Elliot L'Envers
Noble
His Grace the Duc L'Envers, Sovereign Duc of Namarre
Posts: 2,923
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Post by Elliot L'Envers on Jun 30, 2006 23:55:37 GMT -5
I took Caraf's hand and led her toward the study, I had to admit, I was far more nervous then I thought.
In honest I think had convinced myself that Evie would love Caraf as I did, but now...now I thought, wondered; what if she didn't. What if she hated Caraf?
Worse...what if Caraf hated Evangeline?!
Elua, what had I done!
I swallowed and turned to Caraf trying to hide my fear.
"The study." I said gesturing the the door and knocking.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 0:07:21 GMT -5
The look o his face did nothing to quell my nervousness, if anything it made it worse. I almost felt like running.
I took a deep breath as he knocked, drawing on my years of training to steady myself. I could do this. She didn't have to love me, even like me. she and I just had to get along well enough to coexist.
I even managed a slight smile, and as I waited for the door to open, I whispered, "I love you, Elliot."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 0:12:17 GMT -5
Janyx and I are still at an impass in our relationship; the courtship of a noble woman and an adept are not as accepted as you would think. I finished writing my thought in my journal as I heard the knock. I wondered if this was Elliot and his tart; I exhaled and put my quill down for a moment waiting for my page to dry.
"Come in!" I called softly, the way I called to Elliot when I knew it him. If it was any one else I would not have been so sweet sounding.
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Elliot L'Envers
Noble
His Grace the Duc L'Envers, Sovereign Duc of Namarre
Posts: 2,923
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Post by Elliot L'Envers on Jul 1, 2006 0:15:51 GMT -5
I heard Evangeline and turned back to Caraf.
"I love you too Caraf," I said cupping her face and kissing her softly. "No matter what." I said once I pulled back, holding her hand tightly I pushed open the door and walked through. Once on the other side I closed the door and walked the length of the study, which also a small library. We passed the thin glass doors that led to the terrace, the glass frosted slightly.
"Evie." I said as we got closer. "May I introduce Caraf no Heliotrope." Once we were at the desk that she sat at I gestured to Caraf. "Caraf, this is my sister Evangeline."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 0:23:09 GMT -5
As we crossed the room, I had the disconcerting feeling of being a small child brought before the headmistress at school.
Pushing it aside, I curtseyed and smiled. "It is a pleasure," I said, my voice sounding wonderfully steady to my own ears.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 0:31:04 GMT -5
I took her in with a decerning eye, this was the future Duchesse L'Envers, this was the woman that would replace me. An adept, albeit a handsome one. I bit the inside of my lower lip, the way I do when I need to contemplate my next move.
Befriend her? Betray her?
I sat for a moment in silence taking her in, measureing her as best I could in the moment. Each flaw, each weakness, each mistake waiting to happen....But.
I looked to Elliot and smiled standing I took him in, the look on his face. He was my baby brother, younger to me by mere moments, I couldn't destroy him in such a manner, not when our parents and grand parents had played the same games.
"Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer." It was only a whisper.
"Caraf," I said turning my face on her and smiling genuinely. "Its a pleasure to meet you."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 0:49:07 GMT -5
For a moment, the headmistress image was complete as she appraised me. Then she smiled, and I felt better, but still somewhat unsure.
"Thank you," I said, smiling. I held her gaze, not aggressively, but not looking away either.
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Elliot L'Envers
Noble
His Grace the Duc L'Envers, Sovereign Duc of Namarre
Posts: 2,923
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Post by Elliot L'Envers on Jul 1, 2006 0:54:49 GMT -5
I exhaled deeply a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding, and clasped my hands together loudly.
"Excellent." I proclaimed smiling at the two of them. There was a moment there that I was sure Evie was going to pounce over the table and crush Caraf. I know she looks small but Evie was a frigtening fighter...I remember the scar she gave me at my temple when she and I got into a fight over a gown I had 'accidently' destroyed. Granted I deserved it but it was vicious.
