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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 5, 2007 9:48:53 GMT -5
I sat on the branch by Ambre, and picked at a twig. "Yeah, my brother says there will be." I said, the twig dancing on my lips. "It's my first Fete, so I have no idea what to expect. And I'm like you, I barely know anyone. A few acquaintances, and no-one I really got to know, save my brother and yourself." I stopped an instant. "Who's Nyx?"
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 5, 2007 17:40:24 GMT -5
I smiled. "She's one of Naamah's servants. I met her yesterday in the park. She's really pretty." I leaned towards Julie secretively. "Brian's got a thing for her." I whispered not that they could hear us anyway. I could here them talking from below us. Learning back up I continued. "You and her are the only two people I know. How will I find either of you in a throng of people?"
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 5, 2007 17:46:00 GMT -5
"Oh, an adept," I shrugged, trying not to let my illogical resentment at Bayard cloud my judgement. "I guess you will, eventually. This," I pointed to my hair, "usually makes me stand out rather strikingly. Besides, I'll keep an eye out for you too, if you like." I patted her knee a little, "Don't worry, you are charming and have great manners, you will make friends quickly, and here's proof, you've made one already," I told her sympathetically.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 6, 2007 0:39:34 GMT -5
I gave her a weak smile, still not sure if I believed her. "I might make friends, but who says I won't make enemies quicker?" My family more than most knew how treacherous things like that could get. After all Edmee had died for it. "I will try my best, and I will look for you. We must be careful Julie. There are always those that relish in the unhappiness and misgivings of others. The court is but a playground for that."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 7, 2007 8:06:20 GMT -5
Camael! She was insecure, and it surprised me a little, as this didn't concern her sword skils. “I wager that will indeed happen, and I must be careful even more than you. I’m so ignorant I’ll embarrass my House in an instant if I don’t thread carefully.”
I pondered her words a moment. “Danger and treason are part of life. We must simply be very cautious what we do with ourselves, and not anger someone who has power over us. As is, we are very inconsequential to court, I assume. Both you and I are merely the two youngest daughters of Comtes – too young to be of any damage, too new to be involved, and powerless. If we are discreet, we will be fine.” Right then, I realized that task might just be impossible for me, and I sighed.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 7, 2007 18:54:29 GMT -5
I nodded, swinging my legs back and forth dangerously as I perched on my tree limb. "I agree, although I think we have more pull than you would think. Just no one knows it yet." I winked towards her. I hadn't dabbled in politics myself, but I knew it, it had been ingrained in me. Ever since Edmee died the Rocaille children had learned to recognize the signs of danger and power. "Tangled lines we weave." I said, repeating after my father. I looked up over towards Julie "Tangled lines that either help or ensnare us. I'm certain we'll be fine." I smiled brightly. I wasn't one for dwelling on the bad. "Because we're so inconsequential, who will suspect and who will care to know?"
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 8, 2007 8:12:39 GMT -5
I gave Ambre a very, very confused look. "I'm sorry, I must be thick-headed as an ox, I didn't understand half of what you just said. What do you mean, tangled lines? And what goal could we serve, if we are to take advantage of our inconsequential appearance? In truth, I have no desire to intrigue beyond helping the country stay safe. My House is very loyal to the Throne, and so am I." I told Ambre, confusion looming in my mind galore.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 9, 2007 2:56:08 GMT -5
I laughed. "It's not a matter of state. It's just a little look around for adventure. We just still have to careful is all. We're all connected, tangled lines, everything we do in life affects everything else. " I frowned a bit, "I'm loyal to the throne too Julie, I'm d'Angeline, this is my blood, Elua's blood too runs in my veins. My blood spills on the earth just as his did. I don't want to play in politics, well not in the modern ones. Although now at court, I' m afraid I will be given little choice, but what are a little secrets from the past going to hurt? I just don't want anyone to get angry is all, there can be a lot of repercussions in court and most are social ones." I put my hands up and connected them together, "like finding puzzle pieces and fitting them together. I like puzzles and travel. They go good together." I looked up from my hands at a lost of where I was going and dropped my hands into my lap sighing. I got the feeling I was being childish, "Maybe I'm grabbing after something I can never have, and am too hopeful. I was just hoping my life would be more interesting than being a pawn in the game of courtship, or being some lord's wife." I smiled weakly, "All knowledge is worth having." I repeated the words my mother had said to me since I was little, words passed on from her father, words that I believed.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 9, 2007 13:34:07 GMT -5
I listened to Ambre with all the focus that I could muster, my legs wrapped tightly against the branch, my hands playing with a twig. After an instant, my mind wandered a little. Elua, she was complicated ! I only wanted some games, a place to expense my energy, a chance perhaps to be a hero, no matter how small on a scale.
