downstairs and Ivor, the burly guard, open the door.
Sure enough, Ivor did open the door, and if Monte had tried to say anything to him, it fell on deaf ears. He closed the door behind Monte. And then disappeared into the kitchen.
Juliet took one more look at herself. Granted, she wasn't interested in him for what her parents wanted her to be, but she did want to make a good impression. She touched her softly curled hair that fell to the middle of her back, it was perfect. She then ran out into the hallway, slipping on some gold colored low heels as she went. She smoothed down her beautiful dress as she descended down the stairs, smiling for their guest.
"Hello there."
---*~*---
STATUS ! FINISHED!
STARRING ! Juliet Capulet
COSTUME ! resources3.news.com.au/images/2008/01/02/va1237284972471/Keira-Knightley-dress-Image-supplied-5824081.jpg
GUEST ! Monte Cristo
SETTING ! The Capulet Manor
NOTES !-squee- |
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Post by THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO on Mar 24, 2010 11:49:38 GMT -5
The door was opened almost immediately, and Monte Cristo found himself facing an impressively imposing guard. He was not surprised by the guard's appearance, though, and was about to greet him and introduce himself when the guard simply turned away, closing the door behind Monte Cristo, and disappeared behind another door across the foyer.
Monte Cristo assumed that he was to wait for someone here, as it was never good taste to go wandering about someone's house. He busied himself with admiring the foyer, which was quite tastefully designed, with red wallpaper along the walls and dark hardwood covering the floor. He personally preferred darker colors over others, especially pastels, so the foyer at least met with his approval.
In a short time, he heard the soft click of heels approaching, and looked toward the stairs as a young woman descended them. He guessed from her youth that she was not Lady Capulet, and from her manner of dress that she was not a servant, which meant she was the daughter, Juliet.
He bowed deeply as the young woman reached the foot of the stairs. He stood at least a foot taller than her, not because she was short but because he was abnormally tall. Towering above people was something he had grown used to, but it never ceased to amuse him.
"Good evening," he said, returning her smile. "I am the Count of Monte Cristo. I was invited to dinner by your parents this evening."
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tuna
Full Member
Posts: 120
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Post by tuna on Mar 24, 2010 16:01:47 GMT -5
"I’ll hold you close for comfort, wearing my best dress."
[/color] ---*~*---[/center] Juliet smiled sweetly, and giggled a bit as he mentioned that her parents had invited him. She wasn't even sure how to start on the situation they were in. First she offered him her slender, pale hand for his taking, trying to introduce herself before she threw him for a loop.
"I'm Juliet Capulet," she said softly, before taking that final step off the stair. "I'm so very sorry, but I have some bad news. I don't know if you know of my parent's intentions. But I think they intend on pushing us together. Unfortunately for us, they have run off, hoping that the time alone would turn into... Well."
She giggled softly, apologetically, her eyes traveling to the floor, slightly embarrassed. Her parents were almost notorious for setting her up in horrible situtions. She still thought her mother derived some sick pleasure from doing this to her.
"But if you'd still like to stay for dinner. It might be nice," she offered.
---*~*---
STATUS ! FINISHED!
STARRING ! Juliet Capulet
COSTUME ! resources3.news.com.au/images/2008/01/02/va1237284972471/Keira-Knightley-dress-Image-supplied-5824081.jpg
GUEST ! Monte Cristo
SETTING ! The Capulet Manor
NOTES ! Sorry it's really short. I promise the next one won't be. |
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Post by THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO on Mar 24, 2010 20:38:58 GMT -5
Monte Cristo took Juliet's hand and pressed it between his own, an outdated practice, but one that the Count found suitable for the moment. He bowed slightly over her hand as well, helping to lessen the effect of the height difference for a second; then released her hand as she introduced herself.
There is not much that can surprise a man who has seen and done as much as Monte Cristo has, but her explanation of her parents' absence succeeded in doing so. A spark of amusement shone in his eyes as he considered the situation.
