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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 17, 2009 6:39:41 GMT -5
I was not much for the more upscale ale houses in the City as they tended to get stuffy to me. Oh I did frequent them but when I wanted to relax I headed to Night's Doorstep as there was certainly no pretension there. Problem with that was that in most places on the Doorstep one had to establish the pecking order. I had done that but there were times when you just did not want to deal with it.
So when I had an evening off and the urge to relax I was constantly looking for a quiet bar to relax at that was not your typical dive. So I found myself at the Fox and Hare. It was a favorite with the sporting crowd. When I made my way in no one glared at me as a stranger and there was not that lethal edge one felt in other parts of town. And with all the game heads mounted on the walls it was certainly not full of snobbery like so many high society places in this town.
It all put a small smile on my face as I procured a glass of ale and took a comfortable seat near the fire. Autumn was putting a chill in the air and none of these men of the fields even gave the Shahrizai in their midst a second glance. It was in short perfect.
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Nov 17, 2009 11:48:18 GMT -5
I walked into the Fox and Hound, looking for a drink that would go straight to my head and make me forget who I was. The week was proving to be a long one and I was tired of all work and no play. Especially since the work was pointless and simply there to keep me out of my father's way.
I asked for some whiskey at the bar before looking around to see what sort of life was present. I saw a head of hair that could only point to one family tree and walked over to see if it was someone I knew.
When I was close enough to recognize the face I smiled and said, "Gadleon Shahrizai, its good to see that they have not killed you yet."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 17, 2009 22:16:51 GMT -5
I recognized Therin as soon as he stepped in the door. My life depended on me being aware and I made sure I was aware at all times so I spotted him first. My childhood companion and close cousin. It had only been a few years since we had seen one another but in my case those years involved several near death experiences so I knew I was no longer the same person.
All the same his presence brought a small smile to my face and I waited for him to see me. When he greeted me I raised my glass and smiled "Therin Shahrizai, and you are a sight for sore eyes." Some of the patrons were noting two family members being present but with these stalwart folk they did not give us undue attention "And no, not dead yet but it has been close a few times as you have probably heard" I rubbed the scar on my face.
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Nov 19, 2009 1:05:56 GMT -5
I sat down near him and tilted my head a little toward his scar. "I had heard," I then smiled and said, "I bet some ladies find it enduring."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 19, 2009 6:29:37 GMT -5
I smiled "Some do." I then carried on "So tell me near and dear cousin what brings you to the City? Kushiel! it feels like it has been two lifetimes since I have seen you when it has only been a couple years. Of course I reckon that is probably the way of things when families that were tight as youngsters grow up and become flung to the four winds."
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Nov 20, 2009 10:18:54 GMT -5
I took healthy sips of my drink as Gadleon spoke. I had become a little bit of a friend to the drink as of late so I knew how much I could drink and still keep my wits about me. Since I was not going to be sitting alone my previous plans at completely losing my mind in the whiskey changed.
"My father is about some kind of business in the city and felt it best to bring along the whole family. I thought that he was going to instruct me in whatever he has going on," I shrugged and then added, "but it seems I am to stay in the dark." In truth I was growing tired of him. I wasn't a child anymore.
"A lot has happened in the last few years," I said. I thought of Lucis and let out a sigh before saying, "it does seem like a few life times have passed."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 23, 2009 6:22:03 GMT -5
I inclined my head still lightly sipping my drink. I had tied one on a few nights before and had no intention of tying another on any time in the near future. "Ah well then it seems some familiar faces are in town. I will enjoy it. We have lots of cousins around but to be honest I think something is wrong with most of them."
I shrugged "And do tell on the front of a lot happening. I swear I am now simply ate up with curiousity."
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Nov 24, 2009 0:04:02 GMT -5
I took a drink and thought for a second, where to start. He already knew that I had moved here, obviously. "I am sure that you know of the plague that sweept through. I don't know if you knew Lucis, but the plague killed him." I paused for a moment. He was not the only one to die, by any means, but I had been so caught up in his death that I had not noticed any others around me. Granted if my own parents or sisters were in that mix I would notice them. But, no one as close as Lucis had died.