Pieces of what she said, I retained, storing them in my mind like mantras, nodding in ascent.
We just still have to careful is all.
We're all connected, tangled lines, everything we do in life affects everything else.
"All knowledge is worth having."
Other things, as well, I stored for another purpose, one of them that I owed her an apology, the other that she had a past intrigue to pull forth.
In all earnest, I apologized, "I'm sorry, Ambre, I did not mean to suggest you or your House were disloyal. That came out all wrong. I am having trouble with politics, to be sincere, and would prefer not to dabble in them if I can avoid it, is all. You said something... I'm curious.... what are a little secrets from the past going to hurt? What do you mean ?" I looked at her, my expression leaving little room for interpretation. She was holding back, I knew it.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 9, 2007 19:09:20 GMT -5
I shrugged thinking. "I don't know honestly. I like history and I've been brought up on stories and tales. I want to know what my ancestors really did, and what happened to them. My grandfather was the chevalier of the Comte Phedre no Delaunay de Montreve, she saved the realm. It would be nice to know what went on then, I feel like I have some obligation towards that. Plus there is Edmee, there is always Edmee, who's death we believe to have been caused by Isabel L'Envers. Her death has outlined the generation's after hers' lives. That is why I am wary of court. All for money and a crown, neither of which I care for myself. I would like to know what happened, and why."
I straighted pushing a loose piece of hair behind my ear. "I have footsteps to follow, the Duchy of Rocaille is not mine, I want to live and protect my country like my grandfather. I want to right old wrongs like those that held the demise of Edmee. I want adventure, to solve mysteries, and no worries but for fun and love's sake." My face glowed with the passion in my heart for it. "Above all I want to make a difference. I want to put good into the world where my blood lines have found ill will, death, and hardships. I want to give back in love and not revenge."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 10, 2007 10:31:46 GMT -5
I smiled reassuringly. "I think that is what we all want to do, Ambre. Give back in love, and not revenge. And I will help you, if I can, for it seems our loyalties lie together. I don't know how I can help you, but what I can do, I will."
I shrugged. "I'm blessed to be from a family who never did much in the matter of politics. It's only with Kendrick's sudden interest in Court that we are making our appearance, so we have a fresh start."
I thought an instant, my legs dangling from the branch. "Is there anything I can help with?"
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 10, 2007 21:41:07 GMT -5
I smiled dangerously and looked to the higher branches, most of which I knew couldn't support our weight, "Want to help me get to the top?"
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 10, 2007 21:53:48 GMT -5
I looked up at the twigs. Ambre was light, but that was not the safest thing. "Are you looking to give your mother a reason to skin Brian alive?" I asked her with a tease.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 11, 2007 0:55:27 GMT -5
My face lit up at the thought. All those years of teasing rebuked in one broken arm, I almost thought it was worth it. "Now that is something quite fun to watch. What if you napped me instead though? No broken bones needed for that and we can hide out in the house for when my mother finds out."
I glanced down at Brian who seemed to be completely unaware of my evil thoughts. He was pleasently sharing a water jug with Nicole. "Of course if my mother did find out that I had set him up, well... that wouldn't go over so well, and Brian would find some way to pay me back I'm sure. You're right it's probably not worth it. I'm just up for some mischief is all. Perhaps I need to find a new outlet."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 11, 2007 9:17:56 GMT -5
I’d listened to Ambre with growing amusement as she thought aloud. Poor Brian. As rowdy as I was, and as angry at Jonas as I might be, I had never considered that kind of revenge. Retainers were people I had cared for quite a bit, and I was loath at the thought of making their lives as impossible as to getting any of them, including Jonas, dishonored. As she spoke, the realization was there: I loved the man, and could cause him no harm.