"Caraf and I are planning going to Eglantine tomorrow to get costumes for the masque, we thought you might be interested in joining us?" I asked hoping she would say yes.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 1:06:54 GMT -5
I looked back to Elliot and smiled pleasently. "You're going to the masque?" I was happy for him, Elliot never went to masques, I begged him to go everytime but...I turned my gaze to Caraf.
"I'd love to come, we should spend all the time we can together." I kept my gaze with Caraf but kept my eyes and smile pleasent and netural. I turned my smile on Elliot and grined showing the white of my teeth.
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Elliot L'Envers
Noble
His Grace the Duc L'Envers, Sovereign Duc of Namarre
Posts: 2,923
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Post by Elliot L'Envers on Jul 1, 2006 1:15:50 GMT -5
I smiled at Caraf and Evie, then heard a knock at the door, before I could answer the door opened and one of guards came forward. I furrowed my brows and went toward him gesturing for the others to stay.
"Forgive me lord Duc but there is an errgent missive from the estate in Namarre." The guard whispered under his breath. I nodded and asked him to exit and I would be after him, returning to Caraf and Evie I leaned over and kissed Caraf on the cheek.
"I have to go," I said looking at her and then to Evie. "Unfortuantely duty calls. You two stay and get to know each other, I'll return as soon as I can." I smiled to Caraf and leaned in whispering.
"You'll be alright, she likes you, I know." Kissing her once more I took my leave following after the guard.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 1:24:53 GMT -5
On in the world I managed to stop myself from grabbing his sleeve and snatching him back I will never know. I watched him leave and then turned to Evangeline.
I was glad he knew she liked me, I still wasn't sure.
"Have you an idea for your Masque outfit yet?" I asked her, looking to start up the conversation again.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 1:40:09 GMT -5
I shook my head taken some sort of pitty on her, the moment Elliot was out the door I dropped my smile and sat back in the chair. Sitting back in it I crossed my legs, my gown, one of my favourites, was a somber blue, velvet. The material was fantastic and fit slim against my skin, the arms open and airy, the skirt slit in the center so that my leg showed up to my thigh. It was warm but it allowed me to stay cool. Being from Namarre I prefer it a bit colder. I pulled a crystal ash tray and silver cigerette holder. Lighting one with a matched I brought the hard ivory tip of it to my lips and inhaled the tobacco. I exhaled filling the air and sighed, after a moment of biting my lower lip I rolled my eyes.
"Don't bother." I said. "I'm not interested in small talk, I have no respect for it. You want me to listen then talk." I said taking another drag of the cigarette and exhaled looking at the desk and turning slightly in the chair.
"Well, are you going to stand there like a twat or sit down." I said watching her with a raised brow. "You're not an adept any more my dear." I said looking away from her and the fire to the right of us. "We're equal's here and I don't you to talk to me as anything less. I won't be patronized." Taking I another drag looked back at her.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 1:51:26 GMT -5
This was good, better an honest enemy than a false friend.
I took the seat directly across from her and met her gaze.
"Neither will I," I told her, my voice steady. "Neither will I be cowed under your shadow. I don't need to be your friend, we don't need to have shopping trips, and afternoon tea. I love Elliot more than I thought was possible, it is him I love and not this." I indicated the finery surrounding us. "All I can hope is that you love him enough to put his happiness above your distaste for me and allow a civility to develop between us."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 19:51:49 GMT -5
I took her in fully.
"I do love him," I said placing the cigarette down in the crystal tray I turned back to her. "And he loves you and I'm not about to go breaking his heart. Not after what we've been through, I have no intention of breathing you two a sunder." I leaned forward on the desk placing my fore arms on it and holding her gaze.
"And I know you love him." I said the corner of my lip twitched in a slight smile. "But the truth is that its not enough. You're not just marrying Elliot, you are marrying everything that has happened to this House for the last hundred years. You could ends this conversation by telling me that you don't care and that you will do it your way. Tell me that I'm jealous, I wish it was that easy." I picked up the cigarette and leaning back I inhale it, letting the tip burn a soft ember of red and exhale slowly
"You're right though, we don't need to be friends. But you'd be safe if we were." I raised a brow and crossed my arms letting the ivory tip sit against my lip.
