|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jul 30, 2008 13:34:19 GMT -5
Days before the plague was declared over I stopped just before we reached the Duchesse’s door and looked at Aleron, my grip on his hand tightening. “Promise you’ll stay with me,” I said nervously.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 31, 2008 21:59:14 GMT -5
"If you wish," I told her sincerely as I stroked her palm with my fingers. "Are you nervous?"
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jul 31, 2008 23:52:03 GMT -5
“Scared,” I told him. “I know this is bad news.”
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Aug 2, 2008 9:18:38 GMT -5
"I'm sorry," I replied in sympathy, hugging her lightly. "Will you be alright? We could always come back another time."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 2, 2008 13:53:33 GMT -5
“No, I want to get it over with,” I said, shaking my head slightly. “Just don’t leave me.”
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Aug 3, 2008 9:08:28 GMT -5
"I won't," I assured her again, taking her hand. "Let's go then, and get this unpleasantness over with."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 3, 2008 14:22:23 GMT -5
Nodding, I walked with him up the last few steps. I knocked on the door and it was immediately answered by a servant. I gave my name and we were shown to a receiving room to wait while the Duchesse was informed of our arrival.
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 4, 2008 22:21:29 GMT -5
The steward informed me of Riva's arrival with a young man- the same one who'd been seeing with her at Midwinter, I'd guess by the description- and I asked for them to be shown into my main study.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 4, 2008 22:25:07 GMT -5
The same servant returned and we were shown into a much more personal room. I wrapped my arms around myself as I paced nervously.
“I wish I could drink, I’ve heard it helps,” I commented.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Aug 6, 2008 15:15:32 GMT -5
"Only if you want your brain fuzzy and uncomprehending for some reason," I replied quietly, looking around the lovely room for a moment before again concentrating on her. "But being so anxious won't help either. Take a deep breath, beloved- being worried can't change whatever this information is."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 6, 2008 18:56:21 GMT -5
“I just want it to be over with. There’s been so much bad lately,” I whispered, wondering when the Duchess would arrive.
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 7, 2008 14:18:41 GMT -5
Sighing and pushing my own sorrow from my mind for the sake of my composure I stepped into the room as gracefully as possible, giving the pair time to see me so I wouldn't startle them. "Good afternoon," I greeted in a steady tone and with a nod. "It's good to see you both again, though I wish it could be under more pleasant circumstances."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 7, 2008 14:43:43 GMT -5
I dropped into a polite curtsey. “I hope we’re not interrupting, my lady,” I said, hugging myself once I was straight again. “Your note said to come at any time.”
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 8, 2008 18:45:24 GMT -5
"Of course," I replied easily and with not the slightest trace of being interrupted. "I was wondering when you'd decide to arrive. Would you like something to drink?"
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 8, 2008 20:14:50 GMT -5
“No thank you,” I said, glancing at Aleron to see if he wanted something even as I continued. “I only got your note today, I had to move out of Gil’s house while…while they were sick. Gillermo and To-Biko died and they don’t think Cascata will survive the night.”
I felt tears begin to run down my cheeks.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Aug 9, 2008 22:23:55 GMT -5
Reaching out a hand I rested it on Riva's shoulder as I sat and subtly shook my head, offering her what comfort I could. I didn't understand exactly why it upset her so, but she'd always been closer to people than I was.
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 9, 2008 22:50:58 GMT -5
Her sorrow called to me and I swallowed my own pain to lightly rest a hand on hers. "It's been a hard time," I agreed softly, hoping I could somehow ease her pain.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 10, 2008 13:05:46 GMT -5
I nodded, unable to speak for a moment. Then I took a deep and shaky breath.
“Forgive me,” I said, wiping at my eyes. “You said you had something to discuss?”
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 12, 2008 13:47:53 GMT -5
I wanted to suggest she come back another day, when her sorrows were less- but then I would only be increasing the duration of them, and that was as unfair. "I do- one of my emissaries in the Chowat sent word of your brother recently," I said in a calm but sad tone. "I'm sorry to say it wasn't good- he died not more than a few weeks ago."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 12, 2008 13:59:13 GMT -5
The news hit me harder than I would have imagined it would have. Simon had left me when he found out I wouldn’t return to the estate with him, but wanted to stay with Aleron, which meant at Gentian at the time. A lot of people would have thought my reaction would have been mild, but they would have been wrong.
After having had no links to my past or family for as long as I could recall, Simon had appeared and I had family again. Family that disapproved of my choices, but family. And now, before we’d had a chance to come to terms he was gone.
I was crushed. If I’d been standing I would have fallen to my knees, but the chair kept that from happening. I sobbed hard, pulling my knees up and wrapping my arms around them, pressing my face to my skirt and crying with abject despair.
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 13, 2008 12:30:28 GMT -5
My heart hurt to hear her sobs and I drew a bit closer, stroking her head; I'd been despondent for some time after the news myself, and nearly inconsolable after my mother's passing. "I'm sorry," I told her sincerely.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 13, 2008 13:02:11 GMT -5
I just want to go home, but I didn’t have a home anymore. I wanted to curl up in Aleron’s arms and never move again.
“Thank you,” I whispered, when I could finally speak through my tears. “Is there anything else?”
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Aug 14, 2008 8:46:28 GMT -5
Riva was terribly upset; I could both see and feel it acutely and quietly rose to take her hand and give it a light squeeze, whispering to her with my mind all of the comforting things I could think of.
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 14, 2008 8:54:47 GMT -5
She was still so upset, which I understood- and truly, the other side of things could wait until she was able to think about them with a clear mind. "There is another matter, but it can wait for another time if you'd like to come back," I offered quietly.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 14, 2008 14:26:22 GMT -5
I squeezed Aleron’s hand fiercely.
“No, please,” I said, looking at the Duchess. “Tell me now, I can’t do this again.”
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 16, 2008 18:35:33 GMT -5
Sighing inwardly I steeled myself and went on. "I'm sorry," I repeated in a quiet tone, fighting back the frustrated tears that wanted to start- I'd tried to find what loopholes I could concerning her heritage, but as there was no proof save her brother's word there wasn't much I could do, and his will had never been altered. Knowing Simon it has simply slipped his mind.
"Your brother's lands and title- he left no will and you were never legally declared his sister in any form or fashion," I told her in a steady but soft tone. "There was no other family who could possible receive it and it would have simple been left to itself to rot- I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of liquidating it to save the assets. The money can be passed along to you with no complications, but unfortunately the title associated with the monetary worth is gone. If you'd rather it's not too late to petition for the title and estate instead."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 16, 2008 18:38:06 GMT -5
My head swam, and I didn’t understand what she was saying. Money? Title?
I looked at Aleron, begging for help.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Aug 18, 2008 11:30:32 GMT -5
Riva looked confused and the Duchesse was trying to be delicate with the situation- it looked as though I'd have to explain things clearly. "Your brother didn't have a will, so there's no way to know who the lands and title should go to- and as you were never formally or legally declared his family the chance of it going to you is very small. To make sure it reaches you she's in the process of selling the lands and reneging the title in order to give you just the money value of them. Inheritance is much less stringent in those regards."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Aug 18, 2008 12:11:53 GMT -5
“I don’t want a title,” I said, shaking my head. “I just want this to be over…for people I know to stop dying.” I began to cry again and buried my head against my knees once more.
|
|
Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
|
Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Aug 18, 2008 15:14:46 GMT -5
"Very well," I replied with a nod, beginning to feel a bit at a loss; when I'd been so sad I'd locked everything away until out of sight, but that didn't seem to be in Riva's habits. "I understand."
|
|