“There is plenty of mischief to had, without causing a dishonor as impressive as this one to Brian,” I replied. I eyed the neighboring estate. “We can disappear, and cause him a great deal of worry, without involving you mother. He’ll be loath, and distracted, and might respect you all the more for escaping him, but in the end it will be between the two of you.”
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 12, 2007 1:52:43 GMT -5
I looked Julie over. "Dishonor? Who said anything about dishonor, besides I love Brian like a brother, that's half the fun of it you know? Besides there's no way to escape him in an open field such as this. He's quite good at his job." I was confused, either her brothers and friends had never played the kind of tricks on her mine had, or she had just let them get away with it.
I glanced back down at Brian, "he wouldn't worry anyway, he would know it was a trick, and therefore would only look half heartedly. Not that we'd get far enough away from him to be able to make him search."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 12, 2007 9:20:36 GMT -5
I shrugged. I just didn’t think it would have been acceptable to create a situation where Ambre’s mother would possibly make Brian lose his position out of anger. In my house, for a retainer to fail was dishonorable. That was partially why Jonas had left me. No matter. Lightly I replied, “As you wish, Ambre, your retainer, your mother, your pick.” I looked down at Brian and Nicole. “He is a nice person. I’d like him the same way if I were you.”
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 12, 2007 20:38:43 GMT -5
Confusion swept my face, "I don't understand, what do you mean like him the same way?" I looked down at Brian too, it was obvious to me that Julie wasn't fully into this sort of mischief, which somehow made it less fun.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 13, 2007 12:16:35 GMT -5
Ambre’s confusion added to my own. “I mean, like a brother, maybe more,” I replied somberly. I wouldn’t want someone I love to be hurt on my behalf. Embarrassed in all good fun, maybe, but not hurt. I mean, Kendrick had thrown me in cold waters before, we’d chase each other, I’d been tumbled and bruised, but it was all in love. The sun was setting gradually, and I turned my attention with a nudge to the crimson sky. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 14, 2007 0:27:42 GMT -5
I glanced at the sky. "Red sky at night, sailors' delight. Red sky in morning, sailors' take warning." I glanced back at Julie a wistful smile on my face. "Julie I do love him like a brother, and I wouldn't want him seriously hurt for anything. My mother wouldn't impale him, or cast him out, especially if it was my doing. I would not let someone else take the blame for my jesting. So I think we are on the same page, just not understanding one another. If I thought he would be in jeopardy I would not even think the thought. It was more in thought than action."
I glanced down to where Brian was pointing something out to Nicole, and their laughter drifted up towards us. "Although I will be honest, sometimes he does deserve a little difficulty and excitment not of his own doings. Keeps him young and on his toes." I nodded in agreement with myself.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 14, 2007 8:18:17 GMT -5
I laughed, and smacked Ambre on the thigh lightly. "I'm glad we are on the same page. I wouldn't want to have you as an enemy, that's certain." I meant every word of it. I had a hunch she could be fierce as ever.
I looked down at the pair. Brian wasn't finding Nicole so surly now, did he? I picked out a small cone from the tree, and dropped, the cone landing straight on Brian's head. "Oops." I grinned at Ambre. What can I say? I have my childish moments.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 14, 2007 20:54:14 GMT -5
I laughed as I heard a muffled yelp. Then I saw Brian's head whip around and glare at me. Out of extinct I quickly started to point at Julie, getting my hand about halfway up, before shoving it back down in my lap. Where was my loyalty for my new friend?
Brian had lifted the pinecone, and hurled it in a graceful swing towards my head. However, unlike Brian, gravity was on my side and I had been prepared for retaliation. It was easy enough to tilt my body out of the way and have the cone miss me by a few inches. I smiled to Julie.
"How many do you think we can land on him?"" I said plucking a pinecone of my own. Looking at Brian, I hurled mine down towards him, but my aim wasn't so good, and he was watching me now. I did get a bit of his pants leg though. I smiled with mischief.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 15, 2007 5:51:51 GMT -5
I giggled wildly at the suggestiong, my hands rapidly pulling a dozen cones from the neighboring branches. "Captain, we need amunition," I said in a mock military tone. Oh yes, Brian was watching, and so was Nicole, and she gave me an unmistakable look of annoyance. "I think I am going to get it from my maid on the way home," I told Ambre in a chuckle.