He had been right in deducing that the Capulets were after something, but this one was new on him. Aside from the age difference- he was thirty-three, and this young woman, beautiful as she was, could not have escaped her teens yet- he was quite settled with his bachelorhood, having played the game of love, and lost it, once already. He also did not approve of the Capulets' methods, but there was little he could do about that at the moment.
Now he was left in an awkward position. It would be rude of him to leave so abruptly; besides, humoring the Capulets a little might prove beneficial in the future. And Juliet looked embarrassed enough as it was.
"We do seem to have been left in a bit of a predicament," he said with a smile and a clearly amused tone. "But I would be honored to stay for dinner." He offered her his arm, still a gentleman through and through.
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tuna
Full Member
Posts: 120
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Post by tuna on Mar 24, 2010 20:59:50 GMT -5
"I’ll hold you close for comfort, wearing my best dress."
[/color] ---*~*---[/center] Juliet knew this was all so unorthodox, and felt quite embarrassed that he parents would act so childishly in an effort to get their daughter married to someone of status. If she loved her parents any less, she probably would've already applied for asylum from them. She knew that they had their hearts in a good place, and that was the only thing that kept her from leaving them to their games.
She watched his eyes as he thought over her question and was surprised when he offered his arm to her. She had half-expected him to bid adieu and leave her to eat dinner alone. As it was, the company of a respectful adult was nice. And she smiled sweetly at him, taking his arm gently, wrapping a slender arm about it to link them together.
She led him into the dining area, for which the doorway lay next to the staircase. It seemed odd placement, but most of this house was extensively renovated to her Mother's taste. She wanted to demolish the staircase entirely, but with the beautiful wood work, Juliet's father wouldn't let her. And so they compromised. The wood work was saved and was all refinished. It made for a beautiful staircase.
The dining area was over-sized, almost the size of a small restaurant. But there was a small ornate wooden table set for two in the middle of the room. She led him to the table, taking a moment to let him take in his surroundings. Everything had been decorated with her Mother's loving care. The table lay directly under one of the room's five glass chandeliers, and on top of some wonderful, luxurious red carpet. The walls were covered in large windows that were all open to let in the cool night air and provide a beautiful view of the early night sky. But the ceiling, it was the work of art in the room. Their chandelier was the only one that was lit, creating the perfect ambiance.
She had to giggle softly, "I believe this is our table."
---*~*---
STATUS ! FINISHED!
STARRING ! Juliet Capulet
COSTUME ! resources3.news.com.au/images/2008/01/02/va1237284972471/Keira-Knightley-dress-Image-supplied-5824081.jpg
GUEST ! Monte Cristo
SETTING ! The Capulet Manor
NOTES ! i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae349/tunaforbreakfast/diningroom.jpg <-- Picture of the dining room. |
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Post by THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO on Mar 24, 2010 22:44:38 GMT -5
The intricacies of the house's design were not lost on Monte Cristo; being a very observant man, he noticed just about everything they passed on the way to the dining room. It was an impressive manor, to be sure; there had clearly been some real work done in restoring and remodeling it.
The setup of the dining room confirmed the suspicions Juliet had voiced- the table was set for only two, and the entire room had sort of a dreamy aura to it. It was a beautiful room, and again, there had been obvious effort put into making the evening special. He almost felt regret that it was wasted on him; then again, the Capulets should have considered this endeavor from both his and Juliet's points of view before going through with it without obtaining their assent.
He pulled out the chair that Juliet seemed to favor, waited for her to settle into it, and gently pushed her up to the table. Only after she seemed comfortable did he take his own seat.
There would now be a moment of awkwardness if one of them did not say something, so Monte Cristo browsed through his mental store of conversation topics. Most of them failed to help the situation. "It's a lovely night out," he commented idly, hoping that would lead to some more concrete conversation.
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