A Family Lunch

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I sent for the carriage on time, and had a word with Nicole about setting up a light lunch outside – I didn’t feel like eating in. It was a beautiful day, sunny, warm, and there was no reason to stay locked up in the family dining room, stuffy with ancient portraits, with that long table that had me nigh shouting my replies at dinner. If I could avoid it, I would.

I’d left a note to Kendrick, letting him know Vince would be home – we didn’t see him that often, so it was the least of things to let him know of his coming. I didn’t know if he would be there, though.

That day, I dressed lightly. We were family, so I didn’t bother with the leather coverings, the warrior’s attire. Breeches and a shirt of a clean blue, a jacket just a shade darker. It was casual, though.

I went to the garden to meditate a little, and gave instructions to the staff that both my brothers be told where to find me when they sought me out. I’d told Nicole about the lost brother who was found again. Visibly, she was bobbing with excitement.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

It was a great day, and I dressed in some of my rarer attire. White breeches and matching shirt, nothing more than a piece of cloth with a whole for my head, it drapped over my torso in one piece, and a couple gold acrucements.

I arrive at the townhouse, because that's where the carriage stoped. A young servant met me at the door, and escorted me through the house. A bit bare, but it was clear my brother's lived here for awhile.

"Hello?" I called out

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I’d been musing in the garden, and I heard Vince’s voice. Curse that new girl! Kendrick may perhaps like the looks of her, but she didn’t do her job, it seemed. If it had been Nicole at the door, she would have greeted him eagerly – she was my friend, sort of, after all.

I stood, and walked, seeking out the source of the voice. Soon enough, I found him, and ran, happily jumping in his arms. “Vinny! I’m glad you came!” I said enthusiastically. “It’s so nice today, I had the lunch set out!” I grumped a little. “Darn girl didn’t show you the way, apparently, I’m sorry.” I gave him the kiss of greeting, and added, “How are you, Owl?”

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"I'm well," I said with a sincere smile. I took note of her dress. "No change as of yet, maybe I should stop holding my breath," I said teasingly.

I followed as went to sit at the table. "Don't mind that, I did expect to see a little of the house anyways. So, what's on your mind?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I chuckled at his comment. Of course, no change as of yet. Cripes, I'd been telling them all for years, and no-one believed me. Well. I did make an exception for court, at least.

I followed him at the table, and said, "So fast and down to business, Vinny," I said, scolding gently. "You know I'm not like that," I teased, chuckling. It was true. Even if I had a mind to tell him everything, and ask for his advice, I liked to dance and beat around the bush before I did. It was just the way I was. Kendrick oft had to drag it out of me. The truth was, with both my brothers, I would always tell them everything, but in my own time.

I poured us wine both, and added, "You look good."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I reddned a little. "Ah, thank you. You look...well, you look as good as ever."

I didn't know what she expected me to do. I'm not a trove of gossip, as least as far as I knew. But, I'm here for her, so I sat an waited with interest.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

“Why thank you, brother,” I replied with a wide grin. “I’m feeling better than before. Went to Balm. I was thinking maybe for your Natal I’d offer you an assignation there, if you want.”

What was with this doodling of mine? Oh, but yes, I was working myself up to it. There were transitions into the heart of the matter. It was just my convoluted way of starting the ball.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I blinked, slightly confused. "Come again?"

Surely, that can't be what she had in mind this whole time.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I looked at him, grinning wide. “What? I can’t spoil my adored older brother, now?” I picked a piece of bread and munched on it, and not bothering to wait til I’d swallowed, I added, amused at his surprise, and rather casual about the idea, “I went to Balm, I was satisfied with the service, thought maybe you’d enjoy it. Naamah’s tits, Vince, it’s not a goddamn revolution, it’s just a present. Do you want it, or not?”

