Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2007 18:35:01 GMT -5
After a long day at the shop, I was in a particularly sour mood and so decided to have some ale at Le Poulet Gauche. Swaggering into the bar, I plopped myself down at the counter and called loudly for their finest swill. With a good-natured chuckle the barmaid passed me a flagon and I drank deeply.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 18, 2007 18:39:17 GMT -5
It had been one of those days, and Valentin had given me appointment at the cheapest and ugliest tavern in town. It didn't look good, but it was a discreet place to meet, and one to hear the rumors of the lower brawl.
I had picked up some interesting informations to resell the Kid, and so I would. The transaction was complete, and Valentin left, letting me to finish my ale, as was customary.
A surly youth came in, and I gave him a clear eye - Shahrizai, through and through - and a smile that wasn't my usual fare creased my lips at the thought of another one of his kin, one a little older, and much more graceful.
Silently, I drank in her honor.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2007 18:46:00 GMT -5
As I drank, the hair on the back of my neck prickled, and I turned my head slightly to look at whoever was watching me. It was a man, half-blooded unless I missed my guess, with dark hair and beady black eyes, like a birds. The moment I looked upon him, the eyes closed and he drank. The expression on his face was one of rapture, and I wondered what he could be drinking here that was so good.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 19, 2007 1:05:34 GMT -5
The moment the mug was set, my normal expression was resumed, and I stood to pay my consumption. My steps took me to the bar, where the young Kusheline sat, and I leaned against the wooden counter, waiting for the barman to come over. “Alright, Jacques,” I said, “I’m turning in, but , heck,” I paused, wondering at the very strangeness of my actions. “Here, give me two other ales.” When he was done serving them, I pushed one in the direction of the youth, and grinned cockily, “Here, in the honor of your line, M’Lord Shahrizai.”
What? He had it stamped on his face, and I was marrying his kin – he deserved the goodwill gesture, didn’t he?
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 19, 2007 11:26:35 GMT -5
I accepted the ale but did not drink. Instead I gave the man an incredulous look. "Do you know my line, sir?" I asked. I certainly had never seen him at any of our functions.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 19, 2007 14:04:10 GMT -5
“Enough of them to know the value of the scions of Kushiel,” I replied quizzically. I lifted my own mug, and looked at him blankly. “Baron Yvan d’Lantier,” I stated, as though it were an evidence.
Of course, it was not.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 19, 2007 17:49:53 GMT -5
Picking up my own mug, I drank warily. "Aramis Shahrizai," I said, when I finished my sip. "Tell me, what value is it that you see in our line?" This man was trying to cast himself as a mystery, that much was certain, and I was out to discern it.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 20, 2007 1:03:34 GMT -5
“Do you not see it yourself?” I asked, smirking. “Your matriarch is wise, your kin is beautiful and skilled in many ways,” I replied, wrapping my hand around the mug.
I examined him – he was young, rather, almost a babe. Inwardly, I shrugged – it mattered little – save for the part where I was to wed one of his kin.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 20, 2007 17:14:06 GMT -5
"I know these things," I said a bit testily. How could he presume that I would not know my own line? "I am simply wondering how you have come to know them as well? Have you met my lady Anacrasia? Have you experienced our skills?" I was unsure of the answer I would receive; if he was simply testing me he would give some false answer and I would know him for a fool. But if he were truthful, it could reveal something that he may not want me to know.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 20, 2007 17:37:17 GMT -5
"Knowing as I do of your line, I shouldn't be surprised if you know more of her than I do by a great deal," I replied non-plussed. I'd slept with her, scupted her body, and had several meals in her presence, after all...
I had come to think of Anacrasia as a friend, or at least, an ally - espescially since she had given me to Sirena on a silver platter. Besides, Mandrake had my weekly attentions, did it not?
He was testy, this one, and I wondered how he would react if he had a taste of my own special skills. The coldness of skill was well comfortable against my arm, and it brought a dangerous grin to my lips.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 20, 2007 17:48:31 GMT -5
I frowned. "Anacrasia is a good deal older than I am," I clarified, with a small cough. "I know her as well as any family member should." He was smiling dangerously, and it made me all the more curious what he was about. "I respect my lady well."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 20, 2007 17:55:33 GMT -5
I looked at him quizzically. "What does age have to do with it? You're not under-age, are you?"
Gods - I'd assumed he were in his very young twenties, but if he weren't even sixteen yet...
"She does inspire respect, doesn't she?" I continued, ignoring any growl he may yet have on. I was starting to have a mind to test his patience, for this little one of the spices.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 20, 2007 18:08:54 GMT -5
"I'm nineteen," I said, a touch more testily. If he knew anything about this city, he would know who I was. "And age has much to do with it. Ana's age inspires me to respect her as my matriarch." I knew what he was trying to get at, but it was not his business. My respect for Anacrasia was platonic; untainted by desire, though she was a lovely woman.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 20, 2007 18:22:12 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Fair enough," I replied with a wide grin of amusement. For a short moment, I had a silent drink, pondering my options.
"And so you are rather in good terms with her, then?" I asked, not really bothering. I had heard of other young Shahrizai who inclined Ana go keep rather close tabs on them - somehow, I didn't quite think it was this one, though.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 20, 2007 19:39:39 GMT -5
"I should say so," I said. "As far as I can tell, I have not vexed her, and my shop is doing quite well."
This question asking was putting me in the defensive, I figured it was my turn to be asking the questions now. "How do you know my cousin?"
