A Drunkard's Dream [Philip]

[isadora]

Gwent's markets were renown throughout Albion for their vast and varied wares, the country made wealthy by the trades that took place here. With trade of such importance, one of the primary concerns of the royal family was to ensure that the merchants who visited here were happy and that their goods were of the highest quality.

Both were reasons why Isadora had arranged to meet with a wine merchant from Glouchedon, because he was of the nobility and it never hurt to cater to their egos to keep them happy, and because she wanted to make sure his wine was as good as he boasted. If it was, she'd make a generous purchase for her next celebration, and see to it that he had the opportunity to meet with plenty of noble customers, and if it wasn't...well, she'd direct him to the taverns and inns of Gwent. They still needed swill to keep the masses drunk and content, after all.

She arranged earlier to have Philip de Calmot escorted to a large chamber where he could prepare his wares for her perusal before she arrived, and that was where Isadora made her way to now. She didn't wish to keep the man waiting too long, after all, those noble egos were so easily bruised if one wasn't careful. A servant preceded her into the room to announce her arrival before Isadora strode into the room with a smile. "Greetings, Lord Philip. My apologies for keeping you waiting."

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[Philip de Calmot]

This was the first time Philip de Calmot had set foot in Gwent, and he was yet to decide what he thought about the place. It was certainly a thriving place for trade which was probably something Philip would appreciate more if he wasn’t part of it. Despite his experience (and the fact that this was just something he had to get on with), he was yet to become used to it and was certainly never going to enjoy it. No one understood how humiliating it was for a man like him – a man who should have status, wealth and power – to have to introduce himself to his social equals and betters as a merchant, a man in trade, a man who spend his life trying to win their good favour and custom.

But, this was not the time for that sort of negative thinking. He was here, as always, for business, which meant he had to be the personification of charm. That shouldn’t be too taxing. Royalty, he had often thought, were easier than nobles. They were less arrogant, more aware of their own importance but also aware that everyone already knew this and so didn’t feel the need to tell everyone. It shouldn’t be terribly difficult to convince Princess Isadora that his wine was the only wine worth having. He might resent his trade, but he was good. It was with confidence that he looked over the table he had set up – each bottle lined up, equally spaced and with a few goblets beside it. He didn’t actually know how many people would be in attendance so it was better to be overly prepared.

Everything else was simple. The wine was the highest of quality, as was his skills as a tradesman so there was nothing to do but wait until a servant entered the room to announce Isadora. Philip immediately dropped into a bow. “Your highness.” Presumably she was doing this alone then. Well, that would certainly make the task a lot easier. Philip never had trouble with people anyway, but he was even better with the fairer sex, especially when they were alone.

[isadora]

It wasn't often that one came across a nobleman peddling wares, but Isadora knew that it was necessary for some of the poorer nobles if they wished to maintain their exorbitant lifestyle. And as if being poor weren't bad enough, engaging in the trades of the lower classes was just another thing that the other nobility would look down upon, and Isadora was no exception. Of course, she'd never say that out loud. It wouldn't be civilized.

He dropped into a bow at her entrance, and she graced him with a respectful nod. At least he had manners, some of these poorer nobles were little better than peasants themselves. "I trust your journey was uneventful?" It might not seem it, but an uneventful journey was, in general, far better than the eventful variety. One might get better stories out of the latter, but one was also more likely to survive the former with the wares intact.

Her eyes travelled over the tables he had set up with the wine bottles and the goblets on display, too many for just her to drink from. He must've expected more people here to help her decide. The only other person in the room was her maid, who had quietly followed her in like a shadow, but she wouldn't be participating in the tasting. She was a very good servant, good at going unnoticed and staying out of the way of the nobles she served until she was needed.

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[Philip de Calmot]

Apologies about the delay

Philip was in no doubt that Isadora didn’t care one bit how his journey had been, uneventful or otherwise, but pleasantries had to be observed. It would hardly do to go straight into talk of business, now would it? Well, Philip would be much happier if he could go straight into talk of business. That way he wouldn’t have to put on the facade, he wouldn’t have to stand there trying to be polite and do his best to make a sale – not that that usually required much effort but that wasn’t the point. He detested being a merchant, he detested having a trade. It should be beneath him but unfortunately it was required if he was going to maintain such a lifestyle.

Anyway. He was supposed to be making a sale, not inwardly moaning about it. That wasn’t going to make him any money, so he ignored the feelings of irritation and, yes, embarrassment that he was doing this, and put on a smile. It would not do to keep a princess waiting for an answer. “Uneventful but not unpleasant, the kingdom is a very beautiful one, your highness.” Right...was that all the pleasantries done with? Or was he expected to stand there and comment on every single thing Gwent had to offer the world?

He saw her looking over at the table of wine, oh good; he could make a start on the sale now. He always felt rather divided about the actual selling. Part of him hated it purely because he shouldn’t have to do it, it was about principle more than anything else, but another part of him enjoyed it. He was damn good at it, and he liked working out the best way to get what he wanted from people. It was just a shame that he had to rely on it. He walked over to the table, looking over at the bottles and tried to determine what Isadora would like the best. Hmm...perhaps a red? Something...something with a kick... He pressed his lips together, should he just presume and pick something up or would she disapprove of such a presumption? “What colour do you prefer?”

[isadora]

She smiled when he complimented her kingdom, as was expected, and gave a slight nod. "You're too kind," she said in way of thanks, folding her hands together in front of her. She could only hope that the wine was as good as his manners, because she was truly sick of having to drink bad wine and then pretend that it was delicious. Which wouldn't be a problem if he were a regular trader, but seeing as he was a noble, regardless of how poor or unimportant, she couldn't exactly spit wine back in his face if it were lousy. ...Not that she would literally do that, of course. That would be rude, not to mention messy.

She followed his lead and moved closer to the table, watching his face as he seemed to be mulling over which bottle to offer her. It wasn't until he actually looked up at her and inquired what she might like that she turned her eyes back to the bottles themselves, her eyes ghosting over the different bottles without any real consideration. "I've always been partial to a good red." She offered, turning her gaze back up at him and wondering if he would have more questions for her. She didn't know much about wine, she had other things to occupy her time, but she might be able to help determine what it was she liked about her wine if he asked more questions.

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