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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 15, 2008 21:12:17 GMT -5
Three days before the first day of the Royal Hunt The carriage ride had been quiet, Riva's fatigue becoming quite visible. I assumed she would need to rest quite a bit, and that was fine by me. I hadn't bought off her marque to slave her off. When it came to a stop, the door was open, and To-Biko's gruff face showed itself. Quickly, I exited the carriage, and before I could do anything, To-Biko was setting up to help her down. "Well well, welcome home, Riva," he said as he held out his hand. "We've been busy setting you up. I hope you like your new home."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 15, 2008 21:17:55 GMT -5
Leaving Gentian had been easy, leaving my friends hadn't been. I felt even more drained after all the emotions and I'd cradled Daisy against me, quietly petting her, during the carriage ride.
To-biko made me smile though, and I held his hand gratefully as I stepped out of the carriage, Daisy now in the crook of my other arm.
"Thank you, I'm sure everything will be perfect," I told him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 15, 2008 21:24:08 GMT -5
The house door was open, and I preceded them in, To-Biko visibly wanting to offer his arm to Riva. I let him - he was a good friend, and he would likely ward her more often then not. Best they get to know each other.
In the landing, Giovanna was waiting, just a little fidgetty. "Riva, I'd like to introduce our head governess," I said warmly, "Madam Giovanna Bruchesi." I winked, and said, "She is much like our mother, is that not so, Tia?" She blushed at the praise, and said, "That's so, Gil. It is a pleasure to meet you, Riva," she added warmly.
I looked at her. Gods. She was already plotting to make Riva eat more, I knew it. I'd have to have a word with the woman, before she sent our new housemate fearing.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 15, 2008 21:31:16 GMT -5
To-biko reached out and gently rubbed Daisy's head, which earned him a lick and a purr, before leading me inside.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, madam," I said, curtseying as well as possible with full arms and feeling weak still.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 15, 2008 21:39:47 GMT -5
"You can call me Tia," she replied, already full of motherly ways. Well. It was true that those past few year, both Cascata and I had become more and more independant. I guessed she missed it. "But it's late, and you must want to see you room, yes?" Her eyes went to the kitten, and to me, and flashed her a charming grin. Of course Daisy was welcome in the house. "This is Daisy," I added, pointing to the cat. "Daisy no Stregazza, I guess," I chuckled.
Turning to Riva, I added, "Shall we?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 15, 2008 21:42:24 GMT -5
Daisy preened slightly as she was discussed and named, making me smile more. Giving To-biko another smile, I released his arm and stepped closer to Gil.
"Yes, please."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 15, 2008 21:48:34 GMT -5
"Come, then," I said, leading the way. Riva's room was on the top floor, above my study, which was quite connvenient, considering no-one ever slept in my study, and I expected, at times, that her room may yet be a bit loud if she were to have her Aleron in the house. I'd told her she could, I wouldn't relent on my word.
The walls were decorated in the purest Azzalese style, though time and again, a Serenissiman touch gave it a nuance of exotism. There was a hall of portraits, those of the family, the D'Iz-Entre-Mer, mostly, though a portrait of my father the late Duca was on display. As we passed them on our way to the staircase, I said, "If you are curious as to who these people are, we'll discuss them later. I think your bed will be more interesting to you, for now, sweetie. You look beat."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 0:37:53 GMT -5
I looked at the portraits. "I know who they are," I said. My eyes stopped on the portrait of his father for a moment. "But yes, bed sounds nice, but mostly I'd just like to know where I'm going to call home."
My gaze turned to him again. "I don't remember anything before Gentian, so I've never had another home."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 0:42:20 GMT -5
For the first time, I realized that never, in a million lifetimes, nothing in this house would go out of Riva's span of knowledge. I had a little shudder for the otherworldliness of it, followed immediately by a surge of compassion. It must indeed be exhausting, I mused.
Still, I understood what she was saying, and seeing as I'd just made that realization, I knew that she knew that I knew that... Gods, this was a migraine waiting to happen.
"It's this way," I said as I indicated the stairs. I assessed her load. "Do you need help with anything?"
edit: nothing for anything. Oops.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 0:49:25 GMT -5
My things, minimal as they were, had fit into one medium bag and a small one as well. I held out the medium one to him. "Thank you."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 1:06:12 GMT -5
I took the bag, hauled it over my shoulder and started going up the stairs.
It was two flights up. The first one had my study, my room, Cascata's and her own library. The second one was relatively quiet, and well insulated, as the attic acted as a buffer between the floor and the cold. There were three rooms on this floor. One of them had been a large double room that our parents used, and it was never to be visited, for it was somewhat of a sanctuary. The other two were guest rooms, intended for visitors, cousins and the like. It was in one of those two rooms that Riva was to be set up.
The room was lovely - it sat atop the garden, a place with a quiet view, and the place was adorned with tapestries of a light blue that beckoned for relaxation. The bed was large, large enough for two, and of excellent quality. A fluffy comforter and cotton sheets would keep her warm at night. There was a dresser, an independant water room, and by the window, a desk and a chair. In the armoire, we had already put in a selection of gowns, though there would be no doubt more shopping to cater to. The walls were almost bare, but I'd willed it so. She would have a chance to customize the room's appearance, that way.
