The afternoon after the Hunt Fete: Starting Up

[Gillermo Stregazza]

The way she hugged herself reminded me of her worry that I wouldn’t keep her the night before. Thus, I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks and pull her to me in a bear-like hug. “It’s alright, Riva, it’s alright,” I said soothingly. “I’m not unpleased with you, I just need to understand so that I can help you,” I said softly.

I caressed her back as reassuringly as I could – I felt responsible for her, and I needed to make sure we worked in the right ways, with the right tools. I made a note of it – too much, too many things in her head that weren’t hers. Perhaps it held an element of answer.

[Riva Carle (R)]

I let myself lean against him, drawing balance from the comfort he offered. I felt Daisy twining about my legs, her own efforts to comfort me.

“It’s just that, with all those thoughts and feelings at once, it was like everyone there was yelling at me all at once while pressing against me,” I said, trying to explain.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Oh dear. What she was describing sounded quite the terrible experience, and I brushed my hand between her shoulder blades soothingly. “It sounds horrid,” I said after a moment. “Tell me, did you have any coaching on…” I tried to find words for it, “on using your special abilities?”

For now, I didn’t move us, rather I pressed her against me, trying to convey to her the protectiveness that had been blooming in me since the first day we’d met. Not love, or rather, not romantic love, but something other and kind, that called for loyalty.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Not really,” I said. “In fact, until I found Aleron, most of my time was like that moment at the fete. I never went outside Gentian and everyone avoided me as much as they could. Aleron helped fix me though, he makes it where I can hear myself.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Ah, yes, Aleron," I replied, smiling kindly. "He brings you peace, doesn't he?" I said softly.

If her lover calmed the voices, that was good, and saved her sanity - but we needed a middle ground, and I was thinking of a few ideas. A skill, like anyother, is one to be trained. I'd have to do some research.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Yes, but more than that. He’s the other half of me and when he’s around all the things I don’t have, control, strength, competency, are all there, I said, looking up at him.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"You are blessed, then," I replied softly. "Never let anything come between you. You know I'll support you in that, don't you?" I asked with a warm smile.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“I do,” I said, returning his smile. “And I am grateful for it, thank you.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Seeing as she seemed more calm, I let her go, ready to start walking again. "Riva, tell me, do you like music?"

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Oh yes,” I answered, scooping Daisy up in my arms before I fell into step with him. She rubbed my chin with her head, then moved to perch on my shoulder as we walked, her tail curled around my neck. “I love music of all kinds.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Good," I replied as we took up the winding road. "What music have you had a chance to listen to so far, tell me," I asked curiously.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Oh, we’ve listened to music from many, many nations,” I told him. “I used to sneak into some of the classes and demonstrations for the older adepts just to listen. I really like Alban and Eiran music. And Aragonian too.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Good at sneaking. Somehow, that didn’t surprise me. “Good,” I said with a smile. “I have a mind to take you to the concert eventually, perhaps after we’ve gotten the matter of your marque settled. Would you like that?”

An idea was coming to me, but I’d have to further some research before I put it in application. There was plenty of time for me to do so.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Oh, I would like that very much,” I said, smiling at him. “Thank you.” I’d heard of the concerts put on in the city and the idea of attending them had always appealed to me.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“You’re welcome,” I replied with a smile. I let silence settle, and after a few quiet steps, I said, “So tell me, Riva, what are your aspirations? What future do you see, for yourself?”

I had an idea it involved her Aleron – she seemed truly to love her mysterious lover, and I could not imagine he was not part of that.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“One day, when my marque is made and Aleron is free he and I will have a little house together, with a garden and be able to spend every moment together that we want to,” I answered, smiling.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“And Daisy will have a whole new litter of kittens to raise, perhaps,” I continued, smiling gently. “It sounds lovely. I don’t doubt you and he both will get your dream ending,” I said with a good-natured smile.

Inwardly, I was a little jealous – I’d dreamed of little blond children to raise with… I sighed, not hiding it. “You are truly blessed,” I said softly, trying not to give in to sourness.

[Riva Carle (R)]

Reaching out, I took his hand, squeezing it softly.

“There always seems to be pain before pleasure, you’ll get your happy ending as well,” I told him.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I looked at her, returning the squeeze. "I've never thought of myself as a man for such things until then. Perhaps I was never met to be so either." I smiled at her, and added, trying to be reassuring, "I will do my best that you don't feel the brunt of it."

I was thinking already that a moment at Valerian might be a good idea. I needed something harsh to instill life in myself back.

[Riva Carle (R)]

I turned my gaze ahead as my smile faltered a bit, confused again. It seemed whenever I tried to offer him friendship and reassurances he turned them away in one manner or another. It was clear now that friend was not going to be one of my positions here.

Using the excuse of reaching up to pet Daisy, I let go of his hand and rubbed her ear.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Riva was quiet and I was lost in my own thoughts. Quietly, I continued to walk, trying to chase my melancholy.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask your permission for,” I said after a bit. “Should I wait or is now a good time?”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Now is as good a time as any," I replied with a quiet smile. "What is on your mind, Riva?"

[Riva Carle (R)]

There’s a place towards the back of the yard that seems unused, may I plant a small copse of trees there?” I asked. “I’ll pay for it with the bit of money I have.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Oh..." I couldn't help but frown a little. "I have no objection to it at all," I said with an apologetic smile. "But matters of the house fall back to my sister, you see, she'll inherit the D'angeline title one day, so it's all in her hands. You'd have to ask her." I shrugged, and added, "I don't see why she would object to it, though."

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Oh,” I said, blushing slightly at having made a mistake. “Alright, I’m sorry… I didn’t realize the house was hers.”

Cascata and I got along well enough, but it wasn’t the same as with Gil. Or then again maybe it was, since my relationship with him wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. Perhaps I’d get up the courage to ask Cascata, but likely not.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I chuckled, and looked at Riva with a grin. "Well, it was slated to be mine, so it's nothing to be sorry about," I explained with a comprehending smile. "But seeing as I already had the Ducal estate to run and the ambassadorial commission to run, I abdicated my rights to the marquisat in her favor." I shrugged, and added, "My sister and I are very close, we never consider such things with much greed, in truth."

[Riva Carle (R)]

“That’s good,” I said, looking at my feet as we walked. I very much wanted to do right and make Gil proud, but it seemed everything I tried anymore was wrong. He rebuffed all my attempts at friendship, I had disappointed him at the fete, I asked him stupid questions. I’d never imagined I would feel more lost and inept outside Gentian than I had inside, but I did.

Daisy rubbed her head against mine, trying to comfort me.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Riva appeared deep in thought, and I let the silence stay for a moment, trying to find a way to break it. "Well," I said after a moment, "Not that I doubt your goodwill, but was there a particular reason you had this interest in the lot?" My question was asked gently, conversationnally more than anything else, without a trace of judgement or ire.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“There is a small bunch of trees back at Gentian that were very dear to me,” I answered. Without even thinking about it, my hand came up and through my dress absently touched the pendant Aleron had made me. “When I saw that empty bit of land the idea struck me. It was only a whim though.”