|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 7, 2007 14:20:30 GMT -5
It was four days or so after tea with Sirena when I arranged for lunch. I arrived at Desire at settled down at the table set aside for three, and waited for Rena and Yvan.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 7, 2007 14:38:39 GMT -5
Dressed in my gown of storm-grey with red-gold embroidery and with my hair piled atop my head in a loose bundle of ringlets I walked into Desir with a smile and immediately began looking for dear Ana. The table lay in a small nook and I walked over gracefully, leaning down to give her the kiss of greeting. "Good afternoon cousin," I said, looking around the table. "I take it we're both the type to arrive early?"
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 7, 2007 14:47:00 GMT -5
A dark hair woman, very visibly Shahrizai, had preceded me as I entered the establishment, and amused, I noted that she was heading, as I was, for Anacrasia's table. Waiting just long enough to let them greet each other, I slipped out of the background, in that fashion that sometimes unnerves the ordinary folk.
"My Lady Duchesse, what a pleasure to see you again," I told Ana, bowing deeply. "I daresay your invitation was most intriguing," I added, smiling a little devilishly.
My eyes glazed over her cousin, taking stock of her prettiness. Oh, she was very, very beautiful. This was so promising, I mused to myself.
|
|
|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 7, 2007 14:56:13 GMT -5
I smiled as Yvan seemingly came out of nowhere. "I do try to entertain. Yvan, this is Sirena Shahrizai, Marquise de Millefleurs. Sirena, this is Baron Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier."
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 7, 2007 14:59:03 GMT -5
Smiling sweetly I nodded, then offered him my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet someone so sly as you, Baron," I told him softly, letting my voice ring a little.
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 8, 2007 1:15:30 GMT -5
Taking note of the exquisite ring of her voice, and the delicate melody she'd attached to her greeting, I took her hand, depositing on it the most reverent kiss.
"Sly?" I said, lifting an eyebrow quizzically. "But not as sly as you are beautiful, Sirena Shahrizai, Marquise de Millefleurs," I said as I was straightening up, leering her name a little, tasting it with all the delicacy it deserved.
I took stock, quickly, of the beauties that she held. She had a penetrating gaze, and her cerulean depths were full of musings untold. Her body was light, and I could swear if given the chance, lifting her would be a breeze.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 8, 2007 15:02:25 GMT -5
I purred a croon at the touch of his lips and his words, as always terribly susceptible to flattery. "Oh, I don't know if you could be much more clever that you seem to be," I told him, smiling slyly. "Already you seem to have learned one of my weaknesses. I wonder if I shall as easily be able to pick out yours?" My gaze trapped his playfully, a cat with a mouse between its paws, claws sheathed.
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 8, 2007 15:12:38 GMT -5
Oh but she did have eyes that beckoned, Shahrizai blue with a hint of danger and a soul filled with poetry.
I stayed silent a short instant, and smiled agreeably, "But you shall, at your convenience," I replied agreeably as I took my seat, wincing just a little as the welts on my rear flared, reminding me of the night I'd spent with Anacrasia. I sent her a pleasant smile, acknowledging her handy work.
|
|
|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 9, 2007 0:41:30 GMT -5
I watched the banter between the two with some amusement, though I stopped short of congratulating myself just yet. I could do that later. Much later. About nine months worth of later.
I hid a smirk as Yvan winced as he sat. I was saved from making a comment by the arrival of the waiter. "Bottle of wine?" I asked my companions.
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 9, 2007 1:04:04 GMT -5
Anacrasia's voice shook me from the contemplation of her cousin, and I nodded a little dumbly, summoning a charming smile, "As my ladies wish," I said, my eyes still delving into Sirena's deep pools of blue.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 9, 2007 15:12:48 GMT -5
He seemed caught and held by my gaze alone- I'd only known one other person to do that. These eyes were significantly darker, though they held a hint of the same color, like the sea held in an onyx bowl, or Tal's eyes in a black mirror. His steps held pain and he looked to Ana as he sat- well, I'd already figured as much. How else would she know his tastes?
Slowly I blinked my eyes, wondering at his reaction as I cocked my head sideways in bemusement. "Later, aye?" I teased him, then turned to Anacrasia. "Wine would be lovely," I told her, playing with the single tendril of my hair that hung loose.
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 9, 2007 15:55:40 GMT -5
Again, I nodded. Anytime, Sirena, I wanted to tell her. Gods, she had me tied to her with her gaze, and it was so... new.
I'd never met anyone who enthralled the senses like she did. She toyed with her hair, and I imagined its touch, how it would be to have her delicate hand in mine own mane - and the pain it would inflict... She was beautiful, mysterious, and her voice... her voice was like a million angelic voices, working in unison to create the perfect sound, the ultimate intrument of seduction.
To hear Sirena sing, and to die. There was likely nothing better.
|
|
|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 9, 2007 23:31:45 GMT -5
I ordered the wine softly, though I hadn't missed their exchange. It was rather impressive. All I needed to do was put them in the same room together, and he was enthralled. Sirena was playing coy right now, and I wondered what she was thinking of the whole thing.
Yvan hadn't spoken for a moment, so I took the opportunity. "Life has been well I hope?" I asked, looking at the two.
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 0:55:25 GMT -5
Gods, I had to shake this.
Anacrasia spoke again, and I summoned some self control, turning my gaze from Sirena's with reluctance. "Rather interesting," I replied, fumbling through my pocket.
I pulled out a small roll from my pocket - it held a very clean, more refined version of the sketch I had done of her on coronation night, something that could be encased if she wished - or tossed. Minimally, it would give her a better sense of the work that was underway. I pushed it on the table in a supple movement, adding quizzically, "and productive."
