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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 25, 2007 21:37:04 GMT -5
I thought a moment, counting, then realized the moon calendar I had in mind wasn't quite likely the same.
"I'm not sure when that falls," I asked. "Will it be before King Ambrose's memorial?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 25, 2007 22:06:47 GMT -5
I tilted my head slightly. "I don't know when King Ambrose's memorial is. The new moon is in four days, is that enough time?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 28, 2007 23:20:37 GMT -5
It was. Barely, for the memorial was close enough after, but still. I would be able to write my letters, talk to my sister, mayhap see Mirielle one last time, should the attempt fail.
Gravely, I responded. "Yes, yes." I took a breath, feeling unready to die, but willing to face the risk. "It will be enough time. It has to be."
I looked at her with a grateful, if wistful smile, and said, "Thank you again, Riva. I can't begin to tell you my gratefulness..."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 29, 2007 1:33:24 GMT -5
I reached out and took his hand again.
"Live through this and that will be enough," I said. "The life you are offering me is more than I had dared hope for right now. Both of our futures demand you make it through this."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 29, 2007 8:03:27 GMT -5
I covered her hand with my own, and smiled, capturing her eyes. "I will, Riva. The men of the Stregazza line do not go down so easy," I said with all the determination that was my birthright, and the reassuring warmth I could muster.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 29, 2007 15:06:32 GMT -5
"Good, I will hold you to that promise," I replied, smiling and squeezing his hand.
The warmth of his skin against mine brought back pleasant memories of even more bare flesh pressed together and I flushed softly and tried to push such thoughts away.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 29, 2007 17:43:06 GMT -5
Oh, she was so pretty when she blushed, I grinned a little more for her. Letting go business, and moving on to light banter, I asked, "Well tell me, Riva, I didn't see you at the L'Envers wedding, but I am told you attended. Was your evening pleasant?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 29, 2007 18:59:45 GMT -5
"It was wonderful," I said, smiling happily. "The event was lovely. Did you enjoy yourself?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 29, 2007 19:22:36 GMT -5
"It was indeed very pleasant," I replied. "I attended with the woman I am in love with, and met again an old friend. It was all in all very agreeable."
Yes, indeed. All in all, it had been a rather pleasant evening. My only regret was not having a chance to say goodbye to Mirielle, having lost her in the throng of revellers.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 29, 2007 19:37:40 GMT -5
"That's good, I'm glad you had a nice time," I told him, still smiling.
The serving girl arrived and delivered his order, I had only ordered a sweet roll and she brought that as well before leaving again.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 29, 2007 23:06:52 GMT -5
I raised an eye at her order. "Riva, surely you can't eat only that," I said considerately. Mostly, I was concerned she ate lightly for funding reasons. It was obvious though that dinner was on me - and I was hoping rather that she would indulge.
I smiled teasingly, "Poor Giovanna would be horrified," and that made me laugh lightly, remember countless arguments between her and my sister about her eating, or lack thereof.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 29, 2007 23:22:09 GMT -5
"But this is what I wanted," I said, looking down at the roll covered in thick icing, the scents of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting up from it. "One of the other adepts brought me one from here last week and it was so good I promised myself I'd have one next time I was here."
I looked up at him, worried I had offended him somehow. "I can order something else…"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 30, 2007 0:00:38 GMT -5
"I'm just worried about you," I replied warmly. "Be happy, that's all I ask," I told her with a gently smile and a little chuckle. Well, she was young, I reminded myself, and could still have her childish moments. That she was wise beyond her years made me forget it.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Nov 30, 2007 16:48:14 GMT -5
"I make sure and eat.. and not just sweets," I told him. "Aleron made me promise him, so I do. But I'll order something more if you think I should."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 30, 2007 20:47:06 GMT -5
I laughed a little. "Well your Aleron is definitely full of good sense. If you've not eaten something more healthy all day, by all means, do order something more to fulfill that. But otherwise, please indulge..."
I suddenly looked at her with different eyes. Riva was also one to be cared for, though of course her beloved would do so with much more dedication than I ever could. Nonetheless, I would look out for her - and the head governess would too, no matter what even I said about the matter.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 1, 2007 1:43:11 GMT -5
I smiled wide with relief and drew the roll closer to me.
"We had vegetable stew for lunch at Gentian, and I had eggs and fruit for breakfast," I said, tearing off a piece of the roll and then eating it. I moaned softly with the wonderful flavors, nearly bouncing in my seat.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 1, 2007 11:54:04 GMT -5
"That's perfect then," I replied with a wide smile. "Do I understand you have a particular fondness for sweets, and would eat only those if you were given leave to, Riva?" I asked lightly my question, conversationally.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 1, 2007 15:40:15 GMT -5
"And fruit, I love fruit," I told him between bites. "I don't like meat though."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 1, 2007 15:48:01 GMT -5
"Fruit is sweet too," I replied with a teasing grin. "How charmingly ingenu of you, Riva."
No meat. That would drive my governess up the wall, unless.... "Riva, do you eat eggs and cheese?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 1, 2007 18:34:44 GMT -5
Nodding as I swallowed, I then answered. "Yes. I had eggs this morning and I like cheese too. And vegetables and bread."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 1, 2007 23:41:58 GMT -5
"Alright," I replied with a patient smile. "If and when the time comes, my head governess will be told that you do not tolerate meat - but eggs and dairy should be a daily thing, yes?"
I paused, smiling. "I'm only worried about your health, you know..."
I wasn't overly concerned, though. I had met shamans on my travels who avoided meat as an impurity - something about channeling energy, and so I was willing to respect that choice, or that taste, as long as Riva was healthy. I couldn't help it, I cared for her.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 2, 2007 1:45:00 GMT -5
"You don't have to make any special arrangements for me, I will eat what I want from whatever's there," I assured him. "I just don't like eating things that used to have thoughts and feelings and families."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 2, 2007 19:00:35 GMT -5
"You will. And I'll make sure you don't get pestered about it too much, that's all," I replied with a grin.
I wondered. True, she was a reader, or a seer. If she ate meat, did she feel the emotion of the beast? That made me feel just a little queasy.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 2, 2007 21:46:48 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, smiling at him. I tore off another bite of the pastry and held it out to him. "Would you like a taste?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 2, 2007 23:59:21 GMT -5
I looked down at my own piece of steak, and pushed it away. "Yes, please. I don't think I can have it just now," I replied with a little chuckle.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 3, 2007 17:13:20 GMT -5
Leaning across the table further, I held the bite to his lips and smiled, waiting for him to taste the wonderful pastry.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 3, 2007 17:29:35 GMT -5
With care, my lips took the food from her hands delicately, and smiled as I did with my eyes. It tasted wonderful, really, and I smiled for it. "Almost as delicious as the hands that fed it to me," I said with a teasing grin.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 4, 2007 2:07:58 GMT -5
"But you didn't taste my hand," I replied, teasing him in return as I settled back in my seat.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 4, 2007 8:19:52 GMT -5
"Delight can be in the other senses," I replied with a sheepish grin.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Dec 4, 2007 21:36:13 GMT -5
"Very true," I agreed, still smiling.
My eyes went to his steak and then back to him. "Did I ruin your dinner?"
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