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"That's sweet of you Julie, but..." I couldn't help but smirk at some small bit of naivitte. "I could accept, though I'd like to point out, you giving me an assignation is kind of like giving a jeweler a fine diamond for a gift, wouldn't you think?" I wasn't offended, merely curious.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I shrugged. “Look, it’s all the same to me,” I said. “I didn’t think you indulged in other adepts so freely, and I didn’t think either a full body massage was so mundane to you.”

I was annoyed – try to do something nice, and they bite you in the arse. Brothers! Owl could pride himself on being milder than Kendrick, but he was just as difficult. “Forget I even mentioned it, then,” I added with a shrug. Fine. It was savings, then. After all, his birthday present was basically one of my quarterly assignations. Contracting an adept doesn't come cheap, and I wasn't rich, seeing as I paid for them myself to make sure my assignations didn't make it to Tiger's desk – I wondered if he even realized that.

Nicole had brought the food in as he was speaking, and I added, “Help yourself.”

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Neither did," I said hushed at her first sentence. Probably best not to mention Aaliyah, if I ever saw her again, I'd be a lucky person.

"Ah, thanks. And honestly, I couldn't accept, it seems too much to expect from you. Surely you can use your coin for more purposeful endeavors. I'd much rather here about your exploits. Any stories?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I sighed. Couldn’t even do something nice. Kendrick didn’t spend time with me, was moody around the House, and Vince didn’t let me spoil him. Fine. I’d give it out elsewhere. It didn’t mean the situation didn’t worry me… the family seemed to be drifting apart, more and more. That in mind, I swallowed my disappointment, and smiled bravely. I’d keep this family together, if it took my last breath.

“My exploits?” I said lightly. “Well, let’s see. I managed to cumulate three different lovers who seem to want to stick around, I injured my mentor’s pet in a spar, and some defunct adept bit my lip.” I took a drink of the wine and added, “Oh, and I have weird dreams.”

There was food on the table, roasted beef and broccoli with mashed potatoes, along with some rye bread and butter. I helped myself to a healthy amount of meat, and added, “So what part of my exploits are you interested in?”

A thought crossed my mind. I saved it for later. What amazed me, was that both Kendrick and Vince were eager of my going ons – yet, neither ever told me anything. If this kept up, I’d turn into a clam myself.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Whoa, take a breath there. Seems I've stumbled into a big thicket of events." I nabbed a small piece of cheese laid out before me.

"Dreams? I imagine I'm more qualified than anyone to listen to that. What are they about?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I took a moment, trying to remember. "Animals... there's..." I thought. "A snake and a wolf, fighting, I think. No, wait, there's also a male figure - it's glowing, somewhat powerfully, and it's fighting too, in a strange way." I sighed. "I always dreamed of animals, of primal things, but they never fought before," I admitted.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Representations, clearly. I think I need to here more on your other exploits first then." I said. I took a seat comely. "But before you continue, have you told anyone else of these?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

“Anyone else?” I looked at him, uncomprehending. I hadn’t talked to anyone about the fight with Aleron, though I intended to discuss it with Gad. I’d told Ambre everything about Gad and Rannan, but not about the spar. Rannan knew about Gad. Gad knew we weren’t exclusive… but I’d told no-one about the incident with Louvel, but I’d mentioned him casually to Gad. Kendrick knew about Gad and Rannan, but not about Ambre, Louvel, or the spar.

Wanting to spare him the complicated knots of relationships that was my life, I said, “Well, no-one has the whole picture,” I replied thoughtfully. “Gods… my life is complicated,” I whispered in astonishment at my reflexion.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I couldn't help but smirk. "It seems my sister has acclimated herself quite well to city life." I could see the dysfunction brewing behind her eyes. "Lets go slow." I thought for a moment.

She need some mental relief. "What's something your keeping secret from any of your 'complications'? Tell me that first."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I could have wept for Vince’s comment. How I missed home! “Not as much as you think,” I replied, not answering his question immediately.