"The easiest way to learn to be a duchesse is learn it from the previous one." I said inhaling again. "No?" I let my palm fall open in questioning.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 20:05:19 GMT -5
I leaned back in my chair, comfortable but purposefully not mirroring her pose.
"I suppose that depends on if you want to be a copy of the previous Duchess or your own person," I answered. "I will learn what I need to learn, and make my mistakes, learning from those as well. Though I have a feeling you arenot my best bet as a teacher."
Tilting my head slightly, I looked her over appraisingly.
"Truthfully, I am not certain I am any safer with you as my friend, than as my enemy," I observed. "and you are jealous. Not of me per say, but that Elliot had the courage to follow his heart and pursue a life with his Heliotrope adept."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 20:15:29 GMT -5
I inhaled deeply bitting the inside my my cheek. I stood slowly.
"I have always cared for Elliot. He calls Elleanor mother because we didn't have one. At the age of fifteen I became his mother." I said eying her carefully. "And though Elliot will soon inherit the complete of the Duchy I have and always been the one that runs it. I know it's intricacies in and out, choose to believe me or not but if you don't learn it from me you won't servive." I picked up the cigarette and moved around the desk to the book shelves and began to thumb through them.
"I assume that you understand what must be undertaken when a child inherit's a home from their parent." I said taking a drag and inhaling as I found a book and pulled it from the shelf and turned to look at her raising a brow.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 20:27:06 GMT -5
"The specifics depend on the title inherited, the size of the home, if there are crops or other items produced on the lands, the number of staff, buildings, water rites, and roads that passes though the lands," I answered her. I pushed aside her comments about Elliot and his mother, those were things for him to tell me, not his spiteful sister. "We do learn more than just the pleasures of the flesh as adepts."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 20:38:47 GMT -5
I raised a brow.
"All the bi-laws?" I asked bringing the book forward and puting it on the table. "Penalties for late payments." I walked to the books and pulled two more and placed them on the table with the others. "Regulations on land sizes," I took another two books and placed them down, looking down on her I shrugged and turned away.
"I'm sure you've been to court, several times." I said moving back to my original seat and leant back.
"You didn't know our mother was dead did you?" I said staring back at her raising a brow in brief flick. "Well, at least that's what father told us...well we think he's our father." I inhaled on the cigarette and gauged her response, curious, he never mentioned it.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 20:46:05 GMT -5
I tried to keep from smirking as she stacked books and tried to intimidate me through the press of knowledge I was lacking. I was never one to feel ashamed of things I hadn't learned, nor was I one to shy away from studying. I would learn, I would find those I trusted to help me.
"Your family history pains Elliot, he doesn't like to speak of it. I don't trade in gossip about the goings on of the noble families as so many others are prone to, so I don't know what exactly it is that brings that shattered look to his eyes at times. He will tell me when he is ready, and if he is never ready that is his choice. All I can do is make his present and future happy," I told her.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 20:56:21 GMT -5
I chuckled.
"You're so cute." I said sighing and crossing my legs once more. "I told you could say all that, it doesn't change. Part of being at court is following around you parents, or your aunts and uncles," I added thinking of our youth. "Part of why we do that is to see how things work, we learn at an early age." I placed the cigarette down again and leaned forward and leaned across the table and sighed bitting my lip.
"Its harder, on the ones that marry into title." I said in honest. "I've seen it because I've been to court. You have to play the games or they eat you alive, especially the ones like you." I couldn't help but smile. "The ones with hope." I bit back a tear and leant back crossing my arms.
"I was once like you," I said after a moment. "You think I am this way because I chose it." I shrugged. "It changes you...if you let it." I picked up my cigarette and inhalled trying to mask my face as I bit back more tears.
"I'm offering to help you, to help you so that you can sleep at night. That you can bare happy grandchildren for Elleanor. Because Elliot deserves a happy wife." I tapped the cigarette over the ash tray, bits of ash flew every where.