Since I had always been a bit more straight forward with Gad then with most I added, "I will admit that I didn't pay much attention to who else meet their fate."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 24, 2009 6:26:27 GMT -5
I listened and nodded. It was a matter of grief and many were still dealing with it. "I did not know him but I am sorry for your loss" I replied softly. There really was not much else to say. People die and the rest of us do our best to move on though at times it is difficult.
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Nov 24, 2009 14:38:21 GMT -5
I nodded in thanks and sipped on my drink, thinking briefly of the past. I had not seen Gad for some time and I was not going to sit here and feel sorry for myself when we had much to catch up on.
I gave him a short smile in some sort of appology and then said,"surely much has happened with you, tell me a tale ot two."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 25, 2009 6:41:43 GMT -5
I bobbed my head "Initially simply blade work. Let me tell you it is much, much different than the practice field. After the near death experience I came here and hired on with the palace guard. To be honest I am getting a bit bored now. Once you have nearly died a time or two the rest of your life seems horribly mundane."
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Nov 29, 2009 19:35:34 GMT -5
"I have not even had a near death experience and my life seems horribly mundane already." Granted I had not felt that way only a year ago, when I had someone to keep things interesting, but I did not let my thoughts wonder in that direction, again. Instead I said, "Though I suppose I should probably not envy you, but I do wish at times that I could use what I have learned about the blade in a real combat situation. I am sure that's a true test of one's skills."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Nov 30, 2009 6:36:15 GMT -5
I rolled my shoulders "It has its moments and can be quite exciting. Of course when I am thinking more like a sane man I realize that no one in their right mind would really want to be in such a situation. I reckon not taking yourself too seriously helps with understanding occasional bouts of what can best be described as insanity."
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Dec 8, 2009 11:41:27 GMT -5
I smiled a little crookedly and said, "in my experiance taking ones self to seriously simply leads to a boring individual that no one truly wants to spend time with."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 8, 2009 12:08:59 GMT -5
“This is of course true, but well I tend to watch myself a wee little bit. One virtually has to when one is from a family that is infamous for our utter and complete insanity.”
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Dec 10, 2009 22:33:20 GMT -5
I laughed out loud at Gad's comment. "Yes, we do come from a strange family. As much as I love most of them they at times make me crazy."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 11, 2009 23:45:40 GMT -5
I inclined my head "True, though I find myself looking at family lately and wondering if we have inbreed for far too long." I shook my head "To be honest situations like say Dominic make we wonder if we need to weed the family tree."
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Dec 19, 2009 1:42:19 GMT -5
I smiled at his comment, "maybe that is my problem, though my parents are at least not siblings or even first cousins." I thought for a moment and then asked, with a slightly different smile, "what about you Gadleon, have you been breeding with anyone lately? I ran into Naia recently and she said you have been hanging around her sister quite a bit."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 21, 2009 5:12:16 GMT -5
I smiled a bit more "Sarielle and I indeed are seeing one another. We get along quite well and that is rather refreshing. We will have to see how it all works out my last few attempts at relationships turned out to be" I paused considering "how do you say? Disasters?"
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Dec 23, 2009 0:41:35 GMT -5
"I hope things work out well for you," I said. It was interesting hearing a side of Sarielle from Naia and then a different side from Gadleon. It had been a long time since I had seen Sarielle , though it would be interesting to catch up. For now though, I was plenty happy with my current company.
My drink was finished, but I had not yet felt any effects. I made a move toward getting another and asked, "would you like another drink cousin? I will need at least one more, otherwise I might as well have just drank water."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 23, 2009 9:44:26 GMT -5
I inclined my head “Sure and may as well make it a double. I do not have any place in particular to be tomorrow and it has been quite a while since we have seen one another.”
