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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 27, 2007 20:11:37 GMT -5
"Who mentionned historic bias?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. "It was merely observation, Lessa. Far be it from me to have a comment on your acquaintances. I was merely curious - my sources tell me an Illyrian embassy is in town, but I've not met their representative yet." I shrugged to myself. Not that they would seek it out anyway. Ah, but to end this stupid feud...
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Nov 28, 2007 17:51:16 GMT -5
"But you almost seem more interested than if it were any other man I may choose to speak to," I explained steadily. "Your first interest was to whether he was Illyrian, not whether he was my friend or anything else."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 28, 2007 23:22:28 GMT -5
I shrugged. "I haven't seen an Illyrian in a long time," I explained. "I wasn't sure my guess was correct." Lightly, without guile or jealousy, I asked, "Is he?" Is he your friend?
If he were, that was interesting. But I trusted Lessa, and knew she was fair. If anything, mayhap this possible coincidence could help soothe old evils.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Nov 29, 2007 17:47:05 GMT -5
"Of course," I replied calmly, smiling with honesty and goodwill. "As you are, Gil."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 29, 2007 17:50:23 GMT -5
"An interesting tangled web," I replied as I filed away the information. "I congratulate you on your open mind. Perhaps the Lady of Marsilikos will be the end of the blood fued between our people then," I said, half-jesting, but meaning every word of it.
"You know my passion for peace," I told her with a gentle smile. "It has not waned over the year."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Nov 30, 2007 16:29:01 GMT -5
"It's a wonderful thing to hear," I said softly and with a smile, glad that he still pursued such a path. "I know how hard it can be to keep to peace at times."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 30, 2007 21:02:28 GMT -5
"It is, but no worthy cause was ever easy to achieve," I told her with faith. "It's not the forum for it, but I thought you should know, I won't be causing trouble to your Illyrian friend, as long as he doesn't me. I've no desire to perpetuate blood feuds."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Nov 30, 2007 21:08:02 GMT -5
"From what I know, he does not seem the type to cause problems," I replied honestly. "I have every faith in both of you. You're both very good people, as well as good friends."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 30, 2007 21:09:28 GMT -5
I smiled, and took a sip. Lessa's fate was heartening, but I did not share it. Last time I'd been in Illyria, there had been quite a bit of historical bias. Illyria... the thought of what I'd done there chilled my blood, and I shoved the thought away before it overcame me.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Nov 30, 2007 21:11:04 GMT -5
He was silent again, and I was content to wait for him to speak again as i sipped my wine. If nothing else, the alcohol and opium had him relaxed, and if he fell asleep I wouldn't be offended. he needed the rest.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Nov 30, 2007 21:16:04 GMT -5
After a moment of comfortable silence, I looked at her, and said, "Are you this patient with all your friends, Lessa? You are achieving a level that is nigh heroic."
I meant every word of it - and I was grateful for her presence - I only hopped one day I would return the favor, if she were to befall a need for it, Elua forbid.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 4, 2007 16:38:13 GMT -5
"I try to be patient," I admitted. "Though I always feel I'm not doing as well as I should be. It's not that I want to be the best- I just want to be good enough to be helpful, and you're kind for saying I am." My smile warmed and I ran a hand lightly over his hair. "If there's anything you need, you must ask- in reward for your patience in befriending me."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 4, 2007 17:35:56 GMT -5
"Bah," I replied, smiling warmly, shifting my head so that her wrist came in contact with my cheek. I nuzzled a little, and half closed my eyes, nigh purring. I was in more need of affection than I would ever acknowledge. "You are rewarding me by being here," I whispered gently.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 4, 2007 17:55:32 GMT -5
A small shudder managed to work through me before I repressed it with a flush. It was only the drugs in his system, making him crave sensation. "I'm not doing anything," I replied softly.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 4, 2007 18:13:23 GMT -5
"Don't say that," I replied gently. "You listen, without judging, you give, without expecting. That's more than most could dream to do."
I opened my eyes, taking a fix on her. "Are you cold, Lessa?"
