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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 11, 2007 14:21:30 GMT -5
"Alright," I replied soberly, finding an empty place to lean on. "And thank you in advance. Now... for my concern..."
I shrugged, a little shyly. “Well, you know, you’re male, about my brother's age… you’ve been kind and wise in the past… I thought you might have an idea, because I don’t.”
I took a deep breath, and plunged. “My brother and I… we can’t seem to have a civilized discussion anymore. I’ll admit, I don’t know what to do about it – he’s… the more I try, the more I infuriate him…”
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 11, 2007 15:51:48 GMT -5
"Have you always got on well in the past?" I asked.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 11, 2007 16:38:22 GMT -5
"We did," I replied, remembering with a mix of longing and sadness the days on the estate. "The Tiger and the Sparrow," I added, "He teased me, and I teased him, but we had a lot of pleasure doing it. Granted, there was his travel to Alba, and then... he came to the city. I only came later," I explained, still thinking on it.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 11, 2007 23:44:06 GMT -5
"Perhaps it's just a matter of growing up and time passing. If it were me, I would stop trying to make things like they were and begin adjusting to how things are now. It doesn't sound as if you and your brother are enemies, just trying to learn to live in your new situations as adults. I would just let things be and see what develops, not rise to the bait of an argument but try and see what is sparking the argument," I said.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 12, 2007 3:10:35 GMT -5
Not rise to the bait of an argument. Oh, but Darien had nailed it so well, hadn't he? He obviously would not do such a thing himself, but I.... I bit on it, and tugged like there was no tomorrow. Kendrick had so much into him.... He would bait me until there was nothing left for me to bite, and I bit, and he flared.
I nodded, still thinking. "I think you hit the nail on the head, Darien. It seems... I guess I have to learn to be less temperamental, at least with him. I'll try, and we'll see, I guess."
Gods, it would be difficult. I loved teasing him - but one of us had to put an end to this endless loop of arguing, because it would be the end of our friendship otherwise, and I wasn't ready to lose my brother just yet.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 12, 2007 20:06:32 GMT -5
"I know that's something that's easier said, than done," I told her, smiling. I was fortunate to have a fairly mellow nature, so I knew such things were easier for me.
I thought of something and moving around her, retrieved something from a drawer in a small cabinet off to the side.
"Here," I said, handing her a small stone. It was a pretty white veined blue stone, slightly rounded on one side with a shiny groove worn smooth on the other side. "It's a worry stone." I placed it in her palm, then laid the pad of her thumb in the groove. "Rub your thumb along the groove when you begin to feel agitated, and concentrate on the smooth texture of the stone. It helps."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 13, 2007 1:58:05 GMT -5
I had smiled gently at his words, but when he moved on what seemed to be a impulse, my curious eyes followed his tall form with interest.
The stone was pretty, like a delightful pebble that pressed the eye to think, and the texture under my thumb was glassy, like it had been rubbed time and time again. I looked at Darien with wonder, "Thank you," I whispered, gratefulness filling my voice.
I wasn't so used to people being as nice to me as he was, and it made him dear to me, like a soothing friend, or another older brother who was all that Kendrick wasn't - because they were of a different nature. "Darien, you are wonderful, wonderful," I told him with affection. "I will cherish it, and it will make me think of you," I added with a grin that was pure mirth.
"You know, for all your kindness, you've gained a loyal friend," I added with sincerity - though I had no idea if my friendship was something he would have a use for. After all, I was a lot of trouble.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 13, 2007 2:19:47 GMT -5
"Then I think perhaps I have come out with the best gift of all today," I told her, smiling and squeezing her hand softly.
She was a very nice girl and I liked her, I truly hoped that she found some peace with her brother.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 13, 2007 2:41:26 GMT -5
I grinned brightly, happy that he took my offer to heart. “Oh, be careful what you wish for, Darien, I’ve been known to be one of a rowdy bunch,” I teased him sincerely. My grin widened, and I added, “Well, shouldn’t I do something, like give you access to my skin?” It actually made me giggle a little, just a little. My smile was something a little mischievous, because I found that wording of mine to be particularly awkward.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 13, 2007 10:53:58 GMT -5
I laughed at her comment and then returned to look at the sketch again, calculating time and prices in my head.
"First I need to ask you a few things - Do you want this all done at once? How do you handle pain? How long do you have before you have to be anywhere else?"
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 13, 2007 11:01:41 GMT -5
I lifted my chin proudly. "All in one sitting, and I have nowhere else to be, but here," I replied, completely unaware of how painful it could be, and not caring. If I wanted to think myself a warrior, that meant I would take the hit, and not wince.
Well, maybe that was over-enthusiastic. Not wince too much would be closer to it.