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Dec 23, 2009 15:41:21 GMT -5
I nodded my head, letting him know that I would get him the drink he requested and did just that. I followed his suit and ordered a double for both of us. I then returned, handing him his drink and then taking my seat again. I took a healthy drink of the liquor before asking, "other than guard duty and Sarielle is there anything else I should know about you?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 28, 2009 10:23:02 GMT -5
I rolled my eyes a bit “Do not forget her little sister as that one bears watching and is double trouble in a pretty package.” I figured I would warn him about Naia since the gods only knew what she might try next. “As for the rest not much really I have been pondering calling the City quits for something more exciting. Of course I already told you that. The lack of news on my part probably explains why I am cursed with crushing boredom.”
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Dec 30, 2009 13:35:30 GMT -5
I smiled a little when he mentioned Naia, one of just a little amusement. It did not surprise me that she would try to cause some trouble for her older sister's lover. I was curious what had gone between the two of them. I had been friends with Gadleon longer than Naia, but I hoped that they would not end up at such odds that drama would ensue because of both friendships.
"I ran into Naia not to long after I arrived here," I said. I thought instantly of our trip to Valerian but decided to keep that information for later.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 30, 2009 15:25:21 GMT -5
I rolled my eyes “Yeah, I ran into Naia before I realized exactly who she was.” I shook my head “she is amusing with a dash of self destruction. But the way one never knows what she may be up to next puts me on edge.”
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Jan 3, 2010 16:06:56 GMT -5
I had not spoken with Naia enough to know if she was out to harm herself or not. But, it would be something good to watch for, if anything to make sure I didn't somehow end up in a lot of trouble myself. I was not one to always follow the rules, but I had my limits.
For some reason it made me think of my father, and his new found secrecy. "I know how that can feel," I said. I brooded for a moment, what was that man up too? I'd rather end up in trouble with Naia's games than his. I suspected that he could cause a lot more damage if he set out to it. He was a proud man, though, and I didn't think he would act in a way to completely destroy our family. Though I suppose that one never truly knew.
"I don't think we can ever know what is truly running through a person's mind. No matter how open they may seem."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 4, 2010 11:06:45 GMT -5
I grinned a bit “especially in the circles we travel in. In fact now that you mention it I might be rather glad that we cannot know what is going on in another’s mind. With our family if I was able to see such things I might indeed be plagued by nightmares.” It was all idle drivel to me but I found I was enjoying the relaxing conversation since it had indeed been a while.
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Jan 6, 2010 0:51:26 GMT -5
I laughed, "yes, nightmares indeed."
I finished the second drink and looked around. The crowd here really was not very interesting and had by this point mostly grown bored with us as well. I felt the warmth of the drink but I was far from drunk. A idea struck me at random and I smiled at Gadleon and said, "what do you say cousin? Lets drop this place and have a match of swords. I have not had a good sparring partner since I arrived here and I fear I may grow out of practice."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 6, 2010 10:04:03 GMT -5
In most cases anymore I declined such invitations. I had found that most had an inflated opinion of their skills. Stir in a bit of alcohol and I was about as well of to throw any engagements because the other party was certain to have their feathers ruffled. Then for an added bonus one should toss in the fact that I was now considered one of the finest swordsmen around and I had to deal with the inevitable opponent with a large chip on their shoulder thus making the whole matter very vexing. But this was my cousin so it was a safe haven. I had real world experience now something I did not have in my youth and Therin would see it as a learning experience and not a threat to his manhood “Ah why to hell not?”
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Therin Shahrizai de Leveque
Aristocrat
Future Comte de Leveque; House Shahrizai
Son of Noctis and Lucretia Shahrizai de Leveque
Posts: 153
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Post by Therin Shahrizai de Leveque on Jan 10, 2010 0:10:21 GMT -5
I laughed at his response and smiled. It would feel good to spar, to be able to let all of my cares go and to focus on a single person. I knew that Gad would be a good match. We had not sparred in quite some time and I suspected that he had probably surpassed my skill level. I was confident, however, that I would be able to hold my own.
"where to cousin?" I asked. "we have a small garden, but nothing specifically for the act. Though it will suffice if that is good enough for you."
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