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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 5:04:37 GMT
"He was still a privateer during the Spice wars at the same time your father served," Nigel explained, admiring Justine's legs as he spoke. "If you are looking for information on your father and his friend during that time, he would be the man to ask."
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 5:07:16 GMT
She undid the first few buttons at the neck of her dress and then stopped, lowering her hands to her lap. “You don’t know anything else?” She looked genuinely disappointed. Nigel had been a great lead to more informationin her mind. What a pity he knew far less than she had hoped.
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 5:12:09 GMT
"You will run out of clothes long before I run out of information, my dear," Nigel assured her, with a trace of indignance. "His family is rich but not noble," he continued. "He is a widower with a few kids that are around your age by now. As I said, I am happy to make the proper introductions if you would like to meet him." It was likely that would have a price as well, but once a mercenary always a mercenary.
He seemed to consider the buttons on her dress for a moment.
"Though now I have had a chance to think about it, the name Philometer Tanberlin does ring a bell..."
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 12:27:18 GMT
Justine frowned. He wasn’t as dumb as he looked. He might have played this game before. She took off the belt that held her weaponry. She didn’t anticipate needing it but she did enjoy being close to her father’s sword now she had it. “What about him?”
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 20:32:06 GMT
Nigel frowned as she took off her belt instead of completing the removal of her dress, feeling it violated the spirit of the game.
“He’s an old mercenary, well into his 60s now,” Nigel divulged in good faith. “We’ve met at a few events over the years. Perhaps he will answer my call for experienced officers for the coming campaign. If only I could remember where he lived...”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 20:50:38 GMT
“It’s the Craglands, in Vittoria,” she said impatiently. “Near where my family used to live, isn’t it? Unless...” She slowly undid the rest of the buttons, revealing the white of her underclothes. He had told her something she knew, so she didn’t take anything off. The buttons were just bait for the next answer. “Does he have a house here in Bastion?”
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 20:59:37 GMT
“The last I knew, he didn’t live in the Craglands nor Bastion,” Nigel replied, with the smile of the cat that ate the canary.
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 21:07:32 GMT
Justine sighed, even as her interest was further piqued. “I’m going to run out of clothes before you run out of answers. I should have picked a different game,” she complained. She pulled her arms out of the sleeves and let the bodice fall into the couch, revealing a white chemise and a delicately laced corset, also white. It was the fashion in Bastion, Ceutinde had said, and apparently now Justine was a follower of fashion. She did not yet rise to let the skirt fall to the floor. Half an answer got half a dress.
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 21:14:28 GMT
“That sounds like a game in which everyone wins,” Nigel laughed, taking in the view, momentarily glancing up to the mirrored ceiling to get a different angle. “He lives in Edysse. Just outside the city.”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 21:37:26 GMT
Justine sighed heavily and stood up, pushing the dress down and stepping out of it. The carpet felt good under her bare feet at least. She had a white petticoat on, matching the rest of her cloths. She sat back down. “What sort of man is he? Trustworthy? Treacherous?”
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 21:47:15 GMT
“Well, he isn’t dubious enough to be considered a cutthroat and isn’t respectable enough to be considered a condottieri,” Nigel surmised with a shrug. “So somewhere in the middle.”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 21:55:46 GMT
She stood again, biting her own lip savagely. The petticoat fell as well. She picked her clothes up and put them on the seat next to her, inwardly cursing not having worn a few more. She was in just her chemise and the corset now. She had to manage her questions well.
“So what about the Admiral, then. He’s here in the city. He would have known my father? Probably Tanberlin, too. And everyone else?” She drew a deep breath. “You could introduce me, you said, I think.”
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 22:09:51 GMT
"Indeed, he was a privateer in the Spice Wars at the same time they were," Nigel, finished the rest of his sherry and set the glass down, giving Justine his full attention. "We did not have many military contractors at that point in the war, so they were a tight knit bunch. The admiral and I go way back, with more drinks and war stories between the two of us than I can count. I would be happy to introduce you, either personally or by letter if that suits you better."
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 25, 2020 22:28:08 GMT
“Either would work. But it might be better if you came as well. Less awkward, more at ease.” She slowly started loosening the corset, glad she didn’t have to go all the way. She won the game. It was rather thrilling after all. It took a few minutes but eventually she was able to unclasp the busk in front.
She got up and twirled around once, then just stood there looking at him, hands on her hips. “Thank you. Can I get dressed now, or do you want to look a little longer?” The chemise was sheer enough that the light from the window behind her silhouetted her body. He could catch a tantalizing glimpse of color at her chest and between her thighs.
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Post by Nigel Thornheart on Sept 25, 2020 22:42:59 GMT
"It is quite a view," Nigel admitted, taking in the contours of her body bound by the sheer fabric. "I would enjoy it a bit longer."
"Though it occurs to me that you have moved from asking me for information to asking me for a favor...and from the new Marshal of the Eastern Reaches no less. My schedule is quite busy planning this campaign...I am just not sure I can fit time in my busy calendar for a social visit with an old friend..."
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