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 21, 2007 3:29:41 GMT -5
“We had dinner on Coronation Night,” I replied quietly, and nonchalantly, I added, “We’ve been getting on fairly well since. Truth be, I anxiously await a chance to meet the remainder of the family.” That was an understatement, really. But that was really, really none of his business.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 21, 2007 10:59:47 GMT -5
The idea of this slimy fellow with one of my cousins was enough to make me ill, but I did not show my disgust. "You wish to meet the rest of our family? Why?"
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 21, 2007 11:12:58 GMT -5
"Because the sample I have encountered so far is rather fine," I replied, licking my lips with a rakish grin. I could see enough in his eyes, to see that I did not have his favor - it was no issue, really. I had my fill of partners already, from his Matriach, to the succulent Sirena. I even had a mind to discover his charming cousin Gabriel, given the chance - between them, and Ideaus, I had plenty to keep myself busy.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 21, 2007 11:33:52 GMT -5
I frowned. "I cannot allow you to speak so about my cousins," I said. "They are lovely women and men, not pieces of meat."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 21, 2007 12:48:32 GMT -5
I chuckled. If anyone was meat in this relationship, it was me. But again, that wasn't quite something to tell him.
"I did not say that, child. As a matter of fact, I have feelings for Anacrasia, as well as for other members of your family - the fact that I appreciate them in many different ways is no bad thing."
My tone was light, but it held a bit of menace - that he even dare suggest I had such a perspective on Sirena was disgusting.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 21, 2007 21:28:59 GMT -5
"Child?" I asked, scoffing. "That's hardly an appropriate assessment. I am an orphan, I run my own business, there is no one watching out for me except me. My family is there, but I put my own food on the table."
This man's soul was deeply cracked; not only cracked, but twisted. And he had a secret, a secret that he was dangling in front of me but unwilling to reveal outright. "Which of my family members have you met, besides Ana?"
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 22, 2007 5:33:11 GMT -5
I was an orphan too, and had learned the hard way as well. I dove my eyes deep into his, my deeply grey eyes that were almost black, and nonchalantly replied, “Yes, yes, we all strive for a living.” Maturity, he did not have, even if he claimed to be responsible – that was rather visible – he couldn’t even school his features to calm a little taunt.
“I’ve met Gabriel,” I said with a rueful smile, reminding myself to look him up one day, but the next name that left my lips left them with reverence and worship, “And Sirena.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 22, 2007 10:31:03 GMT -5
At these two names, I cracked a smile, though it grew wider at his mention of Sirena. "Two of my favorite cousins," I said. Unless I was mistaken, there was something like joy in this man's soul at the thought of Sirena. What was his relationship to her? "Some of my most delightful times have been with them."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 22, 2007 10:38:35 GMT -5
“As have mine,” I replied secretively. The news of our betrothal had not been made public – and so, not wanting to displease my intended and her matriarch, I kept my peace, and did not say more. It had been Anacrasia’s idea, so she smiled on the union, but until she and Sirena made it public, I wouldn’t go about announcing it, no matter how tempting. I had control. “The only word I can think of is rapture, when I think of your cousin Sirena. She is everything beautiful and twisted in this world.”
And the only woman I have, or will, ever love.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 22, 2007 10:56:46 GMT -5
Having once been on the receiving end of Sirena's twisted nature, I was able to agree with him. "Are you a lover of Sirena, then?" I asked him bluntly.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 22, 2007 11:03:41 GMT -5
“Did I suggest that?” I asked innocently.
I took a sip of my ale, noting that he wasn’t drinking at all – though with his rough edges, it was likely for the best. The low brawl always said, if you can’t hold your liquor, don’t drink – mayhap he was showing wisdom.
Then again, mayhap not, I thought as I set down the mug, and smiled agreeably. With my indulgences, I could fake any expression – this one was rather sedate, and almost pleasant.
In his blue eye, I saw just a small glint of jealousy.
How entertaining.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 22, 2007 18:06:57 GMT -5
"You insinuated it," I said. Even though he looked innocent, I was still Shahrizai, and he was still hiding something. I took a sip of ale, but it tasted like sand in my mouth.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 23, 2007 5:22:57 GMT -5
“That would be your conclusion to draw out,” I replied, non-plussed. “Though there are other ways of learning to appreciate a lovely woman, that don’t involve such activities. Then again, they are usually learned much later in life,” I said evenly.
I took a sip of my ale, and finding it wasn’t enough, I called for another drink, this time, my usual fare, whiskey. Not to be undone, I ordered two, and had one shipped over to my young barmate. “The ale here is truly disgusting,” I told the barman. “Don’t do that to me again, please.” He gave me a look of regret, and served the two whiskeys.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Sept 23, 2007 15:51:57 GMT -5
Tossing back the whiskey, I felt it burn in my throat and it only heated my blood further in anger. His jabs about my age were an insult, and his words only proved further that he was hiding something. "Do you think you are fooling me?" I asked him incredulously.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Sept 23, 2007 16:36:27 GMT -5
“Gentlemen don’t kiss and tell,” I replied with a sly grin – he knew, I knew, what dit it matter so much that I spell it out for him…. “Why does it matter so much to you, tell me?”
I sipped my liquor slowly, and smiled pleasantly. He was loosing control, getting on edge, and it was beyond amusing. In fact, I hadn’t had so much fun in a good while – of this particular nature, of course, I thought smugly.
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