[Open RP] Life in London

Posts : 34 Join date : 2009-01-08 Age : 47

Henry had been in London for a while now and still the stench and sheer number of people in the crowded streets was almost overwhelming. There were days when he longed for the quietness of Kent, the Garden Of England didn't have that title by accident...it was lush and green...a world away from this town.

He sighed, still, there was something about the City he liked...the murmur of intrigue seemed to seep from every dark alley and tavern, the drama of life in all its wide examples played out in the streets...and, of course, the return of Royalty to the Capital. All these things seemed bring a life to London that was utterly unique in England.

Today he had ventured to the docks, doing his best to ignore the smell of the Thames as he looked for his contact. Finally, a man waved his arm in half salute and Henry crossed to him. The man was a merchant who owned three ships, two were Atlantic worthy and had made the dangerous crossing to the new world and back...Henry had helped sponsor the trip and it had been incredibly profitable to both men. They were firm friends and Henry quickly invited him back to his new home, plenty of news to be shared between them.

"Do you know we have a new Queen..." Henry said with a smile, knowing full well that his merchant friend had been at sea for weeks now and would not know. They made their way back to the Grey house, Henry hopeful that Rhi was back from the Queen's side.

Posts : 12 Join date : 2009-01-12

Elizabeth had escaped from her masters house once again and was now crouching behind some bushes a few street corners away. She looked around furtively, if she was to get caugth, she was sure to get the cane again. She pulled out from inside her coat an old tattered book that looked as if it had been read a great many times, a well love book given to her by her father before he died two years ago. She opened the book carefully, lovingly, staring at the words she could read but barely understood.

Quote :: The other two, slight air, and purging fire
Are both with thee, wherever I abide;
The first my thought, the other my desire,
These present-absent with swift motion slide.
For when these quicker elements are gone
In tender embassy of love to thee,
My life, being made of four, with two alone
Sinks down to death, oppress'd with melancholy;
Until life's composition be recured
By those swift messengers return'd from thee,
Who even but now come back again, assured
Of thy fair health, recounting it to me:
This told, I joy; but then no longer glad,
I send them back again, and straight grow sad.

The words of Shakespeare's though she did not understand them, sounded like music to her ears. She sighed as she returned the precious book to her pocket and stood up. She hurried back to her masters home, sneaked back in through the kitchen door to start preparing there evening meal.

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

The man richly dressed walked by the crowd avoiding attention, pushing lightly some who insisted to be on his way. He was followed by a servant, who kept a bit distant at Piero's order. Soon, he reached the Lombard Street, where some of the oldest banks were housed. There was also the place he wanted to go, The Mattei Bank, possession of the old Mattei family.

It was a building with two floors, beautiful in the renaissance style it had been constructed, nearly 50 years ago, with ralings in the windows. Both the Duke and his servant entered in the bank. Not only was the proprietor a banker, he was also a merchant and Stewart saw products from France, Portugal, Spain... even the Americas, gold and silver in jewels which were being exposed for sell. Piero ordered the servant to stay on the Hall, waiting, as he went towards another young man who made calculus.

Good morning, where may I find Mr. Mattei?

The young man jumped from his chair as he wasn't expecting someone to disturb him and apologizing, saying that Mattei was in his office and asking who wanted to talk to him. As soon as he got his answer, he went upstairs. Piero waited for some minutes and saw the young man returning, who apologized for the delay and asked him to go to the other floor, where was the proprietor.

Mattei was an old man, near his 60s, with expensive clothes. His office had many chests where Piero knew big amounts of money resided. It was a simple office, but still had the luxury expected from a refined man as Don Alberto Mattei was.

Ah, Lord Piero, how are you, how are you? I expect everything is fine... and ah! Please, accept my condolences for your brother's death, he was a good friend, indeed, a good friend and one of my most respected ones!

The man never changed and the Stewart liked this, as he was one of the Stewart's most trusted friends - and one who had helped Piero during his stay in the Continent very much.

Don Mattei, you never change, mio amico!, said him smiling bright to his friend. I know, my brother... yes, this all is horrible and I fear for myself. However... I cannot feel sorry for him. Perhaps, even happy - not with the way he died... but after all, he left this world of torture and disgrace for a better one in the company of our Lord.

The man agreed, but Piero understood he was curious to know why the new Duke decided to come to his bank.

