Timestamp: 33 Aperitus, Summer in the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne
One could say that Alexis Sapientia was
quite the odd duck, venturing far to the north of the Empire just to be alone...and going to
Chelseanna at that. That wasn't quite true, really. He
wasn't going far from the madding crowd.
Paxia, the city of peace, had fain had its share after the orcish assault. Now that matters were progressing down south in the Confederation of the Sherian, Alexis had decided that it was time for him to examine how matters were at the opposite end of the Empire. Maybe pay a visit to Arakmat, see how things were.
Chelseanna was along the way, and it wouldn't hurt to do a bit of souvenir shopping. Liselle would most certainly enjoy a few new things.
Quote:
On the western side of the Piazza del Mare dwells the popular The Marquis and Spider Cafe and Inn. A large sign with a man and a spider hung above the two entrances to the Marquis and spider. The building was white and lined with shadetrees in it's patio area. It stands four stories tall is split into two separate parts- the Cafe and Inn. There were two entrances- one entrance for the inn and the other for the Cafe.
The Cafe
The First floor is dominated by the cafe. Tables were set up outside along the Piazza where people would meet for their breakfast and drink the dark, strong coffee prized by the Chelseannans. The Cafe was clean and full of sound as it attracted a range of people- families, the elite, and it was known as the favorite haunt of the students at the Conservatorio. Every darkening the house band of violins and cellos would play traditional Celsiannan tunes while the famous soprano Ines Piera would sing ballads over candlelight.
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Curious people, these Chelseannans. The Marquis and the Spider, indeed. At least they knew
food...the feast of the seven fishes had been well worth the trip alone...and the Gnocchi con la ricotta was proving to be quite addictive, that and the Pitta coi pomodori...
He'd been busy poring over the lastest budget figures and troop estimations over lunch, two marines, Saunders, his Alyssan aide, and a navy yeoman close by, to make sure the Imperial Minister of War didn't wander off, get his foot into his mouth, or do some such other
faux pas.
The Bicerin was magnificent, and he'd already had
four in the course of two candlemarks. Working on his fifth, he'd perused the wine list, and had been pleased to send for 3 Marsala
Soleras Riserva, 4 of the
Superiore, and 2 of the Fine. This didn't include the 4 Brunello
Soleras Riserva, 2 of them
Superiore Riserva. Of the 11 bottles of Chianti Fine, 5 of them would find themselves aboard ship to adorn their captain's pracenda tables.
One had to take care of one's own, after all. Never mind what the price was. It was still cheap, no matter how one looked at it.
Wiping his chin and mouth, so did he look around, savoring the warm drink as he held it in his hands, gazing at the peaceful surroundings, wondering why on Telath the whole
Empire couldn't be as tranquil as this place...