Backposting: Blowing some steam

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

My eyes twinkled in amusement. "Alright, then," and right then, I broke into a wild laughter, "I'm sorry, I like to tease - and my brother has been giving me a hard time. It's nice to be able to banter without getting hurt," I told her.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I tilted my head slightly into th wind, thankful it was cooling off, "Why has he been giving you a hard time?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I shrugged. I'd brought it upon myself, more than I was willing to admit. "He is being surly, and I am being headstrong - not a very good combination," I told her in reply, and sighed. "I miss the Kendrick I grew up with - I missed him enough to come to the city almost unescorted, leaving in the middle of the night," I added in admission.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

My eyes widened slightly, "Well that's sudden, maybe a bit drastic." I loved my brothers, but I couldn't imagine coming unescorted much less in the middle of the night. "He's changed then, and you don't really want to, but he wants you too?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"It was justified, Ambre," I said sternly. "Our father is dying, slowly withering away. He needs to come home and see him - but he refuses to hear me out on the subject. I was hoping I would be able to persuade him, but I failed, and in the process, who he became hit me hard. I couldn't leave, so I stayed," I added.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

My face mellowed, and I felt heart broken for her, "I'm sorry to hear that Julie. Why has he denied his father the right to see him? Especially if it was his father who gave him his title?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"Ambre, that, I can't say. It does not belong to me, to tell you of it - only know that we both lost a friend, him and I, and that the loss was too much to bear. Who he is now has nothing to do with who he was before - and I'm afraid the mere memories home stirs are keeping him at bay. I can only hope he comes to his senses before it's too late - and I am trying to be a part of that, but up to now, it has been a complete failure," I said, my lip trembling a little at the shame of it all. The worst part was, it was all my fault.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I closed the distance inbetween our mounts, siding up to her. Leaning over I covered my hand with hers and looked into her face. "We can only do the best we can. Elua asks no more of us then to love. You love them both, and that is enough. We can not be what we are not. You are not a failure, perhaps it is not yet the right time, Elua only knows. But this is his weight to bare not yours, you have not failed here. You have done what you set to do, it is his choice whether or not he follows your advice, but that decision is his alone."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

Her gentle touch settled me, and the tear I was biting back sunk in my heart, rather than pouring. "Perhaps you are right, Ambre. It is only that.... it isn't in my nature to sit by and do nothing. Not when it concerns those I love, at the very least." I sighed. "Thank you. You have won my part of the cake, indefinitely," I told her, a brave smile edging my lips.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

"Ah well yes, it's your true nature to go racing, climb trees and the like. If I didn't know you were real I would say you were a fiery wood nymph, sent to tease innocent woodsman." I grinned at her and changed the subject to lighten her heart.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I laughed out at her jest. "I'm real enough, and full of fault, and very, very real, human, d'Angeline traits, my friend. Although, as fiery and wood-nymphy as you think I am, I would think you are the smart and wise angel sent to educate me - and I am grateful for it."

I though an instant. "No one innocent for now. Only Camael's scion, and the Devil's jester, so far," I told her, thinking of Jonas and Bayard.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I laughed, "I wish you'd tell my brother how smart and wise you think I am, it would sure give me a kick." I tossed my head and in the distance I saw white walls looming closer. We'd almost be home soon, and somehow that saddened me.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"I will, nymph's word," I replied with a grin. The bustle of the city was about to be broached, and the whiteness pulled a gasp from me. "As much as I prefer wide and open spaces, isn't this impressive?"

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I nodded looking at how they sky colored the walls slightly with the setting sun. "It's beautiful, but I'm still with you on the open spaces bit." I smiled towards her and gave a glance back for my retainer and Nicole, who were deep in coversation, before looking at Julie again.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I followed Ambre's look towards Brian and Nicole, and gave her a wink.

"What do you think these two are up to?" I asked with a devilish grin.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I laughed, "I'm not quite sure, but I hope it's pleasent. What would you gather?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

A light chuckle left me, and I grinned. "I think your lovely retainer isn't finding my chubby maid so ugly, after all."

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I glanced back, "No I don't think so. You think she's chubby? So must be a great cook"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"Nah, only a bonne vivante," I specified. "You should see how out of breath the poor girl gets when my brother sends her on errands," I said in reply, my voice not without compassion. "I do agree that she is pretty, and kind to match though." I paused. "I like her very much."

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

"Maybe that's her scheme, to make you think she is tired so she gets sent on less errands." I said cheerfully, "It's what I would do if I was tired of errands. I like her too, but I don't know her as well as you, although by the end of day Brian might."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I giggled at all Ambre was suggesting. "I wouldn't blame her, for any of it, in truth," I replied. "But what of you? are you going to get to know anyone better soon?"

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

"I know you better don't I?" I smiled, "Or you mean with a boy hm?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I gave Ambre a chuckling look. "Yes, darling, I know that you are getting to know me. I was talking about boys" I said, my emphasis on the last word somewhat purposefully ridiculous.

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

I laughed with her, "I would like to find a boy. Do you know of any who are free? Maybe at the fete? Maybe someone who wants a little adventure and doesn't mind a girl who climbs trees?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I shrugged. "I barely know anyone here in the city. The only boy I've met, whom I refer to as the Devil's Jester, he serves Naamah, and so while his art is rather pleasant," I nodded in emphasis, "he can never be more than a diversion. I guess we will have to see who we find at the Fete, both of us."

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

"I guess so, I'm in no real rush. I want to find adventure." I lifted my arm to the sky like I held a sword and then smiles dropping it back to the reins laughing.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I grinned, and laughed with Ambre. "It will find you and I both, I reckon. You and I are too eager for it to be ignored by destiny, I'm certain of that."

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

"Eager? Mind you I don't want a husband, just a lover, maybe lots," I grinned. "I like tasting things," I said devilishly.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I shuddered at the word. "Brrrrr. I can't think of marriage. Next thing you know, they get jealous, and want to own you, maybe lock you up in a manor." I spat on the ground with a good measure of spite, remembering Jonas' attempt at caging me the night before. "Here's to tasting things, indeed. I'm with you on this one. Exploration is the word."

[Adrienne Ambre de Rocaille (D)]

"Ah I expect to still have my fancies in marriage, but you are right, it is a bit like owndership and men do get hot and a bit jealous. Here's to tasting then, I guess exploring men is a little like exploring the world, is it not?" I winked towards her.