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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jan 1, 2011 19:02:02 GMT -5
I gave her an understanding look, soft and caring, with a glance of my eye that showed I had been there before. "I certainly know how that can be. I'll do my best to give you as much of my experience as you need, and not just with administration, but life as well. I've learned strategy and wisdom are not isolated to the battlefield, they affect every part of our lives and help us to make the best decisions. Of course there is a limit to what any of us can do. That's why we're human."
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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
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 1, 2011 19:28:50 GMT -5
Nodding in understanding I smiled a bit more widely again. "I'm really lucky that I have a cousin as kind as you are," I told him, setting aside my tray now that I was done with the portion of pudding I'd been given. "Did you ever meet my mother before she died?" I knew that a lot of people adored her, but all I'd really known was the very caring but driven woman whose image I always tried to live up to. I didn't look very much like her and I didn't think I was nearly as striking, so I tried that much harder to make sure I did the job I'd been left to the best of my ability.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jan 1, 2011 19:38:05 GMT -5
"Only as a child. I don't remember too much about her other than that she was kind, pretty... I do remember that she was a person I admired. She had good qualities, the kind I try to emulate as much as possible." I really did remember little more than that for I spent a good deal of time off on my own. "I think you'll grow to be a lot like her."
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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
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 1, 2011 19:49:29 GMT -5
What he said was nice and comforting, and I really appreciated it. "She was always very proud of you and what you accomplished," I said in complete sincerity. "I didn't have much chance to meet the family and I was always occupied with studying something, but she kept track and she'd tell me how much it meant that people like you could give their lives to keep us safe, especially at times when it meant the most risk."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jan 1, 2011 20:56:41 GMT -5
Those words made me smile again and I felt accomplished, as though I had actually met my goals for myself. "It means a lot to me to know that, cousin. It means I've lived up, at least in some way, to my own expectations."
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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
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 1, 2011 21:16:34 GMT -5
I was glad that my words had cheered him up, because that was my goal, but it also made me think about the expectations I had for myself. Did I even really know what they were? I spent most of my time trying to fit into my mother's mold, and the only change I'd really made to her way of doing things was my wedding that was coming up. "You should be proud because what you've done is great," I agreed with a smile though my thoughts were still churning slightly. "I hope one day I live up to what my mother wanted of me."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jan 1, 2011 21:22:47 GMT -5
"Oh I am sure that you will, dear. You've only just begun if you think about it. I think during childhood you learn who you want to be. As you enter adulthood you start to make the plan, listing what you want, and who you'll get it. Now is the time to start to carry that plan out. It's never to early and it's never too late in my opinion. I think you'll become a great woman. You have a tender heart, that's probably the most important thing of all." There I went again, into another of my mini speeches I was so fond of finding myself doing.
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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
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 1, 2011 21:33:32 GMT -5
Somehow he always seemed to know the right thing to say and took a deep breath, letting it sink in. He was right, and I would have given everyone else who asked the same advice he'd just given me, but for some reason I was never able to tell it to myself. "The first thing is to find out what I want then," I replied in a thoughtful tone, as though I was absorbing one of the many lessons I often put myself through. "Myself and my family happy, and Eisande prospering, and the respect that I work for." It took a moment for me to realize I'd spoken aloud and I flushed a bit. "I'm sorry, I suppose I'm thinking audibly again."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jan 1, 2011 21:48:07 GMT -5
I smirked and then sat up a little. "Don't worry about it. I tend to go off on long rambling speeches unawares. You're thinking and that's what matters. And I think that those are all more than admirable goals."
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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
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 1, 2011 21:54:45 GMT -5
"Thank you," I replied, realizing that it was starting to get late and he'd probably like some peace at some point in the evening. I'd enjoyed the talk we'd had but it may have been time for us to part, since he likely had his own work to do and mine never seemed to end. Besides, I had a lot to think on now, even if I didn't want the wonderful talk with my cousin to end. "I don't think you ramble at all, everything you say is very pertinent and I like hearing it. If you ever want to talk again please come and do so."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Jan 1, 2011 22:05:14 GMT -5
I was one to retire early and it was indeed nearing that time. "Thank you very much and I have to said it was a wonderful conversation. I shall pray that you have safe travels." I rose from my chair and offered her a hug. "And a blessed life with you husband to be."
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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
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 1, 2011 22:10:57 GMT -5
"I hope I see you again before I leave," I told him, a little surprised at the hug but glad to return it. "And I'll make sure everything is ready for you. Good luck with your lady, I hope she wises up and expresses herself soon." With a smile I stepped back and gave him a nod. "Have a wonderful night, Guy."
The evening was over but it had gone very well, much better than I'd expected considering the way some of the other noble families behaved toward their relatives, and I was deeply grateful for it. The way back to the door wasn't a long one and I kept the things he'd said running through my mind as I exited and got into my carriage bound for home. I was good blessed to have a wonderful family and would enjoy introducing Guy to Fydor on our return.
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