I imagine you must be curious for why I'm here... very well, I know you're a good patron of the arts and politics, and I'm planning to finance a list of people who will run for the Municipal Council, and I want to know if the Bank Mattei wants to make the transfer of money., said him, as the old man nodded, listening. I also want to know about my properties and my vinyards.

Hmm, hmmm, very well, very well. I find it interesting your idea of financing a list... although I prefer the arts!, said him laughing. Yes, we're interested. Regarding your properties, you have inherited...

Piero observed Mattei who took some papers from his desk and after checking them, gave to Piero, who looked at all. Indeed, a fortune.

Thank you very much. For now, this is it. In some days I'll return to settle everything. Until then, arrivederci., said him, shaking Don Mattei's hand.

As he left, Mattei looked at the Duke, a good friend and a good ally like James was.
Piero, in the hall, met the servant and they left the Bank. Now was time to see the news.

Posts : 12 Join date : 2009-01-12

The master and his wife had been gone for a few days visiting relatives and Elizabeth had been left behind to tend to the house in there absence.

She was now in the main sitting room of her master’s house staring at the large globe that had just been delivered. She had directed the delivery men to the location her master had instructed her to have them set it up and now that they had gone she was kneeling next to it, spinning it gently, running a finger across the vast ocean leading to the New World.

[Open RP] Life in London Glam-003d_med

Her father had been a dock worker, loading and unloading the vast ocean faring ships coming to and from the New World. Oh the stories he had told her! Savages called Indians, strange animals such as beavers and bears, he also told her of something called maple sugar that the Indians made from the sap of a tree, but only the monarchy and the richest of nobles where privileged to this sweet treat. She sat there for what it seemed hours, until the house grew dark, spinning the globe, looking at all these strange places all over the world, wondering if maybe, one day she might get to visit any of them.

Posts : 1 Join date : 2009-01-17

The scrawny man belched loudly. Wasn't a bad brew at all, patting his stomach with a degree of satisfaction he called to the barkeep...

"Oi! I'll have another brew over here lad!"

Draining the last of his mug he rapped it back down on the table. Well perhaps he could find work in the Regiments again, ever since the New Model Army was disbanded by Parliament he had been out of work. Picking up the odd job on farms and whatnot, well enough to get by, but the army was his calling, what he was born to do. Maybe the Local Lord would raise a regiment? Surely an old veteran could find honest work. After a deal of questioning he had found that the likely fellow to see would be Duke Piero, rumor was he may raise a new regiment. he would need a Sergeant. Who better than me? Another mug of ale was placed down in front of him...

"Lovely."

Posts : 12 Join date : 2009-01-12

The Thames had always been a source of wonder for Elizabeth, from a very early age she had spent her days wandering around its filthy docks. She would look through the windows of its shady pubs observing the patrons within, on there way back or from places all over the world, would watch in awe as Lords and Noblemen boarded or disembarked from the tall ships, accompanied by servants with dark brown skin and unfamiliar features. Often, she would sneak into warehouses hoping to have a peek at merchandise coming from all corners of the world like The New World, China, India and Africa.

Today she had paid a visit to her father’s former employer, a cheery Irish chap by the name of O’Neil. They where expecting a ship from Asia any day, and she had been visiting him regularly hoping to catch the ship as it was unloaded.

At the moment she was following O’Neil around the warehouse like a shadow, pelting him with questions, climbing on crates as he walked alongside them so she can be at his level They be bringing silks won’t they O’Neil? There colors are so pretty don’t you think? How about spices, I like smelling the spices, don’t you? When is it coming? Do you know? Will it be here with the next tide? When IS the next tide? Are the winds right? What’s the ship called?

She suddenly stopped talking for she had reached the end of the crates and was now a few feet above the nearly seven feet tall Irishman and to high to jump down, the old man smiled and extended his arms for the child to jump into, putting her down in front of him.

The ship’s called The Seawolfe. It will arrive when it arrives, nuttin else to be doin’ but wait. Be coming from India she be, so yes child, she be carrying silks and spices. That’s if, she hasn’t been jettisoned by pirates He added with a wink, watching as the child’s eyes grew wide with excitement.

PIRATES?!?! REALLY?!?!? How exiting!!!

Just then, one of O’Neil’s crew came to announce the Seawolfe had been spotted and was expected to dock by nightfall.

