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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 16, 2007 18:37:06 GMT -5
Ellette thrust all her force against my blade, and she forced me off balance, my shoulders colliding into the nearby willow. A split second of distraction, a fleeting memory of my first kiss, Bayard’s lips upon my own in a humming caress, and my arm lost its assurance, sending my sword clattering against the fresh grass.
My back was crusted against the thin bark of the tree, and I looked at Ellette with a congratulating smirk. “Well done. Don’t count on it happening too much, though. It’s the willow’s fault,” I said, chuckling at my little private joke.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Nov 17, 2007 21:34:45 GMT -5
I was a little concerned when Julie hit the tree and dropped her sword. I was not trying to cause her harm, espcially given her peer status and my adept. I did not need trouble. However, her smirk showed she was not worried and so far I dropped mine.
I chuckled slightly before returning, "I don't know how skilled I could call myself if I am matched by someone who is easily taken out by a tree." I then smiled to show my jest. Then, to be sure I asked, "are you ok?"
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 19, 2007 9:35:12 GMT -5
“I’m alright,” I replied with a sheepish grin. “I just got distracted, that’s all,” I told her as my eyes trailed up the branches. “How do you climb trees, tell me?” I asked, head cocked to the side.
She had been an interesting opponent. If she wanted to practice more, she was more than welcome to it, but I wondered if she were up to a small dare. Ah. The last one to dare me up that tree had won, and won well, but he was a professional.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Nov 20, 2007 23:46:38 GMT -5
I looked up at the tree that Julie stood under. "Well, it would depend on the tree," I said. Climbing made me think of Bayard and I smiled. "One would need strong legs and arms," I said. "Then you would need to judge the branches and make sure you chose to jump or pull yourself up with the strong branches."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 21, 2007 0:30:35 GMT -5
"This one's a bit slippery," I said matter of factly. "But it can be done. I've done, it, and a friend of mine did so as well."
Well... to call Bayard a friend was a bit far fetched - but at the same time, it wasn't wrong. I did like him, and he could count on me to get him out of trouble would it arrive. I had an easy loyalty... I'd given it to Louvel in one night, after all.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Nov 22, 2007 22:24:23 GMT -5
I walked over to the tree and tested one of the branches, one I could barely reach but was strong looking. I ran my hand along the bark and nodded, "so I see that it is." I then looked at her and smiled, "are you looking to make a wager then about who can climb this tree?" In truth she would have a hand up, since she said she had climbed the tree before. But, it would simply make the competition more interesting.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 23, 2007 0:20:08 GMT -5
She was a climber. Lovely. It was good - I did enjoy it, and hadn't been up a tree since Ambre and I had met on that fateful day where Jonas had chosen to leave town.
I quirked a brow, eyeing her a little. "A wager? That's interesting. Last time I went up this tree, it was on a dare..." I said absently. "What do you suggest we wager it on, then?"
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Nov 23, 2007 15:52:04 GMT -5
I thought for a moment, ducats was always a popular wager, but it was only money. Unless it was a copious amount than it was easily rid. Money and time was always a more delightful wager. "How about the one who is slower has to buy the other a drink and woe her with tales of heroism and grandeur." I smiled a half snicker with my wager but waited to see what Julie would say to it.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 25, 2007 0:10:33 GMT -5
“That would be an amazing wager,” I replied enthusiastically. “But I have no tales to tell as of yet.” Whimsically, I grinned, and cocked my head to the side, “can I make them up, if I loose?”
Ah. I was always up to carousing, that was more than certain.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Nov 25, 2007 13:53:38 GMT -5
I laughed a little and said, "that is fine, real tales, fake tales, the only requirement is that they are entertaining."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 25, 2007 21:53:30 GMT -5
"Deal!" I replied enthusiastically, and seeing as we were both at the tree already, I braced. "Ready?"
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Nov 29, 2007 22:05:05 GMT -5
I quickly put my knives in my waist, a good enough location for now. I could not climb well with them in my hands. I bent my knees slightly, ready to jump at the branch I had looked at earlier, "ready!"
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Nov 29, 2007 22:50:00 GMT -5
"On my mark, get set, Go!" I said enthusiastically. A split second after I called go, I jumped up on my favorite branch and pulled myself to safety, grinning wide. Not only was this a good exercise, but it was fun!