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 4, 2007 19:17:31 GMT -5
Flushing and smiling shyly I shook my head. "No, I'm not cold, but I thank you for the concern," I told him softly. "Just had a prickle down my spine, I suppose."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 4, 2007 19:34:43 GMT -5
With all that redness on her face, she couldn't be cold, not really. "I understand," I replied softly. "It happens to me too, sometimes... like when I dance with pretty redheads, and my mind is just a little high on lavender-perfumed wine..." I mused, smiling at the recollection.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 4, 2007 19:48:01 GMT -5
The memory made me smile even as the flush renewed. "You're intoxicated on a bit more than memories, my friend," I teased gently.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 4, 2007 20:03:44 GMT -5
"Yes, just a little," I replied, shaking my head. "But it's best this way - have my word," I added as I rolled my shoulders. "I guess I should go to bed, but before I do...." I stood, and said, "no, no, don't move, it's just a little ditty, Lessa."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 5, 2007 17:29:39 GMT -5
For a moment I was confused, but I obeyed, staying where I was. "What do you mean?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 5, 2007 19:20:39 GMT -5
I smiled, giving a small wink. "Just a little something, nothing to get excited about," I said. I moved to the adjoining cabinet, and opened it. I rummaged a little, and came out triumphantly with a box.
"I should have sent this to you by courrier," I explained as I came back, and sat at her knees. "But I thought I'd be selfish and enjoy your reaction in person, so I waited until I saw you to give it to you," I explained as I presented it to her.
It was a box of mahogany, simple, unadorned, save with the insignia of the Immortali, and inside it, laying on black velvet, was a glass-blown lamp of blue and mauve colored mosaic glass. I'd had it made for Lessa, a while back, for her natal, and had in fact not really wanted to send it, fearing the hazards of travel.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 6, 2007 17:11:39 GMT -5
Smiling slightly and a bit curious I took the box and opened it, then gasped. "Gil, it's lovely," I said with deep sincerity, lightly running a finger along the lamp's edge; I was almost worried that simply looking at it too intently would cause it to break. "Thank you," I added with a smile, meeting his gaze and taking his hand lightly to kiss the back in affection. "You're far too kind."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 6, 2007 17:27:51 GMT -5
"Only as much as you deserve," I teased with a wide grin. "Besides, isn't it a friend's job to make sure natals don't go uncelebrated?"
Not wanting to move away, I knelt at her feet, and looked at it. "I'm so glad you like it. It was made by Marcello Pidari, and is one of a kind - for a unique person, a unique present," I explained matter-of-factly.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 6, 2007 17:47:17 GMT -5
I did know something of trade, so the name was familiar to me. "Oh," I gasped in amazement, eyes wide with how much this treasure must have cost. "You didn't have to go to all of this trouble for me, even for my natal. I'm clumsy, I'll only break it."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 6, 2007 19:13:41 GMT -5
I laughed for her reaction - I loved to see her happy this way - it made it all go away, the regrets, the tragedy, everything. I did like to please a pretty woman, after all.
"Of course you won't" I replied with a grin. "Your caring and nurturing nature will compel you to make sure it is safe," I added with a gentle tease. "Besides, I'd rather you break a lamp, than your heart," I said caringly.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 7, 2007 16:51:53 GMT -5
"My heart can only be broken if someone wants to try and grasp it," I replied light-heartedly, though in truth the care he showed was touching. "As for the lamp, I swear I will put it somewhere very picturesque where it can't receive a bit of harm."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 7, 2007 19:45:37 GMT -5
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied with a grin, not specifying which of the two, or both, I was referring to.
"Just know that if anyone breaks anything of yours, I'll gladly lend you my helping hand," I added amicably.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 9, 2007 8:54:31 GMT -5
"I'm glad to hear it," I told him with a smile. "And I'll keep it in mind."
Carefully I closed the box, sure not to let the lid drop and possibly disturb the delicate glasswork inside. "Should I return the box to you once I get this home?" I asked him sensibly; after all, even this simple thing was a work of art unto itself.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Dec 9, 2007 10:03:47 GMT -5
I grinned, ready to tease again, but her question took me by surprise. "Of course not, Lessa. It is part of the gift - what if you were to move? You will need it, should you return to Marsilikos and desire to take it with you," I replied practically.
I wanted to raise a hand and caress her cheek reassuringly, but I didn't dare - the risk was still existent, and one disaster was enough.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Dec 9, 2007 10:13:18 GMT -5
"I only wanted to be sure," I told him with a smile as I just barely flushed. "I'd hate to thoughtlessly take advantage of your kindness."
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