I gave Darien a brave smile. I was to be the Snow Leopard's pupil, if she had me. That suggested I needed to have a tough hide - I was untried, but brave. I could take it.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 13, 2007 13:13:36 GMT -5
"Alright," I said, taking the sketch again and writing down a number at the bottom. "Now for the business part, that will be the cost for everything."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 13, 2007 14:17:26 GMT -5
I looked at the number and said not a word. It was high, but not as high as I expected. Besides, I had plenty of my own money left - Kendrick had paid for my two gown, and I hadn't gone to Mont-Nuit since that fateful climb with Bayard. I could afford it.
"It's worth every ducat," I replied with smile. "I like your art," I added sweetly.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 13, 2007 20:50:16 GMT -5
Chuckling, I found a quill and handed it to her. "Sign here," I said, pointing to the space under the quoted price. "Before I succumb to your charm and lower the price."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 14, 2007 0:27:26 GMT -5
Gingerly, I signed the contract, ending it with a flamboyant flourish.
"There, you've got my soul, now, don't you?" I replied with a tease.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 14, 2007 12:05:45 GMT -5
"Indeed, now all I need is your body," I teased back.
I pointed to the screened area in the corner. "Undress, there's a robe back there is you like and then come lay on the table so I can measure out the design on you."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 14, 2007 12:25:34 GMT -5
I wagged a scolding finger at him, but my smile was all tease. "Now now, Darien, that's not very serious, is it?" And with a chuckling smirk, I went behind the screen and took off my jacket and shirt, considered the breeches, and decided that they didn't need to go.
Moments later, I was back, my breeches under the robe.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 14, 2007 15:21:44 GMT -5
I had been preparing a few things while she was behind the screen, including lighting the candles on the little table.
"Alright, on the table please, on your stomach," I said, smiling.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 14, 2007 15:25:52 GMT -5
I made a mock military salute, "Aye aye, sir," and obliged, bearing my back with as much discretion as I could.
I liked and trusted Darien - but I didn't want to do something that would make either of us uncomfortable.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 14, 2007 23:18:56 GMT -5
Moving to the table, I gently brushed her hair aside and ran my fingers over her left shoulder, finding just the right spot.
"How does here work for you?" I asked, caressing the spot so she could tell where I meant.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 15, 2007 1:07:09 GMT -5
His touch was light and airy, respectful, professional. It didn’t stop me from enjoying it one bit, and I said, “It works very well,” my eyes closing a little on the sensation.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 15, 2007 11:57:11 GMT -5
"Good," I said, smiling. "This next part is fairly boring, I need to do a bit of measuring to transfer the design correctly."
I collected the calipers and other tools for this stage.
"You haven't had a lot of alcohol today have you?" I asked. "It causes more bleeding."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 15, 2007 14:20:43 GMT -5
"Not a drop," I replied gingerly. "It's bit early to drink," I added seriously. "Do I strike you as a drunkard?" I asked, chuckling at it.
It wasn't true, it wasn't false. And whatever he answered would likely amuse me.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 15, 2007 21:51:18 GMT -5
"Not in the least, but it's always safer to ask," I replied, chuckling.
I set down the tools, propped the sketch where I could glance at it and then began measuring out the points onto her shoulder, marking them as I did.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 16, 2007 1:23:08 GMT -5
"But of course," I replied with a wide grin. "Though one of these days, if you'd like, I wouldn't mind taking you out for a pint or two"... or three.
So far, it wasn't hurting - it was a bit prickling, no more. I smiled, because I expected there would be some pain, and smiling would be more difficult then. But I would not cry, or whimper over it.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 16, 2007 14:11:13 GMT -5
"That would be nice," I told her. "Perhaps somewhere with dancing so we can improve your skills"
I was nearly done with this part, the tattoo wasn't big and her skin was flawless so it was easy.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 16, 2007 16:39:25 GMT -5
I suppressed a chuckle. "You really think I can be a decent Lady one day, do you?" I teased him. "Perhaps, then. I likely won't wear a dress, unless I have to, though," I told him. In an exaggerated whisper, I told him, "I only own two dresses, and you've already seen one of them. That leaves me with very little choices in gowns."
Oh, Darien was so nice, so gentle, he was almost irresistible, I thought.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 16, 2007 17:35:07 GMT -5
Chuckling, I replied, "That's alright, it'll be easier to keep my toes out of your way if I'm not having to look around a flowing skirt."
I straightened up and looked over the measurements one last time.
"Alright, that's done. This is the last chance to change your mind before it begins to hurt," I told her honestly.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 17, 2007 1:30:12 GMT -5
"Have you heard of my House before?" I asked teasingly, "The Deveroix are both strong, loyal, loving... and incredibly stubborn." I concluded exaggerating my tone a bit ridiculously, though it was all true.
"Fire away, Darien. No matter what happens after this, I'll still be your friend," I promised dramatically.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 17, 2007 15:25:17 GMT -5
"I know you'll still be my friend, I just don't want you to beg me to stop halfway through," I replied, grinning.
I prepared the inks and retrieved the other tools required.
I dipped the bundle of needles into the ink and then set them to her skin. "Here we go," I said, and began working.
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