inbox. duplicity.

[sheening]

Daphne Bridgerton

Please leave all correspondence here, action threads as well. While new to the game, her voice-mail message will be automated, and it may take longer than usual for her to reply to texts, videos, and phonecalls.

Comments

[sheening]

[ daphne is not as astute about the smells that blend into the air. the down is a wholly different place, dirtier and danker than what she's accustomed to. her lips quirk at the corners, eyes drifting to see where his hand falls.

grey eyes sparkle as he replies to her expressions of some insecurity, fully focused on what d'artagnan says. how he chooses to assure her that what he speaks has a firm foundation. her mouth parts when he initially brings up her dancing, starting to smile at the strengths he sees in that skill. her voice is soft, confidence returning. ]

I trust we shall find something that works well for my first forays into learning how to handle a sword. And...with those reassuring affirmations, I shall not doubt myself again. Dancing does take a grand deal of skill, of grace. I can see how it will be beneficial.

[ drawing toward the end of the street, daphne can't help but cling a touch tighter when she hears a crackle, a clang, the forge now in view. her head tilts. ] It must be rather hot there, no?

[gascogne]

I'm glad to see you've faith in yourself, Daphne. It's important.

[Sometimes that makes all the difference in dire situation, as reckless as some might see it. As she tightens her hold on his arm, D'Artagnan gives her a reassuring look, but he can't entirely hide the amusement in the depths of his eyes. He doesn't pause in his stride to enter the forge, even as the noises grow louder, hammering and pounding of metal, the grinding squeal of a blade being sharpened, the rush of steam to cool and set things. The sounds are familiar to him and don't ring as loudly as the car engines or strange music in shops, despite the volume.]

Very hot, with rather open fires.

[Bordering on sweltering with the Down's constant humidity and higher temperatures.]

Take it as an adventure, unless you'd rather wait outside, my Lady?

[His tone is sarcastically teasing, perhaps more than it should be.]

[sheening]

[ daphne nods firmly at that. ] It is. For everyone to possess confidence in their abilities.

[ the most metallic sounds she's ever been accustomed to are the clicks associated with carts and horses, maybe sounds from the kitchen as she would go by. most of daphne's life has been quiet, save for the sounds of family and music. getting into a grittier space, it's something new for her.

but she regards d'artagnan with a slow turn of her face, brows lifting high, eyes suddenly firmer. prouder. pressing as she makes a soft sound, an imploring, defiant hum. ] No, I shall attend the forge fully alongside you.

[ gonna hold onto his arm more tightly as they go, yep, but she's committed to exploring, to seeing what the forge is all about, to being a part of this at every stage.

her forehead creases at the heat that hits her skin, fabrics of her dress and underthings already threatening to cling tighter to her skin. yet daphne glances around, taking in the sights and sounds of the forge. ] It...is involved, to a greater extent than I may have thought, constructing, shaping, molding a sword. [ an idle observation as her eyes dance about. she yearns to be an active participant, her attention drawing in on a man working there, in mid-activity with tools. her chin lifts toward him, her face leaning over to d'artagnan. ] It is a blacksmith that works here, no?

[ part of her wants to be able to dive in and tell the craftsman what they're in need of too, but she still allows him to lead them forward. ]

[gascogne]

[The nod he has for that show of determination is one of respect, and he ignores the tighter hold on his arm, doesn't draw attention to it. D'Artagnan takes the time to look around too, some of the equipment foreign to him, some of the materials, but the general set up and nature of the space reminds him very much of the smaller blacksmiths areas in Paris he'd been to. Open space that feels more enclosed with the heat of it, and he pulls at the buttons on his jacket to open more of them. Daphne's observation is noted with a low agreeable hum, as D'Artagnan follows her gaze to the man clamping a red hot length of metal, ready to hammer it flatter at the edge. He's noticed them and holds his hammer off for the moment.]

Yes, I believe so. I don't know if they've another term here.

[Catching the man's eye, he steps forward, but doesn't make any move to see that Daphne stays back, including a look towards her while he greets the blacksmith and states their purpose for the visit, the basics of what they might be looking for in a sword specifically made for her.]

Have you opinions, Daphne? What you might like that I haven't covered.

[It will be her sword, after all.]

[sheening]

[ daphne nods faintly when d'artagnan answers, steps with him as they approach the blacksmith. she has heard the names of swords before, but knows little of potential variants.

she glances to d'artagnan at first, hesitating because, well, does she have opinions? her chin rises: of course she does! ]

It will be my first sword. [ best to start out with that, truth and pride in her voice as she speaks to the blacksmith who gives her a quirk of a smile. anyone who sees her might be able to guess she doesn't frequent forges. ] Whatever you think shall be suitable for my height and weight, one that I may wield with confidence that shall not diminish my desire to learn its proper use.

[ she holds her head and shoulders straight, hand tucking in tighter around d'artagnan's arm. ] I would care for the...hilt to have a personal affect, so it can be more my own. Something...elegant. Silver. Or, blue. [ she's not sure if it seems vapid to crave such a thing, but daphne does not falter in this request or in stating -- ] I shall like my initials on it as well. D-B. [ for either bridgerton or bassett, how convenient.

the blacksmith seems amenable, but turns to regard d'artagnan at the same time that daphne looks over to him as well. ]

That shall suffice, I believe, do you not? [ those are her opinions, but help her out if she's missing something important? ]

[gascogne]

[It's difficult not to smile as Daphne makes her statements. She's clearly intent on learning, excited with it even, and D'Artagnan finds himself reminded of some of the more eager cadets, taking pride in things they've not yet learned, simply the fact that they've a chance to. Her attitude lends itself well towards his brand of instruction, where he might be direct and blunt with criticisms or suggestions and she'll not dismiss them and quit so easily. D'Artagnan exchanges an amused glance with the blacksmith as Daphne goes on to specify a colour scheme and embellishment for the hilt, but it's with an endeared sort of mirth instead of something mocking, and he nods as Daphne turns to direct her question towards him.]

Yes, above and beyond sufficient, I should think. You'll have a handsome sword at your side, Daphne.

[The blacksmith isn't deterred from her requests, and assures them he'll be able to fashion something suitable, suggesting she try some of the swords set out against the back wall to give him an idea of weight. It's going to take a while, and likely have to pick it up later.]