I opened the door, and ushered her in. "Welcome home, Riva," I said as I put her back down on the dresser.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 1:09:32 GMT -5
As we went upstairs, I could feel the swirling stories of the house trying to tell themselves to me. I was too tired and worn still, so with what skill I had learned I directed them aside to revisit later.
When we walked through the door, I stopped and stood stock still for a moment.
"This can't all be for me?" I asked in disbelief.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 1:20:02 GMT -5
I grinned, giving a small chuckle. "What, you expected me to have you stay in a cupboard, perhaps?" I teased. Of course not. Sheesh. We were the Stregazza, the traders of La Serenissima, and now my generation had the blood of Azza in our veins. I had many prideful reasons to make sure my would-be right hand would be treated as a family member. "If you don't like it, I might be able to arrange something with the master of horses," I added, teasing her wildly.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 1:24:22 GMT -5
I blushed, afraid I had offended him. "No… I …just," I stumbled trying to think of what to say. "It's not that I didn't think you had this, just that you would want this for someone more important. It's so lovely."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 1:28:50 GMT -5
I laughed again, lightheartedly. "It's all yours, Riva. You are my guest here, the guest of the Immortali, if you will. Serenissiman hospitality," I explained, "is a great source of pride. And besides," I added, taking a step and taking her shoulders in my hands, "you are an important guest. You are family, now, Riva nó Stregazza."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 12:42:51 GMT -5
My cheeks warmed again at the mention of family and I smiled. "Thank you."
Daisy jumped from my arm and began her inspection process.
I looked up at Gillermo. "For everything, thank you."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 16:58:32 GMT -5
She seemed to be quiute overwhelmed, and the only thing I could think of to reassure her was to open my arms wide. “You save my life, Riva,” I told her quietly. “Anything else would be unworthy of such a feat.”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 20:29:57 GMT -5
More gratefully than I could have imagined, I went into his embrace and leaned against him. He was a wonderfully solid, grounded presence now that the demon had been driven away. My own arms went around him and hugged him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 20:36:34 GMT -5
I enfolded her in my arms gently, letting the hold ascertain itself gradually, and caressed her hair. "You will see, Riva," I told her. "A new home isn't a bad thing."
Gods. She felt so tiny, in my arms... it was very disarming.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 16, 2008 21:56:32 GMT -5
"This is going to be a very good thing," I told him, feeling confident in my words. I looked up at him and smiled.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 16, 2008 22:16:22 GMT -5
She seemed to be better, and I smiled back. “There, that’s better,” I replied, grinning wide. “You’re so pretty when you smile,” I added warmly.
The thought occurred to me that perhaps I should kiss her. Well, not should. I felt the desire for it, truth be. But I remembered how tired she had seemed before I’d met with Octavier no Gentian, and thought better of it. She needed to rest.
“I should let you settle in, and get the rest you deserve,” I told her gently. “Sleep in, tomorrow, and when you are ready, just find Giovanna, or To-Biko. They’ll make sure breakfast is fixed for you, and when you’re ready, we will talk. There is my sister, who really is the lady of the House, whom you should meet. In the morning, we will talk.”
If she woke up early, perhaps we would be able to have breakfast, the three of us. Otherwise, improvisation would be the word. I was laidback on that matter.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 17, 2008 11:41:52 GMT -5
I blushed at his compliment, but only smiled more. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss me, but it seemed to pass and perhaps it had just been a thought and not an urge.
"Alright," I said, then looked at the bed. "That does look very comfortable."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 17, 2008 12:08:22 GMT -5
“I think the rest will do you good,” I told her gently. My hand caressed her cheek a moment. I was a man, and she was a beautiful young woman, whose skille I’d tasted. Of course, I wanted to kiss her. But I am hot blooded, and it would make me want to tumble her, and that would be unfair, I decided.
“If you need anything,” I added, pointing to the large rope in the left hand corner of the room. “That will call in the maid.” I kissed her lips softly, closed mouth, not resisting it any longer, and said, “Good night, Riva.”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 17, 2008 20:45:41 GMT -5
"Goodnight, Gillermo," I said, a little breathily for his kiss had surprised me. I enjoyed the warm touch of his lips on mine, memories of the more pleasant parts of our first time together coming to mind.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 18, 2008 18:54:10 GMT -5
I smiled gently and left her to sleep. She seemed indeed to be in need of quite a bit of rest.
Gently, I closed the door, and went to my own room. It was late, and I had quite a few things to attend.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 19, 2008 1:24:54 GMT -5
When Gil had gone, I nearly sagged with exhaustion. I staggered a little as I set up Daisy's things for her and then stripped my clothes off and climbed into bed. The bed was soft and even warmed already by his servants.
Daisy jumped up nest to me and curled into a ball against my side. Within seconds we were both asleep in our new home
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