Elizabeth’s face fell, waiting for nightfall to return home would earn her another canning for sure, and she was already cutting it fine as it was. By morning the ship would have been emptied and all her cargo locked away. In the end she decided she didn’t care, having a glimpse at all the wonders the ship will be unloading was worth a caning any day. And so, she settled herself in top of a crate outside the warehouse, pulled out her book again to wait for the Seawolfe to dock.

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

Your Grace, today you have to meet...

Piero turned to his servant, once they were in front of a small Jewellery's house near the main square of London, observing a beautiful pearl's necklace.
I know very well who I need to meet today, Hugh. You don't need to remember me. And now, I'm more interested in buying this for Lady Eleanor. And I also need to meet with Her Majesty to request authorization to marry the Cecil's daughter...

... and it'll be very soon., though him.

The Duke entered in the house and talked to a old woman and her daughter about the necklace he wanted to buy. Soon, he left the house with it and carefully kept the jewel in a pocket.
Stewart had been walking for long and now it was time to take a transport.
He went with his servant to the main square nearby and there were many men with carriages led by horses. Piero took a good one and both him and Hugh went back to the Stewart's House.

Posts : 12 Join date : 2009-01-12

Master was hosting a dinner that evening and although he would be hiring cooks for the extravagant meal, she had been ordered into the bitter cold to gather the supplies. Her coat was not nearly enough warm to keep the cold out and she was shivering as she was wandering the market gathering the various supplies the master had asked for, clutching her coat around her. After visiting a few of the shops, her packages where getting awkward to carry and very heavy for her small frame, several times during her shopping she had to put down her burden and redistribute the items.

Her stomach growled as the smell of fresh pastry came wafting toward her from the bakers shop, the master had left her only notes to give the merchants for them to collect there dues in person at the house and since she was not paid at all, she had no money of her own to buy so much as a morsel from the baker. She put down her shopping for a moment to look into the window of the bakers shop, staring at all the delicious looking breads and cakes displayed there. The baker, spotting her and guessing she had no money to pay came out, brandishing a large wooden spoon. if ye have no money for payin’ ye better be off ye little rat!. She quickly grabbed her packages, curtsied apologetically and ran off.

Posts : 4 Join date : 2009-01-22

She was finally arrived at London. The big quoted came to light according to streets and alleys. The city seemed immense, such as we had described her in books most big city of the world.

She came from the County of Hampshire, where she lived with her uncle. Hard education for a girl of good family. Her uncle was a middle-class person who had known how to take the good match during the civil war. Ancient serviceman, he was also gone alongside to the Court due to his offices.
So thus the girl had passed from her youngest age her time in the bargains that owed teach a girl of her age.

In the farm, she was gone alongside to her young cousin. Rascal but most defenders, her entrainait often with him, when they did not bicker.
So she had some knocks and good grips in fencing, the whole in the ignorance of her uncle and her aunt indeed on.

The past doubtless, there here is from now on in the big city of London.

Posts : 94 Join date : 2009-02-17

A carriage arrives in London and draws to a stop in front of one of the towns more respectable guest houses. The horses drawing it are of good breeding, their tack of good quality but well worn. The carriage itself has seen better days and gives the impression of old money that has fallen on hard times.

As the horses come to a stop, the driver steps down from his seat to open the door for the occupants of the carriage. From within, steps out a woman of middling years. She stops in the doorway of the carriage and takes in her surroundings. With a sniff of displeasure, she steps aside to allow her young charge to disembark.

Esh steps out. At first look, she appears to be a shy and demure young lady. Her clothing, although proper for a young lady of her stature and certainly very flattering on her, are a season or two behind those currently in vogue in the city. For those who know her well however, they will notice that she seems unfazed at her families fall from grace. Her eyes twinkle with good humor and excitement as she looks forward to being out from under the thumb of the ruling matriarch, her mother, even if it is only to come to the city to receive tutoring from her mothers childhood friend in the hopes that some of her wayward nature would be curbed.

Subject: Open at all! Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:21 pm

- March 16th, 1649

It was one day not like the others, London started to live in spite of the little of population, William went in the middle of two large gardens. It admiringly looked at the monument in front of him and seemed admiring. There were two fountains on both sides of the large lane.

It continued to go, as if one had just given again a new breath to him, the wind, involved the hair to him backwards and went in rate, as if were inspired by something. To smile revealing, it had just settled in its city, where lived Our beloved Queen Marie Therese.

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