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 1, 2007 16:09:31 GMT -5
As soon as she said go I jumped and grabbed the branch above me, pulling myself up. I sat on the branch and then looked above me, spying the next one. I did not know now high up Julie wanted to go, so I quickly reached for it and pulled myself up, watching her and seeing if she woudl try for the top or not.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 1, 2007 16:37:53 GMT -5
Quickly, as fast as I could, I looped on the next one, trying to bring myself up. Bayard had bested me in a matter of a few seconds - I wondered how Ellette would fare. I kept going, not stopping. I wanted to make it to the top, this time.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 2, 2007 13:51:48 GMT -5
Julie looked to be going all the way up so I concentrated on the task at hand. I remembered some of the skills that Bayard had showed me. We had only meet up a few times for practice so far, but I had learned some from him.
I made my way to the top, ands on branches, stabilizing myself with my feet, until I reached the top most branch that would handle my weight.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 2, 2007 19:03:45 GMT -5
This time, I wasn't learning. I did have a leg up on Ellette, having climbed the tree with Bayard, and so I didn't have to look for safe places for my feet, just re-locate them, and go up.
There were just a few twigs above my head when I stopped, and took in a deep breath of air. Everything looked more beautiful from atop.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 3, 2007 20:21:53 GMT -5
I notice Julie make her stop a few moments before I did and I took a breath inwardly, but smiled. It was a tall tree and I could see around. "Good view," I said, and added with a wink, "though you are probably enjoying it a tad more than me."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 3, 2007 22:27:31 GMT -5
"Not that much," I replied with a happy grin. "But I do love the heights."
A strand of hair undid itself from my braid, and I tucked it behind my ear with my free hand. "You know, I've always loved doing this - tree-climbing. Ever since I was a babe."
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 4, 2007 21:48:34 GMT -5
I could not say that I loved heights but I did not fear them either. if anything, they did have their advantages. I had hidden in trees plenty of times, though I did not remember if I climbed them simply for pleasure.
"It is a good exercise," I said. "I don't remember much what my favorite hobby was as a child. Probably sneaking around and listening to stories told by drunk bandits."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 4, 2007 22:14:55 GMT -5
"We have somewhat something in common," I replied with a grin, "though I didn't have your stress, I'm sure. My brother Vincent and I used to sneak in the kitchen to steal food, and at night, I huddled in dark corners to listen to the retainers' stories."
It occured to me that I had just said the stupidest thing in the world, and I sighed. "I'm sorry. It seems I was seeking what was imposed on you, and it was probably more painful of a life than I can imagine, Ellette. Forgive me," I added, looking bashful enough.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 5, 2007 21:25:50 GMT -5
I had not spent much time in jealousy, choosing in stead to work toward the life I wanted.
"It is ok," I said, "we can't always choose the life we are given. Though we are able to work toward the life that we want if we choose to do it."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 6, 2007 1:15:50 GMT -5
"That's what I like to think," I replied with an affirmative nod. "Or at least, to make the best of what's there," I added pensively.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 6, 2007 21:17:17 GMT -5
I nodded, "that is about all you can do. One thing that you can always have is your pride. You will only loose it if you let life take it from you."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 6, 2007 21:27:07 GMT -5
"Huh." I paused, pondering. "I never quite reflected on it, but I do have my little pride," I replied with a smile. "I even flung it in a Prince's face, once," I added cockily.
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 7, 2007 21:31:26 GMT -5
I raised an eyebrow in interest, "at a prince?" I could not claim as much, in fact I couldn't claim any dealings with princes at all.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 8, 2007 0:49:07 GMT -5
I nodded with a smile. "I didn't know he was a Prince then, in my own defence, though I did think he might be of high birth. It was Pierre de Somerville, and he had made false assumptions about me."
I paused, and stated it matter-of-factly. "I put him in his place's all."
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 9, 2007 14:08:14 GMT -5
"Did anything bad come of it?" I asked. I thought briefly on what the Dowayne might do if I insulted a Prince. Of course it might depend on what sort of false assumptions he made.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Dec 9, 2007 19:59:00 GMT -5
"Not at all," I replied with a smile. "I think he had a bit more respect for it," I explained. "I think he took me for another meddler, one who would talk to him for his title." I snorted, and then contemptibly sneered, "to think I just wanted to talk to him because I thought he was handsome. I didn't even know he was a Prince of the blood until later."
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Post by Ellette nó Dahlia (D) on Dec 11, 2007 19:58:54 GMT -5
"I see," I said, thinking her story over. I then smiled, "it would probably get old to always be treated in the same fashion because of your title. While being an adept is a pretty nice position, there are some who talk down to you because of it. While being placed in a realm of royalty would not tire as quickly, it probably still does at some point. If anything people are probably not as honest."
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