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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 12, 2008 15:38:26 GMT -5
“That I need to be careful of you,” I said gently. “There wasn’t time, and we should have had more preparation for this kind of activity,” I thought aloud. I had a mind to train Riva in many other arts, to complement what she knew as an adept, even she had swooned. Her body language was screaming of worry, and I had to ask.
“Riva, something is eating at you. Seeing as I do not have your gift, would you care to enlighten me?” I asked it gently – I was an unhappy man, but I had no desire to make her bear a burden that was not meant for her to carry.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 12, 2008 15:59:10 GMT -5
“It’s nothing, my lor…Gil,” I answered, barely catching myself. “I guess I’m just more tired than I realized.”
I took another drink of my juice and then set the glass on the table, finding any reason I could not to meet his gaze without obviously avoiding it. If To-Biko or Gil’s sister had been here, I was certain he would have accepted their support, but I had overstepped my boundaries and would hopefully learn not to do so in the future. Even though he owned my marque, I really did still think of Gil as a friend, but the apprentice side of my status had obviously changed things and I would have to learn things anew.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 12, 2008 16:11:51 GMT -5
My Lord? She had done it again, and I couldn’t help but wonder what in the world I did make her so intimidated. She wasn’t looking at me, though whether it was purposeful or not, I couldn’t tell. I sighed, then stretched.
“We have had a long day, Riva,” I said wearily. “It’s no wonder, really. Do you wish to go to bed, then?” I had no desire to dismiss her, but didn’t want to wear her out either. I liked her and felt responsible for her. I thought she expected perhaps that I speak of what happened with Mirielle, but that wasn’t coming easy – even to Cascata, I did not confide so easily my failures, and To-Biko’s knowledge of the Nubian fiasco was purely due to the fact that he was there. That had been kept secret for years, until the curse forced revelations out of me, of us.
In time, I would speak. This night, I just wasn’t ready.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 12, 2008 16:18:42 GMT -5
“That’s probably for the best,” I said. I would have added the unless he preferred I stayed, but there was no need really. “Will you be wanting to see me in the morning?” We’d yet to set a schedule as to when things may happen, so it was best to ask.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 12, 2008 16:48:31 GMT -5
“In the afternoon,” I replied with a smile. “It’s late, sleep in if you want, or have a morning to do what you will. After lunch, we can get to work.” It occurred to me that I hadn’t told Riva what I had thought of the evening, and I added, smiling reassuringly, “You deserve the rest. It was an eventful night, and you strove through it. I’m proud of you.”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 12, 2008 22:07:10 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said, smiling. I wished I could believe him as much as I wanted to.
Rising, I smoothed my dress. “Good night,” I told him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 13, 2008 2:20:19 GMT -5
"Good night, Riva," I replied rising a moment and tugging her to me in an impetuous hug. "Sleep well."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 13, 2008 11:40:08 GMT -5
“You too, Gil,” I said, returning his hug and then stepping away. “I will see you tomorrow.”
I brushed my hair back as I left to return to my room. I made a side stop first though and asked for my bath to be filled. A hot bath sounded wonderful and would help me sleep. That done, I went to my room for the night.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 13, 2008 12:41:59 GMT -5
I watched her leave and stayed immobile for a while. I needed to be alone, for a moment – I was feeling anger waiting to come out, and it demanded an outlet. Soon, I decided, soon. For now, I let myself enjoy the luxury of wallowing in self-pity until To-Biko came by.
“Did you still want to go out?” he asked, visibly ready to do so.
“You know what, no,” I said. “But if you want to have a brandy in my surly company while I wallow in my own misery, feel free.”
To-Biko moved and served himself a drink, and sat silently. The question was on his lips, and he held it there, merely looking at me in disapproval.
“You should talk about this,” he said at length. “To me, to Riva, to Cascata, to any of us. But you should talk.”
“I will,” I said. “On my own terms.”
With that, I downed the drink and served myself another one. To-Biko grunted, and gave myself the only thing I could endure just then – he stayed quietly by my side, and we drank the night away in the way only men can do it, barely grunting at each other. I was grateful, by many ways. I couldn't bare saying it, for now.
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