"As for my heliotrope," I said looking up at her. "He is the one that deny's me, I have already professed my love to him."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 21:09:33 GMT -5
"I may not trade in gossip, but I am not ignorant in the ways of court. I have spent the better part of my life learning how to hold meaningful, meaningless conversations with the mistress on the arm of whomever my patron was conversing with. The games of court don't worry me, they are same games adepts play but on a much larger and at times deadlier scale."
I stood up and walked idly along the shelves of books.
"Did Elliot tell you I almost refused to marry him when I realized I would be taking your title from you? That I didn't think it fair to you?" I asked her, not looking at her but still focusing on the books. "As for Janyx, I could give you advice there, but I am not sure you would trust it any more than I am inclined to trust your advice on… well, anything at the moment."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 21:14:24 GMT -5
I sighed. "He did." I said. "After I talked to him about it, I have a duty to my family Caraf, the same duty as Elliot. I have to look out for him and it, its why I'll always be hard on you." I avoided Janyx, maybe another time.
"I don't want you to hate me." I said plainly. "But I can live with it if it as long as my family's name stay's safe."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 21:18:58 GMT -5
"I will never do anything to tarnish, or even smudge your family's name," I said, turning to her and meeting her gaze across the room. "I am dedicating myself to this marriage, and through it your name and family, no less completely than I dedicated myself to Namaah."
I looked away and to the table where she had piled books.
"As for not wanting me to hate you… you're doing a good job of hiding that," I observed, smiling wryly.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 21:25:21 GMT -5
I stood and walked over to her not close but enough to be polite.
"I'm not worried about you tarnishing it Caraf." I said softly. "I want Elliot to marry you because you are happy, he's happy. Theres none of this betrothal crap." I gestured outward to the air indication all the things that have happen in House L'Envers.
"I want you to perserve it and grow on it. The L'Envers House may be respected to a degree but we have the taint of blood on our skins." I reached forward.
"Clean hands." I said taking her hand. "You're children will bare no taint." I said letting the tears fall. "That's what I want." I turned away and looked at the books, over my shoulder I said.
"Let me help, then you won't have to hate me." I took the cigarette from the tray and inhaled once more before grinding into the clear crystal.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 21:31:55 GMT -5
This was the moment I had thought would come at some point, where I either needed to trust in her love for Elliot or decide I couldn't trust her in anything.
I moved around her, and took her hands in mine, meeting her eyes.
"I will be grateful for all the help you can give me," I told her, smiling soft and genuine.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 21:38:21 GMT -5
I leaned forward for a moment and embarced her, then making a face only I could know I pushed back and sneared slightly.
"Please don't tell any one I did that." I said feeling a bit of a disgusted feeling coming over me.
"I'm not one for hugging I hope you understand." I said after a moment and took one of the books and handed it to her.
"This isn't even a book on title." I said handing her the bound book, the gold writtening displaying the title "Beginner's Guide to Crochet" on the front. I walked past her and went round sitting back in my seat. "Sorry."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 1, 2006 22:06:42 GMT -5
"It's alright," I said, smiling and laughing softly. "It was an impressive display, in truth the crocheting book scares me more than a volume on titles"
I took my seat again.
"And I promise not to tell anyone about the hug," I put my hand over my heart. "You have my word."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Jul 1, 2006 23:42:25 GMT -5
I raised a brow. "I do have an image to maintain." I said sitting back, my mouth curling into a half smile.
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Elliot L'Envers
Noble
His Grace the Duc L'Envers, Sovereign Duc of Namarre
Posts: 2,923
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Post by Elliot L'Envers on Jul 1, 2006 23:48:42 GMT -5
I entered back into the study and toward Evangeline and Caraf, things looked to be going ok considering my absence.
"How are you my dears?" I said seeing the.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 2, 2006 0:10:55 GMT -5
I couldn't help myself, I almost ran to him, kissing him deeply.
"We're good," I said, taking his hand and leading him back to where Evangeline was. "Evangeline has been good enough to offer me her aid in learning all the things I will need in the duties you are drowning me with."
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