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FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf's hands were clasped in front of him upon the table, taking in what Ginny was saying. "Hm... I've never been to Paris before. I heard it's quite the romantic city."

His ears twitched from the sounds of the other customers as he asked, "So, Ginny. What kind of work do you like to do here?"

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

Ginny beamed as she thought of her home, "Paris is such a beautiful city. The view from the Eiffel Tower at night is breathtaking. It has it's romantic qualities for many tourists."

Her tail swished gently behind her, "I am a chandler, that is I make candles. I usually get a lot of orders from churches and restaurants."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf had never heard of a chandler before, so this intrigued him. "Are there any specialty candles that you make? I've heard there are candles that have different scents like cinnamon and certain flowers."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

"Mostly I just taper and pillar candles in varying colors. They usually are scented too so that they give a pleasing aroma while they burn," she smiled lightly, "It takes a little more work to make a scented candle though so they usually cost more."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

"I'll bet the candles are divine. I may ask for some one day."
Mirroring Ginny's smile, he said, "Well, then... Is there anything you like to ask me?"

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

"Well, tell me what do you do?" Ginny smiled at the waiter when he delivered their coffee and croissants. Lifting the cup to her lips she took a light sip, "I see that you love to read given the number of books you were taking to the charity."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf gave his thanks to the waiter and took a sip of his coffee, the flavor danced across his tongue.

"Indeed... Books are truly wonderful. They help take us to places we can only imagine. In fact, I enjoy them so much I've opened a bookstore here."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

Ginny nodded, "That they do. My parents were very fond of the written word. So much that they had my brother and I always reading something."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

"Oh? What kind of books did you and your brother read?"
He cut a piece of his croissant and ate it with his fork.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

"I prefer classics, like Poe and Shakespeare, and books on different cultures. My brother usually reads books about war and tactics," she replied, her tail curling around the leg of the chair. Taking a bite of her croissant the tigress purred softly.

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

"Ah, Poe and Shakespeare... Two wonderful authors of their times."

He took another sip of his coffee before he spoke. " I am not picky on what I read. As long as it keeps my interest and it's well written, it's a good book. Two of my favorite authors are Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

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She nodded, blowing softly on her coffee to cool it before taking a sip, "Both fabulous authors too. I love the tales of Sherlock Holmes."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

"Yes... It's amazing what that detective could do. Why, he could tell what a person was simply by picking up even the smallest of clues. It's no wonder he is very popular."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

"Deductive reasoning is a very valuable talent to possess," she smiled, brushing a crumb off her dress.

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf nodded in agreement as he took another bite of his croissant. He was enjoying his conversation with Ginny.

"Now your brother, erm... Lancelot, was it? What kind of person is he?"

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Ginny pursed her lips, "Lancelot has very deep beliefs about family, honor, and duty. He holds those as his highest values. He spent the last ten years of his life as a soldier."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

"He sounds like one of the old knights of the Middle Ages. It's quite rare that an honorable man like him is around."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

She laughed, nodding, "He does fancy himself a modern day knight. But he is very noble and never one to treat anyone as beneath him."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

"I'm glad to hear that. You must be very proud of him," Leaf said with a smile. After taking another sip of coffee, he said, "I think I better tell you why I decided to come to this town. Erm... Is this all right?"

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

She brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, "Sometimes I am, sometimes he can be very boorish." Laughing softly, she nodded, "But his heart is always in the right place."

Taking a sip of her coffee, she said, "If you wish to do so. I don't pry into other's personal business."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

The rabbit closed his eyes to mentally prepare himself. It wasn't an easy subject to discuss, but he felt she deserve to know. "All right... The reason I came here was because of what was happening back home."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "See, I used to work as an accountant for my dad's textile mill. It was small, but we treated the workers fairly and did business the honest way. Things were fine for a while... until that day back in 1893..."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

Setting down her cup, Ginny locked her gaze on the lapine, folding her hands in front of her. Tail swishing gently, she listened intently as he began to tell his tale.

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

The rabbit's ears were starting to droop as he continued.

"My dad's factory relied on the railroads to transport his goods. Unfortunately, my homeland relied too heavily on the railroads and paid the price, both figuratively and literally. When the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad went under, everything went downhill. Banks, railroads and other businesses started to close too."

"When the railroad my dad used went bankrupt, we did everything we could to sell our product and keep the factory going. We even cut our own salaries to keep from having to dock the workers' pay. But... it was a losing battle we were fighting. Within a couple of months, we had no choice but to shut the mill down..."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

Her ears twitched toward him, a sympathetic smile on her face, "I heard of the failing of the railroad companies and how it affected America's economy. It was sad especially after going thru the Civil War only a few decades before."

She placed her hand over his, giving him a soft smile, "But it is trials like that which test our determination and will to carry on."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf looked over at Ginny, mirroring her soft smile. "Indeed... Even though times were difficult afterwards, I didn't plan on giving up. Still, there was a silver lining in that dark cloud."

He then gazed into the tigress' eyes and said, "If it wasn't for the panic, I'd never have found this wonderful town... and you."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

"My father once told me that hard times will always come when you do not need them to but they are fleeting," she tilted her head slightly, a soft purr in her throat, "What is that silver lining?"

Her smile widened as a soft blush crept up her cheeks, "Merci, monsieur Leaf. I am very pleased to have met you too."

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf smiled at Ginny, his eyes twinkling with happiness. He then took another sip of his coffee and gazed out at the scenery. "The park here is really beautiful today," he said.

(Er... Am I going too fast, Lance?)

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

Fllowing his gaze, she nodded, "Oui, it is beautiful. I find it a wonderful place to relax." Finishing her coffee, Genny set the cup down gently, "Where else have you visited?"

(No, you're good, lol. I'm just multitasking.)

FA Page · Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 2178

Leaf finished the last of his coffee and set down the cup. "Here in town? Well, I've been to the Delight Palace a few times since I finished my job as a waiter there."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 1175

She laughed softly, "Well I meant other then home and here? I think everyone visits the castle at least once when the come here." Turning to look up at the castle, she brushed her hair from her face again, "I have a few good accounts with some of the girls who work there. They're another big customer."