Foreign Delicacies

Flower Garden
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Exotic, colorful flowers spread out all around, landscaped according to their many shades: stripes of blue and purple here, interlocking red and yellow circles there, and orange flecked with white beyond that. In three places stand broad, stone-walled planters. One is shaped like a circle, one like a crescent, and one like a many-pointed star. Each has several tiers that grow narrower as they ascend, and every level is planted with a unique but coordinating variety of flowers, resulting a great depth of color. At the very top of each tower is a thick shrub pruned into a geometric shape.

Stone-paved pathways wind in and out among the formations, shaded in places by trellises holding flowering vines. Butterflies flit from blossom to blossom, and the sweet smell of nectar perfumes the air. ===================================================================
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Paige stands on the walk near the terrace, in a place with a good vantage point of the garden. A number of servants are scattered around, working in the flower beds, and the head gardener stands near Lady Paige. She is surveying the work with a critical eye.

Tyre steps off the terrace, walking toward his mother. He is dressed neatly, although as always it does little for his figure and complexion, and the sunlight pretty immediately starts working toward a burn on his skin, though it’s not very strong.

Avery steps down the stairs, skipping slightly and humming. However, she pulls up short as she sees her Mother and Tyre. She straightens her posture and resumes her way down, gracefully this time.

Paige turns and indicates a far corner of the garden to the gardener. She gives him a few final instructions, ignoring her children’s arrival for the moment.

Avery watches her mother instruct the gardener, sighing with relief that she hadn’t been caught acting unladylike. She comes to stand next to Tyre, dipping in a curtsey. “Good afternoon, Tyre.”

Tyre glances at his sister, surprised. “Oh, Avery. Yes, hello. I was just seeking out mother’s assistance.”

Avery glances at her mother. “Oh?”

Tyre says, “Yes, you may be able to help as well, however.”

Paige nods her assent to the gardener’s plans and dismisses him. He bows to her and then to Tyre and Avery. Paige turns toward them as the gardener hurries away.

Avery looks more interested. “Oh really?” She curtseys to her mother as she glances their way.

Tyre bows to his mother. “Mother. I wondered if you were available to taste the Calormene merchant’s fare this afternoon.”

Paige curtsies and inclines her head in reply. “Indeed, I have a short time with no pressing engagements. Which merchant is it? I do hope his offerings are better than the last.” She sniffs.

Tyre says, “His name is Sehsis. I, ah, believe we spoke about him a little. Perhaps Avery could sit in to ah, pick up some of the tricks.”

Avery smiles excitedly. “Oh, yes, I’d love to!”

Avery curiously asks, “Will he be here? I’ve never met anyone from Calormen before…”

Paige raises her eyebrow sharply at her daughter. “While I am proud to have sheltered my children so well from the street rabble, I trust I have not raised you to be a dunce. Did you think that the merchants in town who sell wares from the south dressed in the Calormene fashion to increase their business?”

Avery rolls her eyes ever so slightly. “Mother…You forget that I rarely ever get to venture out to town…And when I do, I do not really talk to anyone except my escort…I haven’t had the opportunity to actually meet and talk to them…”

Avery says, “Their lives are vastly different from ours and all I know about them is from books and servants’ chatter…”

Tyre asks, “Ahh… so shall we head inside, then?”

Paige nods to Tyre. “And if your sister will refrain from making herself out to be a fool in front of a foreigner in my house, she may accompany us.”

Avery laughs but covers it up and pretend to cough. “Excuse me…I think the crocuses are bothering me…”

Tyre says, “Ah, it will be no problem. He has left the samples with me, so you need not be bothered by any strangers. I’ve had the servants arrange for you to taste them on the terrace if that, ah, suits.”

Avery frowns a bit, looking slightly disappointed.

Paige raises her eyebrows in an approving, mildly surprised expression. “Yes, that will suit nicely.”

Tyre nods a few times and then gestures toward the terrace. “Then…”

Paige turns and ascends.

Terrace
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Adjoining the rear of the manor is a long terrace built of the same handsome grey stone as the rest of the house. The western wall is made up of a row of wooden doors, arranged in pairs. Each is set with glittering leaded glass windows, and the opulence of the great hall may be glimpsed within. Chiseled marble pillars are spaced along the outer edges of the gallery, rising to support a delicate canopy of colored glass overhead. Its panes are arranged in a geometric pattern of points and scallops, casting rich light on anyone found below while the sun is in the sky. Soft chairs and divans wait underneath it, and the terrace is open on three sides to allow the passage of cool breezes. A magnificent flower garden spreads out below, planted with blooms of every variety imaginable. Beyond it lie the smooth lawns, tree-lined paths, and shimmering water features of the manor grounds.
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Avery follows her mother up the stairs, carefully lifting her skirt so she doesn’t trip.

Tyre gestures for a servant to pull out their chairs. A variety of dried exotic fruits and preserves have been laid out for them. He gestures to one grouping, “These, I thought for festivals, parties, larger, fancier events.” He gestures to the other grouping, “These may be useful to provide the people with more stock fruit during winter months.”

Avery hmms quietly as she sits down, observing the table. “They look delicious.”

Paige sits as well, studying the display and delicately inhaling the smells. “And can he guarantee that they will be relatively fresh upon delivery, despite being preserved? You know I cannot abide having leather on any table of mine.”

Tyre says, “He says they will be.”

Paige nods and samples one of the offerings, considering.

Avery takes a piece of dried fruit and delicately takes a bite. She swallows and says, “They /are/ delicious. I think it would be very nice to have some sort of fruit in the winter time…”

Paige takes the napkin which a servant proffers to her and delicately brushes off her fingertips. “Indeed. And the colors will be very appropriate for balancing the table.”

Avery nods. “Yes, you’re right!” She takes a sip from a goblet at her place. “I think they’d taste good during a meal and also for dessert. Their tart sweetness would compliment savory meat.”

Paige samples one of the preserves spread on a flat loaf. She nods her approval, but qualifies, “I think that this would pair better with a lighter grain.”

Avery tries some and nods in agreement. “Yes, you’re right.” She samples a few more. “I think Sehsis will have a positive report on his fare. At least in my opinion, he should.”

Paige sips her wine between samples. “We must certainly encourage him to bring his wares here before he seeks other markets.”

Avery nods, “Absolutely.” She wipes her mouth. “I’m sure any visitors we happen to have will be delighted to try them as well.”

Paige inquires after various fruits’ names, taking note of their flavors as she samples them in combination with other foods and drinks.

Avery listens as her mother inquires, tasting and commenting periodically. “This one is sour, Mother. Try it.” She motions towards the center plate.

Paige tastes a small piece, considering. “Perhaps it would serve to cleanse the palate before dessert.”

Avery nods. “Yes, I think so.” She takes another sip, wipes her mouth and says, “Very interesting, indeed…”

Paige completes her review of the foreign delicacies, offering her opinions liberally. After she has finished, she congratulates Tyre on his find and stands to curtsy. “You must excuse me now. I must finish some correspondence and dress for dinner.” She shoots her daughter a prompting look. “As should you, Lady Avery.”

Avery thanks her brother as she stands. She curtseys and says, “Yes, of course, Mother…”

Paige nods and enters the house.