I had a mind to send her a miniature of the work, once it was done - a present for her to remember me by, if anything.
|
|
|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 1:03:12 GMT -5
I unrolled the parchment to find a sketch similar to the one he had done the one night, but set in ink. I tried to envision it in three dimensions, but I had a feeling I wasn't doing it justice. "I would love to see it when it's finished."
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 15:58:32 GMT -5
As Anacrasia unrolled the parchment, I reclined in my chair, that I may have a view of the both of them. So different, so sublime. One, like a fallen angel, the other, all feline grace.
"But of course," I replied soberly. "I would not be so cruel as to taunt you with my art, and not offer you an opportunity to admire it, would I?"
I had a small grin, and the growing urge to touch Sirena at my side. Her skin was... oh, it was so beckoning, it hurt.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 16:11:04 GMT -5
Oh, the cracks in this one's soul- and instead of showing light beneath, like some, it was all murky blackness with sparkles of color, like quartz sand on velvet.
Smiling sweetly I leaned a little over the table and looked at the sketch Anacrasia had unrolled. "Oh, that does suit you," I teased her lightly, winking before I turned the expression to Yvan, eyes wide with curiosity. "Your work suits you, I think- a bit dark and mysterious while seemingly straight-forward. Do you agree?"
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 16:23:28 GMT -5
Oh, but she did speak again, and it was the song of perdition, and it rolled my mind, though I kept my head above water, enough not to be completely swallowed in her.
"That is rather flattering, Sirena," I replied. "I would hope it is mysterious enough to entice you..." Oh, but i never did this, did I? "to visit the collection in my Manor, when your fancy strikes?"
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 16:38:32 GMT -5
"That would be most enjoyable," I told him, quite enjoying they way he seemed to drown in my voice. There was no denying he was handsome, with his somewhat-foreign features, and seemed clever enough if he wasn't showing it now. Besides, he'd caught Ana's attention and I knew she could be very difficult to please. "Though, of course, you must return the favor and host you at my home as well. I can't promise any interesting art, though if you'd like I may be able to find a tune to grace your ears with."
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 17:00:25 GMT -5
She granted me my dying wish on a silver plater.
If this wasn't a sign of the gods, I didn't what was. Mayhap, there was yet salvation for me. To give my body in utter surrender to her - to let her punish me as she would, and to hear her song as the last of my blood was spent dry. It would be my death and my salvation.
"Then mayhap, if you are to work to entertain me, as you do so, you will allow my wandering hands to record your beauty - that I may catch it, and render it immortal," I replied with a smile that was rare.
It was sincere.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 17:08:20 GMT -5
So many meanings to his words and my eyes flashed at them as I wound the chain of my necklace around my fingers- the tiny flechette and sheath I kept at my throat, no longer or wider than one of my delicate digits. "Oh, but what if I were to be lost among so many renderings that you have made so skillfully?" I asked, casting a quick glance at Ana to judge her mood. "So much beauty could be a bit blinding."
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 17:12:41 GMT -5
I'd not played, this time, and I was challenged.
Well, very well. I appreciate a duel, an animated exchange, a moment of sheer detestation. But I wanted her to want me. Something new, again.
"You will not get lost, unless you want to be," I told her, promisingly.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 17:20:43 GMT -5
"I believe you," I told him with a smile, wondering at the shocked almost-sorrow he showed for a moment. He read as a good deal of honesty, though he seemed as surprised by it as I was. "And I do not want to be lost at all- only sought out, a bell in the midst of waves, a fire in the forest."
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 17:58:22 GMT -5
"Oh, Sirena," I told her quite seriously, "You voice would stand out in a myriad others, and even the crowd of the all-wailing sirens could not bury the melody of you. Sought out, oh, yes, you would be. And how you would stand out in the midst of these dimming echoes, only to be the most sublime song over the abyss of danger."
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 18:06:40 GMT -5
The images he called to mind were enticing and I did so enjoy flattery. "You already think so well of me," I said with a sweet mile. "Whatever will I be able to do to increase your esteem?"
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 10, 2007 18:26:24 GMT -5
A whimsical grin creased my face, and I looked at her under my eye brows studiously.
"I have no doubt that you will find a myriad different ways to inflict such a lovely destiny on me," I replied, delving my eyes into her cerulean depths.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2007 18:46:54 GMT -5
Well, now we were getting down to business, so to speak. "Perhaps," I replied with another sweet smile, almost purring the word. Ana hadn't been allowed to get a word in edgewise and I wondered at her opinion.
|
|
|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 11, 2007 1:46:11 GMT -5
He was throwing himself at her. I wondered if he even realized what he was doing. And Sirena didn't seem to mind in the least.
"She is rather creative." I spoke to Yvan, though it was on Sirena's prompt. "As are you. I was so hoping you two would see eye to eye." Though I had to admit, I had not imagined quite this response. He was waxing poetic, in Kushiel's name...
|
|
|
Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Aug 11, 2007 13:14:52 GMT -5
My fascination with Sirena was interrupted by Anacrasia's voice, and I turned my attention to her. I liked her talent in the bedchamber, and her commanding ways - but now, I owed her the debt of this introduction. She had my attention.
Something in Anacrasia's eye. I didn't quite read it, but if I'd had to guess, it would have been surprise.
I smiled in response, and told her, "It was too kind, thank you, My Lady Duchesse."
|
|
|
Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 12, 2007 2:16:03 GMT -5
I smiled back. I wondered at Sirena's thoughts, and whether or not they included giving pain to our dear Baron. "I merely do what I can." I replied, playing at modesty.
|
|