I pondered it, and I wasn’t sure what he was asking me, so I looked up. “I’m sorry, Vince, I’m not sure what you’re asking.” I paused, and added, “I did give you the gist of it all,” I added.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Julie. What do you take me for. I'm an adept for Gentian, I've been trained to see that something is obviously troubling you, malicious or benign." I got up, and put my arm around her.

"And more importantly, I'm your brother, and you can trust me. I can see that you looked overwhelmed. You may have visited Balm house to recoup your weary body, but it's clear to me that your still restless. Now, what's bothering you?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

He put his arm around me, and I started crying softly, and I wasn't even sure why. Somehow, in the torrent of tears, words stumbled out of my mouth, and I heard them as they did, thoughts unformulated and unclear.

"It started with Jonas," I whispered. "I loved him, but the day I understood it, he left me, to go to the estate, angry because I'd had my time with an adept rather than him... then I met Ambre, and I was so happy to have a friend, but then at the Coronation we slept together.... In the meantime, I'd met a man called Rannan, and I don't know how I feel about him, but he matters to me.... but then I met the Shahrizai, Gad, and it was just this passion, this passion..." I paused, looking at my brother through my tears, "I couldn't stop wanting him, even now I do, but the day after I met him, just before we met at the Wild Boar, I had an encounter with another man, and because Gad had annoyed me, I let him kiss me." Again, I stopped. "No, I wanted to."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Hmmm. A lover for every occasion, you seem to have formed your own personal Night court." I said holding her gently, rubbing her back. "It's somewhat impressive in one way, what you've done in such a short time," I said mused for a moment.

"Julie. I think your dealing with what most people deal with when they have relationships, albeit you seem to be dealing with it much faster than most. You like each person for different reasons, and in turn are a different person to each of them."

"Does that help at all?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I shrugged a little, pondering what he said. "I guess it does," I replied. "Except this man, when he kissed me," I said, trying to remember this kiss, my hand moving to my lips in a gesture I'd seen done, but not performed myself, "when he kissed me... I drowned, and I think he drowned too, except something shifted, and he hurt me."

I looked at Vincent, and said, more calmly, "I can't seem to make sense of it. I haven't thought of him too much, but still, when I'm alone at my window, and the wind shakes the willows, I find myself thinking on it... and it disturbs me. And then I think of Gad and Rannan, and I feel bad. Guilty."

I looked away, and added, "I'll never see him again, I don't think."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"A mistake that you can't let go is it." I pressed my forehead to hers a moment, then parted, sitting down once more. "The others, you still love them, each in their own way?"

I was right, troubled past. I could weed out my sisters problems, treading delicately and patiently.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"Yes," I replied without hesitation. "Yes, I do."

I pondered it a moment, and I said, "Maybe that's what it was, a mistake. It was odd, because we talked a lot, he and I, before the kiss, and I liked him. I liked him a lot, actually. But now I wonder if it wasn't just a facade, if he acted this way just to have my kiss."

Gods. Why did I keep talking about him?

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Ah, but all you had was a kiss then. No follow through like your other lovers?" I asked honestly curious.

I suppose it was easier for Julie to tell me than a nameless adept, there was a level of trust that I would never cross.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"No," I replied. "No follow through. He started to hurt me, and then jolted away, told me to go home. I babbled something about being someone who deserved better, and him being careless, and stomped off."

I paused, and shrugged. "That's it. Never saw him again."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"That is interesting." I held on to that knowledge for a moment. "What do you mean by deserving better, might I ask? Something wrong with the family?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"With the family?" I looked at him curiously. "I don't care about those things, Vince. But I did deserve better than brutality."

Come to think of it, Louvel wasn't exactly marriage material - not by political standards, anyway. But seeing as I had no desire to get married, and absolutely no respect for social classes and snobism, it wouldn't have mattered.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Just checking. Sometimes one must ask sill questions. Now, how is your relationship with Gad. I only heard about him briefly last time, perhaps you should tell me more. You mentioned your passion, is that all you feel for him?"