Nicole's blouse was a bit open, and I aimed at her cleavage, the cone landing straight between her breasts. I gave Ambre a look of pure, unadulterated mischief. "Let's see if Brian helps her with it," I said with a giggle, as I threw another cone a Brian, the projectile missing its target just barely, grazing the side of his head.
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 17, 2007 17:53:28 GMT -5
Brian was paying so much attention to dodging and hunting pinecones, that he didn't notice Julie's throw straight down Nicole's blouse. He had tossed a few up towards us grinning, and one I had had to knock away from my chest with a deflection of my open palm, but the rest hadn't quite made it.
Nicole's hand digging down her blouse for the cone he did notice however, and a look of startlement crossed his face, before a look of realization crossed it. He stopped and placed his hands on his hips. I was laughing so hard at the incident I barely heard him.
"You ladies should be ashamed of yourself climbing trees and throwing projectiles on two innocents such as ourselves! Espeically this fine young lady here," he said waving his hand towards Nicole.
I laughed at how mature he was trying to be and in answer I threw a pinecone at him, which caught him in the arm.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 18, 2007 23:28:03 GMT -5
I was laughing so hard, I almost lost my balance, and for an instant the world tumbled about me, and I found myself hanging by the knees on a lower branch. I’d been laughing all the way, and had somehow caught myself on the following branch, finding it worth it to hang by the knees an instant.
My hair freed itself, my hat tumbling at Nicole’s feet, and she donned it quickly, sticking out her tongue at me. I swung upside down an instant, my shirt untucking itself a little, and I giggled at the wind’s caress on my exposed skin, although I did pull myself up and my grin still wide, I shot up to Ambre, “Care to send some ammunition this way? There aren’t any cones at this level,” but before she replied, I changed my mind and made my way back up.
Settling myself on the branch next to Ambre, I picked another twig, and said, “Well, that was interesting. What did I miss?”
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 19, 2007 0:14:56 GMT -5
I startled as Julie fell I bit and had braced myself to make my way down after her, before I had even moved one branch lower she had caught herself and relief washed over me. When she was back on the branch next to me, I smiled and tugged on a strand of her exposed hair. "Well let's just say I got a pleasent view of your undercarriage." I glanced down at Brian who had positioned himself with quick action to catch Julie if she had falled to the ground, although I dare say I don't think gravity would of let him catch her so easily, especially tumbling end over end.
I smiled in the gentle breeze and the setting sun, "This is so much nicer than the city," I breathed.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 20, 2007 10:30:49 GMT -5
I lifted a brow at Ambre. “A pleasant view? There probably wasn’t much to see, dear,” I replied in outright tease, “but thank you.”
I looked at the crimson sky, and sighed happily, “Oh, yes, it is much nicer, and more peaceful. If I had my way, I might live up here and not in a musty townhome. But I think we’ll have to make our ways soon. Your mother, and my brother, would be loath for us to be out after dark, for no good reason, but still.”
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 20, 2007 21:51:10 GMT -5
I laughed and nodded my head, grinning, "Oh I bet they'd be worried stiff, us poor womenly types out here in the dark all by our lonesome." I made a face of mock worry my mother would of had. "Shame it comes to an end, I've been having fun."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Jun 21, 2007 14:26:28 GMT -5
“Me too, but since we’ll be meeting perhaps during, and definitely after the Coronation, and comparing notes, I can imagine this is only the first of several occasions where we will drive Brian and Nicole insane,” I replied in full amusement, my voice holding some nostalgia.
I glanced down at the ground. “Shall we?”
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Post by Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D) on Jun 23, 2007 16:41:30 GMT -5
I nodded, and began to scramble down the branches towards the ground. Once I reached the ground I stepped a few feet away from Brian in case he was going to hurl something in point blank range at me. Instead of hurling something, he walked over towards me. I stuck my chin out defiantly towards him as he reached out and gave me a little push on my shoulder. It wasn't enough to knock me over, but was enough to make me take a step back. I gave him a grin as I took my slight step back to balance myself against the push.
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